Chapter 1
Haven was the Vista Summit. It was a towering peak stretching over three thousand feet high. Its steep cliffs and treacherous paths made it a place no
Little did the world know, shrouded in perpetual mist at the mountain’s summit lay a quaint, ancient house. In the front yard of the house, a group of elderly men sat comfortably, savoring the tea served by a young man.
“You lost are really throwing me out? That’s so irresponsible” the young man, Ethan Walker, muttered as he poured tea for each elder. His voice was laced with feigned indignation.
Ethan had been an orphan, drifting aimlessly through the streets until he was five years old. That was when Alvin Brown found him and brought him to th mountain. Eighteen years had passed since.
During his time here, he had apprenticed under all the elders, leaming every skill they had to offer. Now, he was not only a master of martial arts but also a practitioner of medicine, an expert in divination, and a prodigy in countless other fields.
Today, on the eve of his 23rd birthday, they suddenly dropped the bombshell They had found his family, and they were sending him down the mountain to reunite
with them.
Ethan was happy, but their nonchalant attitude and utter lack of reluctance rubbed him the wrong way.
“What do you mean by throwing you out? This is your chance to reunite with your family!” one of the elders said.
“We’re doing this for your own good,” another chimed in
Andy Evans stroked his sparse beard, his tone exasperated yet finn. “Exactly. You’ve been separated from your family t years, and they’ve probably been searching for you all this time. Now that they’ve finally found you, you should reunite with them and put their minds at ease.
“You’ve already learned everything we can teach you. The rest of the journey is yours to take alone.” The others chimed in, not sounding like they wanted him to
Stat
“Fine! If that’s what you want, I’ll leave! From now on, I’ll go my way, and you go yours. We’ll mind our own business and stay out of each other’s-
“Oh, screw you.” Before Ethan could finish his rant, Alvin delivered a swift kick. However, Ethan, quick as ever, caught the strike midair and effortlessly pushed.
“You’ve gotten weaker, Mr. Brown 11 leave, who’s going to look after all of you? Maybe I should stay, after all.”
To Ethan, even though he had a family, he had lived on this mountain for most of her life. Maybe his family had forgotten about him and had already started a new family. What if his retur tumed out to be unnecessary and made things awkward? Maybe it was better it he stayed put.
“Enough nonsense! It’s settled. You’re going back home. Thus is non–negotiable.” Before Erhan could say anything, Alfred Clarke tossed a cloth bundle at his feet.
“Alright, you’d better get going now. Remember, your family lives in Silverbank City. Your dad’s name is Marcus Walker!”
Agush of wind swept through the yard, and Ethan was suddenly pushed out the gate. He had just claimed Alvin’s sills were lacking, but it seemed the old man had been holding back earlier.
When be glanced back, the gates had already slammed shut.
*Fine, I’m leaving! I’m not scared!” Despite his words, he hesitated after taking a few steps. Turning back toward the gate, he dropped to his knees and said, Thank you, my mentors, for raising me and teaching me. I’ll be leaving the mountain now.”
With that, he rose to his Jeet and strode away without looking back
Salverbank City was a sprawling metropolis, where every inch of land came at a premium. A city so captivating. It was said no one wanted to leave once they arrived.
Along the way, Ethan asked for direction whenever he could. When he was hungry, he nibbled on the dried rations tucked in his bundle. When he was thirsty, sipped on the water be brought. When exhaustion caught up with him, he made do with the ground as his bed and the open sky as his blanket, resting wherever he could. After days of traveling, he finally arrived.
His eart was filled with excitement and curiosity, compared to the city he remembered from his childhood, Silverbank City felt like an entirely different world. He almost couldn’t believe that his home was located in such a beautiful city.
The llating of a car hom snapped Ethan out of his thought He quicidy stepped aside, narrowly avoiding the oncoming vehicle. However, the carskidded to a stop. and the driver didn’t seem leady to let it po
“Are you blind? Watch where you’re going!” a burly man shouted from the driver’s seat. His gold chain gleamed in the sunlight as he leaned out the window, his
What? Does this road belong to you? Besides,
moved out of the way!” than glanced at the man but remained unfazed by his appearance or tone. His mentors had taught him since childhood that it someone slawed him an inch of respect, he should repay it with a mile. However, if anyone dared to cross him, he was justified inreisimning the offense.
“You’ve gode ve, kid! If I weren’t in a hurry to deliver something to the Walker fainily,
v, I’d get out and teach you a lesson” the unshouted in anger
With Ethan’s curent attire, which was a white T–shirt patched in several places, faded jeans that had been washed to a pale hue, and a burlap sack slung over his shoulder, it was obvious at a glance that he was from the countryside. Hence, the main dider’t take him seriously at all,
Apparently in a hurry, although the man was irritated, he immediately stepped on the pedal and was ready to drive oil.
“Hey, wait?” Ellan stopped him in a panie upon hearing the mention of the Walker Landly.
“Are you trying to get yoursell killed? Move! The man was in a hurry to deliver something for the Walker family and couldn’t afford to waste his time on a
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countryside boy. While cursing, his foot never lifted from the pedal. He was teady to drive away anytime.
Which Walker family are you talking about?” Ethan had been asking around the whole day since there were so many Walkers in town. However, when he mentioned his dad’s full name, everybody was in shock, treating his question like a joke and ignoring him.
However, he planned to hold on to every opportunity he had to enquire about his family’s whereabouts.
“It’s none of your business. Now, move it! Or else I’ll knock you over! Ethan wasn’t someone easily intimidated. Besides, he harbored no ill intentions. He merely wanted to ask which Walker family the man was heading to..
Yet the two found themselves at an impasse. One was unwilling to speak, and the other refused to yield.
“Oh, to hell with it.” The driver’s patience snapped. He slammed on the gas, sending the car lurching forward. He was in a hurry and couldn’t delay anymore. If he couldn’t deliver the item in time, he was finished.
When the car almost hit Ethan, he planted his foot firmly on the car’s front bumper instead of leaping out of the way. No matter how hard the driver stepped on the pedal, the car couldn’t move forward.
What the hell?” The driver rubbed his eyes in disbelief. This was a Mercedes G–Wagon, a beast with 585 horsepower. However, it couldn’t even budge against this guy’s foot. He knew instantly that Erhan wasn’t an ordinary person.
“Alright, alright! I’m sorry about my attitude earlier, okay? Please just let me go. I’m really in a rush!” He glanced at the dwindling time, utterly panicked. Ottending the Walker family could mean losing his livelihood at best, or even his life at worst
“I’m in a hurry as well. Tell me which Walker family you’re delivering to,” Ethan said calmly.
The driver was almost in tears from anxiety and hurriedly explained himself, “Which one do you think? The Walker family, the richest damn family in Silverbank City! Marcus‘ place!”
Ethan’s heart slapped a beat. After days of fruitless searching, he had stumbled onto the answer by sheer luck. Furthermore, he couldn’t believe his dad was the richest man in Silverbank City.
“Sir, can you let me go now?” the man asked.
“Fine. But on one condition,” Erhan said.
“What is it?” the man asked.
“Bring me along to the Walker family!” Erhan said proudly.
