Novel Catalog
Chapter 1
Nash Calcraft stood on the summit of Tili Mountain, gazing down at the letter his master had left for him. The paper was yellowed with age, and a pendant rested on top, as if the letter had been carefully placed, awaiting this moment.
I have recently found enlightenment in the depths of my contemplation. I must journey to the farthest reaches of the South Sea to break free from my restraints, and I do not know when I will return.
You have spent over fifteen years cultivating here, and your divine skills have matured. Do not let them go to waste.
I am old friends with Herman Lewis of Jonford City. In the past, we arranged a marriage contract for you with his eldest daughter. Once you read this letter, head down the mountain and fulfill the marriage agreement. When married, you must serve Mr. Lewis as you would serve me. Do not take this lightly.
If your path to immortality is blocked, the Lewises will ensure your life remains worry-free…
Nash’s throat tightened as he read his master’s words. His master, who had raised him like a son after he lost his parents, had planned for every detail of his life. A wave of gratitude and sadness filled Nash’s heart. The moment his master ascended, he would be alone, forced to navigate the world without his guidance.
Tears welled up in his eyes, but he wiped them away quickly. With a final glance at the letter and pendant, he packed his belongings, tidied the courtyard one last time, bowed three times, and began his descent from the mountain.
In the dense forest surrounding Tili Mountain, Nash moved like a shadow, nimbly leaping from tree to tree with the agility of a swallow. When he reached the mountain road, he paused, adjusting his clothes and taking a deep breath as the midday sun beat down on him.
Though Jonford City was close, it would take him until midnight to reach it on foot.
Just then, a car sped toward him, kicking up dust. Nash’s eyes brightened, and with a sly smile, he stepped into the middle of the road and waved his arms.
The car screeched to a halt, narrowly avoiding him. The door swung open, and an angry woman in a jacket stormed out.
“Are you out of your mind, standing in the middle of the road like that?! You want to die?” she yelled.
Nash raised his hands in defense, “Whoa, calm down, pretty lady. Are you headed to Jonford? I could use a ride.”
“Ride my ass?” she retorted. “Get lost!”
“I really need to get there quickly,” Nash insisted, pulling out a few crumpled bills. “I can pay…”
He offered the five bucks, which was half of what he had to his name.
“Who wants your measly change?” she shot back, about to curse when a calm voice came from the car.
“Let him in,” said Hera Lewis, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, her brow furrowed. She was already running late, and the last thing she needed was this trouble. “We can’t waste any more time.”
Skadi shot Nash a venomous glare but reluctantly said, “You’re lucky my best friend is so accommodating…”
Nash turned toward Hera, and his eyes widened.
She had jet-black hair, shoulder-length, flowing freely. Her skin was pale, almost luminescent, and her eyes, deep and clear, reminded him of a tranquil autumn lake. She wore a blue dress that accentuated her graceful figure.
“What are you staring at? Get in the car!” Skadi barked, seeing Nash eyeing her best friend.
“Thank you! Thank you!” Nash quickly scrambled into the backseat, eager to escape the wrath of the woman in front.
Skadi slammed the door shut, glared at him again, and floored the accelerator, heading toward Jonford.
Through the rearview mirror, Skadi studied Nash, his coarse linen clothes a stark contrast to their refined attire. She furrowed her brow. “Are you from Tili Mountain?”
Nash nodded earnestly. “Yes. I’ve been there since I was little, living with my master. Mostly, I farm and help people with… odd jobs.”
“Then why leave the mountain? Why go to Jonford?” Skadi asked, skeptically.
Nash chuckled, a proud smile spreading across his face. “I’m going to find my fiancée.”
Skadi nearly swerved off the road. “You? You have a fiancée?”
“I do!” Nash replied seriously, eyes sparkling. “Not just any fiancée—she’s the eldest daughter of the Lewis family!”
Skadi’s eyes widened, and she snorted. “Stop joking. How could the eldest daughter of the Lewis family be your fiancée?”
Hera, who had been quiet up until now, looked at him curiously. Skadi glanced at Hera before sneering, “You’ve got a lot of nerve. You, a country bumpkin, with the eldest daughter of the Lewises? Yeah, right.”
Nash’s grin didn’t falter. “It’s true, whether you believe it or not.”
A skeptical laugh escaped Skadi. “Sure, and I’m secretly a princess.”
“I really am telling the truth!” Nash said, still beaming with pride. In his village, his friends dreamed of doing well in school and marrying a rich, beautiful woman. For them, that was the pinnacle of success.
For Nash, that dream had come true effortlessly.
Hera, however, remained calm. Her lips curled into a faint smile. “The eldest daughter of the Lewis family will never marry someone like you.”
Nash blinked, stunned. “Why not?”
“You’ll find out when you get there,” Hera said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
After all, the eldest daughter of the Lewis family was dating none other than the eldest son of the Watson family, the wealthiest in Jonford. How could she possibly be interested in a mountain dweller like Nash?
Nash was still pondering her words when a sudden, violent jolt shook the car.
Skadi swore under her breath and slammed on the brakes. The car swerved but stayed steady.
“What was that?” Hera asked, her voice tight.
Skadi got out of the car and quickly inspected the tires. “Flat tire. Someone scattered nails on the road.”
Nash looked out the window. His brow furrowed. “Are those people your friends?”
Both Skadi and Hera looked up, their expressions immediately tightening.
A group of burly men in black suits were walking toward them, wielding iron bars. There were more than twenty of them.
Skadi’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t good…”
Hera got out of the car, standing beside Skadi, her calm demeanor masking the tension in the air. “Who are you?”
The men didn’t respond. Instead, they closed in, surrounding the car.
Hera stepped back, ready for anything.
Skadi slowly removed her jacket, her piercing eyes locking on the group. “You’re asking for trouble.”
With a swift motion, she charged forward, but before she could even get close, one of the men grabbed her by the neck and slammed her into the ground.
“Ack… Pfft…”
Skadi was down, blood spilling from her nose and mouth. She was out cold.
Hera froze. “This… can’t be happening.”
Skadi, Jonford’s martial arts champion, brought down by one blow?
Hera’s thoughts raced. Who could have sent such skilled fighters?
Before she could act, another man grabbed her from behind, locking his fingers around her neck with a vice-like grip. The pressure forced her to her knees.
The leader of the group drew a dagger from his sleeve, the cold blade gleaming in the dim light.
Hera’s eyes filled with panic, but she managed to choke out, “Wait… What do you want? Did my uncle send you?”
“You’ll know once you’re dead,” the leader replied coldly.
Hera’s breath caught. She wasn’t ready to die. She had so much left to do—so many things yet undone.
Her eyes closed in despair as the dagger drew closer.
A voice suddenly interrupted.
“Gentlemen, could you leave me some dignity and spare her?”