chapter 4

When Lilian awoke again, she found herself in an unfamiliar room.

A large wooden bed, wooden desk and chairs—all with a touch of antique charm. The old-fashioned furniture was slightly worn, and the white walls were faded and peeling.

Just then, the door creaked open and an elderly man walked in. His hair was white, but his eyes were bright with energy. He looked at her kindly and asked with concern, “Sweetheart, you’re awake. How do you feel?”

Lilian quickly sat up and responded, “Thank you, I feel much better. May I ask… were you the one who saved me?”

“I found you by the sea. I’d say it was fate,” the old man said with a warm smile. He sat down beside the bed and reached out to check her pulse. Calmly, he added, “You’re fine now, but the cold entered your body. You need to be careful, or it might leave lingering effects.”

“I will, thank you,” Lilian replied, a wave of warmth rising in her chest from the old man’s sincere concern. “May I ask your name?”

Sensing her unease, the old man smiled. “No need to be so formal. I am Leonard Harrington. You can call me Grandpa. What’s your name? Where’s your family?”

A flicker of coldness flashed through Lilian’s eyes before her tone turned flat. “I don’t have any family. My name is Lilian. No last name.”

Leonard looked at the small girl in front of him with surprise. She was no more than seven or eight, yet her pure eyes carried a depth of sorrow and despair that no child should ever know. Her tiny frame clearly showed signs of long-term malnourishment.

“Why were you drifting in the sea?”

Thinking of everything that had happened, Lilian lowered her voice. “I don’t remember.”

Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Leonard didn’t press further. Instead, after a pause, he said gently, “Would you like to stay here and become my apprentice? I’ve lived in seclusion for many years. That I found you must be fate.”

Lilian looked up at him, wide-eyed. “I… can I?”

“Of course you can. If you agree, then starting today, you’ll be my only apprentice. I’ll teach you everything I know about medicine. Would you like that?” Leonard asked kindly.

Medicine?

A spark lit in Lilian’s eyes.

Her mother had once been a master of medicine. The Sinclair family owed its glory to her skills. But in the end, her mother had met a tragic fate.

Now this path had opened again in front of her. Was this destiny?

In her previous life, she had achieved nothing. Her end had been total destruction.

But now—reborn with this second chance—how could she say no?

This time, she had to become strong. She had to make the people who destroyed her mother—and her—pay.

Lilian looked seriously at the old man. Still seated on the bed, her young voice hoarse with resolve, she said, “Sir, thank you.” Then she lowered her head and gave him a deep, resounding bow.

“Good, good,” Leonard chuckled and gently helped her up. His eyes were full of affection. “Since you’ve agreed, from today forward, you are my apprentice. From now on, your name is Lilian Harrington. Stay by my side and learn well.”

“I won’t let you down, grandpa!” Lilian said firmly.

Six years later.

Beneath a towering tree in the courtyard, a girl in athletic clothes pounded relentlessly at a wooden training post.

Every punch, every kick—sharp, precise, practiced.

“You’re up early again, training?” Leonard asked warmly, pride glowing in his eyes as he watched the tireless girl.

“Grandpa!” she called back, turning with a smile that could dazzle the world.

She looked about fourteen or fifteen, dressed in a white tracksuit. Her long black hair was tied neatly into a ponytail.

Her features weren’t the overly cute or flashy type, but she had her own unique charm—ethereal, serene. Her beauty was captivating.

Most striking were her deep, star-like eyes—brilliant and unforgettable.

After the workout, a fine sheen of sweat glistened on her forehead. A healthy flush warmed her pale cheeks. She radiated youthful energy.

“Why are you up so early?” Lilian looped her arm through his, her clear voice still holding a trace of childish innocence.

Leonard reached out to wipe her sweat gently. “I saw your backpack. Are you planning to head down the mountain?”

At his words, a flicker of steel flashed through Lilian’s eyes. She lowered her voice. “I’ve spent years hiding in the shadows, laying the groundwork. The foundation is ready. Now it’s time to start building upward.”

Though she had studied in seclusion for years, she hadn’t let go of opportunities to make money.

She used the fees earned from healing patients to invest in the stock market, drawing on memories from her previous life to amass a fortune. Now she could begin to make her moves.

And it was time to find that person, too…

Leonard looked at the blossoming young woman before him. While other girls her age still clung to innocence, Lilian was already planning her future.

When she had told him about her past—her lineage, her pain—Leonard knew she would one day return to confront the Sinclair family. That was why he brought her along on every house call, taught her how to build connections, and trained her in every skill he could offer, including martial arts. He only wanted her to be safe.

Now, watching her grow step by step, seeing how determined and capable she had become—his heart ached with love, but also swelled with pride. She was becoming a force to be reckoned with, all through her own strength.

“No matter what you do, I’ll support you. Just remember—no matter what hardships you face, this will always be your home. I’ll be here waiting.”

Lilian looked at him, her eyes instantly rimmed with red.

In the past six years, she had mastered all of Leonard’s medical knowledge. Her skills in alchemy had sharpened. Her internal energy was now immeasurable.

In her last life, it was her heart’s blood that had accidentally activated the Jade Key—and that had triggered her rebirth.

Within the Jade Key lay a hidden realm, one that had given her even more power…

She was no longer the weak, helpless girl of her past life.

And it was all thanks to the man before her—his rescue, his guidance. Without him, she wouldn’t even know where she belonged.

“This time when you go down the mountain, stop by Ravenshire and visit the Carter family. Check on Madam Elena,” Leonard said, reluctant to part from her. “There are many powerful people in Ravenshire. Maybe someone there can introduce you to Sebastian.”