"This... this isn't real. I even bought our daughter a teddy bear—look how cute it is. She's going to love it."

Colin stared at Iris, his eyes fixed on her.

"Our daughter is still... she's still here, right? You were lying just now, weren't you, Iris..."

"Enough!"

Iris closed her eyes. A single tear slid slowly from the corner of her eye, but her voice was cold as frost. "It's true. Our daughter is gone. I'm sorry, Colin..."

"Ah..."

Colin collapsed to the floor. His eyes burned red, his body shaking, convulsing like a man caught in a seizure.

His fingernails dug deep into his palms, blood welling up between his fingers.

His poor daughter had never even entered this world before leaving it.

And watching Colin writhe in agony, Maxwell, Kate, and Gerard wore nothing but cold smirks. Not a shred of sympathy—only undisguised contempt.

"Why?" Colin's voice tore from his throat like a wounded animal.

"Let me tell you why."

Kate walked over and stood above him, looking down.

"Iris is at the peak of her career right now. If she'd stayed pregnant, everything she's built would've been ruined."

"So the child had to go. We couldn't let it become a stumbling block—like you."

"Oh, and just so you know?" Kate's smile twisted into something demonic. "I'm the one who took her to get it done."

Minutes passed. Slowly, Colin rose to his feet. The trembling had stopped. His face was calm now.

But his eyes had turned to ice.

He walked forward and signed the divorce papers without hesitation.

His handwriting was beautiful—almost mocking the ugliness of what it represented.

Then he picked up the teddy bear from the floor and cradled it against his chest, as if it were everything he had left.

Seeing how lost he looked, something flickered in Iris's expression. "Colin, I can compensate you. Anything in this house—take whatever you want. And money..."

She pulled out a checkbook. "Write down any amount."

Kate's face soured immediately. "Iris, what are you saying? Everything in this house is valuable! We worked hard for all of it—this worthless man doesn't get to take a single thing!"

"He's been freeloading off us for three years. We've done more than enough. He doesn't get a cent!"

"Mom, don't talk like that. Colin—"

Iris frowned.

"I don't want anything," Colin said quietly. "Not money, not possessions. Just the clothes in that closet."

He walked toward the bedroom. The closet was stuffed with tiny, beautiful outfits—every single one sewn by his own hands, stitch by stitch, for his daughter.

He gathered them all, wrapped them in a bedsheet, stuffed the teddy bear inside, and slung the bundle over his back.

"That jade pendant is mine. Give it back."

Colin's gaze fell on the Serpent-Ember Jade hanging around Iris's neck.

Without a word, she unclasped it and handed it over.

Colin pulled out a document—the contract with Longtide Group. "Today is our wedding anniversary. I had a gift for you. But it doesn't matter anymore."

He dropped the contract on the floor and walked toward the door, hollow-eyed.

"Hey Mom," Gerard snickered, "doesn't his pathetic back look just like a stray dog?"

"Now that you mention it..." Kate's laughter was vicious. "It really does."

But at the doorway, Colin suddenly turned. His gaze swept across each member of the Fox family, one by one.

Finally, it settled on Iris.

"Remember this," he said, each word deliberate. "You will regret this."

"I, Colin Cox, will get justice for my daughter."

The ice in his eyes, the weight of his presence—Iris felt an involuntary shiver run through her.

"Ha! This little bastard thinks we'll regret it?" Kate howled with laughter. "I'm too busy celebrating to regret anything!"

Gerard picked up the papers from the floor. "A contract with Longtide Group?"

Longtide Group?

Both Iris and Henry's expressions shifted.

Longtide Group was one of Southland's top conglomerates, with massive ongoing projects in Seacliff—investments totaling tens of billions.

Every company in Seacliff was fighting tooth and nail to partner with them.

And securing a connection to Longtide was precisely why Iris had wanted this divorce.

"It's fake."

Henry, the wealthy young heir, barely glanced at it before scoffing. "Iris, your useless husband had quite the imagination—forging contracts now?"

Iris's brow furrowed. This was the gift Colin had prepared?

A fake contract to impress her?

She'd felt a twinge of guilt about forcing the divorce. Now it seemed she'd made the right call.

"Iris, now that you're single, things will be much easier." Henry adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, every inch the privileged heir. "I'll pull some strings and get you into the Southland Council."

The Southland Council!

Kate and Maxwell's eyes lit up.

The Southland Council was an exclusive private organization, chaired by none other than the famous Marjorie Floyd herself.

Longtide Group belonged to the Floyd family, and their billion-dollar Seacliff projects were all under Marjorie's direct oversight.

Every member of the Council was either filthy rich or extremely powerful. Membership was a status symbol.

The catch? Only single women could join—which was exactly why Iris had divorced Colin.

"Mr. Harrington, you're too kind," Maxwell gushed, his wife nodding eagerly beside him. "With your connections as heir to the Harrington Group, Iris's career is sure to soar."

"Seriously," Gerard chimed in, "you're ten thousand times better than that loser Colin. If my sister had married you from the start, she'd be the richest woman in Seacliff by now."

"You flatter me."

Henry's words were modest, but his expression said otherwise. His gaze drifted to a piece of calligraphy hanging in the corner of the living room, and he walked over.

"Beautiful work," he murmured.

"What does it even say? 'Spring pool,' something something?" Gerard squinted. "Looks pretentious. Throw it out—it's bad luck."

"It says Spring Pool's Gentle Charm."

Henry's eyes grew brighter the longer he looked. The brushwork was exquisite.

Then he noticed the signature. His face changed. "This is... this is a piece by Master Solitude!"

"Master who?" Maxwell asked.

"Master Solitude is a reclusive calligraphy grandmaster living right here in Seacliff..."

Seeing their blank faces, Henry cut to the point: "His work sells for a hundred thousand dollars per character."

"What?!"

Kate's jaw dropped.

Maxwell, mid-sip of his tea, froze.

Even Iris looked stunned. "Henry, you can't be serious."

"I'm completely serious. My father is vice-chairman of the Seacliff Calligraphy Association, and I'm a member myself. Master Solitude's work goes for a hundred thousand a character—when you can even find it. Just last week, some tycoon from Capital City paid two million for an authentic piece. Two characters. That's a million per character."

Henry took a deep breath, visibly shaken. "How does your family have an original Master Solitude?"

A long silence followed.

Finally, Iris spoke, her voice distant and dazed.

"Colin... Colin wrote it."

Written by Colin?

Henry stared in disbelief. The legendary Master Ashen was actually Colin Cox?

"That loser's calligraphy is worth this much? Henry, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Kate Galloway asked.

"There's no mistake. The brushwork, the presence, the visual impact—this is undoubtedly Master Ashen's authentic work. And look, there's even his signature seal on the back."

Henry was equally puzzled. Colin was so young—how could he possibly be Master Ashen?

"Are you certain Colin wrote this?" He turned to Iris.

Iris was about to nod, but then she remembered how Colin had just tricked her with a fake contract. This calligraphy could be fraudulent too.

"I'm not sure. Colin claimed he wrote it, but who knows if that's true."

"Well, there you have it. Colin always did have excellent penmanship." Maxwell rose from his seat.

Kate couldn't sit still either. Having thrown Colin out so abruptly, she suddenly felt a twinge of regret.

If they'd kept him locked up at home writing calligraphy, with each character worth a hundred thousand dollars, a thousand characters would be... a hundred million!

"No, I'm going after him."

Kate grabbed the calligraphy scroll and shot Gerard a meaningful look.

Gerard immediately jumped up and hurried out the door with his mother, chasing after Colin.

Meanwhile, Maxwell crushed out the cigarette he'd barely started and rushed to Colin's room to search for more of his work.

"Don't just stand there—start looking! Each character is worth a million!" Maxwell was sweating with urgency.

At his words, Henry sprang into action, joining Maxwell in turning the room upside down.

Iris remained where she stood, her expression uncomfortable.

Her entire family had just thrown Colin out, and how long had it been? Now they were frantically searching for his calligraphy. The irony wasn't lost on her.

Meanwhile, Colin walked toward the Old House, his daughter's clothes bundled on his back.

Iris divorcing him—that stung, but he didn't hate her for it.

What he hated was that the Fox family had taken his daughter's life!

That child wasn't just Iris's. She was his daughter too.

What right did they have to make that decision without him?

Three months. His daughter had been three months along. She'd already developed into a tiny life, with a heartbeat, a small body, the first stirrings of awareness...

And just like that, she was gone.

Rage erupted from Colin's chest, blazing skyward.

"The Fox family—every last one of them is a murderer!"

He would settle this score. He would make them regret that foolish decision for the rest of their miserable lives.

He would get justice for his poor daughter.

The truth was, these past three years, Colin had only wanted to live as an ordinary man.

But in the end, he'd made the bitter discovery that he couldn't even protect his own child.

"If that's how it is, then I'll become who I used to be. After three years of silence, I suppose everyone's forgotten the name 'Dragon Lord.'"

Colin gripped the Serpent-Ember Jade at his chest.

The moment he shattered it, the Dragon Seal would break, and he would once again become the Dragon Lord—the man whom all eight regions once revered.

But... he still couldn't bring himself to do it. His cultivation was completely gone, and the injuries inside him hadn't fully healed.

Even if he broke the seal, he wouldn't be able to cultivate.

He could handle ordinary people easily enough, but against a true martial arts master, it could cost him his life.

After a long moment, Colin let out a heavy sigh, and his grip on the jade slowly loosened.

His phone rang. It was Amos Floyd calling—the patriarch of the Southland Floyd family, and an old friend.

That Longtide Group contract had come from the old man himself.

"Colin! Heard you got divorced. Congratulations! I was just about to set off firecrackers to celebrate." The old man's voice dripped with schadenfreude.

"You old bastard." Colin laughed despite himself. The man's information network was terrifyingly efficient.

"Perfect timing, actually. My granddaughter Marjorie happens to be in Seacliff. You should meet her. She's absolutely stunning—'moon-shaming, flower-eclipsing beauty,' they call her. Known as Well Spirit's most beautiful woman, the Queen of Commerce, five-foot-seven..."

Colin cut him off. "Old man, just tell me what you want. I'm not in the mood."

Amos chuckled. "Fine, fine. Here's some good news: I've found a five-hundred-year-old Blood Spirit Reishi. A treasure like that should be exactly what you need."

Colin's eyes lit up.

A five-hundred-year Blood Spirit Reishi would be enough to fully heal his injuries!

"I'll head to Well Spirit right away," Colin said immediately.

"Hold on now. I spent a fortune acquiring this. I half want to eat it myself—you think I'm just going to hand it over?" The old man's voice turned smug.

"What do you want me to do." Colin knew the man never did anything without a motive.

Amos's tone grew serious. "Longtide Group has run into trouble in Seacliff. No one else can handle it. You're the only one I can ask. My granddaughter—beautiful as a flower, I might add—will come find you shortly. Once you've dealt with the problem, I'll give you the Blood Spirit Reishi."

"Deal!"

Colin agreed without hesitation. The Blood Spirit Reishi was too important.

With it, he could fully repair his internal injuries. And once that was done, he could break the Dragon Seal and return to the path of cultivation!

To get justice for his daughter, he needed power. There was no other way.

He pocketed his phone, his gaze hardening with resolve. His pace quickened.

When he reached the entrance of the residential complex, a Rolls-Royce Wraith glided to a stop in front of him.

The door slowly opened, and out extended a long, porcelain-white leg.

Smooth and shapely, pale as jade—a pair of sheer stockings clung to her legs like a second skin, tracing every elegant curve.

Colin's pulse quickened at the fleeting glimpse.

She was tall, strikingly beautiful, and after a brief appraisal of him, she walked straight over.

The woman wore a flowing white gown trimmed with violet and gold thread—sensual yet undeniably regal. Her face was the kind that stopped hearts: delicate, luminous, as if she'd stepped out of some mountain goddess legend. Her eyes shimmered like autumn waters, captivating and impossibly refined.

"You must be Colin Cox. I'm Marjorie Floyd—my grandfather should have mentioned me."

She smiled and extended her hand.

Marjorie Floyd?

Colin blinked. So this was the Floyd family's eldest daughter.

She truly was breathtaking.

"Hello. I'm Colin."

He took her hand. Soft, smooth—like warm jade.

"Mr. Cox, Longtide Group has run into a problem we can't solve on our own. We'd like your help." Marjorie was direct.

"I know. Old Mr. Floyd already told me."

Colin gestured toward the run-down apartment complex nearby. "Wait here. I need to stop by my place first."

Wait?

Marjorie's brow furrowed slightly. With her status, she wasn't used to being kept waiting when she personally came to recruit someone.

But Colin was her grandfather's recommendation. She had no choice but to comply.

Colin headed home with his belongings. This apartment had been his and Iris's marital home—a cramped unit in a decrepit old complex. With his help, Iris's career had flourished, and two years ago she'd moved out.

This shabby place? She'd left it to him.

Back inside, Colin opened his bundle and stared at the colorful little clothes he'd made for his daughter. His chest felt like someone had carved out a piece of his heart.

He sorted through the tiny garments, and before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.

A man doesn't cry easily—only when his heart is truly broken.

Just then, the door slammed open. Kate Galloway and her son Gerard burst in.

"Colin! Colin—"

They hollered like they owned the place.

"What do you want?" Colin's voice was ice.

"So the loser really is hiding here." Gerard sneered, waving a piece of paper. "Did you write this?"

Spring Pool's Gentle Charm.

Colin glanced at it and gave a slight nod.

Mother and son exchanged looks, eyes lighting up with greed. They stared at Colin like he was a gold mine.

"Not bad handwriting. Since you're so pathetic you can't even find a job, I'll do you a favor. Write for me every day, and I'll pay you two thousand a month. How's that sound?"

Gerard was playing quite the angle.

Colin scoffed. His calligraphy commanded ten thousand dollars a character—and this punk was offering two thousand a month?

"Not interested. Get out."

"What? You piece of trash, you're refusing me?"

Gerard's face contorted with rage.

Kate quickly grabbed his arm, then plastered on a smile and sidled up to Colin. "Colin, you were my son-in-law after all. Writing a few characters—it's such a simple thing. Since Gerard's already asked, just say yes."

"Son-in-law?" Colin laughed coldly. "Iris and I are divorced. I have nothing to do with you people."

Kate's expression hardened instantly. "You ungrateful wretch! Forgetting your mother-in-law the moment it's convenient—are you even human? Today you're writing whether you like it or not!"

"Get out." Colin's eyes flashed with anger.

"Bastard—you want to die?" Gerard grabbed a stool and swung it at Colin's head.

Colin sidestepped easily. Gerard stumbled, nearly falling.

But Kate was quick. She darted to the pile of tiny clothes and smirked. "Colin, if you don't write a thousand characters for us today, I'll burn every last one of your daughter's things."

Gerard was already there with a lighter, snatching up a stuffed bear and dangling it in Colin's face.

"Write, you dog—or else!" The flame flickered closer to the toy.

Soon, an acrid smell filled the room. The bear caught fire.

"You animals!"

Colin's restraint shattered. His palm connected with Gerard's face before the younger man could react.

Crack!

Gerard flew backward, his head slamming into the corner of the wall. Blood streamed down his face.

Colin lunged forward and smothered the flames on the bear—but it was already ruined beyond recognition.

The more he looked at it, the angrier he became. He grabbed Gerard by the collar, hauled him upright, and slapped him across the face again. And again.

A dozen blows later, Gerard's face was a swollen, bloody mess. Two teeth flew out mixed with blood. He looked like a battered pig.

"You dare hit my son? I'll kill you!"

Kate shrieked and kicked off her heels, driving the stiletto point toward Colin's eye.

He caught her wrist and shoved. She landed hard on her backside.

"Get. Out."

Colin's voice was low, dangerous. His bloodshot eyes burned with something that made Kate recoil—like staring into the face of a demon.

"Brock Hale! Get up here—someone's beating me!" Gerard screamed into his phone, blood dripping down his chin.

He'd always been a street punk. Now that he had money, he fancied himself a big shot and had collected a gang of lowlife friends to match.

Minutes later, a tattooed hulk led a dozen thugs up the stairs. They looked ready for murder, weapons in hand.

"Beat him! Beat this bastard to death!" Gerard jabbed a finger at Colin, snarling through broken teeth.

The thugs fanned out, surrounding Colin with their weapons raised.

Colin didn't flinch.

He reached up and unclasped the jade pendant from his chest, then hurled it to the ground.

The outer casing—carved in the shape of a serpent and phoenix—shattered completely.

But inside, something else emerged.

A dragon.

The Dragon-Shaped Jade.

Colin gazed at it, his expression softening with unexpected tenderness.

Old friend... I'm sorry I kept you locked away for three years.

But now?

The serpent shatters. The dragon rises.

I, the Dragon Lord, have returned.