Promises Beneath a Quiet Courtyard

Julian D’Aurelius smiled slightly.

[Forget it, I’m a magnanimous person.]

[Besides, it’s not a big deal. It’s just your nature.]

[A drop of kindness should be repaid with a life. Your character is indeed commendable.]

The quiet courtyard fell momentarily silent after those words echoed in Julian’s mind.

Morning light filtered gently through the bamboo grove beside the pavilion, scattering soft golden shadows across the stone floor. A faint breeze drifted through the Tyson household courtyard, carrying with it the scent of tea leaves and old wood polished by generations of use.

Yana Tyson stood quietly beside Julian, her bright orange eyes flickering slightly.

She had already become somewhat accustomed to hearing his inner thoughts, yet every time she did, she still found herself surprised.

This man...

The Julian D’Aurelius the rumors described and the Julian standing before her now felt like two completely different people.

Especially the way he viewed her father.

There was no mockery. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

No hidden contempt.

Only understanding.

Yana slowly glanced toward Wren Tyson.

Her father had always been proud, stubborn, and fiercely protective of the Tyson Family. Because of that, he often judged people too quickly, especially wealthy young masters from powerful households.

Yet Julian did not seem offended at all.

Instead, he understood him frighteningly well.

For a moment, Yana’s expression softened unconsciously.

Meanwhile, Wren Tyson himself let out a long sigh.

"Sigh... I was really foolish."

The middle-aged man lowered his eyes briefly, his tone carrying genuine self-reproach.

The more he thought back to the airport incident, the more ashamed he felt.

At the time, he had nearly treated Julian as an enemy.

He had assumed the young man approached his daughter with ulterior motives.

Even worse, he had completely failed to notice the danger hidden behind Lucas’s smiling face.

If Julian had not intervened...

The Tyson Family might already be facing catastrophe.

Wren Tyson slowly raised his head and spoke solemnly.

"Young Master Julian, I, Wren Tyson, will never forget this life-saving grace. If you ever need the Tyson Family’s help, just ask."

His voice was firm and heavy.

This was not casual gratitude.

It was a promise from the head of the Tyson Family.

A household that stood at the very peak of Old Martial Arts power within Valemont.

Even the air inside the courtyard seemed to become quieter after those words.

Yana looked at her father with slight surprise.

Promises like this were not given lightly.

Especially by someone like Wren Tyson.

Yet she understood why.

Because the debt Julian had given them was simply too enormous.

Julian smiled calmly and nodded.

"Alright, I won’t be shy about it."

His tone remained relaxed, but inwardly, his thoughts became more serious.

The Tyson Family’s support...

That was exactly what he needed.

The current situation in Valemont was becoming increasingly dangerous.

Evan.

Lucas.

The Obsidian Wing organization hidden behind them.

Everything was spiraling faster than expected.

Julian could no longer rely solely on himself.

The Tyson Family was currently the strongest Old Martial Arts household in all of Valemont.

Years ago, during Wren Tyson’s peak, he had already stepped into the terrifying Gold Realm.

Even though his legs were now crippled and his cultivation had declined significantly, the Tyson Family still possessed terrifying foundations.

Six Silver Realm experts.

Nearly twenty Iron Realm martial artists.

Countless disciples and affiliated martial arts schools spread across Valemont.

Such strength was enough to make even powerful factions think twice before provoking them.

Without that kind of foundation, the Tyson Family could never have maintained their position at the top for so many years.

Julian’s golden eyes narrowed slightly.

If he could secure the Tyson Family as an ally...

Then protecting the D’Aurelius household would become much easier.

At that moment, Yana suddenly stepped forward.

Her long black hair brushed lightly against her shoulder as she looked toward Julian.

"Young Master Julian," she said softly, "I took my father to see senior Miracle Doctor Ravenswood. He solved the problem left behind by Lucas."

A trace of lingering coldness flashed through her eyes when she mentioned Lucas’s name.

The betrayal still burned inside her chest.

"But..."

Her voice became slightly hesitant.

"When it came to healing my father’s legs, even senior Miracle Doctor Ravenswood’s medical skills were helpless."

As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously tightened slightly.

For years, her father’s crippled legs had become the greatest pain in the Tyson Family’s heart.

Wren Tyson had once stood at the peak of Valemont.

A true Gold Realm expert.

A legend.

Yet now, he could only remain within this small courtyard day after day.

Yana had watched him grow quieter over the years.

Watched the burden in his eyes deepen.

And now...

She finally saw hope.

Her bright orange eyes fixed onto Julian.

"So... I’d like to ask for your help. If you have any way to heal my father’s legs, the Tyson Family can agree to any condition you have."

The moment those words fell, the atmosphere subtly changed.

Wren Tyson’s breathing became slightly heavier.

Even though he tried maintaining composure, the faint trembling in his fingers still betrayed his emotions.

Hope.

A man who had once stood at the peak of power would naturally refuse to surrender completely.

Julian noticed everything silently.

"He doesn’t know why she suddenly asked him for help so directly, but honestly speaking..."

"Healing Wren Tyson’s legs was not difficult for him anymore."

Honestly speaking...

Healing Wren Tyson’s legs was not difficult for him anymore.

Especially after obtaining the Miracle Medicine Record.

However, he naturally would not perform such treatment without securing benefits first.

After all...

The enemies waiting ahead were no ordinary opponents.

Julian lowered his eyes slightly, appearing thoughtful.

The courtyard became silent again.

Only the sound of wind brushing through bamboo leaves remained.

After a while, Julian finally spoke.

"I can try to treat Uncle Tyson’s condition, but I have one condition."

The moment he agreed, Yana’s eyes visibly brightened.

Even Wren Tyson’s expression changed slightly.

"Please, Young Master Julian, go ahead," Yana said quickly, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

Julian slowly leaned back in his chair.

His expression became more serious than before.

"If my family ever needs it, I hope the Tyson Family can lend a hand to ensure our safety."

As he spoke, his gaze turned colder.

"But let me make it clear."

"Any enemy capable of threatening us..."

"...is extremely dangerous."

His voice was calm, yet every word carried weight.

Because he was not exaggerating.

Whether it was Evan or Lucas...

Both originated from the Obsidian Wing organization.

A monstrous force hidden beneath the surface of society.

An organization so mysterious that even in the original storyline, nobody truly knew its full depth.

It was like a dragon hidden within endless clouds.

Invisible.

Silent.

Yet terrifying enough to shake entire regions once it moved.

Julian had no intention of underestimating them.

The strongest enemy was always the one whose limits remained unknown.

He could protect himself for now.

But what about Gary D’Aurelius?

Veena D’Aurelius?

His grandpa?

And the other members of the D’Aurelius household?"

What about the entire D’Aurelius household?

The moment the Obsidian Wing truly targeted his family...

Even a single mistake could become irreversible tragedy.

That was why he needed allies.

Real allies.

And at this moment, the Tyson Family was undoubtedly the best choice before him.

The morning wind drifted quietly through the courtyard again.

Wren Tyson slowly raised his head and looked directly into Julian’s eyes.

For the first time...

He truly realized this young man was far more terrifying than the outside world believed.