Chapter 1

"It's time for me to go. Please take care of yourself."

Blackscale Prison, Josenburg.

Archer bowed deeply to the scruffy old man in front of him. His eyes were full of reluctance.

The old man gave a slight nod and said, "Don't forget what I told you. Once you're out, deal with the Dragon's Fury in your body as soon as possible. If it spreads to your heart, you're in serious trouble."

Archer nodded firmly. "I understand."

Three years ago, he had taken the fall for his older brother, Ethan Young, and went to prison in Ethan's place.

He had only been fifteen, and was a target for constant harassment.

Had it not been for the old man stepping in and taking him as a disciple, Archer wouldn't have made it.

The old man taught Archer everything he knew.

The old man also told Archer that he carried the True Dragon Bloodline. For some reason, the True Dragon Bone inside him had been taken. Its absence caused the Dragon's Fury to form, and this Fury had been slowly eating away at his body.

If nothing changed, Archer wouldn't make it to 18.

Thanks to the old man's training in martial arts and special blood-boosting techniques, Archer managed to hold off the effects for the time being.

Alas, this was only a temporary fix.

There were two real solutions.

The first was to find a woman with a rare, special form or constitution.

Dragons were naturally lustful creatures, and since Dragon's Fury came from dragon energy, dual cultivation with the right kind of woman could balance it. The best matches were those with the True Phoenix or True Dragon Forms.

The second option was to retrieve his lost True Dragon Bone. Since Dragon's Fury came from the bone being stolen, returning it would wipe the Fury out completely.

The old man waved Archer off. "Go. Just don't forget that you carry my name."

Archer bowed respectfully, his posture carrying humility and reverence. Then, he stood and walked out of Blackscale Prison.

Moments after his exit, the whole prison erupted with cheers.

"Finally! That annoying Archer is gone!"

"Best news all day! Let's drink to that!"

-

The Youngs were one of the four powerful clans in Duskhallow.

Inside the Youngs' estate, Truman and his wife Caroline sat, their faces etched with worry.

"What are we going to do? There are only three days left! If we don't come up with something soon, I'll be forced to step down as head of the family," Truman said, his brows furrowed tight.

"Your dad is clearly doing this on purpose!" Caroline snapped.

Truman let out a long sigh. "Of course I know that! He's just trying to push me out."

Caroline's voice shook. "What now?"

Truman gritted his teeth. "If it comes to it, we'll have to use Vincent."

Caroline's face dropped. "Will Vincent agree to that? That girl from the Jensons is a vegetable! And didn't they say her face was ruined, too?"

Over a year ago, the Jensons' eldest daughter got into a car crash and ended up in a coma. After trying everything to cure her, the Jensons had recently decided to bring in a live-in son-in-law in hopes of bringing her some luck and turning things around.

The Youngs jumped at the chance, hoping it would secure their wealth and future. Truman's father, Alfred, called for a family meeting. Yet, they couldn't come up with a suitable candidate.

Eventually, the pressure landed squarely on Truman's shoulders.

As the couple remained steeped in worry, the butler stepped into the room.

"Mr. Archer has returned," he announced.

Caroline frowned. "Who?"

Truman frowned as well—and then, something seemed to click.

"It's your son," the butler clarified, "the one who went to prison three years ago."

They both paused, finally remembering who Archer was.

It had been over three years since they had last seen him. Honestly, they had almost forgotten he even existed.

But now, their eyes lit up at the same time.

Caroline suddenly smiled. "Maybe Archer should marry into the Jensons!"

Truman nodded in agreement. "Not a bad match—a convict and a coma patient. Sounds perfect!"

Caroline hesitated, though. "But Archer's an illegitimate child, and he has a criminal record. Will the Jensons be okay with that?"

Truman thought for a moment. "I'll give them a call and find out."

He pulled out his phone and contacted the Jensons.

After hanging up, Caroline asked right away, "Well? What did they say?"

"They said they'll think it over," Truman replied.

Just then, the butler returned—this time with Archer.

Seeing Archer walk in with faded, overwashed clothes, disgust flashed in Truman and Caroline's eyes. Thinking of their plan, however, they forced themselves to smile.

Truman walked up and held Archer's hand warmly. "Oh, Archer! You've been through so much these past three years."

"Wait right here, sweetie," Caroline chimed in. "I'll cook something for you."

She headed to the kitchen.

Truman sat with Archer, acting like a concerned father, and began asking about life in prison. He explained how things had been so busy at the company that he hadn't been able to visit.

Archer didn't respond and just listened quietly.

Inwardly, however, he was laughing coldly.

He wasn't the same person he had been three years ago. No matter how sweet their words sounded, he didn't believe a single one.

Back then, he had had no standing in the family at all. He was always getting scolded and beaten.

Three years ago, Truman forced him to take the fall for his older brother, Ethan.

They had told him that since he was underage, his sentence would be lighter. They promised that when he got out, he would enjoy a life of wealth and luxury.

But… What really happened in the end?

None of his family ever visited him.

In the past, Archer was young and powerless. He had no choice but to agree.

Truthfully, he had no intention of returning here after prison—until his mentor told him that he carried the True Dragon Bloodline.

Neither Truman nor his late mother had any special bloodlines. In that case, either of them might not be his real parents.

Archer's return was for one sole reason—to uncover the truth.

Truman's sudden kindness made no sense—and anything that didn't make sense usually meant something shady was going on.

Archer was curious as to what they were really up to.

Over an hour passed, but Truman was still talking nonstop. Archer finally had enough.

"Cut the crap," he said coldly. "Just spit out what you want."

Truman froze for a second, then laughed awkwardly. "Come on, Archer! Can't a father show his care for his son?"

Archer replied with a silent stare.

Under his scrutiny, Truman began to feel embarrassed.

At that moment, his phone rang. He answered, and his expression quickly changed to excitement. After a few more words, he hung up and turned to Archer with a big smile.

"I've arranged something for you to make up for the last three years. A marriage!"

Archer's heart sank slightly.

There it was.

"The bride is the Jensons' eldest daughter. If you marry her, you'll be set for life."

Archer almost laughed. He had expected something shady, but this was shameless even for Truman.

He had once heard about the Jenson girl from an inmate. She used to be the pride of the family, until a horrible accident turned her into a vegetable.

And now, fresh out of prison, they wanted him to marry a woman in a coma.

A great father, indeed!

Truman kept talking. "The Jensons are a powerhouse in Duskhallow; they're way more influential than we are. You can't miss this chance!"

Archer looked at him, eyes full of sarcasm. "If it's such a great deal, why not have Vincent or Ethan marry her?"