The remaining semifinal match began immediately after.

But Huang Long had no heart left for it. His thoughts were solely on his injured daughter. Huang Shi Yao, who had just lost consciousness, was swiftly rescued. Female medics draped a long white cloth over her naked body while others instinctively formed a human barrier—shielding her from prying eyes as she was lifted.

Once she was moved to a dedicated treatment room, Huang Long followed without hesitation. He blamed himself entirely for this incident. The thought of his most precious daughter enduring such an attack ignited a fierce, burning rage within him...

"Shi Yao! Shi Yao, my child!"

"Quiet..."

A nearby physician shot him a sharp warning glance.

"Yes..."

Silence was mandatory in medical zones. Huang Long understood, yet his worry overwhelmed him. He turned pleading eyes toward the female physician scribbling notes nearby.

Sensing his gaze, she closed her notebook and nodded.

"Come with me. This isn’t the place to talk."

"Alright."

They left the room where Huang Shi Yao lay sleeping.

The moment the door shut, Huang Long blurted anxiously to the calm-faced woman:

"Doctor, my daughter’s condition—"

"You’re the father of the girl inside? Before we discuss her, I must address something with *you*."

"Me?"

Why speak of him instead of his daughter? Confusion flickered in Huang Long’s mind.

"I seriously question your fitness as a father. I watched Ouyang Feng’s matches. Her abilities clearly countered your daughter’s. Knowing this, you still sent Huang Shi Yao to fight. Was the first-place prize so tempting you’d gamble with your daughter’s life?"

"I..."

The physician’s words struck like a hammer. Huang Long, the most renowned merchant in the Unified Control Kingdom, never backed down—but her accusation was irrefutable. For the Heavenly Ruler’s promise, he’d risked his daughter’s life. In short: he’d failed as a father.

His eyes dimmed. Self-reproach etched deep into his face.

Seeing his expression soften, the physician’s tone gentled slightly. "Enough about personal matters. Let’s discuss the medical facts."

"Yes. Please."

"Your daughter suffered severe burns over approximately seventy-five percent of her body. A cellular regeneration specialist has already treated her. Superficial healing is complete; bleeding has stopped. But... she’ll likely bear full-body scarring for a very long time."

"With today’s technology... can’t scars be fully removed?"

Huang Long’s pleading eyes met hers. She shook her head slowly.

"Scars *can* be removed—but not instantly. Understand, Mr. Huang Long... our technology isn’t that advanced. Worse, her scalp was extensively damaged. Her hair will probably..."

She didn’t finish. Huang Long understood completely.

—Huang Shi Yao’s life was ruined.

But now wasn’t the time for despair. The heavyset man forced what he hoped was a grateful smile, thanked the physician, and reentered his daughter’s room.

*Sigh.* "I hope he endures this..."

Watching his back—suddenly aged twenty years—the physician shook her head and walked away. She’d seen too many such scenes. A silent blessing was all she could offer.

.........

.......

....

"Shi Yao... it’s all my fault. My greed blinded me. This is my doing..."

His voice cracked. Bean-sized tears rolled down his face.

"Your mother left us first. I was all you had... and still!" He roughly wiped his cheeks. "I only wanted a better life for you. Why... why did it come to this?"

He reached out, stroking his daughter’s cheek. But the skin felt unnaturally rough. The smoothness he remembered was gone. Staring at the burns covering her body, Huang Long’s hands trembled.

*Knock. Knock. Knock.*

A soft knock startled him. He hastily dried his face with a handkerchief and stood. Expecting the physician, he instead faced an unexpected visitor.

"Hello, tragic man..."

"You!"

A face that could only be described as *tempting all living beings* filled his vision. He knew her. A figure seared into his memory. Someone he’d vowed never—*ever*—to cross or approach. A lethal threat.

"I heard of your daughter’s ordeal. I came to offer my condolences. I trust you won’t refuse my goodwill toward Miss Huang Shi Yao?"

Though phrased as a question, her tone allowed no refusal.

"Elvire Toynea! What are you doing here?!"

This globally infamous danger couldn’t be allowed near his daughter—not even at the cost of his life.

At Huang Long’s refusal, the short-haired maid behind Elvire—Garna—slowly lifted her gaze. Black-gloved hands now gripped twin daggers reversed in a combat stance.

"Garna."

Without glancing back, Elvire murmured a single name. Instantly, Garna sheathed her blades and resumed silent vigilance.

"Calm down, Mr. Huang Long. I mean no harm. And I bring something... deeply tempting for you."

The golden ponytailed temptress produced a vial of emerald-green liquid, holding it out.

"This..."

Huang Long had never seen such an unnatural hue—especially from the bloodless assassin Elvire. His guard shot up.

"A new product from Heavenly Deity Pharmaceuticals, under the Toynea Group. An ultra-potent skin regenerator. Scars vanish within a week. I came to give this to you."

"........."

*Heavenly Deity Pharmaceuticals.* The name thundered in Huang Long’s ears. The world’s most powerful pharmaceutical company. Zero incident rate since its founding. Utterly trustworthy.

But why?

"Why give this to me? What do you want?"

"Dealing with clever men is refreshingly simple. Let’s step away. We shouldn’t disturb the sleeping beauty."

"Fine..."

"Garna. Stay and watch."

"Yes."

After taking the vial, Huang Long cast one last look at his daughter, then followed Elvire out. He wasn’t afraid—Garna, that famed bodyguard, would ensure his safety.

But why would a merchant who traded in death seek out Huang Long?