Kaelen's first instinct was to refuse. He wanted nothing to do with Caden's mess.

But a second before the words left his lips, he remembered his Master's warning.

To return to the mountain, he had to be pure of heart and sever all worldly ties.

He didn't care what happened to Caden, but if he became entangled in the karma of this man's life and death, he didn't know how many more complications would arise.

"I'm on my way."

Kaelen hung up and immediately headed for Thorne Corp.

Half an hour later, on the Thorne Corp rooftop.

The moment Kaelen stepped out, he saw a crowd of employees and reporters with cameras, live-streaming the event.

And there was Caden, standing on the edge of the roof, one step away from plummeting a hundred stories to his death.

Kaelen frowned and cast a quick divination.

The result was the hexagram of Pi: Standstill.

It meant this was a terrible situation, but if handled correctly, it could lead to a fortunate turn of events.

Kaelen breathed a small sigh of relief and walked forward.

Their eyes met.

Caden's eyes instantly turned red, filled with venom and hatred.

"Kaelen Shaw, are you satisfied now? Because of your suspicions, I was fired, my career is ruined, and now you're cursing my unborn child, wishing it dead!"

"You just think you can do whatever you want because you're a disciple of Serenity Peak, don't you?"

"I know you're powerful, I can't fight you, but can't you just have a shred of humanity and leave me alone!?"

He wailed, tears streaming down his face.

Kaelen bit his dry lip, but before he could speak, Vera, who had rushed to the scene, grabbed his arm, her expression grim. "Kaelen, no matter what, we have to get him down from there. This is being live-streamed, the public is going crazy, and the company's stock is plummeting…"

Beads of sweat dotted her forehead, a testament to how quickly she had come.

And as she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Caden, revealing just how anxious she was for his safety.

How considerate of her to come up with such a plausible excuse to keep him in line.

Perhaps the sight of their clasped hands triggered Caden, because he broke down again, screaming, "Kaelen Shaw, isn't Serenity Peak's mission to save the world? Why are you so determined to see me dead!?"

His words made the surrounding crowd look at Kaelen differently.

Kaelen clutched his phone, his gaze falling on a nearby camera that was still broadcasting.

The comments on the screen stabbed into his eyes like daggers.

[Serenity Peak? Isn't that the reclusive sanctuary? Aren't their disciples supposed to be compassionate?]

[Compassionate? If they can produce a monster like Kaelen Shaw, they're nothing but a bunch of relics from a forgotten age.]

[Does anyone know where Serenity Peak is? I'm pausing my doomscrolling right now to go burn that place down!]

…

Since its founding, Serenity Peak had always been revered for its benevolence. Even in its darkest times, it had never been subjected to such insults.

And all of this was happening because of him…

A heavy pain settled in Kaelen's chest, his eyes burning red.

He forced down the turmoil of emotions and looked at Caden. "Let's talk. Alone."

"Whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

Seeing him concede, Caden hadn't even spoken when Vera cut in. "Caden, we promise, your child will be born safely. Right, Kaelen?"

Kaelen stared blankly at the woman before him, finally understanding the purpose of Caden's charade.

It was all to force him to save this child that was not meant to be born.

Vera was willing to orchestrate this entire spectacle, sacrificing his reputation and that of Serenity Peak.

She knew how much the Sanctuary and his brothers meant to him.

Kaelen swallowed the bitter lump in his throat. "Caden, I'll say it again. Whatever you want, I'll agree to it."

He turned to the police. "Officer, I'd like to speak with him alone. I think I can talk him down."

The police, seeing that Kaelen's approach was working, quickly cleared the area around Caden.

Once everyone was at a safe distance, unable to overhear their conversation, Kaelen slowly walked toward Caden.

Caden watched him approach, his eyes red like a cornered animal. "You said if I come down, you'll agree to anything. Then promise me you'll divorce Vera!"

Kaelen's steps faltered. His voice was soft. "Is that all?"

Caden thought for a moment, then added, "And I want you to leave with nothing. Don't tell Vera the real reason for the divorce."

"Fine."

Kaelen was leaving anyway. Agreeing to Caden's terms was just a matter of convenience.

"But I have one condition. You have to go online and explain that today's events have nothing to do with Serenity Peak."

"If you can't do that, then this conversation never happened."

Kaelen said his piece and turned to leave.

Panicked, Caden immediately climbed down from the ledge. In front of all the media, he explained, clarified, and reversed the public opinion.

Although there was still some gossip online, Serenity Peak's reputation was slowly recovering.

Everything had unfolded just as the hexagram predicted.

Kaelen finally breathed a sigh of relief, a wave of exhaustion washing over him as he returned home.

The moment he was back, he washed his hands, lit incense, and knelt before the statues of the Sacred Trinity in the main hall, kowtowing with deep reverence.

"I have sinned, Master. I have allowed the world to disturb the peace of your Sanctuary."

"I, Kaelen Shaw, vow to serve you for the rest of my days to atone for my transgression."

After he spoke, he slowly rose to his feet. Behind him, he heard Vera's hurried voice. "Honey, you came back without a word? Thanks to you, Caden and Thorne Corp were saved today."

Her tone was light and cheerful. She then asked, "Are you making a wish to the Ancients? What did you wish for?"

Kaelen stood up straight, his gaze fixed on the statues.

A ray of evening sun streamed through the window, bathing the Trinity in a golden light, as if they had granted their follower's prayer.

Kaelen smiled. He had wished—

That he and Vera, after this parting, would never meet again.