Becoming Enlightened
“How is he?”
“Dr. Wallen, is my grandpa all right?”
Everyone’s eyes were filled with hopeful longing and sheer anxiety at the same time.
Looking glum, Grayson shook his head. “It’s not looking good. Although we managed to save him, he’s
most probably going to spend his remaining days bedridden. He’s still unconscious as of now. So, we
can’t tell if there are other symptoms or side effects.”
Grayson was feeling extremely dejected.
His words were followed by prolonged silence as everyone in the hallway fell into despair, unable to
accept the fact which came like a bolt from the blue.
Bedridden for life? How devastating will that be for a general who has led countless troops to victory to
receive this bad news? It’s a bitter pill for him to swallow, much worse than taking his life.
At that instant, everyone hit rock bottom emotionally.
A few minutes later, Sabrina brought the matter up in the family chat group.
Rufus was stunned to learn the shocking news. So, he booked the first flight to return to Jadeborough
the following morning.
Meanwhile, Solomon and Ichika also planned to visit Jonathan, a senior who had rendered them a lot of
support.
The next day, many gathered at the hospital.
“Sha, how’s Old Mr. Jadeson? Is he okay?”
Ichika, who was very fond of Jonathan, threw the question at Sasha as soon as she arrived.
The latter did not know how to respond because Jonathan was still unconscious.
The wait was extremely hard to bear for everyone.
When they peeped into the ward, they could see an old monk dressed in a grey robe. He was sitting next
to the bed with his hands clasped in a prayerful position. His eyes were tightly shut. One could tell that
he was very focused while chanting.
Nobody seemed to know what was on his mind, but they were all certain he was praying for Jonathan’s
speedy recovery. After all, he owed it all to the old man in this lifetime.
Perhaps Heaven took pity on Jonathan, or maybe Shin’s earnest prayers and continuous plea for over
three decades had moved God’s heart; Jonathan slowly opened his eyes when the afternoon sunbeam
gently weaved its way through the window blinds.
“You’re awake?”
Shin had very sensitive hearing. As soon as he heard the slightest movement, he opened his eyes and
was delighted to see the face that greeted him.
Jonathan fixed his eyes on his son. He had not seen Shin with such an expression in a long time.
When they met at the temple, Shin always wore a polite but apathetic smile and remained indifferent
throughout.
Jonathan was lost in his gaze. After a long pause, he asked in a hoarse voice, “You stayed up the entire
night?”
Shin remained silent. It took him a while to snap back into his senses.
Nodding rather stiffly, he answered, “Chanting and praying for your recovery is the least I could do.”
The standard reply from Shin enraged Jonathan.
However, he seemed to get over it quite quickly.
The next moment, Jonathan sighed and announced, “What an idiot! Anyway, I’ve thought it through, and
I think that you’re right. Therefore, I’ve made up my mind to move into the temple as well. Go ahead and
prepare a room for me.”
“What?”
“Why are you so stunned? I already have one foot in the grave, so shouldn’t I get ready to leave this
mundane world? I know I don’t have many days ahead of me. After fighting in wars my whole life, my
hands are stained with blood. Isn’t it a good thing if I could achieve salvation before I die?”
A near brush with death had completely changed Jonathan’s mindset.
Shin stared at him blankly, trying to process what he had just said.
Shortly after that, Sebastian and the rest entered the ward upon realizing that Jonathan was awoken.
“Grandpa, you’re up? Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine. In fact, I have something to discuss with you. What are your thoughts about me living in the
mountains?”
Jonathan seemed to be in a very good mood.
Mountains?
His question had everyone baffled, especially Sebastian.
After being worried sick for one whole night, Jonathan’s antics made his expression turn as dark as coal.
Initially, Devin wanted to convince Sebastian to give in to Jonathan’s request when everyone returned to
Oceanic Estate in the evening. Due to the presence of Solomon, Ichika, and Sasha’s father, Devin
dropped the topic.
“All right, it’s been a busy day for everyone. Now that Grandpa is okay, let’s have dinner together.”
As the lady host, Sasha served a spread on the dining table and invited everyone to dig in.
Feeling relieved, everyone else cheered up a little and started eating.
While the men did not seem to have an intention to take a break from their drinking sessions, the women
headed to the observation tower for tea after dinner.
Sabrina warned, “Aren’t you trying to conceive, Ichika? Yet, you’re still drinking tea? You shouldn’t take
too much caffeine.”
“Huh?” Ichika was surprised at the sudden question posted to her.
Sasha froze when she heard that, leaving her hand holding a teacup hanging mid-air.
Oh right, this has completely slipped my mind.
Feeling intrigued, she put her cup down and stared at the blushing lady. “How’s it? Any good news?” She
pursued further.
Ichika stayed quiet. Moments later, she hung her head low.
Her face was as red as a beetroot.
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