Chapter 7: Inferno Ignites!

"Daniel Lockwood? I don't recall ever knowing someone like you!"

Dr. Zhang 's face betrayed none of the anger simmering beneath the surface as he fixed his gaze on Daniel.

"What happened a year ago is in the past, and I won't dwell on it. But tell me—what do you mean by saying I won't live to see tomorrow morning?" His voice carried a sharp edge. "We've never met before. Why would you curse an old man in his seventies?"

Daniel's expression was earnest as he replied, "Dr. Zhang, I apologize if my words came off as harsh, but time is of the essence. I came here today to ask for your help in saving my wife's life. In return, I can help you avert a life-threatening disaster."

"You?" Lin Xiao scoffed, shooting Daniel a disdainful glance.

His master had treated countless powerful and influential figures over the years. If Dr. Zhang were ever in danger, there would be no shortage of people rushing to his aid. What made this stranger think he could make such a claim?

Dr. Zhang listened to Daniel's seemingly "arrogant" words without a flicker of emotion. His eyes remained calm, though his tone carried a hint of displeasure.

"I don't know how you found this place, but since you know of me and what happened a year ago, you must also understand my temperament." He crossed his arms. "Many come to me seeking treatment, but you're the first to curse me with death. Still, since fate has brought us together, I'll give you a chance to explain yourself."

It was clear—Dr. Zhang was furious.

Daniel smiled faintly, but there was no trace of amusement in his voice.

"Last night, I had a dream—a vision of a fire breaking out here. That's why I came today, to warn you—"

Before he could finish, Lin Xiao cut him off sharply.

"Not even a ghost would believe such nonsense! Get out!"

Dr. Zhang watched coldly as Lin Xiao moved to eject Daniel, making no move to stop him—silent permission to throw the intruder out.

Daniel didn't react with anger. He knew his words lacked credibility. After all, who would believe a warning based on a dream? Without proof, it was nothing but superstition.

Instead, he walked calmly to the counter, picked up a pen, and scribbled down his phone number. Turning back to Dr. Zhang, he spoke with unwavering certainty:

"At approximately 5:15 tomorrow morning, a fire will start in the left pharmacy. When you try to put it out, remember to check whether the liquid in the white bucket is really water."

"That's all I have to say, Dr. Zhang. Whether you believe me is up to you."

He placed the note on the counter.

"Here's my number. I'll be waiting for your call."

With that, Daniel turned and walked away, his demeanor composed, his confidence absolute—as though he were certain the fire would happen, and that without his warning, Dr. Zhang would perish in the flames.

Ridiculous.

Watching his master pick up the note, Lin Xiao seethed.

"Master, why didn't you let me shut him up? I should've torn that lying mouth of his! How dare he curse you like that!" He clenched his fists. "Does he think he's some kind of fortune-teller?"

But Dr. Zhang didn't even glance at the number. Instead, he crumpled the paper and tossed it into the trash bin.

With a sigh, he regarded his hotheaded apprentice. "There's no need to waste energy on such people. Just bar him from entering in the future."

Shaking his head dismissively, Dr. Zhang turned and walked into the pharmacy, hands clasped behind his back.

A fire? Preposterous.

Late that night, Lin Xiao locked the front door and returned to the pharmacy to prepare herbal decoctions.

Though the clinic had gas canisters, Baolin Hall had always used coal for brewing medicine—tradition demanded it for optimal potency.

Yet, as soon as Lin Xiao stepped inside, Daniel's words echoed in his mind.

He had scoffed openly during the day, but the sheer conviction in the stranger's tone had left him unsettled.

An hour later, after covering the stove's embers, Lin Xiao prepared to retire for the night.

But again, Daniel's warning surfaced in his thoughts.

"Fine! I'll stay up and watch this damned stove myself. Let's see if his 'prediction' comes true!"

Gritting his teeth, he planted himself in front of the furnace, eyes locked on the flames.

The first half of the night passed without incident. But by 4 AM, exhaustion weighed heavily on him. His eyelids drooped, his head nodding forward despite his efforts.

Around 5 o'clock, he slumped over, asleep on his knees.

He didn't notice the faint, acrid scent of gas slowly filling the room.

Nor did he feel the draft that slipped in, stirring the embers—until a spark leapt onto the curtains.

Whoosh.

Fire erupted instantly, thick smoke billowing through the room.

Lin Xiao jolted awake, choking on the fumes, his skin prickling from the heat.

"FIRE!"

He scrambled to his feet in panic, stumbling toward the door. His hand shot out toward the white bucket—

Then Daniel's voice rang in his mind like a warning bell:

'Check whether the liquid in the white bucket is really water.'

Hand trembling, Lin Xiao lifted the lid—and recoiled.

Gasoline.

His blood turned to ice.

He had bought this fuel earlier that day. In his panic, he had nearly used it to douse the flames.

"That man… he wasn't lying."

A cold sweat drenched his back. Without Daniel's warning, he would have turned the room into an inferno.

"Hurry!"

The fire roared, but in truth, only the curtains had caught—highly flammable, but not yet uncontrollable. He hauled the gasoline outside, then rushed back with a bucket of water.

Within minutes, the flames were smothered.

But the pharmacy was left blackened, the air thick with the stench of smoke.

Dr. Zhang, roused by the commotion, hurried in, his aged eyes widening at the devastation.

"How did this happen?"

Lin Xiao recounted everything—the dream, the warning, the gasoline.

As he spoke, a chill ran down his spine.

Both he and Dr. Zhang lived in Baolin Hall. Their bedrooms adjoined the pharmacy. Had he thrown that gasoline…

"If not for that man, we'd be dead." He swallowed hard. "Master… do you think some people can really foresee the future?"

Dr. Zhang fell silent for a long moment before murmuring, "Perhaps it was just coincidence."

But his voice lacked conviction.

Finally, he let out a slow breath.

"Regardless, we owe him our lives. Find that contact number—now."