Aurora City's sky was painted with streaks of red and gold as Mukul received the call. His heart froze. His parents—Raghav and Nandini Desai—had been involved in a catastrophic bridge collapse on their way to a conference. Emergency services had admitted them to the Desai Medical Centre, the very hospital where his sisters worked. Mukul's mind raced, his every thought focused on one terrifying possibility: losing them.
He immediately gathered Shreya and Ishita and rushed to the hospital. Their car raced through the streets, lights blurring past, as Mukul's hands tightened on the steering wheel. The city seemed to fade away, leaving only the burning anxiety for his parents' survival.
When they arrived, Sanya was already there, her medical team preparing for emergency surgery. The normally calm and composed Sanya's eyes reflected a rare hint of worry. Mukul approached her, his gaze firm but controlled.
"Sanya," Mukul asked, voice steady but urgent, "what's the situation?"
Sanya took a deep breath. "It's bad. Both of them are severely injured. But with our current staff, I can only operate on one patient at a time. The other will have to wait, and… it's risky. Very risky."
Mukul closed his eyes for a moment, analyzing the situation with a clarity that came from both his cultivation and his knowledge from past experiences. He could not lose either of them. Not now. Not ever.
"I understand, Sanya," he said calmly. "Here's what we'll do. Provide a single room for me. Send both mother and father into that room. I will save both of them."
Shreya and Ishita stared at him, astonishment written across their faces.
"What do you mean, Mukul?" Shreya asked, her voice trembling. "You can't possibly—"
"I can," Mukul interrupted firmly. "Trust me. I've done this before. Sanya, I know you're busy with another critical patient. Follow my instructions, but leave this room to me. I will handle them both."
Sanya paused, her medical mind and years of training recognising the audacity of his plan. But she also knew Mukul's skills. She nodded, her voice tinged with relief. "If you say so, Mukul… I trust you. I'll prepare the room for you and your parents immediately."
Mukul moved swiftly, entering the specially prepared room. The sight of his parents lying unconscious, bruised and battered, sent a pang through his heart. But he did not falter.
Drawing on all his knowledge—Western surgery techniques, ancient acupuncture, herbal remedies, and internal cultivation—Mukul moved with precision. His hands glowed faintly with the energy of his cultivation, enhancing his reflexes and intuition.
He whispered under his breath, "Stay calm, both of you. I'm here. You'll be fine."
Sanya's instructions had prepared him for a coordinated effort. Mukul administered life-saving measures simultaneously, blending modern medicine with the subtle manipulation of qi to stabilise their vitals. He inserted acupuncture needles at precise points to stimulate recovery, used herbal concoctions to aid internal repair, and applied advanced surgical techniques to control internal bleeding. Every movement was deliberate, every breath calculated.
Hours passed. Sweat ran down Mukul's brow, but he remained calm, fully immersed in the task. Shreya and Ishita waited outside, their hands clasped tightly together, each praying silently.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mukul leaned back slightly, breathing deeply. Both Raghav and Nandini's vital signs stabilised. Colour returned to their faces, and slowly, they began to show signs of consciousness.
Shreya burst into tears of relief, hugging Ishita tightly. "He… he did it! Mukul saved them both!"
Ishita's eyes glistened with admiration. "He… he never fails. Even in life or death, he remains calm."
Mukul stepped out of the room, brushing the sweat from his forehead, his expression composed yet filled with quiet satisfaction. It was then that Shreya, Sanya, and Ishita noticed something. The name displayed on the medical monitoring system read: Dr Han Zeyuan.
Sanya's eyes widened as realisation struck. Mukul had been the legendary ghost doctor all along—master of Eastern and Western medicine, skilled in acupuncture and herbal remedies, capable of healing patients beyond the comprehension of ordinary doctors.
"Mukul… It's you," Sanya whispered, awe in her voice. "Dr. Han Zeyuan… It's been you all along?"
Mukul nodded, a soft smile on his lips. "Yes, Sanya. This identity allows me to work in the shadows, train apprentices, and save lives without drawing attention. And yes, it's me."
Shreya's jaw dropped. "All this time… the stories, the miracles… all from you?"
Ishita's eyes were wide with admiration and disbelief. "Mukul… you're incredible. I can't believe you've been hiding this from all of us, even after everything we've been through."
Mukul's gaze softened as he looked at his family. "I didn't hide it to deceive anyone. It was to protect all of you, to allow me to act without interference. But now… I think it's time you know. No more shadows for this matter—your lives are far too important to leave anything to chance."
Tears filled Sanya's eyes. "I always trusted you, Mukul… but now I understand. You are… beyond what we ever imagined."
Mukul took a deep breath, glancing at his parents who were slowly regaining consciousness, and then back at his sisters. "I promised to protect our family. In life, in shadows, or through medicine, I'll never fail you. That's my vow."
The room was filled with a quiet reverence, a sense of safety and awe. For the first time, Mukul allowed himself a moment of relief. His cultivation, knowledge, and shadow identities had converged to save those he loved most. And in that moment, the Desai family truly understood the depth of Mukul's abilities—not just as their brother, but as the master healer, protector, and strategist: Dr Han Zeyuan.