The midnight oil burned low as I opened my eyes, feeling the familiar rush of power circting through my body. A subtle shift had urred during my cultivation session—my energy had be denser, more concentrated. The realization dawned on me with quiet satisfaction: I''d advanced to the Fifth-Layer Qi Refining Stage.
Flexing my fingers, I could feel the difference. Every movement carried a new sense of authority, as if my body had finally begun to acknowledge its true potential. This was just another step on a much longer journey, but a significant one nheless.
A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.
"Mr. Knight?" ric''s voice carried through the wood. "May I have a word?"
I opened the door to find Den Donovan''s subordinate standing stiffly in the hallway, his expression carefully neutral.
"Master Donovan extends his deepest apologies for his daughter''s behavior yesterday," ric said, bowing slightly. "He wishes to make amends and invites you to dine with him this evening."
My eyebrow raised involuntarily. "Does he now?"
"As a token of his sincerity, he''s asked me to present you with this." ric extended a small ornate box toward me.
Insidey a ten-year-old ginseng root, its value immediately obvious to my trained eye. The twisted root had developed the vague shape of a human figure—a sign of its potency. Such specimens were increasingly rare and correspondingly expensive.
"That''s quite a peace offering," I remarked, studying ric''s face for any hint of deception.
"Master Donovan values harmony above all else," ric replied smoothly. "Will you ept his invitation?"
I considered my options. The ginseng alone made the visit worthwhile, and I was curious about what the influential Donovan patriarch truly wanted.
"Tell him I''ll be there," I said, taking the box.
ric nodded. "Seven o''clock. I''ll send a carriage."
After he left, I carefully examined the ginseng root. Its quality was exceptional—it would make an excellent addition to several advanced forms I''d been nning. Whatever Donovan''s real motives, his gift was genuine.
---
Across the city, in the Ashworth familypound, Isabelle paced her private study, a frown creasing her elegant features.
"Are you certain about the Hawthorne family''s movements?" she asked the man standing before her.
Maxwell Reed, head of her personal security detail, nodded gravely. "Yes, Miss Ashworth. Our sources confirm they''ve hired additional muscle, specifically inquiring about a man matching Mr. Knight''s description."
Isabelle''s frown deepened. The pill Liam had given her several days ago hadpletely eliminated her chronic pains, something that countless expensive specialists had failed to aplish for years. His value was bing increasingly apparent—and it seemed others were taking notice too.
"Triple the surveince around his residence," she decided. "And assign a security team to shadow him discreetly. Under no circumstances is he to know they''re there."
"Understood. And if there''s a direct confrontation?" <kbd ss="frag-c00f8e">This<i ss="node-sep"></i>is<i ss="node-sep"></i>a<i ss="node-sep"></i>sample<i ss="node-sep"></i>from<i ss="node-sep"></i>My<i ss="node-sep"></i>Virtual<i ss="node-sep"></i>Library<i ss="node-sep"></i>Empire.<i ss="node-sep"></i>Read<i ss="node-sep"></i>the<i ss="node-sep"></i>rest<i ss="node-sep"></i>on<i ss="node-sep"></i>*.</kbd>
"Intervene only if his life is in danger," Isabelle replied. "Otherwise, observe and report." She turned to gaze out her window, toward the direction of the city where Liam was staying. "He''s more capable than most realize, but even the strongest need allies in this city."
As Maxwell departed to arrange the protection detail, Isabelle found herself wondering when exactly Liam Knight had be someone she couldn''t afford to lose. The thought was both unsettling and oddlyforting.
---
The Donovan mansion sprawled across several acres at the edge of Havenwood''s wealthiest district. Marble columns nked the entrance, where servants in crisp uniforms stood ready to attend to guests. The sheer opulence was clearly designed to impress—or intimidate.
I was escorted through grand hallways adorned with expensive artwork to a dining roomrge enough to host fifty people, though the table was set for just three.
Den Donovan rose as I entered. Taller than I''d expected, with broad shoulders and calcting eyes, he carried himself with the confidence of a man ustomed to power.
"Mr. Knight," he greeted, extending his hand. "Wee to my home. I hope my humble gift conveyed the sincerity of my apology."
"It was generous," I acknowledged, shaking his hand firmly.
"Please, sit." He gestured to the seat across from him. "My daughter will be joining us shortly."
As if on cue, Nora Donovan swept into the room. Recognition shed in her eyes, followed immediately by outrage.
"Him?" she hissed at her father. "You invited him to our home?"
"Nora," Den warned, his voice carrying a steel edge beneath the polite veneer. "Mr. Knight is our guest."
She red at me as she reluctantly took her seat, practically vibrating with restrained fury.
"Mr. Knight," Den continued smoothly as servants began bringing in borate dishes, "I understand you possess considerable martial skill."
"I''ve had some training," I replied, deliberately understating my abilities.
"Your modesty is admirable," Den said with a thin smile. "But unnecessary. Ronan is one of the finest fighters in Havenwood, and you handled him effortlessly."
I took a sip of wine, saying nothing.
"To be direct, Mr. Knight, I find myself in need of someone with your talents," Den continued. "The Donovan family has a longstanding rivalry with the Valerius family. Each year, our martial arts schoolspete in a public tournament."
"And you want me to participate," I finished for him.
Den nodded. "My champion suffered an unfortunate injury during training. Your timely appearance seems almost... providential."
I could see the calction behind his friendly demeanor. This exined the expensive ginseng and dinner invitation—he was investing in what he hoped would be a useful tool.
"What would I gain from this arrangement?" I asked frankly.
"Besides the considerable purse for the winner? The connections, Mr. Knight. In Havenwood, who you know often matters more than what you know. With the Donovan family''s support, many doors would open for you."
It was a tempting offer. The Valerius family was powerful, and gaining insight into their operations could prove valuable. Before I could respond, a servant entered and whispered something in Den''s ear.
"Ah!" Den''s face brightened. "Perfect timing. It seems another guest has arrived."
The doors swung open to reveal a young man about my age, dressed in expensive but practical clothing. He carried himself with the unmistakable confidence of a practiced martial artist.
"Lucas!" Nora''s demeanor transformed instantly, her scowl reced by a dazzling smile as she practically jumped from her chair.
"May I introduce Lucas Rhodes," Den announced proudly. "One of the most promising young talents in the region. Lucas recently achieved breakthrough to the Inner Strength realm at just twenty-five—a remarkable aplishment."
The neer nodded modestly, though his eyes assessed me with undisguised curiosity.
"Lucas, this is Liam Knight," Den continued. "We were just discussing the uingpetition with the Valerius family."
"A pleasure," Lucas said, extending his hand. His grip was firm, testing—amon habit among martial artists.
"Lucas has just returned from a training journey," Den exined, his expression growing increasingly pleased. "I had no idea he''d be back so soon."
Nora clung to Lucas''s arm possessively. "Now you can represent our family in thepetition, just likest year!"
"Of course," Lucas agreed smoothly. "I''ve been preparing specifically for this opportunity."
Nora turned to me, her expression suddenly cold again. "Well, it seems we won''t be needing your services after all," she said dismissively. "You can go."
The room fell silent at her rudeness. I looked to Den, curious how he would handle his daughter''s tant disrespect toward a guest in his home.
To my surprise, Den smiled apologetically. "What Nora said is right. Since Lucas is here, we won''t trouble you anymore."
The contempt beneath his polite words was unmistakable. I''d been useful until a better option appeared—now I was being discarded without a second thought. The expensive ginseng suddenly felt less like a peace offering and more like an advance payment for a service they now deemed unnecessary.
I set down my napkin beside my barely-touched meal, my eyes meeting Den''s. The air in the room seemed to grow heavier as everyone waited for my response.