"Absolutely not," I said, pushing away the ornate certificate of presidency they kept trying to hand me. "I appreciate the honor, but I have no interest in running the Traditional Medicine Association."


    The silver-haired official who had arrested Desmond—or rather, Dorian—looked at me with tant disbelief. "Mr. Knight, this is an unprecedented opportunity. The Council rarely makes such direct appointments."


    I sighed, feeling the exhaustion of the day settling into my bones. The creation of the Pill Cloud had drained more of my energy than I''d anticipated, and the aftermath of Desmond''s dramatic arrest had turned the conference hall into chaos. Everyone wanted a piece of me—my time, my knowledge, my connections.


    "My answer remains the same," I said firmly. "I''m an alchemist, not a politician. I prefer to work in peace, not navigate bureaucracy."


    The woman frowned but nodded reluctantly. "Very well. We''ll find an interim solution." She handed me a small, intricately carved wooden box instead. "At least ept your prize from thepetition. The hundred-year-old Knotweed is rightfully yours."


    This I took without hesitation. The Knotweed was exactly why I''d entered thispetition in the first ce—a rare medicinal herb that would significantly boost my cultivation. I opened the box briefly to check its contents, satisfied to see the gnarled dark root nestled inside, its power palpable even to my exhausted senses.


    As the officials dispersed to deal with the administrative fallout of Desmond''s arrest, I felt a presence approach from behind. Turning, I found myself face-to-face with Elias Ainsworth. His earlier awe had hardened into something moreplex—a begrudging respect tinged with bitterness.


    "Knight," he said stiffly, "I meant what I said. You beat me fairly."


    I studied his face, noting the conflict in his eyes. "And yet you don''t seem entirely happy about that fact."


    A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Would you be? I''ve dedicated my life to bing the best, only to discover I''m nowhere close." He nced around to ensure no one was within earshot. "My master was a fraud, it seems. And I wasted seven years learning from him."


    Despite everything, I felt a flicker of sympathy. "Not wasted. Even wed teachings can provide a foundation."


    Elias scoffed. "Easy for you to say, with your... whatever that was." He gestured vaguely upward, where the Pill Cloud had been. "Where did you learn such a thing? Who was your master?"


    "No one you''d know," I replied simply, unwilling to reveal my secrets.


    His eyes narrowed slightly. "Well, whoever they were, they created a monster." He gave a curt nod that might have been respect or resentment, then turned and walked away, his shoulders rigid with wounded pride.


    I watched him go, knowing our paths would likely cross again. Elias was talented and ambitious—a dangerousbination when mixed with the humiliation he''d just experienced.


    ---


    By the time I made it back to my hotel room, every muscle in my body ached with fatigue. I locked the door behind me, then copsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.


    The Knotweed box sat on the bedside table, alongside the purple Curing Pill I''d kept as a backup. Two incredible treasures—one to advance my cultivation, one that could save a life in dire circumstances. Not a bad oue for a few days'' work.


    A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Groaning, I forced myself up.


    "Who is it?" I called, not bothering to mask my irritation.


    "Anthony Harding, sir," came the response. "Master Jackson sent me."


    I opened the door to find the young man looking nervous but excited. Jackson Harding''s nephew had proven reliable in our previous dealings.


    "I assume you''re here about the pill?" I asked, letting him in.


    Anthony nodded eagerly. "Uncle Jackson said you might have something to trade. Something extraordinary."


    I retrieved the backup Curing Pill and held it out. "Tell your uncle this can heal nearly any injury or illness. Its true value is beyond calction, but I trust him to trade fairly."


    Anthony''s eyes widened as he epted the small container, handling it like it might explode. "I... yes, of course. He mentioned you were interested in rare cultivation materials?"


    "Specifically, information on the whereabouts of certain herbs. Celestial-grade herbs." I fixed him with a meaningful look.


    Understanding dawned in his eyes. "I''ll convey your interests precisely. Uncle Jackson has connections everywhere." He bowed slightly. "Thank you for your trust, Master Knight."


    After he left, I sank back onto the bed. One more task remained before I could rest—waiting to see if Killian Moreau would honor our unspoken arrangement. The Ganoderma I sought was in his possession, and our little game of chicken was approaching its conclusion.


    I pulled out mymunication stone, considering whether to contact him directly, then decided against it. Patience was key with men like Killian. Let him make the next move.


    ---


    Across the city, in avishly appointed private chamber, Killian Moreau stared out at the Veridia City skyline, a ss of aged spirit in his hand. The Ganoderma sat on his desk, sealed in a preservation formation that maintained its potency.


    "Still no word from Knight?" asked his aide, standing respectfully by the door.


    Killian swirled his drink contemtively. "No. Perhaps hecks the courage to approach me directly."


    "Or perhaps he''s testing you, sir."


    Killian''s lips quirked into a half-smile. "Perhaps. Either way, I''m curious how long he''ll wait before—"


    Amotion outside interrupted him. The door burst open, and another of his subordinates rushed in, forgetting all protocol in his excitement.


    "Master Moreau! Forgive the intrusion, but you must hear this!" The man was practically vibrating with urgency. "The Traditional Medicine Conference—thepetition—Liam Knight—"


    "Calm yourself," Killianmanded sharply. "Speak clearly."


    The man took a deep breath. "Liam Knight not only won thepetition, he generated a Pill Cloud during the process. A true Pill Cloud! The entire hall witnessed it!"


    Killian''s ss slipped from his fingers, shattering on the floor. Even his normally impassive face couldn''t hide his shock. "A Pill Cloud? Are you certain?"


    "Absolutely certain, sir. Multiple witnesses confirm it. And there''s more—he created something called a Curing Pill that instantly healed one of the judges. And Desmond Davenport has been arrested for corruption!"


    Killian sank slowly into his chair, his mind racing to process this information. A Pill Cloud was the stuff of legends—a phenomenon mentioned in ancient texts but not seen in centuries. It indicated an alchemical understanding that bordered on the mythical. <samp ss="meta-ref-static">This chapter is from the collection at *.</samp>


    And Liam Knight had produced one.


    The same Liam Knight who was quietly waiting for him to deliver the Ganoderma.


    The same man he''d been treating as a minor yer in a muchrger game.


    Killian stared at the Ganoderma on his desk, suddenly seeing it—and Liam Knight—in an entirely new light.


    "Sir?" his aide ventured cautiously. "What should we do about Knight''s request now?"


    Killian''s eyes narrowed as he contemted his next move. The stakes had just risen exponentially.