I moved silently through the shadows of Veridia City''s exclusive business district, feeling the two men trailing me from about fifty yards back. They''d been following me since I left the Jade Moon Vi, maintaining just enough distance to avoid immediate detection. Amateurs.


    "You might as welle out now," I called without turning around, my voice carrying in the quiet night air. "Your stealth skills are embarrassing."


    I heard a sharp intake of breath, then footsteps as the two men emerged from their hiding spots. Both wore expensive suits that failed to conceal their muscr builds – clearly Thornton Family enforcers.


    "Mr. Knight," the taller one said, trying to sound casual. "We were just—"


    "Spare me the lies," I cut him off, finally turning to face them. "Tell Victor his tactics are pathetic. If the Thorntons want to keep tabs on me, they should send someonepetent."


    The shorter man''s hand drifted toward his jacket, where I could sense the outline of a concealed weapon.


    "I wouldn''t," I warned, releasing just enough of my aura to make both men take an involuntary step back. "You''re both Foundation Building Stage 1 cultivators at best. I could kill you before you cleared your holsters."


    Sweat beaded on the taller man''s forehead. "We''re just following orders."


    "Then follow this one: leave." I stepped closer, allowing dark energy to flicker visibly around my fingers. "If I see either of you within a hundred yards of me again, I''ll send you back to Victor in pieces."


    They exchanged nervous nces before backing away slowly, then turning to hurry down the street.


    I sighed, checking my watch. The Thornton situation was bing a nuisance, but I had more pressing matters – specifically, a billionaire client waiting for treatment. A fortune of three billion dors had justnded in my ount, and I needed to uphold my end of the bargain.


    Upon arriving at the Hansen mansion, I was immediately greeted by Kathleen, looking even more morous than before in a designer dress that probably cost more than most people''s cars.


    "Mr. Knight! Thank you foring." Her relief was palpable, the facade of celebrity confidence temporarily reced by genuine worry. "Father''s condition has worsened since this afternoon."


    I nodded, following her through thevish halls decorated with artwork worth millions. "Take me to him."


    Mr. Hanseny in a medical bed that had been set up in what was once probably a study. Machines beeped around him, monitoring his failing body. The man himself was gaunt, his muscr frame now wasted by disease, but his eyes remained alert and intelligent.


    "So you''re the miracle worker my daughter found," he said, his voice weak but clear.


    I ced my bag on a nearby table. "I''m no miracle worker, Mr. Hansen. Just a man with certain skills."


    After examining him and administering the first phase of treatment – aplex mixture of herbs andpounds that would prepare his body for what was toe – I gave Kathleen detailed instructions for the next twelve hours.


    "I''ve done what I can for today," I exined. "But ALS requires more than one treatment. We''ll need to continue the regimen abroad."


    Kathleen blinked in surprise. "Abroad? Why?"


    "Some of the ingredients I need can''t be found here. We need to travel to where they grow naturally." I handed her a folder. "All the arrangements have been made. We leave tomorrow morning."


    "Tomorrow?" She nced at her father, then back at me. "I have a photoshoot scheduled, and the Met G next week—"


    "Cancel them," I said tly. "Unless you prefer nning your father''s funeral instead."


    Her face paled, and she nodded. "Of course. I''ll make the arrangements."


    ---


    The next morning, I found myself increasingly regretting my decision as I escorted Kathleen Hansen to the private airfield where our chartered ne waited. The supermodel had brought enough luggage for a month-long vacation rather than a medical expedition.


    "Is all this really necessary?" I asked as airport staff loaded her sixth suitcase into the cargo hold.


    "I never know what I might need," she replied with a smile that hadunched a thousand magazine covers. "Besides, we might be seen by paparazzi. Image is everything in my business."


    I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "This isn''t a publicity tour."


    Once on board the luxury jet, I discovered another problem.


    "Twenty hours?" I stared at the pilot after he detailed our flight n. "You didn''t mention we were going halfway across the world."


    Kathleen shrugged, already settling into her plush seat. "You said abroad. Did it matter where specifically?"


    I bit back a retort. The money had already been paid, and I''d given my word. Besides, the lengthy flight might provide an opportunity I hadn''t anticipated.


    After takeoff, as Kathleen busied herself with fashion magazines and phone calls, I prepared for something far more important. A twenty-hour flight offered the perfect isted environment for what I needed to attempt.


    "I''ll be meditating," I told her once we reached cruising altitude. "Do not disturb me under any circumstances."


    She looked up from her phone. "For how long?"


    "As long as it takes." I moved to the rear of the cabin where two seats had been converted into a small privatepartment. "This is critically important."


    For once, she seemed to sense my seriousness. "Alright. I''ll make sure no one bothers you."


    Once secluded, I assumed the lotus position and began the risky process I''d been nning for weeks. Foundation Building Stage 3 had eluded me so far, my progress blocked by an imbnce between the light and dark energies within me. Ward''s technique had awakened the darker aspects of my cultivation potential, but integrating it properly required absolute concentration.


    Drawing dark energy from deep within me, I began circting it through my meridians. The sensation was both exhrating and terrifying – like handling a venomous snake that could strike at any moment. One mistake could damage my cultivation base permanently, or worse, corrupt my mind.


    Hour after hour, I sank deeper into my meditative state, barely aware of my physical surroundings as I wrestled with forces most cultivators would never dare touch.


    ---


    Kathleen was watching a movie when the first sign of trouble urred. The cabin lights flickered once, then again. The flight attendant appeared, her practiced smile strained at the edges.


    "Just a little turbulence, Ms. Hansen. Nothing to worry about."


    Minutester, the captain''s voice came over the inte, tight with controlled panic. "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats with your seatbelts fastened."


    Kathleen felt a spike of anxiety but tried to remain calm. Private flights often encountered rough air. But when the cabin door burst open and two men rushed in with guns drawn, she realized this was far worse than turbulence.


    "Nobody move!" the first man shouted, his face concealed by a ski mask. "This is a hijacking!"


    The second hijacker held his weapon on the flight attendant. "Everyone stay calm and you won''t get hurt. We just want valuables." <kbd ss="story-note-vis">Chесk fоr thе lаtеst updаtеs оn Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М-VL-ЕМР-YR).</kbd>


    Kathleen''s heart hammered in her chest. She nced toward the rearpartment where Liam remained in deep meditation,pletely unaware of the danger. Should she try to wake him? Would that make things worse?


    The first hijacker moved through the cabin, collecting watches, jewelry, and cash from the handful of other passengers. When he reached Kathleen, his eyes widened in recognition despite his mask.


    "Well, well. Kathleen Hansen." His voice took on an ugly edge. "The famous supermodel. Today must be our lucky day."


    She tried to remainposed, handing over her diamond bracelet and designer watch. "Take what you want and leave us alone."


    The hijacker leaned closer, his breath hot on her face. "Oh, we''ll take what we want alright. But maybe we want more than just jewelry."


    His partnerughed. "Check her ID. Bet she''s worth a fortune in ransom."


    Panic surged through her. "Mr. Knight!" she called out desperately. "Liam!"


    "Who''s she calling?" The second hijacker moved toward the rearpartment, gun raised.


    "My... my bodyguard," Kathleen improvised. "He''s back there."


    The hijacker yanked open thepartment door to find Liam sitting perfectly still, eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to everything around him. The man waved his gun in Liam''s face, but got no reaction.


    "This guy''s out cold," he reported. "What''s wrong with him?"


    "I don''t know," Kathleen replied truthfully. "He was meditating. He said not to disturb him."


    The first hijacker grabbed her hair, yanking her head back. "Well, sweetheart, looks like your bodyguard is useless. It''s just you and us now."


    "Please," she begged, trying to reach Liam again. "Mr. Knight! Wake up!"


    But Liam remained motionless, trapped in his deep cultivation state.


    The hijackers collected the remaining valuables before the leader returned his attention to Kathleen, eyes roving over her body with undisguised lust.


    "Strip," he ordered suddenly.


    "What?" Kathleen recoiled in horror.


    "You heard me. Strip. Or I start shooting passengers." He pointed his gun at an elderly man across the aisle. "Starting with grandpa here."


    "You can''t—"


    "One."


    "Please don''t—"


    "Two."


    The other passengers began pleading with her.


    "Just do what he says!"


    "We don''t want to die!"


    "Please, Ms. Hansen!"


    Tears welled in Kathleen''s eyes as she looked desperately toward Liam''s still form. How could he remain sopletely unaware? Her hands trembled as she reached for the top button of her blouse.


    "Three—"


    "Okay!" she cried. "Okay. Just... don''t hurt anyone."


    The hijacker smiled beneath his mask. "Smart girl. Nice and slow now. Let''s give everyone a show."