"Have you taken the Nine Transformation Pill?" Caleb Thorne asked bluntly.


    I couldn''t help but smile at the irony. "Didn''t you say that it''s fake?"


    Caleb''s expression tightened. "I may have been... hasty in my assessment."


    "Hasty?" I raised an eyebrow. "Or deliberately misleading?"


    His eyes darted to the jade box in my hand containing the Thousand-Year Ginseng. The tension between us crackled like static electricity.


    "I''m prepared to offer you a fair trade," he said finally. "The Nine Transformation Pill for a portion of the Divine Medicine."


    Conrad snorted beside me. "Now that Liam has something you want, suddenly the pill is real?"


    I studied Caleb''s face. The desperation in his eyes was poorly masked by his attempt at nonchnce. He needed this ginseng—badly.


    "No," I said simply.


    Caleb blinked, clearly not expecting such a direct refusal. "I don''t think you understand the value of what I''m offering—"


    "I understand perfectly," I cut him off. "Which is why my answer remains no."


    His facade cracked, revealing the anger beneath. "You''re making a grave mistake, Knight."


    I stepped closer to him, lowering my voice. "The mistake was yours, when you thought you could manipte me. I''ve learned to recognize vipers before they strike."


    Conrad ced a warning hand on my shoulder. The gesture wasn''t lost on Caleb, who took a step back.


    "This isn''t over," Caleb muttered before turning away.


    "It is for now," I replied, watching his retreating form until it disappeared into the darkness of the valley.


    Conrad and I continued our journey back in rtive silence. The weight of the jade box in my hand was a constant reminder of our sess.


    "You''ve changed," Conrad said suddenly as we neared the valley''s exit.


    I nced at him. "How so?"


    "Three months ago, you would have epted that deal without hesitation," he exined. "You would have believed you needed allies at any cost."


    I considered his words. "Three months ago, I was still the man everyone could step on."


    The bright sunlight greeted us as we emerged from the valley. Evelyn Norton was waiting, her face a mixture of relief and apprehension.


    "Liam," she approached cautiously, "I want you to know I had no part in their scheme."


    I studied her carefully. She had been one of the few who hadn''t pursued me into the valley trap.


    "I believe you," I said finally. "But I think it''s best if we part ways here."


    Her shoulders slumped slightly. "I understand. Isai Whitlock''s master will be looking for those responsible for his death. It''s safer if I''m not associated with you."


    That wasn''t my primary concern, but I nodded anyway. There was no need to make an enemy of her. "Safe travels, Evelyn."


    She bowed slightly before departing, leaving Conrad and me alone.


    "What now?" Conrad asked, eyeing the jade box.


    "Now we return to White City," I replied. "I still have a promise to fulfill to you."


    His eyes widened. "You mean—"


    "Yes. I''ll help you break through to the next level of cultivation," I confirmed. "Though it may take some time to prepare the necessary medicines."


    Conrad''s face lit up with genuine gratitude. "Liam, I—"


    "Consider it payment for watching my back," I said, cutting off his thanks. "Besides, I''ll need strong allies in the days toe."


    ---


    Three dayster, we arrived back at White City. The journey had been uneventful, though I could sense we were being watched at times. Word of what happened in the valley was already spreading.


    I was greeted by an unexpected sight at my residence—Eamon Greene surrounded by empty herb containers. The distinct scent of medicinal preparations filled the air.


    "Wee back, Master Knight," he said, not bothering to stand. "I trust your expedition was sessful?"


    I surveyed the scene with growing irritation. "What have you done with my herbs?"


    Eamon gestured vaguely. "I''ve been experimenting with some concoctions. Advancing my understanding of alchemy."


    "Using my supplies," I said tly.


    He shrugged. "You weren''t here to use them."


    I took a deep breath, reminding myself that killing him would create more problems than it would solve. Eamon was useful, if frustrating.


    "Next time, ask first," I said through gritted teeth.


    Conrad cleared his throat. "I''ll leave you to settle in. We can discuss my... situation tomorrow?"


    I nodded, grateful for his tact. Once he left, I turned back to Eamon.


    "What news while I was away?"


    Eamon''s expression turned serious. "Your reputation grows by the day. Stories of your victory on the mountain have spread throughout White City and beyond."


    "And Isai Whitlock''s death?" I asked.


    "That particr detail has made you both famous and infamous," he replied. "The martial world is divided—some see you as a rising star, others as a reckless upstart who should be put in his ce."


    I smiled grimly. "Let them try."


    Before Eamon could respond, there was a knock at the door. A servant entered and bowed.


    "Master Knight, Lord William Vance requests an audience."


    I raised an eyebrow. William Vance was a high-ranking official in White City, with direct connections to the battle zone. His interest in me couldn''t be coincidental.


    "Show him in," I instructed.


    William Vance entered with the confidence of a man ustomed to authority. He was middle-aged, with a trim beard and eyes that missed nothing.


    "Liam Knight," he said, inclining his head slightly. "Your reputation precedes you."


    "Lord Vance," I replied, matching his formality. "To what do I owe this honor?"


    He smiled thinly. "May we speak privately?"


    I nodded to Eamon, who reluctantly left the room.


    "I''ll be direct," William said once we were alone. "Your advancement has been... remarkable. From an unknown outsider to killing a Grandmaster like Isai Whitlock in mere months."


    I kept my expression neutral. "Some circumstances demand rapid growth."


    "Indeed," he agreed. "Which is why I''m here. The battle zone requires individuals of your... unique capabilities."


    So there it was. The official invitation I''d been anticipating.


    "And if I''m not interested?" I asked, testing him.


    William''s smile didn''t waver. "Then I would question your understanding of the situation. The battle zone isn''t merely requesting your participation—it''s expecting it."


    The threat was veiled but unmistakable. I could join willingly or bepelled to join.


    "I have conditions," I said after a moment.


    His eyebrows rose slightly. "You''re in a position to set conditions?"


    "I am if you want my willing cooperation rather than my reluctant presence," I replied evenly.


    William studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Name them."


    "I maintain my freedom of movement. No permanent station. Ie and go as my own affairs require," I stated firmly. "And I choose my battles."


    "The battle zone has protocols—"


    "Then adjust them," I interrupted. "Or find someone else who can kill Grandmasters."


    A sh of surprise crossed his face before heughed. "You remind me of someone—a man who once shook the very foundations of our world with his audacity."


    "Who?" I asked, curious despite myself.


    "Ignazio Bellweather," William said, his voice taking on a tone of reverence. "They called him the War God of Veridia."


    The name stirred something in my memory. "I''ve heard mentions of him." <kbd ss="meta-ref-static">Content sourced from * – My Virtual Library Empire.</kbd>


    William nodded. "Few haven''t. He rose from nothing—amoner with no backing, no family name. Everyone dismissed him until he single-handedly turned the tide in the Northern Campaign thirty years ago."


    "What happened to him?" I asked.


    "He disappeared," William replied. "Some say he ascended to a higher realm. Others believe he went into seclusion after growing disillusioned with the politics of power."


    I considered this. "And you see simrities between us?"


    "The pattern is unmistakable," he confirmed. "An outsider, underestimated until it''s toote. Rising at a speed that defies conventional wisdom. Ignazio inspired an entire generation of warriors."


    He paused, his gaze intensifying. "The battle zone needs that inspiration again. We face enemies that would make even Isai Whitlock seem trivial byparison."


    I remained silent, weighing his words carefully.


    "Your conditions are eptable," William finally said. "Though I expect results that justify such... flexibility."


    "You''ll have them," I assured him.


    As he turned to leave, he added, "The War God once said that true power isn''t measured by the enemies you defeat, but by the allies who stand with you voluntarily. Consider that, Liam Knight."


    After William departed, I sat alone, contemting this new development. The battle zone would provide both opportunities and dangers. New resources, but also new enemies.


    Eamon returned, eyeing me curiously. "Well? What did he want?"


    "To recruit me," I replied simply.


    "And you agreed?" he asked, surprised.


    "On my terms," I rified.


    Eamon shook his head. "You continue to defy expectations. First the Grandmasters, now dictating terms to the battle zone."


    I smiled faintly. "Perhaps I''m just following in the footsteps of those who came before."


    I thought of Isabelle then, wondering what she would think of thisparison to Ignazio Bellweather. She had believed in me when no one else did. She would be pleased to know others were finally seeing what she had seen all along.


    I stroked my chin and murmured softly, "Ignazio Bellweather... I''ll remember this name."