I watched ra''s eager expression with amusement. Her eyes were wide with anticipation, ready to agree to almost anything for those concert tickets.


    "My condition is simple," I said, leaning forward slightly. "You''ll need to behave yourself during my stay here. No more bursting into your father''s meetings, and you''ll join us for dinner each night to discuss cultivation theory."


    ra''s mouth fell open. Clearly, she''d been expecting something more difficult.


    "That''s... that''s it?" she asked skeptically.


    I nodded. "That''s it."


    William looked between us with a mixture of surprise and approval. "An excellent suggestion, Liam. ra could benefit greatly from your knowledge."


    ra''s initial hesitation quickly dissolved into excitement. "Done! I''ll be on my best behavior. I promise!"


    "And I''ll do my best to secure those tickets," I replied, though I wasn''t entirely sure how I''d manage it yet. Still, connections were one of the few advantages I now possessed, and it was time to test them.


    After ra bounced out of the room, William gave me an appreciative nod.


    "Thank you for that. She''s been impossible since this concert was announced."


    "Young people have their passions," I said with a slight smile. "Though I''m not sure if I can actually deliver on my promise."


    William waved dismissively. "Even if you can''t, you''ve bought us a few days of peace. That alone is worth something."


    I chuckled. "Fair enough."


    Later, in the privacy of my guest quarters, I began making arrangements. Kathleen Hansen wasn''t just any performer—she was arguably the most famous vocalist in three provinces. Getting tickets to her sold-out concert would require significant influence.


    But there was something else that interested me about Kathleen Hansen. If my memory served correctly, she was one of my regr clients for specialized medicines that enhanced vocal performance and protected the throat. Herst batch would be running low around now.


    I sent a message to my business contacts in Havenwood City, instructing them to prepare a special delivery of enhanced vocal medicines. With that as leverage, securing concert tickets shouldn''t be difficult.


    My suspicions were confirmed when one of my assistants replied that Kathleen''s manager had already been inquiring about the next shipment. Perfect timing. I requested that they inform her that I would personally deliver her medicine in Shince City.


    With that arrangement in ce, I turned my attention back to William''s proposed mission. The border disputes required careful handling, and I spent several hours reviewing the information he''d provided.


    ---


    The next morning, ra approached me during breakfast, trying unsessfully to hide her eagerness.


    "So... any news about the tickets?" she asked, attempting to sound casual but failing miserably.


    I smiled. "Patience. I expect to hear something today."


    William gave his daughter a stern look. "ra, remember your promise about behavior."


    She immediately straightened in her chair. "Of course, Father. I was just making polite conversation."


    I hid my amusement behind my teacup. The girl was transparent in her motivations, but there was something refreshing about her straightforward nature.


    After breakfast, William and I spent several hours discussing strategy for our uing border mission. ra, true to her word, joined us for lunch and asked surprisingly insightful questions about basic cultivation techniques.


    "You have potential," I told her honestly. "Have you considered formal training?"


    ra nced at her father. "Father believes I should focus on my academic studies first."


    William sighed. "The cultivation world is dangerous, Liam. You know this better than most."


    I could understand his perspective. A father wanting to protect his daughter from the harsh realities of cultivator conflicts was entirely reasonable.


    "There''s wisdom in that," I acknowledged. "Though sometimes knowledge of cultivation can be protective, even if one doesn''t pursue it as a path."


    Our conversation was interrupted by a servant announcing a visitor—one of my messengers from Havenwood City.


    "Sir," the young man said with a bow, "Kathleen Hansen''s manager has confirmed. She will meet with you personally this afternoon to collect her medicine."


    ra gasped. "Kathleen Hansen ising here?"


    "Not here specifically," I rified. "I''ll be meeting her at her amodations."


    The girl''s eyes were wide with disbelief. "You actually know Kathleen Hansen personally?"


    "I provide specialized medicines for many performers," I exined. "Their voices are their livelihood, after all."


    William looked impressed. "Your business connections continue to surprise me, Liam."


    I simply nodded, rising from my seat. "If you''ll excuse me, I should prepare for my meeting."


    As I exited the dining room, I heard ra''s excited whispering to her father. Her enthusiasm was infectious, reminding me of simpler joys that I rarely had time to consider anymore.


    ---


    Later that afternoon, I returned to William''s estate with a small package in one hand and two ornate tickets in the other. ra was waiting in the entrance hall, trying and failing to look nonchnt.


    When she spotted the tickets, she froze.


    "You actually did it," she whispered, eyes wide.


    I handed them to her. "Front row. Kathleen was quite generous once I exined the situation."


    ra took the tickets reverently, as though they might disintegrate if handled too roughly. Then, to my surprise, she threw her arms around me in a quick, impulsive hug.


    "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she eximed. "You have no idea what this means to me!"


    I stiffened slightly at the unexpected physical contact before awkwardly patting her shoulder. "You''re wee. Remember our agreement."


    She nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I''ll keep my promise. Father can bring a friend to the concert too—these are for both of you."


    William, who had entered during this exchange, looked equally surprised. "That''s... very thoughtful, ra."


    She beamed at both of us before racing upstairs, presumably to n her outfit for the event.


    William turned to me. "I''m impressed, Liam. Not many could deliver on such a promise so quickly."


    "Sometimes, it''s just a matter of having the right resources at the right moment," I replied modestly. "Kathleen Hansen happens to rely on my medicines for her performances."


    "Still, you''ve earned my daughter''s eternal gratitude," he said with a chuckle. "No small feat."


    I smiled slightly. "It was a simple matter."


    The truth was moreplex. My meeting with Kathleen Hansen had been brief but productive. She''d been appropriately grateful for the specialized medicine I''d provided, which would ensure her voice remained at its peak for the concert tour. Securing the tickets had been effortless after that.


    But the exchange had left me contemting the nature of influence. In my previous life, such connections would have been unthinkable. Now, doors opened for me based on what I could provide to others. It was a stark reminder of how much had changed.


    ---


    The following day passed quietly. ra, true to her word, was a model of good behavior. She even joined William and me for an extended discussion of cultivation theory, showing genuine interest and aptitude.


    In thete afternoon, however, an unexpected visitor arrived. Eamon Greene, one of my assistants from the clinic, had traveled urgently from Havenwood City.


    "Master Knight," he said after being shown to my quarters, "I apologize for the interruption, but there''s a matter requiring your attention."


    I frowned. "What''s happened?"


    "A woman arrived at the clinic this morning, insisting on seeing you personally. When told you were away, she became quite agitated."


    "Many patients prefer personal consultations," I noted. "Why is this one different?" <i ss="ref-3335c2">This chapter is part of the collection on *.</i>


    Eamon lowered his voice. "She was heavily disguised, sir, but one of the staff recognized her. We believe it''s Kathleen Hansen."


    My frown deepened. I''d just seen Kathleen yesterday and provided her with enough medicine tost through her entire tour. There was no reason for her to seek me out again so soon.


    "Did she say what she wanted?"


    "Only that it was urgent and private," Eamon replied. "She seemed quite distressed."


    I considered my options. If Kathleen was indeed seeking me out in disguise, something significant must have happened.


    "When is she expected to return?"


    "She said she woulde back this evening."


    I nodded slowly. "I''ll return to Havenwood City immediately. Make sure everything is prepared for my arrival."


    After exining the situation to William and apologizing for the abrupt departure, I made arrangements to travel back to Havenwood City. ra was disappointed but understood when I exined it was a medical emergency.


    "Will you be back for the concert?" she asked hopefully.


    "I''ll do my best," I promised, though I suspected whatever was happening with Kathleen might prevent that.


    ---


    By evening, I had returned to my clinic in Havenwood City. Eamon greeted me at the entrance.


    "Any sign of her?" I asked.


    "Not yet, sir. But—" He paused as the front door opened.


    A slender figure entered, wrapped in a hooded cloak despite the warm evening. Even with her face partially obscured, there was no mistaking the elegant posture and confident stride of Kathleen Hansen, one of the most famous performers in the region.


    "Please tell Master Knight that—" she began, then stopped when she saw me. "Oh! You''re here."


    "I came as soon as I heard you were looking for me," I replied, studying her carefully. "Is there a problem with the medicine I provided?"


    She nced around nervously. "Could we speak privately?"


    I nodded, leading her to my consultation room. Once inside with the door closed, she lowered her hood, revealing her striking features. Kathleen Hansen was undeniably beautiful, with delicate features and expressive eyes that had helped propel her to fame alongside her remarkable voice.


    "I''m sorry for all the secrecy," she said with a small smile. "But I can''t be recognized here. My fans can be... enthusiastic."


    "Understandable," I replied. "How can I help you?"


    Her yful demeanor shifted, revealing genuine concern. "The medicine you gave me yesterday—it''s working wonderfully. But I need something else. Something... special."


    I raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are you looking for?"


    Kathleen reached into her cloak and withdrew a small pendant. It hung from a silver chain, a simple dark stone that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it.


    "This is my lucky charm," she exined. "I''ve worn it for every performance since I began my career. Buttely, it''s felt... different. Heavier, somehow."


    I frowned, immediately sensing something was wrong with the pendant. Dark energy radiated from it in subtle waves—not enough for a non-cultivator to detect, but unmistakable to someone of my abilities.


    "Where did you get this?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.


    "A gift," she said, her eyes downcast. "From someone who believed in me when no one else did. They said it would bring me luck, and it has! But recently, I''ve been having terrible nightmares, and I feel drained after performances instead of energized."


    I extended my hand. "May I?"


    She hesitated briefly before cing the pendant in my palm. The moment it touched my skin, I could feel malevolent energy pulsing through it. This was no ordinary charm—it was a dark artifact, slowly feeding off her life force.


    "Your instincts were right," I said grimly. "This is not merely a lucky charm."


    rmed by my tone, she leaned forward. "What is it?"


    "Something dangerous," I replied, examining it more closely. "How long have you had it?"


    "Five years," she answered. "My Master gave it to me when I became his student."


    "Your Master?"


    She nodded. "My vocal teacher. He said it would help channel my talent." Her eyes widened suddenly. "Is it... is it hurting me?"


    Rather than answering immediately, I took a small knife from my desk drawer. Before she could protest, I pricked my finger and allowed a drop of my blood essence to fall onto the pendant.


    The reaction was immediate and horrifying. The pendant emitted a cloud of dark smoke, and within it, ghostly faces formed, their mouths open in silent screams. The heads began to circle around the pendant, growing more distinct by the second.


    Kathleen stumbled back in terror. "What is that?!"


    Instead of responding, I closed my hand around the pendant and focused my energy. Then, to her visible horror, I opened my mouth and inhaled deeply, drawing the dark spirits into myself. They resisted briefly before being consumed by my own dark energy.


    When it was done, I opened my hand. The pendanty there, now just an ordinary stone without a trace of the malevolent power it had contained.


    Kathleen stared at me, her face pale with shock and fear.


    "What... what did you just do?" she whispered.


    I fixed her with a cold gaze. "I saved your life. This wasn''t a lucky charm—it was slowly killing you, feeding on your life force and preparing to consume your soul."


    She shook her head in disbelief. "That''s impossible. My Master would never—"


    "Your Master," I interrupted, "either intended to harm you or was deceived himself. If you hadn''t met me today, this thing would have taken your life."