I stood in the center of the Ashworth courtyard, surrounded by Corbin''s forces. The tension in the air was palpable, heavy with killing intent. But I felt no fear—only a mild irritation at this tedious dy.


    "You know," I remarked casually, "for someone of your standing, Corbin, your understanding of power is remarkably shallow."


    His smug expression faltered slightly. "Save your philosophical musings. You''re surrounded by elite forces who answer to me alone."


    I smiled faintly. "Are they elite? Let''s see."


    Without any visible movement from me, the first gunman suddenly dropped his weapon. He clutched his throat, face contorting in panic. Within seconds, the others followed—weapons ttering to the ground as they gasped for breath.


    "What are you doing?" Corbin barked at his men. "Pick up your weapons!"


    None couldply. Their limbs trembled violently before they all copsed to their knees.


    "While we were speaking," I exined calmly, "I released a specialized paralyzing agent into the air. Your men breathed it in with every word you spoke. The more you talked, the more they inhaled."


    Panic flickered across Corbin''s face. "Grandmasters! Take her down!"


    The martial artists moved in unison, theirbined aura creating crushing pressure as they closed in. I simply sighed and removed a small vial from my sleeve, uncorking it with my thumb.


    A barely visible mist drifted outward. The approaching Grandmasters faltered mid-step, their expressions shifting from confidence to confusion.


    "What''s happening?" the leader gasped, his spiritual energy fluctuating wildly. "My cultivation... I can''t control it!"


    "Simple disruptionpound," I exined. "It temporarily blocks the meridians that control spiritual energy flow. Your men will recover... eventually."


    One by one, the Grandmasters fell to their knees, their mighty auras dissipating like morning fog.


    Corbin''sposure crackedpletely. "This is impossible! No medicinalpound can neutralize Peak Form Grandmasters so easily!"


    "Perhaps not from an ordinary alchemist," I replied. "But I am the Pavilion Master of the Celestial Apothecary Guild for a reason."


    Rage contorted Corbin''s features. With a roar, he charged at me himself, fist glowing with condensed spiritual energy.


    I didn''t even shift my stance. As his fist approached my face, I simply raised two fingers and caught the blow.


    The impact sent ripples through the courtyard air, but I remained unmoved. Corbin''s eyes widened in shock as he realized his full-strength attack had been stopped with minimal effort.


    "Impossible," he whispered.


    I tightened my grip on his fist, applying just enough pressure to make him wince. "You Ashworths have grown arrogant in your privilege. You''ve forgotten that there are powers in this world beyond wealth and political connections."


    With a slight twist of my wrist, I sent him stumbling backward. He barely maintained his footing, face flushed with humiliation.


    "Remember this moment, Corbin Ashworth," I said, my voice carrying throughout the courtyard. "Remember what happened when you underestimated the Celestial Apothecary Guild."


    I turned and walked toward the gate, bodies of incapacitated men scattered around me.


    "This isn''t over!" Corbin called after me, voice trembling with rage. "The Ashworths don''t forget insults!"


    I paused and looked back at him. "Neither do I. Touch Isabelle Ashworth again—directly or through your poisoners—and next time, I won''t be so merciful."


    His face paled at the implication that I knew exactly who had poisoned Isabelle. <q ss="ref-5e72e6">Keep us going by reading on *.</q>


    As I walked away, I heard Roderick mutter to Corbin: "You fool. Do you have any idea what you''ve done?"


    Indeed. Corbin had just turned a potential ally into a certain enemy. His arrogance would cost the Ashworths dearly.


    ---


    Back at the Celestial Apothecary Guild, Liam paced restlessly, his features tense with worry. Hours had passed since I''d left for the Ashworth estate, and uncertainty was eating away at him.


    "Young Master Liam," an elderly disciple addressed him. "Perhaps some tea would help calm your nerves?"


    "No, thank you," Liam replied distractedly. "I just need to know if she''s alright."


    The door to the main hall opened, and Liam''s head snapped up. Relief flooded his face when he saw me enter.


    "Pavilion Master!" He rushed forward. "How is she? Is Isabelle—"


    "She''s recovering," I assured him, moving toward my private chamber and gesturing for him to follow. "The poison was sophisticated but not beyond my abilities to neutralize."


    Once inside with the door closed, I removed the envelope from my inner pocket. "She gave me this for you."


    Liam''s hands trembled slightly as he epted it. Inside he found a bank card and a small note. His eyes misted as he read the simple message.


    "What does it say?" I asked gently.


    "It says..." he swallowed hard. "''I''m waiting for you. Stay alive. I love you.''"


    I nodded. "She''s still loyal to you, despite everything the Ashworths have done to separate you."


    Liam closed his eyes briefly,posing himself. "How bad was it? Her condition?"


    "Bad enough," I admitted. "The poison was designed to mimic natural illness while slowly shutting down her vital organs. Another week and she might have been beyond saving."


    Fury darkened his features. "Corbin Ashworth?"


    "Almost certainly on his orders, though I doubt he administered it himself," I confirmed. "He was... displeased by my intervention."


    Liam''s eyes narrowed. "Did he try to stop you?"


    A small smile curved my lips. "He tried. It didn''t go well for him."


    Understanding dawned on Liam''s face. "You demonstrated your power."


    "Sometimes a clear message is necessary," I replied. "Corbin Ashworth needed to learn that the Guild isn''t to be trifled with."


    Liam nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you for helping her. I know going there personally was a risk."


    "A calcted one," I assured him. "And worth taking. Isabelle is now under her grandfather''s direct protection. Harrison Ashworth was genuinely concerned for her well-being and shocked by the poisoning attempt."


    Liam pocketed the bank card and note carefully. "So she''s safe for now?"


    "As safe as anyone can be in that nest of vipers," I confirmed. "But yes, I believe the immediate danger has passed. Harrison will be watching closely for any further attempts."


    Relief softened Liam''s features momentarily before determination hardened them again. "I need to get stronger, faster. Six months seemed reasonable when I made that promise, but now I''m not so sure."


    "You''re progressing at an unprecedented rate," I reminded him. "Few cultivators achieve in years what you''ve managed in weeks."


    Before he could respond, Liam''s phone rang. He nced at the screen, his expression darkening instantly.


    "Who is it?" I asked.


    "Dashiell ckthorne," he replied grimly. After a moment''s hesitation, he answered and put the call on speaker. "What do you want?"


    "Is that any way to greet your better, Knight?" Dashiell''s arrogant voice filled the room. "I thought you''d be more respectful considering your... precarious situation."


    "Cut the crap, ckthorne," Liam snapped. "Say what you called to say."


    Dashiell chuckled. "Touchy, aren''t we? I merely wanted to inform you that preparations for my wedding to Isabelle are proceeding nicely. The poisoning incident was unfortunate, but she''s recovering well, I hear."


    I watched Liam''s knuckles whiten as he gripped the phone.


    "Nothing to say?" Dashiell taunted. "Perhaps you''ve finally epted reality. Isabelle Ashworth was never meant for a nobody like you."


    "Is that what you think?" Liam countered, his voice suddenly calm. "That she wants you?"


    "What she wants is irrelevant," Dashiell replied dismissively. "What matters is what her family wants—what the powerful want. Something you''ll never understand from the gutter you crawled out of."


    Liam smiled coldly. "You know what''s funny, ckthorne? Even with all your family''s power and wealth, you still can''t make her love you."


    A brief silence followed.


    "You think she loves you?" Dashiell scoffed, but there was an edge to his voice now.


    "I don''t think it. I know it," Liam replied confidently. "When she looks at me, her eyes light up. When she thinks of me, she smiles. And when we''re alone together..."


    Liam paused deliberately.


    "She bes a different woman entirely. Passionate. Uninhibited. Everything she''ll never be with you."


    I could practically feel Dashiell''s rage through the phone. His breathing had be audibly heavier.


    "You know nothing," Dashiell hissed. "Isabelle is—"


    "Mine," Liam cut in firmly. "In her heart, she''s mine. And that knowledge is eating you alive, isn''t it? That no matter how grand the wedding you n, no matter how many millions you spend, you''ll always know that when she closes her eyes on your wedding night, she''ll be thinking of me."


    The silence that followed was profound. When Dashiell finally spoke, his voice had cooled to a dangerous calm.


    "You''ve made a grave mistake, Knight," he said softly. "Graver than you can possibly imagine."