Liam''s Perspective


    Word spreads fast in a city like Havenwood. Even faster when you''ve ughtered over a dozen Grandmasters. I expected The Warrior''s Scroll to be buzzing with news of my exploits by morning.


    But when I checked my phone, nothing. Not a single mention of the massacre at ckwood Forest.


    I frowned at the screen. The Warrior''s Scroll reported on every significant martial incident in the region. This silence could only mean one thing—suppression.


    "The Ashworth family," I muttered, tossing my phone onto the bed.


    Their influence ran deeper than I''d realized. They controlled not just Veridia City''s economy but its informationworks too. Thisplicated my ns.


    My new phone buzzed—the secure one Mariana had given me. The caller ID showed "E.N." Evelyn Norton.


    "Hello?" I answered.


    "Good morning, Grandmaster Knight." Her voice was cool, professional.


    My eyebrows shot up. "How did you—"


    "Know about your new status? Please." She chuckled softly. "I have sources The Warrior''s Scroll can only dream of. Thirteen Peak Grandmasters in fifteen minutes—quite impressive."


    I wasn''t surprised she knew. Evelyn Norton didn''t be Veridia City''s most sessful independent businesswoman by being ignorant of powerful yers.


    "Can we meet?" I asked. "I have a proposition."


    "The Jade Leaf Teahouse. One hour." She hung up without waiting for a response.


    I was about to leave when heavy, frantic knocking interrupted me. I opened the door to find a middle-aged man in an expensive suit. His face was ashen, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool morning air.


    "Mr. Knight," he gasped, dropping to his knees. "I''m Jordon Yoder, President of the River North Martial Arts Association."


    The name clicked immediately. Three of the Grandmasters I''d killed yesterday were from River North.


    "You have thirty seconds to exin why I shouldn''t send you to join your friends," I said coldly.


    He trembled visibly. "Please, I had nothing to do with yesterday''s ambush! Those fools acted without my authorization!"


    "Fifteen seconds." <small ss="meta-ref-static">Content first released on *.</small>


    His hands shook as he produced a small wooden box. "A peace offering! Spirit Root Herb—over a hundred years old. Extremely rare. Please ept it aspensation for the offense my association has caused you."


    I took the box, recognizing its value immediately. Spirit Root Herb could elerate cultivation breakthroughs significantly. Worth millions.


    "You''re buying your life with herbs now?" I asked.


    "Not just the herb." He kowtowed, forehead touching the ground. "The River North Martial Arts Association pledges loyalty to you, Grandmaster Knight. Whatever resources we have are at your disposal."


    How quickly things change. Three days ago, these people wouldn''t have spared me a nce. Now their leader trembled at my feet.


    "Get up," I ordered. "Your association lives—for now. But cross me again, and I''ll wipe out every martial artist bearing the River North name. Understood?"


    "Perfectly, Grandmaster!" Relief flooded his face. "Thank you for your mercy! If you need anything—anything at all—"


    "I''ll call," I cut him off. "Now go."


    He scurried away like a frightened rabbit. I closed the door, examining the herb. A useful gift, but more valuable was the knowledge that my reputation was spreading despite the information ckout.


    The game was changing. I was no longer just a yer—I was bing a force.


    ---


    The Jade Leaf Teahouse upied prime real estate near Havenwood City''s financial district. Elegant, exclusive, and discreet—the perfect ce for power brokers to meet.


    Evelyn Norton sat at a corner table, dressed in a tailored navy suit that screamed quiet wealth. Her silver-streaked hair was pulled into a perfect chignon. At fifty-five, she radiated the confidence of someone who had built an empire with her bare hands.


    She didn''t stand when I approached. Power move.


    "You''re punctual," she noted, gesturing to the seat across from her. A green hat sat on the table beside her—the one I''d returned to her staff after our first encounter.


    I sat down. "I appreciate you meeting me."


    "Straight to business. I like that." She signaled for tea. "You said you had a proposition. I''m listening."


    "I need to establish a power base in three areas," I said. "Business, martial arts, and connections. I''m facing the Ashworth family. I need to be prepared on all fronts."


    Her eyes glinted with interest. "Bold. Most would run after crossing them."


    "I''m not most people."


    "Clearly." She studied me. "What exactly are you proposing?"


    "For business, I need legitimate enterprises that generate substantial revenue. For martial arts, I intend to establish my own sect. For connections, I need introductions to the right people in Veridia City."


    "And where do I fit in?" she asked coolly.


    "You have what Ick—established presence, resources, andworks. I''m offering an alliance."


    "Based on what? Your charming personality?" Her lips curved in a slight smile.


    "Based on mutual benefit. You help me establish my foundation. In return, you gain a Grandmaster ally and ess to medical knowledge that doesn''t exist anywhere else in this world."


    That caught her attention. "Medical knowledge?"


    "I cured your nephew''s supposedly incurable condition with three needles. That''s just the beginning of what I can offer."


    She sat back, considering me with new eyes. "You''re asking for a significantmitment."


    "I''m offering one in return."


    Before she could respond, a young man in designer clothes approached our table. Handsome in a conventional way, with the entitlement of someone who''d never faced real consequences.


    "Ms. Norton!" he eximed. "What a coincidence!"


    Evelyn''s expression cooled noticeably. "Mr. Chen."


    The young man''s eyes locked onto the green hat beside her. "Going golfingter?" he asked with a smirk. "Or is that a present from someone special? You know what they say about men who give green hats..."


    In Chinese culture, giving someone a green hat implied their partner was unfaithful. A crude joke.


    I watched Evelyn''s knuckles whiten around her teacup.


    The young man turned to me, extending his hand. "Don''t think we''ve met. I''m Tyler Chen."


    I didn''t take his hand. "I didn''t ask."


    His smile faltered. "Right. Well, Ms. Norton, I was hoping to speak with you about that investment opportunity we discussedst month."


    "My office hours are Monday through Friday," she replied coldly.


    Undeterred, he puffed out his chest. "I think you''ll want to hear me out. My connections have grown recently. Do you know the River North Martial Arts Association? My uncle is the president of the River North Martial Arts Association, Jordon Yoder!"