Liam''s Perspective


    I copsed against the wall, letting my breathing be shallow andbored. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I forced my face to drain of color. The art of deception requiredmitment to every detail.


    "Mr. Knight!" Eamon rushed to my side, genuine concern in his eyes. He was getting better at ying his role.


    Sofia followed immediately, her medical pouch already open. "Sit down before you fall down."


    I allowed them to guide me to a chair, my movements deliberately unsteady. "I''m fine," I muttered, loud enough for anyone listening. "Just need to catch my breath."


    "You''re not fine," Sofia insisted, checking my pulse with expert fingers. Her eyes widened—I''d manipted my qi flow to create the impression of erratic life force.


    Eamon poured a ss of water. "Maybe we should postpone the journey to—"


    "No," I cut him off sharply. "Isabelle needs me. I won''t abandon her because of this... setback."


    Sofia leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Your dantian''s condition is deteriorating. If you push yourself—"


    I stood suddenly, staggering toward the window. With carefully measured strength, I mmed my fist against the ss, shattering it. Blood dripped from my knuckles—a calcted disy of both weakness and determination.


    "I don''t care what it costs me," I growled. "I won''t let Isabelle suffer one more day than necessary."


    In the building across the street, a curtain moved slightly. Our audience was in ce. The performance continued.


    ---


    By morning, The Warrior''s Scroll was aze with news of my condition. I scrolled through the reports on themunication talisman, satisfied with what I read:


    "EXCLUSIVE: Liam Knight''s Dantian Severely Damaged in Battle"


    "Multiple sources confirm the rising star of Veridia City is fighting a losing battle against a catastrophic injury sustained during his confrontation with Kendrick Langley. ''His cultivation base is unstable,'' reports an eyewitness who observed Knight struggling to perform basic energy maniption."


    Testimonials from three prominent martial artists followed, each iming to have sensed the disturbance in my energy. None had actually been near me, of course, but fear and opportunity made people believe what they wanted to believe.


    Most satisfying was Reginald Talbot''s detailed ount:


    "I''ve personally witnessed the aftermath of Knight''s injury," Talbot wrote. "His meridians are copsing and his spirit energy leaks like water through a broken vessel. The man who challenged the Veridia City Martial Guild is now but a shadow of himself."


    Perfect. Talbot''s reputation gave the rumors credibility. Already,ments were flooding in:


    "The chance we''ve been waiting for!"


    "Without his power, he''s nothing."


    "Who will be the first to im the glory of ending the upstart?"


    I closed the talisman with a satisfied smile. The bait was set.


    "You seem pleased for someone supposedly at death''s door," Sofia remarked, entering my room with fresh bandages.


    "The best battles are won before they''re fought," I replied. "Help me with these bandages. We need them to show blood seeping through when Conrad arrives."


    "You''re certain he''lle?"


    "I know Conrad Thornton better than he knows himself. His son''s death drives his every decision." I carefully positioned the bandages. "He''lle—to verify my weakness for himself."


    ---


    The knock came precisely when I expected it. Conrad Thornton stood at my door, his tall frame filling the entrance. Shadows under his eyes betrayed his sleepless night. News of my condition would have reached him immediately.


    "Knight," he said simply.


    "Thornton." I gestured weakly for him to enter. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" <dfn ss="in-imprint-a">Always read at the source—*.</dfn>


    He paced the room, eyes scanning every detail—the medicinal herbs scattered on the table, the bloodied bandages, my deliberately paleplexion.


    "I came to see if the rumors were true." His voice remained neutral, but his gaze was intense. "They say your dantian is damaged beyond repair."


    I coughed slightly. "News travels fast."


    "The Warrior''s Scroll mentions you can barely channel energy anymore." Conrad''s hand rested casually on his sword hilt. "Is it true?"


    I met his gaze directly. "What do you think?"


    "I think..." He paused, studying me. "I think you''re in no condition to continue whatever mission brought you to Eldoria."


    "Perhaps you''re right." I struggled to my feet, letting my hand tremble slightly. "But I have no choice. The Ashworth girl needs me."


    Conrad''s expression shifted almost imperceptibly. "The Celestial Apothecary Guild would offer you sanctuary, you know. Mariana Valerius holds you in high regard."


    "Running to hide behind the Pavilion Master''s robes?" Iughed bitterly. "Is that what you''d do in my position, Conrad?"


    His jaw tightened. "I''d do whatever necessary to survive."


    "Even if it meant abandoning someone who needs you?" I challenged.


    Silence fell between us. The real conversation was happening beneath our words.


    Finally, I decided to push him. "Why are you really here, Conrad? You''ve hated me since I killed your son. Now I''m weakened, vulnerable." I spread my arms. "Isn''t this the perfect opportunity to avenge him?"


    Conrad''s hand gripped his sword hilt tighter. "Don''t tempt me, Knight."


    "Why not? One swift strike and you could end the man who took everything from you." I stepped closer to him. "No one would me you. Many would celebrate you for it."


    For a long moment, Conrad stood perfectly still. I could see the battle raging within him—grief, hatred, honor, and something else I couldn''t quite identify.


    "My son was arrogant and cruel," Conrad finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I loved him, but I wasn''t blind to what he had be."


    This wasn''t the response I''d expected. "Yet you''ve sworn vengeance."


    "A father must," he replied simply. "But vengeance and justice aren''t always the same thing."


    He turned away, looking out the shattered window. "Before my son''s death, I was nothing in the Thornton family. A forgotten branch with no prospects. After you killed him, I became the family''s champion, tasked with destroying you."


    "And now?" I pressed.


    Conrad faced me again. "Now I find myself in a strange position. The man I''m supposed to hate has elevated my standing more than my own family ever did. Because of your actions, I''ve been given resources, authority, respect."


    "So this is gratitude?" I couldn''t hide my skepticism.


    "No." Conrad shook his head. "It''s recognition. You''ve created something I never expected—choice."


    He moved toward the door, then stopped. "My advice to you? ept the Guild''s protection. Whatever you''re nning in your weakened state will get you killed."


    "Is that concern I hear, Conrad?" I challenged.


    "It''s pragmatism. Your death would simplify many things, but it would also end the most interesting game I''ve yed in years." A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "And I find I''m not quite ready for the game to end."


    He turned to leave, but I called after him. "And what will you tell your family about my condition?"


    Conrad paused at the threshold. "The truth, as I see it." His eyes met mine with newfound rity. "That Liam Knight remains the most dangerous man in Veridia City, regardless of his current state."


    With that, he stepped toward the door.


    "Conrad," I called, making my voice sound strained. "Why are you really here?"


    He turned back, his expression unreadable. "Perhaps I wanted to see for myself what a man looks like when he''s lost everything that made him special."


    "And what do you see?"


    Conrad studied me for a long moment. "I see a man ying a very dangerous game."


    My heart rate quickened. Had he seen through my deception?


    "Whatever game you think I''m ying," I said carefully, "I assure you, my injury is quite real."


    "Perhaps." Conrad nodded slowly. "But I''ve learned something about you, Knight. Your most dangerous momentse when everyone believes you''re at your weakest."


    He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Your enemies are circling. The Ashworths, the Guild, even smaller yers seeking fame. They all smell blood."


    "And you? Are you circling too?"


    Conrad''s eyes held mine. "I''ve stood where you stand now—back against the wall, options limited. The difference is, no one offered me help."


    His words surprised me. This wasn''t the conversation I''d anticipated.


    "Mr. Knight," he said finally, "I''ll try to help you as best as I can."


    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me to wonder if I''d just gained an ally in the most unexpected ce—or made my most dangerous miscalction yet.