Liam''s Perspective


    I strolled through Axel Kaelen''s manor like I owned the ce. The opulence was staggering – marble floors, priceless artifacts, and gold trim everywhere. This wasn''t just wealth; it was a statement.


    "Your home is... excessive," I remarked, running my finger along a jade statue worth more than most people''s yearly ie.


    "We Kaelens believe in surrounding ourselves with beauty," Axel replied smoothly, his practiced smile never faltering.


    A muffled roar caught my attention. I followed the sound to a side chamber, ignoring Axel''s attempt to guide me elsewhere.


    Inside, a magnificent Manchurian tiger paced in a gilded cage. The noble beast''s fur was matted with dried blood, its spirit broken by repeated beatings.


    "You keep it as a pet?" I asked, disgust evident in my voice.


    Axel shrugged. "A gift from an associate. They''re quite rare these days."


    I approached the cage. The tiger growled weakly, pressing itself against the back bars.


    "He''s afraid," I said. "What have you done to him?"


    "Domestication requires a firm hand."


    Without hesitation, I snapped the lock on the cage. The door swung open.


    "What are you doing?" Axel demanded, his calm fa?ade cracking.


    I ignored him and locked eyes with the tiger. "Go. You''re free now."


    The tiger stared at me, its amber eyes wary. Then, with a surprising burst of speed, it darted past us and disappeared down the hallway. Shouts of rm echoed through the manor.


    "That was a mistake," Axel said, his voice tightly controlled. "That animal is worth a fortune."


    "So am I," I replied coldly. "You wanted me as a guest. This is how I behave."


    Axel''s smile returned, though the strain showed. "Of course. Let''s continue the tour."


    We entered a grand dining hall where servants were setting up an borate meal. Axel gestured toward the head of the table.


    "Please, sit. I''ve arranged a feast to wee you."


    I took the offered seat, watching Axel carefully. His hospitality felt forced, his politeness a thin mask over something darker.


    "Tell me about this three-day waiting period," I said as a servant poured steaming tea.


    "Our cultivation techniques are tied to celestial alignments," he replied smoothly. "The proper time must be—"


    "Bullshit," I interrupted. "You''re stalling. The question is, why?"


    Axel''s smile never wavered. "Mr. Knight, patience is a virtue in cultivation."


    I reached for my cup. Instead of drinking, I flicked it toward him. The scalding tea sshed across his expensive suit.


    Axel flinched but didn''t react beyond dabbing at the stain with a napkin. His eyes, however, shed with suppressed rage.


    "Clumsy of me," I said without apology.


    "It''s nothing," he replied, his voice strained. "idents happen."


    I leaned forward. "It wasn''t an ident. And neither is this."


    My hand shot out, delivering a sharp p across his face. The sound echoed through the hall. Servants froze in shock.


    Axel''s cheek reddened, but he remained seated. "Mr. Knight, I understand you''re frustrated, but—"


    "You understand nothing." I stood up, looming over him. "Dudley Lowell is here, isn''t he? In that tower where your man snuck off to earlier."


    A flicker of surprise crossed Axel''s face before he controlled it.


    "I don''t know what you mean," he said.


    I gathered phlegm in my mouth and spat directly in his face. The ultimate insult.


    The servants gasped. Axel''s bodyguards tensed, hands moving to their weapons. But Axel himself raised a hand to stop them, even as he wiped my spit from his face.


    "Mr. Knight," he said, his voice trembling with contained fury, "I''ve been instructed to tolerate your... entricities. But even my patience has limits."


    "Instructed?" I seized on the word. "By Dudley Lowell, right? He told you to keep me busy for three days. What''s he doing in that tower? What kind of breakthrough is he attempting?"


    Axel''s eyes widened slightly. I''d hit the mark.


    "Your imagination is impressive," he said, rising to his feet. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation when you''re feeling more... civilized."


    "I''m not done yet," I said, stepping closer. Without warning, I drove my fist into his stomach.


    This time, Axel couldn''t contain his reaction. He doubled over, coughing violently. When he straightened, his fa?ade had vanished. Pure hatred zed in his eyes. <cite ss="meta-ref-static">The full series is hosted on My Virtual Library Empire, known as *.</cite>


    "Enough!" he snarled. "Three days! All I needed was three days!"


    "For what?" I demanded. "What''s Dudley doing?"


    "You''ll never know," Axel spat. "Because you''ll be dead long before then."


    I smiled coldly. "Finally, honesty. Now, let''s talk about what I really came for."


    Axel frowned. "You didn''te for cultivation techniques?"


    "That was just my excuse," I said. "I''m here for your family''s Dharma Treasure."


    Shock spread across his face. "What are you talking about?"


    "Don''t y dumb. The Kaelens have always been strong, but not exceptional. Then suddenly, your family rises to prominence, controlling all of Dn. That kind of leap requires a special advantage."


    Axel backed away slightly. "You''re mistaken. We simply—"


    "Where is it?" I pressed, advancing toward him. "The Mountain Protection Artifact. That''s what you call it, isn''t it? A Dharma Treasure capable of elerating cultivation and enhancing physical strength."


    "That''s... that''s absurd," Axel stammered, but his eyes darted toward the northern wing of the manor.


    "I want it," I said simply. "Give it to me, and I''ll leave peacefully."


    Axelughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "You break into my home, humiliate me, and demand my family''s most precious possession? Are you insane?"


    "No," I said. "I''m desperate. And desperate men are the most dangerous kind."


    I lunged forward, grabbing his cor and lifting him off the ground. "Last chance, Axel. The treasure, or your life."


    The remaining pretense of civility shattered. Axel''s face contorted with rage as his muscles suddenly swelled, straining against his expensive suit. He knocked my hands away with surprising strength.


    "Liam Knight, you''ve gone too far!" he roared, his voice echoing through the hall. His body continued to expand, clothes tearing at the seams. "Do you think I, Axel Kaelen, am made of mud? Die!"


    Heunched a ferocious punch toward my face, his fist glowing with concentrated energy.