## Liam''s Perspective


    I stared at Emerson Holmes, trying to mask my frustration. Of course the Guild would be here. Theirwork of spies was unmatched.


    "You''re a long way from Veridia City," I said, my hand drifting closer to my weapon.


    Emerson smiled thinly. "The Guild''s authority extends everywhere, Knight. Something you''ve yet to fullyprehend."


    The six half-step Martial Marquises nking him radiated deadly intent. Each wore the silver insignia of the Guild''s elite force. I recognized their formation—the Six Direction Entrapment. One wrong move and I''d be fighting on six fronts.


    "Squad Seven, secure the perimeter," Emerson ordered without taking his eyes off me.


    The men moved with practiced precision, surrounding the teau. My escape routes vanished one by one.


    "You''re not just here for me," I said, noticing how their gazes kept shifting to the pool behind me.


    "Perceptive." Emerson stepped forward. "The Dragon Vein is our priority. Your presence is merely... an opportunity."


    I felt another presence approaching before I saw him. A young man emerged from the path I''d used earlier. His bearing was aristocratic, his robes emzoned with the Ashworth family crest.


    "Vice President Holmes, the supply caravan is set up at base camp," the neer announced.


    My jaw tightened. Soren Ashworth. Isabelle''s cousin and Corbin''s most ambitious protégé. His sudden appearanceplicated things.


    "Excellent, Young Master Ashworth." Emerson nodded appreciatively. "Your family''s support in this expedition is invaluable."


    Soren finally noticed me, his expression shifting from surprise to contempt. "Knight? What''s thismoner doing here?"


    "About to leave," Emerson said coldly. "Unless he wishes to challenge Guild authority."


    I needed time to think. The herbs were right behind me. If I could somehow grab them and escape...


    "I was exploring," I lied smoothly. "I had no idea this area was imed."


    "Well, now you know." Emerson gestured dismissively. "This entire region is under Guild jurisdiction. All resources are to be cataloged and transported to Veridia City."


    The unfairness of it burned in my chest. The Dragon Vein belonged to no one. Its resources should benefit all practitioners, not just the Guild''s elite. <strong ss="phantom-imprint">F@ind the s$ou%r^ce of t+his@ cha.p+ter+ at M&|V|L&-EM!PY.R!.</strong>


    Before I could respond, movement caught my eye. Two figures climbed onto the teau from the eastern path—a young man and woman, both wearing simple cultivator robes. They stopped short when they saw the Guild''s presence.


    "More trespassers?" Soren sneered.


    Emerson Holmes turned to face the neers. "This area is now under Veridia City Martial Guild control. State your business."


    The young woman stepped forward. She couldn''t be more than twenty, but her eyes held a determined gleam.


    "We''re independent cultivators," she said. "We heard rumors about a Dragon Vein and came to seek cultivation resources."


    "Independent cultivators?" Emerson''s tone dripped with disdain. "There''s no such thing anymore. All practitioners must register with a recognized organization."


    The young man beside her frowned. "There''s now requiring that."


    "There is now." Emerson straightened, his voice carrying across the teau. "By decree of the Guild Master himself, all martial resources—particrly Dragon Veins—fall under Guild authority. Independent harvesting is prohibited."


    I watched the young woman''s face. The same outrage I felt was mirrored in her expression.


    "That''s absurd," she protested. "Dragon Veins are natural formations. They belong to whoever discovers them."


    Emerson''s expression hardened. "Your ignorance is showing, girl. The Guild maintains order in the martial world. Without our oversight, practitioners would ughter each other over these resources."


    "So instead, you ughter anyone who doesn''t bow to your authority?" I couldn''t help interjecting.


    All eyes turned to me. Soren looked apoplectic. The Guild members reached for their weapons.


    Emerson merely smiled. "Careful, Knight. You''re already walking a thin line."


    He turned back to the young couple. "You have two choices. Register with the Guild and swear loyalty, or leave immediately. Any attempt to harvest resources will be treated as theft, punishable by imprisonment."


    The young woman''s fists clenched. "You can''t just im everything for yourselves! What gives the Guild the right?"


    "Power gives us the right," Emerson dered, all pretense of civility gone. "The Veridia City Martial Guild holds supreme authority over all martial matters. Our word isw."


    The air grew thick with tension. I felt my anger rising, but I forced myself to stay calm. This wasn''t the time for a confrontation—not while outnumbered and with the Primordial Essence Herbs still unimed.


    The young woman opened her mouth to argue further, but Emerson cut her off.


    "Enough! This Dragon Vein and its resources belong exclusively to the Guild. Anyone who challenges this will face severe consequences."


    "Bullshit!"


    The single word sliced through the tense atmosphere. Everyone froze, heads turning to locate the source.


    It wasn''t the young couple. It wasn''t me, though I wished it had been.


    A scruffy man emerged from behind a boulder, his clothes dusty and worn. I recognized him instantly—the self-proimed treasure hunter I''d encountered on my way here.


    "How could the Veridia City Martial Guild be so domineering?" he continued, striding forward with surprising confidence. "Dragon Veins belong to no one!"


    Emerson''s face darkened. "And who might you be?"


    "Just a wanderer," the man replied, winking at me. "But even I know tyranny when I see it."


    The Guild members shifted into attack positions. Soren stepped back, clearly expecting violence.


    I watched the strange neer carefully. There was something off about him—something beneath his disheveled appearance that didn''t add up. Who was this man, and why would he risk confronting the Guild so boldly?


    Emerson raised his hand, signaling his men to hold. "You''re either very brave or very stupid."


    "I''ve been called both," the scruffy man shrugged. "But I''m not the one trying to monopolize nature''s gifts."


    The standoff was perfect—all attention had shifted away from me and the pool. This might be my only chance. While everyone focused on the confrontation, I slowly edged backward toward the Primordial Essence Herbs.


    Emerson''s voice grew dangerously soft. "You dare challenge Guild authority?"


    "Someone has to," the stranger replied, his casual demeanor unchanged.


    The young couple exchanged nces, clearly surprised by this unexpected ally.


    I couldn''t help but admire the man''s courage, foolish as it might be. But his distraction was exactly what I needed.


    My hand hovered near the water''s edge, inches from iming the herbs that could save Isabelle. All I needed was one more moment of chaos.


    "The Guild''s authority ends where natural justice begins," the scruffy man dered loudly.


    Emerson''s patience snapped. "Arrest this fool!"


    And with thatmand, the teau erupted into chaos.