## Liam''s Perspective


    I stepped onto the rocky teau, immediately spotting Emerson Holmes. His Guild uniform gleamed in the sunlight, a symbol of the power he wielded so arrogantly.


    "Knight." Emerson''s voice was cold as ice. "What an unpleasant surprise."


    "The feeling''s mutual," I replied, scanning the surrounding Guild members. Six half-step Martial Marquises nked him, ready to attack at hismand.


    Holmes smirked. "You''re either brave or foolish to show your face here."


    "Or maybe I''m just tired of your Guild''s games." I kept my stance rxed but ready. "How many more schemes and traps before you realize I won''t be intimidated?"


    "This isn''t about intimidation." Emerson''s eyes narrowed. "The Guild Council has marked you as a threat. Your continued defiance only confirms their judgment."


    A bitterugh escaped my lips. "And here I thought you were just following orders. You actually believe in this corruption."


    "What you call corruption, we call necessary order." Holmes took a step forward. "The martial world needs structure. Hierarchy. People who know their ce."


    "People like you, giving orders? People like me, bowing down?" I shook my head. "That world is ending, Holmes. I''m making sure of it."


    Tension crackled between us like lightning. His men shifted nervously, hands moving to their weapons.


    "Elder Feng was quite clear," Holmes said quietly. "You''re to be eliminated if you interfere with Guild business again."


    "Threats from a man who can''t even face me himself." I deliberately turned my back on him, surveying the teau instead.


    Two young cultivators stood nearby, watching our exchange with wide eyes. The woman was slender but strong, with determination etched into her features. The man beside her was clearly her brother – they shared the same sharp eyes and cautious stance.


    "Who are they?" I nodded toward the pair.


    Holmes scowled. "More trespassers. The Knightwood siblings. Independent cultivators who refuse to register with the Guild."


    I walked toward them, ignoring Holmes''s warning re. "I''m Liam Knight."


    The young woman bowed slightly. "Amiya Knightwood. This is my brother, Jovan."


    "We heard about the Dragon Vein," Jovan exined, his voice low. "We need the resources to advance our cultivation."


    Before I could respond, Holmes cut in. "Which they won''t be getting. The Guild has imed this entire area."


    "Under what authority?" I challenged.


    "The only authority that matters." Holmes''s smile was cold. "Power." <kbd ss="story-note-vis">This соpy wаs gеnеrаtеd frоm соntеnt аt МV|LЕМРYR.</kbd>


    I turned back to the siblings. "Are you allied with any faction?"


    They exchanged nces before Amiya answered. "No. Most major powers demand too much in return for protection."


    "Smart," I nodded. "Most would rather own you than help you."


    Holmesughed harshly. "And what? You''re offering your protection instead? A lone cultivator against the Guild?"


    "I am," I said simply, holding Amiya''s gaze. "The Jade Moon Vi stands with those who seek freedom from tyranny."


    "The Jade Moon Vi?" Jovan''s eyes widened. "You''re its founder?"


    Holmes stepped between us. "Enough of this recruitment speech. Knight, this Dragon Vein is now Guild property. Leave immediately."


    I ignored him, walking past the siblings toward the center of the teau. A small pool of clear watery there, supposedly the heart of the Dragon Vein. I needed to find the Primordial Essence Herbs rumored to grow here.


    Kneeling beside the pool, I ced my hand near the water''s surface. Something was wrong. I couldn''t sense any Dragon Vein Qi. Not even a whisper of the powerful energy that should be flowing here.


    "Strange," I murmured.


    From the corner of my eye, I spotted a familiar figure lurking behind a boulder. The man with the mustache caught my gaze and quickly ducked away. What was he hiding?


    "I warned you, Knight." Holmes''s voice hardened. "Step away from the pool."


    Rising slowly, I turned to face him. "There''s no Dragon Vein here, Holmes. Someone fed you false information."


    "Impossible." Holmes frowned. "Our intelligence—"


    "Is wrong," I finished for him. "Or perhaps someone wants both of us here for another reason."


    The sound of approaching footsteps silenced our argument. A young man in expensive robes strode onto the teau, his bearing aristocratic and arrogant. My jaw clenched involuntarily. Soren Ashworth.


    "Vice President Holmes," Soren called out, then stopped abruptly upon seeing me. "Knight? What''s this dog doing here?"


    "Careful, Soren," I warned. "Thest Ashworth who called me that regretted it."


    Soren''s face flushed with anger. "You think your victory over Dominic means anything? That was luck, nothing more."


    Holmes ced a restraining hand on Soren''s shoulder. "Young Master Ashworth, this isn''t the time."


    "When better?" Soren shrugged off Holmes''s hand. "The Guild wants him dealt with. I can handle it."


    "You?" I couldn''t helpughing. "You''re not even worth my time, boy."


    Soren''s eyes shed dangerously. "I''ve advanced considerably since west met. I''m a peak Grandmaster now."


    "Congrattions," I replied dryly. "So was I, when I defeated your cousin Dominic. A half-step Martial Marquis, if I recall correctly."


    Holmes stepped between us. "Soren, your father entrusted me with your safety. Engaging Knight is not part of our mission here."


    "My father doesn''t understand what''s at stake." Soren''s voice rose with emotion. "The Ashworth family''s reputation has been tarnished. I will restore it by crushing this upstart!"


    I watched this exchange with growing interest. Corbin Ashworth clearly hadn''t approved this confrontation. Was Soren acting on his own?


    "You should listen to Holmes," I advised, turning away dismissively. "Go home to your father. Tell him I''m stilling for Isabelle, and nothing will stop me."


    "You dare speak her name?" Soren''s face contorted with rage. "She''s destined for Dashiell ckthorne, not somemoner trash!"


    My patience snapped. "That wedding will never happen. Dashiell will fall just like Dominic did."


    "Enough!" Holmes barked. "Soren, control yourself. Knight, this is your final warning."


    The tension on the teau was palpable. The Knightwood siblings had backed away, clearly wanting no part in this conflict. The man with the mustache hadpletely disappeared.


    Holmes turned to Soren again, his voice low but carrying clearly in the mountain air. "This isn''t the ce, nor the time. Knight is dangerous, more than you realize."


    "If he can defeat a half-step Martial Marquis as a Grandmaster, then why can''t I!" Soren retorted, his eyes never leaving mine as he moved into a fighting stance.