## Liam''s Perspective


    The doors of the Ascendant Saints Order''s Great Hall exploded inward as I strode through. Splinters rained down, scattering across the polished marble floor. Inside, a dozen senior disciples huddled together like frightened sheep.


    "Where is he?" My voice echoed through the cavernous hall.


    No one spoke. Their eyes darted around, refusing to meet my gaze.


    I grabbed the nearest disciple by his cor, lifting him until his feet dangled above the ground. "I won''t ask again."


    "He... he fled!" The man choked out, face turning purple. "Master Hale left before dawn!"


    I tossed him aside like a rag doll. The man skidded across the floor, crashing into a disy of ancient weapons.


    "Where did he go?"


    An elderly man stepped forward, his hands trembling. "Northern Retreat. That''s all he told us."


    I scanned their faces, searching for deception. Finding none, I walked toward the ornate chair where Josiah once sat in judgment. With one swift kick, I reduced it to kindling.


    "Listen carefully," I said, my voice deathly quiet. "Your master attacked my people. He tried to kill someone under my protection."


    The disciples remained frozen, barely breathing.


    "I''m going to find him. When I do, there won''t be enough left to bury." I turned my gaze to each of them in turn. "If any of you warn him or try to help him escape, I''ll consider you aplices."


    "We wouldn''t dare, Master Knight," the elderly man whispered.


    "Good." I pointed to a disciple wearingmunication officer robes. "You. Contact The Warrior''s Scroll. Tell them Liam Knight has a message for their readers."


    The young man stumbled forward. "What message, sir?"


    "Tell them Josiah Hale, supposed Martial Marquis of the Ascendant Saints Order, fled rather than face me. Tell them he abandoned his disciples to save himself." I paused, letting my next words carry weight. "And tell them I''ve ascended to the Martial Marquis realm. Josiah can run, but he can''t hide."


    Murmurs rippled through the hall. Themunication officer paled.


    "That will destroy his reputationpletely," he whispered.


    "Precisely." I walked back toward the shattered doors. "Your master chose his path. Now he''ll walk it alone."


    ---


    Within hours, The Warrior''s Scroll was aze with the news. Urban centers across three provinces buzzed with excitement. Everywhere, people huddled around message boards and town criers.


    "BREAKING: Liam Knight Challenges Ascendant Saints Order—Josiah Hale Flees!"


    "Exclusive Report: Knight Ascends to Martial Marquis During Heavenly Tribtion—Survives Record Eighteen Lightning Strikes!"


    "Disgraced Master Abandons Disciples—Order''s Future Uncertain!"


    I sat in Mariana''s private study at the Celestial Apothecary Guild, reviewing scrolls about the Veridia City Martial Guild. Their structure, their leadership, their defenses—I needed to know everything.


    "You''ve caused quite the stir," Mariana said, entering with a tray of medicinal tea. "Josiah''s reputation is in tatters."


    "Good." I didn''t look up from my reading. "How''s Caspian?"


    "Recovering. The corruption is neutralized." She sat across from me. "The real question is what you''ll do when you find Josiah."


    I finally met her gaze. "You know the answer to that."


    Mariana sipped her tea thoughtfully. "Killing a Marquis—even a disgraced one—will have consequences. The Veridia City Martial Guild won''t ignore it."


    "I''m counting on it." I closed the scroll I''d been reading. "They need to know what''sing for them."


    "You''re deliberately provoking them?" Mariana''s eyebrows rose. "Bold strategy."


    "They have Isabelle. I need them focused on me, not on what they''re doing to her."


    A sharp knock at the door interrupted us. One of Mariana''s assistants entered, looking flustered.


    "Pavilion Master, there''s a delegation from Cinderfall City requesting Master Knight''s immediate presence."


    "Tell them I''m busy," I replied without looking up.


    "Sir, they insist. They say it''s about Josiah Hale."


    My head snapped up. "Who are they?"


    "They serve Lord Darian Hill, Chief Magistrate of Cinderfall''s Eastern District."


    I exchanged nces with Mariana. Darian Hill was a powerful figure in Cinderfall City—not a martial artist, but a man with extensive connections and influence.


    "Interesting timing," Mariana murmured.


    I stood, adjusting my robes. "I''ll speak with them."


    ---


    The delegation waited in the Guild''s reception hall—four men in the uniform of Cinderfall City officials. Their leader, a sharp-faced man with calcting eyes, bowed formally.


    "Master Knight, I am Wei Chen, senior aide to Lord Darian Hill. My lord requests your presence at his country estate immediately."


    "What''s this about?" I asked bluntly.


    Wei Chen nced around, then lowered his voice. "My lord has located Josiah Hale. He wishes to facilitate a... resolution."


    My pulse quickened. "Josiah went to Darian Hill for protection?"


    "Not exactly, sir. But Lord Hill has significant investments in the Ascendant Saints Order. He wishes to prevent further... disruption."


    I smiled coldly. "So he''s protecting his investment."


    "My lord prefers to call it mediation." Wei Chen''s expression remained neutral. "Will youe?" <em ss="story-note-vis">Alwаys rеаd аt thе sоurсе—МV@LЕМР@YR.</em>


    "Lead the way."


    ---


    The countryside estate was modest by noble standards—a sprawling farmhouse surrounded by mulberry groves. Guards were posted discreetly around the perimeter, but I could sense their presence.


    Wei Chen led me through a side entrance, down a narrow hallway, and into a spacious dining room. Sitting at the far end of a long table was Darian Hill—a trim, graying man with the shrewd eyes of someone who''d spent decades in politics.


    And across from him, looking haggard and terrified, sat Josiah Hale.


    "Master Knight," Darian rose smoothly. "Thank you foring. Please, join us."


    I remained standing in the doorway, my eyes fixed on Josiah. Fear radiated from him in waves.


    "Lord Hill," I acknowledged without looking away from my prey, "this is unexpected."


    "I believe in practical solutions," Darian replied. "The conflict between you two threatens to destabilize rtionships between our cities. I thought perhaps we could reach an arrangement."


    "There''s nothing to arrange." My voice was t. "He attacked my people. He tried to kill someone under my protection."


    "I understand your anger," Darian continued smoothly, "but surely there''s somepensation, some agreement that could—"


    "Please," Josiah finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was following orders. The Ashworths demanded—"


    "Coward to the end," I cut him off. "ming others for your actions."


    "I have wealth," Josiah pleaded, desperation cracking his voice. "Properties, spirit stones, ancient scrolls—name your price!"


    I took three slow steps into the room. Golden energy pulsed visibly beneath my skin. "You think you can buy your way out of this?"


    "Master Knight," Darian interjected, "everyone deserves a chance to make amends."


    "And when was that chance offered to my friend as hey bleeding?" I asked quietly, dangerous energy gathering around my clenched fists. "When was that chance offered to me when eighteen bolts of tribtion lightning struck my body?"


    Josiah slumped in his chair, all pretense of dignity gone. Tears streamed down his face. "Please, I''ll do anything."


    "I don''t want anything," I replied, my voice hardening. "I just want your life. Now you want to talk? Toote!"


    Darian Hill''s expression shifted as he finally understood the true nature of the meeting he''d arranged. This wasn''t a negotiation.


    It was a judgment.