Rise of The Abandoned Husband Chapter 259 - 259 - The Umbral Covenant's Ominous Propositio

I sat in the front row, Section A, seat 21, just as Kathleen had suggested. The energy in the concert hall was electric—thousands of fans screaming, lights flashing in dizzying patterns across the stage. Clara and Maia sat beside , both still in disbelief at our VIP treatnt.

"I can't believe we're actually here!" Clara shouted over the music, clutching my arm. Her face was flushed with excitent, eyes wide with wonder. "Thank you so much, Liam!"

I nodded but remained focused on the stage where Kathleen perford. She was srizing—her voice soaring through the arena, commanding attention with every movent. But sothing else caught my attention beyond the spectacle.

My divine sense, now sharper than ever, detected a powerful presence nearby. A martial artist, likely at the Earth Realm level, watching intently from the shadows of the backstage area.

I narrowed my eyes, stretching my awareness. The figure was young, perhaps in his twenties, with a controlled aura that suggested disciplined training. He wasn't making any hostile moves, just... observing.

Was he here for Kathleen? For ? I tensed, ready to act if necessary.

"Liam? Is sothing wrong?" Clara tugged at my sleeve, noticing my sudden alertness.

"Nothing," I said, forcing a smile. "Just enjoying the performance."

Kathleen launched into her final song—the new one she'd ntioned. Her eyes found mine in the crowd as she sang about rebirth and second chances. The lyrics struck close to ho, mirroring my own journey from disgraced son-in-law to a man of power.

When the concert finally ended and we said our goodbyes to an elated Clara and Maia, it was nearing midnight. I decided against returning to the Jade Moon Villa—tomorrow's confrontation with Adrian Whitlock required preparation, and I needed space to focus.

I made my way to my private residence—a modest house I'd purchased recently for monts when I needed solitude. Few knew of its existence, which was precisely the point. There, I could ditate and formulate my strategy for defeating Whitlock without distractions.

As I approached the front door, I paused. Soone was inside—no, two people. Their auras were distinct and powerful.

One was vaguely familiar: the young martial artist from the concert. The other was much stronger, with an aura that rippled with barely contained nace. Neither had attempted to hide their presence.

This was a deliberate visit, then. Not an ambush.

I pushed open the door, stepping inside with asured confidence.

"Most people wait for an invitation before entering soone else's ho," I said coolly.

Two n sat in my living room. The younger one—the observer from the concert—wore simple black clothing, his face handso but expressionless. The older man appeared to be in his fifties, with silver-streaked hair and penetrating eyes that evaluated with unsettling intensity.

"Liam Knight," the older man said, rising from his seat. "I've been looking forward to eting you. I am Arturo Hayes, adviser to the Umbral Covenant."

The Umbral Covenant. One of the most mysterious and feared organizations in the martial world. Forrly known as the Halcroen Sect, they operated in shadows, pursuing forbidden knowledge and power regardless of the cost.

"What does the Umbral Covenant want with ?" I asked, not bothering to hide my wariness.

Arturo Hayes smiled thinly. "Direct. I appreciate that." He gestured to his younger companion. "This is Renner, one of our promising disciples. He was quite impressed by your performance tonight."

"I wasn't performing," I replied flatly. "I was watching a concert."

"Were you?" Hayes raised an eyebrow. "Your divine sense was casting wide, tracking Renner's movents throughout the evening. Most impressive for soone of your... limited training background."

I remained silent, evaluating my options. These weren't ordinary opponents. If this turned into a fight, it would be devastating.

"You killed one of our mbers recently," Hayes continued conversationally. "The one you knew as Scarface."

My muscles tensed. "He tried to kill first."

Hayes waved dismissively. "The ant made that decision himself. We don't waste ti avenging fools." His eyes narrowed. "We're here for sothing far more valuable—you, Liam Knight." Read ahead and get updates by visiting *.

"?"

"Your potential is extraordinary. Your progress, unprecedented. And your alchemy skills..." Hayes leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "The Nine Transformation Pill alone marks you as exceptional."

I kept my expression neutral despite my surprise. How did they know about that pill?

"The Umbral Covenant extends an invitation," Hayes continued. "Join us. With our resources and your talent, there would be no limit to what you could achieve."

I almost laughed. "You want to join the organization that sent soone to kill ?"

"As I said, that was an unauthorized action by an insignificant mber. The Covenant's leadership sees your value clearly." Hayes spread his hands. "Think of what we offer: ancient knowledge, powerful artifacts, training thods beyond anything you've encountered."

"I know your reputation," I replied coldly. "The Umbral Covenant doesn't care who gets hurt in pursuit of power. You experint on innocent people. Destroy lives. I'm not interested."

Hayes's pleasant expression hardened. "A sha. Then we must settle for compensation instead."

"Compensation?"

"The recipe for the Nine Transformation Pill," he said flatly. "As paynt for Scarface's life."

Now I did laugh. "You just said he was an ant not worth avenging. Now you want paynt for his life?"

"The pill recipe," Hayes repeated, ignoring my comnt. "It's a fair exchange."

"No." I moved toward the door, indicating they should leave. "Now get out of my house."

Renner, who had been silent until now, raised his hand. Invisible energy shimred in the air between us, forming a barrier.

"I don't think you understand your position," the young man said, his voice soft but threatening. "This isn't a request."

I looked at the barrier, then at Renner. Without breaking eye contact, I sent a pulse of my own energy forward. The barrier shattered like glass.

Renner's eyes widened in shock.

"I understand my position perfectly," I said quietly. "Now understand yours. You're in my ho, uninvited. You've threatened . And you're still breathing only because I allow it."

Hayes's expression had changed, reassessing with new interest. "Impressive indeed. The reports weren't exaggerated."

I reached for the door handle. "We're done here."

"The Umbral Covenant doesn't take rejection lightly," Hayes called after . "If you won't join us or provide the pill recipe, we will take it by force. Eventually."

I paused, my back to them. "Are you threatening ?"

Hayes smiled thinly. "rely stating facts. The Covenant has existed for centuries, Liam Knight. We are patient. We are resourceful. And we always get what we want."

I turned slowly, eting his gaze. "So do I."

I opened the door wide. "Get out. And tell your Covenant this: if you co after or anyone I care about, what happened to Scarface will seem rciful by comparison."

Hayes rose unhurriedly, signaling Renner to follow. As he passed in the doorway, he paused.

"Think carefully about your choice, Liam Knight," he murmured. "The Umbral Covenant will never let you go now."

I felt a cold fury building inside . First Adrian Whitlock, now this. The challenges kept mounting, enemies multiplying.

"Are you threatening ?" I asked again, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.