I finished refining the Soul Nourishnt Pills and examined them with satisfaction. Ten perfect specins—small, jade-green pills that emitted a faint herbal fragrance. My fingers tingled with spiritual energy as I carefully placed them in a jade container.
Amazing how much had changed in such a short ti. Just weeks ago, I couldn't have imagined creating sothing so potent. The inherited knowledge from my jade pendant continued to unfold in my mind, revealing secrets that had been lost for generations.
A knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.
"Co in," I called, closing the jade container.
Roman Volkov entered, looking impressed as his gaze fell on my work. "You've been busy."
"These Soul Nourishnt Pills strengthen the ntal fortitude while accelerating spiritual energy absorption," I explained. "Valuable for any cultivator, especially during breakthrough attempts."
Roman's eyes widened. "Those would fetch an astronomical price in Veridia City's markets."
"I know." I smiled. "Which is why I'm willing to provide them to you—for a price, or in exchange for those aged herbs you ntioned having access to."
Roman whistled low. "Done. I'll have the herbs sent over tomorrow."
As we discussed the details of our arrangent, another knock sounded at the door. This ti, a middle-aged man with striking white hair entered after I called out.
"Mr. Knight?" The man bowed formally. "I represent Sebastian Hawthorne. My master requests your presence at a banquet this evening at the Riverfish House."
I tensed imdiately. Sebastian Hawthorne—Julian's father. This couldn't be good.
The white-haired man noticed my subtle change in breathing pattern. His eyes narrowed slightly, assessing with new interest.
"You're familiar with the Focused Breath technique," he observed. "Interesting."
I kept my face neutral. "Tell your master I'll attend. What ti should I arrive?"
"Eight o'clock. Formal attire is expected." He bowed again before departing.
Roman gave a concerned look. "Liam, be careful. Sebastian Hawthorne is not known for his forgiveness."
"I know." I sighed, returning to my workbench. "But I can't hide forever."
After Roman left, I prepared a special pill—a Marrow Generating Pill that could help heal broken bones. It wasn't much of a peace offering, but perhaps it would show my sincerity in not wanting further conflict with the Hawthorne family.
---
The Riverfish House stood as one of the most exclusive restaurants in Havenwood City, its pagoda-style architecture illuminated by elegant lanterns. I straightened my tie, tucked the pill box into my pocket, and walked through the ornate entrance.
A hostess imdiately approached. "Mr. Knight? This way, please."
She led to a private dining room in the back. When the door slid open, I saw Sebastian Hawthorne seated at the head of a large table. The white-haired man stood dutifully behind him.
Sebastian looked up, his dark eyes filled with barely contained rage. His face, bearing a striking resemblance to Julian's but hardened by years of ruthless business dealings, showed no hint of welco.
"So you're the man who crippled my son." His voice was deceptively calm.
I bowed slightly. "Mr. Hawthorne. I ca to offer an explanation and this—" I reached for the pill box in my pocket, but Sebastian's voice cut through the air.
"Zhen, did I not instruct you to protect my son at all tis?" Sebastian suddenly addressed the white-haired man without taking his eyes off .
The white-haired man—Zhen—paled visibly. "Master, I—"
"You were assigned as Julian's guardian, yet you stood by while this... nobody broke my son's arm." Sebastian's voice remained terrifyingly calm. "You failed in your most basic duty."
I watched uncomfortably as Zhen dropped to his knees. "Master, forgive . The young master insisted I stay back, and—"
"And you obeyed him rather than your primary directive." Sebastian finally looked at his subordinate. "There are consequences for such failures, Zhen."
What happened next occurred so quickly I barely had ti to react. Sebastian's hand shot out, striking Zhen's kneecap with a sickening crack. The white-haired man collapsed, a strangled scream escaping his lips as he clutched his shattered knee.
"What are you doing?" I demanded, rushing forward instinctively. "He doesn't deserve this!"
Sebastian looked at with cold amusent. "And why would you care about the fate of my subordinate? Do you imagine yourself so kind of hero, Mr. Knight?"
I glared at him, my sympathy for Zhen overriding any caution. "This is barbaric. He was following your son's orders."
"Which is precisely his failure." Sebastian waved dismissively. "My employees answer to , not to a boy's whims."
I knelt beside Zhen, examining his knee. The damage was severe—the kneecap completely shattered. With my dical knowledge, I could tell he'd never walk properly again without extensive treatnt.
"He needs dical attention," I insisted.
Sebastian laughed, the sound entirely devoid of humor. "He'll receive it when I decide he has learned his lesson. Now, to the matter at hand—you."
I stood slowly, anger building within . "I ca here to apologize for hurting your son, but I'm beginning to understand why he behaves the way he does."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Watch yourself, boy. You're speaking to one of the most powerful n in Veridia City."
"Power doesn't give you the right to treat people like disposable tools." I nodded toward Zhen, who was struggling to maintain composure despite his obvious pain.
"Everything and everyone in my orbit exists to serve my purposes," Sebastian stated coldly. "Including my son, who you've damaged beyond easy repair."
"Julian attacked first," I countered. "He threatened to cripple ."
"And instead, you crippled him." Sebastian leaned forward. "Do you have any idea what you've done? Julian was being grood as the next head of the Hawthorne family. His cultivation progress was exemplary until you shattered his ridians along with his arm."
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I pulled out the pill box, placing it on the table. "This is a Marrow Generating Pill. It will help heal the bone damage, though I can't promise it will fully restore the ridians."
Sebastian glanced at the pill with contempt. "You think this makes ands? My son may never reach the heights that were his birthright because of you."
"Perhaps he should have thought of that before threatening soone he perceived as beneath him." My patience was wearing thin. "Is that all you wanted to say to ? To intimidate with your power display?"
Sebastian's face darkened. "I wanted to see what kind of man had the audacity to attack a Hawthorne. Now I see—you're nothing special. Just another upstart who's stumbled upon so cultivation technique and thinks himself invincible."
"And you're just another tyrant who believes wealth and status place you above basic human decency." I looked down at Zhen again, whose face had gone ashen from pain. "At least allow to help him."
"You dare lecture on decency?" Sebastian snarled. "You, who maid my son at a public event?"
My temper finally snapped. "Your son is alive and will recover. If I'd wanted to kill him, he'd be dead. I showed restraint."
Sebastian stood abruptly, spiritual pressure radiating from him in waves that made the air heavy. "Is that a threat, Mr. Knight?"
I t his gaze unflinchingly. "No. It's a fact. Julian attacked , and I defended myself. If he attacks again, I'll defend myself again."
"You speak with remarkable confidence for soone so... inexperienced." Sebastian's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"Experience isn't everything." I matched his tone, drawing slightly on my own spiritual energy to withstand his pressure. "Sotis raw talent and the right motivation are enough."
Sebastian studied with new interest. "You're right about one thing—I do see why Julian lost his temper with you. You have a particularly irritating quality about you."
"I've been told that before," I replied coolly.
His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Well, enjoy your montary victory, Mr. Knight. The Hawthorne family has a long mory and limitless resources. This little... incident will not go unanswered."
I thought about retreating, about offering another apology, but sothing in refused to bow to this man's intimidation tactics. "No wonder Julian is so arrogant and overbearing; with a father like you, it's not surprising. Let tell you this, breaking his arm was just the beginning. If he dares provoke again, next ti I'll take his life!"
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