I paced the main hall of Jade Moon Villa, unable to settle my mind. The information Hols had given burned in my thoughts—an old mining complex converted to a research facility. Was Isabelle really there? Or had I been fed false intelligence to buy the Guild ti?
My cultivation session earlier had been a disaster. Every ti I closed my eyes to focus, images of Isabelle being drained of her blood flooded my mind. My energy fluctuated wildly, refusing to stabilize.
"You need to calm yourself," Vernon said, watching from his seat near the window. "This agitation will only weaken you when you need strength most."
I stopped pacing and ran a hand through my hair. "I know. But every hour that passes..."
"Is an hour we use to prepare properly," he finished firmly. "Rushing in half-cocked will get you killed and leave Isabelle with no hope at all."
He was right, of course. But sitting still felt like betrayal.
Hadwin burst into the room, his face tense. "We have a visitor. An old woman at the gate, claiming to represent the Veridia City Martial Guild."
My hand instinctively went to the Prajna Ruler at my side. "Just one person?"
"Yes. She's alone."
I exchanged glances with Vernon. This was unexpected. After the confrontation in the plaza, I'd anticipated an attack force, not a solitary envoy.
"Bring her in," I decided. "But stay alert."
The woman who entered our hall minutes later didn't look threatening. She was small, hunched with age, her white hair pulled back in a severe bun. But her eyes—sharp and calculating—revealed her true nature. This was no frail elder; this was a predator in disguise.
"Liam Knight," she greeted , her voice stronger than her appearance suggested. "I've heard much about you."
"And you are?" I asked, remaining standing while Vernon and Hadwin flanked .
"Elder Lin of the Veridia City Martial Guild's High Council." She smiled thinly. "I've co to discuss our... situation."
So this was one of the shadowy figures who truly controlled the Guild. I gestured to a chair across from mine. "Please, sit."
She lowered herself gracefully, her movents belying her apparent age. "You've caused quite a stir, young man. Taking our President, threatening public execution... it's all very dramatic."
"I find that dramatic asures get results," I replied coolly. "Now, why are you here? Has the Guild reconsidered its position on returning Isabelle Ashworth to ?"
Elder Lin laughed—a harsh, grating sound. "Direct, aren't you? No, the Guild's position remains unchanged. Isabelle Ashworth stays where she is."
My jaw tightened. "Then we have nothing to discuss." This chapter was originally posted on *.
"On the contrary," she countered. "We have much to discuss, starting with your expectations. You seem to believe you're in a position of strength."
"I captured your President from your headquarters," I pointed out.
She waved dismissively. "A montary advantage, now lost. And Bancroft was always expendable—a public face, nothing more."
"So I've been told," I said. "But that begs the question: if I were to target the real power—the High Council—would you still consider the loss acceptable?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly—the first crack in her composure. "Threats, Mr. Knight? How predictable."
"Not threats. Strategy," I corrected her. "You took sothing precious from . I'm simply determining what's precious to you."
The old woman studied for a long mont before speaking again. "Let be clear about our position. Isabelle Ashworth possesses sothing unique—sothing of imnse value to our research. She will remain in our custody for as long as necessary."
"She's a person, not a resource," I growled, feeling my anger rising.
"She's both," Elder Lin replied coldly. "As are we all. The difference is that her particular... attributes are exceptionally rare."
My hand tightened around the armrest of my chair. "And what if I were to storm your facility and take her back by force?"
Elder Lin smiled again, this ti with genuine amusent. "The location Erson Hols gave you is a decoy. A trap, filled with our most lethal cultivators and formations. You wouldn't make it past the entrance."
My heart sank, but I kept my expression neutral. Hols had betrayed after all.
"Furthermore," she continued, "even if you sohow knew Isabelle's true location, you lack the power to retrieve her. The Guild has stood for centuries against far more formidable opponents than you."
"You seem very confident," I observed.
"With good reason." She leaned forward slightly. "We know about your... unique asset. Your reanimated corpse soldier."
The words hit like a physical blow. Vernon stiffened beside , his weathered face betraying nothing, but I could sense his alarm.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.
Elder Lin's smile widened. "Please, Mr. Knight. We've been monitoring Vernon Sherman since his supposed death three years ago. A masterful piece of work, truly—whoever reanimated him preserved his consciousness, his intelligence. Most impressive."
Vernon remained silent, but his hand moved imperceptibly closer to his weapon.
"The question is," she continued, "do you even know what you possess? The techniques used to create such a being were thought lost centuries ago."
I maintained my poker face, though inside I was reeling. This was our trump card, our secret advantage—now exposed.
"If you're so knowledgeable," I challenged, "why haven't you created your own?"
Elder Lin's eyes glittered. "Who says we haven't? Perhaps we simply keep our assets more... private than you do."
The implication was clear. The Guild had resources beyond what I'd imagined—possibly even their own corpse soldiers, hidden away.
"Now, let outline what's going to happen," she said, her tone shifting to one of finality. "You will surrender Darian Bancroft, whom I assu you've kept hidden as insurance. You will cease your attacks against the Guild. And you will turn over Vernon Sherman for our research."
"Or?" I prompted.
"Or we will unleash the full might of the Veridia City Martial Guild against you and your pathetic villa. We will destroy everything you've built, everyone you care about." Her voice remained conversational, as if discussing the weather. "And when we finally capture you—and we will—you'll be reunited with Isabelle Ashworth. Briefly. In adjoining research cells."
I felt cold fury building inside . This woman represented everything corrupt about the power structures of our world—the arrogance, the callousness, the belief that might made right.
"I believe our discussion is concluded," I said quietly.
Elder Lin stood. "You have two days to comply with our demands. After that, we attack in force."
She turned to leave, her back to —a deliberate insult, showing she didn't consider a threat.
In that mont, I made a decision. A reckless, dangerous decision that could change everything.
"Vernon," I called out sharply. "Don't let her leave."
The old woman froze, turning slowly to face . "Excuse ?"
"You heard ," I said, rising from my chair. "You're not going anywhere, Elder Lin."
Her eyes widened in genuine surprise, then narrowed in anger. "This is folly, boy. Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"I'm changing the ga," I replied. "If the Guild values Isabelle so highly, let's see how they value one of their High Council mbers."
"You wouldn't dare," she hissed, her frail appearance suddenly gone as power radiated from her small fra.
"Vernon," I repeated. "Do it."
Vernon moved with blinding speed, crossing the room in an instant. Elder Lin was fast too—faster than her appearance suggested—but Vernon was sothing else entirely. His hands locked around her arms before she could complete her defensive stance.
"Release imdiately!" she demanded, struggling against his grip.
"I don't think so," I said, approaching them. "You're our guest now, Elder Lin. And you're going to help us get Isabelle back."
"The Guild doesn't negotiate with kidnappers," she spat.
"They negotiated for Bancroft," I reminded her.
"Bancroft was a figurehead. I am High Council."
I leaned closer to her. "Exactly. Which makes you infinitely more valuable."
Her eyes bored into mine, filled with cold fury. "You've just signed your death warrant."
"Perhaps," I acknowledged. "But I was already marked for death the mont I challenged your Guild. At least now I have leverage that matters."
I nodded to Vernon, who began maneuvering the struggling elder toward the secure room we'd prepared after Bancroft's capture. It was reinforced with both physical barriers and spiritual formations—enough, I hoped, to contain even a High Council mber.
"This won't work!" she called over her shoulder as Vernon dragged her away. "The Guild will never trade Ashworth for !"
"We'll see," I replied.
When they were gone, Hadwin approached , his face grave. "Master Liam, this is... extrely dangerous."
"I know," I sighed, dropping back into my chair. "But what choice do I have? They know about Vernon now. Our advantage is gone."
"And if they refuse to trade?"
I stared at my hands. "Then at least we'll have one less High Council mber to fight when they co for us."
Hadwin looked troubled but nodded. "I'll strengthen our periter defenses. They may attack sooner than two days now."
As he left, I sat alone in the hall, contemplating what I'd just done. I'd escalated a conflict with the most powerful organization in Veridia City, kidnapped one of their leaders, and threatened her life. There was no going back now.
But the revelation about Vernon had shaken deeply. How long had they known? What else did they know about us? About ?
Vernon returned soon after, his face grim. "She's secured, though I doubt any room could hold her for long if she truly unleashed her power."
"Then we need to move quickly," I said. "Contact the Guild. Tell them we have Elder Lin and our terms have changed. It's a straight trade now—Lin for Isabelle."
Vernon hesitated. "Liam, there's sothing else you should know. Sothing she said while I was escorting her."
I looked up, alard by his tone. "What?"
"She knows about my condition, but she doesn't know how it was achieved," he said quietly. "She ntioned... experints. Failed attempts. The Guild has been trying to recreate the technique that reanimated ."
A chill ran down my spine. "They want you to study you."
Vernon nodded solemnly. "Which ans they don't have the complete knowledge. Not yet."
This gave pause. If the Guild was actively researching corpse reanimation but hadn't perfected it, that might explain their interest in Vernon. And possibly their interest in Isabelle too. What if her blood was sohow connected?
"We need to move fast," I decided. "Before they realize we've taken Lin and mobilize against us."
I stood up, my mind racing with possibilities. "If they won't trade Isabelle for Lin, maybe they'll tell us where Isabelle is in exchange for Lin's safe return."
Vernon looked skeptical. "And if they refuse that as well?"
I t his gaze steadily. "Then we extract the information from Elder Lin herself."
The implications hung heavy in the air between us. I was suggesting torture—crossing a line I'd never imagined I'd approach. But for Isabelle, there were no lines I wouldn't cross.
"Vernon, do it!" I shouted as the old woman turned to leave. My command echoed through the hall, setting events in motion that couldn't be undone.
The elderly Guild representative turned back, her eyes widening as she realized what was happening. Vernon moved with supernatural speed, his weathered hands reaching for her before she could react.
In that mont, I had changed the rules of engagent with the Veridia City Martial Guild. Whatever ca next, there would be no going back.
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