108 Chapter 108 – A Swift Reckoning and an Alchemist’s Triumph>
“Decision time,” I said, my smile growing colder as I watched Adrian’s confidence falter. “But I don’t think it’s going to go the way you planned.”
Adrian’s face twitched with uncertainty before he masked it with bravado. “Get him!” he barked at his men.
The four thugs rushed toward me, their heavy footsteps crunching on the gravel. I remained perfectly still, feeling the energy within me coil like a serpent ready to strike. The first man reached me, swinging a meaty fist toward my face. I sidestepped with minimal movement, my hand shooting out to grip his wrist. With a quick twist, I heard the satisfying crack of bone. His scream pierced the air as I used his momentum to hurl him into the second attacker.
“Is this all Nora Donovan’s lapdog could muster?” I taunted, advancing toward the remaining two men who hesitated, exchanging nervous glances.
Adrian’s face contorted with rage. “What did
you call me?”
“You heard me,” I replied, my voice deceptively calm. “Everyone knows you’re just Nora’s errand boy. Did she send you after me, or is this your pathetic attempt to impress her?”
His nostrils flared as the third man charged at me, attempting a tackle. I stepped into his charge, driving my knee up into his solar plexus. As he doubled over gasping for breath, I brought my elbow down on the back of his neck, dropping him to the ground.
The fourth man pulled a knife, its blade glinting in the sunlight, “Stay back!” he warned, voice trembling.
I didn’t bother replying. Instead, I channeled qi into my legs and closed the distance between us in a blur. Before he could react, I had disarmed him and delivered a palm strike to his chest that sent him flying backward into a decorative stone pillar. He slid down, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Adrian’s eyes widened with growing terror. He scrambled backwards, pulling out his phone. “My father will hear about this! You’ve just signed your death warrant!”
108 Chapter 108 – A Swift Reckoning and an Alchemist’s Triumph
I walked toward him, unhurried. “Your father should have taught you better manners.”
“Stay away from me!” he shrieked, stumbling over his own feet.
When I reached him, I knelt down and grabbed his ankle. “You wanted me to kneel, Adrian? Let me show you something instead.”
With calculated precision, I struck both his kneecaps. The sickening crack was followed by Adrian’s agonized screams. I stood up, brushing dust from my clothes as I watched him writhing on the ground.
“Consider this mercy,” I said quietly. “Had you threatened Isabelle directly, you wouldn’t have legs at all.”
A sleek black car pulled up to the villa’s entrance, and an older man in an expensive suit rushed out. His eyes widened at the scene before him – his son whimpering on the ground surrounded by unconscious bodyguards.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, though there was less authority in his voice than I expected.
“Mr. Lyons,” I greeted him calmly. “Your son decided to ambush me on this property with intent to harm and humiliate me. I defended myself.”
Adrian’s father looked at his son with what appeared to be disappointment rather than concern. “Adrian has always been… impulsive.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his lack of outrage. Then I understood – a wealthy man like him cared more about connections and power than his son’s wounded pride.
I reached into my pocket and withdrew a black card, letting the older Lyons see the embossed golden insignia of Leopold Shepherd.
His eyes widened with recognition. “That’s… you’re associated with Leopold Shepherd?”
“We have an understanding,” I replied simply, putting the card away.
Adrian’s father immediately changed his demeanor. “I… must apologize for my son’s behavior. He clearly doesn’t understand the bigger picture.”
Adrian looked up
at his father in disbelief. “Dad! He broke my fucking knees!”
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108 Chapter 108 – A Swift Reckoning and an Alchemist’s Triumph
“Be quiet, Adrian,” his father snapped. “You’re lucky he didn’t do worse.” He turned back to me. “Please, allow me to make amends. This property – consider it yours. I purchased it months ago as an investment, but I’d be honored if you would accept it as compensation for this… unfortunate incident.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. The title to an entire villa for breaking his son’s knees? Leopold’s influence ran deeper than I’d realized.
“I accept,” I replied, seeing an opportunity. The villa’s location and architecture were perfect for cultivation. I could feel rich natural qi flowing throughout the property – likely why it had belonged to a prominent family in the first place.
“Excellent,” Mr. Lyons said, visibly relieved. “I’ll have the paperwork delivered today. And I’ll ensure Adrian understands the consequences of bothering you again.”
–
As Adrian was carried away, still cursing and threatening, I turned to Eamon who had watched the entire confrontation without needing to intervene.
“Well,” he said with a slight smile, “that was efficient.”
“And profitable,” I added. “Help me secure the perimeter. I need to begin immediately.”
Hours later, with the property secured and a basic formation array established, I sat cross–legged in what must have once been the villa’s grand study. Before me lay a wooden box containing the three rare herbs I’d acquired: Spirit Cloud Grass, Nine–Return Root, and Starfall Flower./
Eamon stood by the doorway, his expression curious. “Are you sure you can refine these yourself? Most alchemists train for decades.”
“The knowledge is here,” I tapped my temple. “Passed down through my bloodline.” The ancient memories from my awakened heritage felt as natural to me as my own experiences.
I carefully arranged a portable furnace in the center of the room. “These herbs will allow me to create Qi Gathering Pills. With them, I can reach the Foundation Establishment Stage rapidly.”
Eamon nodded. “I’ll stand guard. No one will disturb you.”
As he left, I focused on the task at hand. I placed the herbs in specific positions and
108 Chapter 108 – A Swift Reckoning and an Alchemist’s Triumph.
began channeling qi into the furnace. The metal grew hot, glowing with an otherworldly light as I manipulated the temperature with careful precision.
Hours passed as I maintained absolute concentration. The herbs gradually broke down, their essences intertwining in the superheated chamber. Sweat poured down my face, but I didn’t dare wipe it away – a single moment’s distraction could ruin everything.
―
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away in South City, a young man with sharp features stood on a balcony overlooking the city. Behind him, several followers waited attentively.
“So the Ashworth girl has left Havenwood City,” Asher Lane mused. “And this Liam Knight remains alone.”
“Yes, Master Lane,” one of his followers confirmed. “Reports say he’s been moving around the city, seemingly making preparations for something.”
Asher smiled coldly. “The Knotweed should rightfully belong to someone who understands its value. This country bumpkin likely doesn’t even know what he possesses.”
“Will you go yourself, Master Lane?” another follower asked reverently.
“Of course. South City’s genius alchemist versus some unknown upstart?” Asher laughed. “It won’t even be a challenge. Prepare for departure. We leave for Havenwood City tomorrow morning.”
Back at the villa, I felt the qi within the furnace reaching its critical point. With careful movements, I guided the essence into its final form, compressing the energy into solid pills.
Suddenly, the pressure became too great. The furnace shook violently, and despite my efforts to stabilize it, exploded with a deafening bang. I shielded my face as fragments scattered across the room.
When the smoke cleared, I stared in amazement at what remained. Where I had hoped to create perhaps ten or twelve pills, a small mountain of gleaming, perfectly formed Qi Gathering Pills lay scattered across the floor.
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108 Chapter 108 – A Swift Reckoning and an Alchemist’s Triumph
“Twenty–eight!” I exclaimed, counting quickly. “Far more than I imagined!”
I picked one up, feeling the condensed power thrumming within it. With these, my path to the Foundation Establishment Stage was assured – and my enemies would soon discover just how foolish their underestimation had been.
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