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Asher Lanc’s eyes narrowed as he assessed me with cold calculation. There was something predatory in his gaze that reminded me of a snake preparing to strike. The crowd around us grew silent, hanging on the precipice of this unexpected confrontation.
“So this is the infamous Liam Knight,” he said, his voice carrying just enough for those nearby to hear. “The man who’s been causing ripples throughout South City.”
I met his stare evenly, “And you’re Asher Lane. Should I be flattered that my name has reached the ears of the Lane Family’s Younger Lord?”
A hint of amusement crossed his face. “Flattery would be misplaced. Your name reached me through complaints and warnings.”
“I tend to have that effect on people who are used to getting their way,” I replied. Asher’s lip curled slightly. “Bold words from a former live–in son–in–law.”
The whispers around us intensified. I could feel Eamon shifting uncomfortably beside me, his hand tightening around his cane. But I remained unfazed. The days when such insults could wound me were long gone.
“Is there something I can help you with, Lord Lane?” I asked. “Or did you simply come to exchange pleasantries?”
His eyes flashed dangerously. “I came to see what kind of man would dare interfere with Lane Family business. Now I see–just another upstart who doesn’t know his place.”
“And what place would that be?”
“Beneath my heel,” he said coldly.
The air between us seemed to drop several degrees. I could sense the spiritual energy gathering around him–a subtle display of power meant to intimidate.
“You think highly of yourself,” I observed.
“With good reason.” He gestured toward the Water Dragon Cave. “I’ve heard you’re interested in this place. Let me save you the trouble–it’s under Lane Family
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protection. You will never set foot inside”
I smiled. “Is that a fact?”
Without breaking eye contact with me, Asher turned slightly toward the cave entrance. “Open it,” he commanded his guards.
Two men hurried forward, producing jade keys that fit into hidden locks on either side of the massive stone doors. With a rumble that shook the ground beneath our feet, the ancient entrance began to slide open.
Asher glanced back at me, satisfaction evident in his expression. “Enjoy your view from out here, Knight. It’s the closest you’ll ever get.”
With that parting shot, he strode toward the now–open cave entrance. The crowd parted for him like servants before a king. Just before disappearing inside, he paused and looked back.
“By the way,” he called out, “I’ll be sure to tell Mariana Valerius you send your regards. She and I have much to discuss about your… interference.”
My expression remained neutral, but inside, my mind raced. So that was his game- letting me know he had connections to the Celestial Apothecary Guild. Trying to shake my confidence by invoking Mariana’s name.
As Asher disappeared into the cave, his guards took position at the entrance. To my surprise, they began admitting selected guests–mostly officials and their associates who’d paid handsomely for the privilege.
“That went well,” Eamon muttered sarcastically. “You’ve made quite an impression on the Younger Lord of the Lane Family.”
“I’ve made worse first impressions,” I replied.
Before Eamon could respond, Violet approached us, Selina Burton in tow. The humiliation from Darwin’s public dressing–down seemed forgotten, replaced by smug satisfaction.
“Bad luck, Liam,” Violet said, hot bothering to hide her pleasure. “Looks like you won’t be touring the Water Dragon Cave after all.”
“Unlike us,” Selina added, flashing the admission tokens in her hand. “Darwin might have embarrassed himself, but he did manage to get us these before his… unfortunate
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encounter”
I looked at the tokens with genuine interest. “And how did he manage that?”
Violet smirked. “He has connections you could never dream of”
“Clearly not with Asher Lane,” I pointed out.
Her smirk faltered. “There are other officials. Not everyone is as… particular as Lord
Lane.
Behind the women, I spotted Jason Thornton approaching, his face alight with anticipation. “Ladies, shall we?” he said, offering each an arm. “I’ve secured my own token. We can explore together.”
Violet’s expression soured slightly. “Actually, Jason-
“Actually,” I interrupted, “I believe the ladies will be accompanying me.”
All three stared at me in shock.
“And how exactly do you plan to get in?” Jason demanded, his voice dripping with derision. “Did you not just witness Lord Lane specifically forbidding you entry?”
I smiled mysteriously. “Some doors remain closed only until you know how to open
them.”
Without another word, I walked directly toward the cave entrance. The guards stiffened as I approached, hands moving to their weapons.
“Halt,” one commanded. “No one enters without authorization.”
I reached into my pocket and produced two jade tokens identical to those being presented by other guests. “Will these suffice?”
The guard’s eyes widened slightly as he examined the tokens. After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded and stepped aside. “You may enter.”
I turned back to the stunned group. “Violet, Selina–shall we?”
The women exchanged glances before hurrying to join me, leaving a bewildered Jason
behind.
“Wait!” he called out. “I have a token too!”
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“One person per token,” the guard informed him curtly. “These admit three.
Jason’s face contorted with impotent rage as he watched us pass through the
entrance.
Once inside, Violet grabbed my arm. “How did you get those tokens? And why bring
us?”
“Consider it a gesture of goodwill,” I replied smoothly. “As for the tokens… let’s just say I have connections you could never dream of”
Her eyes narrowed at hearing her own words thrown back at her, but before she could respond, we were distracted by the cave’s interior.
The Water Dragon Cave was aptly named. Crystalline pools of steaming water cascaded down stone formations that resembled the sinuous body of a dragon. The air was thick with mist and charged with spiritual energy that made my skin tingle.
“It’s beautiful,” Selina whispered, for once dropping her haughty facade.
“And powerful,” I added, extending my senses to feel the qi currents flowing through the cavern. Yes, the rumors were true–this place was a natural treasure trove of spiritual energy, perfect for cultivation and healing.
Our exploration was interrupted by a commotion near the entrance. A group of newcomers had arrived, led by a tall, imposing man in his thirties. Something about his bearing set him apart from the wealthy officials and merchants making up the rest of the crowd.
Eamon, who had managed to secure his own entry somehow, appeared at my side. His face had gone pale.
“Trouble,” he whispered urgently. “That’s Alistair Northwood from Shiglance City.”
“Should that name mean something to me?” I asked quietly.
“He was Julian Hawthorne’s closest friend.”
g from the man e
That explained the cold, murderous intent I could feel at this distance. Another enemy, then–one seeking vengeance for the death of the Hawthorne Family’s former young master.
“And look who he’s talking to,” Eamon added grimly.
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Sure enough, Asher Lane had emerged from deeper within the cave and was now engaged in what appeared to be an intense conversation with Alistair Northwood. Both men occasionally glanced in my direction.
“Two powerful enemies finding common ground,” I mused. “How convenient.”
Violet and Selina had drifted away to admire one of the larger hot springs, leaving
Eamon and me alone.
“We should leave,” Eamon suggested. “Between Asher Lane and Alistair Northwood, you’re facing two of the most dangerous young masters from Eldoria Province.”
I shook my head. “Running would only delay the inevitable.”
Across the cavern, I saw Asher point directly at me. Alistair’s expression darkened as he turned to stare in my direction. The killing intent flooding from him was unmistakable now–raw hatred given form.
“He’s coming over,” Eamon warned.
“Good,” Lreplied calmly. “Let’s get this over with.”
Alistair Northwood cut through the crowd like a blade, his purposeful stride bringing him directly before me. Up close, I could see the grief and rage etched into the lines of his face.
“Liam Knight,” he spat my name like a curse. “The man who murdered Julian Hawthorne.”
Eamon stepped forward. “That’s not-
“Quiet, Greene,” Alistair snapped. “You were the Hawthorne Family’s servant for years. Now you stand with this… murderer? Have you no shame?”
I placed a restraining hand on Eamon’s arm. “I can speak for myself.”
Turning to Alistair, I met his gaze unflinchingly. “Julian Hawthorne died by his own actions and choices.”
“Lies!” Alistair’s voice echoed through the cavern, drawing all eyes to our confrontation. “Julian was like a brother to me. He was honorable, respected-”
“He was neither,” I interrupted coldly. “He was cruel, corrupt, and ultimately foolish.
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His death was his own doing.”
Asher Lane had approached during our exchange and now stood slightly behind Alistair, watching with calculating eyes.
“I’ve waited months to find you,” Alistair continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I will avenge Julian. I will make you suffer as he suffered.
“Is that a threat or a promise?” I asked.
“A vow,” he replied. “I will kill you, Liam Knight.”
The cavern had fallen completely silent now, every guest watching the drama unfold. I could feel dozens of eyes on us, including Violet’s and Selina’s, who had returned to witness the confrontation.
I studied Alistair for a long moment, then glanced at Asher. Both men radiated power and deadly intent. Both had reason to want me dead.
“In that case,” I said calmly, “both of you can come at me together.”
A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Even Asher looked momentarily taken aback.
“What did you just say?” Alistair demanded.
I smiled, a cold, confident curve of my lips that seemed to unnerve them both. “You heard me. Why take turns? I’m challenging both of you. Here. Now. Or are the great young masters of Eldoria Province afraid to face one former live–in son–in–law?”
The gauntlet had been thrown. There was no turning back now.
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