111 Chapter 111 – Retribution’s First Strike
111 Chapter 111 – Retribution’s First Strike
Inside
my secluded chamber, golden light bathed every surface as I concentrated on the final stages of pill refinement. Twenty–eight tiny spheres hovered before me, each pulsing with potent energy. The Knotweed essence had infused them perfectly, creating Qi Gathering Pills of exceptional quality.
I guided the last wisps of medicinal qi into the pills with careful precision. This batch could elevate my cultivation significantly–perhaps to the very peak of Qi Refining. After three days of intense focus, these perfect specimens represented my greatest achievement in alchemy.
A surge of satisfaction filled me as the pills settled into my palm. Without hesitation, I swallowed them all, feeling their power spreading through my meridians like liquid fire. The sensation was both excruciating and exhilarating as my internal energy swelled and transformed.
A commotion outside broke my concentration. Muffled shouts and what sounded like a body hitting stone made me frown. I was close to a breakthrough–I could feel it hovering just beyond reach–but the disturbance continued.
Someone was screaming. That voice… Eamon?
My eyes snapped open. The remaining energy from the pills rushed through my system as I stood, my cultivation settling at the peak of Qi Refining Stage. Not quite Foundation Establishment yet, but a significant improvement.
Another crash, followed by an arrogant voice: “Alright, then let me kill you right now!”
I moved with newfound speed, bursting through my chamber door and racing toward the entrance. The scene that greeted me made my blood run cold.
Eamon lay broken on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. His arm twisted at an unnatural angle, his face a mask of bruises and determination. Above him stood Asher Lane, hand raised and glowing with deadly qi, poised to deliver a killing blow.
“Stop,” I commanded, my voice cutting through the tense air.
All heads turned toward me. Asher’s hand froze in mid–strike, his eyes widening slightly before narrowing/with contempt.
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111 Chapter 111 – Retribution’s First Strike
“Liam Knight. I was just about to send your dog to greet his ancestors.”
I ignored him, kneeling beside Eamon. His breathing came in ragged gasps, but his eyes
found mine.
“Master Knight,” he wheezed, “I didn’t… let them… interrupt…”
“You did well,” I said softly, placing my hand on his chest. Using my newly enhanced healing abilities, I stabilized his worst injuries. Not enough to heal him completely, but enough to keep him from death’s door. “Rest now.”
I stood slowly, turning to face Asher Lane and his two followers. Cold fury built inside me, but I kept my expression neutral.
“You come to my home, assault my friend, and threaten death. Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kill you where you stand.”
Asher seemed momentarily taken aback by my calm demeanor before recovering his arrogant sneer. “Kill me? You overestimate yourself, Knight. I came for the Knotweed you stole from the auction.”
“Stole?” I raised an eyebrow. “I outbid every competitor fairly.”
“A commoner has no right to such treasures!” Asher spat. “I’ve tracked the herb’s energy signature here. Hand it over, and I might let you live.”
I felt a smile tug at my lips. “You’re too late. I’ve already consumed it.”
The color drained from Asher’s face. “What? Impossible! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? That herb was worth more than your miserable life!”
“And yet,” I said coldly, “it’s now part of me.”
Asher’s face contorted with rage as he took a menacing step forward. “Then I’ll cut it
out of you!”
His two followers moved to flank me, their hands reaching for weapons at their belts. I remained perfectly still, gauging their movements, feeling the new power coursing through my veins.
Then Asher paused, a calculating look replacing his anger. “No. I have a better idea. Three days from now, in South City’s central square. A public competition of skill and power. If I win, you’ll compensate me for the Knotweed.”
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111 Chapter 111 – Retribution’s First Strike
“And if I win?” I asked, already knowing I wouldn’t refuse. This man needed to be taught a lesson.
“Name your price.”
I glanced at Eamon’s broken form. “If I win, you will kneel before Eamon Greene and offer a formal apology for your actions today. Additionally, you will provide me with a century–old King of Medicine herb.”
Asher laughed, the sound sharp and dismissive. “You truly believe you can defeat me? Very well. I accept your terms. In three days, I’ll humiliate you in front of all of South City.”
He turned to leave, gesturing for his followers to accompany him. “Consider yourself fortunate for this reprieve.”
“Wait.” My voice stopped him at the threshold. “You’re forgetting something.”
Asher turned, annoyed. “What now?”
I moved with blinding speed, enhanced by my recent breakthrough. Before anyone could react, I drove my palm into the chest of one of Asher’s followers–the scarred man who had mocked Eamon earlier.
The man’s eyes widened in shock as my qi penetrated his body, rupturing his internal organs. Blood spurted from his mouth as he collapsed, dead before he hit the ground.
Asher and his remaining follower froze, astonishment evident on their faces.
“What have you done?” Asher demanded, his voice tight with shock.
I met his gaze steadily. “Two things. First, I’ve collected interest for Eamon’s injuries. Consider yourself lucky I only took one.”
The remaining follower stumbled backward, terror plain in his eyes.
“Second,” I continued coldly, “this is just a little payback. Three days later, I will make you kneel before Eamon Greene and apologize personally!”
Asher’s face darkened with fury, but I could see the first flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “You’ve signed your death warrant, Knight,” he hissed. “In three days, I’ll show you the true meaning of humiliation.”
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111 Chapter 111 – Retribution’s First Strike
As they fled with their dead companion, I turned back to Eamon, gathering him carefully in my arms to carry him inside. His loyalty would not go unrewarded, and Asher Lane’s arrogance would not go unpunished. The coming confrontation would be more than a competition–it would be retribution’s first strike.
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