113 Chapter 113 A Journey to the Duel and an Unwelcome Past
113 Chapter 113 – A Journey to the Duel and an
Unwelcome Past
The morning air carried a sharp chill as Eamon and I climbed into the taxi headed for South City’s Water Dragon Cave. Despite his injuries, Eamon had insisted on accompanying me to the duel with Asher Lane. His arm was still wrapped in bandages, a constant reminder of why this confrontation was necessary.
“Master Knight,” Eamon said, his voice tight with concern as we settled into the backseat, “are you certain about this? Asher Lane isn’t just any opponent.”
I gazed out the window at the passing buildings. “You’re worried.”
“Of course I am. His reputation is… formidable.”
I turned to face him, noting the genuine concern in his eyes. “Eamon, trust me. After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, dealing with Lane will be straightforward.”
The taxi driver’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. “Did you say you’re going to face Asher Lane?” he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
I nodded. “That’s right.”
The driver let out a low whistle. “You must be that Liam Knight everyone’s talking
the duel.”
about. The whole city’s buzzing abou
“What are they saying?” I asked, though I
Could already guess.
“Well…” The driver hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. “To be honest, sir, most folks think you’re walking to your death. Asher Lane doesn’t fight fair. He picks opponents carefully–always someone he’s sure he can crush publicly.”
I smiled slightly. “Is that so?”
up
with permanent injuries. “Five duels in the past year alone. Three opponents ended One’s still in a coma.” The driver shook his head. “The man’s vicious–likes to draw things out. Makes sure everyone remembers what happens to those who cross him.”
“And what about this Water Dragon Cave?” I asked, changing the subject. “Why choose
that location?”
113 Chapter 113–A Journey to the Duel and an Unwelcome Past
The driver seemed relieved by the shift. “It’s one of South City’s scenic spots–a hot spring area with unusual rock formations. They’ve cordoned it off for the duel today Usually costs money to enter, but people are paying triple just for a chance to watch Eamon shot me a concerned glance. “Sounds like we’ll have quite the audience.”
“Fame travels faster than sound,” I replied calmly.
As we approached our destination, I could see the crowd gathering at the entrance to the scenic area. People from all walks of life–merchants, laborers, even a few obvious cultivators–had come to witness what they probably expected to be a brutal, one–sided spectacle.
The taxi pulled to a stop at the edge of the crowd. I paid the driver, who gave me one last pitying look before driving away.
“Stay close,” I told Eamon as we made our way through the mass of spectators.
The Water Dragon Cave wasn’t what I had expected. Rather than an actual cave, it was an expansive area of natural hot springs surrounded by unusual twisted rock formations that vaguely resembled dragons in flight. Steam rose from the pools, creating an otherworldly mist that hung in the air.
But something else caught my attention immediately. There was energy here–a subtle flow of qi that permeated the area. I could feel it circulating through the ground beneath my feet, concentrated around the hot springs.
“Do you feel that?” I asked Eamon quietly.
He frowned, concentrating. “Feel what, Master Knight?”
“The qi in this place. It’s unusually rich.” I stepped closer to one of the pools, sensing how the energy swirled more densely above the water’s surface. This was no ordinary location–someone with knowledge of cultivation had likely chosen it deliberately.
“Ah, Liam Knight arrives!” a loud voice called out, drawing the attention of nearby
spectators.
I turned, instantly recognizing the approaching figure by her haughty expression and carefully styled hair. Violet Miller–my former sister–in–law and one of the Sterling family members who had taken particular joy in my humiliation during my years of marriage to Seraphina.
113 Chapter 113–A Journey to the Duel and an Unwelcome Past
“Violet,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
She laughed, the sound tinkling and artificial. “Well, when I heard some nobody named- Liam Knight was challenging Asher Lane, I had to see for myself. Her eyes raked over me with unconcealed disdain. “You look… different. Though I can’t imagine why any woman would still want you.”
I felt Eamon tense beside me, ready to defend my honor, but I placed a hand on his
arm.
“My appearance isn’t your concern anymore, Violet. It never truly was.”
Her perfect eyebrows arched. “So cold! Is that how you speak to family now?”
“We’re not family,” I replied evenly.
“True enough.” She smirked, stepping closer. “Though I must admit, I’m confused by your presence. The Liam Knight challenging Asher is supposed to be some emerging talent with connections to the Ashworth family.” She looked me up and down. “But you’re just… well, you’re just Liam. What could you possibly be doing here?”
Several bystanders had stopped to watch our exchange, their expressions ranging from curiosity to amusement.
“I’m here for the duel,” I stated simply.
Violet’s laugh rang out again, drawing more attention. “You? Fighting Asher Lane? Oh, that’s rich! You could barely stand up to Seraphina, let alone a cultivator like Asher.” She turned to the growing crowd. “This man was my sister’s husband–the most pathetic excuse for a man you’ve ever seen. He practically cowered whenever anyone raised their voice!”
Hot anger flared inside me, but I kept my expression impassive. This wasn’t the place to lose control.
“Your opinion is noted,” I said coldly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have preparations to make”
“Oh, I get it,” Violet said, her voice suddenly dropping to a theatrical whisper loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. “You were kicked out by my sister, right? And now you’re trying to make a name for yourself. Her eyes widened in mock understanding. “How desperate. Still, I suppose anything’s better than being remembered as the man
113 Chapter 113–A Journey to the Duel and an Unwelcome Past
Seraphina Sterling discarded like trash.”
A murmur ran through the onlookers. I could see judgment in their eyes, assumptions forming based on Violet’s carefully crafted humiliation. It was a microcosm of my three years with the Sterling family–public disgrace while I stood stoically, taking it all.
But I wasn’t that man anymore.
“Violet,” I said, my voice quiet but clear enough to carry to those watching, “I suggest you find a good spot to watch the duel. You wouldn’t want to miss seeing exactly how much has changed since I left your sister.”
Something in my tone must have reached her because for just a moment, uncertainty flickered across her perfect features. She opened her mouth to respond, then seemed to think better of it.
“We’ll see,” she finally said, tossing her hair as she turned away. “Though I doubt Asher will waste much time on you.”
As she disappeared into the crowd, Eamon stepped closer. “Master Knight, who was that woman?”
“A ghost from my past,” I replied, watching her retreating figure. “And a timely reminder of why I’m on this path.”
I turned my attention back to the Water Dragon Cave, studying the layout and the flow of qi. The confrontation with Violet had been unexpected, but in many ways, it was fitting. My old life and my new purpose colliding on the day I would take another step forward.
The crowd around us continued to grow as the appointed hour drew closer. I could hear snippets of conversation–speculation about my chances, wagers on how quickly Asher would finish me, curiosity about my connection to the Ashworth family.
None of them knew what I was truly capable of now. But they would soon see. “It’s almost time,” Eamon said, checking his watch. “Asher should be arriving shortly.” I nodded, feeling the calm focus of pre–battle settling over me. “Then let him come. The past has caught up with us today, Eamon. Let’s show it exactly what the present holds.”
From across the gathering, I caught Violet’s eye as she positioned herself near the
113 Chapter 113–A Journey to the Duel and an Unwelcome Past
front of the crowd. Her expression remained smugly confident in my impending humiliation.
“Oh, I get it,” her voice echoed in my mind. “You were kicked out by my sister, right?”
I straightened my shoulders, finally ready to bury that version of myself for good.
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