Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I studied Rex Osborne's face, searching for any hint of deception. His proposal to help rescue Isabelle from the Veridia City Martial Guild seemed too convenient, too perfectly timed to my desperate situation.

"Let me make sure I understand correctly," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "The Umbral Covenant is offering to help extract Isabelle from the Guild's Mystic Realm once I locate the entrance."

Rex nodded, his expression earnest. "Precisely. Our expertise with Mystic Realm pathways makes us uniquely qualified for this task."

"And what exactly do you want in return?" I asked the question directly. "No one offers this kind of help without expecting something substantial."

A smile played at the corners of Rex's mouth. "You're understandably skeptical, Mr. Knight. But our motivations are simpler than you might imagine."

Perry Elliott, who had been glaring at me from across the chamber, scoffed audibly.

Rex continued smoothly, "The Umbral Covenant recognizes talent and potential. You possess both in abundance. We simply wish to establish a... friendship."

"Friendship," I repeated flatly. "With no strings attached?"

"Well, friendships involve mutual benefit, of course," Rex admitted. "But we're not demanding anything specific at this moment. Consider it an investment in future goodwill."

I didn't believe him for a second, but I was running out of options to save Isabelle. Each day she remained in the Guild's clutches was another day of suffering for her—and another day closer to her body failing under their brutal experiments.

"If—and that's a significant if—I agree to this arrangement, I need absolute certainty that Isabelle will be delivered to me unharmed," I stated firmly. "Her safety is non-negotiable."

Rex bowed slightly. "Of course. We understand completely."

I needed to test their sincerity, to see just how far this "friendship" extended. "Then I'll require something as a show of good faith."

"What did you have in mind?" Rex asked, wariness creeping into his expression.

"A ten-thousand-year-old Spirit Fusion Root," I said without hesitation, naming one of the rarest medicinal materials in the world. "I need it for my cultivation."

Perry Elliott exploded with laughter. "Absurd! Does he think we keep such treasures lying around to hand out to strangers?"

"Do you know what you're asking for?" Rex asked me, his voice carefully controlled. "A genuine Spirit Fusion Root of that age could purchase an entire city. Even major sects might have only one or two in their treasuries."

I shrugged and turned toward the exit. "Then I suppose we have nothing further to discuss. I'll find another way to rescue Isabelle."

"Wait." Rex's command halted me mid-step. "I didn't say we couldn't provide it."

I turned back slowly. "So you can produce such a treasure?"

"I would need to consult with our higher council," Rex replied. "This isn't a decision I can make unilaterally."

"How convenient," I remarked dryly.

Rex's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your skepticism is understandable but unnecessary. I'll relay your request to those with authority. Clarissa Johnson will contact you within three days with our response."

"Clarissa?" I raised an eyebrow. "The woman who tried to kill me last month?"

"She's been instructed to set aside past grievances," Rex assured me. "Professional courtesy will be maintained."

I considered my options carefully. Even if they agreed to provide the Spirit Fusion Root, I couldn't fully trust them. But the potential to rescue Isabelle made the risk worthwhile.

"Three days," I conceded. "I'll expect your answer then."

Rex nodded. "Then we have an understanding. Now, shall I escort you back to the entrance portal?"

The journey back through the Mystic Realm was silent. Neither of us seemed inclined to small talk, and that suited me fine. I needed to process everything that had happened and prepare for whatever came next.

At the portal, Rex extended his hand. "Until we meet again, Mr. Knight."

I ignored the gesture. "Three days, Osborne. Not a moment longer."

With that, I stepped through the swirling energy and felt reality compress around me. When the sensation passed, I was standing once more in the abandoned warehouse in Havenwood City.

I moved quickly into the shadows of nearby buildings, making sure I wasn't followed before heading back to my temporary residence. The night air was cool against my face, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere of the Mystic Realm.

---

Deep within the Umbral Covenant's secret domain, Rex Osborne knelt before a figure shrouded in darkness. The chamber was lit only by dim purple crystals that cast more shadows than light.

"The meeting went as planned, Master," Rex reported. "He took the bait."

The figure shifted slightly. Where a face should have been visible, there was only a void—a darkness deeper than the surrounding shadows. When it spoke, the voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.

"And you believe he can locate the girl?"

"I do," Rex confirmed. "His determination to rescue her is absolute. He'll find a way into the Guild's Mystic Realm, even if it costs him everything."

The void-faced figure made a sound that might have been laughter. "Perfect. And he suspects nothing of our true intentions?"

"He's suspicious by nature," Rex admitted. "But his desperation outweighs his caution. He believes we'll help him rescue Isabelle Ashworth."

"When in reality, once he leads us to her location..." The figure's words trailed off meaningfully.

"We'll take her for ourselves," Rex finished. "The Ashworth girl's blood will serve the Covenant's purposes far better than the Guild's crude experiments."

The void-faced man stood, darkness swirling around him like living smoke. "With her blood, we can finally break the shackles that have kept the Halcroen Sect exiled overseas for centuries. Our return to the mainland will reshape the power structure of the entire continent."

"What of Knight?" Rex asked. "He'll become a problem once we betray him."

"By then, it will be too late," the figure replied dismissively. "Once we have the girl, his fate is irrelevant. He can rage all he wants, but even his remarkable talents won't stand against the full might of our sect."

Rex bowed deeply. "I understand, Master. Everything will proceed according to plan."

"See that it does," the void-faced man warned. "The Covenant has waited too long for this opportunity. Failure is not an option."

As Rex backed away from the imposing figure, the void seemed to watch him, endless and hungry.

---

Back in my temporary sanctuary, I sat cross-legged on the floor, my breathing slow and measured as I meditated. The night was deep around me, the only sound the occasional distant cry of night birds.

I could feel the power building within my core—the culmination of months of relentless cultivation and countless battles. I was on the precipice of another breakthrough. With proper focus, I could push myself into the mid-term Military Marquis realm tonight.

Yet I hesitated.

According to the ancient cultivation methods passed down through my jade pendant, if I could accumulate just a bit more energy—perhaps another week of intense meditation—I might be able to skip the mid-term stage entirely and advance directly to late-term Military Marquis. Such a leap would significantly increase my combat power and bring me one step closer to challenging the Guild.

One step closer to saving Isabelle.

I relaxed my stance and opened my eyes. The energy I'd gathered swirled restlessly within me, seeking release, but I forced it to settle. Patience had never been my strength, but for Isabelle's sake, I would master it.

The Umbral Covenant's offer lingered in my thoughts. I didn't trust them—couldn't trust them—but they represented a potential path to Isabelle that I couldn't ignore. If they actually delivered the Spirit Fusion Root, it would at least prove they had resources to back their promises.

My fingers absently traced the outline of the jade pendant beneath my robes. Its familiar contours brought me a measure of comfort.

"Just hold on a little longer, Isabelle," I whispered into the darkness. "I will find you. Whatever it takes."

The night stretched on as I planned my next moves carefully. The Umbral Covenant might be setting a trap, but I had no intention of walking into it blindly. If they wanted to use me, they would soon learn that dealing with Liam Knight came with consequences they couldn't possibly anticipate.

For now, I would play along with their game. But when the moment came—when Isabelle's freedom was within reach—I would be prepared for their inevitable betrayal.

And the Halcroen Sect would learn why even the mighty Veridia City Martial Guild had come to fear my name.