Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I had just left Mariana's chambers when the weight of my decision crashed down on me. Three days until I would meet Tilda Avery instead of diving into those tunnels to find Isabelle. My chest tightened at the thought of my love suffering even one more day in captivity.

Had I made the right choice? The question haunted me as I walked through the Guild's pristine gardens. The morning sun cast long shadows across ornate pavilions and medicinal herb beds, but I barely noticed their beauty.

"Isabelle," I whispered to myself, "I swear I'll become strong enough to walk through their front gates and take you home."

A familiar face appeared in my mind – another person I had failed to protect. Eamon Greene. My friend who had vanished without a trace. His disappearance gnawed at my conscience constantly.

I quickened my pace. Before meeting Tilda Avery, I had unfinished business. That mustached troublemaker had mentioned excavating something on Guild property yesterday, and knowing him, he was probably desecrating Mariana's ancestral grounds.

"That idiot is going to get himself killed," I muttered, heading toward the back mountains where Guild elders often meditated.

The path wound through bamboo groves and over small stone bridges spanning clear streams. Guild disciples bowed respectfully as I passed, still treating me as an honored guest rather than the pariah the Martial Guild had branded me.

"Liam? Liam Knight?"

I turned at the familiar voice, stunned to find Sofia Carrera standing near a medicinal garden. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical bun, and she wore the robes of a Guild elder – a significant advancement since I'd last seen her.

"Sofia?" I approached her, genuinely pleased despite my worried state. "What are you doing here?"

Her warm smile faltered slightly. "I was recruited by Pavilion Master Valerius two months ago. My work with hybrid herbs caught her attention."

We embraced briefly, the comfort of seeing an old friend momentarily pushing aside my darker thoughts.

"You look terrible," she said bluntly, studying my face. "When was the last time you slept properly?"

"Sleep is a luxury I can't afford right now."

Sofia shook her head. "Still stubborn as ever. Some things never change."

I managed a weak smile. "Congratulations on becoming an elder. That's impressive."

"Thank you." She hesitated, then asked carefully, "Have you heard anything about Eamon?"

The question hit like a physical blow. So she was worried too.

"Nothing," I admitted, my voice dropping. "I've had people searching, but he's vanished completely."

Sofia's eyes darkened with concern. "It's not like him to disappear without word. Something's wrong, Liam."

"I know," I agreed grimly. "After what happened with the Sterling family and then Isabelle's abduction... I fear the worst."

We stood in silence for a moment, both lost in worry for our missing friend.

"I'm heading to Jade Moon Villa in a few days," I finally said. "If you hear anything—"

"Take me with you," she interrupted.

I blinked in surprise. "What?"

"To Jade Moon Villa," Sofia clarified. "I want to come. You're clearly planning something dangerous, and you'll need a skilled healer when it goes wrong."

"When, not if?" I raised an eyebrow.

She crossed her arms. "I know you, Liam. Trouble follows you like a shadow."

I couldn't argue with that. Having Sofia's healing skills would be invaluable, especially with what I was planning.

"Alright," I agreed. "We leave in three days. Pack whatever medicinal herbs you think we'll need."

Relief washed over her face. "I'll be ready. And Liam... we'll find Eamon. And Isabelle too."

I nodded, grateful for her confidence even if I couldn't fully share it. "I need to find someone first. The Man with the Mustache is here somewhere, probably causing trouble."

"That odd fellow who's always digging around old tombs?" Sofia's expression turned curious. "I saw him heading toward the rear mountain this morning. Carrying shovels and other equipment."

Just as I feared. "I need to stop him before he angers the wrong people. I'll see you in three days."

We parted ways, and I hurried toward the rear mountain. My mind was slightly more at ease knowing Sofia would be joining me. Having a trusted friend and skilled healer would be crucial in the coming battles.

The rear mountain was less manicured than the rest of the Guild grounds. Ancient trees grew thick here, their massive roots erupting from the soil like the veins of some slumbering giant. The path narrowed and steepened as I climbed.

After nearly an hour of searching, I heard familiar off-key humming and the rhythmic sound of metal striking earth. Following the noise, I emerged into a small clearing where the Man with the Mustache was enthusiastically digging into the side of the mountain.

"What do you think you're doing?" I called out.

He jumped, dropping his shovel with a clatter. "Young Master Knight! You startled me!"

"You're trespassing on sacred Guild property," I said, approaching him. "Do you have any idea what they'll do to you if they catch you?"

He twirled his ridiculous mustache, looking utterly unconcerned. "This isn't what you think. I'm not digging up a tomb."

"Then what exactly are you doing?"

His eyes gleamed with excitement. "This is a lost battlefield, Young Master! According to my research, over three hundred years ago, a group of renegade cultivators fought a desperate battle against Guild forces right on this spot."

I glanced around skeptically. "A battlefield? Here?"

"Yes, yes!" He nodded enthusiastically. "And where there's an ancient battlefield—"

"There are ancient weapons," I finished, shaking my head. "You're risking execution for some rusty swords?"

"Not just any weapons," he protested. "Legendary artifacts! Think about it – only the most powerful cultivators would dare challenge the Guild directly. Their equipment would be extraordinary!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache forming. "We're leaving. Now. Before you get us both killed."

"But I'm so close!" he whined, gesturing to the hole he'd dug. "Just another hour and—"

"Who the hell are you people?"

We both froze at the new voice. Turning slowly, I found myself facing a young man approximately my age. His cultivation level shocked me – late-term Military Marquis, nearly identical to my own. His eyes were cold and calculating as they assessed me, lingering on my face with growing recognition.

"You're trespassing on Guild territory," he said, his voice carrying the entitled tone of someone born into power.

I stepped forward, shielding the now-trembling Man with the Mustache. "I apologize for the disturbance. We were just leaving."

The young man's eyes widened suddenly. "Wait. I know you. You're Liam Knight."

Something in his tone sent warning signals through my body. This wasn't simple recognition – there was venom behind his words.

"I am," I confirmed cautiously. "And you are?"

"Ronan Voss," he spat, as if the name should mean something to me. When I showed no recognition, his face darkened further. "You don't even know who I am, do you? Typical."

The Man with the Mustache tugged urgently at my sleeve. "Young Master, perhaps we should go," he whispered.

Ronan's gaze snapped to him. "Stay where you are, old man. No one's going anywhere."

I shifted my stance subtly, preparing for a fight. "We meant no disrespect. As I said, we're leaving now."

"No, you're not," Ronan said, his aura beginning to pulse around him. "You know, I've waited months for this opportunity. The famous Liam Knight – the man who stole what was rightfully mine."

"I've never taken anything from you," I replied evenly.

He laughed bitterly. "Haven't you? I was supposed to be the prodigy, the one everyone talked about. I mastered three meridians by sixteen. Became a Military Marquis before twenty-five. And then you appeared out of nowhere – some nobody from Havenwood who suddenly has everyone singing his praises."

Understanding dawned. This wasn't about any specific wrong I'd committed. This was about jealousy, pure and simple.

"Your quarrel isn't with me," I tried reasoning. "My achievements don't diminish yours."

"Save it," he snapped. "You think I don't see what's happening? Pavilion Master Valerius personally mentoring you? Jackson Harding himself appearing after decades in seclusion? All for you – when it should have been me!"

His aura expanded dramatically, crackling with dangerous energy. The ground beneath us trembled as he channeled his power.

"Young Master!" the Man with the Mustache cried out in panic. "His technique—"

I nodded grimly, recognizing the formation of a devastating attack. "Get back. Now."

"I'm going to show everyone who the real prodigy is," Ronan snarled, his body beginning to glow with intense power. "When I bring your broken body to the Guild elders, they'll finally recognize my true worth."

I pushed the Man with the Mustache roughly behind a large boulder, then turned to face Ronan squarely. "You're making a mistake."

"The only mistake was allowing you to live this long!" he roared.

His aura exploded outward with terrifying force. Trees cracked and splintered around us. Rocks shattered. The very mountain seemed to tremble beneath the onslaught of his power.

I barely had time to reinforce my defensive aura before his first attack came crashing down. The impact sent shockwaves through my body, rattling my teeth and bones. This was no ordinary opponent.

"This man's strength might not be weaker than mine," I said aloud, genuine concern creeping into my voice as Ronan prepared his next, even more powerful attack.