Rise of The Abandoned Husband

Ms. Hayward stormed away from Commander Bellweather, her face twisted with barely contained rage. The crowd parted for her, sensing her foul mood.

"This is Heaven Gate business," she muttered under her breath. "We don't need outside interference."

Commander Bellweather's eyes followed her retreating figure with cold calculation. "I'm merely here to ensure fairness, Ms. Hayward. Something your organization seems to have forgotten recently."

A sudden commotion drew everyone's attention to the edge of the arena. I strode forward with the Man with the Mustache trailing nervously behind me. The crowd's murmurs grew louder as they recognized me.

"That's him—the man who ransacked Heaven Gate!"

"He's actually showing up? Does he have a death wish?"

"I heard he withstood Broderick's attacks like they were nothing..."

I ignored the whispers, keeping my focus on what lay ahead. Each step brought me closer to rescuing Isabelle.

Commander Bellweather's eyes locked with mine as I approached. A slight smile played on his lips. "Liam Knight, I presume. Your reputation precedes you."

"Commander Bellweather." I inclined my head slightly. "I didn't expect the military to take an interest in a simple duel."

"Let's just say I have a vested interest in preventing... injustices." His words were clearly aimed at Ms. Hayward, who stiffened nearby.

The Man with the Mustache tugged at my sleeve. "Liam," he whispered urgently, "be careful. Bellweather doesn't involve himself in trivial matters."

I nodded slightly. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

Broderick stood at the center of the arena, his massive frame practically vibrating with rage. He'd transformed back to his human form, but his eyes still held that bestial gleam.

"Knight!" he roared when he spotted me. "Finally decided to show your face!"

I walked toward him, completely at ease. The crowd fell silent, tension crackling in the air.

"Were you worried I wouldn't come?" I asked, stopping a few paces away from him. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Ms. Hayward stepped between us, her composure restored but her eyes still flashing with anger. "I hope you're not planning any tricks, Knight. Commander Bellweather's presence doesn't change the fact that you're on Heaven Gate territory."

I smiled coldly. "I don't need tricks to defeat Broderick. Nor do I fear your attempts to cheat."

"I'll ensure this duel proceeds fairly," Bellweather interjected from the sidelines. "Both participants will have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills."

Ms. Hayward's jaw clenched, but she nodded curtly and stepped back.

Broderick's lips curled into a sneer. "You got lucky last time, Knight. Today I'll tear you apart and make you beg for mercy."

"Big words from someone who couldn't even touch me before." I rolled my shoulders, feeling the power of the Martial Saint flowing through my veins. "Let's not waste time with talk."

Years of resentment and hatred boiled over in Broderick's eyes. Without warning, he lunged forward, his fist engulfed in swirling blue energy—the Power of Martial Saint that Heaven Gate had granted him.

"Die!" he bellowed, his attack aimed straight at my heart.

I stood perfectly still, making no attempt to dodge. His fist connected with my chest with an impact that sent shockwaves across the arena. Dust and small rocks scattered from beneath our feet.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. They expected to see me fly backward, crushed by the overwhelming force. Instead, I remained unmoved, looking down at Broderick's fist against my chest with mild interest.

"Is that all?" I asked quietly.

Broderick's eyes widened in disbelief. "How—? That's impossible!"

I grabbed his wrist before he could pull back. "You're not the only one with the Power of Martial Saint." With my free hand, I delivered a backhanded slap that sent him flying across the arena.

He crashed into the ground, carving a deep furrow into the earth. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to his feet.

"You... you also have the Power of Martial Saint?" Ms. Hayward's voice trembled slightly. "How is that possible?"

I didn't bother responding to her. My attention remained fixed on Broderick, who was now charging at me again, his body enveloped in a blue aura.

"Nine Heavens Destruction Palm!" he roared, his technique causing the very air to distort.

This time, I shifted slightly. As his palm thrust forward, I stepped to the side and delivered a simple punch to his ribs. The impact was devastating. Broderick's momentum halted instantly, his eyes bulging as several ribs cracked audibly.

"The difference between us," I said as he staggered back, "isn't just about having the same power. It's about how we use it."

Broderick's face contorted with pain and fury. With a guttural howl, he abandoned technique altogether and began to transform, his muscles bulging, hair sprouting across his skin.

"You're resorting to your beast form already?" I taunted. "I expected better."

Half-transformed, he charged again, moving even faster than before. His clawed hands slashed at me from multiple angles, forcing me to actively defend for the first time.

I weaved between his attacks, analyzing his movements. Despite his raw power, his beast form made his attacks predictable. When I saw my opening, I struck with precision.

"Ten Thousand Spell Breaking Punch!"

My fist connected with his sternum. For a split second, nothing seemed to happen. Then Broderick's eyes widened as my spiritual energy exploded inside him, disrupting his internal power. His transformation reversed instantly, leaving him human and vulnerable.

Before he could recover, I grabbed his throat and lifted him off the ground. "This ends now."

With a simple flick of my wrist, I sent him crashing down again. This time, he didn't get up. Blood pooled beneath his unconscious form.

Silence descended over Mount Qinvor. No one had expected such a one-sided battle.

Ms. Hayward rushed to Broderick's side, checking his pulse with trembling fingers. "He needs immediate medical attention!"

"He'll live," I said coldly. "Though he might wish otherwise when he wakes."

Commander Bellweather observed the scene with interest. "A decisive victory, Mr. Knight. Few can claim to have defeated a Heaven Gate enforcer so thoroughly."

Ms. Hayward looked up at me, her face pale with shock and rage. "You've proven your point. You've won the duel. Now leave our territory."

"Not so fast." I stepped closer to her. "I know the Veridia City Martial Guild has been lying about the Mystic Realm. I know you never intended to grant me access, regardless of today's outcome."

She flinched, confirming my suspicions.

I bent down and grabbed Broderick's unconscious form, hoisting him over my shoulder. "So I'm changing the terms."

"What are you doing?" Ms. Hayward's voice rose in panic. "Put him down immediately!"

"Before you take me to the Mystic Realm, I won't let him go," I declared, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Exchange him for Isabelle Ashworth!"

The crowd erupted in shocked murmurs. Ms. Hayward's face drained of all color.

"You can't—" she began.

"I just did," I cut her off. "Broderick's life for Isabelle's freedom. Those are my terms."

Commander Bellweather stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "An interesting proposition, Mr. Knight. I wonder how the Martial Guild will respond to such an ultimatum."

Ms. Hayward looked desperately between Bellweather, me, and Broderick's limp form. For the first time since I'd met her, she appeared completely at a loss.

"You have one hour to decide," I said, turning to leave with Broderick still draped over my shoulder. "After that, I can't guarantee his condition will remain stable."

Behind me, Mount Qinvor erupted into chaos as Heaven Gate disciples argued about what to do. But my path was clear. One way or another, Isabelle would be free before the day was done.