Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I paced the floor of my quarters at the Celestial Apothecary Guild, my mind racing with possibilities and dangers. Every moment Isabelle remained under the Guild's control felt like a knife twisting in my chest. The revelation about a hidden Paramount Mystic Realm had only intensified my urgency.

"I can't leave her there any longer," I said, turning to face Mariana and Jackson. "I need to take her with me when I return to Veridia City."

Mariana shook her head firmly. "That would be playing directly into their hands, Liam. The Guild is expecting you to make a rash move."

"She's safer here than anywhere else," Jackson added, his arms crossed. "We have sixteen Peak Form Martial Artists guarding the perimeter, and Mariana's personal formation around the inner sanctum."

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "And if they send a Martial Saint?"

"Then I'll deal with them personally," Mariana stated, her eyes flashing with determination. "Remember, my reputation still carries weight. They won't risk open conflict with the Celestial Apothecary Guild without careful consideration."

I wanted to argue further but knew they were right. My emotions were clouding my judgment.

"Fine," I conceded reluctantly. "But the moment there's any sign of danger—"

"We'll contact you immediately," Jackson promised. "Now focus on your mission. You need to find a way into that Scripture Pavilion."

I nodded, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. After making arrangements to see Isabelle one last time before my departure, I left to prepare for my return to Veridia City.

---

Far from our discussion, deep within the Second Mystic Realm, Luke Fairlight stood on his palace balcony overlooking the vast cultivation grounds below. His expression was troubled as he watched young cultivators being driven through brutal training regimens.

"Father, you seem concerned," Marc Fairlight said, approaching from behind. Tall and imposing like his father, Marc carried himself with the arrogance of someone who had never known failure.

Luke turned slightly. "The reports from Veridia City are disturbing. This Liam Knight... he's becoming more than just an annoyance."

Marc laughed dismissively. "One lucky cultivator who happened to absorb some residual Martial Saint power? He's hardly worth your concern."

"You underestimate him," Luke warned. "He's already disrupted operations that took decades to establish. Ms. Hayward's execution was a direct result of his interference."

"Hayward was weak," Marc said with a shrug. "The Guild needed someone stronger in that position anyway."

Luke studied his son critically. Marc had always been talented but lacked the caution that came with experience. "Perhaps this presents an opportunity for you."

Marc's eyes lit up with interest. "What kind of opportunity?"

"The Guild needs someone to take over Hayward's position. Someone loyal, powerful, and familiar with our operations here." Luke paused meaningfully. "I could recommend you."

Pride swelled visibly in Marc's chest. "I would be honored to represent our family's interests in Veridia City."

"It won't be easy," Luke cautioned. "The city is in turmoil, and this Liam Knight is unpredictable."

Marc waved a dismissive hand. "I'll crush him if he becomes problematic. Just give me three of our Half-step Martial Sages as escorts."

Luke considered this request, weighing the risks against potential benefits. Having his son established in Veridia City would certainly strengthen their position in the Guild's hierarchy.

"Very well," he decided. "Make preparations to leave immediately. But Marc—" he fixed his son with a stern gaze, "—do not engage Knight directly without proper intelligence. Observe first, then act."

Marc bowed, barely concealing his excitement. "I won't disappoint you, Father."

As his son departed, Luke turned back to the vista below, his unease not entirely settled. Something about this Liam Knight troubled him deeply, a nagging intuition he couldn't quite place. But perhaps he was being overcautious. After all, what real threat could one man pose to the vast power structure they'd built?

---

Three days later, I walked through the streets of Veridia City with purpose in my stride. My borrowed Martial Saint power was fading faster than expected, leaving me perhaps a week before I became vulnerable again. Time was of the essence.

I headed directly to The Aegis Academy, where Emerson Holmes maintained his office. The newly appointed replacement for Ms. Hayward would have information I needed about the Scripture Pavilion.

The academy grounds were quieter than usual. Students whispered as I passed, some averting their eyes, others staring openly with a mixture of fear and curiosity. Word of my supposed role in Ms. Hayward's death had clearly spread.

I found Holmes in his office, reviewing student applications. His eyes widened when I entered without knocking.

"L-Liam Knight," he stammered, rising quickly from his desk. "This is unexpected."

I closed the door behind me and took a seat without invitation. "Congratulations on your promotion, Holmes."

He swallowed nervously. "Thank you. How can I assist you today?"

"I need information about the Scripture Pavilion."

The color drained from his face. "That's... that's highly classified. I don't have access to—"

"Don't lie to me," I cut him off coldly. "Your new position grants you at least basic knowledge of its security protocols."

Holmes adjusted his glasses, clearly calculating his options. "Even if I knew something, sharing such information would be treason against the Guild."

I leaned forward, letting a fraction of my power leak out. The papers on his desk rustled from the invisible pressure. "And what do you think will happen to you if you refuse to help me?"

"You're threatening an official of the Veridia City Martial Guild," he said, though his voice lacked conviction.

"I'm offering you a choice," I corrected. "Help me willingly, or I'll take what I need by force. Your mind may not survive the latter option."

Holmes paled further. "What exactly do you want to know?"

"Entry points. Guard rotations. Weaknesses in the formation."

He shook his head desperately. "I genuinely don't have that level of detail. Only the eight senior officials have complete access."

I studied him carefully, sensing he was telling the truth. "Then tell me what you do know."

Holmes hesitated before sighing in defeat. "The Scripture Pavilion opens once a year to specially selected students from The Aegis Academy. Top graduates are permitted thirty minutes inside to study a single scroll of their choice."

This was valuable information. "When is the next opening scheduled?"

"Two weeks from now," he replied. "But you'd never pass as a student, and the security will be extraordinary."

A plan was already forming in my mind. "Who selects these students?"

"I do, as part of my new responsibilities," Holmes admitted.

I smiled coldly. "Perfect. Then you're going to help me get inside."

"That's impossible! The students are vetted thoroughly, their identities confirmed through multiple methods including spiritual essence verification."

"I'm not asking to be selected as a student," I clarified. "I need you to create a distraction. Something that will force them to change their security protocols."

Holmes looked confused. "What kind of distraction?"

"Announce that all academy students will attend this year's opening. All of them."

"All—" He gaped at me. "That's over three thousand students! The Guild would never allow it!"

"Make it happen," I insisted. "Tell them it's a new initiative to inspire the younger generation. The Guild can't refuse without revealing the Scripture Pavilion's true purpose."

"And what will you do during this chaos?" Holmes asked suspiciously.

I stood up, having gotten what I needed. "That's not your concern. Just ensure that every student is present two weeks from now."

As I turned to leave, Holmes called after me. "Knight! The new overseer from the Second Mystic Realm arrives tomorrow. Marc Fairlight, son of Luke Fairlight."

I paused at the door. "Is that supposed to mean something to me?"

"It should," Holmes warned. "Marc is a Half-step Martial Sage, and he's bringing three more with him as escorts. He's specifically interested in you."

I filed this information away, nodding once in acknowledgment before departing. Another powerful enemy to deal with, but my focus remained fixed on the Scripture Pavilion. Finding a way to break Isabelle's spirit binding took priority over everything else.

---

Later that afternoon, I entered The Aegis Academy's main training grounds. I needed to gauge the students' capabilities if they were to be part of my plan. As expected, conversations died when I appeared, and students gave me a wide berth.

I was examining a bulletin board of upcoming events when a voice spoke behind me.

"Liam Knight. The man of the hour."

I turned to find two young men watching me. The one who had spoken was tall and well-dressed, with the bearing of nobility. Beside him stood a stockier man with calculating eyes.

"And you are?" I asked coolly.

"Ricardo Beaumont," the tall one introduced himself with a slight bow. "And this is Darnell Bradford. We're senior disciples here."

I regarded them warily. "What do you want?"

Ricardo smiled, seemingly unaffected by my coldness. "To extend an invitation. I'm hosting a banquet tomorrow evening for select academy members. Your presence would be... illuminating for many of my guests."

My first instinct was to refuse, but something about his phrasing caught my attention. "Illuminating how?"

"Let's just say," Darnell interjected, "that many at the academy are curious about your... unconventional methods. Some even admire them."

I studied them carefully. This could be a trap, but it might also be an opportunity to gather more information about the academy's inner workings. Knowledge about the Scripture Pavilion might be among the conversations at such a gathering.

"I'll consider it," I said noncommittally.

"Excellent," Ricardo replied, producing a small invitation card. "The address is included. Eight o'clock sharp. We have much to discuss, particularly about the academy's most restricted areas."

That sealed my decision. "I'll be there."

As they walked away, I contemplated the potential risks and rewards. The banquet would place me among the academy's elite students—those most likely to have insights about the Scripture Pavilion and its security measures.

It was a dangerous move, but with Isabelle's freedom at stake and my borrowed power fading daily, I couldn't afford to ignore any possible advantage.