The inn's small dining hall was quiet when Liam Ardent sat down with Lilith Stormbane and Rowena Sterling, steaming bowls of rice and vegetables laid neatly before them. The sunlight glanced over Rowena's hair as she smiled sweetly. "Liam, breakfast is ready."
Lilith carried the last dish, a plate of stir-fried river fish, and set it down. "Eat before it gets cold."
Lucas Rowan had entered behind them with Master Elias Rowan, but his eyes wandered — lingering far too long on both Lilith and Rowena. His breath caught briefly as he stared, almost forgetting himself.
Lilith's expression turned sharp at once. She glared at him like a serpent noticing prey. "What are you staring at? Another look and I'll pluck your eyes out."
Lucas flinched, face coloring with embarrassment. He immediately looked down and said nothing. Rowena frowned slightly, subtly shifting closer to Liam.
A flicker of cold murderous intent passed through Liam's eyes. Lucas Rowan, he thought darkly, if I heal you, you had best crawl back to Wudang with your head lowered. Stare at my women again, and I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life as a eunuch. The thought passed in a flash, and he resumed eating as if nothing had happened.
Master Elias Rowan maintained a calm demeanor, giving Lucas a quiet reprimanding glance before addressing Liam. "Young Master Liam, once more—I wish to entrust my grandson's condition to you. If you succeed, I owe you a debt of honor."
Liam set down his cup. "As I said, I don't care for debts. I prefer repayment upfront." He leaned back. "I've heard Wudang's Scripture Library rivals even Shaolin for its collection of martial classics. If you allow me to browse your library for a single day—it will suffice."
Elias Rowan's brows creased, though his voice remained level. "That request is not small. Wudang's inner manuals are not lightly revealed to outsiders."
Liam's tone was even. "Then I'll take my leave, and Lucas can continue counting down his final days."
Lucas stiffened. "You—!"
Elias Rowan raised one hand. "Enough, Lucas."
Lucas bit his tongue, watching as Liam casually took another bite of fish with no urgency.
After a long pause, Elias Rowan nodded in solemn resignation. "Very well. One day in the Scripture Hall. Beyond that, no more."
Liam gave a curt nod. "Done."
Lucas rounded on the old master almost in protest—but Elias Rowan silenced him with a look. "Our lives must sometimes bow to necessity."
Lilith smirked faintly. "That's settled."
After breakfast, Lucas and Elias Rowan returned once more to the treatment chamber. Liam dismissed Lilith and Rowena toward their rooms. As the two women stepped away, Lucas's gaze lingered again—but the weight of Liam's silent glare smothered any further offense.
Inside the quiet room, Liam flicked his sleeves and golden needles shimmered between his fingers. Before Lucas could fully protest, Liam struck several major points across his torso, sealing off the cold poison's flow. Lucas's eyes widened with shock at the sudden warmth trickling through his meridians, as if ice that had encased him for months was finally cracking slightly.
Liam stood calmly as cold white vapor hissed from the tips of the needles. "That should stabilize you for several days, but don't think you're cured. I'm only blocking the meridians to buy time."
Lucas gasped once, color returning to his cheeks. "I… I feel lighter."
Elias Rowan tested the boy's pulse and felt the poison greatly weakened. His chest loosened in gratitude. "This alone would take immense skill. If you can truly remove it entirely… Wudang will be in your debt for generations."
Liam said nothing for a moment, then spoke flatly, "I don't heal for praise. Prepare to travel. We leave for Wudang at noon."
Elias Rowan bowed slightly. "Then we will ready the horses."
Lucas looked conflicted, rubbing his wrist where the needle had pricked him. He looked at Liam, embarrassment warring with grudging respect. "…Thank you."
Liam did not respond.
A Decision for the Road
In the corridor, Lilith and Rowena waited for his return. Rowena asked softly, "Will the boy live?"
"For now," Liam answered. "I'll need Wudang resources to cleanse it completely. I'll travel with Elias Rowan alone. You and Lilith will return to Serpent Isle for the time being—it's too inconvenient to bring you into Wudang territory."
Rowena's expression fell a little. "Must we part ways?"
Liam stroked her hair gently. "Only for a short while. I'll call for you soon."
Lilith clicked her tongue. "Sending us away so you can flirt with Wudang disciples? Or is Lucas not enough trouble for you already?" She folded her arms with a scowl—but beneath it, her eyes glimmered with a rare softness. "Fine. But if you're gone too long, I'll come find you myself."
Liam smirked. "If I dawdle, you have my permission to drag me back."
Lilith's lips curved slightly. Rowena gave a quiet nod of obedience.
As noon approached, Elias Rowan secured a carriage for Lucas, who was still weakened. The old master made the arrangements swiftly. Liam watched in silence, arms folded, eyes half-lidded but watchful.
Marcus Ashford had already departed the day before, riding north to report to the Ming Cult. The inn now felt strangely quiet.
Lucas Rowan, seated inside the carriage, looked at Liam for a long time. "If you betray Wudang's trust… I'll never forgive you."
Liam gave him a thin smile. "Let me heal you first. Then you can decide whether to hate me or honor me."
Lucas turned his face away with a huff—but the poison had eased, and his heartbeat felt steady for the first time in months. The youth clung fiercely to that sensation, mixed with a fear he would never voice aloud.
Elias Rowan mounted his horse, staff secured at his back. "Young Master Liam. We are ready."
Liam took one last look at Lilith and Rowena, who stood together in the inn courtyard, watching him. Lilith gave a lazy wave; Rowena clasped her hands in front of her chest.
"I will return soon," he said. They both nodded, hiding their worry beneath smiles.
Then Liam turned and mounted his own dark stallion. With a jerk of the reins, the horse moved forward.
The trio set out eastward toward the sacred heights of Wudang, where the Scripture Library awaited—and perhaps, new levels of power.
The cold wind rose behind them, scattering leaves across the courtyard where two women watched until the riders vanished beyond the gates.
Glossary – Chapter 28
Serpent Isle – Island home of Lilith Stormbane (daughter of the Serpent Queen). A secluded stronghold in the martial world, known for poison arts and trapping techniques.
Wudang Scripture Hall – The inner library of the Wudang Sect (Rowan Clan), housing martial manuals and cultivation classics. Rarely open to outsiders.
Cold Poison (Lucas Rowan) – A lethal yin-based toxin that freezes internal organs and gradually kills the victim. Only advanced internal energy techniques or high-level medical arts can expel it completely.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
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T/N :
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