Rise of The Abandoned Husband (Liam Knight) novel Chapter 155

155 Chapter 155 – Borrowed Power, Feigned Mercy

My fist connected with Killian’s chest like a meteor striking earth. The shockwave rippled through the air, and the golden energy of the Saintly Body Skill flared around my knuckles before dispersing in an explosive wave. Killian’s eyes widened in disbelief as he flew backward, his body crashing through the brick wall behind him.

“Impossible,” he gasped, blood spraying from his mouth as he struggled to rise from the debris. “How can an Inner Strength Master possess such power?”

I advanced toward him, the golden aura of the Saintly Body Skill illuminating the alley with an ethereal glow. Every step felt like I was moving through molasses–the technique was draining my energy at an alarming rate, but I couldn’t let Killian see my

weakness.

“You made a critical mistake,” I said, my voice steady despite the fire burning through my muscles. “You assumed you knew everything about me.”

Killian’s eyes narrowed as he observed the golden light flickering around my body. A flash of recognition crossed his face.

“The Saintly Body Skill,” he murmured. “But that’s a high–level technique. Where did someone like you—”

I cut him off with another punch that sent him skidding across the ground. Not giving him time to recover, I unleashed a barrage of strikes, each one precise and devastating. The onlookers gasped as Killian, a feared Grandmaster, was being overwhelmed by someone they’d considered as good as dead minutes ago.

“You talk too much,” I said between punches.

Killian managed to block my next strike, his arms trembling from the effort. “I see through your trick now,” he said, a cruel smile forming on his bloodied lips. “This technique… it can only last for a short duration. You’re burning through your energy reserves at an unsustainable rate.”

I didn’t respond. He was right, of course. The Saintly Body Skill was already reac its limit. I could feel my energy being consumed like kindling in a wildfire. Killian’s confidence began returning. “All I need to do is outlast you. Once your

g

155 Chapter 155–Borrowed Power, Foigned Mercy

technique fades, you’ll be defenseless.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small jade bottle.

“What’s that?” Killian asked, wariness creeping into his voice.

“Another thing you didn’t account for,” I replied, popping the bottle open and downing two small red pills. “I’m not just a cultivator. I’m an alchemist.”

The effect was almost immediate. The energy pills–ones I had crafted specifically for emergency situations–flooded my system with revitalizing power. The golden aura around me intensified, and Killian’s face paled.

“Impossible,” he muttered. “No pill can restore energy that quickly!”

I smiled grimly. “These are Spirit Restoration Pills of my own creation. The Celestial Apothecary Guild would pay a fortune for this formula.”

It was partly a bluff. The pills would give me a temporary boost, but nowhere near enough to fully restore my depleted reserves. Still, Killian didn’t need to know that.

I attacked again, driving Killian back with renewed vigor. Each punch carried the concentrated force of my borrowed power. I could see panic beginning to form in his eyes as he realized he might actually lose this fight.

“Who are you?” he demanded, desperation edging into his voice.

“My name is Liam Knight,” I said, focusing my remaining energy. “Remember it in your nightmares.”

The golden light around my body began to dim–a warning sign that the Saintly Body Skill was reaching its absolute limit. I had perhaps thirty seconds before it dissipated completely. I needed to end this now.

Gathering every shred of energy I had left, I channeled it into my right fist. The golden light condensed, growing brighter and more concentrated until it resembled a

miniature sun.

“Holy Fist!” I roared, driving my glowing fist directly toward Killian’s chest.

He tried to dodge, but the attack was too swift, too powerful. My fist connected with devastating force, and the concentrated energy exploded outward. Killian’s body flew across the market square, crashing through several stalls before coming to rest in a

155 Chapter 155–Borrowed Power, Felgned Mercy

broken heap.

The golden aura around me flickered and began to fade. I approached Killian cautiously, keenly aware that my power was draining with each passing second.

Killian lay on his back, blood streaming from multiple wounds. His chest rose and fell in shallow, ragged breaths.

“Finish it,” he wheezed. “That’s… what you came to do.”

I stood over him, keeping my expression neutral despite the agony tearing through every fiber of my being. The Saintly Body Skill’s side effects were beginning to manifest -my muscles were seizing, and my internal organs felt like they were on fire.

“Please,” Killian begged, his previous arrogance replaced by naked fear. “I have… something valuable. Spare me, and it’s yours.”

“What could you possibly offer me?” I asked, fighting to keep my voice steady.

Killian’s trembling hand reached into his robe, pulling out a small wooden box. “A rare… herb. Ganoderma Lucidum… five hundred years old. Worth… a fortune to an alchemist.”

I recognized the name immediately. Ganoderma Lucidum of that age was indeed incredibly valuable–a key ingredient in numerous high–level pills.

“How do I know you’re not lying?” I demanded.

“Check… yourself,” he gasped.

I opened the box carefully, inspecting the red mushroom–like herb inside. It was genuine–and extremely rare.

I closed the box, appearing to consider his offer while desperately trying to hide how quickly my strength was fading. The golden light had dimmed to barely a flicker.

“Deliver it to me personally at the Golden Leaf Hotel tomorrow at noon,” I finally said. “And spread the word about what happened here today. Let everyone know what happens when someone crosses Liam Knight.”

Relief washed over Killian’s face. “You’re… sparing me?”

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