Qiao Mei explained everything to Liam carefully, making sure she didn't miss a single detail. She treated him like a beginner, going step by step through the process.
Little did she know that Liam already knew about everything she was teaching, and his understanding of cultivation was even deeper than hers. Still, he stayed quiet and listened to avoid suspicion, nodding now and then to appear attentive.
When she finished, Qiao Mei watched him begin his training. She was amazed at how easily he completed pushups, planks, and other exercises without taking a break. Liam's strength and stamina seemed to grow quickly, leaving her in shock. She couldn't believe how far ahead he already was.
After receiving his reward for his completion of the daily quest, Liam didn't go back to his room. Instead, he spent the whole day with the boulders. Carefully, he trained with the first and second boulders, using them to slowly build his inner strength. He was ambitious and not arrogant—he understood his current limits and didn't dare to attempt lifting the third boulder yet.
A few minutes later, when it was already dark, Liam came back to his room, his eyes looking like they might fall off. His clothes were soaked in sweat, and the smell was unbearable. Without wasting any time, he rushed into the bathroom.
The sticky feeling on his skin made him feel even more uncomfortable. He turned on the water and splashed water on his face, trying to calm down. The cool water felt good, but he could still feel the weight of the day on him. All he wanted right now was a long sleep.
In the bedroom, his gaze stopped on the bed. It was calling for him. The pillow was fluffy, the blanket looked cozy, and the sheets were feeling comfortable.
He jumped into the bed and called it a night.
.
.
.
In the thick darkness, three shadows emerged, barely visible but completely shrouded in black.
"Did you complete the assignment?" the first shadow asked, his voice low and commanding.
"Yes, boss," the second replied, a hint of pride in his tone. "In the next ten minutes, every guard in the vicinity will fall unconscious for thirty minutes. When they wake up, they won't remember a thing—it'll be as if nothing ever happened."
The first shadow nodded slowly, a sinister satisfaction radiating from his stillness. "Good. No mistakes this time."
"There won't be," the second assured.
"What about you, Shadow Three?" the first shadow asked, his tone expectant.
"Boss," the third shadow began, his voice steady but cautious. "I kept an eye on her the whole time. I watched her every move and made sure she returned to her room after spending the day watching that bastard train nonstop."
The first shadow paused, processing the report. His gaze shifted slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. "Good," he said at last, his voice cold and calculated. "Make sure she stays under your watch and alert us the moment you notice any strange movements. We can't afford any surprises, especially from the heartless queen."
"Understood, boss," Shadow Three replied obediently.
Within seconds, Shadow One and Shadow Two melted into the darkness, their movements silent, vanishing into the night without a trace.
The faint rustle of their departure faded quickly, leaving Shadow Three behind. Standing motionless, he blended into the dark, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings and most importantly one particular area. His mission was clear—stay behind and keep watch, ensuring nothing slipped past their control.
Their target was Liam. As they neared his room, there were no obstacles in their way—every guard was on the ground, snoring loudly, completely oblivious to their presence.
They reached Liam's room and tried to open the door, but it was locked from the inside. Luckily they were prepared for any situation, one of the shadows silently produced a thin tool from his pocket, expertly working the lock.
"Quick," the first shadow whispered, his voice barely audible.
It took only thirty seconds to unlock the door. Silently, they went inside.
The room was dimly lit by the faint moonlight filtering through the window. Liam lay on the bed, his body motionless, deep in sleep.
Shadow One pulled out a shining dagger, its blade catching the faint light from the window. Shadow Two stood by the door, his eyes scanning for any signs of trouble.
Quietly, Shadow One moved to the side of the bed. He raised the dagger high, aiming for Liam's neck. But as he brought the blade down, something strange happened.
The dagger froze in mid-air, just inches from Liam's neck. No matter how hard Shadow One tried to push it down, it wouldn't move. It was as if an invisible force was holding it back.
"What's going on?" Shadow One whispered, his voice filled with confusion.
"Why are you hesitating?" Shadow Two hissed from the door.
"I'm not! It's stuck!" Shadow One said, his hands shaking as he struggled against the unseen force.
"Boss will not be happy if we delay any longer," Shadow Two muttered.
Suddenly, the dagger disappeared, the faint shimmering light dissolving into nothing.
Shadow One stared at his empty hand, stunned. He didn't know what had happened. It was impossible for the dagger to just vanish without a reason.
He looked around the room, searching for an explanation. Nothing. The room was quiet and still, just like before.
"Something is wrong here!" his lips trembling.
"What are you waiting for? Finish him!" Shadow Two commanded impatiently.
Shadow One shook his head and reached for another dagger, this one a little larger and heavier than the first. But as he raised the blade, an invisible force threw him across the room.
"Damn!" Shadow Two exclaimed as he ran towards his comrade.