Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2562

Andrew shook his head. "Let's just take tomorrow off and wait for the Topsfield family to make the arrangements. Alfredo is a pillar of this nation, a peak figure in all of Etharia. Since we're the ones challenging them on their home turf, it's best if we follow his lead."

Sheena scoffed. "Screw following his lead. I'm going to wreck him; it's that simple. Since we're already going to fight, why should I care about all that?"

Andrew smiled bitterly, "Alright, I guess you've got a point there, Sheena."

Walking into his room, Andrew took a shower. Then, he pulled out that blood-red Blood Pith. It was the crystallized essence of a martial arts master's blood from ancient times, formed through time, nature, and immense pressure.

In today's world, Blood Pith was practically impossible to find except in forgotten battlefields buried by history. It was known as a rare treasure that could greatly enhance one's strength, but like everything powerful, it came with its own dangers.

The Blood Pith contained incredibly violent elements within it. Those who consumed it often lost their sanity on the spot, and some even had their bodies destroyed from within.

Andrew was not reckless enough to consume it just yet. Still, he could not shake the thought that the coming battle at Swordhaven Keep might bring unforeseen dangers.

However, he was not yet strong enough. After all, Alfredo could slay a martial saint with a single swing of his sword, maybe even cripple a martial emperor with a second.

Andrew knew he had to be prepared for anything. He carefully wrapped the Blood Pith and stored it safely away before settling down to wait for morning.

…

The night fell quietly over Swordhaven Keep, its stillness heavy in the air. In one corner of the estate stood a small, humble cabin lit by a soft, flickering lamp.

It was Alfredo's personal quarters, known simply as the Sword House.

Outside the cabin, Jericho approached and called out, "Dad."

A deep, commanding voice answered from within. "Come in."

Alfredo hummed and said indifferently, "They're irrelevant. Don't concern yourself with them. What do you think of Sheena?"

Jericho carefully thought it over before saying, "I don't think I'm her match, Dad."

Alfredo chuckled softly, "Among my seven sons, you've inherited my swordsmanship the best. A true swordsman rarely knows when to retreat, often charging forward blindly, but you… You understand balance. You know when to advance and when to fall back. That alone shows you're destined for greatness."

Jericho was overjoyed. Normally, Alfredo never praised anyone, not even his own children. He was a very cold man.

So hearing it now filled Jericho with joy, and he could not help but open his mouth to say more.

However, before he could speak, Alfredo continued, "Still, even if you achieve greatness, you won't reach even one ten-thousandth of my level. A pity, really. It truly troubles me."