Legacy of Hatred

If the Demoness’ aura hadn’t already made it clear, her stance removed any doubt. That was a threat, a crossroads between life and death.

Liam felt an itch he hadn’t experienced in a long time, but his hand didn’t move. He stared deep into the Demoness’ abyss-like eyes, feeling his very mind shake under the innate frenzy she radiated, but enduring the look nonetheless.

That question shouldn’t exist, let alone be spoken. Criminals did their thing everywhere, especially in an environment like the border, but the Demoness had hinted at something deeper, something blasphemous.

It was an implicit understanding surmised from the more serious atmosphere. The question wasn’t about the Kingdom. It was about the Dragons.

Realistically, the theoretically correct answer was obvious. That mighty leafing expert called herself Demoness after all. Even an idiot could understand on which side she was.

Still, that could also be a trick, a flamboyant inside agent meant to eradicate potential threats. It would even fit with the Heavens’ twisted sense of humor.

The Phoenix and the Qilin had been on the Dragon’s side, but had become Liam’s greatest allies. It would almost be poetic for a daughter of the Ape to end up being Liam’s enemy.

However, Liam wasn’t as good a liar as Grace. He never would be. It was also unclear what anyone could hide from those piercing black eyes, but Liam’s reasoning stopped one step earlier than that.

’Is there any point in trying to lie?’ Liam wondered.

Feasibility aside, Liam had long since crossed a line, both mentally and physically. His introspection and destroying a Guild’s branch had more than pushed him beyond the point of no return.

Cultivators weren’t stupid, either. Lancelot had drawn a lot of attention away, but Liam’s alchemy had been a constant factor throughout his life. Wherever he had gone, he had made his skills famous, creating a thread many would be able to follow back to its source.

The issue never was about picking the right side. It was about providing an answer that matched the Demoness’ intensity, and Liam revealed his goal in a way that kept his greatest secret safe.

"The Dragons ...," Liam declared, "Are my prey."

The world seemed about to explode, but nothing happened. Liam had sensed a wild surge of something, but everything remained still. Even the earthquake quieted down as the Demoness let go of her weapon and stepped toward Liam.

"Boy, the Dragons are no prey," The Demoness warned. "Their skin is impenetrable scales. Their hands are claws that can uproot mountains. They breathe all-melting fire and are immune to every poison under the Heavens."

What most would see as an exaggeration sounded perfectly reasonable to Liam. He spat venom after all. It was obvious that the lineage with the title of "Perfection" had to carry similar features.

If anything, Liam cared more about the implications of that statement.

"Did you fight a Dragon?" Liam asked.

"You are a century too young to fight them," The Demoness scolded, "But they can be fought. They are no prey, but they can fall in battle."

Needless to say, a deafening hiss had long since flooded Liam’s ears, even adding the auditory hallucination to that noise.

"Boy alchemist," The Demoness called, that different nickname suggesting a hint of acknowledgment. "I want to hear your creed."

The question could sound confusing, but Liam understood it for some reason, just like the magical beasts could heed the Demoness’ orders.

"What I kill," Liam declared. "I own."

"Ah!" The Demoness cried, laughing, slamming her hand on Liam’s head. "Not bad! Not bad! I might have given you a child if you were more pleasant to look at!"

The heavy headpat hurt a bit, but nothing earth-shattering unfolded. Liam kept functioning, watching as the Demoness turned away, and he almost hissed when a question escaped his lips.

"What’s yours?" Liam asked, driven by curiosity toward that mighty but kindred soul.

"There’s only one way to live," The Demoness laughed again, lying back on the ground. "They take one hair, you take one hundred scalps. For each insult, a bloodline dies. Make the men watch as you take their women and kill their children. Drown the Heavens with those cursing your face until they fear it themselves."

The Demoness had spoken casually, even resuming her unladylike drinking, but Liam knew that each of her words had been true. He felt it deep inside him. That wild, unhinged stance on life was the Demoness’ core being.

And, while Liam didn’t agree with some points, he couldn’t help but respect that stance. After all, he understood it now.

"Go on," The Demoness said, waving his hand dismissively. "Resume swinging. Ah, but take off your clothes. Her nagging is ruining my drinks."

"Her?" Liam frowned.

"Her," The Demoness responded by pointing her thumb at the wrapped greatsword on her back. "Our tastes couldn’t be more opposite. She tried to get me killed six times already."

After watching the fan basically falling for Grace, Liam had an idea of how far magical items’ personalities could go. His doubt was of a different nature.

’Since it’s a magical weapon,’ Liam thought as he removed his robe, still avoiding looking at the wrapped greatsword, ’I don’t have to ask for money for the performance, right?’

Liam soon exposed his torso, receiving an annoyed groan from the Demoness, which didn’t seem targeted at him. That probably was the result of whatever conversation was happening in her mind.

Still, Liam noticed the look at his right arm as he lifted the silver greatsword, which paid attention to a specific spot. The Demoness had checked his dragon-shaped burn, losing interest soon afterward.

’Does she suspect me?’ Liam wondered as he started swinging, deciding to use a genuine doubt to change the topic. "Demoness, since my use of your technique is different, I’m unsuited for your arts, right?"

"Yes, I’ll just watch you wave that thing around for a while," The Demoness confirmed. "I’m satisfied already."

It seemed that the Demoness had relented on Liam, at least partially, and for good reason.

’I bet she has many arts connected to her technique,’ Liam thought. ’With my Qi having a different reaction, I can’t learn them.’

Part of Liam wanted to see those arts out of pure curiosity, but he was fine with the current outcome. He had learned something worthwhile, and using a greatsword might truly perfect his fighting style even further.

There was only one last problem to address.

"Demoness, what about the rank 3 ingredients?" Liam mentioned.

"You’ll get them when you win some fights with that thing," The Demoness decided, and the negotiations ended.

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