Legacy of Hatred

The gears in Liam’s brain instantly switched. He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t need to.

Sure, the couple had discussed the topic at length in the past half a year. Liam also trusted Grace completely, but something else had joined that feeling in the last month.

Liam had a hard time fighting his reservations toward training with the greatsword, mostly because he liked it. That hulking tool truly suited him perfectly, being the natural partner of his immense physical strength.

That had almost urged Liam to stop training out of fear of betraying his Master’s teachings, only for enlightenment to descend upon him. It had arrived randomly. He had been reviewing battle applications of the Demoness’ unique technique when that understanding had hit him.

Of course, those events never happened in a vacuum. Talking with Grace, studying the Demoness’ behavior, reviewing the inheritance, and pondering the issue had prepared Liam’s brain for that conclusion, which had been transformative in its reassurance.

Liam was an alchemist, and not in terms of professions. His new way of tackling life made that a description of his very being rather than a mere skill or a piece of his arsenal.

It was the complete immersion Liam’s Master had told him about, the reason why he had been able to rework the Demoness’ technique on the spot. It showed in the way Liam approached and overcame every problem, down to how he viewed himself.

Alchemy wasn’t just about sitting behind a cauldron. Horace Rauret’s suggestions had often involved practices beyond that training, and Liam now understood that they weren’t only about teaching him more about life so that his concoctions would reflect his maturity.

If that had been the case, Horace would have ordered Liam to drop the bow or stop attending combat lessons altogether so that he could have devoted his entire life to the alchemical process.

Instead, the truth had been simpler, as well as deeper. The devotion, the complete immersion Horace had spoken about, wasn’t something as basic as doing actions connected to alchemy. It was a mental stance that would affect even something as minute as breathing.

No matter what Liam did, as long as he pursued it through the mindset of an alchemist, he would walk the path of alchemy. That was the road to excellence, to the level of greatness his Master had ordered him to surpass, and he could get there even while swinging a sword.

Because of that very enlightening understanding, Liam had newfound respect for Grace’s skills as a merchant.

Grace was like Liam, just on a different path. The way she treated herself as a currency betrayed her excellence, meaning he could trust her judgment even if the equation didn’t include affection, the time spent together, and the miracles she had pulled off.

As for the next step, that was up to Liam.

Grace was better with people and social endeavors, but matters of killing were Liam’s job to handle, and escaping would likely involve a lot of that. He spoke from experience.

Liam let go of Grace, and she spread her legs to release his waist. Despite both disliking that interruption, they had their priorities straight, and they had even rehearsed their options multiple times.

Grace adjusted her robe while Liam went straight for the cave’s exit, opening it, but waiting by its edge. His polished, superhuman senses absorbed everything they could, but he couldn’t feel anything odd. Even if something was happening, that underground maze hid it well.

Still, Liam hadn’t bet on his senses there. He was waiting for something, which didn’t take long to arrive.

In a few minutes, a beautiful figure made her way through the corridor to approach the entrance. She was one of the foundation experts who escorted Liam around, the opening of the cave having summoned her.

"Master Black Qi," The woman greeted politely, her head lowered. "How can I be of assistance?"

"Come inside," Liam ordered, stepping aside.

Liam smelled something akin to concern in the young woman’s body language. She didn’t actually do anything, but he saw a faint tremor, a suppressed gulp, and even vague redness on her lowered face as she crossed the cave’s edge.

That was one of the roles Lee had appointed those foundation experts to. If Liam wanted to use them as sexual relief, they had to spread their legs. Actually, Lee would be ecstatic about the news because it would mean some traps were finally working.

Still, footsteps that didn’t belong to the shirtless man at the foundation expert’s side resounded as soon as the entrance closed and attracted her gaze. The young woman lifted her head, only to find Grace staring at her through a smiling yet threatening face.

Of course, the sexual favors applied to Grace, too, even in the instance the couple wanted the foundation expert together, but that threatening face said otherwise.

"Junior, I suggest you stop blushing," Grace warned. "I’m not in my most merciful mood."

"We know something is happening," Liam intervened before Grace’s crankiness could become dangerous, his serious mood playing perfectly into her threat.

The young woman timidly tilted her head to glance at Liam, but soon lowered it, addressing the scary couple as politely as possible. "Master, Lady Grace, this Junior doesn’t know what you are talking about."

Liam’s senses could work as lie detectors, now more than ever. He smelled something off, and exchanging a look with Grace confirmed it. She didn’t actually say or emote anything, but he could read entire conversations in her green eyes.

"This," Liam said, summoning a flask with a pale-red liquid, "Is the complete antidote. Once you take it, you’ll be cured and free to escape."

Naturally, the young woman was among the many foundation experts Liam had poisoned with the Qilin’s Idea. That poison had also been among the things he had improved the most during the imprisonment. Having test subjects had enabled as much.

The Qilin’s Idea wasn’t just deadlier now. Liam had stabilized it so that its effects wouldn’t randomly flare before the deadline. It simply wasn’t productive to have those who drank it lose chunks of their flesh day by day.

Most importantly, Liam had improved the antidote, actually splitting it into two. He had one that would cure the infection altogether, while the other merely suppressed the symptoms.

Like that, Liam could avoid wasting money on producing the Qilin’s Idea every week. He only needed to infect someone once, and they would be at his mercy until he gave them the complete cure.

The incomplete cure was also quite cheap, its main ingredient being Liam’s blood. Both versions relied on it, but the complete one had a bigger, more expensive recipe.

The young woman didn’t need additional explanations at the sight of the flask. She hadn’t experienced symptoms in months, but she still felt the infection inside her, as if a substance ready to stir into action had settled inside her body.

The experience was actually quite distressing. Living with that thing all the time was a constant reminder of the predicament. The young woman was basically a slave with multiple masters at that point, but one of them was offering her freedom.

Of course, the other master was Lee, a branching expert who had let some of the young woman’s companions die to confirm the validity of Liam’s poison. If she had to decide based on fear, she would side with the stronger cultivator.

However, Liam had learned a thing or two about threatening people.

"There are many more we can ask," Liam explained, "And having your corpse lying on the floor would help convince them."

The young woman wanted to look up but couldn’t since a big hand fell on her head, its fingers applying a dangerous pressure. Liam was ready to strike. He would give the foundation expert a chance to explain what he had smelled, but only one.

Lee was indeed scarier overall, but the young woman was staring death in the eyes now. Her loyalty would have no reward she could appreciate. Instead, betrayal might give her a chance to live.

"This Junior doesn’t know much," The young woman exclaimed, her voice almost a whisper, "But major forces of the border have planned a joint assault on the righteous powers for months."

"When?" Grace was the one to ask the follow-up question.

"This Junior isn’t sure," The young woman stated, trying to lower her head even further, only for Liam’s hand to keep it still. "But Senior Lee left with many Seniors and fighters from the cages right after today’s battles."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!