Legacy of Hatred

Escaping had always been a gamble where time was of the essence. Delays would only increase the risk of other hindrances popping up, which was why Liam had prioritized sending Grace away.

However, Grace had her own mind, and Liam had already made peace with the fact that he couldn’t stop people from sharing his desire to protect. She had come back to pick him up, knowing he would have needed help, even declaring her stance with a few words.

Honestly, Liam couldn’t have asked for a better partner in life. Grace truly complemented him, and he did the same with her. Individually, they were excellent cultivators, but they were almost unstoppable together.

It wasn’t even just about respective strengths. Liam and Grace knew their weaknesses and filled those gaps, the fact that he was now lying on her back proving that. She had been aware that she had no place in the fight against Jessica, but she had still found a way to help.

It was as if the Heavens themselves had arranged that meeting years ago in the open market, proving that soul mates existed. Now, that very life partner was in danger, and Liam knew his role in all that. Even if it killed him, he would see Grace safe and sound.

Yet, as Liam mustered the little strength and agency the healing pill had restored, Grace’s grasp on his face tightened, sending a silent message. She would take care of that part.

The wall of flames still flickered and hindered the path ahead. There was no using the fan’s true speed, either, since Grace was driving. She just wouldn’t be able to balance herself on it without mental connections, so she resorted to what she knew best.

"Senior Lee, I hope you forgive our poor manners," Grace politely apologized. "We are deeply grateful for your help, but my beloved solved our need for protection, and the current state of the border proves that we have more than repaid our debt."

Lee couldn’t help but look past the couple, at the solitary, man-made mountain with a naked, mangled corpse lying at its peak. He hadn’t seen that battle. He had just gotten there and could hardly believe the absurd claim, but the truth was right in front of his eyes.

However, that was all the more reason to intervene now. Lee looked up at the head on Grace’s shoulder. Liam was obviously out of commission, but his tired gaze was on him, and he felt some danger among that darkness.

Clearly, that was the only time in which Lee could keep Liam under control. If he got any stronger, the battle cages would have no way to shackle such a valuable asset down.

"Ah, but you see," Lee announced. "The border’s forces agreed on the current mobilization on the basis that Master Black Qi would have refilled whatever expense they incurred. Lady Grace, I must at least ask you to stay until that part of the deal is fulfilled. The battle cages would lose face otherwise."

That was both a partial truth and a blatant lie. While the border’s criminal forces were probably trusting that Liam would refill their vaults, the battle cages weren’t an organization that required reputation since it was a branch created to manage that location.

Also, obviously, Lee had no intention of releasing the couple once the vaults were full. He would use that delay to add precautions that would make the idea of escaping impossible.

Grace considered relying on the fake backer, but she didn’t know how much of that lie the border had uncovered in the last seven months. Besides, even if Lee believed her, he might disregard the matter and imprison the couple anyway.

The border was a special location after all. The same environment that had granted the couple some anonymity and safety could also be used to hide any information about their existence. Lee could easily claim that the level four overlord had eaten them if outsiders were to investigate.

"My beloved has forbidden me from using demeaning practices," Grace sighed, "Which only leaves me with one option."

Grace leaned forward to secure Liam on her back better, letting go of his arm to summon an item in her hand. It was a sphere seemingly made of glass, one that both Liam and Lee recognized.

"The Suron’s Humming Orb?" Lee questioned.

The Humming Orb was a peak rank 2 item from the Suron’s family, one valuable enough to be called a treasure no different than Liam’s Black Bow. It was a life-saving tool, one Grace had traded for the remaining two Rainbow Roses and the level three bear’s body parts.

Exchanging rank 3 resources for a rank 2 item usually meant financial loss, but the same theory behind the acquisition of the Qi Repulsion applied there.

Also, there was no way anyone would have sold a rank 3 item, and Liam had already gotten his share of that reward with the dark-purple Cloud Pill, so he had wanted Grace to invest in her safety.

Besides, the Humming Orb had the potential to remain useful at the branching stage. Its function was to turn Qi into defensive shockwaves, which suited the nature of Grace’s core quite perfectly.

"Your knowledge is impressive, Senior Lee," Grace praised. "Are you also aware of its secret function?"

"Detonating the Humming Orb will release the accumulated Qi in one destructive wave," Lee immediately responded, smiling confidently. "Lady Grace, are you threatening me with a suicidal attack?"

"Not quite," Grace replied. "While I have poured my Qi into the Humming Orb for months on end, I’m sure a Senior of your caliber will survive its explosion, while I will die in the blast."

Grace wore a smile, but there was no happiness to be found in it.

"But my beloved might use that chance to escape," Grace continued. "If he does, he’ll one day return and level this backwater place to the ground, killing each and every one of you. This is what I’m threatening you with."

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