Legacy of Hatred

Liam hated his own powerlessness in the situation, but he also trusted Grace. As much as he didn’t like to leave her to her own devices, publicly contradicting her would only ruin her strategy.

Besides, Grace was respecting Liam’s wishes, as well as buying time. That might attract more dangers, but it would also allow the healing pill to restore more strength.

As for Lee, he didn’t know what to make of the situation, especially since he was still absorbing the impossible feat Liam seemed to have accomplished.

Still, showing hesitation was the first mistake in negotiations, so Lee threw an instinctive reply. "You are bluffing."

"Senior," Grace called, her smile growing bright, "My beloved would kill the world for me."

Lee had to hold back from blinking. Despite the tense stalemate and the threat’s nature, Grace had cheered up speaking such words, even blushing slightly, as if nothing could make her happier.

Being happy that Liam would kill so much for Grace definitely fell in the twisted category. Still, Lee had undeniable proof that the couple was crazy, and that even without including Jessica.

The couple’s moves in Mairis had been bold, to say the least. The same went for their actions in the Rainbow Roses’ mission, and eventually the Guild’s branch’s destruction. Those two were definitely mental, reckless enough to unleash a suicidal attack just to get one of them out.

Even if the plan failed and Lee managed to secure Liam, there was no telling whether he could use him without Grace, especially if she died. Liam might very well decide to tamper with his concoctions to kill as many people as possible before the battle cages were forced to put him down.

The only path to victory was to capture Grace alive and use her to blackmail Liam, but Lee had to admit that the plan was uncertain. He wasn’t sure he could do that if she detonated the Humming Orb.

Honestly, Lee wasn’t even convinced he should attempt to imprison the couple now that the situation had degenerated so much. Yet, for the same reason, pulling back at that point would hurt his reputation.

Besides, nothing said that the couple wouldn’t just come back for revenge anyway. They were a loose end Lee preferred to remove if he couldn’t own it.

Then, without any warning, the world became white.

Liam couldn’t follow the development. The Primal Urge’s backlash kept the torturous hyper-clarity active, but all he could capture was the blinding light that had filled the world.

A deafening thunder greeted Liam when his perception began to recover. He found himself on the ground, white patches receding in his vision, slowly updating him on the new state of the world.

The wall of flames was no more. Lee was also nowhere to be seen, a vast, charred hole having replaced his previous location. Liam couldn’t even sense his suffocating presence anymore.

Grace was lying against Liam, shaking her head in confusion, busy recovering from the shock. The fan was also there, whining in the air.

Lastly, a frenzied boundlessness permeated the world, screaming in anger, worsening the mess in Liam’s mind.

The fan heard that Liam had recovered and went under his armpit, helping him up while he did the same with Grace. She had also retrieved her bearings by then, but still couldn’t make sense of the development, and it didn’t help that a figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

The figure belonged to a burly woman in her forties with long, unruly black hair, a sleeveless robe, and a huge greatsword wrapped in inscribed cloth peeking from her back.

That was Grace’s first time seeing that leafing expert with her own eyes, but it was impossible to confuse her after hearing Liam’s descriptions.

"That was a good fight!" The Demoness grinned. "A damn good fight!"

The Demoness’ loud, ecstatic voice didn’t help with the poor state of Liam’s mind, but he didn’t forget to express his gratitude.

"Demoness, thank you for killing Senior Lee," Liam said, lowering his head, only for his balance to risk crumbling. Luckily, Grace was there to support him.

"Was that his name?" The Demoness wondered but quickly lost interest, focusing instead on the woman supporting Liam. "You are even prettier up close."

Liam had warned Grace about that quirk, too, but she didn’t forget herself. Even in front of a leafing expert, her merchant’s mask wouldn’t falter.

"Senior Demoness, it’s an honor to finally meet you," Grace cupped her fist, not bowing to keep supporting Liam. "I’m Grace, Master Liam’s Dao partner."

"So poised," The Demoness smirked lecherously. "Shouldn’t you show me some gratitude for saving you? As that boy’s Master, what’s his is mine."

"Not my Master," Liam immediately intervened, wrapping his arm around Grace’s shoulders to pull her closer. "And Grace is only mine."

"Boy, don’t interrupt me while I’m flirting with your woman," The Demoness scoffed.

Nothing in Grace’s experience could have prepared her for that situation, and she didn’t even know what shocked her the most. Liam and a literal leafing expert were bantering as if they were old friends. A branching expert had just died on the spot, and Grace was somehow caught between the Demoness’ desire and Liam’s declaration.

Still, as a merchant worthy of that name, Grace immediately recovered, clearing her throat and suppressing the fuzzy feeling that was painting a smile on her flushed cheeks.

"My dear," Grace called, peeking at the feral face above her, "I appreciate the romance, but I must address Senior Demoness properly."

Grace didn’t wait for Liam’s reply, instead cupping her fist at the Demoness again. "Senior Demoness, this Junior is unworthy of your interest, nor is she in any position to accept it, for I belong to Master Liam in body and soul."

"Ohh?" The Demoness scowled despite looking a bit pleased. "Are you sure a pretty thing like you isn’t wasted on such an inexperienced boy?"

"I’m certain," Grace promptly replied. "Master Liam is the one who gave my life value. He is the only one I love and my reason to live. Without him, I’d be so worthless I’d choose death."

Liam didn’t like that last part one bit, especially because he believed Grace had been honest. Even without him, Grace still had her mission, but her priorities seemed to have shifted sometime in the last period.

"Also," Grace continued. "Master Liam isn’t the least bit inexperienced at pleasuring me. If I could be so bold, I would like to ask Senior Demoness for pointers on how to please him back properly."

As impossible feats went, Grace took the crown that day since the Demoness remained speechless. The latter even glanced at Liam, her gaze carrying an interest that sent a chill down his back.

"Not bad," The Demoness nodded, seemingly to herself. "No wonder you threatened me over her."

Grace shot a glare at Liam at that revelation, putting him on the spot. Somehow, he now felt like the bad guy.

’I will never understand women,’ Liam cursed internally.

"I grant you my approval," The Demoness eventually said, waving her hand dismissively. "Go on. Cause some mess elsewhere. I’ll be in touch when I feel like it."

The Demoness half-turned, only to stop in her tracks.

"Right," The Demoness exclaimed. "Least I forget."

A series of wooden containers appeared on the ground at the wave of the Demoness’ hand. There were only a handful of them, and their fabric hid their contents even in terms of Qi signature, but Liam immediately understood what they were.

The Demoness had come through on her side of the deal.

Liam stored the containers, but something else appeared in their place. The item was as tall as him, dark, and even chunkier than his previous one. It was a greatsword, or at least a huge slab of metal shaped like one.

"This was made from a rank 3 mineral," The Demoness explained. "See it as a reward for your fight. Use it to keep your pretty thing safe until she changes her mind about me."

Liam ignored that last part and just stared at the hulking item. It was clearly an upgrade to his previous greatsword, but it honestly looked too big and heavy even for him.

’Does she keep a collection of greatswords?’ Liam wondered as he put away his new weapon. ’Did she get it specifically for me?’

"Oh, one last thing," The Demoness muttered, seemingly having just recalled something, only for Liam to suddenly experience some pressure on his right shoulder, as well as a clear whisper in his ear.

"Don’t go hissing around so loudly," The Demoness’ voice resounded, even if her figure had disappeared. "Get to my level and propagate your lineage before telling the Heavens that you have returned."

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