Legacy of Hatred

Liam usually took no time to pick up on that stuff. He actually never really needed to think it through since he would just notice it as if it were normal, but he had excuses on his side.

It had been over three years since Liam had left Krosstoen village, and Adrian had changed a lot. That beard of his was new and served as a mask for his now grown-up face. He was also bald for some reason, which had completely thrown Liam off.

Honestly, that bald head was harder to explain than Adrian’s white robes. His debt with the Church had only been about one year of service, but Liam could accept that he had kept working for it. He didn’t like that, but it was believable.

There was also the chance that something might have happened, compelling Adrian to continue serving the Church. Still, that was a talk for later. Now, Liam mostly considered how he could be in the northern region, and found only one explanation.

’The Deacon knew a lot about me,’ Liam thought. ’Did he come thinking it was me?’

That could have been a fortuitous encounter, too, but the world was too big for such a coincidence.

In the meantime, Adrian also inspected Liam, the fear on his face slowly receding, eventually making room for an expression that showed timid, dumbfounded recognition.

"Liam?" Adrian asked, his voice exactly how Liam recalled it. "Liam the monkey-boy?"

Liam stored the greatsword at that point. Even the fan disappeared in his ring. Now that Adrian had recognized him, it was time to ask the truly important questions.

"Why are you bald?!" Liam gasped.

"I shave!" Adrian scoffed. "And since when do you comb your hair?"

Liam blinked, picking up one of the black strands on his shoulders. He was donning a simple half-up, half-down hairstyle, the one Grace had taught him. She honestly still did it for him most times. Actually, she never let him appear in public unless she did.

"And why are you wearing clean clothes?" Adrian continued, bewildered, sitting up.

Liam looked down at himself. He was wearing a simple black robe, loose on the sleeves. It wasn’t anything fancy. Naturally, that was also Grace’s handiwork.

"You don’t even smell like a monkey anymore!" Adrian exclaimed.

Liam was almost about to claim ownership of that. He did clean himself often because of alchemy, after all. Yet, the joint baths had also become a normal occurrence. Grace had actually purchased a magical item to make them possible everywhere and anytime.

’I’m completely trapped,’ Liam acknowledged. ’And I just noticed. She’d make a fine hunter.’

Liam briefly considered teaching Grace how to hunt, only for an annoying thought to get in the way. He didn’t really like the idea of anyone but himself being her prey. The world could face the merchant, but the huntress was just for him.

Still, the banter removed any doubt. That was definitely Adrian, and, despite all the issues that reunion could stem from and cause, Liam was happy it had happened. He had missed his friend.

"You even know how to smile now," Adrian commented at the genuine, bright expression that broadened in his vision.

Liam was about to reach the same conclusion as the past three statements, but Adrian diverted his gaze at that point. Liam’s genuine smile was a shocking sight, but it was out of place among corpses.

’Right,’ Liam realized what was happening.

Killing had become a normal occurrence for Liam. It was actually his preferred and main solution to problems. However, the truth had been very different back in the village. He hadn’t even told Adrian that he had killed Crazy Uncle.

Adrian had even warned Liam about the dangers of pursuing revenge, and that probably looked on point now. Some of the corpses might have also been friends he had made along the way.

Of course, Liam only saw enemies. He didn’t feel bad. The thought didn’t even cross his mind, but he honestly didn’t know how to approach the situation.

Adrian came from a world that Liam had long since left behind. It was a life so distant and different that Liam could hardly reconcile it with his current mindset.

If that led to Adrian’s disgust, Liam would accept it while still protecting him. That was similar to what he had decided for Melissa. However, since Adrian was a foundation expert now, Liam did hope he would understand him.

Nevertheless, before the chance to talk could come, Liam’s eyes lit up, and his smile grew even brighter as he looked at the sky.

Adrian only caught up with the event when a suffocating presence descended upon the area, also drawing his gaze to the sky.

There was a beautiful woman in her twenties walking in the air. Her steps were weightless and elegant. Her brown hair was unbound, but that added to the purity she radiated.

Most importantly, the woman felt ethereal, as if her existence was thinner than air. Yet, that didn’t make her weak. The opposite. She looked like the embodiment of pristine, powerful energy.

Truth be told, Adrian was ready to fall in love at first sight. Each cultivation stage elevated cultivators in body and existence, making them superior beings in all their aspects, and the woman was a branching expert. In his eyes, her beauty was simply otherworldly.

Yet, Adrian shuddered before any feelings could spark. For some reason, the woman was now glaring at him, her green eyes piercing his very soul and preventing him from breathing.

Luckily, Adrian had an ally there. He was actually the only other person there.

"He’s a friend from my village," Liam explained, and the pressure vanished. Adrian could breathe again, as well as notice that the woman was no longer in the sky. She was now standing beside Liam, cupping her fist and bowing her head with utmost politeness.

"It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Grace greeted. "I’m Grace, Liam’s Dao partner. If you are unfamiliar with the term, you can think of me as his wife."

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