Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 151: Laugh

Liam held back his questions while the trio crossed the grassland past the forest, heading for the four-horsed carriage waiting in the distance.

Nevertheless, that self-restraint didn’t prevent Liam from noticing Maxwell’s actions. The latter had summoned a white jade during the advance, sending Qi into it to activate unclear functions.

The carriage was relatively far, but not for cultivators. The trio reached it in no time, settling in its inscribed insides, each occupying different spots so that they had enough room for themselves.

The ride started moving, and Joel even crossed his legs, but his eyes remained open, throwing a proud nod at Liam before focusing on Maxwell.

"I updated the Sect Leader on the mission’s results and events," Maxwell revealed. "Master wishes me to relay his satisfaction and praises. We’ll have the honor of a direct audience as soon as we return to the Sect."

Liam had never let Maxwell out of his gaze, so he connected white jade to a communication device, and the realizations didn’t end there.

Since Maxwell could, it stood to reason that the other teams could, too. With Mitchell and the Scorching Sun Sect’s foundation expert as witnesses, everyone was bound to learn about what Liam had done.

Liam’s use of poisons, his Master’s identity, and his incredible feat against Cecilia would soon become mainstream news, giving value to Maxwell’s previous words.

Liam’s world would indeed be different by the time he returned to the Sect. Killing Randall and the other foundation experts had achieved that, and his latest deeds were bound to deepen the matter in ways he couldn’t predict.

Truth be told, Liam didn’t want the fake politeness to return, but he would somehow deal with it as long as his greater reputation ensured higher benefits.

"Brother Liam," Maxwell called. "I detailed the extent of your contribution. The Pale Moon Sect owes you a great debt. While I must reaffirm my warning about your greed, the audience with the Sect Leader would be the right time to voice it."

Liam didn’t miss how Maxwell’s way of threatening him had changed. He was still quite austere, but no broken limbs or direct rebukes were mentioned, showing a different stance now that the mission had been a success.

Naturally, the idea of rewards tried to overwhelm Liam’s brain, even devising a list of all the things he wanted to ask and trade. However, the inevitable wait allowed him to use that opportunity to clear some doubts.

"Senior Brother," Liam exclaimed. "How did you convince the other teams to remain at zero points?"

Joel nodded in approval again at the fact that Liam had understood that point on his own, while Maxwell didn’t hesitate to explain himself. It was Maxwell’s duty to educate his Junior, especially someone with such immense potential.

"After Brother Joel and I subdued them," Maxwell calmly replied. "We made a deal. If they declared no accumulated points, they could return to their Sects with their heads on their shoulders."

Joel wore his warrior-like face to echo that threat, but Liam could see beyond its superficial layers, spotting why it had worked. He wouldn’t have been able to pull that off. It had taken someone at Maxwell’s level to terrify the other teams enough to abide by the coercion.

Still, Liam had already accepted that Maxwell was an irregular presence, leading to his following doubt.

"Senior Brother," Liam called. "Won’t the other Sects seek revenge? Will they also send their core disciples next year?"

"They likely will," Maxwell confirmed. "They’ll even call us shameless in the meantime due to my participation. Yet, underestimating the Pale Moon Sect is something they won’t do anymore."

"Nor will they underestimate you, Junior Brother," Joel added, praising. "The alchemical division’s genius who overcame the barrier between cultivation stages. You truly are a force to be reckoned with."

"It was an exemplary service," Maxwell confirmed, "A true legendary feat. Brother Liam, I expect great things from you in the coming years."

Maxwell even wore a rare smile, and Liam noticed how no one asked for details. He had done something unheard of, even considered impossible, but his fellow Brothers didn’t probe about his methods.

"And about Brother Simon," Maxwell mentioned. "Brother Liam, I’ll talk to him, so refrain yourself from doing something that might force me to intervene."

Despite everything, Maxwell had felt the need to make that last, additional threat. Liam’s proclivity to resort to murder was too problematic to be left unchecked, now more than ever.

Liam couldn’t see all the ramifications in Maxwell’s mind, but the key to the matter was clear even to him. Maxwell didn’t want another Randall situation to repeat itself, especially since those involved had far greater value.

Obviously, Liam hadn’t forgotten about that problem. If anything, he understood it better than ever.

Even if Simon failed to become a branching expert, he remained a core disciple. He might not be as strong as Maxwell, but he probably was no Cecilia, either.

So, Liam diverted his gaze in thought. His only real plan about the matter was to become a rooting expert himself, and the problematic picture that followed lowered his head, painting his face with colors Joel couldn’t help but chuckle about.

"Junior Brother sure is getting sharper by the day," Joel teased, closing his eyes at that point, delving into his meditation.

There were still questions about the Rising Waterfall Sect’s jade, but Maxwell also delved into his circulation technique, and Liam didn’t find the matter pressing enough to interrupt him.

The way Liam saw it, the knowledge of that ploy and eventual repercussions were in far better hands now. His role in that matter was over. He had no time to waste on politics when his life already featured many problems far grander than him.

Liam also delved into his circulation technique, wanting to hasten his recovery and focus on the new training he had discovered, and time started flowing quickly.

Except for occasional naps and breaks, Liam did nothing but meditate. Entire hours went by in mere minutes in his perception, and he was ready to spend the rest of the trip like that.

However, compared to the previous trip, Liam was awake far more often, allowing him to notice a detail he had missed the other time.

Three days were a long time for horses. The caravan had to change them at stalls to continue advancing at full speed. One of them happened near Grasspeak, a village that expanded circularly over the grassland.

Liam only peeked at the village after the carriage had resumed galloping, puffing from his pipe while watching that gathering of small houses growing distant.

It was night, but some shouts and laughs still resounded through the silence, probably belonging to the usual drunkards every village had. The scene felt quite nostalgic for Liam, albeit incredibly small.

Living among cultivators for so long had put much into perspective. Liam was beyond mortals now, both in body and mind. He knew those poor houses could be cozy, but they looked too frail for him.

Even the village itself felt tiny, almost inconsequential. A single foundation expert could raid it to the ground with ease. Liam belonged to a much higher world now and failed to relate to that lesser one after everything he had witnessed and done.

Yet, before Liam could realize it, he stood on his feet, peeking half of his body past the inscribed curtains. A hiss even rose through his ears, sharpening his hearing, intensifying a specific laugh that had resounded from the village.

The specific laugh didn’t resound anymore, but Liam knew it was the right one in his very bones, and his body moved on its own, ready to jump out of the carriage.

Nevertheless, something interrupted Liam’s advance. Maxwell had appeared at his side, grabbing his left arm.

"What are you-?" Maxwell asked, but couldn’t finish his question due to the chilling, crazy look that unfolded in his vision. He saw a suicidal determination and sensed an unfathomable pressure expanding in his grasp.

Naturally, Maxwell was far from powerless, but his mind immediately made a calculated decision.

"If you have to kill someone," Maxwell announced, "Don’t let anyone see you or leave anything that might lead to the Pale Moon Sect."

The chilling, crazy glare in Maxwell’s vision didn’t hint at understanding, but he let Liam go anyway, watching as he rushed toward Grasspeak village.

"Senior Brother," Joel called, alerted by the commotion, "Shouldn’t we go after Junior Brother?"

Maxwell glanced at his hand, opening and closing his fingers. They had grown slightly numb under the pressure Liam had exerted, and Maxwell didn’t know whether to feel pleased or worried about the strength his Junior Brother possessed.

"Brother Joel," Maxwell responded. "I’m afraid Brother Liam would have turned on us if we attempted to hinder him in any way."

"Head Disciple?" Joel questioned.

"It is but a village of mortals," Maxwell reassured, drawing the white jade from the space-ring. "If problems do arise, we’ll wipe them out. Preserving Brother Liam’s willing association with the Sect is worth far more."