Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 56: Friend

Liam’s decision promised to put an end to that incredibly long, complicated day. He only had to wait for the Elder to retrieve the actual martial arts before being free to return to his cave.

However, when Liam reached his cave with the small wooden container safely in his hands, he found a familiar figure sitting before its entrance, telling him that his day wasn’t over yet.

"Lucy," Liam called, forgetting about the Sect’s honorifics due to all the mental burden that day had provided.

"May we talk?" Lucy asked, her tone timid but pleading as she stood up.

Truth be told, Liam was beyond confused. He was still absorbing that day’s revolutionary and heartbreaking discoveries, so he had no idea how to face or approach Lucy.

Yet, Liam wasn’t good with that complicated stuff, and the only one he knew who could help him sort through that mess of thoughts was Lucy herself, making him desire to have that confrontation.

"Come in," Liam nodded, retrieving the square tablet from his dirty, torn robe to open the cave.

Liam avoided Lucy’s gaze, but she noticed the wooden box in his hands, prompting her to ask a question that she hoped could ease that strange mood. "Did you receive your martial arts?"

"I shouldn’t tell you," Liam responded, entering the cave. "Right?"

That answer was enough to tell Lucy that Liam was still angry at her. However, she steeled her resolve and entered the cave anyway, watching as Liam closed it.

"I’m truly sorry about today," Lucy exclaimed while Liam delved deeper into the cave to place the box down. "I should have told you earlier, even with Erik present."

Realistically, Lucy had nothing to be sorry about. Similar ploys were the accepted norm among cultivators, and she also had the Elders’ authority to respect.

However, that whole friendship was about being outside the norms of the cultivation world. Liam had also saved Lucy, creating a debt she felt she had to answer for.

Then, there was that other thing, but Lucy wouldn’t dare to mention it.

"That wasn’t it," Liam sighed, still showing his back to Lucy. "I was mad you protected me. I was mad at myself for hiding behind you. I was mad I let it happen."

Lucy recalled what Liam had said down in the hole, but had the time to accept its stupidity now.

Despite being close in age, Lucy still had a whole year of training as a cultivator over Liam. He was the Junior Brother in need of protection.

Of course, the cultivation world didn’t really follow those rules. Seniors were usually more important than their Juniors due to the resources invested in them. Liam’s talent simply made him an exception.

Still, instead of scolding Liam, Lucy finally realized that he had to carry some trauma on the matter, prompting apologies. "I’m sorry. I didn’t think ... I’m sorry."

Liam’s current cool-headedness made him feel bad about Lucy’s apologies. He knew she hadn’t done anything wrong. That was his problem, his responsibility to handle.

"How are your injuries?" Liam asked, peeking past his shoulder to look at Lucy.

"The magical beast just scratched me," Lucy reassured, smiling, before spotting some visible bandages. "How are yours instead?"

"The Disciplinary Elder patched me up," Liam revealed, inspecting his bandaged left palm. "I’ll be fine."

Liam turned but didn’t say anything, and the same went for Lucy, creating an awkward silence she soon felt compelled to break.

"Elder June gave me a garden," Lucy exclaimed. "She was angry at me for telling you about it, but she gave it to me anyway."

Liam smiled happily, but lowered his gaze just as quickly. He had many great things he could tell Lucy, but he had promised himself to stop being naive, so he kept his mouth shut.

A wave of sadness washed over Lucy at that sight. Liam couldn’t hide his emotions well, but that day’s events had begun to turn him into a real cultivator. Lucy was glad about that, but also a bit bitter.

"You have been great against the magical beast," Lucy praised, deciding to change the topic and, hopefully, mood. "Who taught you to fight like that?"

"Someone bad," Liam vaguely revealed, shattering Lucy’s hopes to improve his mood. Still, Liam didn’t stop there now, letting his thoughts flow out.

"And," Liam continued, "I don’t know if I should be bad, too, or if I already am. Cy-. Someone said that I should try to be happy, but that sounds harder and harder to do."

Unlike Liam, Lucy’s social skills weren’t bad at all. She understood that Liam was trying to clear his mind without revealing secrets, so she gave him all the time he needed.

"This cultivation stuff is complicated," Liam stated, "And I’m not good with complicated stuff. I like you. I care about you, but maybe it’s safer if I remain alone so that you won’t get hurt."

Liam was obviously talking about his bloodline, but Lucy connected that speech to that day’s events. Also, something else stood out among those words.

"You like me?" Lucy repeated, hoping that the warmth on her cheeks didn’t translate into a blush.

"Of course," Liam exclaimed, spreading his arms and looking directly at Lucy. "You are the first friend I made after becoming a cultivator. I want to protect you, but staying away seems the best way to do it."

Lucy’s hopes were shattered once more when she heard the word "friend". She felt annoyed, and her tone reflected that. "So, you want to protect me, but you also want to stay away from me?"

"See?" Liam exclaimed, completely oblivious to Lucy’s anger. "I have no idea what to do with you."

"And what do you expect me to do?" Lucy snorted. "Wait until you get smart enough to understand it?"

"Wait for what?" Liam frowned, losing Lucy at that question.

"You?!" Lucy cursed. "Hasn’t anyone taught you not to toy with a maiden’s heart?"

"I did?" Liam wondered, even more confused. "With who?"

Liam knew those words involved romance, but his inexperienced mind was so far removed from that topic that he didn’t even conceive that he was right at its center.

"I will see myself out now!" Lucy snorted again, turning toward the entrance, only for it to remain closed.

"Are you angry?" Liam questioned, utterly lost.

"Liam!" Lucy angrily called. "Door!"

Liam could only comply, approaching the entrance and opening it with the square tablet. Lucy didn’t hesitate to cross it as soon as it began to move, but her angry escape only lasted a few steps.

"Liam, the cultivation journey is indeed lonely," Lucy announced, showing her back to Liam. "Cultivators spend most of their lives in seclusion or looking for resources."

Liam had proper examples of that. He had gone a whole week isolated in his cave to learn something as basic as the circulation technique. Also, if it weren’t for his talent, he would have had to compete for missions just to get the opportunity to learn how to feed his core.

"Lone cultivators have it worse," Lucy continued. "However, even in good Sects like this one, you have seen how everyone is always looking out for themselves."

Liam had examples of that, too. He had been completely lost before finding the Sect, and joining it had solved some issues while adding many others. He also had an idea of what a bad Sect could be, thanks to the Divine Cult.

"However," Lucy added, "Once you are strong, you can be bad, and no one would dare to call you out. If you are strong, you can have dear ones, and no one would dare to harm them."

Lucy turned toward Liam, showing a smile to say her final point. "So, Liam, become strong. You’ll be able to decide whether to be bad, alone, or care for others without worrying at that point."

The smile and profound speech stunned Liam, and Lucy used that opportunity to hurry away, climbing the path before he could call her back in the discussion.

Still, some regret filled Lucy during her hurried escape. Unlike Liam, she knew what those words would cause and what it would mean for her.

Liam was already stronger than Lucy, and his knowledge would eventually catch up with hers. He also worked hard, which perfectly matched his incredible talent.

At some point, Liam would reach heights that Lucy could never dream about. He would become unreachable for her, and she couldn’t bring herself to become his anchor.

After all, that wasn’t what friends did.

’Friend?!’ Lucy suddenly cursed in her mind, recalling the discussion. She had done her part, so she could allow herself to be pissed at Liam again.

Lucy could allow herself that much while Liam was still in her reach and life.