Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 95: Desire

After Cecilia’s departure, Liam, Melissa, and Joel followed suit, crossing the snowy and barren plain to reenter the leafless forest to head back to the Pale Moon Sect.

Needless to say, that return was silent. Much had happened underground, and Liam and Melissa’s appearance vouched for what they had gone through. They had to be tired, and Joel didn’t want to bother them with conversations after they had done him such a huge favor.

Yet, the sight of Melissa clinging tightly to Liam’s back kept claiming Joel’s gaze, and he couldn’t just stay silent when he knew that Liam didn’t understand social repercussions.

After all, Joel had just declared himself Liam’s friend, and educating him on those social environments was something a friend should do, especially when he had seen how incompetent he was at those.

"Junior Brother, forgive this personal question," Joel eventually probed. "You haven’t spent much time around people growing up, have you?"

That was the only guess Joel could come up with. He couldn’t believe that Liam was stupid. His few interactions with him had proven otherwise, meaning that his inability to understand basic social matters had to stem from inexperience.

Of course, more direct questions could have provided clearer answers, but Joel didn’t want to be impolite or overstep on Liam’s eventual boundaries.

Liam grew wary. His problematic bloodline made his upbringing a touchy topic since it could lead back to Krosstoen village. He was even too clueless to know which words might hint at that, so he opted for a direct refusal.

"Please, Senior Brother, don’t ask," Liam responded.

Melissa obviously caught on that. Liam had used those same words with her after showing his connection to the Divine Cult, so she diverted her gaze to avoid giving Joel any clue.

As for Joel, he couldn’t possibly understand how serious Liam’s secrets were, but didn’t really care. His goal had been to confirm his guess, which Liam’s reaction pretty much did.

"I apologize," Joel smiled. "I only wanted to understand my new friend better. Now I know why everyone has the wrong idea about you."

’Should I have stayed silent?’ Liam wondered, wary about what Joel might have understood, only for reassuring words to follow.

"Junior Brother should spend some time in the Scripture Hall," Joel suggested. "I know you mean well, but it’s risky to speak as you do. Cultivators will misunderstand on purpose and use it against you."

’Oh,’ Liam exclaimed in his mind, realizing what Joel was talking about, obviously agreeing with him.

The small tournament had been quite a glaring example of Liam’s social inexperience, and the last interaction with Cecilia had hinted at something similar.

Liam was learning, but the whole pleasantries and face still escaped his mind. He understood reputation in the general sense but didn’t know how to apply it to ordinary conversations.

"I’m sure you’ll learn soon enough," Joel promptly reassured. "In the meantime, I suggest you let your Brothers and Sisters handle the talks. Mainly, I advise against telling a rooting expert that you killed her Junior Brothers."

Liam frowned at that last point, not knowing how much he should agree with it.

Revealing those murderous deeds had actually been a planned move that abided by the Alchemy Elder’s teachings. Liam had wanted to declare that he wasn’t to be messed with, as his Master had told him to do.

Yet, Liam realized that there could be better ways to do that, especially better words. He had even seen Joel do that. He simply didn’t know how to do that on his own.

’Why is this complicated stuff so important among cultivators?’ Liam cursed in his mind. He believed he had done the right thing, but he also realized he had made an enemy out of the Crimson Warrior Sect, which might have been avoided if he had done something as basic as lying.

’But,’ Liam considered, ’If I lied, people wouldn’t have known not to mess with me.’

Joel almost heaved an entertained chuckle at the evident smoke coming out of Liam’s head, but still decided to give him a break by switching topics.

"On another note," Joel announced. "Junior Brother, after witnessing your drawing skills, I must ask you to draw a map of the ruins for me, too."

Liam connected some mental dots. Joel probably wanted the map to plan an individual exploration, which made him hesitate a bit.

"I can, but ..." Liam muttered. "Senior Brother, are we friends now?"

The question almost blinded Joel with the innocence it exuded, forcing an instinctive answer out of him. "Of course. I gave you my word."

"Then," Liam continued. "I suggest Senior Brother doesn’t explore the ruins. There’s a magical beast that feels as strong as the Elders down there."

Joel’s eyes went wide and searched for Melissa’s face, only for her to nod.

"How did you escape it?" Joel gasped.

Liam didn’t reply. The answer probably was with his bloodline, and his wary silence prompted Melissa to describe the event with the only fitting word.

"Luck," Melissa said, forcing herself not to stammer.

And Liam couldn’t help but agree, lowering his head in thought. He had given his all, but the mission should have still claimed his life. It hadn’t done so due to a series of lucky coincidences, which he wasn’t proud of.

Actually, Liam found it quite unacceptable.

Luck was part of life, but relying on it wasn’t an option. Even newbie hunters knew that, and Liam could also find problems in his specific case.

First of all, Liam couldn’t rely on his forbidden bloodline so openly. Many would fail to consider its existence. The conversation with Lucy had proven how unbelievable that legendary feat was, but it would become undeniable if he kept leaving clues.

Liam didn’t even know how many people could conceive that possibility, but chances were their numbers would increase as he started to interact with more knowledgeable and experienced cultivators.

Also, there was an issue with the bloodline’s sheer unreliability. After all, the snake had no issue attacking Liam before smelling him. He could have easily died before the magical beast learned about his heritage.

Moreover, where the snake had reacted in fear, other animals might experience greed, especially magical beasts that possessed traces of intelligence.

Ultimately, the event proved that Liam reeked of his bloodline. If animals could smell it on him, some cultivators might, too, and the son of the Dragon of Perfection could be among them.

Still, and most importantly of all, the near-death experience served as an eye-opener. Liam had witnessed his fair share of terrible experiences, but the mission became emblematic of the dangers of the cultivation world.

The Divine Cult and Dragon King were obvious but distant threats. They were almost theoretical from the safety of the Pale Moon Sect.

Yet, Liam now had undeniable proof that danger could be behind any corner, and there was no avoiding it. The location didn’t matter. Death could come at any moment to a cultivator, and without any warning.

That more vivid proof fueled Liam’s already firm resolve to pursue strength, giving it a clearer direction. He had done well for his short time in the cultivation world, but could do better, and far better at that.

And that wasn’t only necessary for Liam’s survival. The woman on his back highlighted another goal. Liam might have avoided the whole near-death experience if he had forsaken Melissa, but that wasn’t the kind of life he wanted to lead.

’Strength to survive,’ Liam thought, ignoring the receding environment in his vision. ’Strength to avenge. Strength to protect. Even more of that to do all this together and live the way I want.’

And Liam knew where to find that strength. Alchemy was the key to unlock the full potential of his cultivation journey, and, for the first time in his life, his fingers itched to get back to studying, not out of childish eagerness, but out of proper desire.