The day the two-week deadline expired, Liam arrived at a vast clearing inside a leafless forest.

The sun was rising on the horizon, bringing warmth that would melt the snow on the ground and trees, but two places were already without it despite the cold. The clearing featured a large lake, and a small village stood on its shores.

"What village is this?" Liam asked.

"Senior," Old Joe gasped, still hanging from Liam’s grasp. "This should be Dimshore."

Old Joe truly seemed to know everything about the area, even when it came to an inconsequential, hidden village of mortals. Despite his annoying presence, he was making himself useful.

’We haven’t agreed on a meeting spot,’ Liam thought, ’But ...’

The village only had mortals, but Liam focused, and something stood out. It was well hidden, perfectly blending with the area, but a faint, unnatural trait eventually appeared.

Liam headed directly for that spot, not bothering to make ample detours. He knew what he was capable of now. He was too fast for mortals to spot him, even when carrying Old Joe.

The destination was an ordinary patch of trees beside the village, standing right after the clearing’s edge. Still, arriving before it intensified the unnatural sensation Liam perceived, making him drop Old Joe.

’Do I just wait?’ Liam considered. ’I wonder if I can force a formation at my current stage.’

Liam never got to test that idea since the air in front of him twisted, turning into an ethereal canvas from which Grace emerged. She was wearing a simple smile, but her attentive gaze immediately went to Old Joe.

"Fellow Daoist, I was ready to escort you here myself," Grace announced, "But your perception exceeded my expectations."

Grace took a step forward, refocusing on Liam. "I see you have company. I’m afraid that wasn’t the agreement."

"He kept following me," Liam sighed. "I couldn’t leave him for others to find."

"I received news about your rejection of Young Master Isaac," Grace revealed. "I take the blame for not warning you. His approach was predictable. Though I didn’t expect that you would have robbed his Enforcers."

Liam couldn’t help but be surprised, which his hood hid. He could understand Grace knowing about the interaction with Isaac since it had happened inside the market, but not the rest.

"Fellow Daoist, we might not be the Messengers," Grace explained, sensing Liam’s surprise, "But we also trade in information. While intangible, there’s much value in it."

Honestly, Liam should have long since stopped finding that shocking. He had witnessed countless times how quickly information spread in the cultivation world, but he just couldn’t fathom it. Still, he could understand it more clearly now.

That was the advantage of an established network, of the many connections inside the cultivation world, something Liam lacked.

"If I may," Grace said, taking another step forward, "That was a bad move. Most Enforcers are more muscles than brains, but they do handle important tasks, especially the management of the borders between Circles."

Liam had learned about that. It wasn’t relevant now since those borders were too vast to allow any meaningful oversight, but things might change deeper into the Kingdom since they would grow smaller, converging toward the Inner Circles.

Of course, it was too late to do anything about it. Liam even had to prioritize getting enough resources for his impossible cultivation, which was only possible by breaking rules and existing outside established systems.

Besides, Liam’s arrival at the Inner Circles wouldn’t be peaceful. Dragons aside, he had the butchers to kill, which could create a mess no amount of accumulated goodwill with the Enforcement Guild could fix.

"Does this create a problem for our deal?" Liam asked the only thing that mattered to him now.

"No," Grace sighed, "But it does make you riskier as a business partner, but that’s for later to discuss."

Grace looked at Old Joe again, continuing. "However, wouldn’t it have been easier to dispose of him? He did see my warehouse’s location, too."

Old Joe had long since gotten to his knees, not daring to utter a sound. He had no place in a conversation between rooting experts, but that veiled threat brought his pleading gaze to Liam.

"I understand him," Liam admitted. "I’m sorry. I didn’t want to kill him, but I shouldn’t have made him your problem."

Liam couldn’t have been more honest. He didn’t know what to do with Old Joe except drag him around, but he hadn’t considered the damage it would have brought to Grace.

Still, Grace was the most surprised of them all there. Despite the cloak, something blinding hit her eyes, making them go wide, even tugging at her heartstrings.

Liam’s innocence, what was left of it, was a weapon too powerful for a hood to hide, even succeeding at startling Grace. After years in the field, her heart should only have room for cold financial machinations, but a faint, irrational urge to help Liam did rise through her.

Grace quickly rationalized everything. Just like Isaac’s ploy, helping Liam could create a favor that would work toward making them business partners, so she acted upon it.

"I can help," Grace cleared her throat, "If you still wish him to leave you alone while remaining hidden."

"How?" Liam questioned.

"Old Joe," Grace declared, advancing again, this time stopping before the kneeling foundation expert. "A lone cultivator who survived for an entire decade, getting away with minor but several criminal acts. There’s a lot of unpolished potential."

"Senior, I’m not worthy!" Old Joe bowed to the ground. "But my life belongs to Senior!"

"Fellow Daoist?" Grace called, glancing at Liam.

"He can’t be with me," Liam declared. "He just can’t, but I’d rather not leave him for the Enforcement Guild to find."

"Don’t worry," Grace reassured. "A good merchant can find value in anything and anyone. However, do see this as additional proof of my goodwill."

"Chief Grace, thank you," Liam genuinely said, even cupping his fist.

Grace had to look away to avoid getting blinded by Liam once more, but didn’t forget to settle the matter. "Old Joe, you work for me now, so stay here. Fellow Daoist, if you would follow me."

Old Joe remained on his knees while Grace led Liam inside the formation. The ethereal canvas reappeared at their passage, and the area transformed once they crossed it.

A small clearing appeared, this time evidently artificial. No snow, grass, or trees existed, creating a square, barren area with a wooden trapdoor at its center.

The place reminded Liam of the Divine Cult’s training ground, and descending through the trapdoor highlighted more similarities. A perfectly smooth stone staircase led the two underground, ending in a giant, equally smooth hall illuminated by red braziers.

The hall was far from empty. Dozens of wooden boxes, tall pouches, and all kinds of flasks filled it, neatly arranged into piles that hid the place’s true size.

Also, simple marks stood on each container, probably belonging to the merchants on Grace’s payroll.

"Fellow Daoist," Grace announced, joining her hands on her waist. "It’s your turn now."