Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 163: Metal Hand

The old Liam would have failed to notice many of the situation’s details, but the humiliation ritual Maxwell had performed with the neighboring Sects added valuable examples to his now-broader knowledge.

The Alchemy Elder might have used his status as an excuse, but his first demand saw the probable Sect behind the collusion against Liam to sponsor his growth.

There was some hilarity to that outcome, but Liam didn’t laugh. He couldn’t even try that in the face of the red Sect Leader, but his mind churned realizations nonetheless.

Maxwell’s superior strength had enabled him to employ the humiliation ritual, but things were different now, albeit only slightly.

The Alchemy Elder felt far smaller than the red Sect Leader, but the former possessed a kind of strength unique to him. He was a peerless alchemist, wielding methods only he could control.

In the same way, the red Sect Leader had a weakness that the Alchemy Elder had been able to target. For all his superior power, he had the Crimson Warrior Sect to look out for, enabling the blackmail.

’Do cultivators at such high levels really need Sects?’ Liam wondered. ’Is my Master even greater than I thought? Is there something else I can’t see?’

Truth be told, Liam’s opinion of the Alchemy Elder was already sky-high. The more he learned about alchemy, the deeper he respected his Master. Liam also felt nothing but unwavering trust toward him at that point.

After all, such was the nature of the Master-disciple relationship.

Nevertheless, there could be something else to the event, which Liam promised himself to question later.

"That’s only fair," The Sect Leader agreed, crossing his burly arms behind his exposed back. "Master Horace, I understand that your disciple’s core is connected to alchemical fields, so the Crimson Warrior Sect will provide a satisfactory amount of ingredients."

"My disciple has a poison core with an affinity so incredible even I was left speechless," The Elder declared. "He also possesses the so-called perfect nine spiritual roots. Factor both in what you consider to be a satisfactory amount." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The Scorching Sun Sect’s foundation expert had seen Liam use poison, and Mitchell had even watched him smoke. Many had to have guessed the nature of Liam’s core already, but the Alchemy Elder had declared it properly now, and he knew why.

By announcing Liam’s incredible affinity for poison and reaffirming his miraculous talent, the Alchemy Elder had stressed how many resources his cultivation needed. That blackmail had to be satisfactory for Liam specifically, not ordinary foundation experts.

"I’m certain the Crimson Warrior Sect will more than meet your expectations," The Sect Leader reassured. "Is that all?"

Realistically, Liam believed that to be already a lot. After all, his Master’s claim was quite bogus. He was basically adding insult to an injury Liam had inflicted when killing Cecilia, breaking two glass shards, and stealing people’s belongings.

However, it soon turned out that Liam wasn’t the only one cursed with greed.

"You can’t expect the great Horace Rauret’s disciple to be poorly equipped once he reaches the rooting stage," The Elder announced. "The Crimson Warrior Sect showed how ready my disciple must be to face the world’s dangers."

In a different situation, Liam would have tilted his head in confusion. Still, he was forcing himself to suppress any reaction and let his Master handle everything, no matter how shameless he sounded.

"I shall show leniency," The Elder continued. "One rank 2 martial art will suffice."

The Sect Leader’s smile grew even stiffer, but his words still managed to sound polite. "Does your disciple have some preference on the art’s orientation?"

Liam’s eyes went wide. He hadn’t expected to be involved at all, and things worsened when his Master nudged him with his elbow, prompting him to give some input.

Luckily, the hood hid the panic on Liam’s face while his brain worked overtime to think of something. His demands to the Pale Moon Sect had already covered the weaknesses he needed to solve, so he went for something else now.

"Offensive martial art," Liam whispered, recalling something Neil had possessed. "Something involving fingers."

"Offensive-oriented," The Elder echoed in a far louder tone. "My disciple broke many fingers to kill your disciple, so the Crimson Warrior Sect should prevent that from happening again."

The Sect Leader didn’t move. His figure didn’t even flicker, but Liam could swear it had changed position, and that wasn’t the end. Something had appeared in his hands, which he didn’t hesitate to throw at the Alchemy Elder.

The Elder grabbed the book mid-air and handed it to Liam. The latter wanted to read it right away, but even he knew better, so he simply stored it under his cloak.

"That shall be all," The Elder declared. "I, Horace Rauret, consider the insult repaid!"

The Elder immediately turned to leave, forcing Liam to do the same, only for a predictable, deep, heavy voice to resound.

"Master Horace," The red Sect Leader called. "Your end of the deal."

"I haven’t forgotten," The Elder stated, peeking behind his shoulder. "Once my disciple and I return safely to the Pale Moon Sect and I confirm that your ingredients are satisfactory, I will deliver the method to undo my creation."

The Elder didn’t wait for the Sect Leader’s reply and resumed the hurried departure. Liam could only follow along, and the two soon climbed out of the canyon, walking instead of running once they returned on the surface.

The carriage was in sight, but Liam could hardly focus on it. His excitement was bursting now, and the same went for his disbelief. He couldn’t believe he had actually gotten something out of that whole situation, reinforcing a notion that had manifested earlier.

Clearly, killing wasn’t the only way to deal with problems. Even in the face of overwhelming superior strength, there were ways to tackle impossible odds and come out victorious.

Liam had just seen how peerless alchemical expertise could make a Sect Leader powerless, and his mindset expanded once again.

’Strength can come in many forms,’ Liam accepted, ’And I can seize this one.’

Nevertheless, despite the event carrying a profound lesson, Liam’s more material excitement eventually made him retrieve his newly obtained tome, starting to browse through it even before reaching the carriage.

’Metal Hand,’ Liam read, ’Rank 2 offensive martial art ...’