Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 68: Master

The internal conflict kept Liam awake for the remainder of the night. He felt somewhat tired, especially mentally, but sleep still failed to arrive.

The promotion to inner disciple had yet to settle in, and the whole emotional confusion about the Alchemy Elder didn’t help. Yet, that long day had made sure to add another issue, which Liam didn’t know how to tackle.

On the one hand, Liam trusted his hunter training. He had to avoid unnecessary risks, especially when they lacked a clear purpose.

However, Liam wasn’t just a hunter anymore. He was a cultivator now, and his values had to change accordingly. Clinging to his previous life’s rules risked limiting him, just like it had done against the magical beast.

Before that day, Liam would have exposed his doubts to Lucy, but she had still looked angry at him for some reason, and his status was completely different now.

Becoming an inner disciple had probably been the right choice, but it had also made Liam more alone, with no friends or trustworthy figures to confront himself with.

The insomnia got so bad that Liam actually resorted to getting up and diving into the sea of books and logs that had accompanied him to his new cave, hoping that more training and study would eventually deliver some earned sleep.

The plan succeeded, even too well. Liam had half-wanted to witness his promotion’s announcement, or at least familiarize himself with the new environment while the sun was still up, only for him to lift his head from the book he had fallen asleep onto, check the cave’s candles, and realize that sunset had already arrived.

’Damnit!’ Liam cursed and snapped up, not even wanting to imagine how loudly and for how long the Alchemy Elder would complain if he dared to be late to the private lesson.

However, the hurried departure from the cave featured two unexpected events. The first was the realization that Liam didn’t know the best path to the balcony from that plateau, and the second was that it wasn’t empty.

Unlike the previous night, the plateau featured three people at its center. Liam recognized the Disciplinary Elder and Joel, who were both watching a young woman perform battle stances.

The woman’s appearance was quite odd compared to what Liam had seen in the Sect. Usually, everyone was always clean and well-groomed in public, with Liam being the only exception since he was still getting used to having multiple sets of clean clothes and proper baths.

Instead, the woman was sweaty, and evidently so. A large wet patch expanded on her back, and drops accumulated on her exposed neck and forehead. Her robe was also full of creases, as if she had slept in it.

The blonde hair tied into a simple bun highlighted that disregard for appearances, but the worst offenders were the woman’s resolute green eyes. They seemed to see nothing but her battle stances.

Despite all that, the woman remained quite stunning. She was a proper natural beauty that no amount of sweat or unflattering hairstyles could hide, even earning herself an additional look from Liam, albeit not due to something so superficial.

’She is a foundation expert like me,’ Liam sensed. ’Is the Elder tutoring her personally? Is this one of the benefits inner disciples receive?’

Liam’s arrival didn’t go unnoticed, but he also couldn’t linger in the area any longer since those three figures weren’t the only surprising presences. The Alchemy Elder was standing at the Inner Hall’s edge, clearly waiting for Liam.

So, Liam only performed a bow at the trio before hurrying toward the Inner Hall. The Alchemy Elder turned as soon as he reached him, silently leading him inside the mountain, crossing a wooden corridor, and descending the familiar stone staircase to arrive at the usual balcony.

"We’ll start tonight’s lesson with the alchemical flame," The Alchemy Elder announced, reaching the balcony’s edge to retrieve his cave. "We’ll get back to teaching you how to read after."

Liam knew what that meant, so he went to the pile of logs in the corner to retrieve one, but a doubt assaulted him in the meantime.

"Master," Liam called, stopping in his tracks. "Did you come to pick me up?"

"Why else would I be outside?" The Alchemy Elder promptly snorted, launching the first scolding of the night. "It’s not like you thought about asking for directions beforehand."

Liam had to admit that he had forgotten that part. The issue had dawned on him only after exiting his new cave and realizing that it probably wasn’t ideal to descend back to the Outer Hall to tread the path he knew about.

Still, that additional, or at least apparent, show of care finally sent Liam’s brain into overdrive.

Liam truly wasn’t good with complicated stuff, mostly because he had never had the chance to deal with it in his life. The mountain was far simpler than the human world, preventing him from developing much-needed social skills.

Nevertheless, Liam now had three deep problems afflicting him. He had his new status and its repercussions, Joel’s proposal, and his Master’s confusing behavior to keep in mind, which was too much for him.

"Master," Liam called again, finally exploding. "Can I trust you or not?"

The question came from a mix of mental exhaustion and sheer lack of alternatives. Liam didn’t know how to navigate that complicated stuff, so he asked bluntly, completely disregarding what politeness, decorum, and pleasantries said.

The Alchemy Elder turned at the question, a glare plastered on his face. He looked as angry as when he had discovered Liam’s incomplete reading skills. Still, that feeling was aimed at himself.

Despite not doing it on purpose, Liam’s question had radiated his blinding innocence, completely highlighting how lost and confused he felt. His face also perfectly showcased that troubled state, and the Elder blamed himself once again.

It was the Master’s role to provide guidance, but the Elder’s unclear stance had caused trouble for Liam. That wasn’t exactly the end of the world, but the Elder couldn’t accept such shallowness on his side.

"I may have taken you as my di-!" The Elder began to say before rephrasing. "I may have accepted to be your Master due to my debt to the Sect Leader, but Horace Rauret isn’t so low as to neglect his duties and responsibilities."

"What?" Liam muttered, not getting the Elder’s point. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I’m saying," The Elder uttered, suppressing his angry tone. "I, Horace Rauret, take everything I do seriously and will honor it to the best of my abilities."

"Does this mean that I can trust you?" Liam asked, still confused and hesitant. Those could easily be lies, but he didn’t have much to lose when the Elder already knew two of his main secrets.

"Yes, you dull, illiterate of a disciple!" The Elder shouted, his anger exploding as he slammed his cane on the balcony’s railings. "Speak! Tell me what troubles you!"

That was more of a strict order than an affectionate request, but Liam gave in nonetheless, desperately needing to bring some order to his mind.

"I have been invited to a non-Sect mission," Liam summarized. "The place sounds dangerous but promises rewards. I just don’t know if it’s worth the risk since I have everything I need now."

To the Elder’s reassurance, the issue had nothing to do with his teaching methods. It was a problem about the cultivation world in general. Liam simply needed guidance on how to be a cultivator.

"A dangerous place, you say," The Elder sighed, turning to face the spectacular scenery past the balcony again. "As an Elder, I suggest you avoid unnecessary risks. You are a miraculous talent. You’ll have no shortage of challenges in your life, and the Sect will prepare you for them freely and safely."

That was Liam’s exact conclusion. He wouldn’t have even questioned it if it hadn’t been for Joel’s final words.

"However!" The Elder suddenly shouted. "As your Master, it’s my duty to consider your well-being and only that, disregarding any additional affiliation I might have."

’Is this Master stuff deeper than I thought?’ Liam wondered. He had yet to meet the topic in his reading, so he didn’t know what to think.

"What would Master suggest?" Liam asked.

The Alchemy Elder peeked past his shoulder to look at Liam, his glare chilling but not aimed at him.

"Take everything you can," The Elder responded. "Give nothing back."