Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 96: Punishment

Joel didn’t talk anymore after learning about the presence of something potentially stronger than a level two magical beast in the ruins. Even a rooting expert like him would hesitate against such a threat, putting him in a pensive mood.

Liam shared that pensive stance for different reasons, and Melissa never really spoke much, so the trio completed the rest of their journey in silence, returning to the Sect when morning had fully arrived.

Due to the Pale Moon Sect’s layout, the trio had to climb through the areas assigned to outer disciples and approach the Halls on the other side of the mountain to reach the second plateau.

The Sect’s peak activity was in the morning, so many eyes fell on the trio, most focusing on Liam and Melissa. Their shabby, injured state inevitably claimed the bystanders’ attention, and Melissa’s clingy stance also fueled all kinds of murmurs.

Still, that state and stance also served to keep pleasantries away. The disciples bowed at the trio’s passage, but no one tried to start conversations, allowing for a quick and uneventful climb to the Inner Hall.

However, a hindrance appeared there. The Disciplinary Elder stood on the Inner Hall’s stairs, seemingly waiting for the trio, his muscular arms crossed and his expression sterner than anything Liam had ever seen.

The tension in the air reminded Liam of his experience with the snake, almost confirming that magical beast’s superior level. Still, the situation featured a different set of challenges, which Liam didn’t know how much he had to tackle.

Non-Sect missions weren’t forbidden, but Liam had still killed Randall, a fellow disciple, which was a crime. He wasn’t even sure what his actions against the Crimson Warrior Sect meant for the Pale Moon Sect, but he followed Joel’s advice there, avoiding talking at all.

"We greet the Disciplinary Elder!" Joel announced, cupping his fist, prompting Melissa to climb down Liam’s back so that they could do the same.

"Disciple Joel," The Disciplinary Elder called, his tone as stern as his face. "Explain this."

"Yes, Disciplinary Elder!" Joel exclaimed. "I requested my Junior Brother and Sister’s help for a personal matter, to which they have succeeded."

The Disciplinary Elder’s black eyes saw more than the average cultivator. He also knew about Joel’s situation, and the Qi radiating from his pouches told quite the complete story.

That wasn’t the end. The Elder couldn’t sense Melissa’s pill or Liam’s Demonic Art. Yet, the magical weapon in Liam’s robe stood out, and the Elder knew he didn’t have one before leaving.

Nevertheless, despite placing no restrictions on independent missions, the Sect did track who left its perimeter, especially when it came to promising disciples, and one was missing among that group.

"Where is Disciple Randall?" The Disciplinary Elder asked.

"Junior Brother Randall died during the mission," Joel revealed, not giving additional details. "I’ll take full responsibility and share a complete report."

The atmosphere immediately grew tenser, almost suffocating. The Disciplinary Elder’s expression didn’t change, but his mood clearly did.

"Three months of mandatory seclusion to reflect on your actions," The Elder declared, "And you will complete Sect-assigned missions for the remainder of the year to compensate for the damage you have inflicted on our ranks."

"Thank you, Disciplinary Elder!" Joel shouted, reaffirming his bow.

"Disciple Melissa, Disciple Liam," The Disciplinary Elder continued. "One month of mandatory seclusion for failing to protect your fellow Brother."

"Thank you, Disciplinary Elder," Liam and Melissa said simultaneously. Liam didn’t really know what he had to be grateful for, but Joel’s example had been easy to follow.

"To your caves now!" The Disciplinary Elder ordered. "Disciple Melissa, I’ll escort you to yours."

Clearly, Melissa’s injured state hadn’t escaped the Elder’s sharp gaze, but she interrupted her limping toward him when she recalled something. She suddenly turned toward Liam, performing a deep bow that took everyone by surprise.

Liam didn’t think much about the event and simply bowed back, but the Elder threw an inquisitive look at Joel, at which he could only show helplessness.

"Since Disciple Liam enjoys his fellow Sisters more than cultivating," The Disciplinary Elder exclaimed, "He’ll also spend three months in mandatory seclusion."

’What?’ Liam wondered, confused, exchanging a look with Melissa, only for her to lower her eyes in what looked like vague embarrassment.

Nevertheless, the Elder didn’t give anyone time to argue, reiterating his order. "To your caves! Now!"

Joel threw a meaningful look at Liam, and the two departed afterward. Meanwhile, Melissa remained by the Elder’s side, who kept glaring at the distancing disciples, ensuring they kept feeling his pressure.

The second plateau had people Liam didn’t recognize, but the powerful glare on his back forced him to split with Joel and hurry toward his cave, quickly sealing himself inside it.

’I’m back,’ Liam sighed internally as soon as the entrance closed, even sliding over it until his butt touched the floor.

Some exhaustion finally caught up with Liam in that relaxing environment. He needed a bath and proper sleep, but the realizations achieved during the return kept echoing in his mind, hinting at a better use of his time.

Liam might have overcome his past cowardice, but that would remain meaningless as long as his weakness and helplessness existed, and his cave had the solution for them.

The piles of books could increase Liam’s knowledge, and the logs could improve his mastery over the alchemical flame. He also had his Master and his new findings to probe.

Liam had all the tools at his disposal to avoid being powerless again, or at least make it as unlikely as possible, so he couldn’t find the will to stand still, no matter how tired he was.

’The sooner I master the alchemical flame,’ Liam thought, hurrying toward the praying mat while removing the tome and wooden knife from his robe, ’The sooner I can move to concoctions.’

Liam put the items down and moved to the candles nearby, already preparing his pipe with some of his leftover poisonous powder.

’The sooner I read everything there is to know about the cultivation world,’ Liam calculated, lighting up the pipe and breathing in its dark smoke, ’The sooner I can stop being clueless and start using its rules to my advantage.’

Smoking immediately brought a wave of vitality inside Liam, pushing away some of his tiredness. Still, he didn’t hesitate to refill the pipe’s bowl, wanting all the energy he could get his hands on to implement that reaffirmed resolve right away.

’What should I start with?’ Liam wondered. ’Logs? Primal Urge? Magical weapon? General knowledge? Lists of ingredients?’

It was almost jarring how driven Liam was to delve into matters he had previously found utterly boring. Before that mission, he had seen them as a mere means to an end, a necessary step to arrive at exciting benefits, but not anymore.

Still, Liam had more than a newfound, genuine desire to study. He breathed in the dark smoke again, savoring it before exhaling it, only for an unexpected shyness to mix with his excitement.

’What did the Elder mean?’ Liam pondered, putting down the pipe to look at his hands. He even glanced at his back, noticing something now that it was missing.

Liam was clueless, but not blind. His inexperience prevented him from making certain connections, but he saw and sensed everything, and something felt impossible to forget that day.

’Are all women that soft?’ Liam thought, not really knowing what he was feeling or why his brain kept replaying the sensations experienced carrying Melissa so vividly.

Yet, Liam promptly shook his head, partially failing to clear his mind, but still managing to refocus on his main issue.

’I’ll start with the magical weapon since I got one,’ Liam decided, his gaze browsing over the piles of books. ’Now, which one of these covers the binding process?’