Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 112: Head Disciple

Two weeks went by in a blink. The unique situation had even spared Liam from the mandatory combat lessons, so he had spent all that time in his cave, completely absorbed in the endless game that was alchemy.

Truth be told, Liam would have completely missed the deadline, but a reminder had eventually resounded from outside his cave, forcing him to drop everything and start his final preparations.

Then, close to an hour later, Liam left his cave, the hot summer night welcoming him alongside a familiar, friendly face.

"Junior Brother," Joel greeted, a confident smile on his sharp face. "I had hoped it would have been under better circumstances, but I’m glad we got to team up again."

Joel’s attire complemented his statement. His disciplinary committee’s tablet was nowhere to be found, and a pouch hung from his back. His expression had also gained stern, warrior-like tones, confirming his participation in the mission.

That was welcome news. Liam didn’t know other rooting experts, and for good reason. A cultivator’s main duty was to cultivate, which involved long periods of seclusion that had become the norm for Liam, too.

Liam could even guess how higher cultivation stages demanded even longer seclusions, which was why he hadn’t met anyone during the combat lessons.

So, despite understanding that Joel’s presence wasn’t random when there were more inner and core disciples to choose from, Liam still rejoiced at the sight of his only friend at that level.

"Senior Brother!" Liam exclaimed, bowing, his weak, tired tone failing to convey his happiness. "I’m sorry you had join the mission because of me."

Liam’s awareness of those politics took Joel aback. That obviously was the truth. The Sect had appointed Joel to the mission due to his friendship with Liam, but that wasn’t all bad.

"Junior Brother, you have nothing to apologize for," Joel reassured, helping Liam straighten. "The Mutated Battlefield is dangerous, but the opportunity to represent the Sect in it is a great privilege."

Liam didn’t know about privilege, especially when the very man who had warned him about depending too much on the Sect used that word, but his knowledge couldn’t help him there. He had been too busy concocting to study anything about the mission.

The hunch was correct. Joel had merely resorted to pleasantries, but noticing Liam’s pale complexion, dark eye bags, and heavy eyelids told him the reason for that confusion.

"Junior Brother, did you get the chance to learn about the Mutated Battlefield?" Joel probed.

"There’s the three-day trip in the carriage," Liam mentioned. "I plan to study there."

Joel didn’t know whether to praise Liam’s dedication or be concerned. Theoretically, a mission’s specifics decided the kind of preparations it demanded, so Liam might regret not having studied earlier.

However, Joel couldn’t question Liam’s survival skills after he had escaped a place with a level three magical beast. His reckless, clearly extreme approach was probably a planned move, which Joel could only support.

"Be sure to voice any doubt you might have during the trip," Joel said. "We must all be on the same page to ensure the mission’s success and your survival."

Liam didn’t know what pages had to do with anything, but was too tired to try to make a connection. If anything, Joel confirmed that protecting Liam was one of the team’s priorities, which his presence in the mission had already hinted at.

Naturally, Liam didn’t like that. It was fair for the Sect to work on protecting him after putting him in that mess, but the topic remained tricky for him.

Still, another issue took priority over that now. Joel was only one of the two rooting experts the team was supposed to have, and Liam couldn’t see or sense anyone else.

"Our teammate is already waiting on the gathering point," Joel revealed at Liam’s evident search for that third figure. "I’m afraid we must travel a bit to get there."

Liam simply nodded, and the two departed, following Joel through a path he had never trodden to the other side of the mountain before descending toward its base.

The forest around the Three Peaks was in full bloom now. Its trees were leafless no more, featuring vast green crowns that split the ground from the sky, but Joel and Liam quickly reached its western boundary.

A flourishing grassland expanded there, showing occasional trees in the distance, and other mountains further back. Still, a beaten path stretched far closer than those landmarks, as well as the four-horsed carriage waiting there.

But there was someone else first. A broad-shouldered man with long and tidy black hair had been waiting outside the forest, his arms crossed behind his back, which he showed to the two newcomers.

The man’s pale grey robe stated his membership in the Pale Moon Sect, but Liam also sensed something else. Joel had gotten stronger, but that figure far surpassed him, his mere presence adding a strange heaviness to the air.

’Peak rooting stage?’ Liam wondered, calculations happening in his mind as he kept following Joel, imitating his bow once the two reached that turned figure.

"Head Disciple," Joel called, that title making Liam lift his head in time to watch the broad-shouldered man turn.

The young man had a square jaw and calm blue eyes. His slightly detached face radiated dignity and nobility that never touched on haughtiness. The image of a grey moon sewn on the right side of his chest highlighted his superiority, but he wielded it with grace rather than arrogance.

Liam even knew that the man had every reason to be superior. After all, the Head Disciple was the top cultivator among the core disciples, their de facto leader and representative, the virtual best the Sect had to offer. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Brother Joel," The Head Disciple calmly greeted, avoiding bows as his calm gaze fell on Liam. "And you must be the killer."

The pressure didn’t intensify, but Liam felt the Head Disciple’s gaze growing piercing. He didn’t use any Qi, but Liam’s nape tingled in danger nonetheless.

"Disciple Liam greets the Head Disciple," Liam announced, lowering his head in respect.

"Rise," The Head Disciple ordered, continuing only after Joel and Liam complied. "I’m Core Disciple Maxwell, who has received the honor of carrying the title of Head Disciple. It will be my privilege and duty to lead the Pale Moon Sect to victory on the Mutated Battlefield."

Maxwell’s gaze had lost its piercing traits. He had even diverted it, only for it to gain a tense pressure when returning to Liam.

"As such," Maxwell continued. "Brother Liam, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try to kill your fellow disciples this time. I have orders to make you survive this trial, and I won’t hesitate to break all your limbs to ensure that."

’Should I find this reassuring?’ Liam thought, blinking.

"However, if you collaborate," Maxwell added, the dangerous intensity in his gaze receding, "I’ll talk Brother Simon out of his fixation on Sister Melissa."

Then, Maxwell wore a surprising smile before saying his last piece. "I don’t make a habit of sharing this, but I quite enjoy happy love stories."

It went without saying that Liam didn’t understand what that last statement implied, but the idea of having another ally against that unknown enemy sounded good. Also, he preferred a trade over one-sided protection.

"Oh," Maxwell suddenly exclaimed, lifting his gaze at the sky. "It seems Master also wants to have a word."

Before Liam could even think about those words, a boundless and incredible presence descended upon the area, something that he surprisingly recognized. That was the same aura that had silenced the Elders during the test for his talent.