Chapter 379: Discussion
Chapter 379: Discussion
The following flight reinforced Liam’s idea about that unique environment. The signs of battle became more frequent as he delved deeper into that artificial border, often creating entire patches of barrenness.
That place was clearly lively, which merely studying its surface wouldn’t suggest. Liam saw emptiness everywhere he flew, as if nothing lived there, which was obviously a misconception.
Liam’s perception picked up traces of life nonstop, of the cultivation world’s kind. The population density of those experts was actually shocking for a place that didn’t seem to have much to offer, but everyone lay low, as if in permanent hiding.
No new problems arose. Nothing attacked Liam and Grace again, and a week later, they finally found what they were looking for.
A long valley that had suffered its fair share of cave-ins and general damage stood out among a barren plain. The area was quite exposed, meaning unsafe, as suggested by the lack of human presence, but it would work perfectly for the pair.
Liam landed at the valley’s bottom, and the fan went to rub Grace’s cheek when it felt his intentions. He gave it a few seconds before storing it in his ring.
Meanwhile, Grace took care of the living arrangements. She summoned a stone tablet similar to Liam’s, placing it on the valley’s slope to create an underground room.
Rather than a room, the secluded area Grace built was a proper hall, being over three times as large as what Liam’s tablet could carve. She also didn’t stop there, summoning furniture and other accessories to make the place more comfortable.
Once Grace was done, the hall looked like a bigger version of the tent she had arranged during the tournament. It was a proper home, unlike Liam’s usual living conditions.
Still, Liam couldn’t admire Grace’s arrangements since she took out a pile of spirit stones next, her purpose embodied by the two words she spoke. "Your half."
Liam stored the money and took out almost everything his rings had. Grace even joined him. The rewards from the inheritance and what they had stolen from the Brigade appeared in the open, finally ready to be absorbed.
Nevertheless, as Liam and Grace stared at the pile of goods side by side, a tinge of awkwardness leaked into the air. There was still some tension between the two, one that time alone couldn’t dispel.
"Master Liam," Grace ended up being the one addressing that tense silence first. "I seem to remember that our partnership saw me in charge of negotiations. I can’t do that efficiently when you contradict me in front of our clients."
"Does that have to include demeaning yourself?" Liam asked, facing Grace, his crossed arms highlighting his unwavering stance.
"It’s a viable business strategy," Grace responded, also facing Liam with her arms crossed.
"I hate it," Liam declared.
"Your complaint is noted," Grace calmly said. "Pleasing partners is part of a merchant’s duties, but I’ll still rely on the strategies I see fit."
Grace’s words suggested a distance that irked Liam. They were long past being mere business partners.
Yet, being childish wouldn’t solve anything. Liam also knew that beating Grace with words was impossible for him, so he spoke the only language he was sure she would listen to.
"You can have more than half," Liam scoffed, diverting his gaze. "Just don’t insult yourself anymore."
In the past, Grace would have called it a day. Despite Liam being the priceless aspect of that partnership, she had actually gotten him to improve the split in her favor.
However, Grace wasn’t after money that day.
"Does this only apply to negotiations that happen in front of you?" Grace wondered. "Am I at liberty to use all my business strategies when negotiating on my own?"
That second round of distant words intensified Liam’s annoyance, and the same went for Grace’s insistence on wanting to use such demeaning strategies.
"Why do you cling so hard to that?" Liam cursed, refocusing on Grace. "I’ll help you with your Clan. I’ll give you more money. Why would you still do that despite this?"
"Maximizing profits is a merchant’s prerogative," Grace stated. "And, I understand during our partnership, but what gives you the right to dictate what I can and can’t do in my private life?"
Liam was forced to divert his gaze again. Grace was completely correct. He had no right to dictate such rules. Honestly, the sole idea was strange. He hadn’t done that even with Melissa after all.
"Grace, I care about you," Liam simply expressed his feelings, looking deep into Grace’s eyes. "You are irreplaceable to me. I don’t like that you have to do stuff that makes you unhappy."
For the first time during the discussion, Grace felt that she might lose. Her expression went deadpan in front of that blinding honesty. That truly was a fearsome weapon to deal with.
But Grace couldn’t drive a hand in Liam’s face or drop the matter through a joke. She had to push forward a bit more.
"What if I liked being treated like that?" Grace questioned. "What if I enjoyed the thought of the Brigade abusing me?"
Liam’s eyes went wide. He had never even considered that point, but it was a possibility. There were all kinds of people in the world in the end.
"...Do you?" Liam hesitantly asked.
"No," Grace instantly responded, wearing a small smile, "But I lived like this for so long. It’s the only way I have ever lived, and I’m too far gone to change. If left on my own, I know I will always resort to such strategies."
Liam actually understood that point. His past cluelessness was an issue created by his environment, but luckily, it was easily fixable.
Instead, Grace’s issue was more insidious and had long since rooted itself inside her very being. She could probably suppress it if Liam gave her a reason to, but she would stop doing so once he left the equation.
"Unless," Grace sighed dramatically. "You were to buy me."