Chapter 388: Black Qi
Chapter 388: Black Qi
Liam’s black Qi followed the same theory as Lancelot’s flames, but was a different beast altogether.
There was nothing majestic, bright, or hot about that dark energy, but that didn’t imply weakness. Liam’s Qi expressed power through a sheer sense of seething deadliness.
Rather than a cultivator, that black Qi turned Liam into a cold, famished monster that could devour anything within his reach.
Still, other than the predictable shock, Liam read another emotion in Erika, Duke, and the newcomer. All three of them showed hints of recognition.
"Black Qi," Erika commented.
"The Black-Qi User," Duke added almost simultaneously.
The third rooting expert also reacted, jumping from the roof, reaching the gathering in a couple of swift movements, stopping between Erika’s and Duke’s groups.
The blue-eyed man wasn’t the only one to move. Grace approached Liam, stopping at his side, forcing him to suppress the black Qi leaking from his body.
A chill ran down Liam’s spine, probably being the only one who could feel it, his superhuman senses having nothing to do with the matter for once. He caught Grace’s conceited expression from the corner of his eye, spotting her erupting greed.
It seemed the opportunity Grace had been waiting for had arrived.
"I’m Silas Suron," The gold-wearing rooting expert announced, "Second son of the Suron family."
The Suron family was the third force governing Mairis, and Erika and Duke’s suppressed reactions told Liam that it was also the main one.
"Are you the ones behind the Axe Brigade’s disbandment?" Silas added.
Liam and Grace had spent two months in seclusion after the events with the Axe Brigade, so it wasn’t surprising that the news had reached Mairis. It was now also obvious that Liam’s black Qi had been one of the pieces of information they had become famous for.
"Was that their name?" Grace wondered, feigning disinterested surprise, searching for Liam’s gaze. "My dear, wasn’t there an axe you broke because they lusted after me?"
Liam understood Grace’s veiled request and waved his hand. The two pieces of Eugene’s huge axe soon materialized on the floor, answering Silas’ question.
A peak rank 2 magical weapon was a priceless item to everyone on the scene, but Grace had made it sound worthless.
There was also a second-order effect to the declaration, another clue of the pair’s extraordinary status. The action had revealed that Liam owned a space-ring.
"The Suron family had business with the Axe Brigade," Silas announced, not adding anything else. There was a vague request for compensation behind his words, but he avoided voicing it on purpose.
"I was eager to enjoy my beloved’s embrace," Grace said, no apologetic vein in her proud face. "We didn’t appreciate the delay."
"Is that all you have to say?" Silas questioned.
"If you are interested in hearing them," Grace responded, "I have comments about how poorly certain business partners can reflect on the Suron family."
Suppressed gasps resounded among the cultivators on the ground and in the shops. Even Erika and Duke couldn’t help but peek at Silas.
Grace’s words could be taken as a direct insult to the Suron family, and that widespread reaction reinforced the idea that it was the superior force in Mairis.
Silas’ gaze also flickered at that indirect insult, but that only made him inspect Liam and Grace more deeply, a tinge of wariness joining his stern stance.
"What’s your purpose in Mairis?" Silas questioned.
"Business opportunities," Grace responded.
"On whose authority?" Silas asked.
"That might be revealed in due time," Grace stated, "If this place meets the required standards."
The dots that had begun to connect earlier became a complete picture. Liam finally understood what everything had been about, and he could only feel awe toward Grace’s shrewdness.
Grace’s arrogance, complete disregard for Mairis’ ruling forces, and direct criticism of the area were so blatant and over the top that even Dominic paled in comparison.
Except that Dominic had been a branching expert backed by a Sect, while Liam and Grace were two lonely rooting experts. Even if they were stronger than average, they just had no right to act like that. At least, they had no way of handling the repercussions they would incur.
With how much the cultivation world ran on reputation, that was a rule everyone knew and respected. Those who ignored it had already died or were forced into hiding, paying the price for their arrogance.
But that was exactly what Grace had bet on. She knew no one would act like that without an overwhelmingly superior cultivation, meaning everyone would believe that her confidence came from something else, something nothing in Mairis could defy.
Silas had fallen for that trap, too, his last question being the last piece of the puzzle. He had concluded that Grace and Liam belonged to a fearsome force that wanted to remain secret for the time being. They were merely representatives checking the environment.
Of course, arrogance alone wouldn’t have been enough to create that misconception, but Grace hadn’t stopped at that. The matching attires, the predictable minor conflict that had allowed a show of force, the belittling of valuable items, and the feat against the Axe Brigade had all been part of her plan.
Still, that strategy alone could have only earned a temporary safety or a modicum of respect, which wasn’t what Grace or Liam were after. Their goal wasn’t mere survival.
But Grace had added a hook, her act turning it into a big one. Since she and Liam were from such a fearsome force, the business they wanted to engage in had to be huge, matching the size of the power that made them so confident in that foreign environment.
Now, it was all a matter of whether Mairis’ ruling forces would take the bait. After all, even if they had fallen for Grace’s strategy, that didn’t necessarily imply willingness to do business with a power they knew nothing about, especially one they might not be able to escape from if anything happened.
Yet, greed was a powerful drive, one Grace knew well. Mairis’ internal conflict also played in her favor. A hierarchy had to exist, and some families likely were displeased with it.
Since the business opportunity could be significant, it would only take one family to agree for the playing field to change, especially if that became a long-lasting partnership.
The lack of unity also prevented outward refusals. The three families might reject Liam and Grace only to contact them in secret. It was honestly already too late to avoid the issue.
Killing the representatives wouldn’t work, either, since one of the families might jump to their defense, leaving Silas with only one option. At the very least, his status allowed him to seize the initiative.
"Fellow Daoists, why don’t we continue this conversation in a more appropriate setting?" Silas offered, politely cupping his fist. "Of course, the Pitkers’ fourth son and the Creges’ second daughter are welcome to join."
Duke and Erika nodded almost simultaneously, silently ordering their men to stand aside. Grace also gave her agreement without words, merely walking toward Silas.
Liam had obviously moved as soon as Grace showed that intention. He stored the broken axe while looking ahead in confidence, not realizing how good he had gotten at hiding the turmoil in his mind when the situation demanded it.
In that case, the turmoil involved the most personal consequence to Grace’s incredible shrewdness.
’Am I more trapped than I realize?’ Liam wondered, feeling as if Grace’s temptress act wasn’t really a fake persona when it came to himself.