Legacy of Hatred Nov Chapter 189: Looks

Chapter 189: Looks

Truth was, as beautiful as lissa was, the black-haired cultivator’s goal had been the Sects themselves.

After all, the man was still young. He was almost ten years older than ordinary disciples, but he could still be worthy of being grood into a proper cultivator.

Nevertheless, the man needed to join a Sect to gain access to proper channels where his foundation could finally bloom, and Liam and lissa could provide that opportunity.

As long as the man managed to build a connection with cultivators of superior status, he could hope for them to vouch for him. He just had to show his use, maybe even getting a few favors owed, before making that request.

Needless to say, that initial approach had threatened to shatter the man’s hopes. He had only wanted to be polite, truly aning nothing disrespectful or deeper, but his statent had still ended up intruding on a romantic relationship.

"Forgive , Senior!" The man promptly bowed. "I failed to recognize your value. You clearly are a hero among n, worthy of your beautiful Sister’s love!"

Panic built behind lissa’s emotionless mask. Her relationship was young, barely a few weeks old. Even if true, it was far too early to talk about love, especially in public.

As for Liam, he felt so unexpected shyness, but those pleasantries made him ignore the matter altogether, keeping him grounded on the main issue.

"So," Liam muttered. "Does ... Junior still want to guide us through the spring?"

"Of course," The man exclaid. "I’m Elliot. I hope Seniors will forgive my mistake through my services."

Liam had gone full-hunter there. The mission involved an unknown place with an unknown layout and dangers, so he knew a guide would co in handy.

Everything looked just about departing now, but Mary had a different suggestion.

"Esteed guests," Mary called. "If you wish, the third floor has private quarters and baths. They are at your disposal. You can spend the night here, while the rcenary Guild will take care of providing a carriage in the morning."

Liam wasn’t really tired, and he believed lissa wasn’t, either. Yet, they had both accumulated dirt during the travel, and resting could be wise before the probably unavoidable confrontations against magical beasts.

Besides, the mission had just been decided. Liam wanted to make the point of the situation with lissa, at the very least to express his real intentions when it ca to the spring.

Naturally, it never crossed Liam’s mind that spending the night with lissa could be improper. He honestly couldn’t see any difference from when she watched him concoct.

"We’ll spend the night here," Liam decided, performing a polite bow at Mary. "Fellow Daoist, thank you."

"The rcenary Guild only wishes to serve," Mary declared, bowing back at Liam. "Please, esteed guests. This way."

Liam glanced back at Elliot, wondering how he fit in all that, but the man rely kept his head down, having no intention of lifting it.

Actually, lissa mimicked that trend, seemingly trying to hide the redness rising through her emotionless face as the two followed Mary up the staircase to the third floor.

The third floor consisted of a simple corridor with a series of sliding doors on its left side. Mary opened the first one, not questioning whether Liam and lissa wanted separate rooms after the previous interactions.

Once Mary stepped aside, Liam and lissa entered the quite barren room. The place featured a praying mat and even an actual bed, other than having another door that probably led to a bath.

Mary closed the door to leave the two to their privacy, and lissa didn’t hesitate to shoot toward the bath at that point, leaving Liam alone and quite speechless.

Of course, Liam didn’t think much of the matter, removing his pouch and quiver to sit cross-legged on the mat. He even closed his eyes to ditate, but his brain kept churning thoughts.

’Is a spring like a river?’ Liam wondered. ’Will there be soone checking what I retrieve? Can soone force

to hand out the spirit stones?’

Much was still vague. Clearly, cultivators from the Sects possessed greater authority in that world, but Liam didn’t know how far that stretched.

After all, Liam was considering stealing, which was probably a grey legal area. He didn’t really care about rules, especially when they ca from forces that had tried to kill him, but being smart about it sounded necessary.

Still, the bath’s door eventually opened, and Liam interrupted his ditation to involve lissa in his reasoning, only for the scene to clear his mind of those thoughts.

So steam accompanied lissa’s exit from the bath. Her face had grown rosy, and her golden hair was down, its wet strands clinging to her graceful neck.

The room had candles, but Liam believed new light had invaded it, radiated by lissa herself, surrounding her in a halo he couldn’t help but stare at.

lissa noticed Liam’s stunned look and lowered her head in embarrassnt. She adjusted her robe before slowly approaching Liam, sitting beside him.

Liam felt that sothing was off. lissa had joined her hands on her lap and was slightly bent forward, as if trying to make herself small. If Liam had to guess, he would think that she was anxious.

Still, lissa spoke before Liam could ask her anything.

"I-if you w-wish so," lissa muttered, "I c-can cover my f-face from now o-on."

Liam frowned. Nothing in his brain connected those words to any specific topic, but the fact that lissa looked distressed about it made him take it seriously.

"Why would you cover your face?" Liam asked.

"N-not to attract a-attention," lissa explained, her face still lowered. "You l-looked uncomfortable with m-n watching m-."

Liam’s frown vanished, replaced by understanding. It seed lissa had noticed that sothing had been off ever since the trip through Thornvale, and she had blad herself for it.

"I d-don’t need anyone to s-see ," lissa continued, gulping. "Only you."

Liam opened his mouth, but no words ca out, and lissa was the first to speak anyway.

"I’m fine only being looked at by you for the rest of my life," lissa declared.