Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 70: Concoction

Nothing had really changed. Liam still didn’t understand life among humans. His problems were the same as always. Actually, deciding to join the non-Sect mission had just added new ones.

However, something was definitely different, and the change even felt quite revolutionary. Liam experienced it clearly while he waited for the Alchemy Elder to return to the balcony.

Something in Liam’s very being had shifted, as if light had started to shine in the dark room that was his mind. The place was still complicated in ways that he lacked the ability to sort out, but that new illumination completely reversed his perspective.

After the talk with the two Uncles, Liam had unburdened himself of his guilt, but that had merely led to sad emptiness.

Instead, Liam now felt the active resolve to live how he desired, even if he still couldn’t comprehend what that entailed. He simply knew that he wanted things and wouldn’t push them away out of some internal conflict.

Yes, Liam’s situation was unfathomably complicated, probably more than anyone else in the entire world. It would be easier for everyone if he just isolated himself and lived as a mere revenge tool, but he wanted more.

That decision could sound selfish and might put anyone and anything that got too close to Liam at risk, but it was his decision nonetheless. He wouldn’t punish himself for simply having problematic goals anymore.

And if something or someone didn’t like that, they had to hope they had the strength to back that up. Otherwise, Liam would show them how frail life truly was.

Of course, resolve didn’t imply recklessness. Liam felt morally strengthened but remained cool-headed. He was eager to face life with that new mindset, but also had his priorities straight. Strength always had to come first. He would be nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum otherwise.

That night, strength took the shape of multiple objects. The Alchemy Elder returned to the balcony carrying a metal cauldron and a small pouch, promptly placing both in front of the sitting Liam.

"I picked the ingredients this time," The Alchemy Elder announced, "As well as the cauldron and logs, but don’t take it for granted. Learning to discern an alchemical element’s quality is a skill you must acquire."

The Elder also sat down, carefully arranging everything. Liam had already seized a log, so the Elder took care of placing the cauldron under it and emptying the pouch on the floor.

"You have seen how your Qi affects the concoction," The Elder reminded. "That applies to everything in the alchemical process. You can’t avoid variables altogether, but limiting them as much as possible will reduce the odds of failure and backlashes."

Liam didn’t even nod, too absorbed in the explanation and scene. The Elder wasn’t doing anything special, but each of his gestures was extremely methodical, as if part of a deadly ritual.

"Logs are divided by source, age, and texture," The Elder continued, "Cauldrons by alloy, size, and state, and ingredients by various, often specific qualities. I’ll teach you all, but not tonight. Tonight you’ll concoct a poisonous powder."

Liam’s gaze snapped at the Elder at those words. After those two weeks, he had started to believe it would have taken him years to start working on poison, especially due to how insistent the Elder was about mastering each step, but it seemed he would skip many of those that night.

"Fool," The Alchemy Elder scolded, uncharacteristically keeping his voice down. "This is a temporary exception. Don’t stop studying what I’m doing out of youthful excitement."

Liam’s gaze promptly went down again, only to find nothing truly new to study. The Elder had arranged withered petals, a brown lump that smelled like dried feces, and a flask with a dark liquid on the floor.

"Alchemy Masters from faraway Sects would pay fortunes and offer priceless favors to watch me concoct," The Elder declared, rechecking everything he had prepared before looking at Liam. "Memorize my every gesture as if your life depends on it."

Liam nodded now, and the Alchemy Elder got to his knees, ready to aid with the concoction.

"You will only handle the alchemical flame this time," The Alchemy Elder ordered. "I want to see nothing but pristine red fire."

"But, Master, aren’t we making poison?" Liam wondered. For once, he thought that his troublesome Qi would have come in handy.

"Even poison has a specific concoction process," The Elder explained. "Using the black alchemical flame your Qi causes throughout it would just create unusable toxic waste with disjointed and possibly weaker properties."

Liam didn’t know how much sense that made, but didn’t ask. That night, something had changed about his relationship with the Elder, too. Liam didn’t really understand what a Master was, but maybe, hopefully, he could trust him.

"Light the alchemical flame," The Elder ordered, and Liam complied. He placed his hands at the log’s sides and closed his eyes, not wanting to use a single whiff of his poisonous Qi throughout the process.

Naturally, lighting up the log took longer than usual due to the mental filter, but the Elder waited patiently. He gave Liam all the time he needed, remaining silent even after the red flame was high and flickering.

Liam eventually opened his eyes and joined his Master in his silence. The latter was staring intently at the cauldron, waiting for something, which arrived in a couple of minutes, stirring him into action.

As directed, Liam split part of his concentration away from the flame to memorize the Elder’s gestures. The latter seemed to have abandoned any trace of ego or his previous resolve as he went to carefully throw the three ingredients in the cauldron, following a specific rhythm that Liam couldn’t help but find profound.

It wasn’t just one thing. It wasn’t just the methodical moves and eerie pace. The Elder looked completely absorbed in what he was doing, as if he were an ingredient himself, the process affecting him as deeply as his breathing.

Liam was ignorant about almost everything, but he recognized greatness in that scene. He didn’t even come close to understanding it, but knew that something magnificent was unfolding.

"Slowly now," The Elder broke his silence when the smoke from the cauldron began to darken. "Release your true Qi."

Liam couldn’t even think about asking questions in that magnificent mood. He withdrew the mental filter, allowing his unrefined Qi to affect the alchemical flame, immediately turning it black.

The cauldron quickly rumbled, and the smoke coming out of it also turned pitch-black, but the Elder suddenly slapped the item’s side, causing a reaction that led to the eruption of a dark cloud.

Liam didn’t dare to remove his hands from the alchemical flame despite the smoke blowing on his face, but a firm hand soon pressed on his shoulder, pushing him away. The Elder had reached his side, beckoning him to join him.

Liam complied, getting to his knees to follow the Elder’s gaze. He looked inside the cauldron, finding a dark-blown layer covering its bottom.

"Decent," The Elder scoffed, digging his fingers into that dark-brown layer, running its grains between his thumb and forefinger. "Your alchemical flame lacked heat, but this will do for now."

"Master, will do for what?" Liam asked.

The Elder brushed his hands before diving into his robe, retrieving the long, pale-brown pipe from the first meeting and handing it to Liam.

"Your new nutrients," The Elder explained. "You can’t face dangers with a hungry dantian, can you?"