The Qilin’s Idea was no surefire solution. The two foundation experts might still be foolish enough to believe they could get antidotes elsewhere. Also, their leader might sacrifice them without as much as a thought.

However, Liam and Grace had been gambling with the odds ever since the tournament in the valley, so he would improve them as much as possible. By terrifying the two foundation experts, they might think twice about betraying him, or even warn him if their superior opted for that course of action.

The two drank, and Grace left with them to kickstart her shop. Liam had made alchemical products that needed selling, and the same went for the Guild’s loot.

As for the two indigo Rainbow Roses and the bear’s body parts, those were rank 3 resources, so they required a lengthier procedure to unload. With how unfindable they were, selling them for money just wasn’t worth it, but it was unclear what potential buyers would come up with.

Liam was casually smoking in a corner when Grace returned, not hesitating to transform the cave into a more comfortable environment.

Watching Grace deal with the furniture suggested an attachment to comforts Liam hadn’t really considered before. It had taken the dichotomy with the cave to highlight that point. After all, that wasn’t how those environments usually went. Liam knew from experience.

Or, Liam simply knew Grace so well now that he could spot those traits. Maybe part of her truly was the spoiled princess she had never gotten the chance to be.

’Did she do the same in her cave in the Roaring Thunder Sect?’ Liam casually wondered.

"Do you think they’ll create problems?" Liam eventually questioned.

"They paled with each step they took," Grace explained while finishing arranging a series of pillows. "Master Liam, you have grown into quite the splendid fiend."

"If they don’t try anything," Liam scoffed, "Nothing bad will happen to them."

Liam knew his recent actions were on the cruel side. The two foundation experts were only innocent cogs in a machine. Still, Liam had also only taken precautions. For once, he could hope to deter a threat before it could become so.

Besides, there was a bigger reason.

"And I need to be more proactive in protecting you," Liam continued.

Grace stopped arranging pillows and heaved a deep sigh. She knew how serious Liam was about the topic, but he truly played the part too well. He basically was already a husband taking care of his family, and Grace wasn’t sure her heart could hold.

Still, since the idea was in the open, Grace might as well explain future plans.

"With that poison," Grace announced, "Once we enter the branching stage, I can look into establishing an organization with you as Patriarch."

Honestly, the branching stage was no sure thing, especially for Grace. They also had to survive everything that was happening, but she believed. With Liam at her side, everything was possible.

Liam tilted his head in surprise, voicing it. "Do you mean once we leave?"

"A righteous environment will be harder to navigate now," Grace confirmed. "The branching stage should give us some leeway, but having to rely on other forces loses us a lot of control and profit."

The reasoning was spot-on. The list of forces that didn’t hate Liam shrank by the day. Even if he could somehow mask his identity, he would still have to play into stricter politics outside the border, this time as a branching expert.

Power brought freedom, but also more attention. Rooting experts pulling scams could be ignored, but branching experts would be under heavy scrutiny.

The level of forces the couple would have to interact with would also be far superior, a requirement caused by the greater amount and quality of resources the branching stage demanded.

Instead of slaving for established forces that would try to suppress the couple, they could create one and reap all the benefits.

There would be plenty of logistical issues, including the fact that a whole force didn’t go well with the idea of remaining on the move. Yet, the resources issue didn’t leave many options. The only alternative was plundering wantonly.

’To think I’ve gotten to this point,’ Liam pondered, recalling a conversation with his Master while returning from the Crimson Warrior Sect. He had been confused about leafing experts needing Sects, only to end up in the same predicament.

"Won’t you be in charge of everything?" Liam asked. "Shouldn’t you be the Matriarch?"

"Oh, that’s not possible," Grace firmly refused. "I will take your family name. It would be improper to claim authority over you."

’Is she talking about marriage now?’ Liam wondered, spotting the trap, but remaining unfazed, even addressing it. "I’m just the son of the village’s hunter. I have no family name."

"Then," Grace exclaimed, finally leaving the pillows to approach Liam, "Ours won’t, either."

’Did I just agree to marry her?’ Liam considered, not really bothered by the idea. He honestly didn’t see the difference with the current state of their relationship, but something soon distracted him.

"They want you to fight as early as next morning," Grace revealed, activating her ring. "I picked up a few items to deal with your appearance."

Liam froze. One item was simply a brush and a case with black ink, but the other was a Qi-enhanced white mask, expressionless, with only two holes for eyes.

The holes weren’t as sharp as the mask Elder Basil had worn, but the similarities were eerie.

"Liam?" Grace called, noticing that something was wrong, kneeling in front of her sitting lover.

Liam remained silent, keeping the pipe in his mouth while seizing the mask. He studied it, placing his big hand on it, arching his fingers, only to eventually relax them.

"Liam," Grace called again, this time worried, placing a hand on Liam’s leg.

"The one who led my kidnappers wore a similar mask," Liam revealed.

Grace’s lips parted, but nothing came out. However, seeing the bitterness in the way Liam inspected the mask soon gave her the strength to speak.

"I will-," Grace began to say, reaching for the mask, only for Liam to store it and shake his head.

"It’s fine," Liam reassured. "He is dead. Master killed him."

Grace sneaked between Liam’s legs, settling there and looking up at him, caressing his chest. It was her way of being there for him, and he held her, but his eyes looked in the distance, growing more feral by the second.

After all, thinking about that specific battle had given Liam an idea. Rank 2 poisons would indeed have little effect on a branching expert, but a combination of those that enhanced each other might just work.