Chapter 550: Messages

Liam was by no means exhausted. Three weeks of complete alchemical immersion might have been his limit in the past, but the branching stage was proving its worth now.

Be it physically or mentally, Liam was fine. There was some tiredness in the back of his mind, but nothing he couldn’t endure. Also, starting to concoct right after the breakthrough had likely played a role there.

Liam had planned to sleep simply because he didn’t know what to expect from the Dark Heaven Tribe. As far as he knew, two angry branching experts could be waiting for him, and one was high-stage.

That confrontation couldn’t allow variables, and tiredness, no matter how slight, was quite easy to solve.

The mountain had also taught Liam to sleep in any location and predicament. He had even done so before facing the breakthrough, but he just couldn’t now.

After a few tosses and turns, Liam sat up, blinking in confusion. He couldn’t understand himself and was almost about to blame his new level when the answer arrived.

Liam diverted his gaze, but that only exposed him more to the truth. It honestly was a bit embarrassing, but that had never stopped him, which was why he summoned the long black tablet.

’How are things there?’ Liam sent a mental message.

Liam didn’t even know the hour, but a buzzing arrived within minutes nonetheless.

’Dear, we are still in Colleen’s safe house. Did something happen?’ Grace’s voice resounded in Liam’s mind, conveying some worry.

Grace and her group had indeed reached one of Colleen’s hideouts. Through a mixture of their unique talents and tools, the Church had yet to catch up with them. They were safe, but Liam had learned about that shortly ago, hence Grace’s worry.

’I finished my preparations. I’ll head to the Dark Heaven Tribe once I rest,’ Liam said, still dodging the matter. That little was probably enough to fix it.

Sadly, Liam’s attempts to avoid worrying Grace over his minor issue made things worse.

’Do you need another rundown of what I know of the southern region? Is everything truly fine?’ Grace questioned.

Naturally, Grace couldn’t believe that Liam had forgotten what she had shared about the southern region, and hearing her distress forced him to give up on hiding that embarrassing matter.

’I just couldn’t sleep. I ... I think I miss you,’ Liam admitted. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Liam truly wasn’t sure. It was his first time having that problem after all, but the most plausible reason was hard to deny with so much pointing in its direction.

The underground hall Liam’s backup tablet had dug was almost identical to Grace’s, but its barrenness highlighted her absence. It was as if the bleakness of the cultivation journey had returned now that she wasn’t there with him.

Something was also missing when Liam lay down, or rather, someone. It wasn’t that he had never slept alone recently, but his brain seemed to know the difference from being unable to do otherwise.

The answer took a bit to arrive, but it was undoubtedly happy.

’Master Liam, how many times do I have to tell you that words have weight? Your devoted woman won’t be able to sleep, either, now,’ Grace sighed.

’I’ll make it up to you. I’ll help you wear plenty of new clothes,’ Liam replied, already feeling better at those familiar teases, lying back down.

’It was my impression that you preferred me wearing nothing at all,’ Grace pointed out.

’I like everything you wear, but I do enjoy undressing you,’ Liam teased back.

’Dear! Enticing your woman so brazenly. Your desire pleases me, but it has increased your eternal debt once more. I’m compelled to collect to make you take responsibility,’ Grace said among dramatic gasps.

’Anything you want,’ Liam didn’t even try to get out of that situation, smirking from ear to ear.

’I suppose the situation doesn’t allow much, so I’ll only expect that my handsome Master listens to her prized possession until the very end,’ Grace declared.

’I always listen to everything you say,’ Liam revealed.

There was a slight waiting period, but the reply eventually arrived. ’I miss your arms. I miss your scent. I miss your embrace. I miss being with you. I want you to hold me all the time, and I miss your big ...’

The mental message had turned Liam’s smirk into a loving smile, but he snapped up at its last part, glancing at his groin before staring at the long jade in his hands with wide eyes.

Things weren’t even over. Grace wouldn’t be Grace if she allowed Liam to retain any sanity.

’If I were there with you, I’d ...,’ Grace’s second mental message began, and Liam’s eyes grew wider with each word he heard.

The message was by no means short or vague. Grace held back no details, even adding comments to highlight her appreciation on specific acts and her reasons.

Now, Liam was no prude. He might not advertise intimate stuff with others out of respect for his partner, but he was quite open with her, and that was a private conversation.

Nevertheless, Grace’s messages had gone way beyond the usual openness because she or Liam would have gotten down to action by then already. The distance had allowed her to push her shamelessness further, tempting him to no end.

Of course, that was the usual trap. Grace was ensuring that Liam’s thoughts remained on her all the time, claiming ownership of his very mind. Her greed knew no bounds, the distance not diminishing her sensuality one bit.

’Dear, your woman will despair if you don’t say anything,’ Grace eventually sent another message.

’I’m not sure what I can say. I’d usually be holding you at "I miss your arms",’ Liam honestly said.

’I expect to hear your side in great detail,’ Grace invited.

That day, Grace gained a new hobby, one she was certain to repeat in the future, probably even after she reunited with Liam.

As for Liam, sleep no longer had trouble finding him. It just took a while for his greedy lover to let him lie back down.