Chapter 630: Outrageous

Liam and Grace talked often, if not all the time. Most of their conversations were about the sensual game she had invented after their separation, but they also updated each other.

Grace and the others had been on the border between the western and northern regions for months already. Their large detours had wasted time but had also kept that crossing uneventful.

Theoretically, the group could have already crossed into the western region, too, but had decided against it, with multiple reasons backing up that approach.

First, those borders were relatively lawless, meaning they were safer from the Kingdom’s forces. They were the only places in the Kingdom where the Guilds and Church had little authority.

For a criminal force, that environment was a paradise. It was why Liam and Grace had settled on the border between the eastern and northern regions after the inheritance’s events. Even the enemy was the same.

Nevertheless, unlike back then, Grace now had Felix, Red Boar, Colleen, Whispering Wind, and Master Vermillion with her, on top of a proper army of rooting experts.

That force was nothing short of immense for environments like the borders, enabling strategies Liam and Grace couldn’t employ before. She could very well aim to be one of that place’s leaders now, creating the opportunity for exponential benefits.

Those benefits were even necessary. Grace and the others had been on the run since the purge, meaning they had to settle down, recover their strength, and reorganize.

Moreover, entering the western region meant clashing with Grace’s Clan, which was beyond branching experts. She just couldn’t go there unprepared or in her current state.

As for the issue at hand, Grace’s solution was quite unorthodox.

’Are you serious?’ Liam asked through the black tablet.

’Dear, don’t you know that’s how to discipline misbehaving children?’ Grace’s voice resounded in Liam’s mind.

’The Bloodline Screening happened when I was six. And I thought we’d figure it out together when we had ours.’ Liam responded.

Grace usually replied instantly, no matter the situation. Liam’s words striking a nerve was the only exception, as had happened now.

The prolonged silence updated Liam on the event, and he hated that he couldn’t see Grace at her most adorable. Yet, he was sort of in need of an immediate answer due to the bundle of eager lust leaning on him, especially since Grace’s suggestion had been quite outrageous.

’Liam, I miss being in your arms,’ Grace eventually responded, and Liam snapped to his feet, uncaring that the sudden movement pushed Rachel away.

Grace’s vulnerable tone had triggered an instinctive reaction. The woman Liam loved, his soulmate, needed him, and nothing else mattered. He didn’t care about missing opportunities.

It wasn’t even just about that primal responsibility. Liam wanted to be Grace’s strength so she could always be the unburdened, happy little girl she never had the chance to be, and he was failing at that.

Grace was actually being strong for Liam there.

However, a buzzing resounded in Liam’s mind before he could charge recklessly toward the other side of the Kingdom.

’Sit down. I couldn’t bear the shame of getting in your way when you are working so hard for us,’ Grace scolded, clearly knowing what her previous statement caused.

’I shall take my payback in the form of clothes, spoiling, and plenty of love upon our reunion, adjusting it to the length of our separation. I actually look forward to reaping the rewards of this investment,’ Grace added.

Liam stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes, suppressing the urge to fly directly to Grace. She was still putting up a strong front, but for both of them, and Liam couldn’t be the one to falter.

Part of it was instinctive, like an animal knowing its role, but Liam had also seen it with his father, his great Master, and Uriah. Liam was the Patriarch, husband, and man of his small household, so he had to make the tough calls for the good of his family.

’I don’t care that we are cultivators. I want to marry you formally once we reunite,’ Liam said. He was tired of those similar yet unclear titles.

If meeting Rachel and her parents proved one thing, it was that Grace truly was Liam’s family, and he wanted that to be indisputable on every possible level.

’I shall await your return even more eagerly then. Though it goes without saying that I expect you to take no pleasure in what you are about to do,’ Grace responded after a bit.

Liam reopened his eyes and glanced at the woman still on the floor. Rachel seemed to have enjoyed how roughly Liam had pushed her away, which intensified his doubts.

’Are you really sure? She will like it,’ Liam said.

’Dear, I’m counting on that. I also believe she will grow addicted to it. And given that my husband can’t use anything without my permission, she will forever be forced to serve me in the hope that I’ll allow such rewards,’ Grace explained.

A chill ran down Liam’s spine. He knew where that situation was going. He was even familiar with the dangerous smile Grace was likely wearing.

’With power over the daughter comes power over the parents. Gaining inscription and formation masters will greatly expand our business and make us filthy rich,’ Grace exclaimed, reverting to the woman Liam had met back in the open market.

A few exchanges later, Liam stored his black tablet and scratched his head while his gaze slowly went to the beaming figure on the floor.

’Why can’t the cultivation world just be about killing and alchemy?’ Liam cursed internally, sitting down.

"Did Madam First Wife mention little-?" Rachel began to ask, only for Liam to grab her nape and pull her.

Before Rachel knew it, she was lying belly-down on Liam’s lap, his big hand still pressing on her nape, preventing her from getting up.

Then, the unthinkable happened. A clap rang in the area, Rachel’s sharp moan mixing with the following echoes.

Rachel was stunned. She knew what had happened. She had memorized the feeling of Liam’s hand, and the stinging pain from earlier, along with the warm burn that followed, painted a precise picture. She just couldn’t believe Liam had truly done it.

Liam had actually spanked Rachel.

Rachel twisted her head, barely managing to look up at Liam as he pinned her down, her lips parted in disbelief, her eyes widening even further at the feral face she saw.

"Count," Liam ordered, a hiss mixing with his voice, following Grace’s instructions to the letter.

If Rachel hadn’t been in love before, she definitely was now.