Chapter 513 Billy

Chapter 513 Billy

The first thing Liam did was grab Kamjin's limp body and throw him at Aki's doorstep. For no particular reason, other than they were both blacksmiths. Although Kamjin looked like a decrepit old man, Aki wasn't exactly young, despite the lush red hair and supple skin. She was 131 years old, while the Iron Hammer was 251. Both were dinosaurs. After he was done with that, he called over the figureheads of the Temple and arranged for a meeting.

***

"I'm gonna be leaving for a while."

Those were the words that Liam chose to open the meeting with.

Everyone who held an important role in the clan was present, from Aki to Kamjin. There was a pregnant pause... leaving only Kamjin's snores to echo across the wide halls. "How long?" Jane asked with a tinge of concern in her voice. Liam wasn't the strongest cultivator the Temple had, but he was its cornerstone and core. If he left... the Temple wouldn't be defenseless, but would stagnate in terms of development and power.

"Years," Liam said casually. "Maybe more."

Silence.

Valerie looked like she was going to cry. "Is this for your Path?" Jax asked. Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

"Yeah," Liam said. "Verium and Jane will be in charge. I'll be in touch, but don't contact me unless it's an emergency." Valerie was crying now, but her quiet sobs blended in with Kamjin's air-shaking snores, creating a funny balance.

Still, no one was laughing.

Well, Liam wanted to laugh, but with how heavy the mood was, he held himself back. "And... you're going where, Sire?" Kerian asked curiously. "Will the Echorians not seek you out?" Liam paused.

"The ocean," he said. "I'm not worried about them." "Will you take anyone with you, my Liege?" Jargon asked. Valerie raised her head with a hopeful look.

"No," Liam denied, and Valerie hung her head in despair, crying. "I'll be meeting with Bill McGill, and he'll show me the ropes."

"Take your time," Verium said with a proud smile. "We'll spread the word and keep this quiet. Should Alucard know?"

Liam paused. "No. But if he asks, tell him the truth." Those present nodded.

"Meeting adjourned!" Liam shouted like some sort of judge, striking the air with an invisible gravel. "I'll leave on my own tomorrow. Make the others think I'm in seclusion."

They nodded again, then dissipated into the shadows.

Nodding happily and laughing under her breath, she used her shadows to disappear.

Having Valerie take care of this little side project didn't go against the independence of Liam's Path. It was like planting a seed in hopes that it would bloom into a tree. Whether or not it would be ripe was another issue.

With that done, Liam took out his Jade and called Bill McGill.

Seconds passed in silence.

Minutes.

Three minutes later...

And finally, he picked up.

"Billy here," a voice said. "Who dis?" Liam furrowed his brows. Party music blared from the background of the Jade. "Liam."

Silence.

There was a frantic whispering noise, which no doubt belonged to Bill himself, and the music suffered an abrupt stop.

"Heeeey, Liam! Sorry for the delay, man! Ha ha, I was just... y'know, doing... things. Anyway, I assume you've called 'cause you're interested in my proposal?" "Yes."

Awkward silence.

"G-Great! That's good to know, man, good to know. I'll... uh... I'll come and get you then, yeah?"

"Okay."

"Same place, right? Ilali?"

"Yes."

Silence.

"Uh... where is Ilali, again?"