Ajax had now been training with Jared for nearly 290 years in the training room. Despite countless attempts to attack Jared, it felt like pouring water into an endless abyss. Every time he tried to counter, it ended the same way—with a direct punch to his head. Eventually, Ajax gave up the hope of defeating Jared and focused solely on defending himself.
Over these 290 years, he had only died 10 times, thanks to his powerful vampire regeneration ability. His mastery over barriers had also improved significantly, pushing his combat power to that of a mid-level god. While his progress was substantial, defeating Jared still seemed like an impossible task.
Meanwhile, back at Liam's mansion, preparations were underway for his daughter Willow's wedding. Liam was busy welcoming guests and his old friends, all arriving in grand, majestic vehicles. Despite Willow's insistence on a modest ceremony, Liam had his own plans to ensure the occasion was still a spectacle, albeit within the limits she set.
Although his daughter had requested a simple wedding with few attendees, Liam couldn't help but arrange something special for the major forces he couldn't afford to ignore. He set up a direct transmission of the ceremony for those who wished to watch remotely. The powerful figures present were there both to witness the event and to gain attention, while the smaller players hoped to catch the eyes of the larger factions.
Liam's old friends, many of whom were ancient beings with long-standing relationships with him, questioned why he was following his daughter's wishes so strictly. When he explained everything to them, they were thrilled. These ancient beings, bored with their own long lives and looking for excitement, eagerly volunteered to attend the wedding in person—but in disguise.
"We'll wear servant uniforms and blend in with the crowd," one of them suggested, grinning. "We're not watching our friend's daughter's wedding on a screen."
Liam laughed but couldn't argue. Though it cost him extra to make arrangements for both the live transmission and the hidden attendance of his powerful friends, he couldn't deny that it would make the day all the more memorable.
Liam was completely exhausted after welcoming all the guests and his old friends. Now, he reclined in his golden chair in his room, seeking some rest. Beside him, the old lady Abelarda, his mother-in-law, was giving him a head massage to ease his tension.
Liam sighed, "How are the preparations going?" he asked Abelarda.
Abelarda, calm and composed, replied, "Nothing to worry about. Everything is going according to your plan."
Liam nodded, half-smiling. "Humph, it better be. After all, I'm the one who came up with all these plans. The only thing I couldn't control was my daughter's stubbornness." He shook his head, thinking about Willow's unyielding nature.
Abelarda chuckled softly. "And why would you want to control your daughter? You know she's your blood. Back in your youth, did you ever obey your father's instructions?" She applied a little more pressure in her massage, causing Liam to groan softly in relaxation.
"Ohhh, you…" Liam muttered, glancing at her.
But something shifted. As their eyes met, Abelarda's old, wise features began to shift and soften, transforming into a youthful, seductive woman. She moved closer, wrapping her arm around his neck, her voice sultry and teasing. "What's that look in your eyes, my dear son-in-law? Do you wish to experience springtime with this 'old' body of mine? If you want, I could offer myself to you tonight…" she whispered in his ear, blowing a gentle breath that sent shivers down Liam's spine.
Liam's entire body tensed, his ears turning red as he felt the heat rise. Lightly pushing her away, he said with a smirk, "Stop teasing, Mother-in-law. Do you not think that one day I might actually take you up on that offer?"
Abelarda laughed, a rich, knowing sound. "Oh? If you want to, just do it now," she said, her lips mere centimeters away from his, her voice dripping with seduction.
Liam, feeling both amused and tempted, decided to play along for once. He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, whispering, "So, where should we start then, Mother-in-law? If you have any preferences, do let me know," he said, his voice teasing but with a hint of seriousness.
Abelarda felt a jolt of surprise, her body reacting to the unexpected change in his demeanor. She had always teased him, even back when he was courting her daughter, but this was the first time Liam had ever taken her invitation seriously. She had always seen him as loyal to his wife, never giving in to her playful advances.
Not wanting to back down, she tightened her grip around his neck and whispered, "Shall we start here, then?" She flicked her fingers, and in an instant, her maid's dress transformed into a silky nightgown, her body now radiating an even more alluring, tempting aura with a soft, pink glow surrounding her.
Liam's mind went blank for a moment, overtaken by her sensuality. Just as he was about to give in, a sudden image of his wife appeared in his mind, halting him mid-action. His emotions, which had begun to spiral out of control, quickly reined themselves in. With a deep breath, he gently pushed Abelarda away and said, "Stop it, Mother-in-law. You know how much I love your daughter. This... this is too much," he said, his tone somewhere between pleading and complaining.
Abelarda, laughing softly, pulled back, her teasing tone still present. "Oh, come now, Liam. I thought you had lost all the fun in life, so I figured I'd remind you of what you're missing. If you don't want it, that's fine." She withdrew her hands, her eyes twinkling with mischief, clearly enjoying the reaction she had gotten from him.
Liam, still flustered, shook his head. "You're too much, really. One day you'll push me too far."
Abelarda smiled coyly. "We'll see, won't we?" she said, leaving him to wonder if the teasing would ever truly stop.