blueteamnovel Chapter 363: Minor Contraption
Chapter 363: Minor Contraption
Chapter 363: Minor Contraption
After a few hours, we can see the outskirts of Monchon City. Something that had whipped past us when we first left in the sect’s carriages, away from the city.
Ramshackle buildings made of wood and stone stand clustered together. A place for those that are neither restricted from entering the city nor welcomed.
However, the buildings closest to the road appear to be far better than the others, focused on servicing travelers with places to stay and trading houses.
My eyes turn toward the horizon, with my scan looking beyond that. Letting me see that Jin Chin is causing immense amounts of havoc on all the nearby bandits. Occasionally, a plume of smoke rises from the forest into the morning sky.
I already let her know to be merciful and what general things to look out for when clearing the area.
As well as people that she should let go or save, even if she normally wouldn’t. Now whether or not she will is a different question.
One commitment I’ve made is to allow people to make their own decisions, while giving the best advice I can. For the bandits, there is a lot of grey area in who’s done horrible things and why. I just tried to suggest to her that maybe some of those lean more towards forgiveness.
I feel a sigh come out of me.
It would be so much easier to just tell her what to do. But that’s not the best way for people to grow. Especially if I’m trying to cultivate regular and consistent kindness in them. Visitt (.)co/m for the latest updates
A small clank behind me, draws my attention away from my thoughts, and to He Wen instead.
He jerks his head up from the large contraption he is working on and stands to apologize.
“I’m sorry, Mast-“
“It’s Jared, He Wen.”
I raise my hands with a smile.
“No need for formalities, remember? Also, don’t mind me, I was just thinking of something. You can get back to practicing.”
He calms down, giving me a small nod, and returns his eyes to his work. I give him one back, while turning away. Even as I do so, though, it seems like the best time to check his progress on the project I’ve given him while we travel to the city.
A go-cart.
“There’s no need to worry, Master James. We will protect you from anyone looking to harm you.”
I scratch my neck awkwardly.
“Ah, actually, I meant that you all should watch yourselves instead.”
I can see looks of confusion from everyone, showing that I’ll need to explain.
“Considering everything that’s happened thus far, people might go after you all instead of me. And all of you know my personality enough to know that it would be an effective tactic.
“With that said, Yalei, could you protect everyone? And everyone else, I need you to practice keeping a close eye on each other and training together. I’ll typically be okay, as you all have seen.
"But if someone kidnaps one of you, that will cause us quite a bit of issues, since I WILL come to get you back."
As I was speaking, Lin was nodding her head, being the first to understand where I was going with this. Understandable, since she is one of the first people to get to know me in this world.
By the end, only He Wen still seems confused by my decision, since he doesn’t know me as well. Yalei seems to get it from having interacted with my ‘shadow’, as it was just me, but in her mind.
I continue with the explanation.
“From what I can gather, the changes in the situation have to be because something in the city is leading to large groups being pushed out. While normally I can figure out what’s going on... someone is hiding things and making it difficult to discover.”
The outskirts are only a few kilometers ahead, with some groups moving far slower near that area. An indication that I should wrap this conversation up.
“Just remember what I said and be safe out here. No matter what happens, I can take care of myself. I just want you guys to be safe, okay?”
Everyone gives hesitant nods.
I’ll have to take that as a yes.
As we all reorient to the individual carriages, I finally see a sight at the edge of the outskirts that brings immense amounts of joy to my heart.
A tiny spider.