Fighting to be Kind in a Cultivation World

Chapter 49: Casual Concealment

Chapter 49: Casual Concealment

My mind switches to the incoming spiders.

As I realize how frightening this might be to normal people, I check in that direction, to see how close they are. And how long I have to warn everyone not to be scared.

I can just barely see the body of one of the big ones skittering closer.

As I turn back to the leader, it appears that I had worried for nothing. Before I had even noticed, it appears the boss lady was already lining the women up in orderly lines, facing the approaching spiders. They dont seem to be in an offensive posture. In fact, it seems to be more of a welcoming one.

I can just overhear her saying, Do not be concerned, it is just Gongs people coming to grab the Senior here.

The taller women that can see the top of the oncoming spiders look at each other but stay calm.

They seem to be well trained.

However, in the back, I can see the blonde woman shivering, slightly.

They must have heard about what had happened While the forces here must be trained, the regular prostitutes may not be as mentally strong against such things.

Hell. I would be scared, if I knew they werent on my side. I mean, they are giant fucking spiders.

The leader, seems to have been completely expecting them. She motions for us to head up with the group.

The spiders arrive quickly and at the crossroads of the alley. They dont feel threatening from my connection, more anxious than anything.

Wait. They feel anxious. This seems different than the normal animal reactions, from insects. I can sense the smallest vestiges of sapience.

Breaking me out my thoughts, is the leader facing me, clearly intending to say something.

She does another bow, Thank you again for the help youve given to our group. This truly saved our group from a potentially unfortunate fate. Thank you.

Coming up from her bow, she pulls something from her pocket. Four intricately designed bracelets, with lines of silver and gold interweaving into a band. One of the bracelets has a black metal overlayed within the lines.

These are for your group, to be able to walk into any of our facilities. It represents our relationship as allies, as well as friends. The black metal one is specifically for you. Please stop by anytime, we would be honored to host your group.

She continues with, I do hope that you will pay us a visit sometime soon, in a more private scenario. Im looking forward to being able to repay you for todays work. She hands me the black metal bracelet first and the others as a group.

The way she says that doesnt appear sexual, so I guess she might have something else planned as compensation for today. I think I should bow and say something in response.

With a bow, I say, Our group is honored to have your friendship and alliance. I am looking forward to visiting and working with your group further.

I can feel myself hesitate before continuing.

Should I offer more?

I cannot risk it.

Again.

Spreading out my scan with a large directional pulse, I manage to sense where the leader is and immediately extend a low-tier ranged scan at her.

As I thought. Shes been looking this way the whole time.

I look directly at her location.

Her eyes and lips turn up in surprise as she faces another direction to speak to someone.

The itch that I never knew was there leaves me, potentially the spiritual sense she was using to track me.

Wait, it was actually just a stray spider.

Sigh Id be fooling myself if I thought it was just the spider.

Something feels different though, like Im more aware. Less distractible.

Surprisingly, all of this didnt take that much out of me. Though, I suspect it was because I used the scanning ability much more efficiently this time. Being directional, using pulses, and then focusing in. All while using the lower tier of the scan.

Nonetheless this proves my thoughts.

I am never truly safe, unless I confirm it. They could always be listening in on my thoughts or my location. Until I learn cultivation, I may never know or be able to defend against it.

It wasnt only old man or Big Sister Crane, but also this Yellow Sashes leader, that seemed like they were able to read my mind.

I cant tell if its because I have no cultivation, that they can read me so easily or if that could happen to even cultivators. Based on the little I know about this worlds cultivation tiers, it should be exceptionally more difficult to determine things and affect mental states. Hell, I'm not even sure if they are truly reading my mind.

Even with that, I cannot allow my abilities to be fully known. Or if they are found out, only a portion of it should be revealed.

Damn. This means that I really will need to get used to not using the scan on myself. Only going by feel.

If that is what it takes to survive this world, Ill do it though.

Sigh.

At least this will let me get used to the intuition genius feeling. It is quite nice to just sense things. In some ways, it is starting to even feel natural. Like it isnt just the ability itself, but also my body learning the patterns and what to look for.

As I finish my thoughts on this, the spiders bring me into a deeper area of the cavern, a safe area from what I can tell.

As I come out of the receding wave of spiders, I can see Gong standing there, waiting for me.