Wei seems pretty eager to give her thoughts on the situation.
“It was quite easy to figure out who you were. With one event after another popping up, all centered on a new individual with dark skin, who smells amazing, there really wasn’t any question of who is doing this.”
… she has a point there. But, if it’s that easy to tell, then does that mean that everyone already knows?
She gives a smirk.
“The question everyone really wants to know… is why?”
…
After everything today, I'm not at all in the mood to play too many games. I need to know more about her intentions.
“Before I say anything toward that, why have you been calling me benefactor?”
At my direct words, she seems to straighten up a bit.
“Of course, it’s because of your shining graciousne-“
“Wei. Don’t go overboard in your explanations. Just speak plainly. There’s no need to put on a personality around me.”
She seems to pause for a moment, considering my words. When she speaks again, her voice is much more serious and normal.
“… Right. Sorry. And thank you.
“That’s part of why I call you Benefactor. I don’t know how… but I feel like you understand me.
“Adding to that, you helped me have an internal realization of the situation I was in. One where no one had caught me before then, but even as you did, with all that you were risking, you showed me the right path. I only found out later how bad it could have been if you didn’t.”
She falls silent. Biting her lips, seemingly in thought.
The soft rolling of the wheels through the street, fill the silence.
Which also makes me check for others around that might be listening. To which the answer is a surprising, no.
Her voice comes out soon after I check.
“I also realized that you giving me the option of leaving or making a contract with you was a way to protect me. To force me out of the lifestyle and the two identities I was caught between. Thinking that kindly for someone is pretty unnatural for most cultivators, without a relationship. That’s why I call you, Benefactor.”
Still not totally clear, but I can see where she’s coming from. Alright. Next question.
“So, why did you join me so easily now, then?”
“Ah. Well, after all you’ve done, it felt like the proper thing to do.”
…
… she’s definitely holding something back.
But I think I can figure out her reasoning over time. For now, this should be good enough.
“Got it. Well, I’m glad you joined the team.
“To answer your previous question of ‘why am I doing all these things…’”
I look behind me a little, as I think of the horrifically traumatized and injured people in the carriages. As I do so, I notice my voice has gotten a little lower, subconsciously.
“… It’s mainly to help the people around me. I mean, who else will, if I don’t?”
I can see her watching me closely, staring for a bit. A bit awkward, considering that we are sitting next to each other on this carriage.
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“… Yeah, I could see that.”
She smiles with a nod, before turning to the front. A comfortable silence hovers between us.
My thoughts turn to some things I’ll need to have prepared back at the towers to help these people. To keep them safe while they heal. In some cases, protecting them from themselves. Of the long journey ahead of them. And how I’ll keep them alive and motivated enough to get through it.
Even with my abilities, I’m intimidated by the thought.
In terms of our current journey, we’ve reached the main road and are traveling at a faster pace, now heading back to the tower. Considering the distance within the Halls of Exalted Purity, it will take some time.
Well. There’s a few more things I should ask about. Might as well do it now.
“So, considering your previous skill-set, could you tell me a bit what’s known about me and my group?”
“Yeah, there’s quite a bit out there and I’m curious myself about what’s true.”
…
For the next couple of hours, she tells me about the perception of us in the sect, with me discovering a terrifying reality.
They suspect practically everything that’s happened, except for my activities in Monchon City with the demi-humans, my time with Ao Jin, and recent events.
From my healing constitution to the kids whose freedom I bought near the walls of the outer city. They know about the healing rats, the army of tamed creatures in the forest, and the ability to increase spirit roots with my healing.
However, they are considered rumors. The saving grace is that much of it is viewed with some skepticism by people in power. For with the power that they hold, they know how unlikely it is that a person would be generous enough to do all those things the way that I do.
Buried within these rumors are several other things that I had absolutely nothing to do with.
Like the collapse of several gangs, a former small sect leader rising back into prominence, and rumors of an ancient line of tree-people coming back to life.
…
…
Actually, never mind. Those first two might be connected to my healing sprees with the rats.
There’s another thing working in my favor, though.
A rumor, but one that many believe, is that I have a secret backer that’s helped to make all of this happen. One far beyond the capabilities of the Yellow Sashes, Big Sis Crane, and even the sect.
They’re not exactly wrong about that, but not right either.
I won’t be correcting that misunderstanding, though. That is also what is preventing overt movements toward me.
This also explains why Wei wanted to join me. Considering the amount of information floating around and her belief that it is true, of course, she’d jump at the opportunity. The whole reason she was doing the dual identity thing with her abilities was to get into the Foundation Establishment.
Since she already knows that Sister Nuan’s movement into Nascent Soul was because of my healing, it would only make sense that she would have a better chance if joining me, as well.
As more of the pieces of the picture come together, I ask more clarifying questions about other aspects floating around.
All while using my scan to ask the right ones.
It’s only a bit of a challenge keeping her confidence in my knowledge base while still learning what I need. And in this way, I gain quite a bit of information that I can use later.
The time flies by, as we move from subject to subject. All until a few interesting subjects come up in the conversation.
“The tournaments later this year will be interesting, as the competing sects will host separate ones again. There’s word that our sect will open a secret realm for the top players for our tournament.”
My ears perk up at the words ‘secret realm’.
Now, that sounds quite interesting. Because of the realms being 'secret', I can't readily find them with my abilities, like I can with other things. Once I'm inside, the dynamics shift, but the real problem lies in reaching that point.
“Hmm, what made this year different?”
“Well, there are a few reasons, but many of the networks are saying it’s in response to the top two other rival tournaments' rewards. Of course, we can’t normally compete with their level of rewards, but that doesn’t mean we can back down from the challenge. Thus, our sect brought out the secret realm to maintain face.
“Heh. Even though us and the other sects are all part of the Chiu Continuum, these things never change.”
Right.
This Revolving Heavenly Light sect is one sect out of an entire alliance of sects that make up the Chiu Continuum. And we aren’t even a top sect in it. Just above average for the alliance.
A terrifying thought, considering everything I’ve seen.
She answers the unasked question.
“Of course, Leigong Pavilion, being the sect at the top, has the most exceptional rewards. Surprisingly, the other high-ranking sect, Jingjiao Temple, has made a good showing for their rewards.
“There’s always other tournaments going on nowadays, but these are the only ones that people consider.”
She waves a hand dismissively with her following words.
A few more chats with her give me the full layout of rewards for these three tournaments and details on who gets them. Being the Top 1, 2, 4, and 8 cultivators in the tournament.
There’s an interesting note in all of this, though.
The top reward for Leigong’s number 1 slot is something quite familiar to me.
A Heavenly Spirit Root. The same kind of item that was part of the Xing family’s legacy and increased their spirit roots to absurd levels.
Looks like I’ll have to attend the tournament later.
However, I have enough to handle here that I need these things first. We will see what happens after.