Chapter 139: The Maw
I attempt to calm myself down, even though the situations are starting to get worse.
This whole time, Ive been moving in the direction of the market and staying on a predetermined safe path.
My goal is to get to the equivalent to of a wealthy book store caf in this part of the outer city.
If I can get to the caf there, I can buy a book and a drink, allowing me to appear to be busy. Itll also give me more practice concentrating on different things.
While I am nowhere near the idea of using parallel processing, I am able to do a form of calculation transference. The scan and automated healing will do the work based on the parameters Ive set, while Ill be free to work on other things.
Of course, I still have to take care of any issues that pop up out of those parameters. That doesnt even include the fact that I will need to buy the books first.
I currently have 2 Big Silver, 10 Silver, 10 Big Coppers, and 20 Copper Coins. This should allow me to handle most situations. Especially with the 2 Big Silver Coins. Since those can buy a spirit stone each, it should be worth even a cultivators attention in an emergency.
Unfortunately, it likely wont mean anything to a young master but at that point, Im pretty sure that Id be in enough trouble that it wouldnt matter.
As I continued to move, the abusers have now begun telling any victims to attack the rats as well. Luckily, most are exceptionally weak. Which means almost nothing happens, since the rats are able to get away and heal from any attacks. Of course, since I newly tamed the rats, they arent able to resist direct hits, so I lost some to this level of attacks.
However, there are quite a few that are actually stronger than their abusers and are still forced to attack. Some are disgraced body cultivators that have been put into poverty or a bad situation for a variety of reasons. Theres even a low tier Qi Condensation cultivator, who was hooked on drugs.
The cultivator who was on drugs seemed to immediately found out that the cravings had stopped and was immediately feeling stronger than ever, but had still attacked according to instructions, nonetheless. Each of these cultivations appeared regretful for their actions and slightly held back on their attacks.
Even with holding back, they did a lot of damage, going through large swathes of the rats at a time.
They soon realized one thing about rats, especially ones under the taming ability.
Someone coming from those lands would either be a trader, a bodyguard or a type of hunter noble called a Maw.
The reason they are called Maws is that the Plains of Akir are a series of open plains with hills that ebb and flow like the water in the middle of the ocean, called the Rolling Hills. It seems to be some kind of natural Qi phenomenon, somewhat similar to earthquakes, but localized in a vastly different way.
There is an intelligent spirit beast called a Fathomless Maw that mimics some of these hills. When it comes across potential prey, the hills reveals a circular creature that is covered with mouths and teeth.
They hunt down any creature that fits a certain set of characteristics unknown to all but them.
Similarly, to the spirit beast, the noble hunter Jaws hide their Qi signature appearing like a normal person. All until they find the person they are looking for, revealing strength and ferocity that could barely be imagined.
As I walk up to the bookstore, people ahead of me seem to have already gotten the memo.
As I attempt to walk as inconspicuously as possible down the street, many nobles and high-status people, who I believe would normally raise a fuss at even the thought of someone moving them out of their path, moves to the far edges of the street.
Huh, this seems familiar I wonder why?
This continues all the way until I reach the bookstore itself, where two guards stand watch at the door. Strangely, they seem to have been expecting me.
They bowed to me and open the door to invite me in.
Does every situation I go into have to be dramatic?
Sigh.
At least this will be a great cover for what I'm actually doing. Lets get this over with.