Chapter 202: Clearing Thoughts
With Ao Jins body still locked above my body in an angry grip of death and despair, I cant help to be frozen. Staring into his bulging eyes, my mind is awash with fear and shame.
The knowledge that I stopped him from doing what was necessary to save his wife and child. Imagining the horrors, they go through every day and what they must now go through for the rest of their lives. Being tortured and played with for enjoyment.
Neither my body nor my mind can move away from his soulless glare.
However, I quickly feel my healing constitution go into action and some of the intense feelings abate, which prompts me to utilize my healing aura as well.
Almost instantly, I can look and move away from him.
He left a final demonic technique gift.
One that he sent to impress upon me the pain hes been going through. What I just took from him.
To eternally share his last moments of pain and suffering.
It doesnt appear that it sent over memories, but more of the emotions towards certain things.
but deep within the pain is a tinge of hope. Hope that Ill save his family for him. That I would care enough.
Despite the fact that he tortured me.
Before I can dive into the thought of this, something else steals my attention away. The fact that my allies could still use some healing.
Since I had already healed the Panther, who had run away, I move my healing to finish up taking care of the tamed creatures who assisted me in the battle.
Eager to focus my attention on something else, I completely healed them to full and even got rid of some deficiencies they previously had. After that was done, I made sure that their cultivation journey, in the spirit beast sense, would move smoothly with the changes.
Obviously, this left a very positive impression on the creatures. While the situation from before was close, they still grew an immense amount from it because of the massive amounts of strain they went through in the healing that compensated for it.
I ended up doing a different style of taming contract with each of them. Basically, they would continue to get a tiny percentage boost to their cultivation, with the ability to increase it to higher levels if I ever needed their help. A retainer fee, of sorts.
Without a doubt, this is going to have ramifications on the surrounding jungle.
Im suddenly reminded that I disconnected my healing from Gong and the group, in my desperation to survive the fight. And based on what I needed to do; it looks like it was the only decision I can make at that time.
Quickly reattaching my taming, scanning, and healing connections, Im quickly brought back to speed on the changes that have occurred with the normal networks.
As I connected to Gong, I immediately sensed relief coming from her and my survival. Before she can even communicate back, I can see that weve lost quite a few spiders and with the demi humans, one is missing, with another being unconscious.
Full of concern, I also connect to Ai, Lin, and everyone else I had previously had my healing connections to. Luckily, it appears everything is normal for everyone else. With that being the case, I redirect my attention back to the situation with Gong. I dont heal the unconscious person, because I get a feeling that they would already be awake if Gong wished it.
To make things a bit easier for her, I tame a spider nearby, so she can communicate via webs.
Save his family.
Bring him back. With caution, and only when Im strong enough to handle him.
Keep doing the right thing, but have items on hand to handle unexpected situations.
Nice thoughts, but has a lot of steps invoiced in each one.
The issues that were resolved before, was because I had the abilities or the strength to face them. Whether it was healing countless people in both the outer and Monchon city, or the journey up the stairs, it was because of my strengths.
But its not only that.
I think that even if people disapprove of what I do, as long as I keep doing what I believe is morally right, I can stay sane in this crazy world.
I can feel it the temptation to go the typical path. To say fuck it all and not care about anyone. Take what I want and whenever I want.
I wont do that, though. There is value in the morals my family instilled in me.
I have to believe that. I need to.
even in a world that says otherwise.
But I can only do what I believe is right if Im strong enough to go against those who are willing to do wrong.
Or, if I empower those who have strength as well, to fight beside me.
I would not be where I am without Gong, Ai, and Lin.
There are also many other people whove made a huge impact on what Ive been able to do for others in this world. It may be tough, however there are people out there that want to do right by others.
They just need to be convinced its worth it.
Thinking back on the current dilemma, the little I know about Ao Jons family tells me it wouldnt be an easy feat to save them from.
But its something need to do. For my own sanity, if nothing else.
Luckily, cultivators are typically complacent, and my scan tells me that this might be a situation that I can actually affect relatively soon.
And it appears its through one contact I had made during my market journey.
Ill find a way.
I promise.