Chapter 247: Calling Them Out

Chapter 247: Calling Them Out

As my eyes drift over the group, the murmurs from the main portion die down to nothingness.

Their attention is on me.

As you all already know, I am looking to create a personal group. One that will be based in mutual support, but with a focus on me providing more to you all, in exchange for deeper commitment.

I take a pause, in accordance with the conversation scan.

That commitment will require a contract. One that has the consequence of death and worse, if you decide to betray me or the group. If you have any doubts or concerns that this would be an issue for you now is your time to leave.

No one moves or even flinches.

It looks like this isnt the first time theyve heard this. Likely because the Yellow Sashes have already weeded out those who were just here for curiosity.

But what is much harder to find is the plants, people who are meant to be used to gather information about me.

By this time, information has spread regarding my known abilities: healing, taming personal creatures, and alchemy prowess. There is the possibility that aspects of my scan may be known, but I dont believe the extent of it would be revealed.

Any parties interested in me would look to insert their people into mine.

My eye drifts over to the Yellow Sashes beside me.

Even them. Id be foolish to think that just because their ties are severed, that this isnt a calculated move on Wu Qings part. Having former members as part of my inner circle means more consistently favorable decisions to her and her group.

For other groups, it might be a similar goal or a more straightforward third-party spying.

Unfortunately for the latter, the contract has a nasty surprise for them.

Just to make sure, Im going to do a light scan one that shouldnt set off any cultivation alarms, but will give me information on if a person would be a bad fit for my group. I think Ill add sub-functions of if they can grow to be a good fit or if they have bad intentions. And obviously the potential scan.

With these tenets in mind, I run my scan out over the entire room, from the foundation to even the air above the ceiling.

I find a few interesting things.

First, that there are definitely some spies here. Its not obvious to where the Yellow Sashes members here would know, but clear to someone with their ear to the ground.

There are about 7 of them here that fit that category. Out of those, 2 of them, I believe, could still be good assets for the group based on the scan criteria.

Second, there are about 20 people who I just shouldnt allow in the group, because of personality issues. Things like being more predisposed to abusing others or performing evil actions. Whether by my word or the contract, eventually they would die in the group from these tendencies.

While I could try to rehabilitate them I need to stand on my own feet first before I try that with them. As these dont have the abilities or skills that would make it worth it to try.

For the ones that have the skill, they arent worth it based on their previous actions. Even now I can see one of them leering at the Yellow Sashes, in the corner of their eye. A look that they used on people they planned to take advantage of. Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

And third, are a group of 50 or so people that have been bugged by third parties, looking to discover information on me and my activities.

I speak out a list of names with a confident voice.

I want the following people to come forward and stand here. Mu Tao. Ja Se, Ru Kan. Te Ch

I direct each of the groups I recognized into separate areas.

Quickly shuffling forward, the majority seem to be excited, believing this to be an opportunity, as I know their names. However, many of the sharp ones recognize the fact that none of my trusted individuals are here. This leads many of them to have scowls on their faces as they recognize a clear pattern.

The whole time, I use my scan to catch any micro expressions from these people, to gather more information on their relationships and potential dynamics.

This led me to add 5 more people to the spy and bugged groups, as I did a deeper dive on each of them and found issues.

Particularly for him, it seems that he had taken the death portion of the contract when I mentioned it earlier lightly. To directly tell him he would die immediately with no gain because of the contract, seems to shake him to the core.

Which is curious.

Why wouldnt he fear death from a contract?

One of the guaranteed ways to lose your life? Unless he was planning on a loophole from the start. Staying with the group, but getting off with a lighter punishment. Possibly because of a threat to my life from a higher realm cultivator.

Glad I did this now. That would have been difficult to deal with.

This proclamation of mine seems to have done its job, though. As Im essentially saying the smallest punishment will ruin his life and all their plans.

Not that it's actually the case. I can almost always reduce the price paid, depending on the person.

He quickly comes up with a fumbled excuse to leave and walks away at a fast pace. Putting as much distance between us as possible.

this is going to cause issues later. But even my conversation scan didnt see a way around this. Young masters are just too stubborn.

Now I turn to the first group. The spies.

At least those who remain, after my words.

Now there are only three. The ones that could have been a good asset have already left. So, now its two spies and a potential asset.

I level with them.

You all might have issues as well. Considering your current commitments, I mean.

I can see a shiver pass through them.

And similarly, to the young master, all three rush out the door as well.

I didnt stop the two potentials because theres always a chance to get them later. Its not like their skills are irreplaceable, especially with the Yellow Sashes members here. They have some intelligence gathering people here too. The only difference is that they are actually currently committed to the group.

But all this fuss with the first and second group, has led to the third group of 50 people being nervous.

Before some of them can leave out of fear, I stop them.

I implore you all to pause. Unlike those people before, you all do not need to fear. In fact, for those who stay I can guarantee that you will reach heights you could have scarcely imagined before. In fact, I believe it is word of some things youve heard me do, lead you all are here now. Most of which I can say is true, in some sense. Which is the whole reason I have such measures to protect us all.

The carrot and the stick.

Which parts are true? Which of the rumors is he referring to? Can he really do all the things I heard about?

These questions are naturally raised by my words, but not vocalized.

Trust me when I say that you all will look at this, as the moment you took your destiny into your own hands. That you realized you made the right choice.

The way I say it calls for a dramatic pause. One to make them think on my words.

After some time, I speak back up.

The reason I have you all up here is to speak to those who are listening in on this meeting.

I attack the issue head-on.