Chapter 248: A Bit of Backlash

Chapter 248: A Bit of Backlash

The silence in the room is deafening.

Ive done two things wrong in this first meeting.

First, Ive slapped the face of a young master and other bad actors. And now Im calling out the ones listening in out of curiosity.

How do I know they are currently listening in? While normally there would be standard listening bugs for this kind of thing in the form of transmitting talismans that could capture a recording and send it back later, those arent able to make it through the walls of this building.

For being a prostitute gang, they have surprisingly great security for their high-end buildings.

Or perhaps it is because they are prostitutes, that discretion is critical for their infrastructure.

Either way, the only other way someone could listen in covertly is through a complex technique that is actually remarkably simple in practice.

A qi mark.

By placing an invisible, subtle mark on a non-cultivator person, you can listen in on their surroundings while remaining anonymous to anyone under your level. Depending on the level of the mark made, of course. And as could be expected, the person who the mark is placed on has no idea that such a thing is on them.

But there is an unspoken rule with these. It is practically expected to allow these in some fashion, as long as they pass a certain level. That information will get out eventually anyway, so maintaining a standard of sorts is important.

As an example, if a group put a qi mark that qi condensation experts could find then it shows they dont respect you that much. The typical response would be to just remove the person. You dont call them out.

In this case, it would take a high foundation establishment to find most of them. Some are even core formation. Clearly, a level of respect is being shown.

but fuck that.

I need these people, so I cant just send them away. And I will not tolerate my secrets getting out like that.

The whole reasoning behind this is that the marks are quite easy to place on people and have little downside for the placer. But is slightly more difficult to remove for others. Essentially, these rules were made to make it more civilized and structured.

I dont need to do that, though.

The contract will automatically will cause a backlash to anyone attempting to do so. Using their own qi against them as a sub-contractee of sorts. Of course, this requires some qi from myself as maintenance, but it is a trivial amount. Like a few units of qis worth.

For this first level of qi condensation, that will be tight, but my qi automatically refills from my healing constitution. Not to mention my healing aura.

Even with my 4 units, Ill be able to quickly allocate some qi to that and move back to my regular maintenance items. This could be a bit of an issue in a battle, though.

Ill definitely need to move to the next level of qi condensation once everyone is settled.

Because of this, though, I need to let them know what they are risking.

Automatically, I can feel backlashes shoot out, as people accept after reading the contract. They all came here with the general knowledge they were giving themselves over, so Im not surprised at the speed of decisions.

Even with that, Ai and Lin were actually one of the first to accept the contract.

The question might be asked, why would I give such a contract to my closest allies if I can trust them with my deepest secrets?

Because it also serves as an emergency cyanide pill, in case of an emergency. It was actually something we had discussed back in the caves once we got to where we could afford contracts ourselves.

While I understand their reasoning I cant help but not want them to do so.

It all boils down to this.

If they are captured and tortured, they can end it all quickly while protecting their precious family from themselves (their memories and souls). And with this new contract, even in death, they can protect their memories from being dredged up.

Mostly, of course. With enough resources, investments, and time something could still be found. Though, thats because the soul isnt completely erased.

Either way, as more people accept the contract, my qi is being constantly refilled and drained. There were quite a few qi marks on the group members. But there were also other methods being used that seem to still trigger the backlash.

From my estimation, that backlash is no joke either. While the damage wouldnt be permanent, it definitely cant be blown off even by higher tiered cultivators. Especially, since it is using the persons own qi against them.

Warning them about it directly will lessen the political blow and make them more hesitant to make moves against me.

What Im most surprised about is that even after hearing all of this dangerous talk, no one else walked away. Their faces hardened even further.

That only happens in this world if people have no other option left.

Though, I guess that really is the case for these people. Most didnt make it into the sect, so if they want power, they have no choice but to throw everything away.

Not everyone is in that position, though.

My eyes drift over to a few of the nobles in the group.

The all-female posse and their leader, Shi Ji, the blond-haired, red-eyed woman. She hasnt accepted the contract yet.

Our eyes meet. A blush comes across her face and she touches her nose.

Immediately after, she accepts the contract. Her posse follows soon after.

these pheromones are pretty unethical.