Chapter 259: Consequences of Betrayal

Chapter 259: Consequences of Betrayal

The merchant ladys words of shocked denial ring out a bit and even after the following quiet, still echo in others minds.

To say such a thing to your boss in this culture is unthinkable. But, so is what I just said.

Everyone was likely only expecting a small increase. The well-to-do people in cultivation are one thing, to have them grow massively in power. But for a bottom of the barrel to rise to the level that would be allowed into the inner courts in a quantity recruitment year?

Absurdity.

So, even after her words, no one is really judging her.

As they are curious about it, too.

So, I decide to be frank with them all.

This is what you signed up for. But even this is just a small part of what youll be getting as long as you do right by this group. For those who truly commit, I have so much more to help you progress in your cultivation journey.

For now, though, here is what I offer so far.

I gesture at the tables and the building itself.

What Ive already provided should speak for itself.

I put a hand on the young mans shoulder and grip it.

Its up to you now to show me if this investment is worth it.

His face is tight, holding back tears as I can see it setting in for him now. He dashes to the next table, and the line moves quickly.

But the air has changed in the room, both for the better and worse.

Its quiet.

The poor and downtrodden have a fire in their eyes, but the nobles and merchants have a small level of fear.

This is a potential ground for a revolution.

There are many benefits to being in the upper-class society, whether through money, birth, or connections. The healing takes some of those away if I chose not to give it to them.

And so, what I suspected that might happen occurs within the next hour.Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

I feel a shift in the contract and a person whos a part of it.

One by one, they move through the line silently. All until it is complete. Everyone has a single spirit stone, has had a concoction, and a talisman.

By the time we finish, the mood has gotten better overall.

I dont even need my scan to know why.

I mean, what can they do about it? Theyre not the ones that are planning anything and all they are receiving are benefits.

As long as they stay in line, there wont be any issues.

Soon enough, everyone shuffles into the different residential floors that were already shown to them during the tour. Luckily enough, there was a pre-sorting system that was already set up based on the current group.

One room is now empty, though. A reminder of what will happen if they decide to betray the group.

Its a little morose, but Ill keep it empty.

Sometimes, its better to send a message to save future lives.

But with everyone taken care of, I can now focus on some other things.

Like the four women before me.

Ai, Lin, Shi, and Mei Lin.

While everyone else seems to move their stuff in, they headed on a beeline to me instead.

Following close behind is the hero group.

Now, while the spirit beasts above may protect the towers and everyone, theres no way Im going to leave the people I care about unprotected.

Ill need to come up with a better method of this soon.

Before I do anything else, though, I had over to them 10 spirit stones each.

In each of their own ways, they are important to me. So, of course, Im going to help them succeed. Even if I care about others, what use is it if I let the people close to me fall?

And especially after what just happened, I feel guilty about how everything went even if in all technicality; it went far smoother than it could have. There was always the possibility of all the nobles looking to betray me to give away the information, in fear of what could come.

Yeah, the potential of this wont get past the upper classes, as things get out more and more. Sister Nuan, the three elders, and the relationship with Big Sis Crane will all be things I need to solidify and grow if I want to not have another, more informed assassination.

They come closer, and all of them have bright smiles.

Looking toward the future. And in their eyes, despite the risks, it is bright.