Chapter 364: Peeping Toms

Chapter 364: Peeping Toms

I struggle to contain my grin as I speed up our carriage convoy just a tad faster towards the little spider ahead.

Curiously, this spider is not part of my taming group. But it’s clear from my scan that it’s under Gong’s control, nonetheless. Meaning that she doesn't need my taming connection to exercise total control over them.

She's always had a lot of control over them, but it seems like the connection is on an entirely different level now.

No wonder people are getting suspicious about whether she’s a cultivator now. I suspect that if she didn't want to stay hidden, she could infest this entire region with spiders from the deep.

Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators would immediately squash such an attack. Nevertheless, she could do it.Visitt novelbin(.)co/m for the latest updates

Just as we approach within a kilometer of the spider, it quickly moves its little legs toward us, finally leaping a considerable distance over to me. To land right on my head.

A little scary, to be honest. Even Yalei flinches at the sight.

Of course, I’ve let everyone know it’s safe.

Though I like Gong and have become more accustomed to spiders, it’s still a little scary to see a spider the size of a nickel jumps at you. Even so, I love the little thing and give it little head pats. Careful to avoid its many eyes.

Surprisingly, Yalei seems to love it, after the initial scare.

“Aww, look at the little legs! Their wiggles are so adorable!”

A charmingly cute side of her being revealed. But I soon remember my original aim, switching my focus back over to the little spider.

To allow for communication between Gong and me to be a little more fluid, I extend a taming contract over to the spider. One which is accepted, linking me to the person I’ve been missing for months now.

With the new level of scan, the proximity, and the increased connection she has with the spider, this is the closest to telepathic connection that I’ve had since I’ve gotten here. A flurry of thoughts, emotions, and a whole mess of tension flows between us in the moment.

Leaving me to say something I’ve been wanting to this whole time.

“Hey.”

“...Hey.”

“...”

“...”

Even Gong is dumbfounded how I came up with just that, after what just was felt between us at this moment.

And if it’s like this, so far away from her main area of protection, I can only imagine how she’s grown her area of control. No wonder, too, as even now I can see small streams of tiny spiders shuffle around in lines, like ants. A simple mistake to make for a non-cultivator.

However, the way I see people delicately avoid them means that there have already been some situations that might have brought their true nature to light.

Since we still have quite a distance to go and are still on the outskirts of the city... on the other side from where Gong would be, we’ll have plenty of time to prepare my group for what to expect in the underground.

But not everything goes according to plan, especially here in Monchon City.

As my scan is always on and I can effortlessly see the coordinated movements of others around us. Our presence has undeniably been noted.

Blue. Yellow. And Vermillion.

Representing the Blue Bands, Yellow Sashes, and the Vermillion Stripes.

Each being one of the major gangs of the city. I notice that the former two appear noticeably larger than the latter. Considering that the power of the gangs used to be equal before I had left, something has clearly changed between them. With only one answer coming to mind.

Gong’s Maroon Spiders. Or at least that’s what the city has taken to calling her group of demi-humans.

It’s no secret that our Gong hates the Vermillion Stripes with a passion. And the ideology of them is in direct conflict with how she does things. I wonder how many times she’s beaten them down at this point?

Wait a second.

Could that be why we’ve been seeing so many bandits around the outside of the city.?

...

Oh no.

My eyes drift over to one of the Vermillion Stripes spies. Seeing the hostility inside theirs. Realizing the bad feeling that I’ve been getting the closer I’ve gotten to the city. And realizing the course of action that I have to take.

I turn to the rest of the group.

“no.”

I don’t even say a word yet, but Yalei has already spoken her decision on the matter. Of course, she saw the same thing I did, using her spiritual sense in the area. And based on my actions so far, she already knows my approach. And right after, Ai and Lin repeat those same words, catching on to my plan.

I want to fight the whole of the Vermillion Stripes myself. And clear out a problem before it begins.