I, for one, am not looking forward to this conversation.

Wu Qing, the leader of the Yellow Sashes, continues to speak irrespective to my thoughts.

“So, as you probably expected, our people have been watching you for some time. We’ve generally been aware of you, since you made contact with Sister Fang’s group, alongside Gong. We only really started paying attention to you, specifically, when we found out you had healed little Ming, the blonde young lady of ours, you had saved.

“What made this especially important to us, was the fact that your group had just decimated a large portion of the Vermilion stripes.”

Wait a second.

I could’ve sworn that the young boy had told the boss Lady about what had happened after I had already met them.

oh.

It could be that the boss lady did not know, but Wu Qing did…

Which would only make sense, since it is clear she has a high level of cultivation. At least, it is likely higher than anyone else am aware of.

Except, big sis crane, of course.

“You can imagine my surprise, when we found out that the disease that had been hurting my group pretty badly, was so easily and quickly solved by a newcomer. Not only that, but someone that was part of Gong’s group did it.

“The same Gong, that is, and has been distinctly protected by Sister Fang. My first thought, was that you were the one that created this disease, to make it so we would be indebted to you. That somehow, you had infiltrated her group and gain influence with sister Fang.”

Sister Fang? Does she mean Big Sister Crane? That must be her actual name, then. They must have a close relation. Though, why does it sound like Gong is closer to ‘Big Sis Crane’, than Wu Qing?

Wu Qing continues on speaking, irrespective of my internal thoughts.

“Thus, I thought the safest way to dispel this thought, especially against a non-cultivator, was to use my spiritual sense on you. To read your emotions, body, and mental direction.”

Unfortunately, I still don’t have a good idea of what spiritual sense is.

My confusion must have been clear on my face, because she quickly explains what it is. It’s the slightest amount, but my scan reveals a hint of relief crosses her face, before disappearing like the wind.

The brief explanation is that spiritual sense means using your spirit to take a look at the surrounding area, far beyond your five senses.

She sighs and puts her fingers to the bridge of her nose.

“I should probably admit this now, before sister Fang finds out. At higher levels of this ability, you can read peoples body, behavior, mind, and potentially, even their abilities. For cultivators, is extremely disrespectful to read someone in this way.

“However, there are no such rules for its use on non-cultivators. You, likely through your special constitution, could detect my spiritual sense. You wouldn’t know this, but that is an exceptionally rare ability. It would appear that you may have a special variant on the ability.”

Huh, I didn’t think there might already be a version of this out there… I should have expected and used that.

“Back to my explanation, though. So, I’ve been reading your body and saw that it was continually refining itself. Not only that, but I was able get a general idea of your thought processes by reading your emotions and body language.”

She pauses.

“Ahem. Which allowed me to see when you were most likely thinking negative things about our group. And… I may have had people watching you near constantly since that first time. To build a profile on you. That way we could direct your actions in an optimal way.”

She seems to think on something and begin panicking.

“AH! I mean, unless you went to visit Sister Fang and Gong’s territory, as per the agreement. That’s really important!”

“…Okay, that’s good to know. Thank you for the detailed explanation and why you were doing that. I had a feeling that may have been the case, both with my body and the spiritual sense, but I wasn’t sure.”

OH SHIT, I DIDN’T KNOW THEY WENT THAT DEEP.

Wu Qing stops for a moment, as her eyes narrow amusedly, knowing that I’m deflecting from the truth.

Ugghh, so this is how they were controlling me in the alleyway and the bathroom. It’s almost like hypnotism of sorts. Will most definitely using my scan to protect against this later.

It’s important enough.

Quickly though, I can see Wu Qing’s eyes widen, as I hear a familiar voice beside me.

“Hmm… it’s good you still understand the way of things and are teaching James about it, Little Wu.”

I realize at that moment; the scan is alerting me to Big Sis Crane’s arrival next to me.

My eyes turn to her in shock as I recognize her quickly. However, it is a bit strange to not see her in the chair, as I’ve previously seen her.

With her standing up, I can see much more of her figure.

And frankly, the more I look at her, the more she seems amazingly attractive. There’s no ‘for her age’ added in there either.

She has an absurdly curvaceous figure, with her long brown hair providing a gentle feeling. She’s obviously intelligent and mature. I literally can’t find a fault with her. It’s almost as if it was hidden when she was sitting in her chair.

As I look at her, I can’t help but feel my heart skip a beat.

She gives me a side-glance, with upturned lips.

“Now, now young man. I wouldn’t want to be stealing my sister’s love interest from her.”

Her smile grows.

“Well… not until she’s had a bite, at least.”

Ahhhhh.

Older women are my weakness.

…

I seem to have a lot of weaknesses…

Moving on, she directs her eyes back to Wu Qing, whose lips are now pursed, as if tasting a sour grape.

Oh right. Losing myself to her Sister Fang, who is likely the superior in their relationship, probably doesn’t help right now.

“So, Sister Wu.”

“Sister Fang. It’s clear that my guard’s detection abilities were no match for your skills. Again…”

“Hahaha, well, it would only make sense. My people were the ones to give you pointers on how to hide and detect beyond the trash methods they use around this area. Knowing both the good points and bad of what I give you would be obvious, don’t you think?”

Wu Qing gives a sigh, almost in defeat. “Yes, yes… it has only become apparent from that point.”

Big Sis Crane seems to take a bit of delight in her acquiescence, before remembering I’m still here.

“Cough. While it is good to give guidance to the young people around us, it might be time to leave them to their own devices… don’t you think?”

Wu Qing shifts uncomfortably, but nods. “Yeah, we can always finish our conversation later.”

Turning to me, she adds, “Thank you again for your help, James. My group and I truly appreciate the work you’ve done for us. We look forward to working with you further.”

After saying that, the pair then practically disappear, but then reappear on one of the nearby buildings, then disappearing again. My scan reveals, they are just moving very fast and my brain just isn’t catching all of their movements.

Just as quickly, Shi is back, with another guard who smiles and nods before disappearing, as well. Shi still seems to be in a little shock. I notice she has even better clothes on and a few more jewelry pieces.

Cough.

“So… I’m assuming it isn’t normal that the leader of your group personally reveals themselves to someone like that? And clears an entire work area, just to talk?”

She seems to swallow before nodding.

As we stand there, I can feel my head hurting.

“So, could you explain more of what just happened?”