Truthful Transmigration

Chapter 547 547

At a certain level of power, an individual's decisions had the ability to shape a large portion of the world. John was one of those individuals, and he couldn't deny it. There were a rare few trivial decisions such as what he ate for a day, but even what techniques he trained at a particular moment might have wide ranging consequences.

If they had attempted diplomacy with the Triptych, the war might have been resolved with far fewer deaths… or perhaps John and Aldara would have died. Their calculations had leaned towards the latter given the unwillingness of the Triptych to even pretend they were willing to engage in diplomacy, but it might have been possible.

The choices that had already been made couldn't be undone, and John saw the consequences. The deaths of many.

He had no idea what another choice might bring. One person, one life. Nobody powerful, yet. Saying he had a reason… wasn't really true. He could come up with justifications later, but just like most things he did during a fight he simply went with what seemed correct. He trained combat and techniques to make better choices, but social situations could be far more unusual.

So now John had a girl sitting in front of him. "Rukiye," John said. "Tell me about your training so far."

The teenager crossed her arms. "I'm not going to reveal my mother's secrets."

John sighed. "I'm not trying to steal your family's cultivation secrets. Were you tested for elemental affinities?"

"Such things are unnecessary," Rukiye said. "I am the daughter of my mother, so naturally I will be suited for the same style."

She wasn't wrong, but Rukiye had a very incomplete image of things. Personal conviction was an important factor in what elements a cultivator could manage. Whether it was 'talent' or simply 'preference' was unclear, but some elements just worked better. Though not everyone actually had a choice in what cultivation style they practiced. Some merely took whatever they could.

"Did you practice spiritual energy control before you established your first totem?" John asked. It was possible to perform just the bare bones of becoming a cultivator and attuning your first totem then. Alternatively, it could be done near the end of the Spiritual Collection Phase. The latter was a practice that came about from the general idea that totems were static and ungrowing, and even if that reasoning wasn't correct it was still valuable to choose a totem once one had some experience.

"I learned to control both earth and water right away," Rukiye said. "According to the principles of our family technique."

John waited for further elaboration, but getting information from Rukiye was like squeezing water from a rock. Actually, he was much more capable of performing the latter. "Did you attempt to control the other elements?" John asked, producing a fire in one palm and a swirling vortex in the other.

"Our family techniques don't suit other elements," she said.

"Right," John said. "Your first task is to try to control each element."

"But-" Rukiye caught herself, changing her response. It was reasonable for her to assume John knew what he was doing. "I would happily make the attempt, however there isn't anything but water and earth here."

"Isn't there?" John asked. "I didn't draw any of this from inside myself," John commented. "So perhaps your first task should be learning to sense less prominent elements." He heard a small noise as Rukiye covered her stomach. "To take place immediately after lunch."

-----

It wasn't good to feed someone on the verge of starvation too much all at once, John simply warned Rukiye and let her regulate herself. After all, learning to trust him even in the small things was going to be important if she was to be his disciple. She would never grow strong enough to actually threaten him without his training. Or at least, John found the prospect so unbelievably unlikely as to entirely discount it. And she had to recognize that as well. Not everyone had the opportunity to train with the strongest cultivator on the planet. Or one tied for it.

He wasn't unfair to his own people, though. Those journeying with him into the Endless Swamp received their own guidance. For most of them, spending more time with John would actually limit their chances of success. If he tried to mold them to fit his image, it was likely they would break. They were already well enough established that they really only needed small insights they might not have achieved- or not realized were important.

Rukiye was smart enough to listen to John, though he could see her eyeing the plentiful dishes.

"There will be more food available later in the day. Or on the way, once your stomach has settled. Speaking of which… you'll have to train while on the move. Just focus your senses."

"But I-" Rukiye began to protest. "I can't possibly keep up with you and do that."

John raised an eyebrow. "You think you can keep up with any of us, under any circumstances?" He shook his head. "I would hope your self assessment is a bit more honest at this point."

"Then…?"

"I'll carry you."

She glared at him. "I won't let you touch me."

John gestured towards a fallen tree, floating the log into the air. "It won't be any different from this. I carry people all the time. I'm not going to make someone else drag you along. Our business is just between us."

"... Fine," Rukiye said.

-----

They had traveled only a day when Renato pulled John aside. "Do you want to die?" he asked.

"No, why?"

John's friend rolled his eyes. "That is the sort of thing that is reasonable to assume when someone gives another permission to try to kill them."

"It might be good for her," John said. "Besides, by the time Rukiye is strong enough to succeed I'd hope she wouldn't want to do it anymore."

"You hope?" Renato shook his head. "If it were actually likely to come about, I would tell you not to bet on such things. Grudges can be held for an eternity."

John understood that. He had some of his own, and even if he'd wanted to let them go he didn't know if he could. "If she comes to know me and still wants to, maybe I deserve it. I can't count on my old friends to honestly judge me."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"... It would be better if you change your mind swiftly. Leave her somewhere she can survive and move on. It would be better for both of you."

John trusted his friend enough that he at least had to seriously consider the words. Even so, he wasn't willing to give up after such a short time. His own resolve, foolish as it was, wasn't willing to accept that without even running into any issues.

-----

"Fire is more vibrant," John said to Rukiye. "Easily excitable. It will try to escape your control, which means it needs guidance much like overly eager water."

The girl grimaced. "I can't do it. Explain better!"

"I can only show you the flow of my own energy. Especially if you won't allow me to direct your energy." He pondered for a moment. "Fire overcomes earth and capitulates to water. The former holds the energy to produce fire, the latter can carry power in great quantity. But… you don't need to become an expert. If you form the most meager spark and decide that is your limit, we can move on. But I would be disappointed."

Rukiye just glared at John. It was her main expression where he was concerned. He wondered if her brow got tired. "Why would I even care if you were disappointed?"

"Because it would make it far harder to kill me. You don't need to practice a full cycle, but you'd at least have to understand it."

-----

Rukiye was very suspicious of John and refused to leave his side… even when he went to meet the Creeping Mud sect. They were the last of the great sects in the Endless Swamp. He could have simply left her behind, but he decided to give her a chance.

"You must act with proper decorum," John said. "Do you know it?"

"My mother taught me," she said.

"Good. Then I will allow you to attend negotiations as my disciple. But if you cause trouble…"

"You'll kill me?"

"No," John said. "But the blood of any who you provoke to attack us will be on your hands."

"You're just saying that because you're going to kill them anyway."

John shook his head. "You may believe what you wish, but there's only one way to find out. Come along."

She still didn't appear to be a proper disciple, though he had acquired better clothes for her. A week wasn't enough time to recover from harsh living, and even though the Endless Swamp was quite large its name was merely hyperbole. Navigation was more of a difficulty than the distance.

John and his retinue approached the sect on foot, at least for the last few kilometers. Rukiye was able to keep up with a moderate walking pace, and she could support her own weight when crossing water. She was quite good at it, though she did come from the swamps so it was a natural movement technique to learn. Her steps were light even on ground that appeared solid, though she didn't seem to have the senses to make an actual determination of stability.

They were met at the 'gates' of the sect by a young woman, yet John could tell she was the strongest of those present. He wondered who had killed the previous sect head. With her age, she couldn't have had her current level of strength for long enough that the sect rose to prominence because of her.

"Greetings, great senior," the woman bowed. "My name is Nasrin. The Creeping Mud sect has heard of your desire to negotiate our future relations, and we are willing to engage."

"Greetings to you as well," John said. "I am John Miller." It was likely his name actually sounded more exotic, since it didn't directly fit the conventions of the world. "We hope you will negotiate in good faith. If so, I can guarantee your survival."

John introduced others around him, including Rukiye.

"Isn't she a local?" Nasrin asked. "I wouldn't have expected you to choose a disciple from here."

John shrugged. "It was a spontaneous choice."

Rukiye nodded in confirmation. It seemed she didn't intend to blow up John's position. Though the actual situation might not negatively affect his reputation, since death was expected rather than an exception.

For the duration of their stay, nobody tried to kill John. It was quite nice. The Creeping Mud sect got a pretty good deal. Sure, they had to pay a fairly high tax on certain resources they had. On the other hand… they would be getting control of much of their neighbor's positions. After all, they were the one remaining large sect in the Endless Swamp. It would take a half dozen others to match them. Of course, many other sects did exist- which was why they wouldn't be in control of the whole region. Not that they could have managed it even with thousands of disciples. Unless they liked endlessly patrolling their own vast plots of land to watch for threats.

Being a bit more conservative was the best way for them to continue forward. John hoped that their influence would help settle the greater region, though if new sects full of resentful people popped up they might hate the continents. For all the good it would do them.

-----

Rukiye often approached John. She had innate confidence sufficient to try to kill him despite her weak cultivation, so while she had been somewhat intimidated during their early relationship as master and disciple, she now boldly asked for whatever she wanted. John wasn't afraid to tell her no, though. He wasn't going to just throw cultivation resources her way and let her bloat with spiritual energy. Then again, he certainly wasn't being neglectful there.

"Hey. I made dumplings," she said one day. Indeed, she had several stacked containers full of dumplings. "It's too many for me, so I thought I would share."

John smiled. "How kind. I appreciate it. Should I call people over?"

She shrugged. "I don't really know that many people." Her eyes locked onto one of the nearest energy signatures. "Though I do have great respect for Senior Renato."

He took that as an opportunity to approach, leaping forward. "Does that mean I can have some?" he grinned.

Rukiye nodded. "Yes, but not too many. I still need to eat."

She held out two baskets, but she frowned when Renato snatched one from the basket closer to John. John snatched it back. "I had my eyes on that one."

He exchanged looks with his friend. They didn't even have to say anything else. Renato grabbed a few as they sat down on nearby logs- the only way to not get soaked garments in the local area. They were on their way out of the Endless Swamp, but it wasn't going to be instantaneous even if they knew the best route out.

John chewed on the dumpling. "How did you build the fire?" John asked. "This isn't a great place for cooking."

"I made it myself," she said. Flames flickered over her fingers. "Manual control."

"That's great!" John grinned. "Glad you took my words under advisement. I told you it's an excellent way to cook. Once I get somewhere I'm familiar with the ingredients, I'll show you what I can do."

Rukiye nodded slightly. "Sure."

John looked her dead in the eye and ate another dumpling. Then he finished off the rest of the basket. She looked around nervously, carefully nibbling on her own.

"Do you remember the terms of our agreement?" John asked Rukiye.

"Of course," she said, sitting up straight. "You provide guidance to me, and I perform my best as a disciple. In exchange… I am allowed to attempt to kill you whenever I please without fear of retaliation."

"Correct," John said. "Pay careful attention to the terms." John leaned a bit closer. "Because if you hurt anyone else, don't expect to avoid the consequences."

The day wasn't hot enough for anyone to be sweating, and a local cultivator of the water element certainly shouldn't be sweating. But Rukiye was.

"Don't worry," John said. "This one was the poisoned basket."

Whatever she used was kind of bitter. Yet also spicy. The proportions kind of threw off the flavor, though. It also wasn't powerful enough that John thought it would have killed him even without advanced body tempering.

One of the main ways John observed Rukiye these days was eating. They'd barely known each other for a couple weeks, so it wasn't strange that there were new expressions to be found frequently. John couldn't say he'd seen anyone eat with such clear frustration and relief before, though he had seen people stuff their cheeks. Like Ursel and Steve.

Renato too, but he was more subtle about it. He tended to take only a little bit at a time… constantly. Until there was no food left. He wasn't so greedy that he would take food from a starving girl, though. Rukiye had enough left for herself.