As the discussion continued, Nile leaned forward slightly, his expression serious. "I still believe the third path is our best option." His voice was calm, but there was a firm determination in his tone.
Jessica glanced at him with slight concern. "Even though we don't have a way to do it right now?"
Nile nodded. "Yes. If we can find someone skilled in memory manipulation, we can ensure that these people don't remember anything about tonight. That way, we avoid unnecessary bloodshed and also prevent them from reporting back."
Jennifer tapped her fingers against the table. "And how exactly do you plan to find such a person?"
Nile hesitated for a moment before sighing. "I was hoping to find a specialist in the Slave Market tonight. Someone trained in memory spells—"
He paused, then added, "Actually, there is a proper designation for such individuals, in some cultivation circles, they're called 'Mind Weavers.' ,in other they are called Mind Modifiers'."
Arin nodded. "Mind Weavers… That sounds fitting. Their ability to manipulate memories would make them extremely valuable."
James, who had been quiet until now, exchanged a glance with Veena. His sharp gaze carried an unspoken question.
Veena met his eyes and remained silent for a moment, as if carefully considering something. Then, with a subtle nod, she gave her answer.
Understanding her response, James cleared his throat and casually remarked, "Well, there's no need to waste time looking for a Mind Weaver in the Slave Market."
His words immediately caught everyone's attention.
Jessica frowned. "What do you mean?"
James leaned back slightly, a small smirk forming at the corner of his lips. "I highly doubt the Slave Market would ever sell a person with such skills. They'd keep them for their own use. After all, their business relies heavily on people who can manipulate memories."
A heavy silence followed.
Then, realization dawned on Arin's face. His sharp mind quickly picked up on the unspoken meaning behind James's words.
"Uncle James… Do you know someone with such skills?"
James chuckled. "Sharp as ever, Arin." He then casually turned his gaze towards a specific person. "Yes, I do. And she's sitting among us."
At this, everyone turned their heads in the direction James was looking—towards Veena.
Veena, who had been calmly listening, let out a soft laugh. "Well, I suppose there's no point in hiding it any longer." She glanced at Nile before addressing the group. "Yes, my auxiliary profession is that of a 'Memory Modifier.'"
A wave of shock spread through the room.
Jessica's eyes widened. "Wait… You can alter memories?"
Even Jennifer, who rarely showed surprise, looked taken aback.
Nile, however, didn't share the same astonishment. Instead, a deep worry surfaced in his expression. His brows furrowed as he turned towards Veena.
"Mama… won't using your powers risk exposing our—"****" He stopped mid-sentence, unable to voice the rest of the question. Instead, he simply looked at her, concern evident in his eyes.
Veena's expression softened as she met Nile's gaze. "Don't worry," she assured him. "Memory modification might seem like an extremely rare skill at lower cultivation levels, but once a cultivator reaches a certain stage, it actually becomes quite common."
She looked around at the others and continued. "In truth, high-level cultivators are required to develop at least some form of memory manipulation skills—not to use it on others, but to defend themselves against such attacks."
Everyone, except James, was stunned into silence.
Jennifer, still processing this information, came to a silent realization. 'If what she's saying is true… then I might have severely underestimated the level of strength she and James possess.'
She had always known they were strong, but for them to be familiar with high-level techniques like memory manipulation? That meant they were far beyond ordinary cultivators.
Jessica, still reeling from the revelation, stared at Veena in disbelief. "So… you've had this ability all along?"
Veena gave a small nod. "I don't use it unless necessary. But in this case, it can help us move forward without unnecessary bloodshed."
Nile exhaled slowly, his mind racing. "That certainly changes things…"
A new path had just opened before them. And now, with Veena's abilities, they finally had a real solution.
Jessica, still absorbing the shocking revelations, leaned back and exhaled. Then, with a small smirk, she repeated Veena's earlier words.
"That settles our worry. Now, what's the next step?"
Everyone's attention shifted back to Nile, who had remained deep in thought. After a brief pause, he finally spoke.
"Actually, I have planned to establish an organization."
His words caught everyone off guard.
"An organization?" Arin frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"
Nile's expression remained steady as he continued. "All of us will openly manage our alchemy shop, while the organization will be developed simultaneously—but in secret. None of us will publicly reveal our connection to it."
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "Why hide our identity as the owners?"
Nile exhaled slowly, as if piecing his thoughts together. "Because we are still weak. If our enemies discover that we are behind this organization, we will be directly targeted. But if our identities remain hidden, the organization will take the heat while we remain untouchable."
Jennifer folded her arms, now fully invested in the conversation. "And what exactly will this organization do?"
"Our first move will be securing this inn." Nile's tone was unwavering. "We will establish our territory around the inn, creating a stronghold within the town's underworld. Our goal is to increase the number of gangs in the town from 9 to 10—with our organization becoming a force equal to the other gangs."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Even Veena and James seemed slightly surprised at the depth of Nile's planning.
Nile continued. "Of course, this will invite challenges and suspicions. After all, the 9 existing gangs are backed by the village heads. We don't have a village head backing us, which means they will try to suppress us."
Jessica frowned. "So how do we stop them from crushing us before we even establish ourselves?"
Nile turned towards James and Veena. "By making strategic displays of overwhelming power."