Embers Ad Infinitum

Jiang Baimian felt gratified and asked curiously, “How did you do it?”

Shang Jianyao explained how he manifested himself as Pangu Biology, how he ‘established’ a hospital, and how he ‘created’ a large number of wards, a large number of doctors, and a large number of drugs.

Jiang Baimian had thought that she had seen all kinds of situations before, but this was new to her.

She was dumbfounded for a while before saying, “Such imagination; such a broad train of thought…”

Just imagining those scenes made her feel that it was comical, absurd, and unconcealable madness.

This was only her imagination. If she really saw it, she suspected that her mind would be corrupted.

“If those ‘patients’ were conscious, they might have been scared away by you…” Jiang Baimian commented. She couldn’t help but ask a silly question. “What made you think of that?”

“You said that we needed a strong collective. We need coordination and cooperation in all aspects, just like the company. Also, the mind world should be similar to a dream. Thus, we can make some changes based on our willpower. Yes, that’s how I feel,” Shang Jianyao answered truthfully.

It was normal for the mind world to be magical.

Jiang Baimian was caught between laughter and tears. “The reason I said that was to give you some confidence. On the other hand, I was thinking of finding a way to arrange for you to be sent to hospitals, laboratories, and medicine factories when we returned to the company.

“I wanted you to shadow different people to take a look at the different processes involved in fighting illnesses. I wanted you to see how most people are treated and why a small number of people can’t be treated.

“When you have a sufficient understanding of diseases and have a general understanding of what humans do in the corresponding domain and the established mechanisms, I believe that the fear in your heart will be greatly reduced. After all, fear often comes from the unknown.”

Yet, this fellow made himself an incarnation of the company and established a hospital. Countless Shang Jianyaos played the role of doctor to ‘gank’ the diseases. This was something that normal people would never think of.

“It still had some effect.” Shang Jianyao indicated that he would continue to try. “At least I lasted longer than before.”

Jiang Baimian sighed helplessly. “Let’s do a two-pronged approach. A two-pronged approach.”

It was just past noon.

Jiang Baimian looked at the sky outside the window and said, “Since we have nothing to do, I might as well go to the library and find some books regarding diseases. It’s definitely not a bad thing to learn more about them.”

She didn’t bring up the matter of informing the company about the interrogation’s results. Firstly, she was waiting for Xu Liyan to decide on whether he would establish a mutually beneficial partnership. Secondly, Bai Chen had already paid for the self-assembled radio transceiver.

In another two or three days, she wouldn’t need to relay reports through Chen Xufeng.

Of course, some resources could be obtained through the local intelligence network’s person-in-charge.

As for the issue of not being a citizen of the city and not at a rank above Official Hunter, Jiang Baimian didn’t even consider it.

As the brother of Castellan Xu Liyan, Shang Jianyao was already a special citizen!

…

Weed City still attached great importance to the public library. The shattered glass from the previous explosion had been replaced with new ones. White paint was smeared on the blackened surfaces, and the damaged walls were being repaired.

This part of the work was directly organized by City Hall through issued missions at the Hunter’s Guild. The Hunters that accepted the missions were rather efficient and professional.

After a series of inquiries, Jiang Baimian confirmed that these Hunters were a group of masons. They didn’t accept any adventure or exploration missions and only moved around in the city.

Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but feel that Weed City’s citizen culture was different from other places. It was already inseparable from the Hunter’s Guild.

At the same time, it refreshed her understanding of Ruin Hunters.

Other than adventurers, antiquarians, researchers, investigators from large factions, intelligence traffickers, wilderness bandits, scavengers, and mercenaries, there were also new identities like masons, janitors, third-rate detectives, delivery men, and temporary teachers.

“It’s all-encompassing. Weed City’s Hunter’s Guild is equivalent to the Old World’s talent market, professional referrals, and bidding platforms…” Jiang Baimian said to Shang Jianyao with a sigh.

As Jiang Baimian spoke, she pulled out a book that talked about the history of humanity’s fight against diseases. She was surprised to find a familiar person standing opposite the bookshelf—Advanced Hunter Oudick, who liked to wear black coats.

“Are you here to borrow books?” Shang Jianyao walked around the bookshelf and greeted him enthusiastically.

They were brothers.

Oudick nodded slightly and glanced at Jiang Baimian. “I recently realized that I know too little.”

His nose was still a little red.

“It’s good to read more. Anti-intellectualism education makes one prone to being imprisoned.” Jiang Baimian thought of the fake Father—Guo Zheng—who was imprisoned.

At the mention of the Anti-intellectualism Church, Shang Jianyao immediately asked with concern, “Are you still sneezing?”

It was inevitable that Oudick felt a little awkward when the price he paid and the fatal flaw he possessed was mentioned.

What was even more awkward was that Jiang Baimian slapped Shang Jianyao’s shoulder. “What are you saying!? It is very dangerous to mention the price an Awakened had to pay in front of them. It’s only because Oudick is a nice person. If it were any other Awakened, they would already be thinking of ways to assassinate you.”

Do you think you can dispel my killing desire by saying that? Oudick couldn’t help himself from grumbling inwardly. However, he could completely understand what Jiang Baimian was getting at.

“We are brothers,” Shang Jianyao emphasized. “I am thinking of how to help him solve this problem.”

Jiang Baimian then looked at Oudick and pretended to be deep in thought. “It’s not that there isn’t a solution.”

Do you think I’m using words to force you into a situation such that you would feel embarrassed to kill me? No, I’m triggering this topic!

Oudick was silent for a few seconds before finally asking, “What’s the solution?”

“I know that the price paid by an Awakened isn’t that easy to resolve. Even if your sense of smell is malfunctioning, and you won’t be able to smell anything, the corresponding gas will still bring about a serious reaction when it enters your body.”

Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “But we can reduce the impact in this aspect. For example, we can use a military exoskeleton device and wear a gas mask. We then rely on the oxygen produced by the respiratory machine to survive. This way, even poisonous gases won’t be able to harm you, let alone ordinary and odorous gases.”

After seeing Oudick’s expression remain the same, it was obvious that he had already considered a similar plan.

Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “But this is only a way to treat the symptoms, not the root of the problem. After all, you can’t always wear an exoskeleton device. But it’s simple to solve this—change your nose to a mechanical nose.

“Requirements for the main functionality aren’t high. It’s fine as long as you can filter gases. If you have the means, you can order something of a higher grade. That can add a smart identification feature. In short, the goal is to keep sour-smelling gas molecules outside your body.

“In essence, this is also a form of physical isolation. It’s just that the effect isn’t as good as the gas mask. Furthermore, it will cause quite a bit of damage to your appearance.”

Oudick was a little surprised. He always felt that this woman in front of him made it seem like human modification was overly easy. She also didn’t have any psychological resistance to it.

Even in the messy Ashlands, this seemed rather crazy. It would make one seem like the legendary Frankenstein’s monster of the Old World.

Shang Jianyao looked at Jiang Baimian and commented with satisfaction, “We are indeed of the same kind.”

Jiang Baimian rolled her eyes at Shang Jianyao and continued speaking. “This is the power of technology. Hmm, the price you have to pay is relatively easy to avoid. You can use this method to reduce the negative effects. As for some prices…”

At this point, she glanced at Shang Jianyao. “It’s hopeless.”

Oudick thought for a moment and slowly said, “I’ll consider it.”

He was already tempted. He had previously encountered situations where he had a sneezing fit due to sour smells, thus decreasing his combat strength. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have exposed his price. But with his terrifying Sleep powers, he had never fallen into a dire situation.

Therefore, when he was thinking of solutions, he—who instinctively rejected human modification—had never considered this path.

Now, after being deliberately targeted by the fake Father, it was a painful lesson—having lost his powers on the spot. He felt that it was imperative he resolve the negative effects of the price as soon as possible.

After answering, Oudick looked at Shang Jianyao and said thoughtfully, “The price you paid should be related to your mind or spirit. I can tell that your thoughts are very jumpy; sometimes, you aren’t in control.

“This is definitely a bad thing for daily life, but in specific Awakened battles, it might not be a bad thing. It’s just like when facing Hypnosis—the leap in your thoughts can effectively interrupt the corresponding process. In other words, hypnotizing you is several times more difficult than hypnotizing an Awakened at the same level.

“I have also met some Awakened before. They have mentioned the direct application of their own price. Mm, not all prices can be used in a positive manner, just like how I have an allergy to sour smells because of my price.”

Since the two of them already knew his fatal flaw, there was no need for him to avoid talking about the problem.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the real Father even more.” Shang Jianyao wasn’t worried about the price he had to pay.

Jiang Baimian looked around and didn’t continue the topic. “Do you know where we can get some controlled weapons? Like the previously mentioned military exoskeleton device.”

Oudick thought for a moment and said, “I can give you some contacts if you are in First City, but you might not be able to close the deal. In Weed City, you can try to find the boss behind the Today nightclub, Sun Fei. He’s the leader of the underground market. Yes, he’s suspected to be related to the Crystal Consciousness Church.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimei had heard Bai Chen mention this person nicknamed ‘Uncle Sun’ before.

Jiang Baimian wondered if she could use this opportunity to strengthen Long Yuehong.

After borrowing the book, they left the library and arrived at the edge of Central Square.

At this moment, Jiang Baimei’s gaze suddenly froze.

Long Yuehong stood in front of a group of men and women, some small and some muscular. He was clearly demonstrating some combat techniques.

“What is he doing?” Jiang Baimian asked in surprise.

…

After he finished a lesson, Long Yuehong walked over to Bai Chen, took a towel, and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

“After the riot, everyone is very passionate about training themselves and improving their combat abilities…” He sighed from the bottom of his heart.

Bai Chen fell silent for a moment before asking, “Why did you accept the mission of being a temporary coach?”

Long Yuehong felt a little embarrassed. “Well, I-I was just thinking that I can’t have everyone be Official Hunters while I remain a Rookie Hunter.”