Embers Ad Infinitum

Another day passed. In the morning, Han Wanghuo drove his derelict SUV to the hotel camp.

“This is all the information I can gather on Mechanical Paradise.” He handed a stack of paper to Jiang Baimian—who was wearing an elegant monk mask.

Jiang Baimian was in no rush to read it. She only glanced at it and asked, “Did Harbinger Song look for you?”

“We talked.” Han Wanghuo nodded slightly. “But there’s no need.”

I can tell that you’re a very upright and determined person… Jiang Baimian replied inwardly.

As she deliberated over her words, Shang Jianyao interrupted and asked, “Where do you plan on going next?”

Although Han Wanghuo was not a parishioner of the Vigilance Church, he had been influenced by Redstone Collection for many years and instinctively asked, “Why are you asking this?”

Furthermore, it was a habit of experienced Ruin Hunters not to reveal their locations easily.

Shang Jianyao frankly replied, “We want to observe you.”

“Huh?” Han Wanghuo was a little confused.

Shang Jianyao further explained, “As a friend, isn’t it normal to observe your life and care about your condition?”

“Friend…” Han Wanghuo repeated the word in a low voice, seemingly surprised.

After a few seconds, he laughed self-deprecatingly. “I’ll likely go to First City. There are more opportunities there, and it’s a more complicated environment. It’s more suited for people like me.”

Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully. “I heard that the Senate specially raises a Subhuman army.”

This army was hated, discriminated against, and ostracized by First City’s citizens. They could only firmly rely on those in power in the Senate. Otherwise, they would either be unable to leave First City alive or collectively be ‘moved’ to the mines once they were abandoned.

As a result, those in power in the Senate obtained an army that was sufficiently loyal, obedient, and capable of combat.

“This has nothing to do with me,” Han Wanghuo replied simply. He then said, “I should go.”

“We’ll go to First City to find you later!” Shang Jianyao waved his right hand, looking all reluctant.

Han Wanghuo took a few steps and thought for a moment. He paused, turned around, and indiscernibly nodded. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye,” Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen replied.

Han Wanghuo slowly exhaled, opened the SUV’s door, and entered the driver’s seat. He then drove west through the city ruin and arrived at an empty area by the lake.

There were many target boards erected here. The town guards took turns firing at them.

During this process, they alternated between being in prone positions, kneeling positions, and standing positions. They constantly raised their marksmanship standards in different positions.

Upon seeing Han Wanghuo alight, the town guards in the resting area shouted in unison, “Captain Han.”

Some of the members used the Red River language.

Han Wanghuo was stunned for a moment before smiling. “How’s it going? How was your training?”

He repeated his question in Red River language to show fairness.

The expressionless Tan Jie took two steps forward and said, “Everyone’s skills have significantly improved over this period of time. It’s better to train together and communicate with each other. It’s more effective.”

In the past three years, due to the conflicts between the Ashlanders and the Red River people—as well as everyone’s belief in vigilance and hiding—Han Wanghuo had failed to organize a uniform training session despite exhausting every means possible. He could only assign separate time periods for the town guards to take turns practicing.

After the attack by the merfolk and mountain monsters, the residents of Redstone Town seemed stimulated. They were no longer as extreme and could now barely gather together to train and communicate. After all, many of their relatives and friends had fallen in front of them. Their corpses were incomplete, and blood flowed everywhere. This tragedy was worse than any other time.

Thanks to Han Wanghuo’s philosophy of combining Ashlanders and Red River people, they relied on each other and helped each other in times of danger during the war. This finally sparked a little trust between the two races.

Han Wanghuo smiled again. “Not bad.”

At this moment, a brownish-blond-haired Red River person stepped forward and said, “Captain Han, we’re relatively tight on ammunition now.”

It wasn’t that the town guards lacked ammunition, but they had to reserve a portion to guard against sudden attacks from the Subhuman coalition forces and bandits. Allocations for live ammunition practice weren’t enough.

Han Wanghuo nodded slightly. “Send someone to find Anhebus. He said that he wanted to contribute to the town.”

Be it the Red River people or the Ashlanders, the town guards present laughed upon hearing this.

Although Han Wanghuo had only used the Red River language this time, the Ashlanders here more or less understood a little.

“Yes, Captain Han!” several town guards replied firmly after laughing.

After discussing this matter, Han Wanghuo walked toward the shooting range while Tan Jie followed beside him.

“After the war, they started to truly acknowledge you as their captain. Your defense line was the most tragic,” Tan Jie said expressionlessly.

Han Wanghuo fell silent and didn’t respond.

As he walked, the team members—who had completed their shooting practice—turned around and greeted him.

“Captain Han.”

“Captain Han.”

“Captain Han.”

…

Han Wanghuo walked to the end and closed his eyes. He turned around and looked up; he saw the Red River people with different hair colors and the black-haired, brown-eyed Ashlanders gathered together. Although their attitudes toward each other were very distant, and they were very vigilant, they would exchange a few words from time to time.

Han Wanghuo retracted his gaze and said to Tan Jie, “Watch them.”

“Alright.” Tan Jie watched Han Wanghuo circle around the shooting range and walk toward his black SUV.

After getting into the car, Han Wanghuo quietly sat for dozens of seconds before starting the car and driving toward Redstone Collection.

After going underground and parking the car, he looked ahead and silently took a deep breath before slowly exhaling. He then opened the door and alighted.

He entered Redstone Collection and walked down the escalator.

As he passed by an advertising panel left behind by the Old World, he bent his finger and rapped on the surface.

Amidst the echoes, Han Wanghuo asked, “Anything wrong?”

“No, everything’s a-okay.” A voice sounded from the metal advertisement panel.

Han Wanghuo tersely acknowledged it. “Remember to rest and take turns.” With that said, he walked toward the escalator that led to the lowest floor.

At this moment, the public security officer in the metal advertisement panel added, “Good morning, Captain Han!”

Han Wanghuo paused and slowly turned around. He smiled and said, “Good morning.”

The escalator began to descend, and Han Wanghuo arrived at the Public Security Department.

Weiler was not around, and there were only two officers hiding in the building.

Han Wanghuo walked to his desk and stared at it for a moment before slowly taking out a letter from his pocket.

He solemnly placed the letter on the table and pressed the waterless cup over it.

His gaze then swept across the familiar tables, chairs, chandelier, stationery, and walls. It was very slow and careful.

Phew. He exhaled, turned around, and walked out the door.

As he went up the escalator, Han Wanghuo looked up and surveyed the empty and bleak town.

After leaving town, he drove the derelict SUV all the way to the northwest of the city ruin.

After an unknown period of time, the hills at the ruin’s edge reflected in his eyes.

Han Wanghuo reflexively stepped on the brakes and stopped the SUV. He sat in the driver’s seat and cast his gaze at the rearview mirror.

In the rearview mirror, the edge of the dilapidated city ruin was bathed in the winter sun—which was approaching noon—as if it were draped in a faint golden coat.

After taking in the view for a while, Han Wanghuo retracted his gaze, touched the rifle beside him, and raised his right foot that was stepping on the brakes.

As the car drove off again, he saw the hills and barren fields in front of him.

The SUV sped through the deserted Ashlands.

…

After receiving the information regarding Mechanical Paradise, the Old Task Force came to the Vigilance Cathedral and bade Song He farewell.

They had participated in the Requiem Ceremony last night and prayed for the people who had died in the war.

The Vigilance Church’s Requiem Ceremony had no hiding segment, but everyone wore masks. It was like a sad masquerade party.

Shang Jianyao wasn’t disappointed because of this and participated very seriously.

After leaving the cathedral and getting into the jeep, Long Yuehong was just about to speak when he suddenly saw a few older children playing in the nearby collapsed building.

Among them was Viel, who had soft blond hair.

“Heh heh, I almost thought he was an adult.” If not for this scene, Long Yuehong would’ve forgotten Viel’s age.

This older boy’s mysterious whereabouts and strange words always made people forget his age. Furthermore, Viel—who liked to see reality from the ducts—had indeed shown maturity that exceeded his peers.

“There’s probably something wrong with this fellow, but we aren’t local public security officers who have to investigate anything that seems wrong.” Jiang Baimian laughed.

At this moment, Bai Chen started the jeep.

Shang Jianyao turned his head and looked at the Vigilance Cathedral as if he were unwilling to leave.

“Why are you still reluctant to leave?” Jiang Baimian asked casually.

Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “I haven’t made the merfolk, mountain monsters, Ashlanders, and Red River people live in harmony here.”

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a moment before saying, “This requires time. Besides, Harbinger Song also has such intentions. Also, it’s not like we won’t come again. When we return from Mechanical Paradise, we still have to pass by here. When the time comes, you can do what you want according to the situation.”

Shang Jianyao thought for a moment and suddenly became excited. “Then, I want to tell everyone in Redstone Collection: ‘We’re back again!'”

They might not welcome us… Long Yuehong criticized inwardly.

As they had already packed their things, they didn’t return to the hotel camp. They drove the jeep south.

Destination: Mechanical Paradise.

…

Outside the Vigilance Cathedral, a boy about the same age as Viel sat at the edge of the collapsed building and grumbled, “Why didn’t you come when my father was buried? Are we still friends?”

This boy had a pair of dark-green eyes.

Viel—who was also sitting on the edge of the collapsed building—curled his lips and said, “You know that I don’t like him. He always laughed at my height.”

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