Embers Ad Infinitum

Jiang Baimian laughed inwardly and helped ‘explain.’ “He’s a ghost enthusiast and has always been trying to prove that ghosts really exist.”

The woman—who was suspected to be the hotel owner—sized up the four of them several times and exhaled. “I didn’t expect such a person to exist.”

“The world is large, so nothing is impossible,” Jiang Baimian replied rather sincerely.

Even a self-proclaimed knowledgeable person like her often felt like a frog in a well. Shang Jianyao’s antics, in particular, were often unimaginable to her.

Without waiting for the woman in the gorgeous dress to speak, Jiang Baimian asked, “Are you Madam Aynor?”

A few smugglers from Redstone Collection had mentioned that the owner of Serene Dream was named Aynor.

This was not her real name. It was a name she had given herself after coming to Tarnan. It could be used as an Ashlandic name, Ai Nuo, but it could also be seamlessly linked to a Red River name. It had the same effect as Oudick.

As for what kind of person this lady was before she came to Tarnan and what she had done, nobody knew. It was a mystery.

“Yes.” The charming woman released the hair twirled around her finger.

She then smiled. “It seems like you were introduced by an acquaintance.”

“Redstone Collection.” Jiang Baimian didn’t hide the truth.

Aynor was a little surprised. “Ha, you actually made friends with those people—who often hide and can’t be found—and obtained information on Tarnan?”

“We happened to encounter a merfolk and mountain monster invasion and fought alongside them for a period of time.” Jiang Baimian spoke the complete truth.

However, this didn’t cover their entire experience at Redstone Collection.

Aynor had only casually made a wistful comment and didn’t have any intention of probing further. She then asked, “How many rooms do you want?”

“Any recommendations?” Jiang Baimian asked in response.

Aynor sized up Jiang Baimian and smiled. “You sure are smart. Serene Dream is different from other hotels because I specially modified the layout of the rooms for Ruin Hunters and the various factions’ caravans.

“A team like yours definitely wouldn’t want to be separated into several rooms. This will prevent you from communicating and meeting up in time in the event of an accident. But if you are stuffed into a room with four beds, you won’t be able to live comfortably. It won’t be any different from being in the wilderness.”

She’s at most a decade older than me, but she actually jokes in the tone of an elder… Jiang Baimian criticized inwardly and expressed her attitude. “We don’t mind such matters. Two adjacent rooms will do.”

Aynor’s eyes darted around. “But why choose the worse ones when there are better choices? I recommend two types of rooms. The first type is two adjacent double-bed rooms. There’s a door in the middle that’s directly connected, making it easier for you to come and go. The second type is a suite that’s similar to the Old World’s three-bedroom apartment. The four of you can live in it. The environment is good, and there’s privacy.”

“How’s the price?” Jiang Baimian asked. To be honest, she was a little tempted. Just like Aynor had said, who would choose the worse choices when there were better ones?

Furthermore, she swept her gaze around and realized that Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong were nodding slightly, indicating that they wanted to choose the better one.

Our Old Task Force doesn’t lack supplies now!

They had just obtained a large number of portable computers from Omnidirectional Commerce’s Miens.

As for Bai Chen, she had lived in environments that Long Yuehong and the others couldn’t imagine, so she didn’t mind such matters. Of course, she would also feel happy and satisfied with a good environment.

A light dimple appeared on Aynor’s cheek. “That depends on what supplies you plan on using to pay. The most worthless things in Tarnan are electronic products, mechanical products, canned food, biscuits, and energy bars.”

“We only have electronic products and many portable computers.” Jiang Baimian wasn’t surprised, having already been informed of Tarnan’s situation.

“What models are they?” Aynor asked casually.

The four people from the Old Task Force fell silent. They really didn’t understand how Mechanical Paradise’s portable computers were categorized and what models there were.

Shang Jianyao then turned around and ran out of the hotel. He soon returned with two black portable computers.

“G-35? This is the latest model. How did you get it when you’ve just arrived in Tarnan? Normally speaking, even the Linhai Alliance will only come across them during spring.” Aynor looked down at the old computer she used for registrations and immediately felt a little envious.

Jiang Baimian casually explained, “We saved a caravan on the way. They just left Tarnan and were returning to the Linhai Alliance.”

“Ha, Miens and the others?” After Aynor received an affirmative nod, she laughed. “I told them that they shouldn’t leave in the winter and that something would certainly happen, but they didn’t listen. Haha, an old man’s sayings are seldom untrue!”

As Miens and the others seemed fine, Aynor gloated candidly.

She likes to act old… Or is she actually older than she looks? Some thoughts flashed through Jiang Baimian’s mind, but she lacked sufficient details to confirm them.

After talking about this matter, Aynor seemed to become much closer to them. She directly said, “Then, I’ll give you a suite. Two computers for seven days.”

Two computers for seven days? Any one of them can let us stay in First City or Weed City for more than a month… Jiang Baimian knew that portable computers were rather popular among large factions, especially those produced by Mechanical Paradise.

This was because there was a serious lack of production capacity in this regard. In many areas, a computer could play a great role.

The fact that Miens and Omnidirectional Commerce could get such a large batch of the latest portable computers from Tarnan showed their deep connections.

After some deliberation, Jiang Baimian gave an affirmative answer, considering that it was an unexpected windfall. “Alright.”

After receiving the black room card with a beautiful rose printed on it, the Old Task Force took the elevator to the second floor.

Many hotels in the Ashlands had similar rules. For example, the lower the floor, the more expensive the rooms were. This made it easier for residents to jump out of windows and escape when they encountered an attack or an accident.

This was a change brought about by broad demand.

The Old Task Force’s room was 221; it was right at the end of the corridor. After opening the door, the first thing they saw was a living room with a sofa, a coffee table, tables, chairs, and cabinets. There were four doors in the living room that led to three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a washroom.

This couldn’t be considered luxurious, but Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and the others—who had left Pangu Biology for a long time and had never lived in a nice place—felt satisfied.

“I’ll sleep in the living room!” Shang Jianyao volunteered.

Although she didn’t know why he wanted to sleep in the living room, Jiang Baimian decided to go against his wishes to prevent any accidents from happening. “I’m the team leader; I’ll sleep in the living room.”

She then added, “I have to watch over all of you, especially you. I can’t let you wake up in the middle of the night to scare Little Red.”

Upon hearing the latter half of her sentence, Shang Jianyao’s eyes lit up as if he were saying, “Why didn’t I think of doing such a thing?”

As Long Yuehong inexplicably shivered, Jiang Baimian became more determined to sleep in the living room.

After distributing the rooms with her authority as team leader, they washed their faces and hands and had a simple dinner.

After cleaning up, Jiang Baimian looked around and smiled. “We’ll have a training course tonight.”

“Huh?” Long Yuehong was planning on turning in early because of his exhaustion.

Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “This training course is called ‘solo operation.’ Although I’ve always emphasized cooperation and teamwork, things are unpredictable. Everyone will inevitably be alone. Without the corresponding experience, we might not be able to resolve the difficulties we encounter when the time comes. Tonight, we’ll leave separately and gather information in Tarnan.”

With that said, Jiang Baimian flipped her wrist and looked at her electronic watch. “It’s 8:30 now. Return to your room at 10.”

“Alright!” Shang Jianyao replied excitedly.

Is it really appropriate to let this fellow act alone? Long Yuehong wasn’t worried about himself, but Shang Jianyao—who had lost his restraints.

He was very worried for Tarnan’s people.

Without giving Long Yuehong a chance to speak, Jiang Baimian pointed at him and said, “Little Red, you’re first.”

“Alright.” Long Yuehong only came to a realization when he walked out of Serene Dream and stood in the cold, dark, and relatively quiet street. I’m alone…

This was an unfamiliar city, and he was surrounded by strangers.

Long Yuehong habitually looked around, but he couldn’t find a figure that made him feel at ease. At this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

Breathe in, breathe out… Long Yuehong took a few deep breaths to calm his fear and unease. He then decided to plan what he wanted to do first.

Once his goal was clear, he wouldn’t be so flustered.

At this moment, a figure passed him and went straight to the busiest street.

Long Yuehong looked up and only saw Shang Jianyao’s back as he turned to the right.

“…” He became worried for Tarnan’s people again.

After a few seconds, Long Yuehong retracted his thoughts and considered his question. Team Leader said that I’m to gather information… What kind of information should I gather?

Our goal is to meet the Mainframe—no, the Source Brain—and search for clues regarding the Old World’s destruction. If it doesn’t agree to meet us, we have to produce something that can move it. Yes, I’ll walk on the streets and find the older local townsfolk to understand what Mechanical Paradise has a strong need for.

With a direction, Long Yuehong indeed felt much more at ease. Therefore, he mustered his courage and walked to the intersection where Shang Jianyao had disappeared.

After making a right turn, he walked another 200 to 300 meters. He heard more and more sounds.

Finally, the lively street appeared in front of him. There were many pedestrians—Red River people, Ashlandics, and many branches of these two races.

Long Yuehong watched for a while, took a deep breath, and silently encouraged himself. No problem at all…

He then walked into the street ahead. During this process, he subconsciously touched the Ice Moss pistol on his belt.

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