Embers Ad Infinitum

At this moment, similar thoughts flashed across Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen’s minds. How can that be?

From what they knew, robot warriors were the best choice to deal with Superior Heartless. Logically speaking, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Of course, this was only common knowledge to them. Most people in Tarnan didn’t know the exact situation of Awakened and Superior Heartless. They had only seen how powerful robot warriors were and felt that a total of ten robot guards were enough to deal with the trouble in the southwestern mountains.

This was a force that could deal with an ordinary army!

Unexpectedly, communications with them were lost.

This made the Tarnan residents—who still felt a sense of security last night—panic.

In all of Tarnan, there were only 24 robot guards. Nearly half of them were gone!

The robot guards were all smart robots. They were different from the ones in charge of surveillance, repair, and cleaning.

“The situation in the mountains might be more complicated than we imagined.” Jiang Baimian retracted her gaze and deliberated before saying, “Maybe the problem isn’t solely limited to a Superior Heartless.”

Just as she said that, Shang Jianyao thoughtfully said, “I thought of someone.”

Jiang Baimian had a faint premonition, but she still asked, “Who is it?”

Shang Jianyao sighed and revealed a yearning expression. “Xiaochong.”

“You mean…” Jiang Baimian forcefully lowered her voice. “That Superior Heartless isn’t an ordinary Superior Heartless—he has reached Xiaochong’s level?”

Although the Old Task Force members had never truly seen Xiaochong’s abilities, one could imagine his powers from how numerous Superior Heartless had spontaneously protected him and listened to his orders.

If an ordinary Superior Heartless corresponded to an Awakened in Star Cluster Hall or Sea of Origins, Xiaochong would at least have entered the Mind Corridor. He might not even be inferior to Yama Tiger; he might even be stronger.

“Maybe,” Shang Jianyao said frankly. “I’m just wondering what will happen if Xiaochong encounters the Superior Heartless in the mountains? Will he make the other party obedient?”

At this point, his eyes lit up. He clenched his right fist and punched his left palm. “If I impersonate Xiaochong, will it have a similar effect?”

“You’re too tall.” Jiang Baimian gave up on using reason and went straight to the heart of the problem.

“That’s right.” Shang Jianyao sighed again. “Even if I walk on my knees, I’m still taller than him.”

Man, you’re really too concerned about your friend’s height… Long Yuehong cursed inwardly as he felt lucky that he wasn’t the one being mocked.

With Shang Jianyao’s interruption, Jiang Baimian and the others quickly composed themselves and read the mission’s exact description.

Toward the end, Long Yuehong couldn’t help but say, “This mission only gives 500 credit points?”

The mission rating was only B, only one rank higher than Weed City’s investigation of Liu Dazhuang’s murder.

Although the latter involved Castellan Manor and was highly regarded by the higher-ups, it was ultimately just a relatively ordinary case on the surface. Now, this mission had already included ten robot guards. Together, they could compete with Weed City’s city defense forces.

Of course, the premise was that the latter didn’t set up a camp in advance and had all kinds of heavy weapons in position.

Jiang Baimian also found it strange, but she understood the reason after some thought. “This is just an investigation. It’s not to deal with the Superior Heartless directly.”

This was a reconnaissance mission, not a monster clearing mission. It was indeed dangerous, but it was definitely much better than facing a terrifying target.

Bai Chen nodded. “If we’re lucky, we might not encounter any danger.”

For example, the Superior Heartless had already moved elsewhere, leaving behind the battlefield and the corresponding traces of the robot guards.

When the time came, even if the robot guards were already destroyed, they could still search for useful information by retrieving the black boxes on them.

“The payment is also very generous,” Jiang Baimian added.

The commissioner was Tarnan’s mayor, Genava. He would prepare ten non-smart combat robots to distribute to the Ruin Hunters who had obtained important information.

If one didn’t want the robots, they could choose other supplies of equivalent value.

“Do we take it?” Shang Jianyao asked excitedly.

Jiang Baimian shot him a glance. “This is a little dangerous. We aren’t real Ruin Hunters who need to complete missions to survive.”

Shang Jianyao explained, “I want to change the robot payment for a car.”

“Uh…” Jiang Baimian hesitated.

This sounded good, but it wasn’t enough to make the Old Task Force take such a huge risk…

If the Superior Heartless really reached Xiaochong’s level, they couldn’t expect a big shot like Du Heng to pass by.

At this moment, Bai Chen calmly added, “You can also exchange it for a request to meet the Source Brain.”

“That’s true…” Jiang Baimian frowned and fell silent for a while.

Just as Shang Jianyao tried to say something, she exhaled and smiled. “We shouldn’t make such a hasty decision. First, we have to determine if we can exchange the payment for a meeting with the Source Brain. Second, we have to gather all the information we can gather in Tarnan and analyze the risks…”

With that said, she turned around and walked to the Hunter’s Guild’s door.

At this moment, Long Yuehong weakly said, “Didn’t Genava still not reject our request to meet the Source Brain?”

“That’s true… Then, let’s wait a little longer.” Jiang Baimian realized that the option wasn’t out of the picture yet. There was no need to be in such a rush to try something else.

In any case, the matter in the southwest mountains didn’t look like it could be resolved in a short period of time.

…

The next morning, just as the Old Task Force finished their morning training, a robot guard wearing a dark-green military uniform and carrying a rocket launcher came to Serene Dream.

Jiang Baimian and the others went downstairs and asked, “What’s the matter?”

The robot guard with shimmering blue eyes replied in a magnetic but emotionless voice. “Officer Genava instructed me to inform you that the Source Brain will not meet anyone.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian knew that the robot in front of her had no say, so she didn’t say anything else.

After the robot guard left the hotel, Aynor—who was sitting at the front desk—curiously asked, “You want to meet the Source Brain?”

“Why? Do you have a solution?” Jiang Baimian asked in surprise.

Shang Jianyao had already rushed in front of Aynor.

Aynor—who had changed into a cashmere dress today and was still gorgeously dressed—glanced at Shang Jianyao and smiled. “I’ve never seen the Source Brain. How can I have a solution?”

At this point, she changed the topic. “Mechanical Paradise is rather concerned about the Old World. They’ve been searching for relevant people.”

“For example, Maximian?” Jiang Baimian instantly made the connection.

Aynor laughed like a blooming flower. “Young lady, you are pretty smart. I once heard my elder mention this person, saying that he’s the Chief Scientist of the Third Research Institute.”

“The Third Research Institute?” Jiang Baimian naturally thought of Qiao Chu and the Eighth Research Institute that he came from.

“Yes.” Aynor nodded. “I’m not sure about the exact details either. I only know that there are nine similar research institutes. They were a research institute jointly established by the most powerful Ashlandic country and the most powerful Red River country before the Old World was destroyed. The main purpose seemed to be about facing the future.”

This hotel lady boss sure has a past. She actually knows so much… Jiang Baimian sighed silently after hearing this.

“Thank you.” Jiang Baimian sincerely expressed her gratitude.

“Is thanks sufficient?” Aynor smiled. “I have to get these two handsome guys to spend the night with me.”

“Cough, cough…” Long Yuehong almost choked to death on his saliva.

“Sure, sure,” Shang Jianyao said excitedly. “We can dance, sing, play cards, compete, etc.”

“Alright, I’m joking.” Aynor smiled and shook her head. “These old bones of mine can’t handle young people.”

Why are those words so familiar? Ah yes, President Gu Bo also said something similar… Long Yuehong was first stunned before he came to a realization.

After bidding Aynor farewell, Jiang Baimian got Bai Chen to drive to River West and went to the town hall to seek an audience with Genava—Tarnan’s mayor and robot guard captain.

The town hall was located in a ten-story building on River East. The glass walls had been wiped clean, reflecting a golden glow under the sun.

As soon as they walked in, Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and the others saw the so-called cleaning robot. It looked like a mop and had many mechanical tentacles that could wrap around objects with suction cups.

This allowed it to clean everything—from the ground to the ceiling.

In addition to the cleaning robot, there were also combat robots with many weapon modules, trash can-shaped robots that were in charge of broadcasting elevator music, and pet robots that looked like cats and dogs. There were all kinds of them.

Among them, there were only a few smart robots wearing clothes—a small minority.

After passing the message, the Old Task Force met the robot mayor, Genava, in an office on the top floor.

It was still wearing a military uniform. It stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked northeast.

After the four people from the Old Task Force approached, it turned around and said in its mellow male voice, “Is there anything else? If you seek an audience with the Source Brain, there’s no room for negotiation.”

Jiang Baimian smiled and replied, “If we investigate the matter regarding the Superior Heartless in the southwest mountains and retrieve the missing guards, will we be able to meet the Source Brain?”

Genava fell silent for a moment before saying, “I can help you make the request again, but I can’t make any guarantees. If it really doesn’t work, you can choose another payment.”

This was an expected answer. Jiang Baimian then said, “Actually, it’s very simple for you to resolve the matter in the southwest mountains. After figuring out the general range, bombard the area with missiles. Plow the area through various means.”

This was the most effective way for human armies to deal with Superior Heartless. Though it would consume too much ammunition, Mechanical Paradise was likely able to afford it.

Genava took a few steps and said, “First, it’s a matter of efficiency. Second, the mountainous terrain is complicated, and there are too many places to hide. Third…”

It paused and said, “The ten guards are my companions. I don’t want to take the risk before we determine their situation.”

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