Embers Ad Infinitum

Although it felt strange to hear the word ‘companions’ from the smart robot, Jiang Baimian could still understand it. After all, she could easily come to a conclusion from what she had seen and heard: In Mechanical Paradise, smart robots had a higher status than other robots, and there weren’t many of them.

In such a situation, it was very normal for the robot guards to have a higher status, and their survival had greater importance in Genava’s core program.

“I understand.” It wasn’t Jiang Baimian who said this, but Shang Jianyao. He had a look of sympathy as if he had lost a stepbrother.

Jiang Baimian didn’t continue the topic and asked, “We also need you to provide more information and the corresponding permission so that we can evaluate the danger level of the mission and ultimately decide if we want to take it.”

Genava walked back to the chair. After some thought, he said in a mellow, masculine voice, “Alright, what do you want to know?”

At this moment, Long Yuehong finally understood his team leader’s words. He suddenly felt that something was amiss.

Even if Genava provided more information and gave the corresponding permission, the Old Task Force seemed capable of giving up on this matter on the grounds that it was too dangerous.

Isn’t… isn’t this equivalent to gaining something without risking anything?

They were only making a verbal claim to obtain a lot of intelligence without paying anything! Of course, this made sense in turn. Most Ruin Hunters would choose to keep a respectful distance from missions with insufficient information. Therefore, when commissioners issued missions in the guild, they were often asked to provide details that met the requirements for review.

“Is there only one survivor? Did he say anything?” Jiang Baimian had long thought of what to ask and how to ask.

The blue light in Genava’s eyes flickered twice. “Yes, there’s only one survivor. His name is Zhang Jin, and his nickname is Ninth Zhang. He’s a member of a Ruin Hunter team. They originally wanted to go to the southwest mountains to hunt beasts that appear during the winter due to hunger. However, he was the only one who drove back.

“When he returned, his body was covered in blood. He only said to the guards at the mouth of the River East Road: ‘There’s a Superior Heartless.’ Then, he fainted. When he woke up, we realized that he had mental problems. He only knew how to crazily shout, ‘dead,’ ‘they’re all dead,’ ‘I killed them,’ and ‘I killed them.’ We couldn’t get any details.”

“Is there no other information?” Jiang Baimian asked.

“That’s all.” Genava shook its silver-black mechanical head.

Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but ask, “You only know this bit of information, yet you sent out the guards?”

They didn’t even know the number of Superior Heartless, much less details such as whether the other party had human companions, what their abilities were, or whether they had weapons.

Genava fell silent for a moment before saying, “We have experience dealing with Superior Heartless. In the past, there were many Heartless in Mount Chilar…”

These were all wiped out by the robot guards.

Amazingly, Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and the others actually heard a little guilt in Genava’s words.

A smart robot actually simulated guilt…

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian didn’t say anything else.

This wasn’t her subordinate or her superior; they weren’t close enough to have a hearty talk.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao suddenly asked, “Why is his nickname Ninth Zhang? Because his mother gave birth to nine, and he’s the last child?”

Genava’s mouth opened and closed as it said, “No, it’s because their Ruin Hunter team has a total of ten people. They followed an ancient book and became sworn siblings. He’s the second youngest among them.”

That sounds a little tragic. I would’ve broken down if I were in his shoes… Long Yuehong secretly hissed.

If none of his nine sworn siblings were left, he too would’ve gone crazy.

Jiang Baimian sighed and said, “We would like your permission to meet Ninth Zhang and see if we can get more information.”

“Sure.” Genava expressed its understanding. “But the chances aren’t high. We’ve used all kinds of methods and even employed some very advanced machines, but we couldn’t get anything else from him.”

“How do you know that it won’t work if you don’t give it a try?” Jiang Baimian controlled herself and didn’t look at Shang Jianyao.

The Old Task Force had an interrogation expert—no, a negotiation expert—no, a social expert!

Genava didn’t say anything else. It bent down and wrote a permit with its hand. It also drew a complicated pattern that was made up of information like a signature, content, and key.

Jiang Baimian felt that she couldn’t match such anti-forgery standards. However, she was still a little confused. “There should be a wireless network connection between all of you. Why don’t you directly send an electronic permit to the guards guarding Ninth Zhang and attach our photos?”

“This is standard procedure. We can’t use any tricks; otherwise, it will be very easy for others to exploit flaws,” Genava explained.

Your smart robot’s creed is Program Justice? Jiang Baimian took the permit, and Shang Jianyao and the others bade farewell before returning to the jeep.

As Bai Chen started the car, she asked, “What can you infer from the current information?”

Shang Jianyao immediately said, “Ninth Zhang probably didn’t lie.”

“Why do you say that?” Jiang Baimian asked.

Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “A lunatic can’t lie.”

What kind of theory is that? Jiang Baimian spat in exasperation and amusement.

Shang Jianyao added, “Father can get Ninth Zhang to kill his companion. That Superior Heartless might have a similar ability.”

“Ninth Zhang couldn’t accept the truth after he came to his senses and had a mental breakdown?” Long Yuehong said, finding this the most reasonable explanation.

“That’s very possible.” Jiang Baimian nodded slightly.

The Old Task Force returned to River East during the discussion, but they were in no rush to go to Tarnan General Hospital. Instead, they headed to the Hunter’s Guild first to see if anyone else had more information.

After entering the hall, they swept their gazes around and realized that a Ruin Hunter team had already accepted the investigation mission.

Jiang Baimian stopped a Hunter and asked, “Who took it on?”

How confident!

The Hunter glanced at her and unconsciously smiled. “It’s a foreign team. The leader has half a head that’s metal.”

“Handsome’s companion!” Shang Jianyao said happily.

Jiang Baimian nodded and also figured out who it was. This was likely the Ruin Hunter team at the watering spot, who had warned them of the Superior Heartless at Mount Chilar.

Yes, the survivors can not only choose Tarnan, but they can also escape to places different from Mount Chilar… Back then, that person said that several Ruin Hunter teams had suffered tragic casualties… From the looks of it, Ninth Zhang and the others aren’t the only ones who encountered the Superior Heartless. There are other Ruin Hunters as well.

These people might have more critical information… The team that warned us clearly encountered other survivors and got some details. That’s why they dared to take on this mission… Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that they are extremely strong and confident… As Jiang Baimian’s thoughts raced, she came up with a plan.

She asked the confused passerby, “Where’s the foreign team?”

“They’ve already set off and entered the mountain,” the passerby replied truthfully.

After asking around, the Old Task Force couldn’t get any more information. They could only drive north of Riverfront Avenue and turn toward Tarnan General Hospital.

Outside Ninth Zhang’s ward was a robot guard in a dark-green uniform. It stood very straight.

Jiang Baimian explained her intentions and handed Genava’s handwritten permission slip to it.

The robot guard’s eyes lit up with a blue glow as it scanned the complicated symbols on the paper.

With a beep, it nodded and said, “Verified. No problem; you may enter.”

How convenient… Long Yuehong praised inwardly.

…

In the ward, Ninth Zhang—who was actually not that old—was curled up on the bed. He was wrapped in a thick white blanket and trembling non-stop. His eyes darted around randomly as if they were unfocused.

Although it was still winter, his performance was really too exaggerated.

Jiang Baimian signaled Shang Jianyao with her eyes before she stopped at the door and closed it.

Shang Jianyao walked over and sat by the bed. Ninth Zhang—whose stubble was becoming increasingly obvious—quickly shrank into a corner, showing a clear stress response.

“There’s no need to be nervous. Look…” Shang Jianyao laughed. “You’re a human, and so am I. You’re a Ruin Hunter, and so am I. So…”

Since Ninth Zhang could still understand human language and knew how to answer questions, Jiang Baimian determined that Inference Clowning would have a certain effect.

As for what they could get from a crazy person after it worked, that was another matter.

After hearing Shang Jianyao’s words in a daze, Ninth Zhang gradually relaxed and stopped trembling so much.

He hesitated and asked excitedly, “Y-you’re Eldest Wang?”

Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen were first stunned before they realized who Eldest Wang was.

After figuring it out, they felt a sense of sorrow assault their hearts.

“That’s right.” Shang Jianyao nodded slightly and asked bluntly, “Why did you kill them?”

“I…” Ninth Zhang paused, and his voice rose a little. “I didn’t, I didn’t! Eldest Wang, listen to my explanation. I-I was only killing monsters!”

As he spoke, he fell silent. Then, he laughed until tears flowed down his face. “Haha, I-I killed them! It’s me, it’s me!”

Shang Jianyao raised his right hand and pressed it down. “Apart from monsters, what else did you see?”

Ninth Zhang calmed down a little, and his eyes slowly glazed over as if he had fallen into a slow-motion replay of his memory.

Suddenly, he shook his messy black hair and blurted out, “Th-there’s a dragon!”

This voice echoed in the room as if it resonated with something.