Embers Ad Infinitum

Long Yuehong was confused. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Jiang Baimian explained in detail, “DiMarco said that you shouldn’t casually bring the aura of an Awakened at the Mind Corridor level into your consciousness. This can easily alarm the original owner and allow him to locate your mind, thereby entering without needing to open the door.

“Although Shang Jianyao has already used most of Coward’s aura on DiMarco, it still seems to have some influence. Will this attract the original owner’s attention and bring about an anomaly to the surroundings, one that ordinary people can’t detect?

“Did such an anomaly attract the attention of the hidden powerhouses in the company or trigger some inconspicuous problems that originally existed, causing Room 23 to change and trap you in an illusion? The reason you saw the Naturalism Church parishioner running naked was that you had just talked about this matter, so it was reflected in the illusion.”

After finishing her guess, Jiang Baimian added, “I still don’t know enough about Awakened at the Mind Corridor level. I can only make a guess that has many unverifiable details.”

Long Yuehong felt a little happy for some reason when he heard that. “That’s right. How can there be so many coincidences? There are sufficient reasons behind many coincidences.”

The ‘reason’ this time was Shang Jianyao.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “This still doesn’t explain why it didn’t happen sooner or later but happened after Little Red and I coincidentally met, and he told me about the Naturalism Church.”

Long Yuehong was speechless and couldn’t answer.

Jiang Baimian made a strained guess. “Maybe the news regarding the Naturalism Church is a trigger? Maybe if you didn’t encounter Little Red by chance, you wouldn’t have approached Zone C after lights out. The premise of the anomaly is a room that’s empty at night and one that has been empty for a long time?”

“I think it’s the latter.” Bai Chen found the second explanation most logical and reasonable. Of course, the premise for all of this was that ‘Long Yuehong being unlucky’ was false.

Shang Jianyao commented, “It’s too shy.”

Jiang Baimian exhaled silently and said, “The matter regarding Room 23 has probably been secretly resolved by the company. We don’t have to worry about it. We just have to pay attention to any abnormalities over there.”

She then looked at Shang Jianyao and said, “As for you, you have to think of a way to resolve the yellowish-green fog left in the Sea of Origins as soon as possible. We are still fine while in the company. There’s always someone to grab the wheel when in trouble, but it will probably bring considerable trouble if we are in First City.

“Besides, even without external influences, you have to worry that Coward’s original owner is doing something to your mind world. Sigh, I only hope this isn’t arranged by Eidolon Nun…”

At the mention of Eidolon Nun, Bai Chen suddenly said, “Didn’t Shang Jianyao previously say that he felt his consciousness leave his body when he opened the door, like there was a vortex behind it? Do you still remember what Eidolon Nun’s symbol is like?”

“A female figure spying from behind a door…” Long Yuehong suddenly fell silent as he spoke. This was because he understood what Bai Chen wanted to say.

Door!

“In terms of imagery, it feels related,” Jiang Baimian said after some deliberation. “But this doesn’t seem to match Eidolon Nun’s observation.”

Shang Jianyao then shook his head. “That pressure didn’t exist.”

“Besides, Eidolon Nun definitely knows that Shang Jianyao has DiMarco’s residual aura on him.” Jiang Baimian provided the strongest evidence.

It was impossible for the Kalendaria—who liked to watch ‘Her’ cathedral and believers—not to watch the Underground Ark battle back then.

The Old Task Force fell silent, unable to find any other direction to analyze the situation.

Finally, Jiang Baimian said to Shang Jianyao, “In short, try to resolve the yellowish-green fog’s problem first. Remember to report the situation at any time. We can draw on our collective wisdom.”

“We’ve already held a meeting and formulated several plans.” Shang Jianyao gave an answer that didn’t make anyone feel at ease or worried.

Jiang Baimian then pointed at the sofa. “The things have been distributed; take your own stuff. Each person will get one portable computer.”

As she spoke, she picked up a stack of information and handed it to Bai Chen. “This is the available biological prosthetic limbs that you can exchange for at your current rank. Take a look and consider it.”

Bai Chen tersely acknowledged her words and walked to Jiang Baimian’s side to take the stack of paper.

Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong were also curious. They didn’t immediately take the items that had been reviewed; instead, they approached Bai Chen at the same time and looked at her hand.

“Feline biomechanical prosthetic limb… Has rather high explosive force and can retract and flick out fortified nails…

“Python-type biological limb… It has relatively high flexibility and powerful strangulation abilities. It can also effectively reduce many types of damage…

“…”

At this moment, Jiang Baimian looked at Long Yuehong and smiled. “Do you want one too?”

Long Yuehong shook his head without hesitation. “There’s no need for that for the time being.”

With the exclusive military exoskeleton, he was even more unwilling to harm his original body.

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged his words, retracted her smile, and solemnly asked, “Do you still want to transfer out of the Old Task Force? If you want, I’ll help you write another report.”

What followed was the dangerous trip to First City.

Long Yuehong fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “Alright, but there’s no need to force it.”

“It’s useless for me to force it.” Jiang Baimian laughed self-deprecatingly and cast her gaze at Bai Chen. “What about you? Do you want to be transferred out of the team after you have the right to undergo modification?”

Bai Chen’s gaze left the information in her hand, and she said in a deep voice, “I want to have a modification so that I can go to First City again.”

Jiang Baimian immediately exclaimed, “I thought you couldn’t bear to part with us.”

As she said this, her eyebrows relaxed, and she smiled.

Bai Chen ignored her and continued reading the stack of information. A few seconds later, she said, “I’ll give you an answer in a few days.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian sat back down, switched on her computer, and helped Long Yuehong write his application.

After printing it out, she—who was planning to visit the deputy minister’s office—directly brought the report with her.

…

On the 646th floor, in the deputy minister’s office.

Xenny picked up the report in front of her and briefly glanced at it before smiling. “How can anyone transfer shifts in less than a year? It’s not like he’s missing a limb or two. What will others think of the way I run things if this gets out?

Jiang Baimian was not disappointed. She took advantage of the deputy minister’s words and smiled. “You mean he can be transferred out after a year?”

Xenny smiled at her and didn’t answer.

Jiang Baimian said with a joking tone again, “If he were to swap to having a biological prosthetic limb, would it be considered missing an arm or leg?”

“You’re becoming more and more slippery as a team leader,” said Xenny with a laugh. Then, she fell silent for a moment before saying, “The Security Department’s standard transfer window for high-risk jobs is three years. Your situation is even more special, so you just need two years. Keep hold of your progress. After two years, you and your team members can transfer out.”

“Alright, Minister.” Jiang Baimian happily agreed. She deliberated for a moment and probed, “Minister, is there any way to make me an Awakened?”

Xenny smiled in surprise. “Why do you suddenly have such an idea?”

Jiang Baimian smiled and replied, “After encountering so many dangers outside, it’s natural to have the desire to improve myself.”

Xenny nodded and said, “The company has done some research and experiments in this regard, but they haven’t achieved any breakthroughs. It can only be said that there’s a certain probability. If you want to give it a try, you need to be injected with anesthetic and enter a coma. The entire process is confidential, and the chances of success aren’t high.

“After you wake up, there might be some repercussions even if you don’t Awaken. There’s no need to say anything now. Give me an answer after you consider it carefully.”

Jiang Baimian nodded and unconsciously raised her right hand to touch her metal cochlear.

…

495th floor, Zone C, Room 11.

Long Yuehong stood in the living room that also served as the master bedroom and looked at the neighbors—who had surrounded him and the portable computer—with a blank expression.

According to his original plan, he would mainly teach his younger siblings the basics after bringing back the computer. He would then secretly enjoy the Old World entertainment when there was nobody around so as to avoid affecting Long Zhigu and Long Aihong’s studies.

But why did it develop into this situation?

Long Yuehong only remembered a group of uncles and aunties suddenly rushing in and asking him about the portable computer and Old World entertainment. Then, his younger brother and sister returned with their friends and excitedly talked about broadening their horizons.

Under his parents’ expectant gazes, Long Yuehong turned on the computer in confusion and numbness and played a reviewed TV drama.

Why is this happening? How do they know about the Old World’s entertainment? They can even name the show? Long Yuehong looked around and felt like the world had become extremely unfamiliar.

During this process, he saw his father, Long Dayong, pat a middle-aged man’s shoulder and laugh. “Old Feng, you’re late. I’ll reserve a seat for you tomorrow!”

His mother, Gu Hong, was surrounded by a group of aunties as if they were holding her up on a pedestal. Her face was filled with joy.

She constantly said to the people around her, “See if there’s anything you like. I’ll get Yuehong to continue playing them tomorrow!”

Long Zhigu and a few friends squeezed into two seats and excitedly discussed the drama’s contents. Their peers outside the door also looked inside enviously.

Long Aihong pulled out her good friend from the crowd and passed through the crowd in a reserved manner under everyone’s envious gazes before sitting in her exclusive seat.

Long Yuehong unconsciously smiled, finding this pretty good.

He bent down and pressed a few buttons.

Immediately, a large virtual screen appeared in the air, allowing the drama’s content to be showcased better.

This made the people sitting far away see things more clearly.

Amidst cries of surprise, Long Yuehong came to Long Aihong’s side and asked curiously, “Aihong, how did you know I had these?”

Long Aihong said matter-of-factly, “Brother Yao just demonstrated it at the Rec Center. He also said that you have it all here and that it was in some drive and then some folder.”

The corners of Long Yuehong’s mouth twitched twice, but he wasn’t surprised at all.