Embers Ad Infinitum

“From the looks of it, we can only know the answer after Shang Jianyao enters the Mind Corridor,” Long Yuehong said in disappointment.

In reality, the mysterious laboratory in Swamp Ruin 1 had already been destroyed. Therefore, they could only think of ways to dig out the hidden secrets from certain people’s dreams or memories.

Jiang Baimian nodded and raised another possibility. “The Mind Corridor rooms that Yama Tiger recorded might not necessarily correspond to the original owner of Coward. The original owner could’ve left behind a certain amount of aura when exploring other rooms due to a particular motive or accident.

“Also, it might be Room 102. Yama Tiger didn’t tick it, but that doesn’t mean that Yama Tiger only entered it once. Maybe he didn’t finish exploring the first time and only obtained the Coward aura. Therefore, he conducted a second or third exploration and never returned.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao’s applause was never absent.

Jiang Baimian shot him a glance. “The next step is to observe and see if there are any other changes. In addition, we’ll see if the company will give us records about Swamp Ruin 1’s excavation.”

With that said, she walked back to her seat and read the pile of information.

…

For a long period of time in the subsequent days, the Old Task Force prepared for their First City trip in a relatively peaceful and stable state. They spent most of their time training themselves and grasping First City’s various situations.

At the same time, they went to the surface three times. Sometimes they went for field training, and at other times, they did so to hone their ability to use the military exoskeletons.

Shang Jianyao didn’t discover any remnants of the yellowish-green fog in the Sea of Origins again. But to Jiang Baimian’s surprise, he failed to encounter the fourth island of fear after all this time.

As for Room 23 on the 495th floor, Zone C, it had already been assigned to a couple who had freely dated and gotten married.

Nothing abnormal had happened. Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao’s encounter was akin to a dream.

Similarly, the Naturalism Church faction in Pangu Biology seemed to have been completely eradicated. There was no follow-up.

In the blink of an eye, April arrived.

Jiang Baimian stood in Room 14 on the 647th floor and spoke to Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen with a serious expression. “Tomorrow is the scheduled departure date. Do you have any other thoughts?”

Shang Jianyao and the others shook their heads at the same time. They had discussed the date of departure last month and had decided on it, so they were all mentally prepared.

The corners of Jiang Baimian’s mouth curled up as she smiled brightly. “Then, I hereby announce that you can leave early. You can go back now.”

“Yes, Team Leader!” Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Shang Jianyao replied in unison.

…

622nd floor, Zone B, Room 59.

Bai Chen took out her key, opened the door, and entered.

The room was very simple. There was a bed against the wall, a table by the window, a chair by the table, and a cabinet by the bed.

Although it was simple, it was tidy. There was no excess junk, nor was there any obvious dust. It was clean and refreshing.

Bai Chen didn’t turn on the lights and sat in the chair. She looked at the street lamps that scattered light from outside the window. Half of her body was in the light, and the other half was in the darkness.

After a while, she stretched out her hand and pulled open the desk drawer. Inside lay a heavy mechanical component.

The surface of the component had some cracks, and its luster was rather desaturated.

Bai Chen picked up the component, held it, and looked at it for a long time, motionless.

…

349th floor, Zone C, Room 12.

Jiang Baimian didn’t return home until almost 8 p.m. Of course, she had called in advance and said that she was having dinner in the Security Department’s cafeteria so that her parents didn’t have to prepare her share.

The moment she opened the door, Jiang Baimian saw that the room was dark. Jiang Wenfeng was sitting in a chair by the window, reading a book under the street lamps’ light.

“Take care of your eyes!” Jiang Baimian switched the living room’s sun lamp on.

It looked as if it was daytime here.

As Jiang Baimian walked toward Jiang Wenfeng—who was rubbing the corners of his eyes—she grumbled, “How much energy can this save? You don’t even use up your energy quota every month!”

Without giving Jiang Wenfeng a chance to speak, Jiang Baimian looked around. “Where’s Mom?”

Jiang Wenfeng heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. “Out visiting.”

Good opportunity… Jiang Baimian thought to herself and sat beside Jiang Wenfeng.

She took a deep breath and made herself appear calm and composed. “Dad, I’m going out on another mission tomorrow.”

Jiang Wenfeng took off his reading glasses and turned to look at his daughter. He then asked calmly, “Where are you going this time?”

Jiang Baimian replied obediently, “First City.”

“Ah, that’s a good place and a bad place.” Jiang Wenfeng stood up, walked to the small table beside him, picked up the telephone receiver, and dialed a number.

He spoke to the other party and made a few terse replies. He then put down the phone and turned to Jiang Baimian. “Elder Huang has a deep friendship with an elder named Meyers from First City’s Senate. If you encounter any difficulties and can’t resolve them yourself, and the company’s help can’t keep up for the time being, go find this elder and give him Elder Huang’s name.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian quickly nodded.

After Jiang Wenfeng sat down again, she fell silent for a few seconds. She hugged her father’s arm and leaned her head over.

She looked forward and muttered to herself, “Dad, am I being very willful and selfish doing this…?”

Jiang Wenfeng patted her arm with his other hand and smiled. “When your grandfather was young, everyone worked hard day and night for the sake of perfecting the company’s internal processes, allowing everyone to survive the apocalypse. Some people sacrificed themselves for this, others ended up ridden with sickness, and some lost their family and friends. However, no one regretted it.

“He often told me that staying underground isn’t a long-term solution. Our future will always be under the sun.” At this point, Jiang Wenfeng paused. “I can understand your ideal.”

Jiang Baimian coughed twice. “Can you bear to?”

Jiang Wenfeng heaved a long sigh. “Even if I can’t bear to, I still have to. It’s not up to the parents when a child is old.”

Jiang Baimian leaned her head closer and laughed. “Then, help comfort my mother later.”

“Are you plotting against me?” Jiang Wenfeng laughed.

Jiang Baimian laughed as well. “When Madam Xue is angry, Baimian can only run away like a rat and rely on you.”

Jiang Wenfeng looked ahead and exhaled. “Your mother is a softie at heart. She can’t sleep well at night every time you go on missions. Often, she secretly wipes her tears.”

Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but close her eyes and say sullenly, “I’ll remember to bring a gift for Madam Xue…”

…

495th floor, Zone C, Room 11.

The five members of the Long family gathered around the dining table and ate dinner.

“The dishes are so sumptuous today.” Long Aihong sighed sincerely after finishing a mouthful of braised pork.

Long Yuehong smiled and said, “I got off work early today, so I got some extra food.”

“Brother, if only you left work early every day.” Long Aihong fantasized about that beautiful scene.

“What are you saying?” Gu Hong cursed. “Those who leave work early every day are either leaders or idlers. Do you want your brother to reach a standstill in the future?”

“I was just saying,” Long Aihong replied softly.

At this moment, she realized that Long Zhigu had secretly eaten a few more pieces of meat while she was talking. She quickly shut her mouth and focused on the food.

After his parents, brother, and sister were almost done eating, Long Yuehong looked around and acted casual before saying, “I have another mission tomorrow. If it’s fast, I’ll be back in a month. If it’s slow, it might take months.”

This was completely different from the time spent on field training.

Pa!

Gu Hong’s chopsticks fell on the table.

She quickly picked it up and forced a smile. “Do you know where you’re going for the mission?”

“First City.” Long Yuehong didn’t elaborate and only briefly mentioned it.

Gu Hong held her chopsticks and shut her mouth, not saying a word for a long time.

Upon seeing this, Long Dayong straightened his body and said in a deep voice, “You have to be careful in everything. Your mother and I can’t help you much. We can only say that you don’t have to worry about family matters.

“When you’re outside, listen to your superior; she’s definitely more experienced than you. What she says definitely makes sense. If you encounter a situation, don’t be a hero. More observation, wait a little more…” At this point, Long Dayong paused as if he was a little stuck.

At this moment, Gu Hong sniffed and said, “Remember to bring that thin sweater. The temperature on the surface often drops in April…”

As she spoke, she couldn’t continue. Her eyes reddened slightly.

“Alright.” Long Yuehong suddenly felt that the dishes in front of him had become blurry.

Long Aihong and Long Zhigu—who were beside him—cheered him on with a fist pump.

…

495th floor, Zone B, Room 196.

Shang Jianyao remained lying in bed, hiding in the darkness as he waited for the radio broadcast to begin.

Before long, a familiar voice echoed. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Newspoint broadcaster, Hou Yi. It’s 8 p.m. now…

“At 9 a.m. today, the board of directors convened the third management meeting this year to revisit the Big Boss’s end-of-year speech. At the meeting, the board of directors and Vice President Ji Ze announced the production, research, and trade numbers for the first quarter.

“The first quarter’s production, research, and trade have been stable and optimistic…

“At the management meeting, the board of directors decided to increase the meat, eggs, and milk supply in the next week…

“According to the Security Department’s latest report, the frequency of bandit encounters in the wilderness has returned to the same level as last year…

“The spring table tennis tournament has ended, and the 580th floor’s team representative clinched the final victory…

“The first baby boom this year has arrived…

“Radio program reforms are steadily being pushed forward…

“The temperature in the wilderness plummeted today…”

…

The next morning, the well-dressed Shang Jianyao walked into Zone C.

Long Yuehong was already waiting at his door.

The two of them didn’t speak as they walked side by side and entered the elevator to the 647th floor.

After changing into their grayish-blue camouflage uniforms and stuffing all kinds of things into their tactical backpacks, Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong headed to Room 14.

On the way, they encountered Bai Chen—who had come out of the female changing room.

The three of them entered the Old Task Force’s office one after another. Jiang Baimian—who was long prepared—was already waiting there.

She looked at them and smiled. “Let’s set off!”

Just as she said that, Shang Jianyao added, “To save all of humanity!”