Embers Ad Infinitum

Shang Jianyao gave a terse acknowledgment. “Your father dances well. You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

He didn’t seem to hear what Zhao Yide was saying.

Upon seeing that October Xue and the others didn’t comment, Zhao Yide could only repeat, “My father has something he wants your help with. I wonder if you are willing to meet him.”

Jiang Baimian’s thoughts raced as she said mischievously, “As the saying goes, a gentleman doesn’t stand under a dangerous wall. It’s fine if we meet, but we can’t do it at Zhao Manor. We have to find a place where everyone feels at ease.”

Zhao Yide found this reasonable and nodded in agreement. “Alright.”

He was just about to suggest a meeting place when Shang Jianyao suddenly patted his shoulder. “Let’s eat first; we’ll talk later. It won’t taste good when it’s cold.”

Zhao Yide slowly turned his head and looked at Shang Jianyao, only to see his sincere and serious expression.

Retracting his gaze, Zhao Yide picked up a small spoon and arduously finished the rice with potato stew meat.

He almost cried from eating.

Shang Jianyao glanced at him and suggested, “If you don’t like meat, I can help you.”

Zhao Yide quickly replied, “Alright!”

Jiang Baimian pursed her lips slightly.

…

After the sun set, in Weed City’s Central Square.

Zhao Zhengqi—who was wearing a beanie and a loose robe—sat on a bench, enjoying the night breeze. He looked a little wooden as he watched the bodyguards around him try their best to stop the city’s citizens and Ruin Hunters from approaching.

This was the meeting place Jiang Baimian had chosen.

As she and Shang Jianyao walked toward Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen consciously spread out and monitored their surroundings. Their focus was on the surrounding high-rise buildings, mainly to prevent them from being sniped.

As for the square, most of it was within the range of Shang Jianyao’s Awakened ability—Hands Immobility. There was no need to pay too much attention.

“Long time no see.” Zhao Zhengqi stood up with a smile when he saw October Xue and Zhang Qubing approach.

Shang Jianyao spread his arms and made a gesture of him offering a hug.

The fat Zhao Zhengqi stroked his white beard, smiled, and accepted the enthusiastic hug.

“Your dance left a deep impression on me.” While hugging, Shang Jianyao patted Zhao Zhengqi’s back.

Zhao Zhengqi quickly retracted his hand, stood up, and sighed with a smile. “When I was young, everyone lived a very difficult life. We often relied on singing and dancing to lift the mood.”

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and gently shook Jiang Baimian’s hand.

After the four of them sat down, Jiang Baimian went straight to the point. “Senator Zhao, why did you want to meet us?”

Zhao Zhengqi glanced at his eldest son, Zhao Yide, and deliberated over his words. “Pardon me for asking, but where do you plan on going next? What are your plans? I can’t let my request delay your business.”

He was very, very humble.

Jiang Baimian smiled and replied, “We plan on going to a few large factions to try our luck and hope for a better development.”

Zhao Zhengqi revealed an understanding expression. “Then, I would like to invite the few of you to make a trip to First City—uh—the real city.”

“You encountered some problem?” Shang Jianyao asked in concern.

Zhao Zhengqi took the opportunity and said, “Our Zhao family has a few manors on the south bank of the Red River around First City’s suburbs.”

Upon seeing Jiang Baimian’s faint smile, he quickly explained, “As the saying goes, we can’t put all our eggs in one basket.”

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly, and Zhao Zhengqi continued, “Something happened to those manors some time ago. They weren’t able to turn in last year’s earnings as scheduled. They said that it was due to the weather that their production was severely reduced.

“I sent a steward, and he reported that it was indeed the case. I also sent Yide’s younger brother, and he also sent a telegram back saying that there was nothing abnormal. I originally believed it until a friend of mine happened to pass by those manors in First City and discovered unknown people entering and leaving.

“I secretly sent a Ruin Hunter team from First City to monitor the manors for a week and confirmed that unknown people often appeared there. I got another Ruin Hunter team to enter the manor to investigate. In the end, they reported that there were no strangers.”

“It sounds very bizarre.” Shang Jianyao stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Zhao Zhengqi looked like he had found a savior. “Yes, I’m very worried about my child and my few trusted aides. I was just considering if I should hire the guild’s Advanced Hunter to help when Yide told me that you were back. In my heart, you are stronger than Advanced Hunters.”

He remembered that Oudick had also become Zhang Qubing’s ‘friend.’

Shang Jianyao fell into deep thought. Jiang Baimian smiled at Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide but didn’t say a word.

Zhao Zhengqi gritted his teeth and said, “I know that I’m not trustworthy in your hearts. I’m willing to be affected by that ability again and ‘become’ your friend. That way, you’ll know if I’m lying.”

There’s really nothing wrong with this attitude… Jiang Baimian was just about to reply when Shang Jianyao’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Can a brother inherit the Zhao family’s assets?”

“…” Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide were first stunned before they felt regret.

Since that Awakened ability allowed them to ‘make friends,’ it would definitely allow them to become akin to blood-related brothers despite sharing zero biological traits. In their imaginations, the ‘father’ was naturally Zhang Qubing, and they could only be the ‘children.’

“He’s joking.” Jiang Baimian mediated the situation. “There’s no need to do so. We just need to have the promise that we can give up on the mission at any time without paying any price.”

“Are you willing to take on the mission?” Zhao Yide asked in pleasant surprise.

Jiang Baimian smiled and replied, “That depends on what price you can offer.”

Zhao Zhengqi thought for a moment and said, “I’m not sure what you’re interested in. Why don’t you make a bid? It won’t be a problem as long as the Zhao family can afford it.”

This attitude… Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but praise him inwardly. She still remembered how arrogant and cold Zhao Zhengqi had acted in the Aristocratic Council Chamber. Now, he had completely lowered himself in a rather refreshing take.

A person could have two completely different facades.

Anyone who can obtain a certain status in the early stages of the New Calendar and become a noble isn’t simple… Jiang Baimian didn’t know Zhao Zhengqi’s age and had no idea if he had experienced the Chaotic Era. She could only sigh casually.

After pondering for seven to eight seconds, Jiang Baimian gave an answer that she had long considered. “A sum of money and the use of the Zhao family’s power network in First City to help us.”

It was precisely because she eyed the Weed City nobles’ intricate network in First City that she was willing to meet Zhao Zhengqi.

“How much Oray? What help do you need?” asked Zhao Zhengqi.

Jiang Baimian smiled. “I can’t tell you the exact amount of Oray. After all, we haven’t figured out how dangerous this matter is. Don’t worry, it won’t be too much. You will definitely be able to accept it because we will give up once the danger exceeds our expectations. The same goes for that help. In short, it won’t put the Zhao family in danger.”

You make it sound nice now, but we can only listen to you when the time comes… Zhao Yide muttered inwardly. He really felt like he was asking a tiger for its skin.

Zhao Zhengqi recalled what the Qian Bai Team had done in Weed City and what he knew. He deliberated and said, “No problem.”

“Congratulations.” Shang Jianyao stretched out his hand.

What do you mean by congratulations? Zhao Zhengqi shook his hand hesitantly.

“If you can frequently help refugees, we can be true friends,” Shang Jianyao said truthfully.

Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide could only respond with smiles, not daring to say anything.

“Remember to inform us of the Zhao family’s contact in First City later.” Jiang Baimian looked up at the moon hanging in the sky and slowly stood up.

Zhao Zhengqi stood up and stretched out his right hand. “I can give it to you now. Happy cooperation.”

Shang Jianyao shook his hand in Jiang Baimian’s stead and smiled. “Since we have a pleasant cooperation, why don’t we dance and celebrate?”

Zhao Zhengqi’s expression stiffened before he smiled. “Sure, let’s dance at my place.”

Shang Jianyao shook his head. “That will have to wait. Let’s do it here.”

He smiled brightly and pointed at the busy Central Square. At the same time, he took off his tactical backpack and prepared to take out his small speaker.

Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide imagined themselves dancing in the square, and their expressions turned a little ugly.

Jiang Baimian slapped Shang Jianyao’s hand away. “Don’t disturb the residents!”

She then smiled at Zhao Zhengqi and Zhao Yide. “There’s no need to listen to him.”

Zhao Zhengqi heaved a sigh of relief and quickly told Jiang Baimian about the Zhao family’s liaison in First City.

Then, under Shang Jianyao’s disappointed gaze, he pulled Zhao Yide and hurriedly left Central Square while surrounded by bodyguards.

The four people from the Old Task Force then strolled back to South Street.

At this moment, the lamps had already been switched on. The streets were alternating between light and dark—some a dim yellow and some black.

Some people were huddled in a corner of the street, wrapped in tattered and dirty blankets, as they prepared to sleep. Some were gathered by the streets as they sized up the passersby, stretching out their hands in a bid to receive help.

Long Yuehong looked around and sighed. “There are more beggars in the city than there were before…”

Bai Chen looked ahead and calmly said, “Most of those who slept outside in the winter are dead.”

Long Yuehong fell silent when he thought of the wilderness nomads outside the city. Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao also didn’t say a word and quietly walked forward.

After returning to the second floor of Ah Fu’s Gun Shop, Jiang Baimian switched on the radio transceiver to see if Genava or the company would send a new telegram.

Just after 8 p.m., they suddenly received an electric signal.

After accepting the telegram and translating the contents, Jiang Baimian raised her eyebrows and said to Shang Jianyao and the others, “It’s not from Genava or the company.”