Embers Ad Infinitum

Nighttime in First City wasn’t like Weed City, where only one or two areas would appear rowdy. Here, there were all kinds of sounds coming from various places from time to time.

It was only after midnight that the city would fall silent.

After encountering the fourth Heartless patient, the Old Task Force lost the mood to ‘stroll’ around. They did a quick circle of the area before returning to Ugo Hotel to rest up.

The next morning, after completing their training to get back in shape and having a simple breakfast made of energy bars and compressed biscuits, they decided to split up in order to make the best use of their time.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao went to find the Zhao family’s contact in First City to figure out if there had been any changes in the manors in the suburbs recently. After that, they decided to carry out a preliminary and peripheral investigation based on the situation. Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Genava went to the Hunter’s Guild in First City and sold the information regarding the white wolf’s abilities. At the same time, they asked about Han Wanghuo’s whereabouts.

With the two military exoskeletons and Genava, Jiang Baimian was relatively confident in Long Yuehong and Bai Chen’s strength.

Furthermore, the Old Task Force wasn’t planning on inquiring about Oray’s two descendants today. Hence, there was almost no danger in what they wanted to do.

As for the company’s liaison, Jiang Baimian had already arranged a time and place for their meeting at night through an encrypted telegram.

Just like that, Jiang Baimian drove the military-green jeep and drove Shang Jianyao to the Golden Grain Zone, south of the Red Wolf Zone.

The team of Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Genava found a way to get themselves another car so that they could carry the two military exoskeletons with them to prepare for any emergencies.

In the Harvest Bathhouse at Golden Grain Zone, Olao Street.

Jiang Baimian observed her surroundings and stopped in a parking lot that seemed to be part of the bathhouse.

It wasn’t big because the city district east and south of the Red Wolf Zone was not a place where most Ruin Hunters could afford. Public security was relatively good, so there was no need to employ Ruin Hunters. In the Ashlands, cars had always been ranked first in ‘production’ in the various ruins. However, those vehicles often couldn’t be used directly; they had to be repaired or modified. At the same time, the Ruin Hunter occupation required them to have transportation. Therefore, cars weren’t commonplace in areas where Ruin Hunters weren’t active.

The residents living in such areas might live better than Ruin Hunters and even safer at times, but they didn’t have the driving force needed to get a vehicle, nor did they have the means to buy the limited number of new cars. Furthermore, they didn’t trust the vehicles that Ruin Hunters had dragged back from the ruins and repaired. They always suspected that they would be totaled soon.

Of course, there were always exceptions. Otherwise, who would the Ruin Hunters sell the extra vehicles that they had painstakingly obtained to?

The Harvest Bathhouse only had three floors. The porch was propped up by a white stone pillar, and it was decorated with incomplete relief sculptures.

The bathhouse wasn’t open at this time, but Jiang Baimian successfully met the boss, Lance, after reporting the name ‘Business Partner, Mr. Zhao.’

Lance was a relatively tall Red River man, only slightly shorter than Shang Jianyao. He was in his thirties, and he had fluffy brown hair and bright blue eyes.

Wearing a black coat, he led Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao to his office and introduced the Harvest Bathhouse’s situation as if he were discussing business with a business partner. “We have four steam baths, eight heated pools, and four cold pools here. They are divided into men and women areas… We have specialized attendants to provide relaxation services…”

Just as Bai Chen had previously introduced, First City’s bathhouses also doubled up as brothels.

As they spoke, the three of them entered the office.

Lance sat in a leather chair and asked warmly, “Were you sent by Councilor Zhao?”

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian nodded.

The Zhao family had two liaisons in First City. One had a front, while the other was hidden. The former was Rauen, boss of the bread shop opposite Harvest Bathhouse, while the latter was Lance. Only the family head, the future family head, and specific executors knew of him.

Of course, this was only Zhao Zhengqi’s claim. Jiang Baimian suspected that the Zhao family had more than two liaisons in First City.

The reason they visited Lance instead of Rauen was that Rauen had reported that the manor was fine two weeks ago.

Lance was just about to make small talk when Shang Jianyao suddenly asked, “Are you a believer of the Furnace Church?”

His expression was abnormally serious.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian subconsciously raised her right hand and covered her face. This was because she had completely understood Shang Jianyao’s ‘logic.’

There was a steam bath here. The crux of the Furnace Church’s Mass was a steam bath, so the boss here had to be a believer of the Furnace Church.

Following this logic, most bathhouse owners in First City were considered believers of the Furnace Church.

Jiang Baimian had just raised her right hand when she saw Lance’s expression change.

The smiling bathhouse boss’s expression turned completely solemn.

Uh… Jiang Baimian’s right hand paused in midair.

Lance sized up the two of them and suppressed his voice to ask, “What exactly do you want?”

Stand up, leave the seat, begin… Jiang Baimian didn’t respond as she counted down the time in her heart ‘dazedly.’

At the same time, Shang Jianyao suddenly stood up, took two steps to the side, and convulsed as if he were scalded.

After dancing this strange dance, Shang Jianyao solemnly gave his blessings. “May the divine aura bathe you.”

Lance subconsciously stood up and danced as if he had been scalded by the heat. After a few actions, he exclaimed in surprise, “Are you also a believer of the New World’s door?”

Shang Jianyao nodded heavily and explained seriously, “Just a little short. When I was in Tarnan, I had already set a date for my baptism. However, I had to leave in advance because of some unforeseen circumstances.”

He looked regretful.

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian nodded cooperatively. She didn’t deny or confirm that she was prepared to join the Church.

“So you’re fellow parishioners.” Lance heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s no wonder you know that I believe in the Kalendaria.”

No, it’s just blind luck… Jiang Baimian muttered and curiously asked, “Did the Church get you to serve Councilor Zhao?”

Lance laughed. “No, this is only a job. I have to support myself and my family while believing in the Kalendaria.”

“I see…” Jiang Baimian expressed her understanding.

Shang Jianyao asked, “Is there Holy Communion here?”

Lance sat down again and shook his head. “I was afraid of being exposed and didn’t add this service. However, the believers in this area will secretly gather together and share Holy Communion every week.”

“I wonder if we can participate?” Shang Jianyao hesitated for a moment before deciding to bring Long Yuehong and the others along.

Lance smiled and said, “Once the Dedicator baptizes you.”

Jiang Baimian didn’t give Shang Jianyao a chance to divert the topic at hand and redirected the conversation. “What happened to Councilor Zhao’s manors?”

Lance hesitated and said, “The Ruin Hunters I hired replied that strangers enter and leave the manor every day. They were afraid of exposing themselves, so they didn’t dare use cameras. Uh, it’s not like they had cameras either. They could only draw the strangers’ faces from their memories.”

As he spoke, he pulled open the drawer and took out a stack of paper.

Shang Jianyao excitedly received it and flipped through a few pages before happily saying, “Their drawings are worse than mine!”

Jiang Baimian felt that it wasn’t a problem of inferior quality but that the portraits were completely featureless. It was impossible to recognize anyone by relying on them.

Lance didn’t harp on the problem and continued, “The manor stewards I came into contact with said that there were no strangers. That’s all we’ve figured so far.”

From the looks of it, Zhao Zhengqi got someone to investigate the manor through Rauen… Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “Can you create a chance for us to make direct contact with one of the manor’s stewards? Without entering the manor.”

“That’s simple.” Lance smiled. “There’s a steward named Zhao Shouren who likes steam baths very much. He comes every few days; he should be coming today.”

“Is that so?” Jiang Baimian subconsciously asked.

“You can wait here, and you might see him at noon.” Lance pointed at the ceiling and said, “There’s a lounge on the second floor that you can use.”

The Harvest Bathhouse officially opened when it was almost noon, but it only had two steam baths, two hot pools, and two cold pools available for use.

Before long, Lance knocked on Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian’s room. “Zhao Shouren is here. He’s in the steam bath.”

“I’ll visit him.” Shang Jianyao smiled.

Lance then glanced at Jiang Baimian. “Why don’t you enter the women’s bathroom and get a steam bath? It’s just next door.”

Jiang Baimian was also a curious person. She pondered for a moment and said, “Alright.”

At this moment, Shang Jianyao suddenly said, “Be careful not to get a short circuit.”

This mockery… Jiang Baimian clenched her left fist and wished she could punch Shang Jianyao in the abdomen. However, she controlled herself because she felt that Shang Jianyao’s words were a form of concern after some thought.

However, biological prosthetics wouldn’t short circuit from encountering steam.

After returning to the first floor, Shang Jianyao entered the male bathroom, took off his clothes, washed his body, and wrapped a large white towel around his waist. He then pushed open the steam bath’s door and saw white fog and steam rising from inside.

He vaguely saw a person in the corner. He also had his top bare, and his bottom was wrapped in a large towel.

Shang Jianyao walked over and sat beside him. He looked at the steam that spread from the red-hot stone and smiled. “What a coincidence. You’re half-naked, and so am I. You’re taking a steam bath, and so am I. So…”

The person was stunned for a moment before turning to look at Shang Jianyao. He asked in surprise and joy, “You’re here too?”

He acted as if they had known each other for a long time.

Upon seeing this, Shang Jianyao seized the opportunity and exchanged a few pleasantries. After confirming that the other party was Zhao Shouren, he raised their relationship to that of sworn brothers.

“I heard that many strangers came to your manor?” Shang Jianyao finally asked.

Zhao Shouren was stunned and replied in confusion, “No?”