Embers Ad Infinitum

“This comes under direct memory modification, am I right?” Jiang Baimian propped her right elbow over her left hand and placed her right hand’s five fingers between her mouth and nose.

Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “I’ve never compared the differences between hypnosis and tampered memories, so I can’t be sure.”

Whoa, it’s the strict Shang Jianyao now… Jiang Baimian sat there and thought for a moment before saying, “If someone in the Zhao family is indeed related to the Anti-intellectualism Church’s assassination attempt on Xu Liyan, then the manor’s matter might very well have been done by the real Father. But with his caution, he shouldn’t be in the manor. Instead, he should be hiding somewhere nearby and quietly watching everything.”

Shang Jianyao did the same exact actions as Jiang Baimian. “Then, how do you explain the tampered memories of Zhao Shouren and the others?”

“Maybe he appeared during the initial takeover of the manor. Later, he only left behind a fake Father-like puppet.” Jiang Baimian felt provoked and explained her guess in detail. “It’s likely that the people who entered the manor to investigate probably didn’t suffer from memory modification but hypnosis. Those who hid outside to observe naturally weren’t affected because they weren’t discovered.”

Without waiting for Shang Jianyao to raise any doubts, she realized another problem. “But what is the Anti-intellectualism Church trying to do? If they plan on using the Zhao family manor as a stronghold to draw benefits from it, there’s no need to go that far. It’s crucial not to arouse the Zhao family’s patriarch’s suspicion. If that happens, there will only be subsequent investigations. It’s very unfavorable in their bid to lay low. If it were me, I would definitely hand over a reasonable amount of produce and write it off as reasonable expenditures. Who wouldn’t suspect something when there’s a complete wipe-out all at once?

“If they only want to occupy the manor and strengthen their church, this method isn’t smart. If it were me, I would directly modify the corresponding personnel’s memories and sell a few manors in the shortest time possible. Then, I would leave for good and get someone else to use the money I earned from selling the manors to buy other manors openly…”

At this point, Jiang Baimian realized that Shang Jianyao’s gaze became strange when he looked at her. She immediately and subconsciously made a terse comment to protect her glorious image as team leader. “I’m only thinking from a different perspective and analyzing the problem from the villain’s perspective. I don’t really have any plans on actually doing it. Pui, what I mean is that I usually don’t even have such thoughts. It’s only when I’m putting myself in their shoes that I strictly follow logic and infer what kind of development there will be.”

Shang Jianyao nodded. “Watch my mouth.”

With that said, he opened and closed his mouth a few times without making a sound.

“I don’t know lip language!” Jiang Baimian snapped. Although she said that, she actually opened her mouth as if she was replicating Shang Jianyao’s performance.

“Anti-intellectualism Church? You want to say ‘Anti-intellectualism Church?'” Jiang Baimian probed.

Shang Jianyao smiled in relief and clapped. “Correct!”

“You mean that it’s not surprising for the Anti-intellectualism Church to do something that’s devoid of intelligence?” Jiang Baimian shook her head in disagreement. “But according to the Anti-intellectualism Church’s teachings, the higher-ups have to maintain their intellect and think on behalf of the parishioners. They should still be relatively smart. Yes, the real Father is an example.”

Shang Jianyao frankly replied, “Stupidity is contagious.”

“Prove it to me!” Jiang Baimian subconsciously retorted.

Shang Jianyao immediately said, “Look…”

“Stop!” Jiang Baimian stopped him directly. She raised her hand to rub her forehead and voiced her guess. “I think the Anti-intellectualism Church wants to use the Zhao family’s manor as a stronghold to plan something. This should be a short-term operation; therefore, there’s no need to consider the problem of being exposed. They don’t mind doing so for instant benefits.”

“They are printing pamphlets there?” Shang Jianyao’s eyes lit up. He seemed to be very interested in the Anti-intellectualism Church’s pamphlets that were filled with mistakes.

Jiang Baimian stood up from the edge of the bed and walked to the door as she replied, “Maybe.”

Shang Jianyao stood up with her and walked out step by step.

Jiang Baimian pressed down on the door handle and asked with a smile, “Aren’t you going to ask me where I’m going?”

Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “I’m not Long Yuehong.”

“Then, tell me where I want to go and what I want to do?” Jiang Baimian responded with a smile.

Shang Jianyao thought for a moment and said, “It’ll cost him!”

Jiang Baimian’s eyebrows twitched as she smiled in surprise. “Since it involves the Anti-intellectualism Church, we really need to have a chat with Councilor Zhao. He needs to be mentally prepared for a higher price that might appear in the future. At the same time, let’s see what help he can find in First City. It’s best if it’s someone with real power who hates the Anti-intellectualism Church deeply.”

If their final evaluation proved that the danger level was too high, she would consider giving up. After all, the Anti-intellectualism Church was also a major faction. It was not wise to provoke a bunch of brainless lunatics when it had nothing to do with their main mission.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao inexplicably said, “I wonder if the Furnace Church is related to the Anti-intellectualism Church.”

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged his words. “I won’t go directly to Lance. We’ll send a telegram to Councilor Zhao when we return.”

With that said, she turned the doorknob and opened the door.

The two of them walked down, bade farewell to Lance, and returned to the jeep.

Jiang Baimian turned her head to look at the Harvest Bathhouse and sighed with emotion. “It’s really comfortable to steam and soak in a bath. I felt much more relaxed after it. Yes, I have to bring Little White and the others to give it a try later.”

Shang Jianyao’s expression suddenly changed as though he had been put in a difficult position. He appeared deep in thought.

Without waiting for Jiang Baimian to ask, he took the initiative to say, “Can Genava undergo a steam bath?”

“I’m not sure about that…” Jiang Baimian wasn’t that good at robots.

The jeep slowly started moving and drove down the city’s main road. However, it didn’t return to the Green Olive Zone northwest of First City. Instead, it went straight to the southernmost exit of the Golden Grain Zone.

Jiang Baimian casually explained, “It’s still early, so we can observe the surroundings of the Zhao family manor. We won’t do any investigations other than familiarizing ourselves with the terrain.”

Their jeep had been modified after Weed City’s unrest, so they didn’t have to worry that the Anti-intellectualism Church’s people would recognize it.

Shang Jianyao sighed when he heard that. “Unfortunately, Little Red didn’t come with us.”

You mean that if Little Red were here, the simple act of familiarizing ourselves with the terrain would develop into a direct conflict? You think too highly of Little Red. Weren’t we fine all this while? As Jiang Baimian’s thoughts raced, she gave up on retorting.

…

Just past 3 p.m., the jeep returned to Ugo Hotel and stopped at the spot from yesterday.

Jiang Baimian glanced at the additional gray SUV nearby and smiled. “Little White and the others should be back.”

Shang Jianyao carefully examined the SUV. It was unknown if he felt regretful or relieved as he said, “There are no bullet holes.”

Jiang Baimian ignored him and walked into the hotel.

In the lobby, nobody was at the front desk. The wooden door to the room behind it was tightly shut.

As Jiang Baimian frowned, Shang Jianyao had already jumped over as if he wanted to enter the front desk and pretend to be a hotel owner.

Hey… Jiang Baimian didn’t dare to shout loudly. She quickened her pace, attempting to catch up to Shang Jianyao and not give him a chance to act freely.

The two of them circled to the reception desk one after another. Jiang Baimian stretched out her hand to stop Shang Jianyao’s subsequent actions.

At this moment, she heard a gasping sound coming from behind the tightly shut wooden door. This was like a beast howling in grief.

The expression on Jiang Baimian’s face vanished instantly. She turned her ear and tried her best to listen to the commotion in the room.

She sensed that there was a large creature’s electric signal inside.

The gasping sound sounded twice before completely disappearing.

Behind the wooden door was silence.

Jiang Baimian’s heart palpitated as she signaled Shang Jianyao with her eyes. She then quietly left the reception area and returned to the lobby.

Shang Jianyao mimicked her and quickly retreated far away from the room.

The two of them had just rendezvoused and were walking toward the stairwell when the wooden door creaked open.

The person who walked out was the hotel owner, Ugo. His blond hair and linen shirt were slightly moist as if he had perspired a lot. His slightly wrinkled and tanned face was slightly pale.

He glanced at Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao and slowly asked, “What’s the matter?”

Shang Jianyao immediately replied, “You can’t leave the front desk empty. It’s very inviting for thieves.”

Ugo nodded. “Don’t worry. I know all the thieves in this area.”

“It seems like we were overthinking.” Jiang Baimian smiled and pulled Shang Jianyao away.

After returning to the second floor, Jiang Baimian turned to look at Shang Jianyao and suppressed her voice to ask, “Did you go over because you sensed something abnormal?”

Shang Jianyao shook his head. “I wanted to help him guard the front desk for a while.”

Jiang Baimian was speechless.

The two of them quickly returned to Room 202. After resting for a while, Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Genava knocked on the door.

After discussing today’s experience, Jiang Baimian smiled and heaved a sigh of relief. “At least we don’t have to worry about not having money to live on for the time being. Yes, we’ll use 100 Oray as a deposit tomorrow to redeem the single-person rocket launcher. Since we’re in First City, we have to ensure that we have sufficient firepower.”

100 Oray was definitely insufficient to buy a brand-new car, but for an SUV that was over 70 years old and had undergone major repairs? The deposit was enough.

After settling this matter, Long Yuehong said hesitatingly, “Are we really going to deal with the Anti-intellectualism Church?”

“If we ignore it, there might be another upheaval like in Weed City that will eventually involve us,” replied Bai Chen.

Jiang Baimian was slightly surprised by this, but she didn’t tease him.

She thought so too. After all, the Anti-intellectualism Church had the tendency to do nasty things that affected a large number of people.

Of course, whether they wanted to interfere ultimately depended on the level of danger. If it was too dangerous, they could consider reporting it to First City’s relevant departments.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “Everyone must take responsibility in fighting cults!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Genava clapped.

Shang Jianyao gave him a nod of approval and thanked him for his support.

After a few seconds, Jiang Baimian looked at Bai Chen and asked seriously, “What else do you know about this hotel’s boss?”