Embers Ad Infinitum

In a relatively high-end apartment in the Red Wolf Zone.

The fake Father—Sandel—switched on his computer as usual and browsed through a document.

As he had Hypnotized many people to do things for him, he was worried that he would forget a number of the personnel and key details and make mistakes that he shouldn’t have. Therefore, the first thing he did when he returned was to record who he had Hypnotized, how he had Hypnotized them, what he wanted to achieve, and whether he didn’t have to care about the subsequent matters.

Before learning to use a computer, he carried a small notebook with him at all times to jot down matters.

Now, he could only sigh with emotion: Computers are so convenient!

At an agreed time, he stood up and walked to the radio transceiver. He switched it on and tuned it to the corresponding frequency to see what instructions the Ruin Hunter team—which opposed the real Father—had.

Before long, Sandel received a telegram. He began translating the code with a heavy and worried heart.

Gradually, the telegram’s content appeared: “We’ve already killed the real Father, Alex…”

Just as he translated the first sentence, Sandel’s pupils dilated rapidly. The real Father is dead? He was killed by the Ruin Hunter team just like that? Are you lying to me? Are you sure it’s the real Father?

As a fake Father, Sandel knew very well how terrifying and how meticulous the real Father was, making it very difficult to find him. Therefore, he had no confidence in being avenged. However, he couldn’t take it lying down and wanted to give it a try.

Similarly, he didn’t believe that the Qian Bai Team could finish off the real Father in a short period of time.

It was impossible!

But the truth overturned his beliefs and shattered his understanding.

For a moment, Sandel’s emotions were mixed. He didn’t know to be happy, worried, or confused.

After a while, he translated the rest of the words: “You are free; you can choose your future life. I hope you will turn over a new leaf. If we learn that you are back to your old ways, we will look for you, we will find you, and we will kill you no matter where you are in the Ashlands. It will be just like finding the real Father.”

Upon seeing this, Sandel truly believed that the Qian Bai Team had indeed killed the real Father. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have given up on him.

A few seconds later, muffled and slightly deranged laughter echoed in the room.

“Haha, dead, really dead… You aren’t that great yourself, huh? Weren’t you still killed by others?” Sandel laughed for a while until the corners of his eyes moistened.

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and felt relaxed. He no longer felt like he was carrying a boulder.

He had been fantasizing about the future for the past few days. It was to leave First City and live elsewhere after finishing off the real Father or confirming that there was no way to take revenge. It was best if that place was an area that the Anti-intellectualism Church had no influence over.

Sandel believed that with his abilities and intelligence, he could lead a good life anywhere as long as he didn’t pursue the top of the pyramid.

His gaze returned to the paper and landed on the last sentence. For some reason, he couldn’t help but shiver.

From his point of view, it was a waste not to use one’s abilities when one had the ability. When using abilities, strictly distinguishing good from bad was an act that bound oneself.

He wanted to mock the Qian Bai Team for being too naive and actually warning him not to do anything bad, but he couldn’t bring himself to laugh.

If it were a few minutes ago, he wouldn’t have such a reaction. But now, he had to seriously consider the possibility that this warning could become fact.

Apart from his ridiculous self-esteem, Sandel had to admit that the real Father’s abilities, intelligence, available resources, and hiding skills far exceeded his own.

It was precisely such a terrifying figure that seemed impossible to lock onto that was found by the Qian Bai Team in a matter of days before snuffing out his life.

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Sandel suddenly saw that he had downloaded a photo from the First City Public Network computer he was connected to.

He quickly focused his gaze and realized that there was a person in the photo.

This person was slumped against a wall, his head drooping. However, it revealed obvious dark eye circles and a bluish-white face. It was obvious that he had lost all life and was a corpse.

There was a streak of red on the ground in front of the corpse and a piece of paper stuck to its chest.

Two lines in the Red River language were printed on the paper: “I’m Father.

“I’m guilty.”

I’m guilty… Sandel shivered again. For the first time in his life, he had the thought of being a law-abiding citizen.

…

Red Wolf Zone, 25 Stern Street.

Terrence sat in the living room with the curtains drawn and electric lights switched on. He looked at the person opposite him and said respectfully, “Hedonist, what made you specially visit me?”

The person opposite him unwrapped a piece of candy’s packaging and stuffed the candy into his mouth. “I happened to receive a piece of information and was in the area, so I came to visit you.”

This person seemed to be a Church of Spiritual Transcendence clergyman.

“What information is it?” the bloated Terrence asked curiously.

The person opposite him sucked the candy and said in satisfaction, “The real Father is dead.”

“…Really?” Terrence blurted out. Although he had never interacted with the real Father and had only been secretly affected once, he knew from various sources how difficult and troublesome this person was.

How could such a figure be so easily killed?

The person opposite Terrence smiled and sighed. “We’ve compared fingerprints and various biological materials. We’ve confirmed that it’s the real Father unless the person who assassinated Sols wasn’t him.”

“Who did it?” Terrence asked anxiously. Without waiting for the person opposite him to answer, an idea flashed in his mind. “I-Is it the Qian Bai Team?”

“I’m not sure.” The person opposite him peeled open a piece of new candy. “Currently, we can determine that there are at least three participants and a robot.”

“Robot… That’s basically them.” Terrence was shocked but also extremely glad. It was simply too wise for me to choose to cooperate a few days ago and not take revenge! Otherwise, someone else would be receiving the news that the Blackshirts’ second boss, Terrence, had been killed.

The person opposite him nodded. “That team isn’t simple. If we rope them in, we might be able to use them to teach those heretics a lesson. If those heretics seize power in First City, we will be in danger.”

Terrence was just about to nod when he suddenly heard the phone in the living room ring. He thoughtfully picked up the connected phone in the activity room and, as expected, heard Zhang Qubing’s voice.

“The Anti-intellectualism Church’s operations should be temporarily suspended for some time.” Shang Jianyao shared this information.

This is only natural… A real Father was inexplicably killed. As long as the Anti-intellectualism Church’s higher-ups are normal, they will stop all operations and investigate the latent dangers to prevent the entire Church from being implicated… As Terrence criticized inwardly, he smiled and said, “I’ve already heard that the real Father died.”

On the one hand, he was hinting that he was well-informed. On the other hand, he wanted to get information out of Zhang Qubing.

“I had wanted to tell you myself.” Shang Jianyao felt a little regretful.

It really was your team… Terrence glanced at the person opposite him and nodded slightly.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao hesitantly said, “Th-there’s something I need your help with.”

After receiving approval from the person sitting opposite him, Terrence asked enthusiastically, “What is it?”

Shang Jianyao laughed. “I knew we were brothers!”

He then lowered his voice and mysteriously said, “Well, here’s the situation…”

Terrence listened very attentively.

Shang Jianyao maintained his mysterious tone. “We want t-to borrow some money from you.”

“…” Terrence almost suspected that he had heard wrong. The Qian Bai Team—who has just done something major—actually wants to borrow money from me?

…

In a safe house prepared by the Old Task Force.

“What did he say?” Long Yuehong asked Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian, who had returned from their trip.

Jiang Baimian was in a good mood and smiled. “I really didn’t expect you to stutter and feel embarrassed.”

Shang Jianyao immediately explained, “Even blood-related brothers have to square the accounts.”

Jiang Baimian didn’t answer and casually explained the situation. “Terrence said that he doesn’t have that much. There are very, very few people in First City who can afford to buy a manor in one go. But he will try to gather it from the Blackshirts’ boss and the Church of Spiritual Transcendence. If it really doesn’t work out, we can only think of another solution.”

Upon seeing that the transaction date with Lehman was drawing close, the Old Task Force actually came up with the idea to borrow money from Terrence in order not to choose one of the two options.

Having the authority earned from killing the real Father, it felt like they were charging others protection fees.

“I guess that’s all we can do.” Long Yuehong sighed.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian clapped her hands and said, “After finishing the trivial matters, we can discuss the matters in Father’s memories.”

Just as she said that, Shang Jianyao’s eyes widened. “Shouldn’t we get something delicious to celebrate first?”

“It’s not even dinner time yet,” Jiang Baimian snapped back angrily.

“We can have afternoon tea…” Shang Jianyao suddenly frowned before he could finish his sentence.

Genava analyzed Shang Jianyao’s facial expression and inquired before Jiang Baimian could. “What’s wrong?”

Shang Jianyao looked down at the black-haired accessory on his wrist and said with a heavy expression, “I don’t feel like I have an appetite.”

He then took off the accessory and placed it to the side.

“There it is again.” Shang Jianyao smiled. “The problem indeed lies with it.”

This item called the Ring of Blindness was one of the spoils of war they had obtained from the real Father, Alex.

As for the real Father’s other two extraordinary items, they seemed to have completely returned to normal due to excessive consumption. They were no longer magical.

Bai Chen thought for a moment before saying, “Apart from obtaining an ability, this item that has condensed an advanced Mind Corridor Awakened’s aura will also have a certain price attached to it?”

“Probably.” Shang Jianyao looked at Jiang Baimian with an expectant gaze for afternoon tea.

Jiang Baimian frowned and said, “But the Coward and Destiny Connection Pearl we previously obtained didn’t show such characteristics…”