Embers Ad Infinitum

Without waiting for Ugo to ask, Jiang Baimian continued, “We once encountered it in a city ruin…”

She recounted how a large number of Ruin Hunters had died in dreams created by the Nightmare Horse and how they had experienced that ability without making many changes. She wanted the details to be detailed and convincing.

Ugo silently listened to this matter and swept his gaze between Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao a few times.

“You actually survived,” he said in his usual flat tone.

The only thing Jiang Baimian didn’t mention was how the Old Task Force escaped the Nightmare Horse’s Real Dream.

“No, we’re already dead,” Shang Jianyao replied solemnly. “What you see now is only our ghosts. They exist because of our ideals.”

Upon seeing that Ugo was at a loss, Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “We have companions.”

She was speaking the complete truth. Back then, she had mainly relied on Shang Jianyao’s sudden inspiration to utilize Inference Clowning. But combined with the Old Task Force’s current situation, it made people directly believe that the robot had played an important role.

Ugo’s eyelids drooped for a moment before returning to normal. His head seemed to move indiscernibly.

Jiang Baimian continued, “What’s even more surprising is that the horse has an owner. Its owner has even tamed many Superior Heartless, making him very dangerous. An elder we know told us that the horse’s owner can destroy this city once the number of Awakened at the Mind Corridor level here drops to a certain level.”

Ugo didn’t ignore Jiang Baimian’s warning. His indifferent expression became a little more solemn than before.

From the conversation they had, he also captured a detail: The team in front of them had a powerful background. When the elder they knew discussed the horse’s owner, his tone was relaxed and natural. He acted like equals.

“That’s about it. If you see anything, please inform us. We’ll pay you.” Jiang Baimian didn’t say much and ended the conversation in the most normal way. She then slapped her forehead. “Gosh, I almost forgot. If we aren’t staying in the hotel that day, write down the corresponding information and stuff it under the door to our rooms.”

Ugo looked at her and Shang Jianyao. He didn’t agree or say no.

After leaving the hotel, Jiang Baimian heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Let’s go back and get some rest. We’ll see when the boss can give us an update.”

It wasn’t a solution to employ methods no different from searching for a needle in a haystack.

Shang Jianyao looked back at the hotel and sincerely gave his well-wishes. “I hope Xiaochong doesn’t scare the boss and his Church.”

…

Time quickly passed as they waited and observed. In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Old Task Force and Lehman’s transaction.

“Check the goods.” Lehman got Rondar and the others to carry out two cardboard boxes.

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen opened one each and seriously confirmed if there was anything wrong.

“An AC-45 military exoskeleton. Although it’s not the latest model, it can already be loaded with many modules. You can even play games through the helmet visor…” Lehman casually introduced. “The T1 multi-purpose mechanical arm is produced by United Industries. The strengths are very clear, but it’s not bad at all when it comes to precision. It can be used to complete all kinds of things that have high requirements for precision. Yes, it’s said that Pangu Biology provided the technology needed for the reconnection with human nerves. Heh heh, although Pangu Biology doesn’t have a good reputation and terrifies people, its technologies are really nothing to scoff at. It’s no wonder many people think it’s one of the possible culprits for destroying the Old World.”

Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and the others resisted the urge to look at each other. Yes, we are from this supervillain organization…

“What other functions does it have?” Shang Jianyao eagerly asked about the mechanical arm.

Lehman glanced at the iron-black mechanical arm and recalled. “It has an energy module that can provide additional help, and it allows you to deliver extremely explosive punches that can snap an ordinary person’s neck… It can flick out blades, syringes, jet pipes, and other objects. The exact effect depends on what you have installed in advance…

“It has a laser module that can extract energy from its reserves and fire a laser with considerable strength. However, this can’t be compared to a military exoskeleton, and it can’t be used too many times…

“…”

Finally, Lehman flaunted, “The alloy used by such mechanical arms is very strong. Someone once tanked a cannonball head-on…”

“They blocked it with such a mechanical arm?” Long Yuehong interrupted in surprise.

Lehman shook his head. “No. What I wanted to say is that although his entire body was blown to pieces, his mechanical arm remained intact. The damage wasn’t serious.”

What’s the point… Long Yuehong imagined himself being blown to smithereens, leaving only his mechanical arm intact. He found it indescribably ridiculous.

Shang Jianyao didn’t mind this matter and asked regretfully, “Can’t it be used to open canned food?”

“…” The simple and honest Lehman was stunned for a moment. “It’s not impossible. Can’t you just install a can-opener? Besides, with its strength, it won’t be a problem to forcefully open it.”

“Ooo.” Shang Jianyao looked eager.

After confirming that the two items were fine, Jiang Baimian handed over Left Bank Manor’s deed and the batch of supplies.

As for how to transfer ownership of the manor in the future, Lehman had his ways. He didn’t need them to appear and only needed them to provide the necessary information.

As for the large sum of Oray, the Old Task Force—who had mortgaged the old military exoskeleton to the Blackshirts yesterday—had already deposited it into the bank account Lehman had given them.

Lehman watched his subordinates put away the various supplies and heaved a sigh of relief. “Phew, it’s finally done.”

He then took out a stack of colorful printed items from his pocket. “These are the tickets to the aristocratic VIP room you wanted. The earliest one is three days later. Heh heh, I should’ve left First City by then.”

“Not bad.” Jiang Baimian smiled and took the stack of tickets.

…

At noon, the five Old Task Force members sat in their modified jeep outside Wolf’s Den and watched the noisy fast-food restaurant on the first floor and the busy Su Na, Li Qiong, and the others from afar.

Ever since Left Bank Manor was handed over to the Old Task Force, this fast-food restaurant named Cass had officially opened.

Su Na and the other Ashlandic prostitutes used a value-for-money strategy. Even the given name was the smallest currency denomination in First City.

They relied on their resource channels and the advantage of cooking on a large scale to make the slogan ‘cheaper than eating at home.’ If not for this, the fast-food restaurant wouldn’t attract a large number of dockworkers and the surrounding lower-class citizens.

On this matter, Su Na and the others showed maturity that exceeded Jiang Baimian and the others’ expectations. For example, the rye bread they sold was always the lowest price in the nearby area, but it wasn’t so low that it made it impossible for local citizens to run a bakery. At the same time, they would also give a complementary cup of cold water—as long as customers chose to eat in their shop.

Therefore, the fast-food restaurant’s business became better and better as their fame gradually rose. The pots of dishes and reserved bread that were prepared in advance could be sold out in less than an hour.

Of course, they didn’t earn much money. They could, at most, maintain a balance and have a little surplus. The greatest benefit was that the restaurant owners would never starve. No matter what, they had something to eat.

Over the past few days, there had been no lack of people coming to cause trouble. However, Wolf’s Den still belonged to the Blackshirts in name. There were also many Blackshirts who ‘helped.’ Su Na and the others easily dealt with them, but this also made them hone their marksmanship harder and train their bodies.

Long Yuehong looked out the window and unknowingly smiled. “From the looks of it, they look spirited and energetic despite all the exhausting and busy work.”

He turned around and asked, “Shall we greet them?”

Jiang Baimian shook her head. “There’s no need. We’ve now offended the Anti-intellectualism Church, so it’s best not to contact them if we can avoid contact with them. Little White, drive. Let’s go to Terrence and exchange for the military exoskeleton.”

Although Shang Jianyao had shown his desire to install a mechanical arm, the item was indeed useless to the Old Task Force for the time being.

Red Wolf Zone, 25 Stern Street.

Terrence’s gaze momentarily froze when he saw the iron-black multi-purpose mechanical arm.

“You can return the military exoskeleton to us,” Jiang Baimian said.

Terrence retracted his gaze and secretly took a deep breath. “Alright, no problem!”

At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind: What kind of terrifying team is this?

On the one hand, they had an Awakened. On the other hand, they had casually produced a military exoskeleton and a mechanical arm. It was unknown what they had bought using all of that as a mortgage!

Although such a team couldn’t compare to a regular army’s elite team, they were definitely top-notch among Ruin Hunters and gangs!

After a pause, Terrence smiled and probed, “Are you selling these two items?”

Be it the Blackshirts or the Church of Spiritual Transcendence, they had a strong desire for such equipment.

“What do you think?” Jiang Baimian asked with a smile.

Terrence exhaled and said, “I know. Such controlled items are very difficult to obtain. Unless it’s out of no choice, nobody is willing to sell them.”

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “Oh right, there’s something else I need your help with.”

“What?” Terrence instantly became vigilant. Don’t tell me you want to borrow money again?

Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “I want to buy some hair dye through you…”

She listed the names of many items in one go. Her goal was to make themselves less eye-catching when watching the gladiator fights like a normal Red River person.

Upon seeing Terrence stunned, Shang Jianyao laughed and added, “Don’t worry—we’ll pay this time.”

He appeared a little excited.