Embers Ad Infinitum

The Old Task Force stayed at a safe house in the Green Olive Zone.

Jiang Baimian finished sending the telegram and heaved a long sigh of relief. “We can prepare to set off.”

She had already reported the team’s gains during this period to the company. On the one hand, it was to apply for subsequent funding. On the other hand, she hoped that the company could provide clues to crack the virtual world.

With a large faction backing them, it was foolish not to utilize the organization! In the past few years, perhaps the other Pangu Biology outfield members might’ve encountered similar matters and accumulated some experience.

Long Yuehong sighed with emotion when he heard that. “I never expected that we would still have to go to the North Shore Mountains to find that white wolf after all this while.”

To the current Old Task Force, finding the white wolf had three meanings: First, this was the Hunter’s Guild’s most lucrative mission in recent times. As long as it was completed, the Old Task Force could pay off most of their debt.

Second, the Nightmare Horse might very well be in the white wolf’s territory.

Third, the Ruin Hunter who had intelligence on the Mirror Church was currently at the North Shore Mountains, hunting down the white wolf. Shang Jianyao had already asked for his name, age, and appearance.

Under such circumstances, Jiang Baimian finally decided to take on this mission and visit the North Shore Mountains.

In any case, they had experience facing Qiao Chu. They wouldn’t be at a loss.

More importantly, they still had the new member, Genava, who wasn’t afraid of Bewitchment. Others might be penetrable, but he wasn’t—in every way of the word.

“This is fate’s arrangement.” Shang Jianyao smiled in response to Long Yuehong’s sigh.

Long Yuehong rationally gave up the urge to ‘discuss’ and said, “But we have to make advanced preparations, just like how we dealt with Qiao Chu previously.”

Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen looked at Shang Jianyao.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “This is simple—it’s even simpler than back when we faced Qiao Chu. As long as we deepen our resolve not to ‘violate social norms even if it’s possible,’ we can resist it.”

“But how can you accomplish that with Inference Clowning? Doesn’t Inference Clowning always distort the results? How can it deepen our resolve?” Bai Chen asked.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “Deepening itself is a form of distortion.”

He pointed at Long Yuehong. “Let’s begin with you.”

Long Yuehong secretly hissed and hesitated for a moment before saying, “Alright.”

He then followed Shang Jianyao to the room inside and looked at the other party warily.

“You can’t be like that; being too vigilant will result in poor effects. Could it be that you want to have a relationship extending beyond friendship with that white wolf?” Shang Jianyao teased with a smile. “I don’t know if there are any reproductive incompatibilities between mutated creatures and humans. If there isn’t, your child will become something like a sphinx in the future. So…”

The first sentence made Long Yuehong feel that this was a conversation before it officially began. Therefore, he quietly listened and tried to find something to retort with.

As he listened, his expression suddenly warped. His face was covered in gloom, and it was unknown what he imagined.

“No! Absolutely not! Humans have to have an absolute bottom line. They can’t do such a thing! Pervert! Too perverted!” Long Yuehong said repeatedly.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao clapped for him. “Well said! You can go back now.”

“Huh? It’s over?” Long Yuehong was confused.

Shang Jianyao nodded. “There’s no need for it. You have a very strong sense of morality and are good at self-management. Thus, there’s no need to deepen your resolve.”

“Is that so…” Long Yuehong glanced at Shang Jianyao and realized that the latter had a sincere expression. With a suspicious attitude, he returned to the living room outside and recalled every detail that had happened.

But no matter how he ran through the situation, he didn’t find anything wrong with it.

“Next.” Shang Jianyao placed a hand in his pocket and walked to the door that separated the two rooms.

“My turn,” Jiang Baimian said to Bai Chen. She quickly entered the room, closed the wooden door, and smiled at Shang Jianyao. “Bullying Little Red again?”

“I didn’t even use any strength.” Shang Jianyao sighed.

Jiang Baimian smiled and said with anticipation, “Let’s begin.”

“There’s no rush. Let’s chat first,” Shang Jianyao said in a relaxed state.

Jiang Baimian raised her eyebrows. “You want to add conditions while chatting and complete the Inference? Alright, I’ll cooperate with you.”

Shang Jianyao’s expression suddenly turned serious. “I just want to discuss my views on love with you.”

“Oh?” Jiang Baimian grunted.

Shang Jianyao continued. “A woman with beauty and intelligence like you…”

“Pfft.” Jiang Baimian laughed. “Don’t be so exaggerated. Let’s get straight to the point.”

“I’m serious.” Shang Jianyao was very serious. “You should’ve been a scientific researcher in the past. Now, you are out and about, fighting all kinds of creatures. Your most basic requirement for love is that both parties have something in common. They can interact, communicate, and resonate in both spirit and mind. Regardless, animals can’t have human intelligence, can’t speak, and can’t think about complicated problems, much less become idealists. So…”

Jiang Baimian’s expression gradually softened as she nodded gently. “That’s true. Creatures without intelligence can only be pets.”

“Alright, you can leave now. Get Little White to come in.” Shang Jianyao laughed.

Jiang Baimian revealed an enlightened expression. She didn’t ask or think about it. She turned around, opened the door, and summoned Bai Chen.

“How do you plan on convincing me?” Bai Chen asked Shang Jianyao curiously.

“I think it’s possible that you might like animals—as long as they stay by your side as companions and never abandon you.” Shang Jianyao gave a rare, serious assessment.

Bai Chen fell silent for a few seconds before nodding indiscernibly. “Maybe.”

“Therefore, let’s talk about robots.” Shang Jianyao smiled brightly.

In less than a minute, Bai Chen opened the door and walked out, her expression normal.

Shang Jianyao then eagerly looked at Genava. “Old Ge, do you want to give it a try?”

“Alright.” Genava had an adventurous spirit.

However, Shang Jianyao failed shamefully.

…

As they already had three military exoskeletons, the Old Task Force couldn’t only share a car. They rented a new SUV.

The two vehicles drove one after another along the road that they took on their first trip into First City and headed toward the bridge which led to the North Shore wastelands.

Jiang Baimian realized that something was amiss the moment they reached the bridge.

Not only did the vehicles and people entering the city have to be examined this time, but those leaving the city also had to be examined.

In front of them were dilapidated vehicles from the ruins. They were carefully searched by the city guards at the bridge’s entrance, and it took them several minutes to let one pass.

“What happened?” Jiang Baimian muttered.

Entering the wastelands and hunting down mutated creatures was a rather dangerous matter. With the Old Task Force’s current strength, it was impossible for them to think lightly of it. Therefore, they had brought along all their equipment except for the mechanical arm that they had pledged to the Blackshirts.

If they were examined, the three military exoskeletons would be enough to cause a commotion and make the city defense forces view them as terrorists.

A single-man combat rocket launcher was nothing compared to these contraband items.

“Capture the accomplices of the colosseum’s assassin? It’s to stop them from escaping?” Shang Jianyao—who was stroking his chin—replied.

“That’s possible.” Jiang Baimian agreed.

As she swept her gaze, she suddenly saw a familiar figure.

It was a Red Coaster. His black hair was naturally curled, and his skin was dark brown. He was at most 1.65 meters tall.

He was Jadi, the person who had wanted to mug the Old Task Force back then but was forced to help Shang Jianyao and the others pass the city entrance inspection.

At this moment, Jadi approached the city defense armored vehicle and chatted with a few soldiers.

“Go and ask what happened.” Jiang Baimian instructed Shang Jianyao.

Shang Jianyao long had this intention. He excitedly pushed open the door and went down. He passed through the traffic and walked toward Jadi with submachine guns trained on him.

Jadi was also pleasantly surprised to see him. It was obvious that he had yet to escape Inference Clowning’s influence. He quickly said to the soldiers, “My friend, my friend.”

He then pulled Shang Jianyao to the side.

“What happened?” Shang Jianyao asked directly.

Jadi subconsciously looked around. “You know of the assassination in the colosseum the day before yesterday, right? Yes, the assassin was captured on the spot and spilled the beans about his accomplices. Heh, you didn’t expect this, did you? His accomplice is actually the one who previously caused the explosion at the Citizen Conclave! Furthermore, it’s said to be related to a particular military faction. To prevent him from escaping the city, there’s a need to check those leaving the city now.”

“I see… So they are investigating personnel, not contraband?” Shang Jianyao asked in confirmation.

Jadi nodded. “Yes, but they can’t avoid arresting the person if something is found. If you want to leave the city, wait another two days. I can’t do anything about it now—it’s very strict. There are officers on duty.”

As he spoke, he turned around and pointed at the other side of the armored vehicle.

A dark-gray bulletproof command vehicle was parked not far away. A major was seated in the vehicle.

The major was wearing a gray military uniform. His short hair and eyes were brownish-red, and he was muscular. He had a cold bearing and was none other than Ducas, who the Old Task Force knew.

A smile immediately appeared on Shang Jianyao’s face.