Embers Ad Infinitum

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If he had said this to anyone else, Jiang Baimian would definitely criticize Shang Jianyao for asking a stupid question. But since the question was directed at Wang Fugui, she only smiled and watched without stopping him.

Would such a lone hunter—who could survive anywhere—lack clothes and food?

Wang Fugui was stunned for a second before smiling awkwardly. “I have three sets of the same clothes and pants.”

Shang Jianyao looked like he was about to give a round of applause as he praised, “Your hobby is really special.”

Is this a hobby? This is a habit! You make it sound like something… Wang Fugui couldn’t help but mutter inwardly.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian smiled and answered his initial question. “It’s best if you can exchange those items for Oray. We definitely won’t cut out your commission. If not, it’s fine. We have our own channels in First City.”

The batch of items they had obtained this time came from the deceased Ruin Hunters. They were mainly firearms and ammunition.

Firearms had always been a form of currency in the Ashlands. The Blackshirts would definitely welcome such items as payment.

Although this wasn’t much, every bit helped in repaying the debt for the Old Task Force. The only inconvenient thing was that they occupied more space. The Old Task Force carried quite a lot of things themselves.

Wang Fugui nodded. “Every bit counts. I’ll try to help deal with it.”

He looked around and maintained his smile. “I heard from the surviving hunters that the white wolf escaped into a cave. That cave is very large, and there’s a large amount of human food stored inside. Also, there are many exits.”

Jiang Baimian didn’t respond directly and only added, “One of the exits has already collapsed from an explosion. Many areas in the cave should’ve been buried.”

Seemingly playing a role, Shang Jianyao then looked at Wang Fugui and said, “Let’s not beat around the bush. What are you trying to say?”

This time, he switched to Ashlandic to enhance his delivery of an Old World meme.

Wang Fugui smiled. “You can definitely tell that there might be considerable secrets hidden in that cave; it might also lead to some unknown base. Once you find it, it will be a bountiful harvest. It might even exceed the value of the white wolf itself. Heh heh, this can also allow me to experience the mutated creature’s strange charm. My friends and I plan on exploring in a few days. Do you want to join us?”

He exuded enough kindness to indicate that he was willing to cooperate with the Old Task Force.

“We had this plan to begin with, but there’s no need for everyone to go together.” Jiang Baimian deliberated for a moment and said, “We don’t want much; we mainly want the various pieces of possible information. You can also get a copy.”

As she spoke, she laughed. “There’s definitely plenty of supplies and information there. I believe it should satisfy everyone.”

She had no intention of cooperating with Wang Fugui and the others, but she also expressed the Old Task Force’s openness and drew the bottom line that was unlikely to cause any conflict.

Wang Fugui nodded with a smile. “That’s right. Such ruins can’t be emptied without a year or two.”

The two parties had a certain level of tacit understanding on this matter.

Wang Fugui looked back at the castle’s main building and curiously said, “You actually didn’t restrain those survivors and forbid them from telling others about their experiences. With the strength you show, it’s very likely that they will obey.”

Jiang Baimian smiled and exclaimed, “I was too flustered back then and forgot about this matter.”

Wang Fugui looked at her deeply and smiled. “I’ve already helped you with the matter. Otherwise, the garrison in the camp would also learn of it and attract First City’s involvement. Their elite team won’t be weaker than yours.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Baimian’s smile was abnormally sincere.

Wang Fugui didn’t say anything else. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he turned around and walked back to the castle’s main building.

Long Yuehong watched Wang Fugui leave and asked curiously, “Team Leader, why didn’t you warn the survivors back then?”

Jiang Baimian glanced at him and smiled leisurely. “Who knows what secrets and dangers there are in such a place? Isn’t it good to have these powerful lone rangers and First City’s elite team help us to scout ahead? It’s hard for a large number of troops to enter the mountains. Before the target location’s shocking secret is exposed, nobody should be able to stop us from exploring. Sigh, it’s a pity that Wang Fugui doesn’t think the same way…”

Upon seeing his team leader’s charming smile, Long Yuehong felt like she had grown horns, spread her wings, and raised her tail.

This time, Shang Jianyao didn’t clap for Jiang Baimian. His attention was focused on Coss Bar and other places. At the same time, he touched his stomach with one hand as a hint.

“It’s almost time for dinner…” Jiang Baimian understood immediately and looked up at the sky.

At this moment, another figure walked to their parking spot. It was Waite, who had confirmed that he had lost all his companions.

This Ruin Hunter had already shaved his beard clean. His brownish-yellow hair had clearly been combed, and he looked much smarter than before.

He bowed solemnly toward Jiang Baimian and the others. “Thank you.”

Jiang Baimian raised her eyebrows. “Two of your companions died at our hands.”

Waite sighed and said, “In the beginning, I also hated you a little for not holding back. However, I calmed down and thought about it. I felt that if it were me, I wouldn’t have been able to take such matters into consideration in that situation. I would’ve chosen to prioritize my safety. Wang is right. The one who really killed them was the white wolf, not you. If I want revenge, I have to figure out who my real enemy is.”

Shang Jianyao held his stomach and helped explain, “There is a common saying in the Ashlands: Every injustice has its perpetrator, and every debt has its debtor.”

Jiang Baimian nodded. “I hope the others can be as rational as you.”

Waite didn’t continue the topic and said, “I thank you because you agreed that I could take back what they left behind and have them retained as spoils of war. I thank you on behalf of myself and their families.”

When cleaning up the battlefield, Jiang Baimian had the deceased’s companions collect the remains. If there was indeed no one to claim the remains, they were designated to the Old Task Force as spoils of war.

Under those circumstances, nobody dared to pretend to be the deceased’s companions in front of them.

Long Yuehong couldn’t help but interject: “I hope those items can be returned to their relatives.”

Waite nodded. “I’ll leave this place early in the morning and bring the items back before returning to explore the cave with Wang and the others.”

“Good luck.” Jiang Baimian wasn’t stingy with her blessings.

After sending Waite off, the Old Task Force went to Coss Bar and enjoyed a barbecue meal.

The meat that remained in the advance base camp wasn’t too good, but the tastes of the plants obtained from the mountains effectively masked the abnormal smells. Shang Jianyao and the others still ate with relish.

“It’s too dry.” Shang Jianyao sighed with emotion.

After leaving the bar and returning to the parking lot, Jiang Baimian deliberately fell behind a few steps and walked alongside Long Yuehong. She casually asked, “After finishing off that group of Ruin Hunters, I noticed that your condition wasn’t right. Did something happen?”

Long Yuehong fell silent for a few seconds before talking about Bob. He mentioned his family situation, his ideals, and ‘aspirations.’ Finally, he said, “In the end, he died under my gun…”

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “Killing people you know and them being okay people is definitely different from killing strangers or bad people. I can understand your feelings, but I can only tell you that there was nothing wrong with your final choice in that situation.”

At this point, Jiang Baimian chuckled. “Are you sad for Bob’s parents, brother, and sister? But why don’t you think about how your father, mother, brother, and sister would react if you hesitated and died under his gun?”

Long Yuehong’s expression immediately changed.

Jiang Baimian continued, “Therefore, you have to work hard to survive for them and be ruthless when facing anything.”

Long Yuehong fell silent again. After more than ten seconds, he said, “Team Leader, I roughly understand. I’ll quickly gather myself.”

“That’s good.” Jiang Baimian didn’t say anything else. She smiled and quickened her pace to catch up to Bai Chen.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao deliberately slowed down and walked alongside Long Yuehong.

“What do you want?” Long Yuehong wore a suspicious look. Could it be that this fellow wants to counsel me?

With a beaming smile, Shang Jianyao replied, “To mock you.”

He then looked at Long Yuehong and said, “Haha. Haha. Haha.”

After three laughs, Shang Jianyao immediately distanced himself from Long Yuehong.

“…” Long Yuehong gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to curse.

After this matter, he realized that his condition had inexplicably improved.

…

At noon the next day, the Old Task Force quintet entered Coss Bar again. At a glance, they saw Wang Fugui again.

Wang Fugui was sitting with a few Ruin Hunters, discussing something.

After discovering the Old Task Force, Wang Fugui smiled and greeted them. “Why didn’t you leave anyone to guard the car? You have so many supplies, and some people might take the risk. The alarm and surveillance cameras can’t stop them.”

Shang Jianyao immediately replied, “I can give them a 50-meter head start.”