Embers Ad Infinitum

It was another morning when the Old Task Force knocked on Xiaochong’s apartment door, bringing with them the latest portable computer that contained all kinds of games and some ingredients.

This time, it wasn’t Slumber Cat who opened the door but Xiaochong himself. As if he had long known that the visitors were Shang Jianyao and the others, he eagerly asked, “What games are there?”

After asking the question, he seemed to find it inappropriate and added, “What’s there to eat?”

Jiang Baimian smiled and introduced, “We’ll be making you four dishes and a soup today. It’s a home-cooked meal for Ashlandics.”

Shang Jianyao quickly introduced the games on the computer and sighed regretfully. “It’s just that the hard disk isn’t large enough to fit everything.”

“I’ll swap them out when I’m sick of them.” Xiaochong looked at the portable computer and then at the ingredients in Long Yuehong and Bai Chen’s hands. For a moment, he didn’t know if he should take a gander at the games or wait for lunch.

“You have about an hour.” Jiang Baimian rolled up her sleeves and walked to the kitchen.

Xiaochong watched her figure disappear around the corner and whispered, “If only my mother were that open-minded back then.”

“Because she’s not your mother,” Shang Jianyao replied seriously.

Xiaochong fell silent for a few seconds. “That’s true…”

Shang Jianyao didn’t continue the topic. He pulled Xiaochong to the side and tried different games.

At noon, braised pork, steamed fish from the lake, fried chicken cubes, stir-fried vegetables, and tomato omelet soup were served on the dining table. Compared to last time, there was plenty of food today because the four carbon-based Old Task Force members also planned on having a meal together to create a harmonious and sweet atmosphere.

It was easy to talk at the dining table!

Xiaochong first lowered his head and ate for a while before sighing. “It’s been a long time since I ate these…”

Jiang Baimian smiled. “Hurry up and eat, or he’ll finish it.”

‘He’ was referring to Shang Jianyao.

Xiaochong stopped talking and ate seriously.

After everyone was almost done eating, Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “We’ve been fleecing Wu Meng recently.”

“Huh?” Xiaochong looked at her in confusion and curiosity.

Jiang Baimian took the opportunity to mention how she and the others had recorded the Dao and Electrical Appliance Repairs broadcast and talked about the various interesting experiences gained from the effects.

Finally, she sighed. “Unfortunately, we can’t get Wu Meng to say what we want. We can’t get the preset effects.”

Xiaochong held his chopsticks and looked at the leftovers on the table. He then looked back at the portable computer on the other side and hesitated for a moment. “Why don’t I record it for you?”

“Huh?” This time, Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen were surprised. Their original goal was to see if Xiaochong could come up with a solution, but the other party had ended up volunteering.

Shang Jianyao had a gratified expression as if his ‘befriending’ of Xiaochong hadn’t been in vain.

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a moment before agreeing. She didn’t pretend to be polite. “Alright.”

She was afraid that Xiaochong would take it seriously and give up on the idea.

B-but can you influence others through electronic products like Wu Meng? Can you achieve the goal of making Marcus have the urge to go to the bathroom? These two thoughts subconsciously flashed through Long Yuehong’s mind.

Xiaochong then glanced at him.

“Let’s finish eating first.” Jiang Baimian restrained her impatience.

After having their fill, they washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. The five Old Task Force members and Xiaochong then gathered at the dining table again.

During this process, Genava—who had been charging himself at the sofa—Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen returned to the safe house they had stayed in last night and brought over a portable recording device.

Xiaochong sat up straight and eagerly said, “I’m going to begin.”

At this moment, Slumber Cat—who was sleeping on the balcony—stood up with a whoosh. It gently jumped onto the shed below and disappeared into the alley behind.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Baimian subconsciously considered covering her ears.

The next second, Xiaochong opened his mouth and whistled. “Shh…”

“Shh…”

“Shh…”

Amidst this commotion, Long Yuehong’s expression suddenly turned odd. He felt his lower abdomen swell as the pressure on his bladder increased.

In just a few seconds, he had the urge to rush to the bathroom.

It’s really effective… Long Yuehong moved his thigh, wanting to hold it in for a while longer to prevent himself from embarrassing himself.

At this moment, Bai Chen suddenly stood up and walked to the bathroom.

Amidst the whistling, Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao lined up behind her.

Long Yuehong almost cried when he saw this because he didn’t know if he could hold it in until they were done.

If it really doesn’t work out, why don’t I water the plants on the balcony? But will I get beaten by Slumber Cat if I do that… Long Yuehong tried his best to divert his attention.

Finally, the first three relieved themselves.

Long Yuehong wanted to rush into the bathroom at the speed of a 100-meter sprint, but his physical condition didn’t allow him to do so. He could only squeeze his thighs and walk quickly.

After a while, he opened the door with a relaxed expression.

Xiaochong also shut his mouth and stopped making whistling sounds.

It was only then that Long Yuehong vaguely understood why Slumber Cat stopped sleeping and suddenly went out.

“It’s done.” Genava patted the portable recording device. “I just don’t know how effective it is.”

Xiaochong had already left his seat and said to Shang Jianyao, “Let’s play games. They can test the effects themselves.”

As expected, Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen went to the bathroom again.

But compared to before, the amount they expelled was little. After all, they had yet to produce any.

After about two hours, Jiang Baimian forcefully took Shang Jianyao away under Xiaochong’s reluctant gaze.

In the jeep, Jiang Baimian said thankfully, “I didn’t expect to receive such a harvest.”

Bai Chen deliberated and raised her question. “The effects of Xiaochong’s voice can also be recorded by electronic products… I wonder if this is a characteristic shared by powerhouses at their level or if he and Wu Meng belong to the same domain?”

This was something Shang Jianyao couldn’t do at the moment. He could only rely on the loudspeaker to extend his range slightly.

“It’s also possible that the corresponding basic abilities interfere with electromagnetism and not with matter.” Jiang Baimian recalled the Mind Corridor information she had.

“But they are much, much stronger than DiMarco.” Long Yuehong meant that even if these two weren’t Awakened, they were at least equivalent to those who had explored the Mind Corridor’s depths based on their strength. They might even be equipped with both basic abilities.

As the only relatively normal Mind Corridor-level Awakened that the Old Task Force had encountered head-on, DiMarco was naturally used as a comparison.

The Clam Dragon Church’s Superior Heartless lacked sufficient intelligence, so he definitely couldn’t unleash his full strength.

“DiMarco’s condition wasn’t good either,” Jiang Baimian said simply.

“That’s right.” Shang Jianyao agreed with this. “Let’s stop talking about him. He later gave us plenty of contributions.”

He was referring to the Destiny Pearl.

Genava in the backseat said, “The two most important questions now are: First, why didn’t the Virtual World’s owner notice that we were recording? Second, how do we make Marcus the only one that needs to use the bathroom?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Baimian was stunned. “Wait a minute; why did we get Xiaochong to record the sound to urge urination? We could’ve totally gotten him to record the sound of hypnosis! As long as the Virtual World’s owner is affected and dozes off for more than ten seconds, we can achieve our goal through Destiny Pearl!”

In the end, the Old Task Force spent a Herculean effort only to go one big circle to send Marcus to the bathroom.

Bai Chen and Long Yuehong looked at each other. There was only one thought in their minds: We were affected by Shang Jianyao…

“Isn’t that good?” Shang Jianyao—who was in charge of driving—indeed felt that this was the perfect step.

“Shall we go back and get Xiaochong to record again?” Long Yuehong suggested.

Jiang Baimian slowly shook her head. “He already felt quite forced this time…”

If they went to trouble him again, he might turn hostile.

After some thought, Jiang Baimian deliberated and said, “Actually, there’s some feasibility now. We can include Xiaochong’s voice in a song as background music. When the time comes, we can pretend to be bored and play it.”

“Alright!” Shang Jianyao couldn’t wait.

Jiang Baimian continued, “Besides, this is a child’s voice. It doesn’t belong to Wu Meng, so it won’t be sensed immediately… The recording definitely won’t be as effective as the original. Even if it garners a reaction from the Virtual World’s owner, he will definitely be the last one. By the time he discovers it, Marcus would’ve already gone to the bathroom.

“Among the nobles in the VIP room, Marcus seems to be the only one who drinks the least water or doesn’t even drink at all. He definitely pays attention to such matters before setting off. Therefore, he should be the one who can hold it in for a longer period of time. He will most likely be among the last few to go. I only hope that there aren’t any suspected powerhouses in the room, such as General Phocas from before. Otherwise, we won’t be able to control the tempo.

“This can be handled flexibly. If it really doesn’t work out, we won’t play the recorded music at the gladiator fight the day after tomorrow and wait for the next one.”

“Alright.” Shang Jianyao slapped the car horn.

Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Genava seriously thought about it and helped find flaws in the various details.

…

In the blink of an eye, it was time for the next gladiator fight at the colosseum.

The Old Task Force disguised themselves and came to the venue’s vicinity again.

Jiang Baimian waved the silver-white phone in her hand. “Old Ge, remember the agreed signal. Cut the power supply circuit as soon as the time comes.”

“Alright.” This mission wasn’t difficult for Genava.

Jiang Baimian then said to Bai Chen, “Try not to expose yourself when taking the vantage point in the distance unless we meet problems with our evacuation. If things don’t work out, read the letter I gave you.”

The vantage point didn’t allow her to see the nobles’ VIP room. She could only monitor the escape route.

Bai Chen nodded and touched the Orange rifle beside her.

“Phew…” Jiang Baimian exhaled and said to Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong, “Let’s go in.”