Embers Ad Infinitum

The figure wore a loose gray robe. His earthen-yellow hair was rather sparse, but he looked like a majestic lion in terms of aura or appearance.

General Phocas!

This person was General Phocas, who the Old Task Force had previously cooperated with. At the same time, he was also an Elder of the Senate, one of the city defense commanders, and a representative of the Centrist faction.

This made Jiang Baimian unable to hide her surprise. Ugo’s friend is General Phocas? There is no intersection between their identities, status, and experiences! The world is truly wonderful. Many things are forever outside of your inference…

As Jiang Baimian composed herself, Shang Jianyao smiled and greeted him. “General, you still owe us a celebratory feast.”

Phocas raised his eyebrows. “Aren’t you surprised that it’s me?”

“I might be surprised if the one sitting in your seat is a real lion.” It was unknown which of the nine Shang Jianyaos wore such a calm expression.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian returned to normal and smiled. “The point isn’t who said it, but what they say.”

She was very curious as to why General Phocas would seek them out. Furthermore, it was through Boss Ugo.

Phocas sat straight, showing the old-school temperament of a war veteran. He then calmly said, “I want to know what you got from Marcus.”

This… Jiang Baimian imagined many answers, but none came close.

How did he confirm that we did it in such a short period of time? When Shang Jianyao obtained the information from Marcus, this general wasn’t even present! Although Jiang Baimian was mentally prepared for her identity to be exposed, she didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. She expected it to be at least two to three days later.

Furthermore, they had received the news during the Old Task Force’s casual return to Ugo Hotel. It had been many days since General Phocas had wanted to meet them. Back then, they had just escaped from Apex Gladiator Arena and obtained the key information from Marcus’s memories.

As soon as this happened, General Phocas confirmed that it was us? Jiang Baimian controlled herself and didn’t frown.

Shang Jianyao didn’t do any concealment and asked curiously, “How did you recognize us?”

General Phocas smiled. “All of you are still too young and lack sufficient understanding of this world’s complexity. Furthermore, you should’ve been very lucky all this time to lose your reverence toward certain matters.”

After speaking in an old, experienced tone, he added, “There are too many strange abilities in the Ashlands, and there are all kinds of advanced technologies that originate from the Old World. A disguise doesn’t ensure absolute safety. At the very least, it’s useless to me.

“I recognized you back when you first came to the Apex Gladiator Arena to observe Marcus and get a feel for the environment. I just felt that there was no need to expose you and wanted to see what you were trying to pull off. In the end, your performance was better than I imagined.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but look at Shang Jianyao. She had never expected such a thing.

Although this was mainly a mistake due to insufficient information, General Phocas was right. In a situation where the Old Task Force lacked sufficient understanding of the world’s complexity, certain choices were too risky.

An ability or technology that makes disguises ineffective? Technology doesn’t seem like it. Back then, he didn’t emit any other electric signals. A result of biological experiments? Jiang Baimian’s thoughts raced. She didn’t ask how General Phocas had identified them because this clearly involved his secrets.

Shang Jianyao had no qualms about this. He raised his hand and stroked his chin. “A certain ability? A hound’s nose? You remembered our smell?”

This is possible… I need to remember to use strong perfume next time… Jiang Baimian’s mind was on the problem and didn’t correct Shang Jianyao’s rudeness.

General Phocas nodded calmly. “I’ve seen similar abilities before. It can indeed see through your disguise unless you spray something in advance. Yes, it’s a result of some research in the biological domain.”

Information-based perfume? Jiang Baimian was no stranger to this, and she understood what General Phocas meant: “I used another ability.”

Upon seeing that the other party was clearly unwilling to answer, Jiang Baimian returned to the topic and smiled. “After Oray died, you played a critical role in First City’s political climate. Yet, you don’t actually know what secrets Marcus possesses.”

Phocas maintained his dignified attitude, but his tone was very calm. “I did contribute a little, but it’s not as important as you imagine. Many people from that period who experienced the Chaotic Era are still alive.”

“Is that so?” Shang Jianyao directly said.

Jiang Baimian then asked, “As First City’s Elder and the most senior general, why do you want to know about this?”

“You don’t need to know.” Phocas was as direct as Shang Jianyao.

The experienced Jiang Baimian didn’t choke. She raised her eyebrows and said, “We obtained very important information. Give me a reason to sell it to you.”

Phocas had long thought of this question. He said unhurriedly, “Money and supplies shouldn’t be of much value to you.”

Who said that? We have been short on money until recently, but even so, we still owe Terrence 6,000 Oray—three-fifths of Little Red… Jiang Baimian objected inwardly.

Of course, the Old Task Force was essentially a team that pursued ideals because its team leader and its important member—Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao—were idealists.

Phocas continued, “I can provide you with two rewards: First, you should still be doing some things in the future, and I can give you the necessary help. I know that this is just a non-binding promise in your eyes, but as long as you understand my past, you should know that I have fulfilled all my promises and never violated them.

“Second, I’ll give you two pieces of information that pertain to your future safety.”

Jiang Baimian listened quietly and smiled noncommittally. “Aren’t you afraid that we’ll give you false information?”

“My choice of meeting you to communicate isn’t my only choice.” Phocas raised his chin slightly. “I have the ability to ensure the authenticity of the information. Believe me; you can still speak to me equally because I don’t want to blow things up.”

“That’s right. A general’s sudden death into a grave is indeed a serious matter.” Shang Jianyao was never inferior to others when it came to sophistry.

This was similar to causing a hooha by hanging oneself.

As Phocas narrowed his eyes, Jiang Baimian suddenly smiled and said, “Deal.”

She agreed so readily that Phocas failed to react.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian added, “But there’s another condition: 6,000 Oray.”

6,000 Oray? When Phocas heard the first half of the sentence, he had already perked up, prepared to evaluate the other party’s request. However, the condition only made him find it ridiculous.

This was akin to trading strategic weapons like nuclear warheads—apart from large amounts of firearms, oil, batteries, food, and other conditions, the seller had also made an additional request for a set of novels. Or, he successfully obtained a 10-Oray discount after bargaining.

“Sure, I’ll leave it with Ugo.” The absurdity didn’t affect Phocas’s judgment. He quickly agreed.

Jiang Baimian didn’t hide anything and recounted all the information she had obtained from Marcus, including the passcode: Messiah.

“Very good.” Phocas nodded in satisfaction. “My two pieces of information are: First, the Hand of Order is about to lock onto your identities. Second, apart from the Hand of Order, other factions are also looking for you. Among them, there’s no lack of people that even I find dangerous. I suggest that you don’t go out too often and don’t meet people.”

That’s fast… Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and raised another question. “Why didn’t First City kill Marcus and Avia and completely bury those secrets?”

“That will lead to something worse,” Phocas replied vaguely. With that said, he slowly stood up and said, “You know where to find me when you need help.”

…

On the way to the safe house after retrieving the computer, Long Yuehong blurted out in surprise after hearing his team leader’s recount. “You—you really sold the information? Without seeking the company’s opinion?”

This information was important enough to reach the Board of Directors.

Jiang Baimian chuckled. “The company didn’t forbid us from selling this information.”

She then stopped smiling and educated him seriously, “When out on the field, the situation changes rapidly. How can you consult the company for everything? Besides, it’s too late. As long as the company doesn’t specify that we can’t do it in advance, we don’t have to have much scruples. Also, we’re in a dangerous place. The subsequent situation is unpredictable, so it’s best to have an additional helper.”

Bai Chen nodded. “Be it Avia or the secret laboratory in Wasteland Ruin 13, they are very dangerous. Letting them be the vanguard might not be a bad thing.”

“Did you hear that? I didn’t say that. The evil one is Little White.” The smile on Jiang Baimian’s face indicated that she actually thought the same.

After joking, she tersely grunted. “After we return, we’ll comb through all the details and see if there are any latent dangers that have leaked the details of our current safe house.”

…

Red Wolf Zone, 19 Rosta Street, Hand of Order headquarters.

The development of the matter exceeded the expectations of Wall, Theodore, and Konstanz. It had only been a short while since the target’s ‘true’ identity was revealed to them.

“Ashlandic.”

“October Xue, Zhang Qubing, Qian Bai, Gu Zhiyong…”

“Apart from Qian Bai, the others’ earliest missions are recorded in Weed City. Last year… This means that they are likely from a major faction.”

As they conversed, Wall’s gaze suddenly froze.

October Xue and Zhang Qubing’s team had actually accepted the mission to capture themselves!