Embers Ad Infinitum

As Wall saw this, Theodore also noticed it. He suddenly felt ridiculous and angry. “They also accepted the mission we issued! What do they plan on doing?”

This was a provocation—an insult even!

The middle-aged gentleman, Konstanz, thought for a moment and said, “Maybe they want to use this method to provide us with wrong information?”

Many Hand of Order personnel present agreed with this surmise because it sounded most reasonable.

One of the sheriffs smiled and said, “That’s the only explanation. It can’t be for the bounty we are offering, right?”

“Haha.” The other Hand of Order personnel laughed; they were clearly amused.

After the mood returned to normal, they—who felt that they had been provoked—actively threw themselves into their work in an attempt to find useful clues from the information provided by the Hunter’s Guild.

“They took on the North Shore Mountain Range’s white wolf mission.”

“We can contact the troops stationed at the advance base camp and see what they know.”

“They likely came from Weed City.”

“Another piece of information shows that they have a grudge with the Anti-intellectualism Church—they once helped General Phocas hunt down those heretics. Yes, they were present when we discovered that Elder Varro was related to the Salvation Army and the Anti-intellectualism Church.”

…

The Orderly aides and sheriffs racked their brains and brainstormed.

During this process, Wall acutely captured the term ‘Anti-intellectualism Church.’ His heart skipped a beat as he recalled what had happened last time, and he quickly turned to look at Theodore.

Bang!

He tapped the table to indicate that he needed silence. He then looked at Theodore and said in a deep voice, “Do you still remember the real Father’s death?”

Theodore was a Hand of Order member for many years. The reason he could be promoted to his present status was mainly due to his capabilities, so he immediately understood what Wall wanted to say.

He turned his neck and looked over. With a solemn expression, he asked, “Do you think it was October Xue and Zhang Qubing’s team?”

He didn’t consider that the person he was talking to was someone he hated.

“They have the motivation and the ability!” Wall recalled the case and felt that it was very similar in style to the arena’s intelligence theft.

The target had made a detailed plan prior to this. During the execution, they had firm wills and staid minds. During the evacuation, they paid attention to all kinds of details and left almost no clues for investigation.

If it weren’t for the accident and the chance encounter with himself, Wall felt that the team wouldn’t have been locked onto so easily.

“How impressive. The real Father had been wreaking havoc for years, so he definitely didn’t expect to die so miserably.” The middle-aged gentleman, Konstanz, sighed.

As they discussed this matter, the troops stationed at the advance base camp returned with a telegram.

The sheriff in charge of the decoding couldn’t help but raise his voice. “Th-they have three military exoskeletons! They also have a robot.”

“What?” Theodore and the others widened their eyes.

This telegram gave them a fright.

The team was stronger than they imagined. If they didn’t know this and pursued blindly, it was unknown how many of the present Hand of Order members would die in the line of duty.

Theodore himself wasn’t confident. After all, his abilities were useless against robots.

After a brief silence, Konstanz exhaled and said, “Let’s look at the remaining mission records. Maybe there are other clues hidden.”

…

In a safe house in the Green Olive Zone.

The five Old Task Force members were combing through the various matters related to their Hunter identities to see if there were any latent dangers involved.

“The missions we completed reveal too much information,” said Long Yuehong with a frown.

Shang Jianyao laughed. “What has Zhang Qubing’s actions got to do with me, Shang Jianyao?”

“Yes. Although those missions allow them to reconstruct a portion of our experiences and allow the enemy to have a more precise grasp of our strength, they can’t threaten the present us. It’s not like we will rashly rush out and fight them to the death.” Jiang Baimian also voiced her thoughts.

Her meaning was simple: This was information that they had specially severed from their current selves. It wouldn’t lead to the Old Task Force’s current hiding spot being dug out.

“That’s true.” Long Yuehong heaved a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Bai Chen raised another hidden possibility. “Apart from accepting missions, we also issued missions.”

“That’s right. Will they find Waite’s family?” Long Yuehong’s heart tightened. He didn’t want to implicate those poor families who had lost their fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters because of him and the others.

Jiang Baimian consoled Long Yuehong. “They will likely investigate, but the possibility of them making things difficult for the families isn’t high. They don’t even know who we are. For this matter, we acted as if we had accepted a mission and were hunters who specially provided ‘bereavement’ to the victims’ families. There’s actually no connection between us, and that’s actually the truth. It’s impossible for the Hand of Order not to be able to figure out such a simple matter from their investigations.”

With that said, she looked at Bai Chen—who was about to say something—and smiled. “I know what you want to say. Do you want to say that the lower-ranking public security officers will take the opportunity to plant a crime on those pitiful people and seize their ‘bereavement?'”

Bai Chen nodded. “Don’t have too much confidence in the integrity of First City’s sheriffs. A large number of them have nothing of that sort.”

Jiang Baimian sighed. “The main point is that this matter has blown up. Many people above them are watching. They probably won’t go overboard, but extorting some benefits in passing is inevitable. Since Waite and the others’ families live in First City and have lived here for so many years, they definitely know the principle of avoiding disaster by spending money. Besides, apart from us, nobody knows how much ‘bereavement’ they received. It won’t affect them much if they offer a little.”

“Yes.” Bai Chen accepted this analysis.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao stood up and spat out two words. “Old Han!”

That’s right! We even offered a bounty to find Old Han, and we said he’s our friend! Long Yuehong was shocked.

Jiang Baimian’s expression became rather solemn. Bai Chen pursed her lips tightly and didn’t say a word. The red glow in Genava’s eyes flickered a few times.

…

Han Wanghuo carried his rifle and said to Zeng Duo, who was beside him, “After we get that batch of firearms, we’ll meet up with the others and set off for your town.”

“Alright.” Zeng Duo’s black eyes lit up a little.

They went downstairs and walked to the intersection, prepared to turn into Antanna Street.

Suddenly, Han Wanghuo saw a familiar intelligence peddler.

The intelligence peddler hid in an alley and peeked out.

Upon seeing Han Wanghuo, he immediately waved his right hand, indicating for him to go over.

Han Wanghuo looked around warily. After seeing that nobody was paying attention to him or that there was anyone suspicious, he quickly walked toward the intelligence peddler.

“Be careful.” The intelligence peddler retreated into the alley and suppressed his voice. “The Hand of Order is looking for you. They are putting in a lot of effort!”

Han Wanghuo frowned. “Why?”

“I’m not sure either. I’m only here to remind you.” The intelligence peddler sighed and said, “The remuneration is plenty, and I’m also very tempted. If it weren’t for the fact that you previously helped me get my son’s illness treated in time, I definitely would’ve chosen to take the bounty. Leave quickly. The next time we meet, we’ll be enemies.”

Because I helped you? Han Wanghuo’s mouth moved after hearing the other party’s explanation, but he didn’t say anything.

…

In a safe house in the Green Olive Zone.

Hiss.

Long Yuehong drew a cold breath. “Old Han shouldn’t be implicated by us, right…? He can just tell them the truth. We only cooperated in Redstone Collection and can barely be considered acquaintances. We have no other relationship. Yes, the Hand of Order will definitely be able to confirm that he’s telling the truth.”

Jiang Baimian nodded. “In theory.”

Although she said that, her expression didn’t relax at all.

After exhaling silently, Jiang Baimian added in a deep voice, “But Old Han is a Subhuman.”

First City’s citizens hated everything related to genetic research and mutation through pollution, and they were very prejudiced against Subhumans. After the Senate established the Subhumans Guard, there was an intense hatred beyond the discrimination.

Once Subhumans were captured, they might be tortured to death even if they didn’t commit any crimes. Their only hope was that they had special abilities and were physically strong. They would then be selected to join the Subhumans Guard under the Senate’s employ.

“What should we do?” Long Yuehong asked anxiously. He felt that what Jiang Baimian said was indeed a problem.

Discrimination against Subhumans was widespread in every corner of the Ashlands, and First City was considered one of the relatively serious places.

The encounters of Blackrat Town’s residents left a deep impression on Long Yuehong. He still occasionally had nightmares because of it.

Jiang Baimian glanced at the serious Shang Jianyao and deliberated before saying, “Disguise yourselves—we’re heading out. We have to find Old Han before the Hand of Order does!”