Embers Ad Infinitum

Bang!

Just as Theodore lunged for the stone sculpture, the step he had been standing on blew to bits, and an obvious crater appeared.

This sudden change alarmed his security officers, and they reflexively ran in different directions in search of cover.

As for Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo, they were thrown onto the steps before they tumbled down.

These people were only ordinary citizens—none of them were nobles. To them, being a public security officer was just a job to feed their families. It wasn’t a sanctified position, so they wouldn’t risk death to protect the witnesses.

Even in their daily work, they would slack off whenever they could and avoid work whenever possible if they didn’t have any ties with their superiors. Of course, they appeared very enthusiastic on the surface, but they would immediately drop their disguises once there was no supervision.

Following his memories, Theodore rolled to the stone statue. As he searched for the exact location with his hands, he sensed the assailant’s location.

However, he sensed that there were many human consciousnesses in that area. It was impossible to tell who the enemy was, and he couldn’t see anything with his eyes. Hence, it was difficult for him to make a comprehensive judgment.

“Those damn Ruin Hunters!” Theodore cursed softly as he moved behind the stone statue. He naturally knew why there were so many human consciousnesses in the corresponding area—many Ruin Hunters who had accepted the mission had followed them and wanted to see if there were any spoils.

In the face of such a situation, Theodore wasn’t helpless. His choice was very simple—attack indiscriminately!

As a noble, he had a strong sense of honor. He was very concerned about First City’s safety and stability, but he only looked up to people of the same level.

When facing ordinary citizens, Ruin Hunters, and wilderness nomads, he usually would show his pity and sympathy occasionally. But at this moment, he didn’t hesitate to attack the innocent when the enemy’s strength and numbers were unknown—especially when they directly threatened his safety.

Over the years, there had been chaotic battles during the Hand of Order’s enforcement of the law. There had been no lack of casualties!

For this, Theodore usually taught his subordinates: “When carrying out missions, your safety is of utmost importance. You are allowed to use extreme means to nip the danger in the bud.”

Such words and such an attitude made him—who was far inferior to Wall in the ways of the world—receive a large number of subordinates’ support.

“Enemy contact! Enemy contact!” Theodore leaned against the stone statue and shouted. At the same time, a strange glow surfaced in his wooden eyes.

Seven to eight meters away, a Ruin Hunter—who had retreated into his car due to the sudden change in the scene—felt his chest tighten. His vision turned black as he lost consciousness and fainted beside the passenger seat.

Shock!

This was Theodore’s Awakened ability, Shock! Its effective range was ten meters, so it could only be utilized on one person at a time for the time being.

Badump! Badump!

In the area where the suspected shooter was, several Ruin Hunters went into shock and fell in different places.

This, in conjunction with Theodore’s shout of “enemy contact,” made the Ruin Hunters—who were attempting to take advantage of the situation—sense the danger. They drove or ran away from the area.

At this moment, the car Shang Jianyao drove was still in the street corner. The straight-line distance from Theodore was 60 to 70 meters!

He relied on the immense advantage brought about by the Bangle of Blindness’s range of influence. This was definitely nothing compared to a true Mind Corridor-level Awakened, but using it against a Hand of Order member—who was only at the Sea of Origins—was like an adult beating a child.

In the passenger seat, Jiang Baimian observed for a while and calmly made a series of judgments. “There are currently no powerhouses at the Mind Corridor level…

“His ability to affect the heart is very direct and terrifying, but the range doesn’t seem to exceed ten meters…

“Based on the other Awakened’s situations, the ability with the largest range of influence shouldn’t exceed 30 meters…”

The reason why she didn’t hit him with the United 202 previously was that she had focused on preventing any accidents. After all, she couldn’t be sure if the other party was only at the Sea of Origins level or if he had special abilities that were even more difficult to deal with.

Furthermore, 60 to 70 meters was pushing it for a pistol. If not for Jiang Baimian’s outstanding talent in marksmanship, the bullet wouldn’t have hit the spot Theodore was standing.

As Shang Jianyao maintained the burning state of the Bangle of Blindness, he floored the accelerator and drove the car to the stairs outside the building where Han Wanghuo and his female companion were unconscious.

In an environment where many Ruin Hunters were scattering like startled birds and beasts with all kinds of vehicles driving in all directions, their actions didn’t stand out.

Even if Theodore didn’t shout “enemy contact” and didn’t attack enemies in the corresponding range indiscriminately, Jiang Baimian could still use the shoulder-bearing, single-man combat rocket launcher to intimidate the Ruin Hunters into retreating, thus creating a similar scene!

The car stopped about 30 meters away from Theodore.

Shang Jianyao made the Bangle of Blindness on his left wrist stop emitting flames and return to its original state. Almost at the same time, the glass of his green watch emitted a glow.

Destiny Connection!

Shang Jianyao had solidified the last bit of Destiny Connection’s power into the glass of his watch, and he didn’t hesitate to use it.

At this moment, apart from reporting the situation to his superiors, Theodore—who was leaning against the stone statue and dodging the distant shots—was almost fully focused on sensing the surrounding area.

The moment he discovered anyone entering within ten meters of him and was suspected of saving Han Wanghuo and the woman, he would immediately use Shock on them.

His subordinates began to use their phones and walkie-talkies to request backup from their nearby colleagues.

Suddenly, a beam of light entered Theodore’s eyes.

Stone steps, unconscious figures, and the chaotic scene on the street surfaced in his eyes at the same time.

He could see the world again!

The enemy has retreated? Just as this thought flashed through Theodore’s mind, he shivered and felt a cold aura seep into his body.

This made his muscles stiffen, and none of his actions were under his brain’s commands.

Shang Jianyao had directly ‘possessed’ him with Destiny Connection! Although Shang Jianyao couldn’t forcefully control the target like DiMarco and make them do things, he could exert control while the other party was unconscious.

However, he didn’t want Theodore to do anything now. He only wanted to use Possession to interfere with his ability usage.

The weakened Destiny Connection was more than enough.

Shang Jianyao controlled Theodore, and Jiang Baimian immediately pushed open the door and alighted.

She held a grenade launcher and constantly popped grenades at the spot where the public security officers and the remaining Ruin Hunters were hiding.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Amidst the explosions, Jiang Baimian quickly walked to Han Wanghuo and his female companion as she fired.

She wasn’t stingy with the grenades at all. Another round of ‘bombardment’ suppressed the sheriffs and Ruin Hunters, preventing them from sticking their heads out from behind their cover.

Jiang Baimian bent down and used her left arm to pick up Han Wanghuo and the woman. She then dashed and returned to the car amidst the gunshots before throwing the two people in her hand into the backseat.

Jiang Baimian also entered the backseat and checked Han Wanghuo’s condition. She then shouted at Shang Jianyao, “Retreat!”

The green light on Shang Jianyao’s watch glass quickly dissipated, and there was nothing left.

After ending the Possession, Shang Jianyao didn’t turn the steering wheel. He floored the accelerator and drove the car out of the area at an extremely fast speed, returning to the corner where it had stopped.

With a screech, the car swerved and drove into another street.

Jiang Baimian picked up the walkie-talkie from the backseat and instructed Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Genava, “We’ve already found Old Han. Let’s meet at the parking lot northwest of Antanna Street.”

This was the evacuation plan they had planned before heading out.

After doing this, Jiang Baimian quickly gave Han Wanghuo and the woman first aid to confirm that they were fine for the time being.

On the other side, Theodore’s body returned to normal. However, he only had time to see the ordinary black car drive out of his vision.

Burning with rage and anxiety, he took out his phone and reported the situation, emphasizing the target vehicle’s appearance.

As for who the attacker was, he didn’t see it at all. He could only ask his public security officers later.

Shang Jianyao drove the black car and circled around Antanna Street. He then entered a parking lot in the northwest direction before the public security officers and Ruin Hunters could chase after him.

At this moment, Bai Chen’s dark SUV was parked in a relatively hidden corner.

Jiang Baimian looked around, pulled out the Ice Moss, rolled down the window, and shot all the cameras in the area. After that, she got Shang Jianyao to drive the car to Bai Chen and the others.

The two of them pushed open the door and got out of the car one after another. They carried one each and brought Han Wanghuo and the woman to the dark SUV’s backseat before squeezing in.

As the door closed, Bai Chen stepped on the accelerator and let the car leave through another exit.

The entire process was completed in silence, one done with tacit understanding.