Embers Ad Infinitum

What Jiang Baimian raised was indeed the most pertinent problem at hand. If it wasn’t resolved, the matter in Early Spring Town would never be completed. Therefore, Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo actively responded.

Han Wanghuo jogged his memories of First City and expressed his opinion. “It’s the hardest to travel through the North Shore. As long as they lock down the bridge and send out ships and drones to patrol the river, we won’t be able to break through at all.”

Zeng Duo added, “The inspection will only be stricter if we approach the Golden Apple Zone toward the east. The manors are there if we head south. There will be more passersby, so we can consider it. However, this won’t escape the Hand of Order. They will definitely set up many checkpoints in that direction.

“Comparatively speaking, entering the Factory Zone in the west is the best choice. Every morning and evening, a large number of workers go to work and get off work. The Hand of Order’s personnel can’t check all of them even if they had ten times more people. Once we enter the Factory Zone, there’s a chance of escaping the city with the environment there.”

The Factory Zone occupied a large area, including the suburbs in the traditional sense. There were countless buildings, so it was very difficult to seal off the area completely.

Jiang Baimian nodded. “This is an idea, but there are two problems. First, there are only a few workers who come and go on bicycles. Most of them rely on walking, so we will stand out like fireflies at night if we drive and mix among them—so bright and eye-catching. If we don’t drive, we won’t be able to carry the supplies with us at all. Unless we can think of another way to send out the needed firearms, food, and other supplies through other channels, this isn’t a good choice.”

Apart from some factory management, only Ruin Hunters who had taken on missions drove to the Factory Zone. There weren’t many of them, so it was very easy to check them.

Jiang Baimian paused and said, “Second, there are very powerful Awakened among the people sent by the Hand of Order this time. Even if we mix among the workers, we might not be able to hide from them.”

She had learned her lesson from General Phocas.

Upon seeing that Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo only knew that there were powerful enemies without having a clear idea of how powerful they were, Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “Old Han, do you still remember the Murloc Oracle?”

“I remember.” Han Wanghuo’s expression turned solemn. He still remembered that he had been affected despite being nearly 100 meters away.

Shang Jianyao said before Jiang Baimian could, “The powerful Hand of Order Awakened are several times stronger than the Murloc Oracle, or even more than ten times.”

“…” Han Wanghuo was speechless.

Shang Jianyao continued, “They should be about the same as DiMarco in his optimal condition, but I’ve never seen DiMarco in optimal condition. Thus, I’m not sure how strong he is.”

“DiMarco?” Han Wanghuo was no stranger to this name. After being Redstone Collection’s sheriff and town guard captain for many years, he had a deep impression of the Underground Ark and Mr. DiMarco. This mysterious Underground Ark owner was actually an abnormally powerful Awakened?

“Yes.” Shang Jianyao revealed a reminiscent expression. “We fought him and obtained his bestowments.”

“Bestowments?” Han Wanghuo couldn’t keep up with Shang Jianyao’s train of thought.

“A bead, but it’s already gone. There’s also the Underground Ark—the servants inside have become the masters!” Shang Jianyao said without any fabrications.

He was proud of that.

The Underground Ark became a bestowment? Han Wanghuo felt that everything he had experienced over the years wasn’t as magical as today. He probed, “How is DiMarco now?”

“Dead,” Shang Jianyao replied concisely.

Upon hearing this, Han Wanghuo roughly understood that October Xue’s team had raided the Underground Ark after he left and killed DiMarco.

They actually did such a big thing? And succeeded!? Han Wanghuo couldn’t hide his shock and surprise. The next second, he thought of the present and became suspicious of October Xue’s team’s goal in First City.

At this moment, he only had one thought: They might really be plotting a major plot against First City!

Seeing that Zeng Duo clearly didn’t know what the Underground Ark, DiMarco, and the Murloc Oracle represented, Jiang Baimian probed, “Who do you think is the most terrifying bandit group in the North Shore wastelands?”

“Nois,” Zeng Duo subconsciously replied.

Countless Ruin Hunters had died at the hands of this bandit group, and their harvests plundered. Not only were they well-equipped, but they also had Awakened.

What proved their strength the most was that they had escaped the encirclement and suppression of First City’s army over the years.

Jiang Baimian nodded. “The powerful Awakened from the Hand of Order can finish off the Nois bandits single-handedly. Yes, the premise is that they can find the target.”

“…” Zeng Duo’s eyes flickered. She finally understood how terrifying powerful Awakened were.

The team in front of us actually suspected that the Hand of Order would send such powerful Awakened to deal with them! Who the hell are they? How strong are they? What have they done? A series of questions flashed through Zeng Duo’s mind, making her wonder if working with these people was a mistake.

The trouble they bring might be far greater than what we’ll encounter in Early Spring Town! With no other helpers, Zeng Duo buried her suspicions deep down.

Upon seeing that Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo didn’t have a better solution, Jiang Baimian sighed quietly. “There’s no rush. Regardless of how we leave the city, we have to hide for a few days to avoid any stings. We still have plenty of time to think.”

At the same time, she muttered inwardly, Do I have to use General Phocas’s help, or do I have to find Elder Meyers? Yes, let’s wait for the company’s reply…

Although Pangu Biology had yet to make further arrangements for the Old Task Force’s subsequent missions and was waiting for the Board of Directors to convene, Jiang Baimian had already drafted a telegram indicating the changes in the situation during this period of time and her team’s current situation. Before she left to search for Han Wanghuo, she had sent it back to the company.

On the one hand, she wanted to see if the company could provide assistance. On the other hand, she wanted to remind the intelligence agent—Garibaldi, who was their liaison—to hide himself quickly.

Jiang Baimian looked around and deliberated before saying, “There are so many of us now. We have to get another car.”

“Steal one?” Bai Chen suggested.

Now, she could calmly show her original style in front of her team members. Very few people could fake such a thing forever.

As Han Wanghuo frowned slightly, Zeng Duo agreed. “There’s definitely no way to rent a car. Every car rental company’s boss and employee must’ve received the notice. Even if they don’t expose us on the spot, they will report what car we rented to the Hand of Order later.”

“It’s not like we have to do it ourselves…” Long Yuehong muttered softly. With Inference Clowning around, who in the world will know better?

Long Yuehong wasn’t very opposed to stealing cars, so he then added, “We can leave the car owner compensation.”

“He will report the case, and we don’t have enough time to modify the vehicle.” Jiang Baimian smiled and rejected Bai Chen’s suggestion and the details that Long Yuehong had tried to perfect.

She planned on getting one through Shang Jianyao’s good brother, the Blackshirts’ second boss—Terrence.

At this moment, Han Wanghuo said, “I have a spare car that I obtained in the North Shore Wastelands. I later found an opportunity to get it into First City. Nobody should know that it belongs to me.”

Zeng Duo looked over in surprise.

She had no idea.

Thinking of the second residence that Han Wanghuo had prepared, she felt that it was only natural. I don’t know what this man has experienced in the past to be so cautious.

As these thoughts flashed through Zeng Duo’s mind, Shang Jianyao raised his arms, crossed them, and took a step back. “Always be vigilant!”

In a daze, Han Wanghuo felt as though he had returned to Redstone Collection. His experiences over the past few years had strengthened the word ‘vigilance.’

Jiang Baimian rolled her eyes at Shang Jianyao and pondered for a moment before saying, “Old Han, where’s the car? We’ll drive it back now to prevent any accidents from happening.”

“In a parking lot on Antanna Street,” Han Wanghuo replied truthfully.

What a coincidence… Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said to Bai Chen and Long Yuehong, “You and Zeng Duo stay here. Me, Hey, Old Han, and Old Ge will go get the car.”

“Alright.” Bai Chen didn’t mind.

The military exoskeletons in the room were enough to ensure their combat strength.

Jiang Baimian looked at the two crates in the corner and tersely agreed. “Let’s bring another one over to prevent any accidents.”

There was one in the jeep.

What’s that? Zeng Duo curiously sized it up but didn’t dare to ask. To her, the Old Task Force was still a stranger.

“Military exoskeleton?” Han Wanghuo asked in enlightenment.

One of the military exoskeletons in the Old Task Force was obtained through him.

“Yes, we later obtained two more. One was given to us by DiMarco, and the other was bought from Lehman,” said Shang Jianyao in a tone like he was introducing toys.

Military exoskeletons? More than two? Zeng Duo almost forgot to breathe. She had only seen such equipment once or twice. Most of the time, she had only heard of them.

This team is really strong. It’s no wonder that the Hand of Order places so much importance on them and sends out powerful Awakened… Th-they should be able to finish off the Nois bandits with their own strength… For some reason, Zeng Duo suddenly felt a little excited.

She gained some confidence in saving Early Spring Town. As for the trouble the Old Task Force was facing, she didn’t care that much. After all, Early Spring Town had to resist First City if it wanted to escape its control.

As Zeng Duo’s thoughts undulated, Genava carried a crate and walked out the door with Shang Jianyao, Jiang Baimian, and Han Wanghuo before heading down the stairs.