Embers Ad Infinitum

Upon hearing Jiang Baimian’s explanation, all the carbon-based humans present were rendered speechless as they found themselves immersed in complicated feelings.

Only Shang Jianyao mimicked Long Yuehong’s current posture and blurted out, “Did you plan this from the beginning?”

That’s right. If she had thought of this situation from the beginning and everything has gone according to plan, that would be terrifying! Long Yuehong echoed Shang Jianyao in his heart.

Jiang Baimian shook her head. “Apart from a smart bot like Old Ge who can conduct an exhaustive search for analysis, it’s impossible for ordinary humans to plan such a thing from the beginning. Back then, we still didn’t know if there were any Mind Corridor-level Awakened in Early Spring Town. We didn’t know that there were missions that required us to return to First City.”

She organized her words and said, “In the beginning, the plan was to seek out bandits to help us probe the situation of Early Spring Town’s garrison. My idea was that instigating the weaker ones wouldn’t have any effect. Affecting those with large numbers and abundant firepower would be too difficult if we relied solely on Shang Jianyao—it would take a long time. If we did a few batches at a time, we definitely can’t have anything that is at odds with our words happen. Using Wu Meng’s recording was still the easiest and most convenient method. We didn’t need to be afraid of any accidents at all.

“When we escaped First City, we also used Wu Meng’s recording. It’s normal for the Hand of Order not to receive any clues for a while, but if we think that they will be kept in the dark, we will be underestimating them. The similarity between these two matters will definitely make them put two and two together. As for the former, it can’t be concealed. Every bandit needs to hear it after all, and silencing all of them is beyond us.”

“You even ordered us to snipe the witnesses,” Bai Chen said slowly.

Jiang Baimian smiled. “If we don’t do this, how can we show that we were discovered because we weren’t careful with the details and that it wasn’t done on purpose?”

That’s t-too treacherous. No, too cunning… Long Yuehong muttered inwardly.

Jiang Baimian continued, “That was what I thought at the time. Since Wu Meng’s recording can’t be hidden from others, we can consider using it to set up a trap. If we discover that there aren’t any Mind Corridor-level Awakened in Early Spring Town, we can take advantage of the chaos caused by the bandits’ night raid to rescue the townsfolk and bring them to a new settlement. There’s no need to consider the follow-up. However, if First City’s secret experiment is important and we can’t achieve our goal with our strength, we can cover it up and make it such that we appear to be hiding our identities and have no wish to expose our true motives. This way, it can form a link with the Hand of Order’s pursuit and bring about changes.

“I’ve been saying that we have to look forward to accidents in this matter; it’s the same now. First City is powerful and has many powerhouses. Even if a portion of their forces is dispatched, tempting the ambitious ones among them, there still might not be any chaos. I can only say that this possibility isn’t small. This is because even without the incident in Early Spring Town, the situation in the city is very tense. It can be triggered at any moment.”

Her last few sentences were for Zeng Duo, reminding her that her confidence in this matter wasn’t high. Sometimes, they had to pray for good luck, so she shouldn’t carry high expectations. Just handling it with a serious attitude ensured that she wouldn’t be letting anyone down.

Jiang Baimian didn’t mention Pangu Biology’s latest instructions or her report. She categorized the latter as accidents and luck. It was naturally best if Pangu Biology could provide help; things would be much simpler then. Even without its help, it wouldn’t affect the implementation of the entire plan.

Zeng Duo fell silent for a moment before laughing self-deprecatingly. “I didn’t expect the situation to develop into this. It has risen to a very high level.”

It was originally just dealing with two military companies and a Mind Corridor-level powerhouse, but it ended up expanding to the level of the entire First City. This meant a bigger army, more advanced weapons, enough firepower to blanket the entire North Shore wastelands, and countless powerhouses.

In the eyes of a normal person, this was raising the difficulty by hundreds or thousands of times. Nobody would be stupid enough to do such a thing. But following Jiang Baimian’s train of thought, she could really pull off the rescue of Early Spring Town.

To Zeng Duo, this was unbelievable.

Jiang Baimian smiled. “It’s mainly because there’s such a situation in the first place. We’re just using it to our advantage. If First City really didn’t have such serious internal conflicts, it would be a fool’s dream for us to stir up such a huge matter. And even now, we aren’t the ones stirring up trouble. We’re just doing our best to create a suitable environment for that to happen. Heh heh, we would’ve long been captured if First City could unite—even if it’s only at a lower level.”

Upon hearing this, Long Yuehong was convinced.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao’s applause was late but never absent.

“What should we do next?” Han Wanghuo took the initiative to ask Jiang Baimian.

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “We’ll split into two groups. One group will stay on the North Shore and leave some traces from time to time to make First City believe that we still have our sights on Early Spring Town, that we are plotting something… Uh, plotting something.”

She had wanted to say that they were plotting something nefarious, but she realized that the word was a derogatory term when it reached her mouth, so she cut it short.

They couldn’t treat themselves as villains, could they?

“The other group will return to First City and wait for an opportunity to strike.” After Jiang Baimian finished explaining the plan, she looked around and said, “Zeng Duo, you’re most familiar with the situation in the North Shore wastelands—stay here. Old Han, Old Ge, help her. Yes, I’ll provide you with a military exoskeleton so that you can have sufficient mobility. Remember, don’t force yourself. You should mainly skirt the periphery. Once you discover that you’ve been targeted by First City, immediately think of a way to retreat.”

“Alright.”

“No problem.” Zeng Duo and Han Wanghuo answered separately.

They all knew that it was relatively safer to stay in the North Shore wastelands than to return to First City. After all, they didn’t have to fight head-on, nor did they have to take the risk to approach and obtain information.

This heavily polluted area was so vast that it was too easy to hide two or three people. The reason why the Nois bandits had been able to escape the powerful encirclement and suppression of First City’s army over the years was definitely due to the terrain.

The reason why Jiang Baimian got Genava to follow Zeng Duo and Han Wanghuo was partly because she wanted them to feel at ease. On the other hand, Genava’s appearance was too conspicuous. Even if they returned to First City, he wouldn’t dare to head out usually. He would definitely be interrogated once he was discovered, so he could only play a limited role.

Jiang Baimian then said, “Before that, we have to find some materials to disguise the vehicle that will be returning to the city.”

“I know which city ruins have it.” Zeng Duo fully expressed the advantage of being familiar with the North Shore wastelands.

“I’ll be in charge!” Shang Jianyao was excited and eager to give it a try.

The corners of Jiang Baimian’s mouth twitched as she glanced at the fellow. “You can do it, but don’t make it fancy. My request is for it to be ordinary and nothing special.”

If Shang Jianyao really sprayed cartoon graffiti on the jeep, how would they pass the city inspection?

“Alright.” Shang Jianyao was slightly disappointed.

…

22 Booney Street, Golden Apple Zone. Inside a house with a garden, lawn, and swimming pool.

Sheriff Wall entered the study and met his father-in-law—Gaius, the newly-promoted Elder, a figure of authority in the military, and the leader of the Reformists.

The general’s black hair was neatly combed back. The tip of his nose was hooked, and his cheeks were slightly sunken. He looked very stern and exuded an aura that made others nervous. However, his speech was filled with passion and was extremely provocative.

Gaius swept his dark-blue eyes and pointed across the desk. “Have a seat.”

Wall—who was calm in the face of his superior and many nobles—first greeted him and then sat down a little reservedly.

“What’s the matter?” Gaius asked. He was already in his forties and had been battle-hardened. It was inevitable that there were traces left behind by the elements on his face.

Wall roughly told him about October Xue, Zhang Qubing’s team, and the military’s secret mission in the North Anheford area. Finally, he asked, “Whose power did they borrow?”

Gaius rapped the edge of the table and nodded slowly. “The one in Ruin 13. Someone actually dared to record his broadcast… Perhaps that team has already become his puppet, or perhaps both sides have reached some agreement.”

As a descendant of a noble, Wall had a vague understanding of the dangerous existence sealed in Wasteland Ruin 13. He frowned slightly and said, “The faction behind October Xue’s team wants to release that demon?”

“That depends on how much they know,” Gaius said calmly. He then sneered. “Does the person in the ruins think that we haven’t found a way to completely destroy him after so many years? If not for…”

At this point, Gaius stopped and said to Wall, “Someone will take care of the situation in the North Anheford area. Don’t worry.”

He picked up his teacup and said casually, “Alexander’s youngest daughter is back.”

Alexander was First City’s current Superintendent and one of the three giants.

Wall was stunned. “Galoran?”

…

Under the night sky, in an abandoned town surrounded by deformed trees in the North Shore wastelands.

The Old Task Force was waiting for Pangu Biology’s reply.