Embers Ad Infinitum

After hearing the general mission content, Bai Chen said in confusion, “The company has a complete intelligence network in First City. We definitely aren’t the only team that they can mobilize, so why did they assign the matter of helping Garibaldi to us?”

In comparison, the people from the intelligence system were more familiar with Garibaldi and understood the situation better.

“Because we are powerful!” Shang Jianyao replied immediately.

Long Yuehong immediately felt a little ashamed because he knew that Shang Jianyao was just spouting nonsense, but he could only think of this reason for the time being.

Jiang Baimian said, “If we fail, the loss will only be our team and Garibaldi. If the others fail, the entire intelligence network might be wiped out.”

“…” Although Long Yuehong was unwilling to admit it, he still felt that his team leader’s words made sense. However, isn’t this logic too cold and heartless?

Upon seeing his reaction, Jiang Baimian chuckled. “Alright, I’m just joking. If Garibaldi is captured, the company’s intelligence network in First City will definitely suffer a heavy blow. If I were the minister, I definitely would’ve ordered the people who have met Garibaldi to evacuate First City urgently. The others will sever all links with Garibaldi, hoping that the worst outcome wouldn’t be that bad.

“The company probably sent us to save Garibaldi for two reasons: First, First City is currently in a tense situation. It’s best for the company’s intelligence personnel here to stay low. Their main goal is to reduce the risk of exposure so as to avoid being implicated. In the Hand of Order’s eyes with regards to the First City intelligence system, we have already escaped the city. We won’t be watched by anyone, making it easier for us to move.

“Second, we are indeed very strong…” Toward the end, Jiang Baimian laughed. It was obvious that the second point was just a random reason she came up with to respond to Shang Jianyao’s words.

Of course, Pangu Biology would definitely consider this factor when assigning missions, but the weight placed on such a factor wasn’t great. After all, it didn’t seem too difficult to help Garibaldi.

Bai Chen nodded and no longer had any doubts.

Jiang Baimian took the opportunity to translate the subsequent content in the telegram. This was mainly Old K’s introduction, and it was rather simple.

Jiang Baimian repeated in a summarizing tone, “Old K; real name Corenza. He’s an import and export merchant who has connections with several Elders and many nobles. He also has dealings with several major gangs. Among them, the Red Coat Army—a gang—is at odds with Old K because of their involvement in the import and export business…”

“It doesn’t sound simple,” Long Yuehong said.

“Why did Garibaldi become his enemy and even have an assassin shoot him?” Bai Chen raised a new question.

Jiang Baimian shook her head. “It isn’t mentioned in the telegram.”

“I think it’s a result of hatred stemming from love.” Shang Jianyao raised his hand and stroked his chin.

Jiang Baimian was just about to say that it was possible when Shang Jianyao added, “Old K fell in love with Garibaldi, but Garibaldi fell in love with someone else and abandoned him…”

“…” Long Yuehong wanted to lambast his friend but was at a loss on the delivery. In the end, he could only mock, “So he destroys what he can’t get?”

“There are many such people. You have to be careful.” Shang Jianyao nodded sincerely.

Jiang Baimian cleared her throat and said, “That’s not the main point. What we need to do now is gather more information on Old K and observe his residence, which is the place where Garibaldi is hiding. Then, we can formulate a feasible plan. Speaking of which, Old K lives quite close to Hey’s good friend.”

This referred to the second boss of the Blackshirts, Terrence.

Old K lived only three streets away from this gang leader’s house, closer to the Golden Apple Zone.

At this point, Jiang Baimian laughed self-deprecatingly. “The older one becomes, the more timid they become. When we first arrived in First City, we dared to visit Terrence directly and try to ‘convince’ him. We weren’t afraid of accidents. Now, without a sufficient understanding and a perfect plan, it’s best to let Garibaldi starve. It’ll take some time for him to starve to death.”

“That’s different,” Bai Chen replied calmly. “Back then, we had a certain understanding of Terrence through the Wolf’s Den gang members. Furthermore, the key to the planned operation was to take the initiative. As long as Terrence wasn’t a Mind Corridor-level Awakened or had the ability to restrain Shang Jianyao, we could successfully make friends with him.”

As for now, the fact that the Old Task Force was wanted prevented them from visiting Old K directly and striking up a conversation. This prevented them from using the best environment to utilize Shang Jianyao’s abilities.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, “In short, we have to take one step at a time and mustn’t be rash. Yes, the fact that Old K is on good terms with a large number of nobles is a hidden danger. It might bring about accidents at any time.”

…

After a short rest, the Old Task Force took advantage of the rainy night and drove toward the Red Wolf Zone. They planned to conduct preliminary observations of Old K and his residence that very night. At the same time, they planned to prepare a few additional safe houses.

The rain had already reduced to a drizzle. The street lamps by the side of the street were dyed with halos of light, creating a dreamy color in the dark night.

The disguised Old Task Force either went straight to the door or completed the establishment of three new safe houses through their ‘friends.’ They then arrived at Maschar Street, where Old K lived.

Looking at Unit 54 from afar, Jiang Baimian leaned back in her seat and thoughtfully said, “What time is it? All the curtains are drawn…”

She was referring to all the places with curtains. Places like the kitchen still had lights shining through.

“It’s not normal.” Bai Chen voiced her opinion.

It was only some time past nine. For the laborers in the Green Olive Zone, it was indeed time to rest. But for the people in the Red Wolf Zone who had plenty of assets, the night had only just begun.

Old K was obviously one of them. Under such circumstances, the curtains of the living room facing the street were drawn and shut tightly, making it look very suspicious.

“Maybe they want to perform a shadow play,” Shang Jianyao said in admiration as he looked at the black shadows that occasionally showed through the curtains.

Nobody bothered with him.

Jiang Baimian pondered for a few seconds. “Let’s split up and monitor the front and back doors.”

Before long, Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao found a suitable surveillance spot on the top of an apartment building two streets away. Bai Chen and Long Yuehong also drove to a place where they could observe the back door from an appropriate distance.

Monitoring was very boring most of the time. Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao had long gotten used to this kind of life and had zero impatience. The only thing that vexed them was that the rain hadn’t stopped and that the wind on the roof was strong.

It was inevitable that their bodies would be drenched.

As time passed, Jiang Baimian saw the main door to Old K’s house open as a few people walked out.

One of them was broad and thick like a wall. It was Sheriff Wall, whom the Old Task Force knew.

One of the people who sent Wall out was wearing a white shirt and a black vest. His hair was neatly combed back, and a small number of silver strands could be seen.

His wrinkles had already drooped slightly as he frowned slightly. His eyes were deep blue. He was the Old Task Force’s target for this operation—Old K, Corenza.

Old K smiled and walked Wall to his car with a few subordinates.

“Wall is indeed investigating the Garibaldi trail. Furthermore, he has already found Old K…” Jiang Baimian muttered softly. “Thankfully, we didn’t rashly visit.”

She moved her gaze and memorized the characteristics of Wall’s police car. This way, they could determine the other party’s approximate location by observing the vehicles and obtain advance warning.

“Actually, we should’ve made friends with Sheriff Wall long ago.” Shang Jianyao expressed his regret.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Bai Chen and Long Yuehong noticed a black car turn into another street and stop at Old K’s back door.

The ajar back door quickly opened. Clearly, someone had been waiting there.

A servant came out. He held a large dark umbrella and opened the door of the black car.

A person got out of the car and immediately took shelter under the umbrella. With their head bowed, the figure hurried to the back door.

In the dark night and hazy rain, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen couldn’t see who it was due to the lack of light. Only when the person was about to disappear from their sight did they notice that it seemed to be a woman.