Embers Ad Infinitum

When the jeep drove to the intersection of the Red Wolf Zone and the Green Olive Zone, a group of lower-class citizens in old, washed-out clothes happened to be holding wooden placards and banners toward them.

“We want land!”

“We want work!”

“We want to live!” The group shouted in unison, and their voices went far.

Unlike the few times the Old Task Force had encountered them, this group of demonstrators was rather excited as if they had seen hope. At the same time, they had another slogan: “Severely punish the traitors; take a stand against evil!”

Jiang Baimian leaned her right arm against the window and muttered, “The Salvation Army had at least worked hard to save the world. Your First City has never had such thoughts since it was established…”

She knew that this slogan was directed at the Salvation Army, the Anti-intellectualism Church, and Elder Varro—who was rumored to have colluded with the Salvation Army and the Anti-intellectualism Church.

In the early stages of the Salvation Army’s establishment, they had a strong sense of mission and were filled with aggression. They fought their way to First City, horrifying the latter.

In order to resist this powerful enemy that wanted to save their slaves, First City had been demonizing the Salvation Army for years. It was said that they were extremists—extreme and fanatical. Everyone was like an incontrovertible lunatic. It was said that the Salvation Army would strip away everyone’s fields and property in the name of a collective once they arrived. It was said that the Salvation Army would publicly claim to distribute uniformly according to one’s needs, but they were actually exploiting ordinary people to enrich the rulers. It was said that they controlled very evil forces and would unconsciously change a target’s views, thoughts, and understanding. They would make First City’s citizens their puppets and do all kinds of things that were completely different from their own wishes.

From day after day of demonization, First City’s citizens hated and feared the Salvation Army. They believed that the Salvation Army was First City’s number one enemy.

Among the nobles, whoever was exposed to be in cahoots with the Salvation Army would basically spell political death.

“That’s right, that’s right.” Shang Jianyao agreed with Jiang Baimian in Long Yuehong’s tone.

After Bai Chen parked the car in an inconspicuous spot, Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “It’s better not to contact Old Ge, Old Han, and the others at the agreed time tonight. First City’s situation is fluid, and there’s a high chance that it will affect Early Spring Town’s situation. We have to inform them as soon as possible. Yes, I hope Old Ge’s communication module stays open. Otherwise, we’ll have to wait until nighttime.”

She meant that they could directly contact Genava without having to wait for Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo to turn on the radio transceiver they obtained.

The Old Task Force kept the radio transceiver switched on at all times so as to receive the company’s reply—they had already mentioned this in the report.

Just as Jiang Baimian was about to contact Genava, Pangu Biology replied with a telegram.

The telegram wasn’t long. When translated, it was: “Try your best to reach 15 Emperor Street in the Golden Apple Zone before the chaos erupts and meet someone. The countersign is: Angelica Sinensis.”

15 Emperor Street in the Golden Apple Zone? Jiang Baimian was no stranger to this address. The First City Elder—Meyers, whom her father had mentioned and was on good terms with the company’s Chief Scientist, Elder Huang—lived here.

It was his home.

On this street lived First City’s consul and commander-in-chief, Beulis.

When she heard ‘Emperor Street of the Golden Apple Zone,’ Bai Chen’s expression suddenly changed. She only calmed down when the word ’15’ entered her ears.

“The company’s Mind Corridor-level Awakened has become a noble in First City?” Shang Jianyao stroked his chin and used his imagination.

“It’s also possible that he’s hiding in the house of a noble who has secretly cooperated with us.” The person who made this guess wasn’t Long Yuehong but ‘Giuseppe’ Garibaldi. As an intelligence agent, he could be considered knowledgeable in this regard.

“Perhaps.” Jiang Baimian looked at the protest march heading to Hope Square and made a decision. “We’ll head that way now.”

“But First City’s current situation probably means that the Golden Apple Zone is filled with sentries. How can we sneak in?” Long Yuehong objected.

Jiang Baimian nodded. “Therefore, we will temporarily stay at the intersection of the Red Wolf Zone and the Golden Apple Zone and wait for an opportunity. Actually, the area with the most attention should be Hope Square. The Golden Apple Zone might not be that heavily guarded.”

At this point, she smiled. “Besides, we can report to the company if we can’t do it. We’ve completed 80% of the journey, and the remaining 20% will be left to that person.”

She meant for that person to come over and meet up, not that they had to meet at 15 Emperor Street in the Golden Apple Zone.

“Yes.” Long Yuehong felt that his team leader had considered everything very thoroughly.

At this moment, Bai Chen frowned. “It’s impossible for the company not to guess the current situation in the Golden Apple Zone. Why didn’t they directly specify a place in the Red Wolf Zone and instead gave a meeting place like 15 Emperor Street, which isn’t easy to reach?”

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “There are roughly two reasons. The first is that the person has a special identity and that it’s not convenient for them to leave Emperor Street at this moment. The second is that it will be much easier for us to find an opportunity to make contact with Avia if we can enter the Golden Apple Zone before the chaos erupts. Alright, let’s report our difficulties to the company first. Then, send a telegram to Old Ge, Old Han, and company.”

Jiang Baimian was suddenly stunned. After a few seconds, she yelped.

“What’s wrong?” Long Yuehong felt his liver tremble, believing that something bad had happened.

Jiang Baimian smiled bitterly. “We didn’t manage to get Old Han and Zeng Duo’s medical reports that Master Zennaga obtained… Do you think he will ignore us at Sikhara Temple when First City’s unrest subsides?”

“He might beat us up.” Shang Jianyao’s answer was very pertinent.

…

In the North Shore wastelands.

Han Wanghuo, Zeng Duo, and Genava—who were constantly traveling—were about to reach the Red River’s edge.

Genava suddenly said in surprise, “Hey, Big White and the others just sent a telegram!”

In order to maintain communication, he wasn’t stingy with his batteries.

At this moment, a strange thought flashed through Zeng Duo’s mind: Genava’s surprise didn’t feel metallic or plastic…

“What happened to them?” Han Wanghuo asked directly.

“They were attacked…” Genava went straight to the point. “They also reminded us to pay attention to our dreams.”

As a smart bot, he naturally completed the translation when he received the telegram.

“There’s indeed something wrong with that dream.” Han Wanghuo heaved a sigh of relief.

Genava moved his metal neck. “I’ll tell them what happened here and give them the theory that the target is afraid of the smell of blood. Also, Big White said that chaos might erupt in First City at any moment. She wants us to pay close attention to the First City army in the North Shore wastelands and determine the situation in Early Spring Town.”

Zeng Duo was thrilled when she heard the last sentence, and she pointed at the Red River not far away. “The powerhouses and troops that will be recalled from the North Shore wastelands to First City will definitely have to pass by the bridge over the Red River. We can obtain first-hand information by using binoculars from afar!”

“Alright.” Genava’s eyes flickered with a red glow.

…

First City, Golden Apple Zone, 9 Emperor Street.

This was the residence of one of First City’s two giants—the consul and commander-in-chief, Beulis.

Asus was half-naked as he stretched his arms in the blue swimming pool. He had just taken a steam bath at home and came out to cool down.

Whoosh!

The handsome young noble with black hair and blue eyes climbed out of the swimming pool. His body was tall and straight, and his muscles were well-defined. At this moment, they were dotted with water droplets, making him appear very stylish.

“Gaius’s Citizen Meet is about to begin, right?” Asus asked the attendant holding a large towel.

“Yes, it’s in another 15 minutes.” The attendant couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you worried?”

As Asus with deep, charming eyes wiped his body, he smiled. “What’s there to worry about? As long as Gaius isn’t stupid, he should know that there’s no chance of winning by relying on those citizens.”

Asus was this confident because his father—the consul and commander-in-chief, Beulis—was one of the strongest people in First City.

This elder had already found the door to the New World in the Mind Corridor. He only restrained himself and didn’t push it open. He wanted to wait to complete this step only when he was old and when his life was coming to an end.

Apart from this, as far as Asus knew, most people in First City—who could be called powerhouses—supported his father. Even the ones who often slept were the same.

For example, Cass.

Yes, Cass—one of the giants who founded First City, Oray’s good comrade, and a denomination of the city’s currency—was still alive. He was already more than 90 years old and slept in that chamber most of the time. But as long as he was willing, he could return from the New World temporarily at any time.

As far as Asus was concerned, the citizens that Gaius had gathered were only means of production. This was a term he had learned when reading certain books in the Old World.

In city street fights, Awakened were much more useful than troops unless Gaius wanted an internecine outcome by blowing up First City with as many explosives as possible.

…

A large number of citizens had already gathered in Hope Square.

Wall rushed over with 20 to 30 public security officers. At a glance were a dense crowd of heads.

I hope nothing happens… This sheriff was also more inclined to stability.