Embers Ad Infinitum

Jiang Baimian didn’t delay and pushed the car door open. She then said to Long Yuehong and Bai Chen—who were using the space outside to accelerate the donning of their exoskeletons, “Stay here and be in charge of providing support. Be prepared for battle.”

“I…” Bai Chen looked like she wanted to volunteer.

But before she could finish speaking, Jiang Baimian quickly added, “We are here to visit Avia today and make contact with her with good intentions. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, we won’t clash with her. By following us with the exoskeletons donned, we might appear too oppressive and unfriendly. Besides, we have to be wary of any accidents. Someone has to stay outside to provide support.”

Attempting to make contact with Avia wasn’t only Pangu Biology’s idea, but it was also the Old Task Force’s idea. After all, according to what Marcus’s mother had left behind, Avia had a very dangerous item. The exact situation was unknown, so it was definitely better for everyone to have a friendly chat about Oray’s ‘inheritance’ and see if they could reach a partnership on certain matters.

Avia’s situation of being cooped up like a canary in a cage convinced Jiang Baimian that the chances of her being willing to cooperate weren’t low.

Bai Chen wanted to say that she could take off the military exoskeleton, but she could only nod when she considered the fact that it would take several minutes to do so and waste the precious time that Kanna had bought for everyone. “Alright.”

As she and Long Yuehong continued latching on the remaining metal clasps, Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian had already walked to 14 Round Hill Street.

They were all wearing armed belts at their waists, but they didn’t draw their pistols. Their hands were empty to show their sincerity.

At the entrance of Avia’s classic-looking villa were a few armed guards. They stared at Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao with vigilant expressions.

Long Yuehong clicked his tongue in wonder because the guards didn’t react when Kanna approached 14 Round Hill Street.

No, it wasn’t that they didn’t react. Instead, they took the initiative to make way and help open the door. They acted as if they were welcoming their mistress home.

Before the guards could ask, Shang Jianyao took the initiative to say, “Good morning. I’ll briefly introduce myself. We are companions with the lady from before, and we aren’t carrying heavy weapons. So…”

This time, Shang Jianyao’s Inference Clowning deliberately used the ‘friendly environment’ created by Kanna.

The guards revealed enlightened expressions one after another. “Are you here to visit Madam Avia? She’s waiting for you in the bathhouse’s lobby.”

Bathhouse… Jiang Baimian felt like laughing. As expected of a noble who likes to take baths—she’s transformed half of her home into a bathhouse.

As these thoughts raced through her mind, she had already passed through the door with Shang Jianyao and entered the classic-looking villa propped up by stone pillars.

Jiang Baimian was in a very relaxed state—or rather, she deliberately strove to be relaxed to make herself appear more like a genuine and friendly visitor.

As she swept her gaze, she introduced to Shang Jianyao, “These stone pillars have three styles. They originate from the Old World’s ancient times, thousands of years into the past…”

Shang Jianyao looked at the green vines circling the pillars and walls as he asked in an incongruous manner, “Won’t such a building attract mosquitoes?”

Jiang Baimian decided to give up on ‘commentating.’

The two of them quickly met Avia’s butler and used the same excuse to be led out of the bathhouse’s lobby.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

The middle-aged, gentleman-looking butler knocked on the door gently.

“Who is it?” Avia’s slightly cold voice sounded.

“Madam…” Shang Jianyao took a step forward and repeated similar Inference Clowning conditions before the butler could.

The lobby at Avia’s bathhouse room was no different from a normal lobby. It also had a carpet, a coffee table, a sofa, porcelain, and decorations—a full showcase of the aristocracy’s grandeur.

The only difference was that there was a door on the side of this room that led to a bathroom with various pools and steam rooms.

In addition, Avia wasn’t wearing normal clothes. She directly wrapped herself in a white bathrobe.

Her wavy blonde hair was wet. She looked like she had just come out of the bathroom and was filled with an indescribable charm.

The classical beauty with a slightly larger nose looked at Jiang Baimian and smiled. “Do you want to take a bath first? No matter what it is, it’s more effective to talk while in the bath.”

“That won’t be appropriate, right…” Shang Jianyao revealed an ‘awkward’ expression.

Jiang Baimian recalled a rumor: Avia was a few years older than Marcus. In the Ashlands that advocated early marriage and childbirth, she still didn’t have a clear partner. Some people suspected that she might not like men.

Avia smiled at Shang Jianyao. “You can go to the pool beside us. If there’s anything we need you to do, we’ll wear our bathing suits in advance. Speaking of which, I especially envy the people on the Golden Coast. They can sunbathe on the beach and enjoy life.”

Although some semblance of order had been restored in the Ashlands, most people’s hunger and health problems had yet to be resolved. The wilderness was still very dangerous, and there was no land to rebuild tourism.

Jiang Baimian didn’t respond directly and turned to look at Shang Jianyao. “Do you remember the first thing we need to do?”

Shang Jianyao nodded and took two steps toward Avia—who was wearing a bathrobe. He stared at the other party’s light-blue eyes and asked seriously, “May I ask where the toilet is? I need to take a shit.”

“…” Avia wasn’t the only one who opened her mouth slightly—Jiang Baimian did the same.

She didn’t expect this question.

Before Avia snapped to her senses, Shang Jianyao added, “If there’s none, I can only do it here. I’ve recently developed hemorrhoids, so I might bleed. Don’t be surprised…”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Baimian raised her hand to her nose. She roughly understood what Shang Jianyao wanted to do. This was also a step that had been finalized when they discussed the plan.

But why use such a ‘dirty’ method? Jiang Baimian criticized crazily in her heart.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao had already reached for his waist, prepared to unbuckle his belt.

The next second, Avia and the bathhouse lobby in front of him disappeared like popped soap bubbles.

Jiang Baimian realized that she and Shang Jianyao were still in the jeep!

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen wore military exoskeletons that had yet to be fully buckled. They leaned against the car door outside and slept, breathing heavily.

Real Dreamscape!

The Old Task Force had encountered the Real Dreamscape again!

Although First City’s Mind Corridor-level Awakened—apart from those who were tasked with special missions—were rushing toward the Senate at this moment, there was an exception. It was the person who had previously intercepted the Old Task Force and almost wiped them out, only to be scared away by Xiaochong.

The secret organization behind him was responsible for burying the clues that led to the Old World’s destruction. Compared to interfering with First City’s political situation, they wanted to kill Avia—who held important secrets!

The Old Task Force had thought of this before and had specially designed a plan.

From the fact that the other party was suspected to be afraid of the smell of blood, they deliberately left a wound or bled a little when or after they saw Avia. This way, even in a dream, the other party might very well give up on maintaining the effects due to the fear of the smell of blood.

After many rounds of rock-paper-scissors, this mission was snatched by Shang Jianyao. Who knew that he would change to this method? Even Jiang Baimian was almost disgusted.

The current facts had proven that the Mind Corridor-level Awakened who could create Real Dreamscape was indeed afraid or hated the smell of blood. Also, it might not only be one kind of smell. After all, the price of hating the smell of blood seemed more like the price one had to pay in Star Cluster Hall or the Sea of Origins. Once an Awakened entered the Mind Corridor, the corresponding situation would definitely be worse. The variety of smells might very well increase.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao had just woken up, but before they could do anything, they closed their eyes again.

Forced Sleep!

This time, they didn’t dream again.

As a Mind Corridor-level Awakened, Khal had already figured out the tricks available to the Old Task Force and could avoid many of the problems they posed after their previous few encounters. He was only afraid of the child named Xiaochong and that he was nearby.

…

Red Wolf Zone, Senate.

The Subhuman Guard members—who had suddenly lost their firing abilities—didn’t panic. They had lessons during their training on how to face Awakened at the Mind Corridor level.

At the critical moment, several frogmen with relatively green skin opened their mouths. They didn’t shout, but in the area ahead, the city defense forces—along with the gathered citizens—collapsed like bushes blown down by the wind.

Subsonic attack—this was the frogmen’s mutated ability.

At the same time, many people also gave up on shooting and switched to using their ‘talents.’ Some spewed venom, some made yawning sounds, and some took off all their clothes, revealing patterned skin that could make onlookers dizzy…

As they desperately tried to stop the citizens from entering the Senate, the nobles inside were dealing with Consul Beulis, who had suddenly contracted the Heartless disease.

Under his turbid blue eyes, the thoughts of everyone—including Superintendent Alexander—naturally turned adrift. They found it difficult to focus.