Embers Ad Infinitum

Following Shang Jianyao’s gaze, Jiang Baimian saw Du Heng—who was wearing a black robe—sitting in an alley. His back was leaning against the electric pole that had spiderwebs over it, and his head was slightly tilted back as if he was sleeping. He looked very pleased.

At this moment, the sun had already set below the horizon, and darkness had enveloped the world. If not for Shang Jianyao’s sharp eyes and the few lights in the houses on both sides, Jiang Baimian most likely would’ve missed out on Du Heng—whose clothes were almost blending with the night.

Upon hearing the name of the big shot that could scare away even Xiaochong, Bai Chen stepped on the brakes and made the jeep slide to a rolling stop by the roadside.

Shang Jianyao pushed open the door, walked over, and sat beside Du Heng.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Baimian hesitated for a moment before following him. She mimicked Shang Jianyao and sat beside him.

Bai Chen was in charge of guarding the jeep and watching Long Yuehong—who was undergoing fluid infusion—in the backseat.

Du Heng turned his head and opened his eyes. He glanced at Shang Jianyao and returned to his previous posture.

“Oh, it’s you.” His tone revealed a rare hint of fatigue.

“That’s right,” Shang Jianyao replied to the statement literally.

Du Heng maintained his original state. “So I’m brought here because you entered the Mind Corridor. What a coincidence…”

Teacher Du Heng, why are you saying that like a Daoist priest… Jiang Baimian resisted the urge to interject.

Shang Jianyao didn’t hide his surprise. “Am I that obvious?”

“It just so happens that I can tell,” Du Heng replied simply. He then said without opening his eyes, “Don’t be in a rush to change the mind room’s state, nor should you rush out into the corridor. Do so after a month or two when your mental state has mostly stabilized. This can effectively reduce the worsening of the price you’ll pay.”

“Alright.” Shang Jianyao didn’t retort that the price was exacted on ‘y’all.’

Du Heng then said, “You can leave now. Don’t disturb my sleep.”

“Alright.” Shang Jianyao had always been a polite, young man.

Jiang Baimian glanced at Du Heng suspiciously, stood up, patted her pants, and walked back to the jeep parked by the side of the alley.

…

In the North Shore wastelands, a large convoy drove toward the mountains; these were the people who had fled Early Spring Town. In order to escape First City’s pursuit, they took the risk and drove for nearly four hours in the night.

Of course, there was no moon tonight, and even stars were few. They didn’t dare to keep traveling. After arriving at a small city ruin that had long been cleared out, they chose to camp and rest to avoid any risks.

Han Wanghuo, Zeng Duo, and Genava’s dark SUV was situated at the rear of the convoy. They were in charge of cleaning up the corresponding traces. When they arrived, more than ten bonfires had already been lit between the buildings that nobody outside could see.

Most of the townsfolk in Early Spring Town were abnormal. In the words of outsiders, they were of all shapes and sizes.

They surrounded different bonfires, seized the opportunity to rest, patrolled their surroundings, or filled their stomachs. They didn’t say much as they did so. Coupled with their appearances, they looked rather dreary.

Zeng Duo scanned the area and explained to Han Wanghuo and Genava, “Everyone is usually very friendly and enthusiastic. Perhaps it’s because there are outsiders, and they’ve been locked up for months. Maybe this is why they can’t let their hair down.”

“It’s fine,” Han Wanghuo replied simply.

This was even less of a problem for Genava.

At this moment, the mayor—whose legs had atrophied—came over while riding his mentally challenged son. He discussed the destination they had previously discussed in detail with Zeng Duo.

After figuring out the exact situation, he returned to the bonfire and clapped twice.

All the townsfolk that weren’t asleep cast their gazes over.

The mayor cleared his throat and said loudly, “I know that everyone is very afraid. It’s not easy to abandon the town we’ve lived in for so many years and the fields we’ve cultivated ourselves. However, we have no choice but to do so. I believe all of you have seen the outcome of being experimental subjects; we also know how large First City is. It isn’t something we can resist. We might emerge victorious once, but we can’t do so repeatedly. As long as we lose once, there’s no way for us to turn things around.”

This was said from the bottom of his heart, and it was an obvious fact. The townsfolk nodded in response.

The mayor continued, “Nomadry is actually the survival state of most humans in the Ashlands. Every few years or even shorter, they will migrate for various reasons. Compared to them, we are actually much better. At the very least, we still had a chance of escaping and surviving after we were captured by First City!”

This sentence slowly released the panic and unease accumulated in many townsfolk’s hearts. They finally felt like they had escaped death.

The mayor looked around and raised his voice a little. “Zeng Duo told me that she has found a place suitable for settlement. There is sufficient water to drink, abandoned farmlands that can be cultivated, and abandoned ruins to be modified. It’s summer now, so we still have plenty of time to busy ourselves. As long as we obtain our first harvest, a new Early Spring Town can be established! Also…”

At this point, the mayor suddenly became a little excited. “There’s no pollution there, no pollution at all! Our descendants will slowly become normal, and we will no longer suffer the pain of mutation!”

Just as he said that, the townsfolk of Early Spring Town broke into an uproar. They looked around and whispered to each other, wanting to confirm if the mayor’s words were true.

“It’s real!” Zeng Duo cupped her hands together around her mouth and amplified her voice. “I promise!”

She had shown extraordinary abilities today and had very powerful companions that saved everyone from First City’s garrison. Unknowingly, she had become someone that the townsfolk relied on and believed in. Therefore, her promise was sufficiently effective and trustworthy.

After a brief silence, the strange townsfolk made all kinds of sounds. “Banzai!”

“Huzzah!”

“The Heavens have shown their favor!”

…

They overflowed with excitement, waking up the sleeping townsfolk.

Zeng Duo was a little dazed when she saw the changes in the familiar faces and heard them shout without reservation. She seemed to have already led everyone to the col, cleared the weeds with everyone, made the farmlands arable, and built ditches with her neighbors leading to a clean water source. She harvested wheat with her relatives and friends. After busying themselves, they sat around the dining table and used water as wine to enjoy themselves…

The images were beautiful. Zeng Duo couldn’t help but extend her hand, wanting to touch them, but she didn’t catch anything.

After the scene calmed down, Han Wanghuo—who was standing at the periphery—turned his head and glanced at her. “Are you starting to miss this world and can’t bear to die?”

Zeng Duo replied honestly, “A little, but don’t worry. I’ll fulfill my promise. I won’t live long anyway.”

Han Wanghuo didn’t comment and looked ahead. “Can’t you learn to be a little selfish? Love yourself before loving others.”

Zeng Duo scratched her short hair. “I want to, but…”

She looked at Han Wanghuo in confusion. “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll go back on my word and risk my life to live on by saying this? You don’t love yourself anymore and aren’t selfish anymore?”

Han Wanghuo remained silent and didn’t answer.

Genava patrolled the surroundings and didn’t participate in their conversation.

…

First City, Red Wolf Zone, under a relatively high-end apartment.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao—who had taken the opportunity of the night to get the necessary drugs and equipment—walked in.

Jiang Baimian looked at the mailbox in the lobby and walked over. She found the door number of the room they rented and checked if there were any of today’s newspapers inside, wanting to know more about First City’s situation.

She remembered that when she rented it, the landlord had specially mentioned that he had subscribed to a year of First City Daily.

Perhaps it was because of the chaos today that the newspapers weren’t printed or sent over—the mailbox was empty. There was only an unsigned letter lying there.

A letter? Jiang Baimian took out the letter in confusion. She checked it before opening it on the spot.

Inside the envelope were two thin sheets of paper that corresponded to two medical reports. The report said that the patient wouldn’t live long unless he had a heart and bone marrow transplant.

At the same time, the report also mentioned the administration of a combination of some drugs and rest allowed the patient to live for at least six months while the other could live for about three months.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao looked at each other and muttered to themselves, “Old Han and Zeng Duo’s medical report? Master Zennaga sent it over? He didn’t blame us for escaping in advance? Prophecy is really magical…”

Shang Jianyao nodded. “Master Zennaga is really a good person.”

Jiang Baimian strongly agreed with this.

Master Zennaga was truly compassionate.

…

First City, on the street outside Sikhara Temple.

Superintendent Alexander looked at the brightly lit seven-story Buddhist temple and listened to the faint echoing sutras. He sighed at his daughter, Galoran, and said, “Master Zennaga has passed away…”