Embers Ad Infinitum

In the North Shore Mountains, in a place where an abandoned road led.

Upon seeing a small stream meandering through the farmland that had fallowed, the water was clean, so clear that the bottom could be seen. The surviving townsfolk of Early Spring Town revealed excited expressions as if they had excavated a huge treasure.

Several children ran to the stream and lay down. They scooped up the water with their hands and fed it to their mouths.

Some had already prostrated on the ground, kissing the soil with their lips.

“Are they not testing the water before drinking?” Genava asked Zeng Duo.

This didn’t conform to the wilderness survival rules. Some water only looked clean.

Zeng Duo shook her head. “In any case, it won’t be worse than the water we had.”

The townsfolk of Early Spring Town had drunk water that was seriously polluted, which caused abnormalities for decades.

Genava silently added a new human behavior pattern to his database.

Han Wanghuo looked around and saw a small city ruin in the distance. Many of the Old World’s steel-framed mud buildings remained standing, but most of their bodies were drowned by greenery.

He then said to Zeng Duo, “We should return to First City and exchange for new drugs.”

Zeng Duo tersely acknowledged his words. “We can also get Big White and the others to arrange for the surgeon and the surgery location to prevent any accidents.”

Han Wanghuo opened his mouth and silently walked to the black SUV parked on the side of the abandoned road. He then filled the tank with gasoline from an oil barrel.

Zeng Duo took the opportunity to inform the mayor and a few relatives of her condition. Finally, she said, “I’m going to First City to receive treatment now. I might or might not be able to return.”

The mayor sighed and said, “You were originally the healthiest child in town, but you still suffered a mutation. This might be the fate of Early Spring Town.”

“This damn Ashlands! This damn world!” Zeng Duo’s cousin couldn’t help but curse.

Zeng Duo lowered her head and smiled. “There might still be hope that it can be treated.”

“That’s right.” The mayor looked back. “There’s indeed no pollution here. Our fate will change bit by bit, and so will yours. We are all waiting for your return.”

Zeng Duo suddenly turned her head and looked at the black SUV not far away. “Alright. I should make a move; they’re waiting.”

Without giving the mayor and her relatives a chance to respond, she waved her hand and jogged into the black SUV’s passenger seat.

The car sped along the road again, making many turns before leaving the mountains and returning to the North Shore wastelands.

Just like that, Han Wanghuo, Genava, and Zeng Duo took turns driving and rushed to the Red River Bridge as quickly as possible during the day. On the way, they encountered extreme weather and almost had their windscreen smashed by hail. They had no choice but to find a place to rest.

The Red River Bridge was already in sight by noon the next day. Just like normal times, there were city defense checkpoints and slow-moving convoy passes.

“We have to disguise ourselves and prepare the money to bribe the soldiers,” Genava reminded the two in front.

“Alright.” Han Wanghuo nodded.

He slowed down and searched for a hidden parking spot. During this process, he looked at the road ahead and casually said, “If the new treatment plan is effective and can indeed allow me to live for another six months, I want to try something else first. A good mechanical heart is much better than yours.”

With that said, Han Wanghuo didn’t receive any response.

He turned his head and realized that Zeng Duo had shrunk into the passenger seat at some point in time. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks were red, and her lips were dry. She trembled from time to time.

“…” Han Wanghuo stretched out his right hand and tried nudging her. “Zeng Duo?”

Genava’s head popped out from the backseat, and he examined her carefully. “She’s unconscious. Her condition is rapidly worsening.”

Perhaps it was because Zeng Duo had expended too much energy during the intense battle in Early Spring Town, or perhaps it was because her wish had been fulfilled—allowing her to completely relax—the illness in her body had suddenly developed in seriousness.

Han Wanghuo fell silent for a few seconds before finding a relatively obscure spot and parking the car.

“Quick, disguise yourself and enter the city as soon as possible,” he said to Genava expressionlessly while also urging himself.

Before long, Han Wanghuo successfully drove the black SUV with Genava—who was hiding in the trunk like another military exoskeleton—onto the Red River Bridge using the excuse that his Hunter companion was suffering from an acute illness, as well as a bribe.

At some point in time, Zeng Duo woke up.

She opened her eyes and looked at Han Wanghuo beside her. Then, she smiled weakly and said, “It looks like we made it. I didn’t break my promise, although I did want to.”

Han Wanghuo said with a normal expression, “When we reach the clinic Big White and the others found for us, get some fluids first and reduce your fever before considering a new treatment plan.”

Zeng Duo forced a smile. “I’m afraid I can’t make it.”

She panted and said, “You’re a softie who always talks tough. Don’t be like this in the future. It’s not like everyone can guess what you r-really want to say…”

Han Wanghuo fell silent and sped up.

Genava—who was in the backseat—opened his mouth, but he ultimately controlled his loudspeaker.

Zeng Duo’s gaze gradually wandered as she muttered to herself, “Didn’t you ask if I… could not bear to die? Would I be a little more selfish? I can answer you now: I r-really do feel a little like that. I really want to explore, farm, and hunt with everyone. I want to persuade you not to hide everything that’s in your mind… I even thought that if we were all cured, could we… could we continue staying together like we are now? The two of us—the two of us in the mud pit—the two of us with nothing. We would support each other and slowly inch forward…”

Han Wanghuo’s body trembled as he turned his head again.

Zeng Duo slowly stretched out her left hand and touched Han Wanghuo’s right palm, which had released the steering wheel.

She laughed. “H-Han Wanghuo, don’t keep saying that you’re selfish. You’re n-not such a person. In the future, you have to live on in my stead. Love more people in my stead… Apart from loving yourself, you also have to learn to love others. This way, your life will be complete. This way, you will be a r-real human…”

“Let’s do it together.” Han Wanghuo tightly gripped Zeng Duo’s left palm and sped on. As he drove, he felt the hand in his palm gradually lose its strength and gradually turn cold.

He stiffened his neck and continued looking ahead without turning his head.

…

Around 8 p.m., in an unlicensed clinic on Antanna Street.

The Old Task Force—which was waiting for Han Wanghuo’s heart transplant—received a reply from Pangu Biology at the scheduled time.

After Jiang Baimian translated, the corresponding meaning was clearly conveyed to Shang Jianyao and Genava. “Return to the company and get some rest. We’ll consider the Holm Fertility Center and the secret laboratory later.”

Bai Chen was in the safe house taking care of Long Yuehong—who was temporarily unsuitable for moving around.

Jiang Baimian then looked at Genava. “Old Ge, what do you plan on doing next?”

Genava already knew that Oray—the Father of Artificial Intelligence Robots—believed that he and his companions could produce consciousness similar to humans. He had been excitedly pacing back and forth in the clinic.

At this moment, he did some calculations when he heard Jiang Baimian’s question. “I plan on staying in First City to wait for your return and see if I have a chance to explore the secret laboratory and obtain the information Oray left behind. It’s more convenient to recharge here.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian didn’t object. She had yet to inform Genava of her suspicion of the Source Brain. As the Old Task Force was drained, their tolerance for accidents was no longer that high.

Jiang Baimian planned on returning to First City with her team regardless of whether Pangu Biology handed the mission of exploring the Holm Fertility Center and the secret laboratory to her team in the future. When the time came, she would discuss this problem with Genava after she was prepared.

“Be careful. Robots aren’t safe here!” Shang Jianyao reminded sincerely.

…

A few days later, Jiang Baimian asked Han Wanghuo—who was on the bed, “Old Han, what are your plans next?”

Han Wanghuo—who already knew that they were from Pangu Biology—fell silent for a moment before saying, “I plan on going to Early Spring Town for a period of time to help them rebuild their homes.”

He tactfully rejected the suggestion of joining Pangu Biology.

Don’t you discriminate against Subhumans? Bai Chen said inwardly.

Most of Early Spring Town’s residents were Subhumans.

At this moment, Han Wanghuo added, “In the future, you can come to Early Spring Town to find me at any time if you need help.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian didn’t force the issue.

Shang Jianyao felt very regretful.

…

After Long Yuehong could barely walk, the Old Task Force drove their original jeep—with ‘Garibaldi’ Giuseppe and two other intelligence agents, who were to return to the company for a report on board. They left First City and drove northwest into the Blackmarsh Wilderness.