Embers Ad Infinitum

7th August left a deep impression on Long Yuehong. This was not only the day of First City’s chaos but also the day he was seriously injured—the day he lost his right arm.

Jiang Baimian was now telling him that a Heartless outbreak had erupted in Pangu Biology on the same day.

“It can’t be that coincidental, right?” Long Yuehong blurted out.

Jiang Baimian pondered for a moment and replied, “Maybe it’s not a coincidence.”

Long Yuehong gaped open his mouth but was at a loss for words. He then realized that Shang Jianyao was looking at him.

This fellow will definitely say that it’s because of me… Long Yuehong felt that he could already guess what Shang Jianyao would say next. However, his guess didn’t become reality because Bai Chen entered the office that very moment and expressed her puzzlement at the rather solemn atmosphere.

After Jiang Baimian explained, she directly voiced her thoughts. “Didn’t we previously guess that First City’s unrest might gain the attention of the Kalendarium or that they might even directly interfere? Could the latter have happened without us sensing any obvious abnormalities? Clashes between the Kalendarium produced a certain stir, causing small-scale Heartless outbreaks to happen across different parts of the Ashlands.”

Long Yuehong’s first reaction to Jiang Baimian’s bold hypothesis was to heave a sigh of relief. In short, it’s not because of me!

Bai Chen didn’t object or agree. She thought for a moment and said, “If that’s the case, the company definitely wouldn’t be the only one experiencing a Heartless outbreak on 7th August.”

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. “When we are out on the next mission, we have to ask every place we pass by if anyone contracted the Heartless disease on 7th August.”

Long Yuehong’s heart palpitated.

“According to this hypothesis, many Heartless patients should’ve appeared in First City on 7th August. However, we didn’t hear of any.”

After the chaos, Jiang Baimian and the others stayed in First City for a long time while waiting for Long Yuehong to reach a certain level of recovery.

Just as Long Yuehong said that, Shang Jianyao laughed. “Have you forgotten the most unlucky gentleman?”

“Huh?” Long Yuehong was stunned for a moment. “First City’s former consul and commander-in-chief, Beulis?”

If not for the sudden contraction of the Heartless disease, there was a high chance that the chaos wouldn’t have developed in the same way.

“It’s said that he’s very strong as well. Maybe the Heartless virus caused by the fluctuations in that area was concentrated on him,” Jiang Baimian hypothesized irresponsibly.

Shang Jianyao suddenly changed the topic without waiting for Long Yuehong and Bai Chen’s response. “Master Zennaga predicted that we would trigger chaos in First City, but everything that happened later had nothing to do with us…”

At this point, Shang Jianyao looked at Long Yuehong and smiled. “Maybe you spread the bad luck to Beulis.”

“I’ve never seen him!” Long Yuehong subconsciously retorted.

In ‘surprise’ and ‘fear,’ Shang Jianyao praised, “You’re getting more and more impressive! You can affect a person’s luck without contact!”

“Enough.” Jiang Baimian stopped Shang Jianyao’s acting, curling the hair drooping down from her ear. She deliberated and said, “I suspect it’s related to Tomato Omelet.”

She was more careful than anything when it came to matters involving Xiaochong. Even though she knew that there were no wires in the room, she still used a codename.

“If we hadn’t escaped from Sikhara Temple in advance, there’s a high chance that we wouldn’t have been attacked by the commissioner, nor would we have sought help. This resulted in Tomato Omelet being scared away by the commissioner, and it’s very likely that he would’ve left First City immediately,” Jiang Baimian explained further. “If he were still in First City during the Citizen Meet, there would’ve been many variables involved. It might not have blown up at all.”

“That makes sense.” Long Yuehong agreed the more he thought about it.

Of course, the premise was that Master Zennaga’s prophecy didn’t deviate too much and that the Old Task Force had indeed sparked First City’s chaos in a sense.

Shang Jianyao revealed a reminiscent expression. “I wonder where he is now.”

Bai Chen carefully thought through the logic and sighed with emotion. “Master Zennaga’s prophecy was actually confirmed in such a winding manner…”

“That’s how prophecies are.” Jiang Baimian laughed. She then stood up. “Let’s get to training. Leave these questions for later verification. Our current mission is to rest and recover. When the higher-ups complete the review and distribute the bonuses, we will each write up our own applications.”

With a look of anticipation after a pause, Jiang Baimian said, “If our guesses regarding the source of the Heartless disease outbreak is right, the more important thing in the future isn’t to find the places where someone was infected with the Heartless disease on August 7. Instead, it’s to list out settlements where nobody was infected and extract the similarities between them.”

She sounded hopeful and expectant.

At this moment, Long Yuehong inexplicably felt his team leader’s face glow. Shang Jianyao—who was beside him—also had the urge to give it a try.

…

Jiang Baimian returned home after the day was over.

“Dad, you’re early?” She was a little surprised to discover that her father—Jiang Wenfeng—was already sitting in the living room. She didn’t eat in the small canteen today, having had plans on returning home to cook something for herself.

As for the Old Task Force, they had been in a lull period for the past few days. They left work according to their mood and often left early.

Jiang Wenfeng snapped, “It’s all because of you!”

He then sighed. “The biological cochlear surgery and Awakening experiments have been arranged for you. After a routine review, you can schedule a specific time.”

Jiang Baimian glanced at her father and deliberately asked timidly, “What happens if I beat a retreat because of fear?”

Jiang Wenfeng glared. “You can pretend that nothing happened for the Awakening experiment, but I’ll knock you out for the cochlear implant surgery!”

“How ruthless…” Jiang Baimian dragged out her words. At a time like this, she naturally wouldn’t say things like ‘I’ll give you a left-hand handicap’ to spoil the mood.

While on this topic, Jiang Baimian curiously asked, “Dad, how many Awakened in our company have already entered the New World?”

Jiang Wenfeng frowned. “This isn’t something you should know at your rank.”

With that said, he slowly exhaled. “Actually, I’m not too sure either. The confidentiality level for such matters is M3.”

In other words, only the board members knew.

Jiang Baimian thoughtfully whispered, “There are a total of five board members…”

Jiang Wenfeng didn’t respond.

…

495th floor, Zone C, Rec Center.

Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, Meng Xia, and Zhang Lei sat in a corner. As they enjoyed the bustle around them, they chatted about all kinds of topics.

“We’ve been back for a few days. Why hasn’t Yang Zhenyuan appeared…” Long Yuehong mentioned his other good friend.

Meng Xia scoffed. “Maybe he’s busy taking care of his child.”

Long Yuehong came to a realization and slapped his forehead with his right hand. “I forgot about that.”

With a bang, he frowned slightly but pretended nothing had happened.

Meng Xia glanced at him and then at Shang Jianyao. “Besides, your ranks are rising too quickly. As classmates, we feel inferior in front of you!”

Pangu Biology was neither small nor large. The news that Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao were already D5 had long spread across the 495th floor.

“You can also apply to be transferred to a front-line team at the Security Department,” Shang Jianyao suggested seriously.

Meng Xia rolled her eyes. “Count us out. We’ll just wait for one of our classmates—no, two to reach management levels. A rising tide lifts all boats.”

As they chatted, Shang Jianyao suddenly looked at Meng Xia’s husband, Zhang Lei. “Have you heard of the Naturalism Church?”

This was a cult that had previously spread within the company and affected some people.

Zhang Lei recalled and said, “Is that the religion that wanders around naked because they don’t like to wear clothes?”

“Yes.” Long Yuehong helped provide confirmation.

“There’s such a religion?” Meng Xia looked surprised.

Zhang Lei nodded. “I encountered them a few times near the White Knights area before joining the company.”

Just as he said that, Meng Xia suddenly interrupted. “Is it a pleasant sight?”

“Some are old, and some are Subhumans,” Zhang Lei said casually.

Shang Jianyao asked excitedly, “Then, do you know which Kalendaria they believe in?”

Zhang Lei thought for a moment and said, “I think it’s May’s Monitor.”

Shang Jianyao came to a realization. “Running naked is also a form of behavioral art!”

After chatting for a while, the pregnant woman was ‘forcefully’ taken away. Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong left the Rec Center and returned to their respective homes.

Zone B, Room 196.

Shang Jianyao lay on the bed and opened his eyes in the silent darkness.

The light from the streetlamps outside illuminated an area near the window. From time to time, it was disturbed by the pedestrians passing by.

Some static came from the radio a few minutes later, and a slightly childlike voice sounded. “Good evening, everyone. I’m Newspoint broadcaster, Hou Yi. It’s 8 p.m. now…

“Today, the Board of Directors and Vice President Ji Ze convened the Security Production Month meeting…”