Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 598: Friendly Hand

Translator: CKtalon

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen had no answer, and Zen Master Redemption Shang Jianyao seemed unfazed.

He raised his left palm vertically and chanted a Buddhist proclamation. “Namo Annutara-Samyak-Subhuti. We generally call this celestial wisdom. Perhaps Modeus was a Buddhist in his previous or previous, previous life. He fell into the sea of bitterness and reincarnated again and again. It was only when he Awakened that he slowly recalled his previous lives.”

Although Jiang Baimian knew that this fellow was blowing smoke, she had a pragmatic spirit. She thought for a moment and said, “We can’t rule out the possibility of such a situation, but it’s very unlikely. Up till now, only Destiny Connection has shown the potential to complete such matters, but it hasn’t eliminated the part about memories awaiting to be awakened. Unless the Subhuti domain still has abilities similar to Destiny Connection but pertains to different details…”

Jiang Baimian didn’t continue that topic. “The two feasible directions now are: first, finish flipping through the remaining books.. We can leave that for tomorrow morning. Second, enter Iron Mountain City Ruin and see if there are any clues left.

“If we have time tomorrow, we can also pay the Vigilance Cathedral’s bishop and the local Hunter’s Guild a visit to see if they have gathered more information on Iron Mountain City Ruin. It’s not a bad thing to make more preparations in this regard. Alright, get some sleep. Stay sharp.”

…

Two modified vehicles drove into Redstone Collection the next morning.

“Why don’t I see anyone here?” Bai Chen’s former companion, Chu Ge, stuck his head out the window and sized up the surrounding buildings that had either collapsed or been abandoned.

He looked out and felt that he had come to a ruin that had been unexplored for a long time, not a reputable smuggling node with considerable strength. The only signs of life here were the lush-green plants under the spring sun.

The elder sitting beside the floral-clothed Shao Liang smiled and said, “This is a characteristic of the Vigilance Church. It seems like the residents of Redstone Collection have already integrated their faith into their lives.”

He was also Ashlandic, and his hair was sparse to the point that one could see his scalp. The wrinkles on his face weren’t too exaggerated. The corners of his mouth remained curled into a smile, and he looked amiable.

“Your Grace, you mean…” Chu Ge asked respectfully but not sycophantically. Although he also believed in Eidolon Nun, he actually didn’t know much about the Vigilance Church and the Terror Church. If not for the fact that he had recently come to the south to proselytize on the importance of friendliness and trust and that it happened to be on the way, he wouldn’t have wanted to participate in the baffling parish assembly.

Before Chu Ge could finish speaking, he suddenly sensed something. He jerked his head and cast his gaze at a relatively intact high-rise building.

“There’s someone there.” He acted as if he had chanced upon a friendly neighbor while strolling. Although he was a little surprised, he was mostly happy.

The old man—who he addressed as archbishop—nodded, indicating that there was nothing wrong with Chu Ge’s discovery.

“I’ll go over to greet him and ask for directions.” Chu Ge confidently pushed open the door and alighted.

Mu Chi, who was wearing smoky makeup, parked the car by the roadside once Chu Ge pointed out that there was someone nearby.

“Hey, the one in the building. We’re here…” As Chu Ge walked to the tall building and climbed the steps leading to the door, he waved his right hand.

A black grenade was suddenly thrown out.

Chu Ge’s pupils dilated. With his rich experience, he pounced to the side, flew away from the steps, and hid behind cover.

Boom!

Amidst the explosion, Chu Ge felt the wall bordering the steps he was leaning against tremble violently. He then realized that the person in the building had escaped his perception range in the opposite direction.

“We mean no harm! Hey, we’re here to make friends!” Chu Ge shouted a few times, but nobody replied.

He could only walk back to the modified vehicle and look at the elder. “Archbishop, why didn’t you stop him? He probably hasn’t escaped your perception range yet.”

The archbishop shook his head and smiled. “That’s rude—we have to show our friendliness first. Believe that there are shared emotions. The Kalendaria said: trust one another.”

His conversation with Chu Ge didn’t exhibit a particularly strong sense of hierarchy.

Chu Ge expressed his understanding. “The New World isn’t suspicion and envy. Then, let’s continue forward and find other townsfolk to ask for directions. Shall we use our sincerity to dispel their excessive vigilance?”

He was already accustomed to having his good intentions treated as ill intentions ever since he joined the Friendly Hand. After all, people like them were considered anomalies in the Ashlands.

The archbishop nodded in satisfaction.

As Chu Ge opened the door and sat back in the passenger seat, he thought for a moment and said, “We might as well circle to the lake and find the farmlands that Redstone Collection cultivate. It’s the season for sowing and plowing the fields. There must be people there, and it’s not easy to hide.”

Mu Chi and Shao Liang agreed with his suggestion.

After some time, the three vehicles finally circled to the nearby lake northwest of Redstone Collection. They saw a large number of cultivated farmlands.

Many figures were busy in the farmlands.

After they discovered Chu Ge and the others approaching, they gathered at their designated spots in a very disciplined manner. Some hid behind simple fortifications, and some stood outside. They forced themselves to observe the subsequent changes and assumed a pose that seemed conducive to communication.

This scene nearly brought tears to Chu Ge’s eyes. That’s what I call normal vigilance! The person in the city ruin was so extreme that he was on the brink of being mentally ill! Yes, the only problem is: Is there a need for all of you to wear masks?

“We would like to ask for directions.” Chu Ge waved his hand, indicating his intention.

He learned from his previous lesson and shortened the sentence, quickly repeating it in Ashlandic and the Red River language.

Among the ‘farmers,’ a man in an indigo-blue theatrical mask mustered his courage, took a few steps forward, and asked in the Red River language, “Where do you want to go?”

“Vigilance Cathedral,” Chu Ge replied loudly.

The man immediately heaved a sigh of relief. He was accustomed to strangers searching for the Vigilance Cathedral.

He pointed in the southeast direction and said, “Go straight along this path. When you’re almost entering the ruins, you’ll see the cathedral. If you accidentally take a wrong turn, search the surrounding farmlands. Many of us are still busy there, so they can correct your route.”

“Thank you!” Chu Ge cupped his hands around his mouth like a trumpet. He then asked, “How many factions does Redstone Collection have now?”

“The original Ashlanders, Red River people, and our Underground Ark, but everyone believes in Eidolon Nun and adheres to the cathedral’s orders.”

Chu Ge smiled in relief.

He suddenly turned around and used his back to face the Underground Ark members. He then sincerely praised, “Alone we are weak; together we are strong.”

This was Friendly Hand’s etiquette. It indicated his trust in the other party, to the point of daring to face his back to them.

After asking what the Underground Ark was, Chu Ge bade the group farewell and walked back to the car.

The archbishop in the backseat retracted his gaze and said with emotion, “The one in the Underground Ark isn’t a simple character.”

The floral-clothed Shao Liang smiled. “Can he be as strong as you, Your Grace?”

The archbishop fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “That’s very likely, but his condition isn’t too right.”

The driving Mu Chi didn’t expect the Underground Ark’s owner to be so powerful. She blurted out, “Is he considered a Vigilance Church member, a Terror Bishop?”

“No, he’s only an ordinary believer of the Kalendaria,” the archbishop replied simply.

Upon hearing this, Chu Ge turned his head. “Your Grace, you’re very familiar with the Underground Ark…”

The archbishop smiled amiably. “I heard about the Ark’s owner from the Hand of God back when I was young and specially came over to stay for a period of time.”

“Then, you definitely know where the Vigilance Cathedral is…” Chu Ge said in surprise.

He didn’t need to specially find someone to ask for directions!

The archbishop smiled. “This happened almost 50 years ago. At my age, how can I remember the exact path?”

As the few of them conversed, two modified vehicles drove to the Vigilance Cathedral.

After driving for a while, they saw that some of the original wilderness had been plowed and that many people were toiling in the fields.

Upon seeing this, the archbishop thought for a moment and instructed Chu Ge, “Go and ask about the Underground Ark in detail. Sigh, I wonder how my old friend is doing…”

1

Chu Ge immediately agreed. After the car stopped, he pushed open the door, walked out, and found a girl wearing a ghoul mask nearby.

Considering that the other party was from the Vigilance Church, he deliberately maintained sufficient distance and asked in a loud voice, “Are you from the Underground Ark?”

“Yes.” The girl didn’t deliberately raise her voice, so Chu Ge barely heard her.

As the other party was speaking Ashlandic, he switched to his mother tongue and continued asking, “Who’s the Ark’s current owner?”

“Owner?” the girl asked in confusion. “There’s no owner. The management committee is in charge now.”

Ah… Chu Ge almost doubted his ears. He couldn’t help but take two steps forward, scaring the girl into taking several steps in retreat.

The ‘farmers’ around her quickly came over and drew their guns.

Chu Ge raised his hands without minding his image. “What happened to the Ark’s original owner? Did he die without offspring?”

“He was overthrown and died at the hands of our five presidents.” The girl’s voice carried a hint of pride.

Chu Ge’s eyes flickered as he resisted the urge to ask before returning to the car. Then, he repeated what he had learned.

“The Ark’s owner was actually killed…” The archbishop was clearly a little shocked.

Shao Liang didn’t have a clear idea of how strong the Ark’s original owner was, so he only scoffed. “The Vigilance Cathedral just watched those five people finish off its parishioner?”

“Yes, this matter seems a little complicated. Let’s ask in detail when we reach the Vigilance Cathedral.” The archbishop had already restrained any unnecessary expressions.

The cars continued forward. Before long, Chu Ge and the others finally arrived at the Vigilance Cathedral.

Under the gazes of hidden pairs of eyes, they walked into the blood-red hall that had a hint of gold.

“This use of color here is too…” As a believer of Eidolon Nun, Shao Liang barely resisted the urge to mock his fellow parishioners.

Chu Ge saw four familiar figures. They happened to enter the elevator and went down.

“Bai Chen and the others?” Chu Ge stared in that direction for a while before nodding slightly.

He planned on greeting them later if they returned to the hall.