Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 604: Exchange of Needed Goods

Translator: CKtalon

He once explored a psychological trauma that included Iron Mountain City’s Second Food Company? Xu Datong gaped, but words failed him.

This was different from public information that didn’t involve personal interests. It was the priceless experience of a Mind Corridor-level Awakened. Therefore, Xu Datong chose to remain silent and hear what October Xue would say next.

Jiang Baimian had a plan in mind and said unhurriedly, “There’s something strange about Iron Mountain City’s Second Food Company. Even the corresponding psychological trauma remains affected decades later. The two of you should understand what I mean, right?”

This matter involved many of the Old Task Force’s secrets, such as the Six Senses Beads and the small jade Buddha. It wasn’t right for Jiang Baimian to elaborate.

Xu Datong was experienced and quickly found the corresponding example. “Are you trying to say that the owner of the psychological trauma was unknowingly affected after entering Iron Mountain City’s Second Food Company without noticing it? Even after decades, your companion still discovered abnormalities rooted in the psychological trauma from the exploration?”

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian nodded and added, “The room owner wasn’t an Awakened back then.”

The young Li Shouyi revealed a surprised expression, and Xu Datong unconsciously frowned.

The latter couldn’t help but ask, “You mean that not only did the room owner become an Awakened after being affected, but he also successfully crossed the Sea of Origins? The influence didn’t disappear after he entered the Mind Corridor?”

“It should’ve disappeared by now,” Shang Jianyao replied proudly.

Xu Datong thought for a moment and probed, “Destiny Connection?”

He made the connection regarding Destiny Connection from the fact that Iron Mountain City’s Second Food Company was one of the Buddhist Holy Lands.

As expected of a Mind Corridor-level Awakened from a large faction. He is very knowledgeable… Jiang Baimian didn’t hide anything and frankly replied, “That’s our guess as well.”

Xu Datong nodded slightly. “To achieve such an effect, it has at least got to be Destiny Connection at the New World level.”

This was his judgment.

As October Xue and Zhang Qubing were honest with him and provided him with such important information, Xu Datong wasn’t stingy with his experience and knowledge.

“Could it be that there’s a mummy which isn’t dead buried there?” Shang Jianyao was ‘shocked.’ He was imagining Yama Tiger’s situation.

Jiang Baimian didn’t give him a chance to continue. She then talked about his experiences when exploring the psychological trauma. This included the professional woman—Liu Lu—who was in a different state every time she was encountered, the missing employee photo and the corresponding introduction, as well as how Shang Jianyao was sent back to the starting point several times.

Of course, Jiang Baimian didn’t specify how Shang Jianyao cleared this psychological trauma in the end, nor did she mention the anomaly caused by Zen Master Redemption’s recital of the medical record.

She knew very well what she could and couldn’t say.

“As expected of one of Buddhism’s Holy Lands…” Xu Datong clearly connected Shang Jianyao’s encounters with different Subhuti domain abilities and sighed with emotion. After that, he looked at October Xue and Zhang Qubing and deliberated before saying, “You’ve shown sufficient sincerity, so I’ll definitely be honest. Let me first confirm something. What level has your investigation of the Heartless disease’s source reached?”

“The New World,” Jiang Baimian replied truthfully. “This is only our guess for the time being.”

Xu Datong instinctively looked around. “I wonder what you know about the powerhouses of the New World that have fallen asleep? I mean the kind that can’t return independently. For example, Yama Tiger on Lake of Wrath’s Lake Heart Island.”

He had heard about the murloc Oracle and Yama Tiger from Redstone Collection’s Tan family.

Jiang Baimian explained the precautions provided by the company in a relatively vague manner. “Staying in Yama Tiger’s vicinity past a certain critical period results in definite infection of the Heartless disease. The closer one is to Yama Tiger, the shorter the critical period.”

Xu Datong smiled. “It seems like you do know a lot. Therefore, you determined that the New World is the source of the Heartless disease. A powerhouse whose mind entered the New World and whose body is left in the Ashlands is equivalent to a node, causing the Heartless disease to spread?”

“Something like that.” Shang Jianyao stroked his chin and acted very seriously.

Xu Datong slowly exhaled. “This is also our Salvation Army’s guess. Although the seniors who entered the New World didn’t make it clear, they have given certain hints.”

Shang Jianyao became worked up as he asked angrily, “Why didn’t they make it clear? Where did their ‘for all of humanity’ spirit go?”

Is this the honest one, the one with strong sympathy, or the one who values relationships? Jiang Baimian guessed. Frankly speaking, she was a little afraid that the two Salvation Army members opposite her would fly into a rage out of humiliation and fight Shang Jianyao on the spot.

The young Li Shouyi was clearly a little angry.

Xu Datong—who claimed to be in his fifties—fell silent. After a few seconds, he laughed self-deprecatingly. “Apart from some of the older generation, the one I’ve seen most obsessed with the slogan ‘for all of humanity’ is actually an outsider like you.”

He quickly restrained the expression on his face and slowed down his speech. “Maybe they have some difficulties that can’t be expressed. Maybe they are still waiting for an opportunity. Maybe our guess is wrong to a certain extent. This mistake involves the reason why they don’t tell us the origins of the Heartless disease directly.”

Without giving Shang Jianyao a chance to respond, Xu Datong continued, “Heh heh, I almost had my train of thought interrupted by you. What I want to say is that since New World powerhouses in a problematic state like Yama Tiger will spread the Heartless disease to the surroundings, a very obvious and relatively important clue, why does the Eighth Research Institute—which is responsible for eliminating information regarding the cause of the Old World’s destruction—allow them to exist?

“The Eighth Research Institute commissioners we captured included three Mind Corridor-level Awakened. They have never received a mission to kill New World powerhouses similar to Yama Tiger and erase the relevant traces. This isn’t because they aren’t aware of such Sleepers. They at least know where some of them are, but the Eighth Research Institute’s higher-ups instruct them to circle around those places and ignore them.”

Captured three Mind Corridor-level commissioners? Jiang Baimian was momentarily at a loss for words. Should I sigh with emotion at the Salvation Army’s strength and how carefree they are or envy the Eighth Research Institute for grasping the secrets of Awakening? There are so many Mind Corridor-level Awakened that it wouldn’t hurt to lose a few in a row.

After Xu Datong said that, Shang Jianyao—who had switched to an unknown personality—replied faintly, “Perhaps it’s because they aren’t their match…”

The highest-ranking commissioners were Awakened who had explored the Mind Corridor’s depths. Sleepers like Yama Tiger had already entered the New World.

Xu Datong shook his head. “If such Sleepers need to be eliminated, Little Li can do it without needing people like you and us. Be it short-range ballistic missiles or high-altitude bombardment, they can avoid the corresponding danger and directly destroy the Sleeper’s body. Even if they have Matter Interference, they won’t be able to complete it from a distance because the corresponding kinetic blast is too massive. By the time they can barely exert an influence, the distance will be short enough for the explosion to cover them.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao clapped. It was Zen Master Redemption—who liked superior firepower.

“That’s indeed a problem.” Jiang Baimian deliberated for a moment and said, “I don’t have any specific ideas, but a big shot once said that people in the Eighth Research Institute had undergone a terrifying change and were reduced to traitors that hide in the darkness.”

This came from First City’s former emperor—Father of the Source Brain, Oray.

Xu Datong revealed a thoughtful expression. After almost a minute, he asked, “Will you guys be going to Iron Mountain City Ruin soon?”

“We plan on gathering some more information.” Jiang Baimian asked bluntly, “Do you have any?”

Xu Datong nodded slightly. “I’ll prepare a copy for you and pass it to you through Redstone Collection’s Captain Tan. However, lower your expectations. Our Salvation Army is separated from Iron Mountain City Ruin by First City, so we have never set foot in this area before. All the information we have now was slowly gathered after we decided to explore the Second Food Company. It might not be as complete as yours.”

“It’s an exchange of needed goods.” The smile in Jiang Baimian’s tone was obvious. She then casually said, “Do you know about the Old World’s genius scientist, Lin Sui? She might have a certain relationship with Iron Mountain City, the Eternal project, and the Monks Conclave.”

Xu Datong recalled for a moment and said, “Personally, I’ve never heard of it. I’ll send a telegram back and get someone to investigate. If there’s anything, I’ll inform you when the time comes.”

“Alright,” Shang Jianyao replied happily.

The conversation between the two parties ended there. Xu Datong and Li Shouyi expressed their sincerity and turned around to leave the meeting spot.

After watching their backs disappear into the distance, Jiang Baimian sighed. “It’s said that the Salvation Army has degenerated. They don’t seem to have degenerated much…”

With that said, she strode forward.

“You want to follow them?” Shang Jianyao had a curious expression under the mask.

Jiang Baimian silently changed her direction.

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