Embers Ad Infinitum

Don’t believe in any Kalendaria… Doctor and the others interfere with the Ashlands more frequently than other New World powerhouses… After quickly browsing through the intel, two things that sounded the alarms in Jiang Baimian’s mind surfaced in her mind automatically.

She then made a connection. A New World dispute?

Hmm, I wonder what the New World is like… Jiang Baimian retracted her gaze and handed the document to Shang Jianyao, indicating for him to take out a lighter and burn the intel.

The Salvation Army also didn’t know the Eighth Research Institute’s exact location. They only went one step further by pointing out that only the members of the Professor’s Alliance and a small number of people who definitely wouldn’t be deployed other than for escorting were aware of it. The rest was similar to what the Old Task Force knew.

Shang Jianyao had hovered beside Jiang Baimian and finished reading the entire document with her. At this moment, he didn’t take out a lighter. Instead, he handed the document to Bai Chen’s left palm and said with anticipation, “You do it.”

He seemed to want Bai Chen to perform the ability attached to the Merfolk biological prosthetic limb—Flamethrower.

Long Yuehong glared at him and stretched out his right hand.

Whoosh!

A lighter flicked out from his mechanical palm and ignited the intel.

Jiang Baimian turned to look at the young Salvation Army warrior who had delivered the document. She deliberated for a moment and said, “Commissioner Huang mentioned that he might organize a team and explore Icefield’s Tai City with us. I wonder if you still have such thoughts? If there is, we can wait a few more days. If not, we will set off after replenishing our supplies.”

The expressionless young man in the black uniform shook his head. “I’m not sure about this, and the higher-ups didn’t mention anything.”

His meaning was very clear: The Salvation Army was digesting the loss of the nuclear warhead and Doctor’s attack. They didn’t have the energy to send people to Icefield’s Tai City, so they didn’t give any instructions.

“I understand.” Jiang Baimian didn’t say anything else and stood up to leave with her team members.

After leaving the Ubei Supplies Management Committee and getting into her jeep, Jiang Baimian said to Long Yuehong, whose turn it was to drive, “Go to the market and exchange the negotiables for some supplies. Try to leave Ubei before noon.”

“Alright!” Long Yuehong replied readily.

With the nuclear warhead hidden in the trunk, he remained a little nervous and didn’t dare stay in Ubei for long.

…

Beside the road heading to Icefield, not far from the Salvation Army gas station—which was in charge of providing fuel for vehicles—was a camp beside a water source that provided a rest stop for people.

It was almost evening, so the Old Task Force chose to stay.

“Little White, get some water.” Jiang Baimian assigned the mission.

She wanted Genava to follow, but Long Yuehong had already volunteered. “I’ll go with you. I can also observe the surroundings.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian had always tried to help couples.

After watching the couple walk out of the camp, Shang Jianyao chuckled. “How proactive! I’ve known him for so long, but I’ve never seen him so proactive!”

“Is that so?” It was the honest Genava who expressed his doubts.

Shang Jianyao glanced at Genava with a ‘you sure are cooperative.’ He then excitedly said, “Not really. This is considered an exaggerated rhetoric. He has also been proactive other times. For example, he was especially proactive about buying sweets and soda before blind dates, but he didn’t have the mind to share them with me.”

Whoa, how long has he held a grudge? Jiang Baimian almost laughed. She cleared her throat and said seriously, “There’s no need to mention this in front of Little White.”

“I don’t think Little White will mind,” Genava said according to his understanding of his companions.

Uh… Jiang Baimian wanted to argue, but she ultimately chose to give up. This was because she was merely theorycrafting.

Even Genava—a smart bot—was more experienced than her!

“Old Ge, exchange for some firewood or coal with the negotiables,” Jiang Baimian instructed Genava.

Genava never slacked off. “Alright.”

After he walked to the camp warden’s cabin, Shang Jianyao steered the topic back to the previous topic. “That’s why I always say it behind Little White’s back!”

“Right, right.” Jiang Baimian nodded perfunctorily and changed the topic. “Ding Ling helped us a lot in Ubei. What are your thoughts on finding her husband?”

Shang Jianyao stroked his chin. “We can only try our luck. Icefield is huge, and that expedition team’s destination and route are confidential information. We won’t be able to find them even if we want to.”

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged his words and thought for a moment before saying, “If we really want to analyze it, there are still clues. Sigh, I previously forgot to ask Ding Ling what kind of scientific research her husband does. This can allow me to infer many things directly.”

The honest Shang Jianyao clicked his tongue. “Did you really forget?”

Jiang Baimian felt a little guilty and didn’t answer.

Previously, she hadn’t asked mainly because Ding Ling had requested them to deliver a message if she could encounter or bump into him. It was impossible for the Old Task Force to deviate from their original route for something that had nothing to do with them and waste too much time in Icefield.

When summer passed and autumn arrived, Icefield’s climate would become a major enemy. Due to this, Jiang Baimian originally planned on just taking a wait-and-see attitude during their journey.

She now wanted to do her best after receiving Ding Ling’s help many times.

The timid Shang Jianyao saw that the situation was amiss and took the initiative to change the topic. “I think the chances of the person named Ji Qiang surviving are almost zero.”

Jiang Baimian slowly nodded. “If death is confirmed, it’s impossible for the relevant departments to hide it from Ding Ling. It’s meaningless; many people from the Salvation Army sacrifice themselves every year. It’s not a secret that a researcher dies.”

“You mean that although they confirmed that Ji Qiang and the others had disappeared, they still feel that there’s hope of them surviving and didn’t rashly declare him dead?” Shang Jianyao pinched his chin.

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “Then, where does their confidence come from? Icefield’s environment is harsh, and there’s a lack of supplies. Not many people can last one winter, much less two years.”

“It has something to do with the destination? Although that place is dangerous and strange, it doesn’t lack the corresponding supplies and buildings that can resist the cold?” Shang Jianyao analyzed Jiang Baimian’s train of thought. “Besides, Ji Qiang is a researcher and participated in a scientific expedition. What will they be examining and studying?”

According to these conditions, Jiang Baimian deliberated and said, “An Old World city ruin with an important laboratory, something similar to Wasteland Ruin 13?”

“But in a place like that, how can a person go missing, whether dead or alive…” Shang Jianyao fell silent as he spoke.

This was because it made sense when comparing Wasteland Ruin 13’s situation.

There were many monsters similar to Wu Meng in the corresponding ruins, so the Salvation Army could only conduct limited explorations. Once someone disappeared inside, they couldn’t conduct a comprehensive search and couldn’t confirm the final situation. Furthermore, Ji Qiang’s expedition team might occasionally send back telegrams that they were awaiting rescue.

Of course, it was difficult to say who sent these messages.

The Shang Jianyao that valued relationships took over the body and sighed, feeling stumped. “If that’s how Ji Qiang’s expedition team disappeared, it would really be difficult for us to help Ding Ling pass a message.”

Ignoring the fact that the Old Task Force’s strength was insufficient, such places would definitely be monitored by the Salvation Army. Without developing into conflict, it was difficult for Jiang Baimian and the others to enter.

Jiang Baimian shared the same feelings. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”

She looked at the jeep and said to Shang Jianyao, “There’s no time like the present. Clear Room 522’s cruise trauma tonight; then, I hope you can strictly follow the strategy guide and explore the Mind Corridor’s depths before we reach Tai City.”

Shang Jianyao didn’t say anything strange. He stretched out his right hand and pressed it against his left chest. “No problem. To save all of humanity!”

At this moment, Jiang Baimian felt that he seemed a little different from before, but nothing as well.

…

That night, Jiang Baimian entered the Sea of Origins and searched for the next island of fear; she had already spent a lot of time on this.

After almost an hour, she finally discovered a new island.

The island was grotesquely rugged and filled with a bloody fog.

What kind of psychological trauma will it be this time? Jiang Baimian accelerated and stepped foot.

After walking forward for a distance, she suddenly saw a figure jump down from the top of the strange rock and fall in front of her with a thud.

As the figure fell, it encountered many protruding stone pillars. The body was in pieces, and its organs were splattered everywhere. Blood seemed no different from paint as it covered a large area of the ground.

The deceased’s head rolled to Jiang Baimian’s feet.

Jiang Baimian lowered her head and focused. She saw a familiar grimacing face—it was her face.