Embers Ad Infinitum

Translator: CKtalon

Jiang Baimian glanced at Shang Jianyao and reminded Long Yuehong, “Since you have the corresponding worries, you need to carry out your questioning with technique. Don’t let anyone suspect anything.”

“Got it.” Long Yuehong nodded heavily.

Shang Jianyao had a look of ‘worry.’ “I’m not too confident in your oratory skills. Will you really be fine dealing with such matters?”

Long Yuehong immediately hesitated and didn’t dare to guarantee anything. After all, he wasn’t in charge of negotiations most of the time while out on the Ashlands. To put it more tactfully, he was ranked fifth in negotiations with external parties among the Old Task Force members.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “I have two solutions to ensure that nothing goes wrong.”

Although Long Yuehong didn’t trust this fellow’s solution, he still felt there was no harm in asking. He took the initiative to ask, “What’s the solution?”

Shang Jianyao looked at Bai Chen. “First, bring Little White with you and get her to be your second brain to help you negotiate.”

Jiang Baimian—who was drinking water—almost choked.

Long Yuehong seriously considered the feasibility of this method and slowly shook his head. “It won’t work. It’s not good to bring Little White to my house in a rush without informing them in advance. After all, we have already decided on the weekend. We’ll talk about it when the time comes.”

He felt that Bai Chen’s first meeting with his parents had to be sufficiently formal and that he couldn’t rashly change plans. This would affect Bai Chen’s image in his parents’ hearts.

“Then, you can wait until the weekend to ask.” Bai Chen gave her suggestion.

Long Yuehong fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “If there’s really a problem with this matter, it will only worsen the trouble if it drags on.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao clapped. “Not bad; you have your own ideas!”

You sound like you’re trying to sow discord… Jiang Baimian muttered, planning to hold Shang Jianyao back if he continued.

Long Yuehong was just about to explain when Shang Jianyao changed the topic. “The second solution is for me to implant a set of thoughts on how to negotiate with foreign parties in you. The reference target is…”

He paused and said, “Drum roll~ Me!”

“Forget it then,” Long Yuehong replied without hesitation. “Even if you implant a corresponding thought into me, I can’t use Inference Clowning.”

“Then, Big White’s?” Shang Jianyao enthusiastically did a sales pitch.

Long Yuehong was tempted, and Bai Chen nodded slightly.

Jiang Baimian chuckled. “Can you weave the complete set of thoughts I have when I communicate with outsiders?”

Even I can’t do it myself!

“No.” Shang Jianyao shook his head frankly. He then sighed. “It would be good if Old Ge is here. He has established the corresponding models and database.”

Long Yuehong took an inconspicuous deep breath. “It’s better if I do it myself. I’ll be careful and pay attention to the environment and reactions. If the scene really isn’t suitable, I’ll leave it for the weekend.”

Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen were just about to nod when Shang Jianyao’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Why don’t we change our train of thought?”

“Change our train of thought?” Long Yuehong had always known that Shang Jianyao’s train of thought was unconstrained and impossible to guess.

Shang Jianyao’s smile lit up. “I’ll ask on your behalf.”

“Don’t joke around.” Long Yuehong instinctively reacted.

Shang Jianyao added, “I’ll use Thought Guidance to make your grandparents, parents, siblings, and other relatives think that I’m you. Isn’t this equivalent to you asking?”

He spread his palms with a ‘trust me’ expression.

Long Yuehong subconsciously analyzed the situation and realized that it was actually feasible. However, he felt abnormally terrified when he imagined how his family, relatives, and friends would treat Shang Jianyao as him and chat happily with him.

He quickly shook his head. “No, it’s fine.”

Shang Jianyao tried to persuade him. “Life is short, so why not give it a try?”

Smack!

Jiang Baimian slapped his arm with her right hand. “Stop bullying Little Red. Go busy yourself.”

Upon seeing her stand up, Shang Jianyao diverted his attention. “Where are you going?”

Jiang Baimian casually replied, “Minister Xenny asked me to go over for a report. She wanted to talk about the details that weren’t written in the report.”

According to the procedure, this was the second last segment. After that, it was time to calculate their contribution and distribute the rewards.

“Oh, oh.” Shang Jianyao asked, “Do you want me to lead the way?”

Jiang Baimian fumed at being hit in a sore spot. “Isn’t it just the deputy minister’s office on the 646th floor? I can find it!”

It wouldn’t be a problem to walk slower and think more!

As she spoke, she passed through the office and walked out of the room.

After walking for dozens of meters, she encountered a former comrade and chatted with him. After chatting, she accidentally got lost.

Looking at the familiar rooms around her, Jiang Baimian calculated and observed the door numbers.

She was still relatively good at remembering numbers.

After walking back to the spot she had previously lost herself by following the door number, Jiang Baimian saw Shang Jianyao standing there with his hands in his pockets.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Baimian asked first.

Shang Jianyao had an innocent expression. “I came out to use the bathroom.”

He casually pointed in the direction he had come from.

Jiang Baimian received the ‘hint’ and identified the correct path. She then waved her hand and said, “Go.”

She turned around and walked to the right stairwell.

As she waited for the elevator, she ran through the layout of the 647th floor in her mind.

The bathroom closest to us doesn’t seem to be at that intersection… Jiang Baimian suddenly exclaimed.

At this moment, at Room 14’s door, Long Yuehong looked at Shang Jianyao—who had walked back—and asked in confusion, “Why are you going there?”

“I got lost.” Shang Jianyao smiled with a look that warranted a beating.

Long Yuehong could only say, “Fortunately, Team Leader isn’t around.”

…

On the 646th floor, in Xenny’s deputy minister’s office.

After knocking on the wrong door, Jiang Baimian finally found the right place.

Xenny—who had long chestnut hair and looked to be in her thirties—didn’t warmly invite Jiang Baimian to sit on the sofa. Instead, she pointed at the chair opposite her desk and said, “Have a seat.”

“Minister, what else would you like to ask? The report is very detailed.” Jiang Baimian took the initiative.

Xenny picked up the sky-blue porcelain teacup and took a sip. “I’m mainly concerned about your health. How many islands have you cleared in the Sea of Origins?”

“Three.” Jiang Baimian didn’t hide anything. “I’m in the midst of searching for the fourth one.”

Xenny revealed an approving expression. “Your mental fortitude has always been good. It’s reasonable for you to progress so quickly. Yes, there’s no rush. As the number of islands you clear increases, the negative price you pay will worsen. Take more time to get used to it. It will be more conducive for your daily life.”

“I understand.” Jiang Baimian the order of priority.

Xenny then asked, “What’s your next plan?”

Jiang Baimian said seriously, “The first is to find the last of the Five Great Holy Lands—Dajiang City’s Linhe Village. The second is to make a trip to Icefield and strive to lock onto the Eighth Research Institute’s exact location. On the way, we will also go to the city that Shang Jianyao’s father last appeared in to search for clues regarding the Heartless disease.”

Xenny fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “It’s not like you can find where the Eighth Research Institute is hiding after going to Icefield once or twice. The gathering and extraction of information and clues in advance is a relatively important segment. Also, Icefield isn’t suitable for human survival in this season. It’s best if you wait until spring before setting off.”

“We won’t go even if you want us to,” Jiang Baimian replied with a smile.

She had no objections to staying in the company for a few months. Ever since she revealed that she didn’t have to go out often after the next mission ended, her parents had been very happy. They had even skipped the usual blind dates they scheduled for her.

Xenny asked about the four Great Holy Lands again and focused on some details. For example, if there were any traces of humans entering and leaving the cryochamber at the Holm Fertility Center in the past few years.

At the end of the conversation, Jiang Baimian took the initiative to say, “Minister, our team’s Long Yuehong and Bai Chen are a couple. They are planning on registering their marriage soon. Can they be transferred elsewhere internally?”

Xenny smiled. “With your contributions, it definitely won’t be a problem. Besides, newlyweds aren’t suitable for fieldwork.”

“I’m relieved.” Jiang Baimian smiled.

This was the promise she wanted.

…

495th floor, Zone C, Room 11.

Long Yuehong chatted with his parents and sister as they ate dinner. He casually mentioned, “Mom, the Babymaker talisman you gave me doesn’t look old.”

“What do you mean old?” Gu Hong didn’t understand.

Long Yuehong simply explained, “I thought it was a Babymaker talisman used by Grandpa and Grandma, but I realized that it’s quite new.”

Gu Hong thought for a moment. “I didn’t notice. Ask your grandmother later.”

“Maybe she got someone to draw it again,” guessed Long Dayong.

“Who?” Long Yuehong tried his best to make it seem like he was casually chatting.

Long Dayong casually replied, “Some of our ancestors draw such things and have passed down their skills. Many people pray for auspiciousness during festive seasons.”

“Is that so…” Although Long Yuehong didn’t think there was anything wrong, he felt that the answer was too simple.

After dinner, he carried a bag of fruits he had exchanged using his contribution points and headed to the 417th floor where his grandparents lived.