Embers Ad Infinitum

Translator: CKtalon

Year 49 of the New Calendar, February.

Although the Lunar New Year had passed, the northern Blackmarsh Wilderness didn’t give the feeling that winter was ending at all thanks to the pure white snow blanketing the ground. At a glance, the entire world was cold and empty.

Long Yuehong leaned his face close to the window and looked out. He sighed with emotion and said, “This is much more shocking than the snowy scene we saw in Weed City.”

At the same time, a song was playing from the small speaker with a blue bottom and a black surface on the right of the driver, Shang Jianyao. “The snow falls, and the wind blows.

“The world is completely white’ ..”

“Can’t you play some festive music? The Lunar New Year was just days ago,” Jiang Baimian muttered from the passenger seat. “The song you sang during the end-of-year performance was very good.”

Shang Jianyao sighed in all seriousness. “We’re already outside; it’s very easy for mistakes to happen if we are still immersed in a joyous mood. Although this is only a field training session, we have to treat it seriously. We can’t relax too much. That won’t meet the effects needed for training.”

In order to search for the last Buddhist Holy Land in the future, head to Icefield to explore the city where Shang Jianyao’s father had disappeared, and lock onto the Eighth Research Institute’s true location, Jiang Baimian specially organized a field training session to prevent her team members—who were

going havoc spending the Lunar New Year—from being unable to get into the groove when they were out on official missions.

Furthermore, she had specially chosen the northern part of the Blackmarsh Wilderness—which had a climate that was similar to Icefield’s periphery—to allow her team members to adapt to the difficulties of being in a land of ice and snow.

This way, the Old Task Force wouldn’t be at a loss and panic when they encountered extreme weather in Icefield.

Jiang Baimian originally wanted to do this before the new year, but considering that Long Yuehong and Bai Chen had just gotten married and that it was inappropriate to organize field training, she officially submitted a request only after the new year by informing Minister Xenny.

Jiang Baimian rolled her eyes at Shang Jianyao. “Whoa, do you hear what you are saying? Who’s the team leader—you or me?”

She then reminded Long Yuehong, “When we get out of the car later, don’t keep staring at the snow, or wear your sunglasses in advance. I remember telling you guys about snow blindness.”

“Alright.” Long Yuehong was always someone who followed advice. He took out his black sunglasses and placed them on the bridge of his nose.

Bai Chen—who still had short hair—looked at the passenger seat. “Are we looking for a place to rest?”

Not only were there no villages or shops in the area, but there were also no large rocks or conspicuous trees. It was just an endless white.

“That’s right. It’s about time; we have to eat,” Jiang Baimian explained. “In such a climate and environment, we have to ensure that our bodies are filled with energy and have sufficient energy to deal with accidents and risks.”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Shang Jianyao clapped by thumping the horn.

Before Jiang Baimian could respond, the jeep slid to the side along the snow-covered road, producing a screeching sound.

Fortunately, there were no other cars here, nor were there any trenches or obstacles. The jeep finally stopped firmly.

“Be careful.” Jiang Baimian didn’t blame Shang Jianyao for the distraction from thumping the horn because even if he hadn’t, the jeep still would’ve slid.

Long Yuehong exhaled. “Didn’t we already change to anti-slip tires?”

Since there was snow survival in the field training plan, they definitely wouldn’t forget to bring anti-slip tires and change to them in advance.

“Anti-slip tires aren’t omnipotent.” Shang Jianyao laughed. “Just like how you can’t do whatever Little White says at home all the time.”

Long Yuehong was momentarily speechless. He didn’t know whether to respond or not.

“We’ll listen to whoever has a point.” Bai Chen helped resolve the situation.

“That’s right, that’s right.” Long Yuehong quickly nodded.

And it’s Little White who often has a point… Jiang Baimian laughed inwardly and stopped Shang Jianyao from continuing to sow discord between husband and wife.

She pointed at the snow in front of her and said, “Let’s stop there. Set up a stove, heat some canned food, and pair them with some biscuits.”

Shang Jianyao replied by wiping his mouth with his right hand.

The jeep quickly stopped. The Old Task Force members split up and got busy.

Long Yuehong checked the solar charger board on the car roof. Shang Jianyao had brought out an induction stove, canned food, and biscuits that they wanted to eat. Bai Chen used instruments to measure the level of pollution in the surroundings. Jiang Baimian was in charge of guarding the area.

“We didn’t gather much solar energy.” Long Yuehong was the first to speak. He then sighed. “There’s not enough electricity for the jeep; we can only use high-performance batteries to cook. At this rate, our energy will run out sooner or later. We have to plan the return trip in advance to prevent us from

running out of juice while the car is still in the snow.”

Jiang Baimian smiled. “This is one of the difficulties when carrying out missions in Icefield. We were always traveling in summer, but after entering Icefield, we might encounter extreme weather even during the summer.

“Don’t think that it’s cold now. Ina colder situation, it’s still unknown if high-performance batteries can be used.”

Long Yuehong nodded slowly. “That’s why we need such a training session to help us adapt to various situations.”

“Shall we have a snowball fight later?” Shang Jianyao interrupted the discussion with an excited expression.

Long Yuehong shook his head. “No.”

This fellow is so impudent when it comes to snowball fights!

Shang Jianyao sighed regretfully. “Do I have to wait until you and Little White have a child so that I can play with the child when he grows up?”

Can’t you let Little Red and his family off? Jiang Baimian criticized inwardly. But compared to Shang Jianyao’s disappointment at not being able to have a snowball fight, she was more concerned and curious about another question. Little White and Little Red have been married for months. Why isn’t there

anything?

Within Pangu Biology, once one was married, it meant that they had to start preparing for pregnancy. Every family was the same, with no exceptions.

Although some people only conceived after being married for more than a year, that was a minority. Furthermore, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen had undergone a detailed physical examination when they underwent genetic modification. There were no such problems.

Although Jiang Baimian was concerned, she knew that she definitely couldn’t ask about certain matters if they didn’t raise the issue.

No matter how good their relationship was, there had to be a sense of boundaries.

She resisted the urge and instead urged Shang Jianyao to cook. “Hurry up!”

“alright!” Shang Jianyao returned his attention to the induction stove.

Long Yuehong heaved a sigh of relief.

Recently, his mother—Gu Hong—had already mentioned the Babymaker talisman twice. The meaning behind her words was self-evident.

He didn’t want to suffer being pressured into having children when training outfield.

Before long, the braised beef canned food was heated up. The rich fragrance filled the snowland, making Long Yuehong gulp a mouthful of saliva.

Apart from Jiang Baimian—who was in charge of guarding the area—the other three Old Task Force members squatted there with lunch boxes and ate.

After finishing a mouthful of gravy-covered biscuit, Long Yuehong narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. “I was sick of it previously, but I find it quite delicious after not eating it for months.”

Shang Jianyao scoffed. “In another half a month or so, you will clamor about how disgusting it is seeing canned food again.”

“Aren’t you the same?” Long Yuehong retorted.

Shang Jianyao nodded. “That’s right, that’s right.”

After missing the ‘punch,’ Long Yuehong could only focus on eating.

After Shang Jianyao wolfed down the food and replaced Jiang Baimian, he and Bai Chen continued enjoying the braised beef canned food.

As Jiang Baimian ate, she pretended to casually ask, “Little White, according to the company’s rules, newlyweds don’t have to go out into the field. Why didn’t you and Little Red report it?”

If they didn’t apply for a waiver, and Minister Xenny didn’t take the initiative to give the order, she didn’t know what to do with Long Yuehong and Bai Chen. She could only bring them along.

Bai Chen pursed her lips and said, “Newlyweds don’t have to go out into the field because they have to focus on preparing for pregnancy and having children early. Little Red and I don’t want to have children so early; we plan on enjoying our alone time for a few years first. This is a little in violation of the

company’s policy of encouraging childbirth, but we should be able to delay it for two to three years after making so many contributions.”

Alone time? That doesn’t seem like you, Little White… Jiang Baimian frowned slightly and suspected that Bai Chen had deliberately found an excuse because she didn’t want to leave the team.

Furthermore, it was copied directly from the Old World’s entertainment!

Jiang Baimian then looked at Long Yuehong. “You think so too?”

She remembered that Little Red liked children very much and hoped to switch jobs with Little White.

Long Yuehong nodded. “That’s right. I share the same thoughts as Little White.”

This doesn’t make sense, but it’s very realistic… fiang Baimian forced a smile onto her face and said, “This isn’t like the past you.”

“Of course not.” The person who replied wasn’t Long Yuehong but Shang Jianyao, who was guarding the area not far away.

Shang Jianyao smiled. “Because I implanted him and Little White with thoughts of not having children or leaving the team for the time being.”

“Huh?” Long Yuehong and Bai Chen looked surprised.

Their first reaction was to get him to stop joking, but their minds buzzed when they saw Shang Jianyao’s expression gradually turn serious. They recovered their original realizations.

Shang Jianyao had indeed implanted the corresponding thoughts into them!

Jiang Baimian looked at Shang Jianyao and asked in a deep voice, “Didn’t you say that you don’t use your abilities on your teammates when it comes to serious matters?”

Shang Jianyao nodded and said seriously, “I have something to tell you guys.”