Embers Ad Infinitum

Translator: CKtalon

Upon seeing Shang Jianyao’s serious attitude, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen—who weren’t sure if he had acted up—restrained their expressions and waited for him to continue.

“Speak.” Jiang Baimian nodded.

Shang Jianyao looked at her and, instead of speaking, asked, “Do you still remember how we controlled Minister Xenny and sent out mass emails before infiltrating the lowest level to report to Big Boss?”

“Ido,” Jiang Baimian replied frankly. “My memories were wiped later, leaving behind only an impression that the company had successfully resolved the matter. It likely involved some secrets.”

She had previously shared this matter with Long Yuehong and Bai Chen.

Shang Jianyao smiled and said smugly, “I still remember!”

“How can that be?” Although Jiang Baimian didn’t remember the scene, she was certain of one thing: the company would definitely repeatedly confirm that Shang Jianyao had his corresponding memories erased. They definitely wouldn’t make any mistakes on such an important matter unless Shang

Jianyao used an extremely special and secret method to deceive everyone.

Shang Jianyao smiled smugly. “Among us, the one who abhors evil and believes it’s his responsibility to save all of humanity believes that the company shouldn’t give the Life Ritual parish a slap on the wrist. This would be letting down Uncle Shen and the others for their innocent deaths. Therefore, before

the Awakened did the job, he took the risk to burrow into the rift that represents Xiaochong with a copy of the corresponding memories.”

At this moment, a sentence suddenly flashed across Long Yuehong’s mind: “No comfort brings to my afflicted mind…”

“Isn’t that too risky?” Jiang Baimian frowned.

She had actually been very restrained in using the term ‘risky’ to describe that Shang Jianyao’s actions. In the hearts of other Mind Corridor-level Awakened, attempting to enter a rift created by a powerhouse’s aura without exploring the depths of the Mind Corridor was equivalent to ‘courting death.’

More importantly, Xiaochong’s origins were mysterious, and he was suspected to be related to Master Zhuang. The danger on the other side of the rift was definitely not something a Mind Corridor-level figure could deal with.

“Yes.” Shang Jianyao cursed himself, and his expression was abnormally gloomy. “It’s more than taking a risk. It was as though he was in a rush to reincarnate!”

He then retorted himself, “You can’t say that. Xiaochong is our good friend; he won’t harm us.”

“That’s hard to say. Didn’t we previously guess that Xiaochong might be one of Master Zhuang’s personalities? What if we encounter other personalities after we burrow through the rift?” the honest Shang Jianyao said impartially.

Bai Chen was in a rush to know what was going on and interrupted to ask, “So, did you crawl through it?”

She was very satisfied with her current life and didn’t want it to be destroyed.

“No.” Shang Jianyao shook his head. “I hid in the rift and hid myself with the help of the two fused auras.”

Of the two auras he mentioned, one came from Xiaochong, and the other came from the cryochamber at the Holm Fertility Center. The latter was suspected of belonging to Lokesvara-Tathagata, who was also the Kalendaria, Master Zhuang.

It involves the Kalendaria… It’s no wonder that person missed it… Jiang Baimian nodded and said, “Get to the point.”

The point was what secret she and Shang Jianyao had discovered back then.

Shang Jianyao was no longer smug or smiling as he slowly said, “Back then, we successfully infiltrated the lowest level and saw Director Ji. He told us that he was the one who planted the Life Ritual parish’s Doctor of the Church. It was the artificial intelligence, Omega

“He also told us that all the board members believe in the Kalendaria, Arbiter of Fate, but they don’t belong to any religion

Long Yuehong felt his blood run cold when he heard that. He felt like a ghost story was happening in front of him.

Bai Chen also couldn’t withstand the cold wind. A chill rose from her tailbone and quickly spread through her entire body.

“To think we managed to carry out a full retreat…” Jiang Baimian frowned and muttered.

She had a guess.

Shang Jianyao nodded. “Yes, it’s as you imagine. Finally, Director Ji said that all of this happened because Big Boss’s name is: ‘Arbiter of Fate.”

Long Yuehong’s mind instantly went blank before countless thoughts raced through his mind.

This answered some of his questions about Big Boss.

Shang Jianyao carefully examined his expression and asked in disappointment and confusion, “Why aren’t you trembling, surprised, scared, or pale?”

Long Yuehong’s thoughts returned as he thought for a moment. “I’m still quite shocked, but why should I be afraid and pale? I-I feel much more at ease instead…”

So our background is so solid!

A faction that had a Kalendaria as its boss was much stronger than other factions! This made Long Yuehong less afraid of going out into the field.

“I feel the same,” Bai Chen said.

Jiang Baimian wanted to nod, but she resisted the urge.

Apart from feeling dispirited, she also felt at ease. At the same time, she became more confused about something.

Shang Jianyao smiled and looked at Long Yuehong before saying with a pained expression, “Doing so means you have the potential to join a cult.”

I’m clearly already part of one… If Big Boss is really the Arbiter of Fate, we are all cultists… Long Yuehong criticized inwardly but didn’t say anything.

Bai Chen pursed her lips and said, “But I can’t understand why a Kalendaria will personally be the company’s boss and not recruit believers. Because of love, pity, and mercy?”

“Every Kalendaria has their own quirks,” Shang Jianyao explained.

Jiang Baimian also deliberated over her words and said, “Also, since Big Boss is a Kalendaria, ‘She’ definitely knows the reason for the Old World’s destruction and the Heartless disease’s origins. Why did the company establish the Old Task Force and send out teams?”

Wasn’t it unnecessary, like taking off one’s pants to fart?

Jiang Baimian had a guess regarding the corresponding reason.

Her experiences in the past few years—especially the experience of being watched by Eidolon Nun, the exploration of a few Buddhist Holy Lands, and finally entering Master Zhuang’s dream—made her feel like they were pieces in the Arbiter of Fate’s game of chess. They were participating in a major

event that involved the various Kalendarium and the New World.

“Tm not too sure about that.” Shang Jianyao shook his head.

Jiang Baimian fell silent for a few seconds before looking at him. “You shouldn’t have brought this up so solemnly just to tell us that Big Boss is the Arbiter of Fate.”

This wasn’t worth Shang Jianyao violating the principle of not using his abilities on his teammates.

Long Yuehong became nervous again when he heard his team leader’s words.

Shang Jianyao smiled and clapped. “As expected of you.”

“speak,” Jiang Baimian replied expressionlessly. She had already mentally prepared herself and felt that her mental fortitude should be rather high.

Shang Jianyao glanced at Long Yuchong and Bai Chen. “After this matter, I comprehended a way to defeat the psychological trauma in Room 506 and finally succeeded. After that, I entered the room owner’s dream and used the image of the people in the Fourth Research Institute’s residential area to force

her to shout two sentences in the dream.

“The first sentence was ‘Even if I hadn’t done anything or had chosen not to put up a resistance, all of you would’ve still died!” The second sentence is: ‘We’re only livestock reared by the Kalendarium!”

Long Yuehong’s hands trembled, and he almost dropped the lunch box in the snow. Bai Chen suddenly felt the fear she felt back when she was first captured. Jiang Baimian instantly felt that the braised beef didn’t taste that good.

An indescribable silence lasted for more than ten seconds before Long Yuchong forced a smile onto his face. “The Fourth Research Institute’s encounter might not necessarily be equivalent to the company’s. Every Kalendaria’s personality and quirks are different.”

He meant that one shouldn’t be easily led. The Fourth Research Institute was reared by a particular Kalendaria and treated as a livestock that could be slaughtered at will. It didn’t mean that it was the same for Pangu Biology.

‘There was a difference between Kalendarium!

“Besides, I don’t feel like I’m being reared.” Bai Chen expressed her opinion.

Domesticated livestock would definitely be slaughtered at a certain point. But apart from the early stages, there had never been large-scale deaths in Pangu Biology.

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian exhaled. “We can’t blindly believe it. This requires further verification and confirmation.”

She unconsciously used the Vigilance Church’s catchphrase.

“I think so too.” Shang Jianyao smiled in relief. “But it’s impossible to ask Big Boss about such matters directly. The board members might not know the truth, and it’s easy to stir the nest if we investigate them. We can only find another way.”

“For example, figure out what the Kalendarium are playing, and figure out the real reason for the Old World’s destruction.” Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. “For example, talk to Room 506’s owner in detail and ask why she’s still alive while everyone in the Fourth Research Institute’s residential area is dead.”

Shang Jianyao immediately sighed when he heard that. “Sigh, the owner of Room 506 didn’t have any more dreams after that—at least I never encountered one. Any deeper, and we will enter the other party’s Sea of Origins. She has too many secrets, and I’m worried that we will encounter memories that

involve a Kalendaria. Therefore, I didn’t make any attempts for the time being.”

Several Shang Jianyaos were held down because of this.

“She actually didn’t dream again?” Long Yuehong and Bai Chen looked surprised.

Tarnan, Serene Dream Hotel.

A few merchants from Redstone Collection entered the lobby and saw an unfamiliar girl sitting at the front desk.

“Where’s the lady boss?” the leader asked in confusion.

The girl stood up and replied, “She’s sleeping. I’m an employee she hired.”

“What time is it? Why is she still sleeping?” Redstone Collection’s merchants were shocked.

The hotel’s new receptionist smiled and explained, “She’s been sleeping during the day and staying up the entire night for the past few months..”