Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 807 Old He

After lunch, the Old Task Force got into the jeep and left Cliff Village using the excuse of ‘trying to see if they could trade something.’ They headed to Col Town in an attempt to make contact with the people of End Year City.

End Year City’s convoy was parked across the small square and the surrounding streets amidst the collapsed buildings in the mountainous town. Some of them were things Jiang Baimian and the others had never seen before.

The people of End Year City were clearly familiar with the rules of Cliff Village. The vehicle with the important supplies had long broken off from the convoy and headed for Col Town first.

These were all trucks. Some carried large iron drums, and it was obvious that they were used to store oil. Some had metal grills wrapped around them, and the bleats of sheep, meat cows, and black pigs sounded one after another.

The stench they produced filled the air. Coupled with the smell of blood from the live slaughtering not far away, Long Yuehong couldn’t help but hold his breath for a few seconds. He paused for a moment and muttered to himself curiously, “All of these were transported from Icefield?”

The climate in the valley where End Year City was located was warm, and the land was fertile. He knew that farming was possible, but the journey from End Year City to Cliff Village basically went through a wasteland covered in bone-chilling snow. It was very difficult for these livestock not to freeze to death in droves. It was impossible for so many to survive.

Long Yuehong didn’t expect an answer because the other Old Task Force members had never been to End Year City and didn’t know the exact situation there. He could only guess that these were either obtained by the End Year City personnel who had previously gone south to trade for them or that they had a unique method for the animals to have cold resistance.

At this moment, a thickly coated middle-aged man-whose SUV was parked nearby-smiled and said, “The pigs, cows, and sheep from our End Year City are very resistant to the cold. They just have a bigger appetite, but the meat is really good. Do you want to buy one and give it a try? Also, do you want to take a look at the leather and fur? It’s very cheap!”

The trunk of the SUV beside the speaking man was propped up, revealing skinned leather and fur. Some were from common livestock, and some were creatures from Icefield. “Why can they resist the cold?” Shang Jianyao asked.

The middle-aged man seemed to have been asked such questions too many times. He replied without stuttering, “Some are cold-resistant species left behind by the Old World, and some are mutated from normal livestock. Don’t worry; we’ve selected and eaten them. Nothing has happened all these years. In our Elders’ words, this is considered a positive mutation.”

Shang Jianyao nodded and asked seriously, “What’s the average life expectancy in End Year City?”

“Uh…” The middle-aged man was stumped.

It was obvious that End Year City had never done the statistics.

Shang Jianyao explained kindly, “I mean, do many people in your End Year City die young? Or do many people die before the age of 40?”

“It’s alright… It’s not inferior to the large human settlements in the south.” The middle-aged man thought for a moment and said. He then tried his best to promote the leather and fur in his car.

The entire Col Town seemed to have become a large exhibition. Every car was a shop-a stall.

Jiang Baimian politely listened to the middle-aged man’s sales pitch and casually looked at the skinned fur. “Who’s your boss?”

“You want to discuss some big business?” The middle-aged man’s eyes lit up. Jiang Baimian didn’t confirm or deny. “It depends.”

The middle-aged man immediately pointed toward the slaughter grounds that were covered in blood. “There—the one wearing a bearskin coat and holding a pipe. “Do you want some tobacco leaves? Although our End Year City is in Icefield, the climate and soil in certain places in the valley are very suitable for growing tobacco. It’s not inferior to the ones in the south.”

“Do we look like people who smoke?” Shang Jianyao smiled, revealing his two rows of pearly white teeth. Jiang Baimian asked, “How should I address your boss?”

“Old He; just call him Old He,” introduced the middle-aged man enthusiastically.

The five Old Task Force members walked toward the temporary ‘slaughter grounds’ on a street beside the small square.

The beef, mutton, and pork from the slaughtering weren’t used for transactions. They were part of the convoy’s food for the next few days.

Of course, if the residents of Cliff Village really didn’t carry out collective transactions and insisted on individually exchanging some salt, tea leaves, and industrial products for a few pounds of meat and to have a feast, the others in End Year City wouldn’t have any objections.

At this moment, the convoy leader—who was known as Old He-was standing at the edge of the street filled with blood. He instructed his subordinates to cut the meat, categorize them, and preserve them.

He looked to be in his forties. He was wrapped in a bearskin coat and wore a furry melon knit cap. From time to time, he would raise his pipe to suck at it. His face was thin, and he looked exhausted.

Upon recalling that the village chief had mentioned that there were suspected Awakened in the Last Man or Master Zhuang domain in End Year City’s convoy, Jiang Baimian turned her head and glanced at the hooded Genava.

Genava understood what she meant and slowly nodded.

He was the Old Task Force’s last line of defense. Although smart bots could also be affected by Electromagnetic Interference, Matter Interference, and some abilities, they were definitely more resistant to those abilities than humans.

“Old He, Old He!” Shang Jianyao enthusiastically greeted the leader of End Year City’s convoy.

Old He turned around and looked at them for a while before hesitantly asking, “You are?”

Why do you look like you know me well?

When facing him, Jiang Baimian realized that Old He’s eyes were rather deep. They didn’t match his looks or bearing.

“We came from Cliff Village,” Jiang Baimian replied with a smile. “But we aren’t from Cliff Village.”

Old He’s gaze swept across her, Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen a few times. “I can tell, but no matter where you come from, you are our guests. What do you want to exchange for?”

“Pigs, cows, and sheep-as well as leather and fur-aren’t what we want,” Shang Jianyao replied before Jiang Baimian could.

Old He was rather calm. “We also have flour, tobacco, and some specialty products from Icefield.”

“No, no, no. This isn’t what we want either.” Shang Jianyao shook his head smugly. He was proud that Old He couldn’t guess what they wanted to transact for.

Upon seeing Old He’s forehead twitch, Jiang Baimian quickly helped him remedy the situation. “We want to trade information. We will be going to Icefield for a mission in the future. We want to obtain some information regarding the climate, terrain, and ruins from

you.”

Old He’s expression relaxed. “We do know a lot.”

At this point, he changed the topic. “But some information is very valuable. What can you use to trade?”

“Some conventional weapons or high-performance batteries produced by the Orange Company.” Jiang Baimian already had a plan. On this mission in Icefield, the Old Task Force had applied for another batch of high-performance batteries. Coupled with the dozens they originally had, they could be considered rich in this regard. “One might not be enough.” Old He smiled. “And that depends on what you want to ask.”

Although high-performance batteries were inferior to gasoline, diesel, and other supplies in Icefield as a whole, the valley where End Year City was located had a warm climate. Many equipment still relied on this.

Jiang Baimian first asked about the exact location of the city Shang Jianyao’s father had last appeared in.

“I know of such a city. I came into contact with their residents a long time ago, but I haven’t encountered them again for more than ten years. I don’t know which area the city is in; I only know the general direction.

“It’s near the White Knights; you can find it following the climate. For it to provide shelter for so many people in Icefield for so many years, the climate can’t be too bad. Even if it’s not as good as our End Year City, it will definitely be warmer than normal in Icefield.”

Jiang Baimian asked for some details and obtained a relatively satisfactory answer.

“Then, have you seen the Eighth Research Institute’s commissioners?” Shang Jianyao eagerly interrupted.

Upon seeing Old He’s confusion, Jiang Baimian added, “Have you seen any strange people in Icefield? They seem to live somewhere in Icefield.”

“Not me.” Old He shook his head. “I’m not sure if anyone else in End Year City has. You can ask around later.”

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged his words and took out a high-performance battery. “There are no other questions for the time being.”

After completing this transaction, Shang Jianyao suddenly took a step back, bent his arms, and assumed a posture of hugging a baby. He suppressed his voice and said, “The End will belong to the Arbiter of Fate!”

Jiang Baimian knew that this fellow was testing End Year City’s faith.

Old He laughed. “Are you also a believer of the Arbiter of Fate? Many people in End Year City believe in ‘Her.”

Just as Shang Jianyao was about to step forward to acknowledge familiarity, Old He said, “Unfortunately, I don’t.”

“Then, who do you believe in?” Shang Jianyao asked curiously.

Old He took out a pendant from his collar; it hung a small wooden figure. The small figure had no facial features and was blank.

Holding the pendant, Old He sincerely and solemnly said, “I believe in Truth.”