Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 812 ‘Fate’

A sufficiently tenacious spirit… Upon hearing this, Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and the others exchanged looks.

This had something in common with one of their previous guesses: The reason Big Boss established Pangu Biology with the goal of developing genetic technology as the company’s primary goal was to prepare a perfect body for ‘Her’ descent into the Ashlands.

From the looks of it, a perfect body still had to have a tenacious spirit and mind. Otherwise, it couldn’t withstand the various negative effects when a Kalendaria descended. For example, the Heartless disease. Clap! Clap! Clap! Shang Jianyao clapped and praised sincerely, “As expected of a top researcher. What a broad and comprehensive train of thought.”

Researcher Xu didn’t know if Shang Jianyao was mocking him or if he was being sincere.

“He always says whatever he wants and doesn’t beat around the bush.” Jiang Baimian helped Shang Jianyao explain that he didn’t use sarcasm.

Researcher Xu smiled. “But such praise…”

He didn’t finish his sentence and shook his head to express his meaning: It was too direct, and it only made the person being praised embarrassed!

If not for the fact that he felt that he had a good relationship with Shang Jianyao and was a comrade in the same camp that he could entrust his back to, he probably wouldn’t be able to muster a smile.

At dinner, the Old Task Force members found an opportunity to chat with the rest of the scientific research team. The information they obtained was identical to what Researcher Xu had said.

The reason the volunteers remained silent was that they had witnessed how fragile the experimental subjects were under the blizzard and were pessimistic about their future.

Although they were more or less mentally prepared when participating in this experiment in exchange for different benefits, humans always held hope. They felt that they might be one of the many volunteers who could return home alive.

After returning to the room where Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao lived, Long Yuehong exhaled and said, “We’ve already asked about the experiment project and the exact process. There doesn’t seem to be any problems at the moment.”

With that said, he added, “We should’ve gotten out everything the scientific research team knows.”

He meant that there wouldn’t be any additional gains from pestering the scientific research team. They would only run the corresponding projects according to the higher-ups’ instructions.

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged it. “Compared to the experiment itself, Researcher Xu’s guess is more valuable.”

The Old Task Force long knew about the effects of the cold environment on human bodies and minds.

“How pitiful…” Shang Jianyao suddenly sighed.

The honest Genava asked, “Who’s the pitiful one?”

He couldn’t figure out who Hey was talking about.

Shang Jianyao replied with a look of pity, “The perfect body prepared for Big Boss’s descent into the Ashlands.”

“How is the body pitiful?” Long Yuehong asked in confusion.

Jiang Baimian and Bai Chen didn’t say a word and roughly understood what Shang Jianyao wanted to say.

Shang Jianyao let out a long sigh and said to Long Yuehong and Genava, “Since a perfect body and a sufficiently tenacious spirit and mind are required, it’s not something an embryo can handle.

“Think about it. Once that body grows up and builds up a tenacious spirit, it will be a living person. They will have their own emotions, past, memories, and a uniqueness of their own. However, someone will suddenly tell them one day that they exist for the Kalendaria. Regardless of whether they are willing or not, they have to sacrifice themselves to become a vessel for the Kalendaria’s descent.

“How pitiful.”

Long Yuehong was speechless. As he looked at Shang Jianyao, he suddenly felt a little ashamed of his inferiority.

It wasn’t that he had never thought of such a possibility, but he refused to empathize. He subconsciously felt that as long as he could exchange for Pangu Biology’s safety and the permanent stability of all the employees in the underground building, it was completely acceptable to sacrifice an experimental subject that had been specially nurtured.

Shang Jianyao clearly didn’t agree.

“It’s indeed pitiful.” The honest Genava didn’t think there was anything wrong with Shang Jianyao’s words.

“That’s right.” Jiang Baimian echoed and said, “This is only our guess for the time being. There’s no need to feel any psychological burden.”

She then got her team members to return to their rooms to rest and continue visiting End Year City’s personnel tomorrow.

After washing up and chatting for a while, Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao lay on their beds.

In order not to let Shang Jianyao harp on the topic, Jiang Baimian took the initiative to tell him, “You can explore other rooms and search for the door that leads to the New World.”

Shang Jianyao’s attention was indeed diverted. He excitedly massaged his temples and fell asleep. In the Mind Corridor, he had his hands in his pockets. As he casually chose a direction, he looked around.

He didn’t immediately enter the rooms that he had yet to explore as if he wanted to choose a seemingly interesting destination.

“Why don’t we throw a die?” suggested the Shang Jianyao that sought novelty eagerly.

The calm and rational Shang Jianyao snatched the initiative and stroked his chin. “There’s no rush. Let’s find the rooms in the strategy guide first.”

The Shang Jianyao that sought novelty immediately retorted, “Wouldn’t that be boring?”

The calm and rational Shang Jianyao laughed. “A room described in the strategy guide isn’t equivalent to a boring room. Don’t you think some of the rooms the company has explored are equally interesting? For example, 101’s mental hospital.”

“That’s right!” Shang Jianyao—who sought novelty-clenched his right fist and punched his left palm. “A mental hospital suits us very well!”

The rash Shang Jianyao squeezed his head out and shouted, “There’s also 102, which represents Master Zhuang, Jiang Xiaoyue’s 503, and 205, which is suspected to be Dawn’s dream.”

Back then, Pangu Biology only said that Room 205 was suspected to be a certain Kalendaria’s dream and didn’t mention Dawn’s name. Since it started with 2, it could either be February’s Kalendaria, Dawn, or it could also be Master Zhuang, who represented the entire year. Now, it had been confirmed that 102 was the former.

Just as the rash Shang Jianyao said that, the four eyes on the two heads froze at the same time.

Not far in front of the corridor, golden numbers clearly labeled a door number on a vermilion door: 205!

Shang Jianyao fell silent. He squatted down and didn’t move for a long time.

He squatted until he was almost mentally exhausted and had to passively return to the real world. During this process, Shang Jianyaos constantly tried to go over but were constantly suppressed by other Shang Jianyaos. On the bed, Shang Jianyao opened his eyes and gently sang, “We sailed together for ten years, and slept together for a hundred years[1]…”

Jiang Baimian was still awake and interrupted, “What’s wrong? Did you enter a strange room?”

“We haven’t entered yet.” Shang Jianyao yawned.

Jiang Baimian suspiciously asked, “Then, why are you singing?”

“I’m reflecting on how fated we are. I bumped into Room 205,” Shang Jianyao replied truthfully.

“The room suspected to be Dawn’s dreamscape?” Jiang Baimian suddenly felt surprised and reasonable.

She muttered to herself, “It hasn’t been two days since we heard the name ‘Dawn’ from Room 506’s owner…”

“We are indeed fated!” Shang Jianyao made a judgment with certainty.

Jiang Baimian understood what he meant and nodded solemnly. “It’s indeed fated. Yes, there’s no rush to enter; make more observations.”

Shang Jianyao had the same idea. He wanted to find other rooms to enhance his strength and find the door that led to the New World.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” he asked curiously.

Jiang Baimian exhaled and said, “I’m thinking about my island of fear.” “Any progress?” Shang Jianyao asked in concern.

“No.” Jiang Baimian shook her head. “Maybe I have to investigate the company’s true situation before I can recognize reality and let go of my burden to face it calmly.”

She believed that such a realization was the best way to clear the island of fear.

Shang Jianyao had expended a lot of mental energy. He had just opened his mouth and fell asleep before he could ask any further.

Jiang Baimian spaced out for quite some time before closing her eyes.

The next day, the Old Task Force had breakfast, got into the jeep, left Cliff Village again, and headed for Col Town.

However, they were greeted by an empty square and street. There was a lot of trash scattered here without a good cleanup-End Year City’s convoy had already disappeared.

After returning unhappily, the Old Task Force obtained definite information from the village chief.

When most of the transactions with End Year City were completed, they received another telegram with unknown content. Therefore, they left Col Town at dawn and headed to Icefield.

“Something happened in End Year City?” Long Yuehong guessed.

Shang Jianyao eagerly suggested, “Should we use the tracks left in the snow to search for clues and follow them?”

“Not for the time being,” Jiang Baimian replied concisely. “The reason was previously mentioned.”

She then looked around. “We’ve done all that needs to be done here. We’ll also leave Cliff Village for Icefield today. Our destination is the city ruin where Shang Jianyao’s father last appeared.”

Nobody had any objections.

(1) From Love Redemption, the ending theme of The Legend of White Snake, acapella version by Zuo Hongyuan and Zhang Hui.