Embers Ad Infinitum
chapter-355

Shang Jianyao shook his head at Jiang Baimian’s suggestion. “He will know what I know.”

Jiang Baimian immediately smiled bitterly. “This sure is troublesome. The hardest enemy to deal with is indeed yourself.”

“I’ll observe for a while longer.” Shang Jianyao wasn’t discouraged.

At this moment, Genava voiced his thoughts according to the analysis. “This should be a reflection of your dissociative identity disorder. Can you use the corresponding drugs and adjuvant therapy to promote your fusion with him?”

“Uh…” Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and the others were a little stunned.

In theory, Genava’s plan made sense; it was a solution coming from a medical perspective. But the problem was that this was too scientific. It was on the other extreme end of the mind world and the consciousness space that seemed the least scientific. It was rather absurd to put them together.

After a few seconds of silence, Jiang Baimian smiled. “It’s not a bad idea. At least it’s logically feasible.”

“But I’m worried that it will cause the other eight of me to disappear.” Shang Jianyao had a serious expression as though they were companions he equally couldn’t lose.

“Let’s continue observing; there’s no rush. After all, you’ve already seen your counterpart in the mind world faster than most Awakened.” Jiang Baimian did a stretch and got out of bed. “Let’s go out for a walk and grab a bite.”

At night, they switched on the radio transceiver as usual to see if the company had any new arrangements for them.

At 8:06 p.m., a telegram from Lehman came in. This arms dealer from the Linhai Alliance had already arrived in First City.

Jiang Baimian simply replied: “Let’s meet somewhere.”

Before long, Lehman replied with a telegram: “10 a.m. tomorrow, Machine 14, reserved under Mr. Heinrich at Old Era Internet Café, 99 Stone Street, Red Wolf Zone.”

…

99 Stone Street in Red Wolf Zone was a building left behind by the Old World. It was 40 to 50 stories tall and had undergone many repairs.

The glass walls were clean and reflected the sunlight. It looked indescribably beautiful.

“It’s like returning to Swamp Ruin 1.” Long Yuehong sighed with emotion.

It was a silhouette of an era, a reenactment of humanity’s past.

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. “These streets in Red Wolf Zone resemble the Old World the most.”

As they spoke, the five people from the Old Task Force walked to the Old Era Internet Café on the first floor.

At the Internet café’s entrance were four security guards armed with pistols and batons. The moment they saw Shang Jianyao and the others, they stretched out their hands, indicating for them to stop.

“To ensure our customers’ safety, robots have to remain outside,” said one of the security guards.

Another security guard added, “Most of our guests are of status and value their safety.”

“Alright.” Jiang Baimian didn’t insist and turned to glance at Genava. “Wait for us in the lobby’s lounge.”

The reason she felt that there was nothing wrong with this was that robots were often associated with heavy firepower. They were existences that would definitely be stopped outside when visiting others or entering certain areas.

Previously, Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao had considered this possibility back when they attempted to convince Terrence. This was why Genava formed a team with Bai Chen and Long Yuehong instead of following the two of them as added insurance.

This was not discrimination but vigilance.

Of course, with a robot, others would often show them more respect.

Genava fell silent for two seconds before saying, “Alright.”

After they were done with him, Shang Jianyao, Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen walked to the door.

The door opened upon sensing the approaching guests.

Beyond the door stood a young man in a white shirt and a red bow tie. He pressed his hand to his chest, bowed, and asked with a warm smile, “Ladies and gentlemen, do you have a reservation? Is this your first time here?”

“Yes, a reservation under Mr. Heinrich.” As Jiang Baimian spoke, she looked around and took in the Old Era Internet Café’s interior.

This place boldly used the color gold, and it wasn’t stingy with stone materials. There were statues everywhere, like a legendary high-end venue.

The young man took out a palm-sized electronic product and quickly clicked it a few times. He maintained his smile and said, “There’s indeed a reservation for Mr. Heinrich, Machine 14. However, there’s only one machine on the reservation list.”

“Arrange for the others to be assigned to the surrounding machines,” Jiang Baimian said simply.

“Every machine costs one Oray an hour,” said the young man with a smile.

F*ck, why don’t you rob a bank? Isn’t this too expensive? Long Yuehong almost blurted out.

The hotel they stayed in only cost one Oray a night.

Without giving Shang Jianyao a chance to speak, Jiang Baimian nodded. “Alright.”

She then smiled and asked, “We came from Weed City. Your Internet Café seems different from the ones there?”

As the young man bowed slightly and assumed an inviting posture, he smiled and explained, “It’s different, completely different. In other places, machines are scavenged from the ruins and repaired. If they don’t break down a few times a day, they would be letting down their origins. Here, all the computers come from Mechanical Paradise. They are fast, stable, and smooth. They can definitely give you the best experience.

“Besides, there’s only an intranet elsewhere. There are only a few games and other Old World entertainment. Most of them are very lacking, and they mainly allow the practice of guns through virtual reality. We are different. We are connected to First City’s network, and we also have a large variety of Old World entertainment and all kinds of useful programs that can give you the best enjoyment.

“You can say that this is pleasure enjoyed by nobles. It’s a good place for middle and upper-class people to relax and gather. Many nobles find it boring to play with computers at home and often come here…”

Isn’t this similar to the various high-end places mentioned in the Old Era’s information? But connecting this concept to Internet cafés is a little… a little funny… Jiang Baimian shut her mouth and maintained a smile as she listened.

If she wasn’t born from Management-level parents in Pangu Biology and could often make contact with all kinds of Old World information through the use of her home computer and Internet, she might’ve been stunned. That’s not to mention her subsequent visit to Tarnan, where she had seen how worthless electronic products were and Internet cafés’ in their original forms.

“I can’t wait.” Shang Jianyao expressed his opinion.

What moved him was undoubtedly the wide variety of Old World entertainment.

As the attendant led the Old Task Force and the others deeper into the Internet café, he suppressed his voice and continued introducing them to the café. “Remember to wear earphones when you need to play music. Our guests here are all of status and have very high requirements for the environment…

“You can also buy all kinds of rare items here—red wine, Coke, chocolate, coffee, tea, etc.

“If you stay until mealtime and have already played for more than three hours, we will provide each of you our complimentary specialty, stewed rice. The dish is different every day. There’s thick gravy tomato stewed rice that suits the local palate, mushroom chicken stewed rice, and seafood stewed rice that originated from the Linhai Alliance…

“If you guys get tired from playing, we have a free bathroom and lounge upstairs…”

Shang Jianyao gulped without hiding anything.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian had already scanned the Internet café’s interior.

There was a certain level of barriers between each area for privacy. There were many plants, and it was quiet.

They soon arrived near Machine 14.

Unlike other computers, there was a telephone beside this machine.

“This is prepared for customers who need to make calls. It’s also available at the service counter and other machines.” The attendant switched on computers 14 to 17 one after another.

Jiang Baimian sat in front of computer 14. Shang Jianyao sat close to her and chose 15. Bai Chen and Long Yuehong followed behind.

After the attendant left, Jiang Baimian moved the mouse and quickly clicked a few times. She then chuckled. “First City’s network coverage is very small. There aren’t many people, so there’s no interesting or valuable content…”

Customers at the Internet café were either watching Old World dramas or reading novels; otherwise, they were gaming online.

Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen were still relatively reserved. They didn’t join the ranks immediately and patiently waited until 10.

Ding ring ring!

The phone beside Machine 14 rang as expected by Jiang Baimian.

Jiang Baimian picked up the phone and asked with a smile, “Mr. Lehman?”

She spoke in Ashlandic.

The same but awkward language came from the other end of the line: “Yes, have you gathered the supplies needed for the transaction?”

Jiang Baimian frankly said, “Not yet; we just arrived in First City. Give us two more weeks.”

“Alright.” Lehman didn’t refuse.

Jiang Baimian glanced at Shang Jianyao and asked, “Will you go to Redstone Collection later?”

“No, it’s an unpleasant place for me. I might only send an assistant over in the future.” Lehman sighed.

Jiang Baimian immediately said, “We made another trip and met Lars.”

The other end of the line remained silent, but the sound of breathing became a little clearer.

Jiang Baimian continued, “He didn’t betray you. DiMarco was a powerful Awakened who used a certain ability to control him.”

“Really? How is he now?” Lehman asked anxiously. He unconsciously switched to the Red River language.

Jiang Baimian used a sigh to prepare him. “Unfortunately, he became a sacrifice when the Underground Ark residents resisted DiMarco’s tyranny.”

The other end of the line fell silent again.

“We buried him in the cemetery behind the Vigilance Cathedral and erected a stone monument.” Jiang Baimian recounted the matter.

After dozens of seconds, Lehman slowly said, “Thank you. This news is priceless to me.”

His nasal sound was much heavier than before.

Sigh. Jiang Baimian sighed silently.

At this moment, Lehman hurriedly added, “But in the subsequent transactions, I’ll give you a 30% discount at best. I still have a large group of people to feed.”

“…” Jiang Baimian was speechless.