Embers Ad Infinitum
chapter-468

Apart from Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo—who were a little dumbfounded—the others were already used to Shang Jianyao’s behavior.

Jiang Baimian ignored him and said, “As far as we know, the only domain related to dancing is indeed the Door of Scorching. It seems like this can be a price or an ability. Yes, when facing a Mind Corridor-level Awakened, finding their weakness and targeting it might be the best and only way.”

If there was only one powerhouse on the other side, the Old Task Force could consider suppressing them with abundant firepower from a safe distance. During this process, they would take turns attacking, not giving the other party a chance to rest. They would drag it out until the target was mentally exhausted and couldn’t continue any longer before launching a comprehensive attack.

Of course, this was a very idealistic plan. After all, the other party hadn’t lost their mind and was in good condition. It was impossible for said person to stay in place and wait to be exhausted by them. The Awakened could find an opportunity to close the distance, influence them, or use the environment to evacuate.

Jiang Baimian only felt that such a scenario was better than the current situation.

That Mind Corridor-level Awakened was now under the protection of two companies. Furthermore, their firepower wasn’t inferior to that of the Old Task Force on the surface—it might even exceed theirs.

This prevented Jiang Baimian and the others from gaining an advantage.

Long Yuehong recalled the information provided by the company and slowly said, “The common price paid by Awakened in the Door of Scorching domain is that they can’t help but dance when they hear music. They have weak muscles, are afraid of the cold, are often sleepy in winter, and their emotions are unstable…”

“The first possibility can be ruled out. None of the Awakened we know of have the same price and ability,” Jiang Baimian said after some thought. “It’s summer now. Unless we encounter extreme weather, it’s difficult to determine if the other party’s price is related to winter…”

Upon hearing this, Long Yuehong recalled the lone hunter—Gray—who was afraid of the cold. He had previously guessed that the other party was an Awakened in the Door of Scorching domain.

Later, according to Genava’s feedback, he felt that the other party was likely a member of the Furnace Church or the Dance of Frenzy.

“Not necessarily. Even in the summer, they will show a certain degree of fear of the cold if that’s the price.” It was rare for Long Yuehong to pick at his team leader’s words.

Jiang Baimian clearly thought of Gray and agreed with Long Yuehong. “Indeed, but the problem is that we can’t see that person. We can’t determine if they’re afraid of the cold based on their performance.”

“Even if they’re really afraid, we can’t target them now.” Bai Chen participated in the discussion.

It was summer.

The Old Task Force could wait until the turn of autumn and winter, but Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo couldn’t.

“No, no, no.” Shang Jianyao shook his head. “It can snow in June. We might even encounter hail.”

Long Yuehong was about to say that many things in the Old World’s entertainment couldn’t be taken seriously when Zeng Duo nodded and said, “There are indeed such instances in the wastelands, but not many.”

The environment here was chaotic, and all kinds of extreme weather emerged.

“But that can only be chanced upon.” Jiang Baimian sighed. Her eyes moved slightly as she muttered to herself, “Muscle weakness can also be determined through a superficial performance. The problem is the same as before: We can’t see that person at all…

“If their emotions are unstable, we can try to find clues based on the reactions the garrison troops in Early Spring Town have toward this attack…

“This is only the price we know. It doesn’t mean that it’s everything…”

Jiang Baimian said a bunch of things, and the general meaning was that the matter was rather troublesome. Ignoring the probability of success, just thinking of what to do and how it should be done was a headache.

Zeng Duo listened quietly and smiled bitterly. “This matter is countless times more difficult than I imagined. I actually thought that I had a chance of completing it by finding a Ruin Hunter team with a certain level of strength.”

The reality was that the powerful team the Hand of Order had offered a reward of 20,000 Oray per person for was also in a difficult position when saving Early Spring Town.

“This can only mean that First City’s experiment in your town is very important.” Jiang Baimian didn’t know if she was comforting her or agitating her.

Zeng Duo was silent for a few seconds before exhaling. “Everyone, I’m very grateful for your help during this period of time. If there’s really no hope of completing this matter, feel free to give up.”

Without waiting for Jiang Baimian and the others to respond, she looked at Han Wanghuo, lowered her head, and smiled. “I’ll still definitely try it myself; I won’t live for long anyway. If I fail, I will try my best to hold out and return to give you my heart.”

After a brief silence, Jiang Baimian smiled before Shang Jianyao could speak. “There’s no need to be in a hurry to say depressing words. We still have at least two months to plan or wait. By then, even if we don’t find that person’s weakness, accidents might happen. For example, they might suddenly suffer from the Heartless disease, or chaos might erupt in First City that requires these powerhouses and the corresponding troops to provide reinforcements urgently…”

Fat chance… Long Yuehong didn’t dare to voice his criticism. To be honest, he was also looking forward to similar developments.

“That’s right.” Shang Jianyao echoed Jiang Baimian. “Perhaps a blizzard will suddenly sweep through this area and freeze that person to death.”

Do you think you’re the Kalendaria’s son? Long Yuehong resisted the urge to mock him.

Jiang Baimian laughed at Shang Jianyao’s example. “Maybe they hibernate? Yes, we’ll rest and reorganize tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll find an opportunity to observe the reactions of the guards in Early Spring Town.”

When it was almost dawn, Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo replaced Bai Chen and Long Yuehong and took on night duty.

Looking at the dark ruins, Han Wanghuo turned to Zeng Duo and suppressed his voice. “No matter what, I have to give it a try since I promised you.”

Zeng Duo was stunned for two seconds. She opened her mouth, lowered her head, and smiled. “You really are a good person…”

Han Wanghuo frowned but didn’t retort.

After dawn, Jiang Baimian looked around while Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo went to get water for purification. She deliberated and asked, “What are your thoughts on Early Spring Town?”

This time, Bai Chen was the first to speak. She pursed her lips and said, “If it’s really impossible, I think we should give up.”

Jiang Baimian and Long Yuehong fell silent and didn’t respond. Shang Jianyao thought for a moment and raised his hand and did a zipping action at his mouth.

“If only I knew what that person’s basic abilities are.” Genava went straight to the crux of the discussion. What he meant was that it was currently impossible to determine if the basic abilities obtained by Mind Corridor-level Awakened in the Door of Scorching domain were electromagnetic interference or matter interference.

If it was the latter, Genava felt that he had the ability to put up a fight.

Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully. “We can think of a way to test it out.”

…

As they continued to observe Early Spring Town, time passed quickly, and it was night again.

The Old Task Force switched on the radio transceiver again at a fixed time to see if the company had any instructions.

They didn’t avoid Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo. After all, these two could guess that there was someone backing the Old Task Force.

To Long Yuehong’s pleasant surprise, Pangu Biology finally replied.

Jiang Baimian memorized the code and translated it onto the piece of paper before showing it to Shang Jianyao and the others.

Pangu Biology’s subsequent arrangements for the Old Task Force were: “You can consider finding an opportunity to talk to Avia.”

We are to talk to her, not retrieve information… Jiang Baimian read the hidden meaning behind the short message.

Apart from this, the message also revealed a very obvious layer of meaning: There was no need to go to the secret laboratory in Wasteland Ruin 13.

Jiang Baimian was already mentally prepared for this.

First City had been in control of the passcode for decades, but the secret laboratory still existed. The corresponding danger was obvious!

“From the looks of it, we still have to return to First City…” Long Yuehong sighed softly.

“Let’s wait until this matter is over and the scrutiny passes.” Jiang Baimian pondered for a moment before picking up the ballpoint pen produced by First City and scribbled on the paper.

She was clearly preparing a reply to Pangu Biology.

Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao leaned over curiously to see what their team leader had written: “We have already escaped First City and are temporarily hiding in the North Shore wastelands. We discovered that there’s a secret experiment site in the North Anheford area here. They are suspected to be in control of a town with many infected and mutated people. Furthermore, the guards are abnormally strong…”

This… Team Leader wants to use First City’s genetic experiment to lure the company into helping rescue Early Spring Town? Long Yuehong looked around but didn’t find any lies or exaggerations in the telegram. Furthermore, he felt that it was indeed feasible!

After sending the telegram, Jiang Baimian burned the piece of paper and smiled at Han Wanghuo and Zeng Duo. “Let’s wait a little longer. Perhaps something good might really happen.”

…

In Early Spring Town, First City’s Major Malov—who had been thinking for a day and night without understanding why the Vulture bandits dared to attack his team—finally ushered in the moment when a few captives woke up.

Most of the Vulture bandits had been wiped out. A few had escaped, and the few who had been captured were injured and in bad shape.