Embers Ad Infinitum
chapter-696

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao looked at each other and deliberated for a moment.

"We'd love to have some help. When the time comes, you can do your exploration while we do ours. We'll share anything we find."

She didn't know what accidents they would encounter in Icefield's Tai City, so it was indeed a good thing for the Salvation Army to send powerhouses to participate and share the risks. Furthermore, during the investigation of Buddhism's Holy Lands, the Old Task Force hoped to obtain the truth, not some item. The relevant truth wasn't a secret that had to be monopolized.

Without conflicting interests, cooperation was a good choice.

Commissioner Huang nodded. "I understand what you mean. We'll need an internal discussion about our subsequent measures."

As he spoke, he took out a box of wrinkled cigarettes from his pocket, retrieved one, stuffed it into his mouth, and lit it with a lighter as if to help him think.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao didn't disturb him. They opened the door and walked out.

After retrieving their weapons and getting into the mountain car, Shang Jianyao enthusiastically said to Ding Ling, "Commissioner Huang has a message for us to pass to Director Hong. Let's go to the Entry Office now."

Why do I keep having the feeling that this fellow's EQ is on par with Old Ge's? Or rather, the more honest he is, the more annoying he is? Jiang Baimian muttered inwardly but didn't say a word.

Ding Ling asked in puzzlement, "What message?"

"It's simply nonsense that Director Hong issued us a pass! He'll let it go this time, but there will not be a next time. In the future, even if he's doing it for his child, he still needs to pay attention to what's happening. He can't do anything that violates the rules." Shang Jianyao's summarization abilities were rather good.

The only problem was that the reason for Hong Guangming's reprimand was them—the Old Task Force—and Shang Jianyao acted as if he wasn't a member of this team.

Ding Ling fell silent for a few seconds before saying, "There's no need for you to relay this. I'll find an opportunity to inform him."

Using a more suitable method and tone… Jiang Baimian added inwardly.

It was completely understandable that people didn't want to be embarrassed.

As if afraid that Shang Jianyao—a foreigner with abnormal behavior—would object, Ding Ling looked ahead and sighed. "Several of Grandpa Hong's children died in the expansion, construction, and salvation during the early years of the New Calendar. The only child left is one he conceived when he was middle-aged. He's extremely precious to him.

"Maybe he's a little spoiled. His youngest son doesn't like to work and isn't willing to take on hard jobs. This isn't a big deal since Grandpa Hong can still help arrange a good job for him, but he ended up mixing with the children of a few commissioners at some point in time. He frequently has red wine produced by First City's manors, the latest electronic products imported from Orange Company, and the high-end cars from United Industries. How can his rank and position enjoy such things?"

Shang Jianyao nodded solemnly. "I think it's necessary for me to have a chat with these people. I'll teach them about 'no pain, no gain' and purify their thoughts."

Man, are you planning on using Thought Guidance? Jiang Baimian secretly clicked her tongue.

Ding Ling couldn't understand why Shang Jianyao had such a strong sense of responsibility and initiative. It had nothing to do with him.

"Uh." She pondered for a moment and said, "It's human nature to pursue a better life. They should improve when they grow older and have a sense of responsibility."

Ding Ling was just short of saying, "We'll handle our own matters, so you don't have to worry about us."

"Alright." Shang Jianyao had a look of disappointment.

…

In the Ashlands Hotel, Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Genava took turns guarding the window and monitoring their jeep that was parked in sight.

After Long Yuehong replaced Bai Chen, he muttered to himself, "I wonder when Team Leader and Shang Jianyao will return…"

It was summer, and the hotel didn't have industrial products that expended energy like an air conditioner. He felt more comfortable standing by the window to enjoy the breeze than staying deep in the room and being enveloped in the stuffy heat.

As he casually swept his gaze, Long Yuehong suddenly saw a strange person.

He wore a black Salvation Army uniform that had almost faded from washing. His body leaned forward slightly, and he wore a grayish-white, deep aluminum pot on his head, revealing only the area below his nose.

Those lunatics? Long Yuehong quickly recalled these people and the evaluations Ding Ling had given them when he first entered the city. He was now wondering why such a lunatic had appeared in the Ashlands Hotel.

"L-Little White, Old Ge, something's up." Long Yuehong quickly turned around and summoned his companions. He was afraid that he would miss something by himself.

As Bai Chen and Genava walked to the window, Long Yuehong realized that the lunatic with the aluminum pot was moving rather slowly. This seemed to be because he could only see the area by his feet. This person's aluminum pot was bigger and deeper than the two people the Old Task Force had previously encountered.

As he walked forward, the person with the aluminum pot came to the Old Task Force's jeep.

Clang!

He bumped into it unprepared and sat on the ground in a daze.

Uh… For some reason, a matter known as racketeering in the Old World entertainment suddenly surfaced in Long Yuehong's mind.

Upon seeing that the person in the aluminum pot didn't stand up for a while, Long Yuehong asked Bai Chen worriedly, "Do you want to take a look?"

Bai Chen thought for a few seconds and said, "Sure."

She then said to Genava, "Old Ge, stay here and help us monitor our surroundings."

"Alright." Genava was definitely a trustworthy companion in this regard.

After receiving an answer, Bai Chen lifted the window with both hands and flipped out the window. She relied on the pipes and protruding parts outside to land on the ground in a few swift moves.

Ever since she underwent the Firearms Talent genetic modification, her reaction, judgment, and coordination had improved significantly. She did well even when climbing buildings with her bare hands—which the modification didn't focus on.

Furthermore, this was only the third floor.

Long Yuehong—who wasn't wearing a military exoskeleton—followed Bai Chen in a slightly hesitant manner. He also 'quickly' descended to reach the first floor.

His actions were relatively stiff and unnatural.

Bai Chen turned around and nodded slightly when she saw this. "I was thinking of helping you."

"It's not like it's anything too difficult." Long Yuehong unconsciously puffed up his chest and sucked in his abdomen.

Bai Chen didn't say anything else. She turned around and walked to her team's jeep.

The person wearing the grayish-white aluminum pot remained sitting there without getting up. He gave off the feeling that he had a concussion from the collision.

Long Yuehong squatted down worriedly and asked, "How is it? Are you alright?"

The person didn't answer him.

Long Yuehong looked up at Bai Chen and pointed at the aluminum pot. He asked using his body language if he was to take it off to check the target's condition.

Bai Chen nodded slightly, indicating that he could. She had a nagging feeling that the group of people Ding Ling called lunatics had secrets and that they weren't as ridiculous and comical as they seemed.

Although the Old Task Force had no intention of interfering with the Salvation Army's internal affairs, they had to be wary.

Long Yuehong no longer hesitated. He stretched out his hands, pressed down on the grayish-white aluminum pot, and lifted it.

The sunlight shone on the head that was originally covered by the aluminum pot.

He was an elder. His white hair was messy, and his face was like tree bark, wrinkly.

The elder—who was panting slightly and had slightly unfocused eyes—instantly came to his senses. He subconsciously raised his arm and shielded his face. "What do you want!? What do you want!? Are you guys sent by those degenerates? Quick, return the pot to me!"

The other party's anxious tone and intense reaction far exceeded Long Yuehong's expectations. He awkwardly covered the man's head with the aluminum pot again.

The elder—who had regained the aluminum pot's protection—gradually calmed down. He reached out to touch the ground and slowly stood up.

"Sorry, we were just worried that something had happened when we saw you fall," Long Yuehong explained apologetically. "I don't know who those degenerates you're referring to are. We are foreign Ruin Hunters, and we plan on going through the Salvation Army to head to Icefield."

The elder had a stiff back. Although he was old, he didn't appear hunched. "It's the foreigners that are more suspicious. This way, the group of degenerates won't be suspected after I lose my protection and am secretly mind-controlled by some instrument."

He's indeed one of the people who are worried about mind control… Long Yuehong was completely certain.

Bai Chen took the initiative to change the topic. "Why do you think that those people are degenerates and are secretly controlled by instruments?"

The elder snorted. "Isn't it obvious? Over the years, they have forgotten that they were going to save the humans who have yet to escape their hunger and cold in the Ashlands. They have forgotten that everyone is equal and that there is no difference in status. They have forgotten that everyone had made an oath not to use their power to eat more or sleep with other people's wives and daughters. They have forgotten to restrain their families, prevent them from profiting from reselling supplies, and interfering in all kinds of matters. This has caused so much discontent among the people!

"I cursed them in their faces, but they said that I'm old, stubborn, rigid, that I don't know how to be flexible or see the trend of the times, and that I'm destined to be abandoned by the times." The elder in the aluminum pot panted and raised his voice a little. "From the looks of it, they are the ones with problems. They must be mind-controlled. That's why they degenerated and forgot their original ideals! Yes, they must be mind-controlled!"