Embers Ad Infinitum

Lehman leaned forward slightly, clasped his hands, and deliberated before saying, “I have some friends in Redstone Collection. They heard about your magnificent feat last night.”

He didn’t dare to say directly that the entire Redstone Collection knew that they had killed a powerful Awakened. Was it still a secret when everyone knew about it?

Jiang Baimian didn’t continue the topic and asked, “Mr. Lehman, why are you looking for us?”

Lehman nervously said, “I want to entrust you with a mission. This will be a little dangerous, but don’t worry. We will definitely have it issued through the Hunter’s Guild and let it come under their review and purview.”

Jiang Baimian thought for a few seconds before smiling mischievously behind her mask. “Is this mission related to the reason for the Old World’s destruction?”

“…” Lehman was confused. He shook his head after a long time. “I don’t think so.”

Shang Jianyao asked, “Then, is it related to the cause of the Heartless disease outbreaks?”

Whoa, you sure know what’s on my mind… Jiang Baimian praised him inwardly.

Lehman couldn’t keep up with the two Ruin Hunters’ train of thought at all. He replied in confusion, “No.”

He had heard that the stronger an Awakened was, the more unstable their mental state was, or that they had very strange habits. Could it be that these two are examples of this? Is that why they can kill that powerful Awakened?

Jiang Baimian held in her laughter and said in all seriousness, “We don’t accept all missions. I’m sorry.”

Lehman immediately understood that the two had posed the questions as an excuse to reject him. He was a little angry and felt that the other party was teasing him.

Of course, as a smuggler, it was an instinct to measure the enemy’s strength. After some thought, he gave up on his anger and said regretfully, “What a pity. The remuneration will be very generous.”

Jiang Baimian didn’t ask about the payment and rejected the other party’s suggestion again. “Our team needs to rest and recuperate. We won’t take on any missions for the time being.”

“Alright, you can come to me at any time if you wish to take it up. I should be staying in Redstone Collection for a few more days.” Lehman sensed the firm attitude of the Ruin Hunter opposite him, so he stood up and politely bade farewell.

After watching the smuggler leave, Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “If we hadn’t already reserved an exoskeleton, we really might’ve considered his mission.”

They were an Old Task Force, not real Ruin Hunters. They didn’t rely on taking on missions for their livelihood.

“We have three subsequent targets. The first is to think of a way to contact DiMarco in the Underground Ark and see if he has any information regarding the Old World’s destruction. The second is to go to Lake Heart Island to see the sleeping deity. The third is to gather information on Mechanical Paradise to prepare for any future dealings.” Although she was ill, Jiang Baimian’s train of thought remained very clear.

Shang Jianyao sighed inexplicably. “It’d be nice to get another exoskeleton.”

“That’s true.” Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and nodded. “It’s even better if we make Little White stronger. Who wouldn’t mind having more exoskeletons? We can use them too. Yes, this isn’t too urgent; there’s no need to take too many risks.”

She was just about to take off her mask, take off her coat, lay back in bed, and continue being a patient when she sensed someone heading in their direction.

Seriously, can’t a patient get some rest time? Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but complain.

Shang Jianyao immediately found a piece of paper and wrote a few words on it. “Please do not disturb.”

He had just opened the door and was about to stick the paper to the door when he saw Mrs. Theresa attempting to knock.

This widow of the arms dealer, Helvig, still wore her black, muslin hat. Behind her were several masked men armed to the teeth.

Theresa was stunned for a moment before she directly asked, “I heard that you found the firearms?”

“That’s right,” Shang Jianyao said happily. “Your half is in the cathedral.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the people behind Theresa.

Upon sensing his gaze, the few people’s bodies instantly tensed up. They even trembled slightly as if they wanted to find a place to hide at any moment.

They had personally experienced how terrifying the Awakened Subhuman last night was. Now, the person in front of them had killed that Awakened Subhuman!

“It’s not a good thing to be too vigilant,” Shang Jianyao suggested sincerely.

It was fine if he didn’t say anything, but the moment he did, the people who came with Theresa had the urge to turn around and run.

Fortunately, it was merely an urge, and they didn’t carry it out. This meant that they were still normal people.

Upon seeing this, Theresa quickly introduced them. “They are Helvig’s loyal subordinates, and they are now in charge of protecting me.”

Their conversation was in the Red River language.

At this moment, Jiang Baimian walked to the door and smiled. “I’ll take you to the cathedral to get the remaining firearms now. Remember to go to the guild to confirm our mission’s completion after you get them.”

Theresa heaved a sigh of relief and sighed with emotion. “I never expected you to be so strong. Uh, I didn’t expect you to be Ashlanders either. I was too agitated back then; although Helvig and I didn’t have a good relationship, he was still my husband.”

She had clearly learned from the others in Redstone Collection that this was an Ashlander team.

“It’s fine.” Jiang Baimian had almost forgotten their original conversation.

Theresa fell silent for a moment before asking, “Have you found Helvig’s murderer?”

“Not yet,” Jiang Baimian replied truthfully. “We just eliminated some suspects.”

Uh… Why did you take away half of the firearms when you guys haven’t even completed this mission? Theresa wanted to say that, but she recalled the Ruin Hunter team’s ‘glorious achievements’ last night. She also sensed the nervousness and unease of the ‘bodyguards’ behind her.

She could only force a smile. “It seems like we’ll find the real murderer soon.”

At this moment, she experienced how some Redstone townsfolk had felt when they faced Helvig in the past few years.

A local tyrant! They could only swallow their anger without saying anything!

Jiang Baimian was still sick, so she didn’t say much. She got Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong to drive Theresa and the others to the Vigilance Cathedral.

After seeing Harbinger Song He, they quickly completed the handover.

Shang Jianyao, Long Yuehong, and the others waited outside the cathedral. They stood beside the jeep and watched Theresa and the others busily take stock of the firearms and move the supplies.

As he watched, Shang Jianyao turned his head to the other side.

Viel—who was only 1.6 meters tall—circled around the side of the cathedral and walked toward them.

After standing beside Long Yuehong, Viel looked at Theresa—who was praying in the cathedral hall—and chuckled. “You definitely can’t imagine her true appearance.”

“Is that so?” Shang Jianyao asked excitedly.

Viel smiled and said, “Back at Mass, Helvig was in a rush to complete his arms deal. Thus, he deliberately exposed himself, allowing himself to be quickly found. Before long, Mrs. Theresa was also found, but she didn’t leave the cathedral.”

At this point, he felt a little proud. “I saw her from the ventilation duct; she entered Bishop Renato’s room. Heh heh, this might be why Bishop Renato suffered divine punishment and became a Heartless.”

“Huh?” Long Yuehong was momentarily confused, having not fully understood Viel because he had spoken in the Red River language.

After a few seconds, he came to a realization. Bishop Renato and Mrs. Theresa are actually lovers! How many secrets has Viel discovered through the ventilation duct?

As Long Yuehong sighed inwardly, Shang Jianyao sincerely commented, “The Kalendaria sure is busy.”

“Are you mocking me?” Viel glanced at Shang Jianyao and said, “Everyone has many invisible masks. Only through the ventilation duct—a different world—can you see their true appearances when they remove their masks.”

At this point, he laughed again. “Do you want to know what Harbinger Song looks like under his ‘mask?’ You definitely wouldn’t have imagined it.”

Long Yuehong deliberated for a moment and spoke before Shang Jianyao could. “This has nothing to do with us. As long as Harbinger Song doesn’t secretly plot against us, it doesn’t matter what kind of person he is.”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Shang Jianyao agreed.

Viel pursed his lips and said, “You’ll lose a lot of fun like this.”

Shang Jianyao thought of something and suddenly became excited. “Then, have you observed the situation in the Underground Ark?”

Viel chuckled. “Every vent in the Underground Ark is guarded. There’s no way to sneak in.”

After a pause, he muttered to himself, “However, the people guarding the ventilation duct also communicate with each other about their daily lives.”

Without waiting for Shang Jianyao to ask any further, he ran off and disappeared behind a pile of collapsed buildings.

It was only then that Long Yuehong reacted. “Does he mean that he still has a certain level of understanding of the Underground Ark’s internal situation?”

Shang Jianyao thoughtfully said, “If I find him and defeat him, will he tell me what he heard?”