Embers Ad Infinitum

A figure was slowly walking along the sidewalk.

He was in his forties and almost 1.8 meters tall. He wore a black robe and had long black hair. He also had a very elegant beard around his mouth. He was none other than Du Heng, whom the Old Task Force knew.

However, Jiang Baimian, Long Yuehong, and Bai Chen didn't feel the joy of meeting an old friend in a foreign land. They even broke out into a cold sweat.

It was already too late for them to stop Shang Jianyao.

When Du Heng heard Shang Jianyao's greeting and turned to look over, the jeep was dead silent.

Upon seeing Du Heng walk over with a smile, Bai Chen resisted the urge to floor the accelerator and drive off. She rationally stepped on the brakes and stopped by the roadside.

Shang Jianyao pushed open the door and alighted, happily walking over.

Jiang Baimian got her expression under control and followed behind.

"Why are you guys here in Gesterbourg?" Du Heng asked with a smile.

Shang Jianyao was just about to answer when Jiang Baimian spoke first. "Teacher Du Heng, it's inconvenient to discuss certain matters in public. Why don't we have a chat at our hotel?"

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She calmed down a little. Since she was in this situation, it didn't matter what she did. It was better to obtain some information.

Du Heng looked around and nodded. "Fine then."

Although this was Gesterbourg, and they spoke in Ashlandic, there were many local Ruin Hunters. There might be one proficient in foreign languages.

In order to punish Shang Jianyao for his rashness, Jiang Baimian made him leave the seat to Long Yuehong and let the guest, Du Heng, sit in the passenger seat.

Shang Jianyao could only squeeze in the same spot as Genava, but this wasn't a problem for them.

After returning to the Fire & Iron Hotel and entering the team's suite, Jiang Baimian looked at Du Heng and asked, "Teacher Du Heng, we just went to Icefield to explore Ceningmis and came to Gesterbourg to replenish our supplies."

She observed Du Heng's expression and realized that he didn't have any special reaction to Ceningmis. He only nodded slightly.

"What about you? What are you doing in Gesterbourg?" Shang Jianyao asked impatiently.

Du Heng smiled and replied, "I heard that the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters was found. I suddenly recalled something."

Heard? From who? Teacher Du Heng, you don't belong to any large faction… Jiang Baimian didn't voice her thoughts.

"What did you remember?" Shang Jianyao asked curiously.

Du Heng revealed a reminiscing expression. "There seems to be something hidden deep in the Eighth Research Institute. It's rather important, so I want to take a look."

Jiang Baimian had the intention of probing and said in a concerned tone, "The Eighth Research Institute has many powerhouses in its headquarters. It's probably not that easy to infiltrate."

Du Heng smiled, unfazed. "I'll decide what to do after I see the exact situation over there. What if the Eighth Research Institute has already evacuated and moved to a backup base? You can then enter their headquarters without any effort.

"If those powerhouses are still around, I'll wait. Someone will definitely give them trouble. When the time comes, there will naturally be an opportunity."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao clapped. "Very reasonable."

Reasonable my ass! Do you know how large the perception range of a New World powerhouse is? Do you know what Old World creations the Eighth Research Institute has? It's a fool's dream to hide around their headquarters without knowing… However, it's not impossible for Teacher Du Heng… There are New World powerhouses in End Year City… Jiang Baimian muttered silently and didn't interject.

The premise of her hypothesis was that this Du Heng was indeed Du Heng. There was really a group of people in the Ashlands who called themselves Du Heng.

Despite the New World powerhouses in End Year City, Qin Ke—who had become Du Heng—still managed to escape. In the end, Truth personally took action and killed him.

On the other side, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen tried their best to maintain their silence. Genava was responsible for guarding the area.

Du Heng smiled at Shang Jianyao's praise. "In any case, I've lived like this for so many years. I've pursued certain matters and gone to certain places, only to decide what to do based on the situation. I didn't encounter many difficulties."

That's because you are you… Jiang Baimian chose to criticize inwardly.

"When can I be like this…" Shang Jianyao had an envious expression. Without waiting for Du Heng's response, he asked in anticipation, "Can we go to the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters with you?"

With that said, he recalled that he had made a decision on his own and quickly turned to look at Jiang Baimian. "What do you think?"

Jiang Baimian's heart palpitated as she didn't stop him. She nodded slightly and said, "That depends on whether Teacher Du Heng is agreeable."

She had never considered going to the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters because it was too dangerous. It was better to leave it to the company, White Knights, and other large factions. But if Du Heng—who had a mysterious background and was clearly very strong—joined them, it wouldn't be a bad choice to visit the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters.

In any case, they could make a final decision after understanding the exact situation.

Du Heng laughed involuntarily. "Why? Are you also very interested in the Eighth Research Institute?"

"Yes." Shang Jianyao nodded without hesitation.

Du Heng deliberated for a moment. "That works too. It will save me a lot of time if I hitch a ride with you."

Jiang Baimian immediately said, "Teacher Du Heng, please allow us to have an internal discussion to discuss the corresponding plan."

"Alright." Du Heng expressed his understanding.

Jiang Baimian immediately called for Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, Shang Jianyao, and Genava. They left the suite and arrived at the Fire & Iron Hotel's rooftop.

"Team Leader, didn't we decide to return to the company?" Long Yuehong spoke first.

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged it.

"But searching the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters ahead of the various large factions is a great temptation. This might allow us to obtain a lot of important information. Ignoring what's hidden deep in the Eighth Research Institute, just their mature Awakening process is a priceless treasure. The two of you might be able to take the opportunity to become Awakened."

Since she had preliminarily resolved the mystery of the human-rearing Kalendarium, Jiang Baimian definitely wouldn't place her hopes on the company's higher-ups.

Long Yuehong's heart palpitated. Considering that he might have to face the company's die-hard supporters in the future and lead everyone out of the underground building, he had an urgent desire to improve his strength.

Bai Chen was the same.

"That's right, that's right," Shang Jianyao echoed.

Jiang Baimian swept her gaze across Long Yuehong and Bai Chen's faces and changed the topic. "To ensure that nothing goes wrong, I plan on splitting up. Little White, Little Red, the two of you will return to the company. Old Ge will be in the same team as you. Stay in the Blackmarsh Wilderness and remain in contact. Hey and I will follow Teacher Du Heng to the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters."

Bai Chen subconsciously opened her mouth to refuse.

Jiang Baimian knew her personality and persistence and spoke first. "This way, no matter what Hey and I encounter at the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters by Teacher Du Heng's side or if we can return, at least a portion of people will know the mystery of the human-rearing Kalendarium. Preparations can be made to lead everyone out of the underground building in the future.

"Little White, Little Red, I'll leave my family, Hey's friends, and everyone in the company to you. I know this is a very heavy burden for you, but I have no choice."

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen felt a suffocating heaviness in their hearts.

After a few seconds, Bai Chen bit her lip and said, "You've convinced me."

Long Yuehong said, "Team Leader, don't worry. Our families are also in the underground building. We have to shoulder that burden no matter how much we don't want to."

Jiang Baimian nodded in relief as Shang Jianyao applauded.

After a brief silence, Jiang Baimian planned on refining the plan.

At this moment, Bai Chen pursed her lips and said with slightly red eyes, "You guys have to come back!"

Her voice was slightly sharper than usual, and it trembled a little.

"Definitely!" Shang Jianyao was filled with confidence. "We have to save the entire company and all of humanity together."

Jiang Baimian blinked and exhaled. "Once I find the way to Awaken at the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters, I'll inform Old Ge via telegram. If you haven't returned to the company by then, you can directly attempt to Awaken. If you've already entered the underground building, take the initiative and apply to Deputy Minister Xenny to go to the surface regularly for field training and meet Old Ge according to the agreed method. The reason for going out is very simple: It's to be prepared to receive Hey and me at all times."

It was definitely much closer to the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters from Gesterbourg than from Pangu Biology's underground building. However, Jiang Baimian still came up with two plans considering Icefield's weather and the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters' situation.

"Alright." Bai Chen and Long Yuehong nodded in unison.

Long Yuehong then asked, "Team Leader, what do you plan on telling the company?"

Anyone would be suspicious if the two of them didn't return.

"Tell the truth." Jiang Baimian smiled. "Just say that we encountered Teacher Du Heng and had a chance to enter the Eighth Research Institute's headquarters. We decided to take the risk and give it a try. As you guys aren't Awakened, the risk of participating in this operation is too high. Thus, you were sent back to the company."

"Very credible," Shang Jianyao commented.

This was basically the truth but not the entire truth.

Bai Chen thought for a moment before saying, "What if the company sends someone to flip through our memories?"