Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 402: Traces

Jiang Baimian made a terse grunt. “We can’t rule out the possibility that Asus is an Awakened, but we can basically be sure that he has undergone genetic enhancement.”

If Asus was an Awakened, Jiang Baimian could preliminarily determine that he was in the Mandara domain.

At this point, Jiang Baimian chuckled. “Let’s not talk about him; he has nothing to do with us. The most important thing for us now is to think of a way to bypass the virtual world and make contact with Marcus while we still have a few days left before the next gladiator fight.”

Jiang Baimian then looked around and clapped. “There’s no need to be too tense. Think about it. How many days has it been, yet so many things have happened in First City. The Heartless disease epidemic, the explosion at the Citizen Conclave, the Anti-intellectualism Church’s plot, the Church of Paragon Desire’s involvement, the assassination attempt in the arena, and the fact that the two factions are already divided. Things will only deteriorate. When the time comes, we will have a chance.”

At the mention of ‘we will have a chance,’ Jiang Baimian casually cast her gaze at Bai Chen and nodded with a smile.

“This is because Little Red is here,” Shang Jianyao said in a timely manner.

Long Yuehong retorted angrily, “Many of them were already brewing before I came.”

“Some things stop after some brewing. Not everything will happen.” Shang Jianyao always had his way of explaining things.

Jiang Baimian didn’t stop them this time and smiled as she watched the two of them ‘argue.’

This made the atmosphere in the room relatively good. Even Bai Chen’s expression relaxed.

...

Red Wolf Zone, 25 Stern Street.

Shang Jianyao—who was wearing a black wig—once again scrounged on Terrence’s iced cola. He took a large gulp in satisfaction and asked with a smile, “Have you heard of November’s Kalendaria—Shattered Mirror?”

Terrence nodded. “As a member of a religious organization, it’s basic knowledge to know the various Kalendarium.”

“Then, have you noticed if there’s an organization in First City that worships Shattered Mirror?” Jiang Baimian also enjoyed her iced coke.

It was indeed good to occasionally taste that refreshing feeling.

Terrence recalled and said, “There’s nothing in the open—at least, I don’t know of any. However, I’ve heard people talk of a secret religion that worships mirrors. This doesn’t mean that they are showing their faith in Shattered Mirror but that they use mirrors as sacred objects and believe that mirrors are unique and mysterious. The other side of it is the New World, and the answer lies in the mirror itself.”

Jiang Baimian suddenly recalled the large mirrors erected in the arena and thoughtfully asked, “Where do they approximately appear, or is there any confirmation on who their members are?”

Terrence shook his head. “I only happened to hear a Ruin Hunter mention it, but he’s not in the city now. He went to the North Shore Mountains to capture the white wolf.”

What a coincidence... Jiang Baimian thought to herself and drank the remaining iced coke. “Then, please contact him if he returns.”

Terrence also didn’t idle as he sat. As he drank the iced coke, he nodded. “No problem.”

He paused and probed, “When can you return the money? It’s fine if it’s converted into supplies. Heh heh, I’m in no rush. However, these are assets of our Blackshirts after all. The one above me and the other employees are very concerned.”

Jiang Baimian was momentarily speechless.

Ever since they completed the transaction with Lehman, the Old Task Force had slacked off when it came to earning money. They placed all their attention on the primary mission and had no realization that they were bearing a huge debt.

If not for the fact that Shang Jianyao would occasionally harp about his mechanical arm, Jiang Baimian would’ve almost forgotten about returning the money.

Does a villain need to repay loans? She criticized herself and smiled. “Soon, soon. We’re working hard to gather the funds.”

At least it’s still in the planning stage... Jiang Baimian—who suddenly felt guilty—didn’t stay any longer. She waited for Shang Jianyao to finish his iced coke before bidding Terrence farewell.

After getting into the car, she was in no rush to discuss the debt. As she turned the steering wheel, she said, “I only hope that the Ruin Hunter can return before the next gladiator fight so that we can obtain some information on the Mirror Church and see if we can discover any clues to bypass the virtual world.”

Shang Jianyao sat in the passenger seat and looked ahead. “I have an idea. If it works, I can definitely crack the virtual world’s filter.”

“What idea?” Jiang Baimian wanted to hear what magical train of thought this fellow had.

Shang Jianyao said seriously, “I’ll convert to Shattered Mirror and pray for ‘Her’ help.”

He had a look as though ‘I’m making a huge sacrifice.’ After all, the Clam Dragon Church’s Holy Communion wasn’t that alluring compared to organizations like the Furnace Church.

Of course, he didn’t know what Holy Communion the Church that worshiped mirrors had.

“In theory, it’s feasible. However, the probability of getting a Kalendaria’s blessing is almost negligible.” Jiang Baimian rejected Shang Jianyao’s suggestion from a feasibility perspective.

After discussing this matter, she sighed and said, “How do we earn money to return the Blackshirts?”

Shang Jianyao smiled and replied, “There will be no debt without a creditor.”

He then made a slicing motion with his hand. “As long as we finish off the Blackshirts, there’s no need to return the money.”

Jiang Baimian was stunned for a second before subconsciously considering the feasibility.

For the Old Task Force—which was currently armed to the teeth—there was a chance of destroying the Blackshirts as long as they didn’t involve the Church of Spiritual Transcendence.

Pui, what am I thinking! Jiang Baimian quickly came to a realization and snapped, “Am I that black-hearted? Do I look like such an untrustworthy person? Even if the Blackshirts have committed all the evils in the world, I have to return the money to them first before enforcing justice on behalf of the heavens.”

“Then, get the money back?” Shang Jianyao smiled.

Jiang Baimian finally confirmed that the fellow was joking. She glanced at him and muttered to herself as she drove, “Let’s go to the Hunter’s Guild later to see what missions we can take on. Also, we should report yesterday’s harvest in the arena to the company and apply for a sum of money. Let’s just say that the money is to bribe key figures and obtain tickets to the aristocratic VIP room. It’s impossible for us to use our favors for everything, right?”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Shang Jianyao clapped.

As the two of them spoke, the jeep drove into the Green Olive Zone and went straight to Ugo Hotel. They wanted to confirm if the boss had discovered any traces of the Nightmare Horse.

It was almost noon. Ugo was having the same meal—clean water, rye bread, and stewed beans.

He looked up at Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian and didn’t say a word.

Jiang Baimian led Shang Jianyao back to his room, having figured out something. As soon as she entered, she saw a piece of paper on the table, pressed under a dry cup.

Jiang Baimian picked it up and saw a simple sentence: “Someone saw that horse in the North Shore Mountains.”

North Shore Mountains? Jiang Baimian raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“It went after the white wolf!” Shang Jianyao clenched his right fist and punched his left palm with a look of enlightenment.

Jiang Baimian frowned and muttered, “But the Slumber Cat is in the city. Xiaochong should be in a place with electricity.”

Shang Jianyao assumed a posture as though things were ‘very simple.’ “Previously, the Nightmare Horse ran more than 100 kilometers away to pursue Qiao Chu.”

“Indeed... It really is a horse of action...” Jiang Baimian sighed in amusement. “But how did it ‘smell’ the white wolf in the North Shore Mountains when it was in the city?”

Back then, Qiao Chu had ventured deep into Swamp Ruin 1.

Shang Jianyao nodded. “Maybe it was galloping about the North Shore Mountains and happened to bump into it.”

“Alright...” Jiang Baimian couldn’t think of any other explanation. Her expression turned solemn as she said, “If we encounter the Nightmare Horse, can we get it to bring us to meet Xiaochong?”

“I don’t know how to speak horse...” Shang Jianyao looked stumped. He was rather conscious of his role as an interpreter.

Jiang Baimian ignored him and sighed. “We really have to visit the Hunter’s Guild in the afternoon.”