Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 620: Fragile Peace

Translator: CKtalon

“Dozens of cannons?” Long Yuehong asked in surprise.

Such strength far exceeded the Hyena bandits the Old Task Force had previously encountered. They could almost be compared to those who occupied mineral resources in harsh environments.

Dawson stroked his messy beard. “Our hunting team heard it from Ruin Hunters passing by, but we’ve never really encountered them. If they did bump into them, how could they return? In any case, it’s my warning to you. Believe whatever you want; I won’t be able to find any other reason to persuade you otherwise.”

With that said, as the settlement’s Elder, Dawson asked in concern, “How much canned meat do you want in exchange for the mushrooms and moss?”

It was fine if foreigners died, but the transaction of supplies couldn’t be delayed.

Dawson had actually lied about some of the details. This was mainly focused on the production of mushrooms and moss.

Although the production wasn’t that high, the sewage system of a large city in the Old World was massive. There were plenty of places in the ruins suitable for growing mushrooms. Coupled with generations of improvements, it was barely sufficient as a staple for their settlement.

Dawson knew the principle of ‘don’t show the wealth in your pockets to others.’ Otherwise, these foreigners might have thoughts that they shouldn’t have. Therefore, he deliberately said that the production of edible mushrooms and moss was a problem and that it wasn’t enough for the townsfolk.

Of course, such food didn’t provide sufficient nutrients and didn’t fill the stomach. Therefore, they still had to organize teams to hunt and pick fruits regularly. At the same time, they wouldn’t let go of the opportunity to exchange for food like military canned food and compressed biscuits.

Not only were these delicious, but they were also enough to satiate their hunger!

Jiang Baimian replied before the high-spirited Shang Jianyao could. “At most four. We don’t have much left either. Oh, do you need weapons? We have relatively varied types, and there aren’t many corresponding bullets. However, you can exchange for them using a few bags of dried mushrooms. If you need metal resources, we’ve also gathered a little.”

These were all taken from the Heartless cave and packed the jeep’s remaining space. Therefore, Jiang Baimian hoped to clear them as soon as possible and replenish their food supplies so that she didn’t have to be a part-time hunter on the way to First City—real hunters.

Dawson scratched his slightly moist hair. “I’m afraid we can’t afford to exchange so much. There are still a few settlements in this area. Why don’t we do a collective trade?”

Upon hearing this, Long Yuehong deeply understood the lack of supplies in the settlement.

This couldn’t be described as ‘poverty.’

“There’s no need. It will be a waste of our time…” Jiang Baimian tried her best to promote the resources she had plundered. She exchanged for three bags of dried mushrooms, a bag of edible moss, and a map of the water sources with relatively mild pollution in the surrounding area.

Both parties were happy.

After being sent out of the shed Dawson had built in the sewage, Long Yuehong shook the flashlight in his hand and illuminated the green and wet moss on the walls on both sides.

This settlement only had one fuel generator and a few solar panels produced by the Old World. They were very sensitive to energy expenditure. Even when Elder Dawson and the Old Task Force conversed, they mainly relied on the flashlight in Jiang Baimian and the others’ hands for illumination.

After staying in a dark and humid environment for extended periods, the residents here had certain abnormalities in their facial features. They could move freely in the sewers like rats, coming and going like the wind.

Upon seeing that nobody was around, Long Yuehong asked, “Team Leader, should we go to the place with the magnetic field anomaly in the west?”

He didn’t care much about the bandits named Zorro. As long as the other party didn’t have a Mind Corridor-level Awakened, it was almost impossible for the Old Task Force to fail with their current strength and carelessness.

No matter how many cannons there were, they needed people to operate them. If the people suffered problems, the cannons would be useless.

At this thought, Long Yuehong glanced at Genava guiltily. Yes, smart bots are also humans!

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said, “The magnetic field in that area is chaotic. Be it Old Ge, our military exoskeletons, or various weapons, they can’t be used. Who knows if there are any dangerous creatures lurking there? It’s better to report this matter to the company and get them to specially organize an Awakened team to investigate.”

Jiang Baimian paused and said in the tone of a team leader, “You have to remember that we have a large faction backing us. There’s no need to think about doing everything yourself. If you want to do everything yourself, even if it’s not dangerous, just running around will exhaust you! In any case, this concerns the secrets of Awakening. The company definitely won’t let it go. Once they have results, won’t we be the ones benefiting?

“When the time comes, we can also apply to read the corresponding information and see if there’s any hidden reason for the Old World’s destruction and the origins of the Heartless disease.”

Bai Chen agreed. “According to the Elder from before, the journey will take two to three days. It completely deviates from our planned route.”

“I understand,” Long Yuehong replied in a tone as though he had learned something.

Shang Jianyao had a hesitant expression, but he ultimately chose to obey his leader under Jiang Baimian’s gaze.

The five Old Task Force members passed through a sewer filled with edible moss and arrived at the metal staircase that led to the ground.

Many residents were lining up and climbing in sequence.

It was afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly outside.

Jiang Baimian and the others climbed out of the sewers and casually looked around. They realized that the townsfolk who had previously come out had first gone to the various cool and humid areas to examine their farmed mushrooms. They then found areas that were exposed to the sun and relatively protected. They lay down one after another and narrowed their eyes in comfort.

The environment in the sewers made them enjoy the sun. It was also because of this that they chose to believe in July’s Kalendaria, Double Sun.

Jiang Baimian took note of this folk tradition with interest.

Upon seeing this, Long Yuehong opened the door to the jeep’s backseat and sighed with emotion. “Compared to many wilderness nomad settlements, this place is like heaven. It’s a little outside First City’s sphere of influence. A town with sewers is relatively hidden, so there’s no need to worry too much about slave hunters and all kinds of bandits. Furthermore, they have also found the mushroom cultivation technology from the Old World and horticulture involving edible moss. They have a relatively stable source of food, and being a little conservative is enough to deal with famine…”

The honest Genava reminded Long Yuehong after he was done with his piece, “However, they can’t escape the Awakened’s perception, nor do they have the strength to resist external enemies. If it weren’t for the fact that we happened to encounter them and conveniently finished off the Heartless cluster, it’s very unlikely that the humans in this settlement would be spared when they finish their food reserves and begin ‘hunting.’”

Long Yuehong fell silent.

After a few seconds, the honest Shang Jianyao helped him curse. “This f*cked up world!”

This was the Ashlands.

…

As many places required detours and many roads were very difficult to traverse, the Old Task Force took more than a week to drive the jeep to First City’s southern entrance.

Long Yuehong looked at the khaki-colored tanks, armored vehicles, city defense soldiers holding assault rifles, submachine guns, and the cars and pedestrians being examined. On the one hand, he felt that this was no different from before. On the other hand, he still found it a little different.

In the passenger seat, Jiang Baimian looked around and said, “There’s nobody like Jadi here.”

Jadi was a Red Coaster they got to know at the other end of the Red River Bridge when the Old Task Force first came to First City. He helped convoys and hunters with contraband enter the city safely.

But now, such people weren’t active at the southern city entrance.

This was rather abnormal.

Upon seeing Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao look at him, Genava placed a pair of sunglasses on the bridge of his nose and blocked his blinking red eyes. “When I left, Consul Gaius was reorganizing the army. On the one hand, he emphasized discipline and promised to expand…”

“So the city guards don’t dare to receive bribes?” Jiang Baimian came to a realization.

This killed off business for Jadi and company.

If it were the Old Task Force in the past, they would definitely be a little vexed when they encountered such a change. But now, they only stopped the car in the distance and switched Bai Chen and Shang Jianyao before continuing forward.

Before long, it was their jeep’s turn to be examined.

Shang Jianyao—who had disguised himself to a certain extent—stopped the car, took out the identification General Phocas had given him, and casually waved it. “I really envy you guys. You don’t have to rush around every day; you just have to do the same thing regularly. We have to find people everywhere. Chap, I’ll talk to you later.”

Compared to Inference Clowning, Thought Guidance was milder and more concealed. The city guard next to the jeep immediately laughed and waved his hand to let them pass. “See you later.”

They thought that they were colleagues on a secret mission.

The Old Task Force easily returned to First City.