Embers Ad Infinitum

Jiang Baimian looked at Shang Jianyao and said with a serious expression, “It’s not a trivial matter to use your abilities on your superior. No organization can tolerate such a thing.”

Shang Jianyao replied indifferently, “After entering the Mind Corridor, the company once said that I could be promoted straight to M1, but I rejected it. According to this standard, Minister Xenny and I are considered of the same rank.”

He paused and smiled again. “Besides, everyone who should know knows that I have a serious mental illness.”

This reason is really versatile… Jiang Baimian was speechless.

“For a person like me, it’s reasonable even if I make any mistakes. It has nothing to do with you,” Shang Jianyao said smugly. “Before bringing me to meet Minister Xenny, you couldn’t foresee that I would have an episode. Besides, for a valuable mental patient like me, imprisoning and killing me isn’t the best way to extract value. If I were Big Boss or a member of the Board of Directors, I definitely would choose to throw such a person into the Ashlands and send him out on one mission after another to reduce his stay in the company and let him harm other factions.”

Jiang Baimian felt like applauding him that very moment. She even automatically added some details to Shang Jianyao: They wouldn’t completely forbid him from returning to the company. Every once in a while, they would need him back to visit ‘loved ones’ to maintain an emotional connection.

Upon seeing Jiang Baimian remain silent, Shang Jianyao continued bewitching her. “We were born and raised in the company; this is our home. We have to treat anything that might threaten our home seriously and not have any wishful thinking. We would rather make mistakes than let it go.”

This sentence was like an arrow that stabbed at Jiang Baimian’s soft spot.

It might be difficult for people from other factions to understand the feelings native employees had for Pangu Biology, but as people sharing the same experiences, Shang Jianyao knew very well. In such a sealed and relatively stable environment, it gave people a sense of belonging. Furthermore, Jiang Baimian, Shang Jianyao, and the others’ parents were born and raised locally.

After a few seconds, Jiang Baimian teased, “Did you use your abilities on me? Otherwise, why would I accept such a risky, bold, crazy, and seriously illegal plan?”

“Yes.” Shang Jianyao nodded.

“Huh?” Jiang Baimian was a little stunned.

She was very sure that Shang Jianyao wouldn’t use his abilities on her on such a very important matter. Furthermore, before Shang Jianyao gave such a reason, her heart had already wavered. The reason was that she attached great importance to the company.

On second thought, Jiang Baimian understood why Shang Jianyao nodded.

He wants me not to have to shoulder any responsibility and blame my cooperation on Thought Guidance… At this thought, Jiang Baimian’s heart warmed as she smiled. “Then, I’ll take it as a yes.”

Shang Jianyao laughed as well; he was very happy.

…

On Monday morning, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen—who had met the former’s parents—applied for leave to register their marriage at the Order Supervisory Bureau on the 495th floor. Only Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao were left in the Old Task Force’s office.

This was a good opportunity. Jiang Baimian picked up the receiver and called Minister Xenny’s office.

After the call connected, she said seriously, “Minister, I’m Jiang Baimian. I have something to report to you.”

She then tersely made a few words of affirmation and answered the other party’s question. “It’s relatively urgent and important.

“Alright, I’ll be right there.”

After Jiang Baimian hung up, Shang Jianyao curiously asked, “Why didn’t you mention that I was also going?”

Jiang Baimian slowly exhaled and simply explained, “If Minister Xenny is indeed problematic and knows that you will follow in advance, she will definitely think of a way to guard against abilities like Thought Guidance. When the time comes, it’s difficult to say if the results of our probing will be authentic.”

Jiang Baimian’s smile had a hint of self-deprecation. After all, she was using her tricks on Pangu Biology and her immediate superior.

Clap! Clap! Clap! 

Shang Jianyao clapped for Big White’s meticulousness.

The two of them then looked at each other before walking out of Room 14 and heading to the elevator area that led to the 646th floor.

With Shang Jianyao around, Jiang Baimian didn’t get lost and successfully arrived at Xenny’s deputy minister’s office.

Knock! Knock! Knock! 

Under the gazes of two armed guards, she bent her finger and knocked on the door.

“Come on in.” Xenny’s voice sounded.

Jiang Baimian turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. She saw Minister Xenny sitting behind a large desk in a smart, white shirt and short black top.

“Him?” Xenny—who had long chestnut hair and chestnut eyes—saw Shang Jianyao and cast a confused gaze at Jiang Baimian.

Jiang Baimian smiled and said, “He was the one who discovered that matter. I was afraid I’d miss out on some important details, so I brought him along.”

After explaining, Jiang Baimian began to wait for Minister Xenny’s reaction.

If the latter was very resistant to communicating with Shang Jianyao now, her suspicion would rise exponentially.

Xenny slowly nodded and pointed at the sofa. “Let’s chat there.”

She then stood up and walked over with her sky-blue porcelain teacup.

Jiang Baimian led Shang Jianyao in and closed the door.

The two of them sat on the long sofa opposite Xenny, and Jiang Baimian first started the conversation. “Minister, Shang Jianyao actually mentioned that matter when he met Director Su. However, we later made a new discovery and felt that it was necessary to report it to you.”

Xenny didn’t hide her enlightenment. “Are you talking about Mu Renjie? Director Su has spoken to me. I’m in charge of selecting reliable people for the corresponding investigations. Why? Do you want to be part of it?”

“That’s right, that’s right!” Shang Jianyao had an expression that said: “I’m here to recommend myself.” He was very sincere with genuine interest.

This was within Jiang Baimian’s expectations because it was impossible for Su Yu to investigate personally. He would definitely find a trustworthy subordinate and assign the mission. The probability of him handing it to Xenny was considerably high.

Jiang Baimian didn’t expect Shang Jianyao to act so naturally and sincerely.

This might be the benefit of having a split personality… She could only sigh.

Xenny smiled and replied, “I’ll consider it. With your addition, it will be much simpler for you to investigate with your abilities. Oh, didn’t you say that you had new discoveries?”

Jiang Baimian deliberately looked at Shang Jianyao beside her.

Shang Jianyao deliberated over his words and quickly said, “That new discovery actually involves you, Minister Xenny, so you should distance yourself from this matter.”

The faint smile on Xenny’s face revealed obvious confusion.

Shang Jianyao expressed his ‘loyalty.’ “But we trust you, Minister Xenny, just like you’ve always trusted us. We are always on the same side as you, comrades in the same trench as you.”

Xenny’s expression relaxed as she smiled and said, “Let’s talk about the new discovery first.”

“Here’s the thing. Our team’s Long Yuehong and Bai Chen previously lived together and had the same dream the same night.” Shang Jianyao first pointed out the anomaly in the matter before saying, “In that dream, they realized that Director Mei Shou’an is from the Life Ritual parish. They then tried their best to find you and report this matter to you. In the end, you were also a member of the Life Ritual parish.”

Xenny laughed involuntarily. “There’s indeed a problem with such a dream, but we can’t believe whatever others say, right?”

Shang Jianyao asked seriously, “Then, Minister Xenny, are you from the Life Ritual parish?”

“Of course not,” Xenny replied casually.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Baimian heaved a sigh of relief. This was because Shang Jianyao had secretly used Thought Guidance in his recount to make Minister Xenny treat the two of them as trustworthy companions, comrades who had risked their lives together, and members of the same small organization.

In such a situation, if Xenny was indeed from the Life Ritual parish, she would believe that Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian were the fellow parishioners and frankly tell the truth.

The person who created that dream’s intentions are vile… Fortunately, we didn’t act rashly. Uh, this isn’t called acting rashly but making confirmation… Jiang Baimian muttered inwardly.

“That’s good.” Shang Jianyao had a look of relief. “The Arbiter of Fate symbolizes new life, and the Life Ritual parish disregards the lives of others and randomly deprives them of life. It’s obvious that they have taken a wrong path and misread the scriptures.”

Xenny smiled and listened without commenting.

Shang Jianyao made another confirmation according to the plan. He then asked, “Minister Xenny, do you believe in the Kalendaria?”

Xenny’s gaze swept across the two of them as she replied with a smile, “I do believe in a certain Kalendaria.”

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao tensed up. They felt the atmosphere in the deputy minister’s office freeze.

“Who?” Shang Jianyao asked with a smile.

Xenny pressed her hand to her heart and solemnly replied, “The night is long; the Arbiter of Fate blesses thee.”