Embers Ad Infinitum

Following Shang Jianyao's gaze, Jiang Baimian saw Du Heng wearing a black robe sitting on the floor in an alley, with his back leaning against the telephone pole supporting the "spider web", his head tilted back slightly, as if he was sleeping, looking very... It's comfortable.

At this time, the sun had already set below the horizon, and darkness enveloped the world. If it weren't for Shang Jianyao's sharp eyesight, relying on the few lights in the houses on both sides, Jiang Baimian would most likely have ignored Du Heng, whose clothes were almost blended with the night. .

Hearing the name of the big guy who could scare away even Xiao Chong, Bai Chen stepped on the brakes and let the jeep stop smoothly on the side of the road.

Shang Jianyao opened the car door, walked over, and sat down next to Du Heng.

Seeing this, Jiang Baimian hesitated for a moment, then followed him, imitating Shang Jianyao, and sat down next to him.

Bai Chen was responsible for guarding the jeep and taking care of Long Yuehong, who was in the back row and was receiving intravenous fluid.

Du Heng turned his head sideways, opened his eyes, glanced at Shang Jianyao, and resumed his previous posture.

"You?" There was a rare tiredness in his tone.

"Yes." Shang Jianyao answered according to the other party's literal meaning.

Du Heng maintained his original state:

"It turns out that I came here because you entered the 'soul corridor'.

"We should have this chance to meet..."

Teacher Du Heng, why are you talking like a Taoist priest... Jiang Baimian resisted and did not interrupt.

Shang Jianyao did not hide his surprise:

"Am I being so obvious?"

"I can just tell." Du Heng simply replied.

Then, without opening his eyes, he said:

"Don't rush to change the state of your mental room, and don't go out into the corridor too quickly. Wait a month or two until your mental state is almost stable before doing so. This can effectively reduce the deterioration of your costs."

"Okay." Shang Jianyao added "we" to the subject who did not refute the price.

Du Heng turned to say:

"You can leave now, don't disturb my sleep."

"Okay." Shang Jianyao has always been a polite and good young man.

Jiang Baimian glanced at Du Heng suspiciously, stood up, patted his pants, and walked back to the jeep parked on the road outside the alley.

…………

In the wasteland on the north shore, a huge convoy drove towards the mountains.

These are the people escaping from Early Spring Town.

In order to escape the pursuit of the "Primary City", they risked their lives and drove for nearly four hours in the dark.

Of course, there was no moon tonight, and there were even few stars. They did not dare to keep going. After arriving at the ruins of a small town that had long been excavated, they chose to camp and rest to avoid risks.

The dark-colored off-road vehicles of Han Wanghuo, Zeng Duo and Gnawa were at the end of the team, responsible for cleaning up the corresponding traces. When they arrived, there were more than a dozen bonfires between several buildings where no one outside could see them. has risen.

Most of the townspeople in Chuchun Town are different from ordinary people. In the words of outsiders, they are all weird.

They gathered around different campfires, taking the time to rest, patrolling the surroundings, or filling their bellies, without saying much.

Coupled with their appearance, they look quite gloomy.

Zeng Duo glanced around and explained to Han Wanghuo and Gnawa:

"Everyone is usually very kind and enthusiastic, but now maybe there are outsiders around, and they have been locked up for several months, so they are not very relaxed."

"It's okay." Han Wanghuo simply replied.

For Gnawa, this is not a problem.

At this time, the mayor with atrophied legs rode over on his son with underdeveloped brain, and had a detailed exchange with Zeng Duo about the previously discussed destination.

After figuring out the specific situation, he returned to the bonfires and clapped his hands twice.

All the townspeople who were not asleep turned their eyes over.

The mayor cleared his throat and said loudly:

"I know everyone is scared. It is not an easy thing to abandon the town we have lived in for so many years and the fields we have cultivated, but we have to do it. I believe you all can see the consequences of becoming experimental subjects. Here we are, we have all realized how huge the 'First City' is, and it is not something we can compete with. We may be able to win once, but not many times, and as long as we lose once, there will be no room for us to turn around."

This was said from the bottom of his heart and was an obvious fact, and received a nod from the townspeople.

The mayor continued:

"Wandering is actually the living condition of most human beings on the earth. Every few years, or shorter, they will migrate for various reasons. Compared to them, we are actually much better off, at least we are called the 'original city' 'After being caught, the person still has a chance to escape and survive!"

These words slowly released the accumulated panic and uneasiness in the hearts of many townspeople, and they finally felt like they had escaped.

The mayor looked around and raised his voice a little higher:

"Zeng Duo told me that she found a suitable place to settle. There is enough water for drinking, there are abandoned farmlands for reclamation, and there are abandoned ruins that have been renovated. Now that it is summer, we still have enough time to be busy.

"As long as the first harvest is obtained, the new Chuchun Town will be established!

"besides……"

Speaking of this, the mayor suddenly became excited:

“There’s no pollution there, there’s no pollution!

"Our descendants will slowly become normal and no longer suffer from the pain caused by the deformation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the citizens of Chuchun Town were in an uproar. They looked around and whispered to each other, trying to confirm whether what the mayor said was true.

"It's true!" Zeng Duo clasped his hands together, forming a trumpet shape, and put it in front of his mouth, "I promise!"

She showed extraordinary abilities today and had very powerful companions. She rescued everyone from the guards of the "Primary City" and unknowingly became someone whom the townspeople relied on and trusted. Therefore, she The guarantee is sufficiently effective and credible.

After a brief silence, the strange townspeople made various sounds:

"Long live!"

"Ula!"

"God open your eyes!"

…

Their excitement was beyond words, waking up all the sleeping townspeople.

Seeing the changes in the familiar faces and hearing their unreserved shouts, Zeng Duo was in a trance for a moment.

She seemed to have led everyone to the mountain col. She cleared weeds with everyone, reopened the farmland, built ditches with neighbors to bring in clean water, and harvested wheat with relatives and friends. After all the busy work, Gather around the dining table, use water as wine, and enjoy...

That picture was so beautiful that Zeng Duo couldn't help but stretched out his hand to touch it, but couldn't catch anything.

When the scene calmed down, Han Wanghuo, who was standing at the outermost edge, glanced sideways at her:

"Have you begun to miss this world and be reluctant to die?"

Zeng Duo answered honestly:

"A little.

"But don't worry, I will fulfill my promise. I won't live long anyway."

Han Wanghuo was noncommittal and looked ahead:

"Can't you learn to be selfish?

“Love yourself before loving others.”

Zeng Duo scratched his short hair:

"I want to, but..."

She looked at Han Wanghuo doubtfully:

"You said this, aren't you afraid that I will regret it and desperately want to survive?

"You don't love yourself anymore, are you not selfish anymore?"

Han Wanghuo remained silent and did not answer.

Gnawa was patrolling the area and did not participate in their conversation.

…………

First City, Red Giant Wolf District, underneath a fairly high-end apartment.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao, who had obtained the necessary medicines and equipment during the night, walked into the door.

After looking at the shelf of mailboxes in the lobby, Jiang Baimian walked over and found the house number of the room he and others rented to see if there was today's newspaper in it, hoping to learn more about the situation in the First City.

——She remembered that when renting, the landlord specifically mentioned that he had subscribed to the "First City Daily" for the whole year.

Perhaps it was because of today's turmoil that newspapers were not printed or delivered. The mail box was empty except for an unsigned letter.

letter? Jiang Baimian took out the letter in confusion, checked it, and opened it on the spot.

Inside the letter were two thin pieces of paper, corresponding to two medical reports.

The report said that unless the heart and bone marrow were replaced, the patient would not survive long.

At the same time, they also mentioned the combination of some drugs, saying that according to this plan of treatment and proper care, a patient can live at least half a year longer, and another almost three months.

"The medical reports of Lao Han and Zeng Duo? Sent by Master Chan Naga? Didn't he blame us for escaping early?" Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao looked at each other and whispered to themselves, "The 'prophecy' ability is really amazing. …”

Shang Jianyao nodded:

"Master Zenaga is such a good man."

Jiang Baimian deeply agrees with this.

Master Zenaga is truly compassionate.

…………

First City, Sikaluo Temple, on the street outside.

Inspector Alexander looked at the brightly lit seven-story Buddhist temple, listened to the faintly echoing chanting, and sighed to his daughter Gallolan beside him:

"Master Zen Naga has passed away..."