Embers Ad Infinitum

On the street not far from the "Urban Intelligent Network Control Center", the mechanical monk Jingfa, wearing a yellow monk's robe and a red cassock, was monitoring the surroundings and looking for the source of the previous explosion.

Suddenly, the building with its own large courtyard lit up layer by layer, emitting a clear and yellowish light.

In the dark and silent ruins of the city, it is like a beacon that illuminates the eternal dream.

The mechanical monk Jingfa turned his head and glanced, then strode over.

…………

The moment the lights came on, Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Jiang Baimian instinctively closed their eyes to adapt to the sudden change in the environment.

Only Shang Jianyao tried his best to open his eyes and was almost stimulated to tears.

"You are very vigilant." Jiang Baimian opened his eyes and saw this scene, nodded in approval.

"Because I don't have sunglasses." Shang Jianyao finally blinked.

Jiang Baimian couldn't keep up with his brain circuit, so he could only sigh:

"Now I feel like I'm back in the company..."

In the same building, everything is illuminated by something similar to fluorescent lamps, and there is also a spacious elevator waiting area.

The only difference is that the hall here is spacious and spacious, similar to the "activity center" inside "Pangu Creature". It is paved with seemingly luxurious black stone floor tiles and hung with transparent and dreamy chandeliers.

"Really?" Long Yuehong at the stairs was on guard against Qiao Chu coming up and didn't dare to turn around.

"Better than the company." Shang Jianyao simply described.

Hearing this sentence, Jiang Baimian smiled at first, then frowned:

"On such a dark night, in such a ruined city, would it be very conspicuous to have such a brightly lit building, the only one?"

Bai Chen, who was aiming at the three elevators opposite, understood what Jiang Baimian meant and thought about it:

"Team leader, are you worried about the mechanical monk Jingfa and other ruin hunters coming here because of this?"

"Ordinary ruin hunters don't have to worry. You said that they will take the initiative to stay away from abnormal places." Jiang Baimian nodded gently and said, "But we already know that there is a purification method here. He has a special body and is very brave. Big, he is probably attracted to it, and he hates women. Also, there is a high probability that the 'Hyena' bandit group has also entered this ruins, they like to circle around anomalies, waiting for opportunities."

Shang Jianyao said thoughtfully:

"It depends on who has the worse name, them or Qiao Chu."

"You want to see who is more unlucky?" Jiang Baimian laughed and said, "You are really confident in our 'Old Tune Team'. What if it is the worst case scenario? They appear at the same time, and we are attacked from both sides."

After spending so many days together, she has figured out the relationship between a bad name and a bad fate.

As soon as she finished speaking, Shang Jianyao suddenly asked:

"How does Jingfa determine whether a person is a woman?"

"He is an 'immortal'. He definitely does not rely on organs such as nose and eyes, but a comprehensive judgment of various factors." Jiang Baimian subconsciously replied, "You want to pretend to be a woman and lure him away. And then take off the disguise? Haha, I think it’s a bit difficult.”

Shang Jianyao replied seriously:

"I was just thinking, what would happen if Jingfa met Qiao Chu?"

Jiang Baimian whispered with understanding:

"Jingfa is not a hater of women, but a psychopath who hates anyone who can arouse his lust and hit his weak points. He can no longer alleviate the corresponding desire.

"And Qiao Chu's 'charm' seems to be indiscriminate. It not only works on women, but also has good effects on men, even animals.

"Once Jingfa meets Qiao Chu, he will definitely be instantly charmed, and his psychology has been distorted for many years, so he will only have one reaction:

"Torturing the target who aroused his affection and desire, causing him to die miserably..."

Jiang Baimian's whisper was not low at all, and everyone present heard it. Bai Chen nodded slightly and said expressionlessly:

"Now I'm looking forward to Jingfa meeting Qiao Chu..."

"How bad you are." Jiang Baimian laughed out loud.

She immediately stopped her smile and said seriously:

"In short, while waiting for Qiao Chu to come up, take care of your surroundings, don't let your guard down, and be prepared for dangerous creatures to break in at any time."

While talking, Jiang Baimian stood up and opened the window deep in the elevator hall. Outside was a garden overgrown with weeds.

"If Jingfa comes in from the front door, I will use a grenade gun to stop him for a while, and you can take the opportunity to leave through the window.

"Our current firepower is not enough to deal with the mechanical monks who are also awakened ones. This is something we must admit. We cannot risk our lives." Jiang Baimian returned to his previous position, leaned his back against the wall again, and squatted down, "Okay Now, Qiao Chu is coming up soon. It will definitely be faster for him to go from the underground machine room to the elevator hall than from the stairwell to the underground machine room."

At least the roads are familiar.

As soon as Jiang Baimian finished speaking, his brows wrinkled again:

"Can you determine the scope of Qiao Chu's frustrating ability? I remember it can affect multiple targets.

"We can't just consider charm and ignore his other awakened abilities."

Shang Jianyao immediately replied:

"Similar capabilities should be impaired by obstacles such as walls and metal doors."

"But we can't be sure that the weakening will not affect us. If even Bai Chen's position is affected, how can we snipe Qiao Chu? By then, everyone will be frustrated and want to give up and wait to die." Jiang Baimian said quickly.

Before she finished speaking, she stood up:

"Key information is unknown and this operation is aborted."

"Go sniper on the rooftop?" Bai Chen suggested.

Jiang Baimian asked quickly:

“How confident are you in sniping a target wearing a military exoskeleton?

"We only have one gun with sniper capability."

Bai Chen didn't try to be brave and said with a gloomy expression:

"Not sure."

"Then evacuate here immediately and look for opportunities later." Jiang Baimian gave the order.

"Yes, team leader!" Shang Jianyao and others did not say more to avoid wasting precious time.

While observing the environment, Jiang Baimian muttered to himself angrily:

"Why is it that after getting rid of Qiao Chu, my thinking is still affected to a certain extent. It is not as logical as normal and I always ignore some problems..."

At this time, Xiao Chong, who was carrying a red schoolbag, followed him back to the elevator, looked up with a disappointed look on his face and asked:

"No more fun?"

"Next time." Jiang Baimian pointed to the window, "Go from here to avoid bumping into people coming in from the main entrance. Shang Jianyao, take Xiao Chong and go to the front. Hurry, someone is coming."

While speaking, Jiang Baimian picked up the grenade gun with one hand and aimed at the main entrance area.

Shang Jianyao picked up Xiao Chong, ran two steps, jumped directly, passed through the window, and landed outside.

Long Yuehong and Bai Chen climbed out of the window one after another.

At this time, Jiang Baimian had already seen the mechanical monk Jingfa wearing yellow monk robes and red cassocks.

Because Jingfa heard the woman's voice, his eyes were bright red and he ran over.

Jiang Baimian did not hesitate, pulled the trigger and fired a grenade.

Boom!

In the main entrance area, flames rose and debris flew, causing Jingfa to dodge subconsciously.

Jiang Baimian seized the opportunity, ran quickly to the window, and rushed out with a leaping movement.

Just a second or two later, the mechanical monk Jingfa crashed through the glass wall of the main entrance area and rushed in from the side with a crashing sound.

He was about to fire a grenade at the window when his head suddenly turned halfway and looked at one of the elevators.

Then, he ran over madly, his eyes red as blood.

The elevator quickly stopped on the first floor, and the car door and car door were slowly opened.

Jingfa raised his arms and aimed all offensive weapons inside.

However, there were only cold gray-black metal walls inside, without any human beings.

While Jingfa was stunned, the elevator door closed again and continued upward.

At the top of the elevator, in the deep and dark space, near the main wire rope, Qiao Chu stood quietly wearing a military exoskeleton device.

He looked down, his lips pursed tightly.

In the elevator hall on the first floor, Jingfa finally reacted.

He seemed to understand something and frantically pressed the buttons in an attempt to summon another elevator.

…………

In the courtyard behind the "Urban Intelligent Network Control Center".

Jiang Baimian crouched and walked quickly in the building where the light could not shine.

Soon, she followed Bai Chen and others according to the electrical signal.

Shang Jianyao half-crouched and leaned in the corner, and said in a deep voice:

"Xiao Chong is missing."

"Where have you gone?" Jiang Baimian asked in a low voice.

Shang Jianyao highlighted the key points and said:

"When we got here, I put him down, and he said he had to pee, rushed behind the bushes, and then disappeared."

Jiang Baimian thought for a moment and said with a serious expression:

"It's a bit weird. Let's get out of here as soon as possible."

Shang Jianyao and others immediately responded with actions instead of words.

Led by Jiang Baimian, they went straight to the side, tried to climb over the fence, and returned by a detour.

They walked through trees and flowers, getting closer and closer to their target.

At this moment, the desolate and hoarse roar sounded again not far away.

The roar was louder than before, as if ringing directly in his ears.

The minds of Jiang Baimian and others instantly became blank, and their hearts seemed to be tightly held by a huge and familiar fear, unable to beat.

After an unknown amount of time, they suddenly heard a soft voice:

"Don't be afraid, stay calm."

Shang Jianyao and others' bodies trembled slightly, and they finally woke up, feeling that their fear receded like the tide.

They immediately looked towards the place where the sound came from and saw a man squatting in the shadow of the fence.

This man was wearing a black loose robe, with long hair and a very elegant beard. His expression was gentle but a little solemn.

This man Shang Jianyao and the others knew each other. They had met once in the wilderness before:

Du Heng, who calls himself an antiquities scholar and historical researcher.

PS: Please vote for recommendation~