Upon hearing Shang Jianyao’s question, Du Heng fell silent for a few seconds before saying, “Sort of.”
His answer was rather vague, completely different from his previous performance of being a good teacher.
Jiang Baimian recalled what Du Heng had said in Swamp Ruin 1. If she wanted to know such important information, she had to exchange information of equivalent value. Jiang Baimian’s mouth—which had planned on pressing on—closed again.
Shang Jianyao thought for a few seconds and casually asked, “Who exactly is Xiaochong?”
Du Heng smiled and said, “Actually, I’m not that sure. I’ve lost many of my memories, and I only know that one of my goals in life is to find him. He’s very dangerous, and he might be involved in some of the Old World’s secrets.”
“I have a way to retrieve your memories!” Shang Jianyao volunteered.
Long Yuehong and Bai Chen were relatively confident in this. After all, the Old Task Force had the Destiny Pearl.
Du Heng glanced at them and chuckled. “It’s useless unless you can find an Awakened from the Subhuti domain—who has truly entered the New World—to use Destiny Connection.”
You managed to guess that? Jiang Baimian was surprised. When she spoke about DiMarco, she had only briefly mentioned the Awakened’s actions and tried her best to be vague about his abilities.
Based on the bits and pieces of this experience and Shang Jianyao’s performance, Du Heng had guessed that the Old Task Force had an item that could use Destiny Connection.
Regarding this, Jiang Baimian could only sigh with emotion. As expected of a mysterious expert.
Shang Jianyao wasn’t angry at being underestimated and asked in confusion, “Were your memories erased by an Awakened in the Last Man domain?”
“I don’t think so.” Du Heng’s tone wasn’t that certain.
The topic reached a dead-end until Jiang Baimian asked, “How dangerous is Xiaochong?”
Du Heng pondered for a moment and laughed. “To be honest, I’ve never encountered him face-to-face until now. Yes… All kinds of signs indicate that his danger level exceeds your imagination. If this city didn’t have so many Awakened at the Mind Corridor level, he might have the ability to destroy this place.”
A humanoid nuclear bomb? Jiang Baimian’s eyebrows twitched.
Shang Jianyao laughed. “Fortunately, he only likes to play games and doesn’t like to go out.”
Du Heng didn’t continue the topic. Just like how the Old Task Force shared their past encounters, he talked about his experiences during his subsequent journeys.
“That religion is really interesting. Based on the items and information excavated from the city ruins, along with the Kalendaria they worship, they independently created a very, very interesting set of teachings.” As Du Heng sniffed the increasingly rich fragrance of the grilled fish, he spoke loudly. “They treat barbells, sandbags, and other things as sacred objects. They treat them as proof that the Old World had already begun worshiping their Kalendaria. They train their bodies diligently every day. Their slogans are ‘only the body will not let you down,’ ‘muscle above all,’ and ‘only a strong physique can help you open the door to the New World…’”
A Gym Church? This word suddenly appeared in Jiang Baimian’s mind. She then thought of Ducas, the city guard major.
This officer was infatuated with muscles.
Shang Jianyao didn’t mind anything else and directly asked, “What’s their Holy Communion?”
“High protein food. If there’s a beverage similar to Old World protein powder, it will be considered a gift from God.” Du Heng chuckled and said, “They worship the April Kalendaria, Shadow of Distortion.”
“Pragmatically speaking, their teachings are actually more practical than many religions.” Bai Chen gave her opinion.
Jiang Baimian laughed as well. “No matter how you look at it, it’s not wrong to strengthen your body.”
“Therefore, they have many believers. This is especially so in the army and among Ruin Hunters.” Du Heng nodded. “A good body, coupled with good skills and marksmanship, is really a great treasure for Ashland survival.”
Army… Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully.
Long Yuehong couldn’t help but interject. “It’s not that many people don’t want to train, but they just don’t have the qualifications.”
If one didn’t have enough to eat and drink, working out would only harm oneself.
“For example…” Shang Jianyao laughed, but he didn’t name anyone.
Long Yuehong knew that it wasn’t wise to continue the sentence. He would definitely be met with the statement: “Sigh, I’m only 1.75 meters tall after genetic enhancement…”
He shut his mouth and waited for Du Heng’s answer.
Du Heng laughed self-deprecatingly. “I’m not too sure about how they evangelize, but I believe they offer food regularly.”
This is the greatest weapon when it comes to proselytizing in the Ashlands… Jiang Baimian nodded slightly.
After chatting about this organization called the Holy Body Church, Du Heng spoke about his experiences in different places. He had even gone to the Spirit Island, which was controlled by the Church of Paragon Desire and the Church of Spiritual Transcendence. It was known as Paradise Island by many.
It was suitable for growing fruits, marijuana, and other things. It had mature supporting industries, allowing them to exchange for various supplies.
As he listened, Shang Jianyao suddenly asked, “Have you been to the Salvation Army?”
“Yes.” Du Heng smiled. “That place isn’t too unique, but their mental and physical appearances might be a little different. Furthermore, it has produced two extremes…”
Just as he said that, the chef was done roasting the fish. He separated the skin from the meat and filleted it before serving it to them.
The rich fragrance made everyone take deep breaths.
Genava faked it.
“We can eat now.” Du Heng took the initiative to fork a piece of fish steak. He half-closed his eyes and took a bite.
Shang Jianyao went straight for a piece of fish skin. It was imbued with the taste of the condiments and had its own unique characteristics. When the two were combined, it made one salivate crazily and left a fragrance in one’s mouth.
Everyone enjoyed this meal—even Genava charged several batteries.
When the Old Task Force bade Du Heng farewell, the sky had already turned completely dark. The pedestrians on the road were in a rush, and their numbers were many times greater than in the afternoon.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get his contact details.” Shang Jianyao wasn’t the only one who felt regret. Jiang Baimian was also regretful.
Du Heng didn’t get a phone that worked with First City’s Internet, nor did he give an address or a telegram frequency. In the face of the Old Task Force’s inquiry, he only waved his hand coolly, turned around, and stepped into the crowd before disappearing around the corner.
Genava thought for a moment and said, “You want to freeload off his help?”
…Don’t be so direct… Also, when did you learn the word ‘freeload?’ Jiang Baimian’s expression almost stiffened. This crappy robot should learn the ways of the world!
Sigh, I should’ve left the role of being wistful to Shang Jianyao… Jiang Baimian couldn’t help but glance to the side.
Shang Jianyao said seriously, “As long as Xiaochong is still in First City, we will encounter Teacher Du Heng sooner or later. When the time comes, I have to learn from him how to make myself appear mysterious.”
“…Let’s hope so.” Jiang Baimian sighed and said to Long Yuehong and Bai Chen, “Let’s go back our separate ways.”
Their destination was one of their safe houses.
…
Upon seeing that it was about time, the Old Task Force switched on the radio transceiver. They were waiting for United Industries’s arms dealer, Lehman, to give them the time and place for the transaction.
Terrence from the Blackshirts had already given Shang Jianyao a reply. He said that it was indeed difficult to raise such a large sum of money, but it could be supplemented with supplies of equivalent value.
They could provide it to them interest-free, but they had to provide sufficient collateral.
Jiang Baimian’s plan was to use the old military exoskeleton as collateral first. After the transaction was completed, she would swap the collateral for the new mechanical arm. In any case, that thing couldn’t be used for the time being. She could leave it with Terrence first and slowly repay the debt.
Shang Jianyao had suggested using Genava as collateral, but Terrence rejected him without hesitation.
Since everything was in place, they didn’t waste any time. They went to the designated safe house and contacted Lehman before waiting for a reply at the agreed time.
After a long time, a radio transceiver signal came in.
As Jiang Baimian received the telegram, she relied on the auxiliary chip to quickly and simply translate it.
Her eyelids twitched when she translated the first word. It was: “Help!”
Jiang Baimian sped up and quickly translated the entire telegram: “Help! 55 Cornet Street.”
Upon reading the telegram, Long Yuehong blurted out, “Lehman is in danger?”