To the Old Task Force, the biggest problem now was that they didn’t know where End Year City was.
Long Yuehong thought for a moment and took the initiative to say, “We can only consider returning to Cliff Village and waiting for End Year City’s people to head south to trade.”
He had always been proactive when it came to matters regarding the company and the Kalendarium’s rearing of humans. After all, this directly affected his family, relatives, friends, and future life.
Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, “Summer is approaching. The people of End Year City will definitely seize this window to make more transactions and stock up on supplies.”
Since End Year City’s exact location needed to be kept confidential, they could only send people south. This was an opportunity.
Upon seeing that his suggestion had obtained his team leader’s approval, Long Yuehong couldn’t hide his joy and added, “We can go to Cliff Village to replenish our electricity and food.”
At this point, he exclaimed and frowned. “When we submitted the application, we only declared two missions—finding the Eighth Research Institute’s exact location and exploring Ceningmis. Both have been completed, so the company will definitely be suspicious if we don’t return soon.”
The higher-ups would feel that the Old Task Force had thoughts to themselves and that they were busy with or planning something.
Jiang Baimian smiled after hearing Long Yuehong’s words. “I haven’t reported the matter of finding the Kalendaria’s Son’s remains to the company.”
In other words, in Pangu Biology’s records, the Old Task Force had yet to complete all their missions.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Shang Jianyao clapped again.
Jiang Baimian glanced at him and didn’t say a word. She could sense that Hey was relatively quiet today as if he were only a mood maker.
This was understandable.
“However, the environment in Ceningmis has already changed. If it no longer overlaps with the New World, it won’t be long before someone notices its abnormality,” Bai Chen reminded her team leader. “Besides, doesn’t our arrival at Cliff Village mean that the mission is completed?”
If they hadn’t finished exploring Ceningmis, normal people would choose to replenish their energy and supplies in Gesterbourg. They wouldn’t cross Icefield to return to Cliff Village.
Jiang Baimian smiled. “To the humans in Gesterbourg and the surroundings, Ceningmis is a forbidden zone. Unless something unexpected happens, nobody will specially go over to check on it. Only when summer comes and a large number of Ruin Hunters enter Icefield and occasionally pass by will the problem with Ceningmis be discovered.”
She meant that her team still had plenty of time.
There was still about a month before summer in Icefield.
“As for Cliff Village, let’s go to Gesterbourg to stock up on supplies and strive to last a little longer in Icefield. Let’s see if we can wait until the southward-heading caravan of End Year City comes,” added Jiang Baimian.
Everyone knew very well where they would be waiting—it was on either side of the road that led from Icefield to Cliff Village.
“Yes.” Genava moved his metal neck up and down. “We still have to hand the items Aester wants to Gitis.”
“They take up too much space!” Shang Jianyao pointed at his and Genava’s bulging tactical backpacks.
Long Yuehong scoffed. “Haven’t you always liked missions that help people fulfill their wishes? Why would you disdain the corresponding items occupying space?”
Shang Jianyao replied seriously, “They are squeezing my father.”
Some of his father’s remains were in his backpack, and another portion was with Genava.
Long Yuehong was speechless.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Baimian cleared her throat and said seriously, “It’s very clear what we should do next. We’ll head to Gesterbourg tomorrow.”
The night passed uneventfully.
After dawn, the five Old Task Force members were in no rush to get into the car. They lined up on the flat hill and faced Ceningmis as they held their chests and closed their eyes.
They mourned in silence for the other Old Task Force members.
Each of these people played many roles. They were the children, parents, partners, relatives, and friends of others.
After three minutes, Jiang Baimian opened her eyes and whispered, “Everyone, don’t worry. The real reason for the Old World’s destruction is about to surface. When the time comes, the wind will pass the news to you on our behalf.”
With that said, she bowed deeply.
As a team that investigated the cause of the Old World’s destruction and the Heartless disease’s origins, she was very respectful and sorrowful to the predecessors who had sacrificed themselves in Ceningmis.
At this moment, Shang Jianyao shouted, “For all of humanity!”
He then bowed deeply as well.
Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Genava did the same.
…
White Knights, Gesterbourg.
The moment the Old Task Force returned, they sensed a strange atmosphere in the air.
There were clearly more knights and soldiers wearing alloy armor coming and going. The Ruin Hunters—who were supposed to be active—appeared timid.
“Nervous!” After leaving Ceningmis for a period of time, Shang Jianyao returned to normal.
“Why are you nervous?” Jiang Baimian—who was driving the jeep with the help of manual navigation—glanced at the passenger seat.
Shang Jianyao looked out and excitedly said, “Could they be sent by the White Knights’ headquarters to capture us?”
“Why would we deserve this?” Jiang Baimian laughed.
The Old Task Force had always been law-abiding in Gesterbourg. They only attacked the Eighth Research Institute’s people and didn’t do anything out of line that would attract attention.
“We’re worth tens of thousands of Oray!” Shang Jianyao seemed rather proud of this.
Long Yuehong muttered, “To a large faction like the White Knights, tens of thousands of Oray is nothing.”
“Any faction is made up of people, and people have selfish motives. To an individual, tens of thousands of Oray is enough to buy their lives.” Shang Jianyao was prepared to enter a war of words.
“That’s right, that’s right.” Long Yuehong couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.
Before long, Jiang Baimian drove the car to the Fire & Iron Hotel’s entrance.
The receptionist today was Gitis.
Upon seeing that nobody was around, Shang Jianyao directly asked the former intelligence peddler, “Did something happen recently? I feel like there are many more knights in Gesterbourg.”
Gitis looked up at him and calmly said, “One Knight silver coin.”
“There’s a fee for that?” Shang Jianyao was very surprised.
“Apart from me, you won’t be able to get the real reason from anywhere else,” Gitis replied calmly.
Jiang Baimian’s heart stirred. She looked around and suppressed her voice. “You’ve Awakened?”
Gitis combed the honey-colored hair by her ears and said happily, “I have Heavenly Ears again!”
She deliberately didn’t mention what the other two abilities were.
“When did this happen?” Shang Jianyao asked happily as if he were the one who had Awakened.
Gitis replied with bright eyes, “On the third day after you left, I dreamed of a bodhi tree and later Awakened.”
“Namo Annutara-Samyak-Subhuti.” Shang Jianyao raised his right palm vertically in satisfaction and chanted a Buddhist proclamation.
Jiang Baimian was also happy for Gitis. She took out a Knight silver coin she had and handed it to the latter.
Gitis bluntly accepted the silver coins and suppressed her voice. “It seems like the headquarters specially sent many powerhouses over to deal with the Eighth Research Institute.”
The company told the Eighth Research Institute’s exact location to the White Knights? The various large factions are joining forces to deal with the Eighth Research Institute? These thoughts flashed through Bai Chen, Long Yuehong, and Jiang Baimian’s minds at the same time.
“Do you know when it will begin?” Shang Jianyao asked excitedly.
Gitis shook her head. “That organization is very strong. It will probably take months to prepare.”
Most importantly, the various factions have to coordinate well. Otherwise, whoever takes the lead will suffer… The Eighth Research Institute’s strength isn’t to be underestimated… Jiang Baimian nodded thoughtfully.
Gitis looked around and asked instinctively like an intelligence peddler, “Did you guys return from Ceningmis?”
“Yes.” Shang Jianyao signaled for Genava to take off his backpack and take out the toy bear, building blocks, and other items.
Gitis’s eyes widened slightly as she said in surprise, “Did you really enter Ceningmis?”
Furthermore, they came out alive!
However, she found it completely understandable after glancing at Genava. Ceningmis was forbidden to humans but not to robots.
Robots wouldn’t contract the Heartless disease!
“That’s right, that’s right,” Shang Jianyao admitted frankly. He then kindly told Gitis, “Ceningmis is no longer in danger; you can organize a team to gather supplies. Yes, you have to pay attention. If it’s dark in Ceningmis, even at noon, you must not enter…”
Gitis was confused. She felt like she understood every word, but she didn’t know what it meant when pieced together.
After a few seconds, she suddenly came to a realization and looked at Shang Jianyao, Jiang Baimian, and the others in surprise. “You restored Ceningmis to normal?”
Made that place no longer a forbidden zone?