In Gitis’s heart, Ceningmis was a place that all the White Knights combined didn’t dare enter. Any human would end up infected with the Heartless disease there.
Back when she had the Subhuti figurine, she had never thought of getting an avatar to enter Ceningmis to gather some supplies, afraid that the Heartless disease would infect her main body.
Not only had this team been to Ceningmis, but they had also returned to Gesterbourg alive. They even claimed to have resolved the problem with Ceningmis and made the widespread Heartless disease there completely disappear. It was no longer a forbidden zone!
As Gitis reeled in disbelief, Shang Jianyao replied in an abnormally sincere and humble manner, “We only made an insignificant contribution.”
That’s the truth… It’s unknown which Kalendaria resolved Ceningmis’s problem. There’s a high chance that it was Big Boss, Arbiter of Fate. We were only in charge of ‘delivering’ the relevant items in… Jiang Baimian muttered inwardly.
She didn’t mind Shang Jianyao telling Gitis that Ceningmis had returned to normal. She wasn’t worried that it would reveal the fact that the Old Task Force had completed all the missions. This was because Gitis definitely wouldn’t publicize this matter and allow others to seize the initiative. Furthermore, the teams she had organized in the past two to three times were definitely trustworthy. Those people wouldn’t spread the opportunity to make a killing to avoid increasing the competition and preventing them from choosing the best and most valuable supplies.
Although most Ruin Hunters in Gesterbourg liked to brag and might not be able to keep the secret if they secretly drank some smuggled hard liquor after two to three explorations, Ceningmis was large. No matter how many Ruin Hunters there were, they wouldn’t be able to empty it in a year or so. However, that would happen in at least a month—the Old Task Force should’ve completed their designated goal by then.
Since that was the case, it was only right for them to benefit their friends.
An insignificant contribution… Gitis stared at Shang Jianyao for a few seconds and gave up on asking.
These people had too many mysteries surrounding them. The more she knew, the more dangerous it was.
She reined in her shock and turned her thoughts to pragmatic problems. “Are there still plenty of Heartless in Ceningmis?”
If there were plenty or stronger ones, she would have to consider the composition of the team carefully.
“They should all be dead,” Shang Jianyao replied truthfully. “In any case, we didn’t encounter them again.”
Jiang Baimian nodded. “Ceningmis has run out of food. Even if there are Heartless, they will search for food in the surrounding area with summer approaching instead of staying in Ceningmis.”
“However, you still have to be very careful. The remaining Heartless in Ceningmis are definitely very strong,” Shang Jianyao added.
After bidding Gitis farewell, the Old Task Force went upstairs and entered the suite they had booked.
Jiang Baimian threw her tactical backpack to the side and sat in the single-seater. She smiled and said, “We can relax a little for the next two to three days. Our primary mission is to charge up our electricity and stock up on supplies.”
“There’s no way to truly relax on the surface,” Shang Jianyao replied. He then explained, “I said it on Little Red’s behalf.”
“I don’t think so!” Long Yuehong immediately retorted.
Although it was indeed impossible for him to relax his body and mind like he did in the company, he wasn’t that strung up when he was in a safe area. After all, his wife was lying beside him, and he had trustworthy companions on night duty outside.
Jiang Baimian stopped Shang Jianyao from continuing and exhaled. “It’s getting late. We have to consider what to eat.”
Shang Jianyao’s eyes lit up as his attention was instantly diverted.
…
In the dark night, Shang Jianyao entered the Mind Corridor again after lying in bed. He squatted in front of Room 205, which represented February’s Kalendaria, Dawn.
The rash him escaped and anxiously shouted, “Can we enter now?”
The honest Shang Jianyao joined him. “That’s right; we don’t lie to ourselves. The two targets we previously set have been completed. Didn’t you say that we can enter after finding the Eighth Research Institute’s exact location and exploring Ceningmis? That we can die without regrets even if we encounter something?”
“That’s right, that’s right,” another Shang Jianyao echoed.
He had always stood on the side of reason.
The ruthless Shang Jianyao scoffed. “Don’t drag us down if you want to die!”
“You make it sound like I’m dragging you along. If it weren’t for the fact that I can’t shake off a coward like you, I would’ve long done it alone!” the rash Shang Jianyao replied bluntly.
There was no need to be polite to himself.
The Shang Jianyao that sought novelty also interrupted. “I wonder what it will be like to explore the Kalendaria’s room and what we will find…”
His tone was filled with strong yearning.
Upon seeing that everyone was losing cohesion and that it was difficult to lead the team, the calm and rational Shang Jianyao walked toward Room 205.
Just as the Shang Jianyaos were about to cheer, this Shang Jianyao suddenly turned around and blocked Room 205’s door. He then looked around and said, “We still haven’t figured out why the Kalendarium rear humans and what dangers are hidden in the company. Do you want to die in advance and let everyone in the company slide into the bottomless abyss?”
“I don’t want to die with such unfinished business.” Shang Jianyao—whose eyes were still a little red and swollen—agreed.
“That’s right, that’s right,” echoed the Shang Jianyao that didn’t have a mind of his own.
“Namo Annutara-Samyak-Subhuti.” Zen Master Redemption—who was half-mechanical and half-human—raised his palm vertically and said sincerely, “We redeem others first to redeem ourselves.”
Nobody paid attention to the Buddhist preaching that he had painstakingly come up with. Shang Jianyao—who abhorred evil—said, “If we can’t even save everyone in the company, how can we save all of humanity?”
The most cheerful Shang Jianyao grinned at his peers. “Since there’s disagreement, let’s vote.”
After a vote, the Shang Jianyao Democratic Association approved the proposal of solving the mystery of the Kalendarium rearing humans before exploring Room 205 with a vote of six to four.
“Sigh.” The Shang Jianyao that sought novelty let out a long sigh. “Why didn’t we find the Mind Room of End Year City’s Awakened?”
In that case, it might be easier to lock onto End Year City’s exact location. They might even obtain the answer as to why the Kalendarium reared humans.
“Our luck sucks,” replied the honest Shang Jianyao.
“It’s also possible that someone doesn’t want us to encounter them.” The ruthless Shang Jianyao sneered.
As they spoke, they gathered and fused into one before heading deeper into the Mind Corridor to see if they could find the door that led to the New World or anything related to End Year City in other rooms.
After walking for a while, Shang Jianyao’s gaze froze again.
Not far in front of him, the number ‘503’ was written on a vermilion door—this was Jiang Xiaoyue’s room.
…
The next morning, Jiang Baimian—who had heard Shang Jianyao’s report—asked in relief and amusement, “You actually didn’t enter?”
Shang Jianyao said seriously, “Room 503 might not be less dangerous than Room 205.”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Genava clapped for Shang Jianyao this time.
Shang Jianyao wore a regretful expression. “Unfortunately, Old Ge can’t enter the Mind Corridor. Otherwise, he can explore 503.”
The danger shown by Room 503 was to make the explorer contract the Heartless disease, but robots were immune to the Heartless disease.
Jiang Baimian nodded. “Yes, we’ll discuss this problem later tonight. Let’s go out and get some supplies now.”
They still had some coins left.
Downstairs, Long Yuehong saw a sheriff leave the front desk and walk out of the hotel.
Gitis was still at work during the day.
“What was he asking?” Shang Jianyao approached as if they were acquaintances.
Gitis looked around and suppressed her voice. “Eman was the deputy commander of the local Knights. His death caught the attention of the Grand Knights, and they have been investigating the real reason.”
“Did they suspect you?” Jiang Baimian asked before Shang Jianyao could.
Gitis shook her head. “Fortunately, I insisted on not using my avatars to obtain unreasonable benefits. Eman and I have no interactions on the surface, so they can’t suspect me at all. Those sheriffs only know that I’m a relatively good intelligence peddler and want to see if I have any clues.”
Jiang Baimian slowly nodded. She then suppressed her voice and said, “In the future, don’t mention Eman and your avatars anywhere, even if there’s nobody around or when communicating with us. I don’t think anyone knows better than you what it means by ‘walls have ears.'”
Gitis wasn’t the only one with Heavenly Ears.
Gitis’s expression changed slightly as she nodded solemnly.
Just as Shang Jianyao planned on bidding his friend farewell and buying supplies in different places in Gesterbourg, Bai Chen suddenly asked, “Have you heard of End Year City? Have you heard of End Year City during your three years as an intelligence peddler?”