Embers Ad Infinitum

Chapter 143: Last Man

Although Jiang Baimian could imagine that the religion’s name might be absurd from the pamphlet’s contents and that it might even contain typographical errors, she never expected them to use the term ‘anti-intellectualism’ openly. It gave her the feeling that they were complacent about calling themselves mentally degraded.

Jiang Baimian held in her laughter and asked rather seriously, “Why is it called that?”

Shang Jianyao replied before Oudick could. “By lowering everyone’s intelligence, they will be the smarter ones.”

Oudick looked at the fellow that was spouting nonsense and couldn’t figure out if he was joking or if he was more suitable to join the Anti-intellectualism Church.

After slowly exhaling, Oudick simply explained, “Just as many people believe, the Anti-intellectualism Church also believes that the Old World’s destruction was caused by people researching various taboo domains back then, bringing about a disaster.

“However, they go one step further by believing that humans were too smart and had grasped too much. If the Old World’s people didn’t think, didn’t increase their intelligence, didn’t read books, and didn’t gain new knowledge, it would be impossible for them to have explored forbidden domains. It also wouldn’t have triggered the apocalypse.

“They also believe that the Heartless disease’s appearance and the Heartless’s existence are not only a disaster but also a revelation given by the Kalendarium. As long as humans regress to the Heartless’s level of intelligence, the New World will descend and open its door.

“Therefore, the Anti-intellectualism Church advocates that thinking is a trap and that knowledge is toxic. They hope to burn all books and eradicate all places that provide education so that people can only live on instinct and the experience taught by their parents.

“As for exploring the future, they just need to follow the Kalendarium’s guidance and listen to a small number of the Kalendarium’s Chosen Ones. To them, thinking is a sin.”

Upon hearing this, Shang Jianyao nodded and eagerly made a judgment. “Then they must be very gullible.”

“In the Ashlands, everyone has too much to worry about. It might be a blessing to give up on thinking,” Jiang Baimian said in a mocking and emotional tone.

Finally, she asked, “Which Kalendaria does the Anti-intellectualism Church believe in?”

Oudick thought for a moment and said, “Last Man, the one who controls March.”

“Last Man... I remember such a term from a famous philosophical[1] work of the Old World. It refers to lowly, muddle-headed, mediocre, and slave-like people,” Jiang Baimian said thoughtfully.

Oudick was immediately a little surprised. He glanced at Jiang Baimian and didn’t say a word. He didn’t know that Last Man had such a meaning. Before today, he still felt that it was filled with mystery. It was indeed worthy of the title of a Kalendaria.

After a few seconds of silence, Oudick looked around and said, “That’s about it. I hope there’s still a chance to exchange intelligence in the future.”

Jiang Baimian snapped to her senses and asked with a smile, “Why did you allow us to ask so many questions? We only gave you one clue.”

“The value of your clue is above the intelligence I provided,” Oudick said frankly.

Jiang Baimian nodded and didn’t ask any further.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao suddenly inquired, “Who is the Ashlander between your parents?”

Oudick was a little confused by this question. He didn’t understand how it had come to this, but this was nothing confidential. Hence, he casually replied, “My father.”

“What’s his surname?” Shang Jianyao was excited.

Oudick became increasingly confused as to what the other party was trying to do. He took a step back and said in a deep voice, “Ou.”

He was always more vigilant against such abnormal situations because he had encountered many Awakened. He knew that danger was sometimes hidden in ordinary words.

“Pfft...” Jiang Baimian laughed. “So your name is...”

His surname was Ou, and his name was Dick. These two combined gave off the feeling of the Red River language.

“As expected.” Shang Jianyao clenched his right fist and punched his left palm, putting on an expression as if he had guessed correctly.

“...” Oudick swept his gaze between Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao a few times as if he were looking at a mental patient. In the end, he didn’t say anything and turned around to walk back to the Hunter’s Guild’s lobby.

Jiang Baimian watched him leave and spoke without turning her head. “You actually didn’t ‘make friends’ with him.”

“He really answered too many questions.” Shang Jianyao sighed.

“Yes.” Jiang Baimian nodded and said, “You still have to have a bottom line when it comes to using your abilities. You didn’t ‘make friends’ with Convoy Leader Ferlin to pry into his secrets, but to make it easier for our cooperation and ensure our own safety. Therefore, there’s no problem.

“As for Oudick, he told us whatever he could tell us.’Making friends’ with him will only help us figure out if he’s an Awakened, what his three abilities are, and what the price is. It’s best not to do so when he hasn’t shown us any hostility. Try not to harm the innocent.”

She was taking the opportunity to teach Shang Jianyao and help him establish the correct values. This was a team leader’s responsibility.

Shang Jianyao replied with the words: “Wang Beicheng.”

“...” Jiang Baimian flew into a rage out of humiliation before coming to a realization. “I’m just making a verbal assumption. I’ve never really beaten him!”

Shang Jianyao looked at Jiang Baimian’s raised left hand and cast his gaze at Wild Wolf Alley. “I wonder when those bars open?”

Jiang Baimian acutely asked, “Do you want to go door to door and confirm Lin Feifei’s whereabouts? Do you want to dance at each bar?”

Shang Jianyao had a serious expression. “You can dance in a bar?”

“Stop pretending. It’s not like you didn’t hear the music last night.” Jiang Baimian mercilessly exposed Shang Jianyao’s disguise.

Although the company’s basic education didn’t mention what one could do at a bar apart from drinking, the music on West Street didn’t completely die down until two to three in the morning. Anyone with brains would make certain connections.

Without waiting for Shang Jianyao to speak, Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged his words. “We have to get Little White to do this. She’s familiar with the underground market here and knows who to ask.”

“Yes.” Shang Jianyao felt very regretful, but he also agreed that Bai Chen was the most suitable candidate for this matter.

“Let’s go. There’s no need to wait in the guild. There won’t be any new clues for the time being.” Jiang Baimian took the lead and walked to Central Square, prepared to carry out some Weed City folklore investigation.

This was an extracurricular assignment that she had assigned herself.

As they walked, Jiang Baimian suddenly laughed. “In our team, apart from you, our names have colors. Big White, Little White, and Little Red[2]. You’re the only one who doesn’t fit in.”

“I’m the color of sunlight,” Shang Jianyao immediately replied.

Jiang Baimian tersely acknowledged it. “That’s true. ‘Yao’ has the meaning of sunlight...”

...

In the evening, Bai Chen—who was wearing a gray scarf—led Long Yuehong into Wild Wolf Alley.

Compared to how it was in the morning, this place was already very lively. Music blasted everywhere, interweaving into a kinetic melody.

Many Ruin Hunters—who lacked worries—lived their lives on the border of death. There might not be a tomorrow. Once they had excess money and supplies, they would inevitably want to come over and indulge themselves.

Be it with alcohol or the warm embrace of women or men, they could temporarily forget the cruelty of life. They didn’t have to think about the missions they had to take tomorrow, where they would adventure next, or whether they could still live.

In Weed City, where the Hunter’s Guild was abnormally powerful, this also led to the abnormal prosperity of local bars and nightclubs.

When many nomad settlements in the Ashlands lacked sufficient food, they could still squeeze out some food and fruit to make wine.

At the same time, Weed City’s municipal department cooperatively gave the green light and demarcated the streets here to be beyond the residential area. Even in winter, there was no need to turn the power off.

Under the throbbing lights, Bai Chen and Long Yuehong entered a nightclub called Today. They circled around the dance floor, where many people were gyrating crazily, and arrived in front of the bar counter.

Bai Chen bent her finger and knocked on the bar top seven times before speaking in a normal tone. “Two glasses of Golden Oray.”

This was a type of distilled grape wine. The reason it was called Golden Oray was that it was very popular in First City, as popular as the paper currency—Oray.

The bartender—who was wiping his cup—looked up and sized up Bai Chen. “I have better recommendations.”

“What is it?” Bai Chen asked cooperatively.

The bartender laughed. “Wheat ears. You can head straight to the back to sample it.”

The bartender pointed at the wooden door that seemed to lead to the kitchen on the other side of the bar counter.

“Alright.” Bai Chen turned around.

At this moment, the bartender also tapped the bar top eight times—four long and three short intervals between each strike.

Bai Chen didn’t turn around, knowing that the bartender was telling her that the secret signal they had agreed on had changed. She had to use this next time.

After pushing open the suspected kitchen door, Bai Chen and Long Yuehong saw two muscular men in black holding submachine guns through a junk-filled room and a narrow corridor.

After matching the secret signal, they were allowed in and went underground along the stairs.

There was a sizable hall with tables, chairs, and other items. Dozens of people sat in different spots, happily chatting with their friends under the sunlamps.

This looked like a place for private gatherings, not an underground market. It was completely different from what Long Yuehong had imagined.

Bai Chen cast her gaze over and searched for someone suitable to ask if they had seen Lin Feifei in the bar district.

Suddenly, her gaze froze.

A man stood up from a long, dark-red sofa. He was average in height, about 1.7 meters tall. However, his arms were thick, and his body was muscular. It was obvious that he was very strong.

In the cold winter, this man only wore a short-sleeved, black cotton T-shirt and a pair of brightly-colored, baggy pants. He lacked the necessary respect for temperature.

He had a shaved head with a bluish-black wolf symbol representing First City tattooed on it. His face looked fierce, and he seemed like the kind of person who could scare a child to tears without doing anything.

Behind him were two bodyguards in black. There was a bulging spot around their waists, and it was obvious that they were concealing weapons.

The man—whose exact age was indiscernible—walked towards Bai Chen and smiled teasingly. “You really escaped? You dare return?”

His eyes were cold, without any hint of a smile.

Bai Chen’s body trembled slightly, and she lost her usual calm and composure.

Although Long Yuehong was a little afraid when he saw this, he felt that he couldn’t just watch.

Team Leader said that we have to protect each other... Long Yuehong gritted his teeth and took a few steps forward to put himself between Bai Chen and the man.

His body also trembled indiscernibly, but he still looked at the bald, fierce-looking man without flinching.

Uh... Actually, I’m not too short... As he looked at the height of the man opposite him, this realization suddenly flashed across his mind.

[1] From Nietzsche. A concept that’s the antithesis to Übermensch, or Beyond-Man.

[2] Long Yuehong’s Hong is Red in Chinese.