Chapter 267: Major Progress

Upon hearing Jiang Baimians sigh, Bai Chenwho was drivingthoughtfully replied, About Ninth Zhang seeing a dragon? That Superior Heartless might have a certain connection with the Clam Dragon Church?

Yes. Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. I can now make a preliminary judgment that the hallucination created by the Superior Heartless is rooted in his own understanding, knowledge, and experience. It has nothing to do with our memories or emotions. At most, he will constantly make some adjustments according to the targets reaction. For example, you show signs of fear when watching a horror film. The illusion created by the Superior Heartless might very well develop in this direction then.

At this point, she turned to look at Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao and teased, Otherwise, the Mountain Fox bandits wouldnt have seen mutated monsters, starving beasts, and commonly seen Heartless in the illusion. Instead, they wouldve seen the aggressive us.

Yes, we cant rule out the possibility that they are lying about this matter, but I dont think theres a need for them to do so. Everyone can barely be considered as being on the same boat. If we dont finish off the Superior Heartless as soon as possible, everyone might die. Unless unless they are already controlled and have begun acting as accomplices.

Shang Jianyao shook his head. He didnt lie.

Didnt you not use your powers? Jiang Baimian asked in amusement.

Why are you so sure?

Shang Jianyao replied truthfully, Although he has killed, robbed, and raped and deserves to be hanged, hes a polite person.

At this moment, Long Yuehong didnt know where to start criticizing.

Wasnt that fellows manners taught by you?

Jiang Baimian was just about to scold him jokingly when something in her pocket suddenly buzzed.

She then took out a palm-sized electronic product. On its front was a black LCD screen. On the screen, the image of two robots leaning against each other flickered.

This was a phone. In Tarnan, such communication tools could be directly used because Mechanical Paradise had installed a base station and the relevant department.

Of course, the four phones that Genava had distributed to the Old Task Force were self-produced models from Mechanical Paradise. They werent repaired leftovers from the Old World.

This Tarnan Mayor and robot guard captain probably knew that the Superior Heartless could interfere with electromagnetic signals to create an illusion that could affect robots. However, it felt that it shouldnt avoid something essential because of a slight risk and completely abandon the communications between the various defenses.

They couldnt just rely on shouting to communicate, right? Their voices could also be distorted and tampered with!

After the mission was completed, the participants could choose to return the phones or keep them as partial payment.

The only problem was that the cell phones main functions would basically be non-functional once they left Tarnan. It could only be used as a miniature computer to read novels and play some simple games.

Even if one were to head to a place like Weed Citywhich also had a base stationthey had to register with the supervisor and obtain permission before they could make calls again.

Although Jiang Baimian had never used a cell phone, she was smart enough and had experience with other electronic products. After struggling for a few minutes, she roughly figured out how to answer phones, make phone calls, read novels, and play games.

At this moment, she swiped her thumb and brought the phone to her ear. Hello.

Im Genava. A mellow male voice sounded from the other end of the line.

Jiang Baimian smiled and asked, Good news?

Yes, Genava replied firmly.

Yes

Jiang Baimians other hand instantly clenched into a fist, and she gently pumped it.

Upon noticing her reaction, Shang Jianyao turned around and stretched out his right hand toward Long Yuehong.

Long Yuehong was taken aback, not wanting to show that he understood this lunatic. But under Shang Jianyaos persistent gaze, he still stretched out his right hand and slapped Shang Jianyaos palm.

At this moment, Genavas subsequent words entered Jiang Baimians ears. Source Brain just gave a reply: When this matter is resolved, and you have made the corresponding contribution, you can pose the questions you want to ask over the phone. The time limit is five minutes.

Shang Jianyaowho had narrowed the distance with Jiang Baimians head and was eavesdropping on the phone callgasped. Thats difficult. How can we come up with five minutes worth of questions?

Genava fell silent for a moment before saying, This includes the answers.

Thats too short. Shang Jianyao didnt show any signs of being ashamed of his mistake.

Jiang Baimian suspected that Genava had succumbed to Shang Jianyaos rhetoric.

Genava fell silent again before saying, This is decided by the Source Brain. I cant make any further compromises.

No matter what, thank you! Jiang Baimians mood became rather good when she saw that her main mission had made significant progress.

Thank you, Shang Jianyao said.

Jiang Baimian then hung up, put away her phone, and smiled. Thats strange. Why doesnt the Source Brain agree to a meeting request and has an extremely unyielding attitude, but it doesnt reject a call?

This was her usual form of leading questions.

Is it because theres something special about the Source Brain that will result in the leakage of secrets when we meet? Long Yuehong was now considered an experienced and knowledgeable Ruin Hunter.

Whats so special about a smart supercomputer? At least, its hard to tell from its appearance, right? Jiang Baimian asked.

Long Yuehong was momentarily speechless.

Shang Jianyao smiled and said, Maybe its not a supercomputer but a person.

Jiang Baimian followed Shang Jianyaos train of thought and retorted, They can talk to us in their supercomputer form then. They can hide far away and not be afraid of being sensed.

Long Yuehong was confused. Then, whats the difference between this and using a phone to communicate?

Nothing. Jiang Baimian laughed. Thats why its strange.

At this moment, Bai Chen deliberated and said, If the Source Brain agrees to meet, where will we meet?

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly. The Source Brain shouldnt be able to move, at least not easily. Therefore, our meeting will definitely be in the city where Mechanical Paradises headquarters is.

Long Yuehong came to a realization. Team Leader, are you saying that the secret lies in that cityMechanical Paradises headquarters?

Something like that. Jiang Baimian smiled and said, Im very curious. What secrets does such a citywhich mainly produces all kinds of robotshave to hide

As they discussed, the jeep arrived outside the Hunters Guild.

The local guild president, Gu Bo, was in charge of arranging the defenses. Compared to Genavawho had just been assigned to Tarnan for a few yearsGu Bo, who had lived and fought here for more than 40 years, was clearly more familiar with the surroundings. Therefore, Genavawho had gathered a bellyful of data and felt that he had no problems in this regardultimately didnt take on everything and fully trusted these professionals.

On the second floor of the Hunters Guild, outside Room 1.

Jiang Baimian looked at the two mirrors hanging on the brownish-red wooden door and smiled. It feels like Tarnans folklore has changed overnight

Everyone carried a mirror, and every household hung up mirrors.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Shang Jianyao politely knocked on the door.

Gu Bos voice sounded. Please come in. He was still wearing the black uniform and holding a silver thermos. His thin and small body was curled up in the high-back chair.

Upon seeing Jiang Baimian and the others enter and sit down, Gu Bo straightened his white and sparse hair and smiled. Fortunately, I didnt offend you previously. Otherwise, I wouldve really been beaten up.

Jiang Baimian wasnt present during Long Yuehong, Bai Chen, and Gu Bos conversation and had only heard the highlights. She couldnt figure out what was going on, so she could only ask with a smile, Why do you say so?

Gu Bo took a sip of water from the thermos and smiled. You guys exceeded my expectations. Your performance last nightnot only were you fine while in the area with the most hallucinations, but you also aided in the survival of so many people. How can you not have some ability?

Back at Tarnan General Hospital, Jiang Baimian and the others had learned of the exact number of casualties. It was said that apart from the Mountain Fox bandits, only two townsfolkwho had been shothad died from excessive blood loss.

Everyone else was fine.

Compared to the tragic situation where Ninth Zhang was the only survivor in his Ruin Hunter team, this couldnt be any better.

What has this got to do with us beating you up? Shang Jianyaos thoughts werent on Gu Bos implied praise at all; he only wanted to figure out this question.

Gu Bo was momentarily speechless as Long Yuehong coughed.

After a few seconds, he forced a smile and said, Im just being witty, lad. Dont be so serious.

Is that so Shang Jianyao was clearly a little disappointed.

Jiang Baimian followed the topic and smiled casually. President Gu, are you afraid of us beating someone as impressive as you?

No, no, no. Gu Bo shook his head. Im just an ordinary person. I didnt even realize that I was hallucinating last night.

At this point, he looked around and chuckled. There are many powerful people in the Ashlands, but they are limited; its not easy to encounter them. When Mu Sha and I were young, we were considered the best among ordinary people. Our experience, knowledge, marksmanship, physical fitness, and combat abilities were all passable. Thats how we survived to this day and ended up as hunters.

Actually, we mightve died if we were to go elsewhere. Fortunately, Tarnan is relatively safe, and the surrounding ruins arent that dangerous. If theres really a serious problem, theres still the robot guards.

As he spoke, Gu Bo picked up the thermos and took a sip. It wasnt the best of times back then; it wasnt easy to just eat our fill. Unlike now, one might manage to smuggle genetic enhancement liquid or have the opportunity to get a mechanical arm installed someday. I cant compare to younot at all.

The last half of his sentence was said while looking at the Old Task Force quartet with an expression that said he was born in the wrong period.

Jiang Baimian didnt continue the topic and asked, President Gu, how long have you been a Ruin Hunter?

The Hunters Guild didnt exist when I first started, Gu Bo replied with a smile.

Just as he said that, Shang Jianyao spoke before Jiang Baimian could. Then, do you know a Hunter named Du Heng?