Chapter 46

Hearing Jiang Baiyan's response, the middle-aged man with long black hair and a loose black robe found a spot by the bonfire and casually sat down, appearing quite carefree.

The blonde woman with blue-gray eyes and a gray-blue robe also sat down without much concern, seemingly not worried at all about Jiang Jianyao and the others harboring ill intentions.

This confidence and attitude made Jiang Baiyan couldn't help but laugh:

"Do we look that harmless?"

Bai Chen, Jiang Jianyao, and Long Yuehong all had similar thoughts at the same time:

These two are clearly very confident!

"Didn't we just discover the ruins of an old-world city? Everyone has something to strive for, so who has time to kill each other?" The middle-aged man stretched out his hands to warm himself by the bonfire. "How should I address you?"

Jiang Baiyan sat back in her original spot and answered frankly:

"Jiang Baiyan.

"We come from a certain organization to complete some tasks in the Black Marsh Wilderness."

She revealed a bit of her identity but didn't fully disclose it, hoping to make the other party cautious so they could all get through the night peacefully and part ways amicably.

The reason she agreed to let the two people join the bonfire for a closer conversation was mainly because Jiang Jianyao's Awakened abilities had a limited range, and being closer was definitely better.

Even if the other side also had an Awakened individual, the main target would definitely be Jiang Baiyan, who appeared to be the leader. This way, Jiang Jianyao would have a chance, even if the other side could use a wide-area ability like "Hungry Ghost Realm." At this distance, Jiang Jianyao, who was already prepared, could complete a counterattack and make a corresponding impact.

"I can see that." The middle-aged man didn't doubt Jiang Baiyan's revealed identity at all. "From your appearance, build, skin, clothing, and weapons, you don't look like wanderers of the wilderness. Ha ha, only that little girl makes me unsure."

He was referring to Bai Chen, who was roasting a rabbit.

Jiang Baiyan was about to say, "We're not that young," but the middle-aged man continued:

"My name is Du Heng, Du as in wood and earth, Heng as in balance.

"I am a historian and an antiquities scholar. To be honest, although I've been a member of the Hunter's Guild for over twenty years, I was just a beginner until recently. I only recently became a full member. Sigh, I haven't taken on many missions; I mostly use their resources and information to complete my research. When an unexplored old-world city ruin was discovered, I came here."

He maintained a smile throughout, appearing very kind.

But his response made Jiang Baiyan, Jiang Jianyao, and the others even more cautious:

An antiquities scholar and historian who seemed to only carry a pistol dared to wander alone in the Ashlands, exploring city ruins, and had survived to middle age. This alone indicated that the other party was not to be underestimated.

The blonde woman with blue-gray eyes then introduced herself:

"My name is Jialuolan, a Daoist."

Although she could speak Ashlands language, some of her pronunciations were a bit strange, making Jiang Jianyao and the others feel that her style wasn't quite right.

Jialuolan continued with a faint smile:

"I came here because many people were heading this way, so I followed to see what was happening."

"Quite casual..." Jiang Baiyan commented bluntly.

Jialuolan's smile didn't waver as she responded:

"What else?

"Since the destruction of the old world, many people have realized a fact:

"Although we humans consider ourselves a higher species, in the face of the world and fate, we are like leaves in a strong wind..."

As she spoke, she pointed to the sparse trees in the distance:

"We can only dance with the wind, unable to decide where we will land.

"Since we cannot resist the arrangements of fate, it's better to give up such thoughts, go with the flow, change our mindset, and see the various landscapes along the way. From this, we can seek the existence of the Dao, and through it, distinguish the real from the false, ultimately breaking free from the shackles and aspiring for eternal life.

"As the saying goes, man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature."

Seeing such a beautiful blonde woman speaking so eloquently, Long Yuehong and the others were a bit stunned.

They could understand each sentence, but when put together, it left them quite bewildered.

In the end, they could only conclude that her style was:

Go with the flow.

"I understand." Jiang Baiyan nodded seriously.

Du Heng glanced at Jialuolan thoughtfully, then pointed to the rabbit:

"When I came over, I saw two wild rabbits. This suggests that prey isn't too scarce here. Why did you only catch one? There are so many of you..."

Hearing this question, Jiang Jianyao and Long Yuehong's faces turned red to varying degrees.

Jiang Baiyan glanced at them from the corner of her eye, chuckled, and shook her head:

"Heaven has the virtue of nurturing life."

Du Heng looked enlightened:

"Are you followers of the Monastic Order or the Crystal Consciousness Church?"

"No." Jiang Baiyan explained casually, "We just encountered a mechanical monk from the Monastic Order and had a conflict, leading to a big battle."

Du Heng's mouth opened slightly, and after a moment, he said:

"Did that monk wear a red robe?"

"Yes." Jiang Baiyan didn't hide it.

Du Heng and Jialuolan once again examined the four-person team.

After收回目光，他笑道：

“你们还挺厉害的。

“据我所知，僧侣教团里穿红色袈裟的那些机械僧侣，同时是觉醒者的概率并不低。”

Jialuolan nodded, indicating she had heard the same.

“He is.” Jiang Baiyan confirmed the two's guess.

She glanced around, not letting her gaze linger on anyone, and then asked with a smile:

“两位，你们对觉醒者似乎很了解？”

Since Du Heng had said, “Chatting isn't bad, right?” and Jialuolan advocated going with the flow, she didn't hold back and began to seek information that was absolutely rare for ordinary people.

If they didn't answer, she wouldn't insist, but if they did, she would consider sharing a rabbit leg. After all, the four of them didn't plan to rely on such a small prey to get full; the main course was energy bars and compressed biscuits, and if necessary, they could open a few military cans.

Du Heng stroked his mustache:

“Oh, that's a tough question.”

As he said this, he smiled noticeably.

Before the blonde Daoist Jialuolan could speak, Du Heng added proudly:

“However, I know several Awakened individuals, and they told me that Awakened individuals also seek and pursue a new world in their minds, just like everyone in the Ashlands is looking for a gateway to a new world in reality, hoping to no longer be hungry, no longer plagued by diseases and mutations.

“Yes, the Monastic Order calls it the ‘Pure Land of Bliss.’”

Jiang Jianyao listened intently, seemingly gaining some insight.

At this moment, Jialuolan interjected with a gentle expression:

“Those mechanical monks in the Monastic Order who wear red robes have a certain probability of having entered the ‘Sea of Origin.’”

“Yes, yes, the ‘Sea of Origin’! They mentioned this term.” Du Heng slapped his thigh.

Jiang Baiyan listened quietly and then asked thoughtfully:

“If one crosses the ‘Sea of Origin,’ where will they arrive?”

“I don't know.” Jialuolan responded calmly.

Du Heng smiled but didn't answer, nor did he say he didn't know.

Jiang Baiyan thought for a moment and then asked:

“Then, from where do they enter the ‘Sea of Origin’?”

Jialuolan looked at the leaping red bonfire and said:

“Everyone calls it something different.”

At this point, Du Heng interjected with a smile:

“The most widely accepted term is: ‘Hall of Stars.’”

Jiang Jianyao's eyes flickered, but his expression didn't change.

“I see.” Jiang Baiyan nodded slightly. “I haven't met many Awakened individuals, so I don't know much about them.”

After saying this, she didn't give Du Heng and Jialuolan a chance to speak, and turned to Bai Chen:

“How's the roasting going?”

“Almost done.” Bai Chen pulled back the branch with the rabbit.

“Since you are our guests, share some with them.” Jiang Baiyan instructed.

Bai Chen understood how rare the intelligence they had just heard was and had no resistance. After letting the roasted rabbit cool down, she tore off two hind legs and handed them to Du Heng and Jialuolan.

She had been wandering in the Ashlands for many years and had never heard of terms like “Sea of Origin” and “Hall of Stars.”

Du Heng didn't hesitate, took the leg, and started eating, blowing on it to cool it down.

“Not bad, just right…” he mumbled in appreciation as he ate.

Jialuolan was more refined, holding the cooler part of the bone and taking small bites of the rabbit meat.

Meanwhile, Bai Chen divided the remaining roasted rabbit into four parts and put them in their lunch boxes.

Jiang Jianyao took a bite and found the meat was indeed tough but had a more fragrant taste than the meat dishes in the company.

Long Yuehong, responsible for guarding, watched with longing but couldn't enjoy it immediately.

After finishing the rabbit meat, Jiang Baiyan saw Du Heng sucking the remaining flavor from his fingers and smiled:

“Mr. Du, you said you are a historian with extensive knowledge.

“What do you know about the newly discovered ruins north of Yuelu Station? Do you know which old-world city it corresponds to?”

Du Heng took out a crumpled handkerchief, wiped his hands, and chuckled:

“I don't know. Many records from the old world were lost during its destruction and the chaotic era, including many high-precision maps.

“But I can be certain that the newly discovered city ruins are definitely abnormal and have significant research value.”

“Why do you say that?” Jiang Baiyan asked on behalf of Bai Chen, Jiang Jianyao, and the others.

Du Heng looked up at the northern sky:

“When the old world was destroyed, many people in the surrounding towns and villages survived, but no one has ever mentioned or tried to explore those city ruins. Yes, this is the information from the relic hunters who discovered the ruins.”

Jiang Baiyan and Bai Chen agreed with this point. When they were in Shuigao Town, even the young Tian Erhe was determined to return to the city to find his parents.

“Such details indicate that the city ruins are definitely not simple.” Du Heng concluded again.

As he finished speaking, a rough, mournful howl suddenly came from the north:

“Ao!”

In the silent night, it was as if a nightmare was descending.

PS: Please give me a recommendation!