In this report, Jiang Baimian still didn't mention the gaze suspected to be from "You Gu" on the night Bishop Renato was diagnosed with "Heartless Disease."
On one hand, she felt that the "Old Task Force" was still in Redstone Town, still vigilant about the Church's sphere of influence, and still within the area "You Gu" was concerned about. Actively leaking this information might invite the wrath of the Ruling God. Of course, she was still an atheist, temporarily treating the Ruling God as a powerful being beyond imagination. She didn't develop any particularly serious reverence or a strong urge to worship. She was just making considerations based on reality—when you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head.
On the other hand, she had always known that the company hid many secrets, and its attitude towards the Ashlands and the destroyed old world was quite intriguing. Therefore, during the investigation, she instinctively wanted to keep some of the gains that were unrelated to the mission.
Moreover, they were currently on friendly terms with the Vigilance Church and respected "You Gu" very much. They hadn't done anything blasphemous and didn't need to seek help from the company for the time being.
Regarding the matter of being watched by the Ruling God, Jiang Baimian didn't tell Long Yuehong and Bai Chen in too much detail. She mainly reminded them that Ruling Gods might really exist in this world and that they might watch over the Ashlands and even descend upon the world.
She didn't share the fear, hopelessness, and shock she had felt at the time in their entirety, lest she scare the two team members.
As soon as it got dark, the "Old Task Force," who had finished dinner, received a reply from Pangu Biology:
"You can conduct some investigation, but pay attention to the following:
"1. After entering the temple, do not directly touch anything with your hands. You must wear items like latex gloves or rubber gloves;
"2. Unless absolutely necessary, do not move the bodies of the so-called 'Gods';
"3. Do not stay in the temple for more than a quarter of an hour, in the area near the temple for more than half an hour, or in other parts of the island for more than three days."
After translating the content, Jiang Baimian sighed:
"The company isn't unfamiliar with this kind of thing. They've even summarized formal procedures."
What she was more curious about was what exactly was hidden behind these taboos, and whether the company had figured out the source of the problem or relied on human lives to create a product of experience.
"How else could they be the biggest suspect in destroying the old world and the ultimate villain of the current Ashlands?" Shang Jianyao responded to Jiang Baimian's sigh in the tone of a radio drama.
Long Yuehong hesitated for a moment before asking:
"Are you really sure we're going?"
After seeing the list of precautions, he wasn't as afraid anymore.
The unknown was the scariest thing. Knowing what to do would inevitably make one less fearful.
Long Yuehong's most direct thought was:
It feels so good to have the company backing us!
"We probably will go," Jiang Baimian said with a slight smile, not daring to say that she wanted to leave right now. "But at least we have to wait until we receive the exoskeleton device and increase your strength before considering it."
"Okay," Long Yuehong said, feeling even more relieved.
At this moment, Bai Chen looked at Jiang Baimian and asked thoughtfully:
"If the company doesn't let us explore, are you going to sneak off?"
"How could I?" Jiang Baimian widened her eyes and flatly denied. "I'm not Shang Jianyao!"
"You can consider becoming Shang Jianyao," Shang Jianyao suggested with great interest.
Bai Chen ignored Jiang Baimian's denial and said in a low voice:
"Does that mean that the people who are left behind aren't considered comrades?"
"Huh?" Jiang Baimian made a decisive decision, raised her right hand, and touched her ear. "What did you say?"
Then, she said righteously:
"I won't leave any of my comrades behind. It's just that everyone has their own tasks to bear."
Clap clap clap, Shang Jianyao applauded.
Jiang Baimian became angry out of embarrassment and turned her head, yelling, "You want extra combat training," as she stood up and stretched her arms and legs.
Next, Shang Jianyao witnessed what a Jiang Baimian who was going all out looked like.
...
The next morning, Shang Jianyao took off his clothes, bared his upper body, and had Long Yuehong help him apply medicine to the bruises on his back.
"They're almost gone. Your recovery ability is indeed better than mine," Long Yuehong said sincerely.
This was only the second application of medicine.
Shang Jianyao sincerely offered a suggestion:
"Getting beaten up more can effectively improve your ability to withstand blows."
"Haha," Long Yuehong laughed dryly. "I'm not you. How could I last so long under the team leader? The team leader is really amazing. She was only just recovering from her illness yesterday, but she was able to perform to that extent. It seems that she usually holds back."
"If she didn't hold back, we could probably only train in combat once a week," Shang Jianyao said with a smile. "It's mainly you. You'd probably have to lie in bed for a week after one training session."
Long Yuehong wanted to retort, but in the end, he nodded with deep feeling.
While the two were talking, Shang Jianyao suddenly turned his head and looked outside.
At this moment, Jiang Baimian, who was enjoying Bai Chen applying medicine in the next room, had already pushed open the door and called out:
"Captain Han."
"Your exoskeleton device is here," Shang Jianyao jumped out and put on his clothes.
Long Yuehong couldn't hide his excitement and quickly ran to the door.
After Shang Jianyao put on his mask, he immediately opened the door.
At a glance, he saw Han Wanghuo carrying a rifle, two dilapidated off-road vehicles, and several members of the Redstone Town Defense Team.
They were moving a crate towards Jiang Baimian.
"One AC-42 general-purpose exoskeleton device. Please inspect it," Han Wanghuo said in a businesslike tone.
Jiang Baimian turned her head to look at Long Yuehong and said with a smile:
"Come, inspect it."
Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao couldn't wait to walk over, open the crate, and inspect the black exoskeleton device that gleamed with metallic luster.
At the same time, Jiang Baimian said to Han Wanghuo:
"Didn't you say we had to wait another two days?"
Han Wanghuo, who wasn't wearing a mask, rarely revealed a slight smile:
"You all kept urging us, so they didn't dare to delay."
The influential figures of the Town Defense Team had unanimously agreed.
Jiang Baimian smiled helplessly:
"Are we that scary?"
"Yes," a member of the Town Defense Team who had just moved a box of food over said in a low voice.
Fortunately, Jiang Baimian didn't hear it clearly.
Shang Jianyao hummed a ditty:
"A little monk goes down the mountain to beg for alms..." (Note 1)
The rest of his lyrics were blocked by the glare Jiang Baimian sent his way.
Seeing this, Han Wanghuo said with emotion:
"There are many powerful ruin hunter teams on the Ashlands that can destroy a large settlement on their own.
"Now, in the eyes of many residents of Redstone Town, you are such a ruin hunter team."
How terrifying the Fishman Awakened was that night, and how deep the shadow it left in the hearts of the residents of Redstone Town, that's how exaggerated their awe and fear of the "Qian Bai Team" was now.
Jiang Baimian, who was being praised, said modestly:
"Redstone Town, a large settlement protected by a Ruling God, cannot be destroyed by a ruin hunter team, including us."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw those members of the Town Defense Team look over at the same time, their eyes seemingly saying, "You really have considered destroying Redstone Town."
Are you guys too vigilant? Overly sensitive isn't a good thing... Jiang Baimian felt a mouthful of old blood surge into her throat.
Soon, with Shang Jianyao's help, Long Yuehong put on the black exoskeleton device with very simple weapon modules.
Trying to move his body, he once again felt the power of this equipment.
After some experimentation, Long Yuehong happily reported:
"No problems!"
At this time, Bai Chen had also inspected the boxes of food and confirmed that the quantity was just right.
Jiang Baimian then said to Han Wanghuo:
"The transaction is officially complete."
Han Wanghuo breathed a sigh of relief and then said:
"Didn't you say you'd collect information about 'Mechanical Paradise' within a week?"
"Is it done already?" Jiang Baimian asked in surprise.
Han Wanghuo shook his head:
"Not yet, but I've seen a problem in the information I've found so far."
"What is it?" Shang Jianyao asked with interest as he came closer.
Han Wanghuo pondered for a moment and said:
"No one has ever seen a human from 'Mechanical Paradise.'
"Those who deal with them are always intelligent robots."
"Is that so..." Jiang Baimian wasn't surprised.
Xu Liyan, the city lord of Wild Wheat City, had also mentioned a similar situation.
After exchanging information about this matter, Han Wanghuo saw that the members of the Town Defense Team were at a certain distance from them, in a state of being ready to find a place to hide at any time, so he lowered his voice and said:
"There's something I need to ask you about."
"What is it?" Jiang Baimian asked in confusion.
Han Wanghuo organized his words and said:
"On the night Bishop Renato was urgently recalled to the Vigilance Church headquarters, who else knew about this besides you?"
Seeing that the "Qian Bai Team" didn't answer for a moment, he explained briefly:
"This morning, we exchanged prisoners with the Fishmen and Hill Giants, and Gaudi, whom you know, was released.
"He said that after he was captured, he heard some discussions among the Fishmen: they were originally going to prepare for another month, wait until they had scouted out the situation, and then launch an attack. As a result, they suddenly received news that Bishop Renato had left and the new bishop hadn't arrived yet. In order to seize this opportunity, they started their operation ahead of schedule.
"Because the operation was a failure and they even lost a Divine Envoy, they blamed each other and revealed this information."
Jiang Baimian understood what Han Wanghuo meant:
"Someone sold this key information to the Others?"
"That's what I think," Han Wanghuo didn't hide his thoughts.
The news the Others received was that Bishop Renato had been recalled to headquarters? That's a bit interesting... Jiang Baimian said thoughtfully:
"That night, the Church Alertness Enforcers and guards were all there, as well as Baz and Viyel..."
And what these people knew was that Bishop Renato was diagnosed with "Heartless Disease!"
Han Wanghuo listened quietly and nodded:
"I will investigate them one by one."
Hearing this, Jiang Baimian smiled:
"It seems like we're suspects too."
Han Wanghuo was momentarily speechless:
"If you were to sell this information, the only reason would be that you wanted to lure out that Fishman Awakened and use our exoskeleton device to eliminate him."
"Good reason!" Shang Jianyao clapped his hands to show that he was deeply inspired.
...
In the afternoon, the prepared "Old Task Force" entered the lakeside area and borrowed a speedboat from the Town Defense Team.
With Han Wanghuo's help, they had already planned a route that bypassed the Fishman settlement.