Gun of Ashes

Work continues, with no time for rest.

Rod’s previous life was quite leisurely; apart from studying Jiuxia, he hardly had anything else to do. And since he was among the leading researchers, the research process wasn’t exhausting, lots of funding was available.

At that time, Rod felt life’s monotony; no matter how much he researched, it was all ultimately illusory. He couldn’t witness this real and mysterious nation.

But now Rod witnessed these mysterious Jiuxia people firsthand, with two right beside him, within reach. Yet after the ecstasy faded, came exhaustion, as secrets known in recent days echoed in his mind. He suddenly felt being the idle scholar was not so bad.

”What are you thinking about?”

Shao Liangxi appeared beside him at some point and asked unexpectedly.

”Ah!”

Her words startled Rod, bringing him out of his trance.

Rod’s reaction was amusing—like a frightened rabbit, almost jumping in place. Shao Liangxi couldn’t help but laugh, watching this quirky girl; Rod calmed himself and sighed.

Due to Shao Liangxi’s rotten Western language skills, Rod’s relationship with her was somewhat close. Besides, this girl treated him like a tour guide. They’ve been inseparable for a while.

Thus, Rod understood the Jiuxia people somewhat; apart from his beautiful inner fantasies, Jiuxia people were not much different from Westerners—everyone was ordinary, just mere mortals.

”Rod, is it common for you... scholars, to space out like this? Are you pondering some great knowledge?” Shao Liangxi asked repeatedly.

”Why would you think that?”

Rod feigned composure; he wasn’t adept at dealing with such lively, enthusiastic people, even after becoming quite familiar.

”Because scholars from Jiuxia are just like that—blank, focusing on books all day.” Shao Liangxi found them rather dull.

Rod thought of a group of scholars like Shao Liangye and Zuo Tang among mute scholars, adding the active Shao Liangxi.

She was like a catfish entering a school of sardines, stirring the waters, creating disturbance everywhere.

Rod envisioned this scene suddenly felt like laughing, while Shao Liangxi looked puzzled, not understanding why he was smiling after spacing out. Indeed, these scholars were slightly neurotic.

Gazing around, they remained in the Lower City District, in the corner of Bola’s underground casino, while Lorenzo and others rested briefly nearby.

Being Jiuxia people, Shao Liangxi and Shao Liangye stood out in Old Dunling, relying on the Iron Serpent’s transport for excursions. Their Iron Serpent hadn’t arrived yet; they had to wait a while.

Lorenzo knew this place like his own home. If not for discretion, he would have taken these Jiuxia guests upstairs for fun, letting them completely lose their money experiencing Old Dunling’s local customs.

”So... where is this? And what’s this!”

Shao Liangxi pulled out a map of Old Dunling from somewhere, pre-marked with several tourist spots.

Rod’s expression stiffened, responding to Shao Liangxi’s questions dutifully.

She was full of curiosity about Old Dunling; if not for her duties, Rod guessed she would already be wandering those tourist spots.

”She always wanted to come here; otherwise, she wouldn’t have pleaded for us to bring her,” Shao Liangye said, observing.

”Whether it’s you or us, both sides are full of curiosity toward each other, aren’t we?” Lorenzo responded casually, then asked,

”By the way, what is Jiuxia like? Interested in sharing with us?”

Lorenzo’s eyes held slight anticipation, though his words seemed casual; like Rod, everyone was curious about that mysterious land.

”I don’t know.”

Shao Liangye shook his head, giving Lorenzo a surprising answer.

”You don’t know?”

”Indeed, to be exact, I don’t have much ’accurate’ memory about Jiuxia,” Shao Liangye said solemnly, ”Our enemies have infiltrated everywhere; to prevent any potential risks, when leaving the Forgotten Great Wall, we undergo Anti-Meme baptism, forgetting parts regarding Jiuxia, making them hazy.”

”You’ve just thoroughly forgotten your homeland?”

Lorenzo nearly exclaimed; he never expected Anonymous to go this far.

”It’s not thorough forgetting but full of misdirection, with some key parts diluted... Honestly, I still recall many scenes from Jiuxia,” Shao Liangye explained.

”Is she the same?” Lorenzo pointed to Shao Liangxi.

”Every Anonymous is like this, but as I said, forgetting isn’t complete; the Anti-Meme hasn’t erased all memories, instead overlaying them, planting a trigger. When we return to the Forgotten Great Wall, it will activate, restoring buried memories.”

”So when you return to Jiuxia, you can clearly remember everything again.”

”Yes,” Shao Liangye casually replied, ”But whether remembered or not isn’t important for Anonymous; we are covered with various Anti-Memes, burying different trigger mechanisms.”

”The effective memory term is only five years, and the duration decreases with the spread of Anti-Memes.”