Chapter 443

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Chapter 443: Work and Life

Due to Bai Yan’s decision, they chose not to launch an immediate attack on the clone manufacturing center.

Instead, they went to Partridge’s home.

Although Partridge was a clone, most of the time she lived with other clones in a place provided by Noy Military. However, she had also bought her own house.

The house was located not far from the clone manufacturing center’s nest, on the outskirts of the residential area, in a newly constructed building.

For now, it was quite distant from the heart of the nest, with few commercial establishments around.

This was just Partridge’s temporary residence. When she sneaked out to shop or explore, she stayed here. However, she mostly lived with her fellow clones at the company.

Of course, she really disliked “living collectively.”

In fact, excellent clones, in an effort to distinguish themselves from ordinary clones, often did unnecessary things to make themselves seem more like… “normal humans.”

Hmph, how could anything go well when living together with someone like Wormy?

“This is my home now,” Partridge said, standing before the door. Using her fingerprint, she unlocked it. The metallic door slowly opened, with Bai Yan, Mu Ling, and Elene following closely behind.

As they stepped inside, they were greeted by a scene they had already anticipated.

“Smile if you want to smile.”

Partridge looked at the surprised group, her expression full of helplessness.

Inside her home, Partridge was surprised to find that the floor was covered in cute dolls—those typical ones that little girls play with. It was very childlike, and the entire room was drenched in pink, contrasting sharply with Partridge’s usual cold and elegant appearance.

The difference in style was huge.

“Work is work, and life is life. I’ve always kept them separate,” Partridge lowered her head and explained quietly.

“Mmm, I understand,” Bai Yan nodded and smiled to show he was empathetic.

He could indeed understand.

Outwardly, he appeared to be a reckless man who despised evil, but in truth, he was the Savior, secretly controlling the fates of many. Quite a contrast to Partridge!

Between the rooms in the nest, an invisible barrier existed, like a magical shield. And there was only one entrance.

The room they were in was located right next to the nest where the cloning center was situated.

Bai Yan’s sharp intuition told him the hive of the cloning center was only five hundred meters away. But in this short distance, two heavily guarded checkpoints with advanced security technologies stood in the way. Entry would be almost impossible.

“The guards there are very strict,” Elene said, standing by the window, gazing at the entrance. She started writing her thoughts down on paper.

Mu Ling spoke up, “First, the electronic network defenses don’t pose a problem for us. The real issue lies with the guards. Partridge, please tell us more about them.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you,” Partridge nodded, agreeing.

“The guards are extremely strong, with many heavily-armed mechs. Even the most powerful Crown-level individuals can’t handle them… Besides that, the cloning center is controlled by a very powerful AI named ‘9936,’ which can make use of advanced technology left behind by a civilization known as ‘the annulus’…”

Partridge’s expression became serious as she continued, “Rushing in without proper plans would be a surefire way to die.”

Bai Yan sighed dramatically, saying, “What a shame. A lovely girl like you turned out to be a scoundrel.”

“Yes, it’s really a shame,” Mu Ling agreed.

Elene stayed quiet but nodded in agreement.

“Hey! Don’t talk about me like that in front of me!”

Partridge’s veins throbbed in frustration, but she didn’t dare to respond.

Because the three people before her were terrifying individuals. She held back the urge to retaliate… For her own safety, it was best to stay quiet.

At this moment, Mu Ling spoke up again. “But we shouldn’t completely blame her… After all, she’s a clone, born under the control of the Almighty. She never had the chance or freedom to choose to be good…”

“Ah, yes, yes, yes!” Partridge eagerly nodded, her spirits rising.

“We can give her a worthy death as redemption,” Mu Ling finished, with cold finality.

“…” Partridge lowered her head, murmuring, “I’ll go prepare something to eat.”

“Yummy, this is delicious!”

Bai Yan held up a string of meatballs, took a bite, and his eyes lit up with pleasure.

“This tastes great.”

Hmm, even in a city like this, there’s more than just nutrient paste.

Mu Ling looked out the window and noticed a few wanderers on the street. After thinking for a moment, she said,

“That group seems to be struggling, with beggars everywhere… I just don’t understand why, in the Night Union’s world, with its superior technology compared to the Air Alliance, there are still so many people who can’t afford food.”

Mu Ling had never studied economics, politics, or similar subjects, so she really didn’t understand these issues.

Elene, standing nearby, simply shook her head without responding.

“The reason is too complex to explain, but just know this: We need to defeat the Almighty.”

Bai Yan chuckled, deciding not to complicate things further.

If he started explaining, he could go on for hours.

Once he dove into those complicated topics, sharp-minded Mu Ling might start coming up with strategies and thinking about how to fight against the nobles of the Air Alliance.

But Bai Yan knew that, for now, he couldn’t afford to oppose the Air Alliance too soon.

To cut to the chase, he understood that the only way to solve the city’s problems was to defeat the Almighty.

In a world where greatness was embodied by individuals, personal heroism was taken to extremes. Many matters became simpler because of it…

Of course, Bai Yan was also aware that, even if they defeated the Almighty, the city’s ecosystem wouldn’t change overnight. But handling the smaller, more specific issues wouldn’t be their concern. Elene’s rebel army would take care of those, and they wouldn’t need to involve themselves in everything.

Elene wrote down her thoughts: “To defeat the Almighty, we must take control of the clone manufacturing center.”

Partridge nodded. “The cloning center provides the Almighty with an endless supply of bodies. Even if they die in battle or accidents, it’s all the same.”

“In other words, only by destroying the center can we ensure the Almighty’s true death.”

Elene looked at her and said, “I didn’t expect such important information would be in the hands of the rebels… Looks like you’ve been up to something, and not doing nothing.”

Bai Yan clapped his hands and smiled, “Well, no need to beat around the bush, we’ve got it.”

“We’ll rest for the night and go early tomorrow to overthrow the cloning center.”

Partridge’s voice rose frantically, “Wait! Wait! What’s your plan? You’re just going to barge in? No! Absolutely not! Haven’t I told you? The cloning center has many formidable forces and defense mechanisms from advanced civilizations! You’ll die!”

Bai Yan smiled, shaking his head. “Don’t worry. We have cannon fodder to act as a decoy. The three of us will be fine; we won’t easily get into trouble.”

Partridge was speechless.

Damn it, they completely disregard their own lives. These three monsters, scoundrels, trash…

“I have a special ability called intuition. I can feel what you’re thinking, you know.”

“Sorry!”

With a thud, Partridge collapsed to the ground, bowing repeatedly, almost wagging her tail.

“Please forgive me. I don’t want to die for no reason… I’ve done many bad things, but now I’m part of Babel Tower, believing in the great Savior!”

Her voice trembled with genuine emotion.

She truly didn’t want to die like this.

But no one paid her any attention.

In fact, Bai Yan knew everything she had done. It wasn’t a joke—he truly despised her.

Of course, compared to Partridge, there was someone else he cared more about now.

Mu Ling.

He wasn’t sure why, but Mu Ling had often stared at him on the way here, as if trying to see through some disguise… It made Bai Yan uncomfortable.

Is she starting to suspect something?

Bai Yan had thought about the possibility of his true identity being exposed. If that were to happen, the ones who could reveal it would likely be Mu Ling or the witch.

The witch knew that the profligate and the keeper of secrets were actually Bai Yan, but she was unaware of her own secret identity as the Savior.

As for Mu Ling, she was familiar with Bai Yan, and always admired the Savior. She would observe closely, and Bai Yan would intentionally alter small habits to avoid being discovered.

He didn’t need to guard against Maryse.

Maryse never looked at the Savior, instead only muttering about him deep inside her heart.

Ignoring Partridge’s pleas, Elene continued writing:

“My parents were once careful and cautious people, living their lives with great care. But it was because of you all that they died.”

Partridge froze, but Elene continued to write.

“In every building in the residential area, there’s a hidden overseer. They seem like regular people, but in truth, they communicate secretly with the Noy Military. They have control over everyone in the building… If anyone’s actions threaten the company, the overseer will report them.”

“The overseer is everywhere, and people live in fear.”

She paused for a moment, her fingers trembling.

“When I was young, the authorities fabricated evidence, falsely implicating my parents… Soon after, the clones arrived.”

“They were killed just like that.”

As Elene reached this part in her writing, she seemed drained of energy. She set down her pen and looked at Partridge with disgust.

Partridge opened her mouth, unsure of how to respond.

Mu Ling shuddered as she listened.

Inside this city, decay had already taken root. Elene knew this all too well. But hearing about her parents’ deaths made the reality truly sink in.

“This giant hive must be changed. We cannot ignore it.”

Mu Ling took a deep breath and said, “I understand now, Respected Savior, why you sent us here. There is a great evil ruling over this city that you cannot tolerate.”

Bai Yan remained silent.

If Maryse or the Scarlet Moon had been here, they might have asked, “Then why didn’t the Savior send us earlier?” or something similar.

Thankfully, Mu Ling said nothing like that.

“Let’s go to the clone manufacturing center tomorrow morning,” he said, smiling at Mu Ling.

Mu Ling looked back at him with a complex expression, remaining silent for a while.

Finally, she seemed to gather her courage.

“Mr. Profligate…”

“I have an important question to ask you. Please make sure to answer me.”