After returning from Pan Hua Restaurant, Chixia learned that Tide Sis was no longer at her lodgings and volunteered to take Ling An to Huaxu Academy.
At the academy entrance, Ling An and Chixia ran into Tide Sis and a familiar face.
"Yangyang! Rover!" Chixia called, raising her arm high.
"It's Chixia and Ling An!" Yangyang's eyes lit up.
"I heard you two solved a major case." Tide Sis took Ling An into her arms and soothed him.
"Ah, don't bring that up. It was all a misunderstanding." Chixia smiled.
"Anyway, what did Baizhi say? Are your checkup results out yet, Rover?"
"Everything's fine. Baizhi's still buried in her data. That's just how she is," Yangyang explained.
"That's good. Where are you headed next?" Little stars sparkled in Chixia's eyes.
"We still haven't solved the clues involving the Mangosteen and the leaf affected by sea erosion among the tokens the Magistrate left for Rover. Next, Rover and I plan to leave the city and visit the front lines," Yangyang said honestly.
"The front lines? Looks like I'll have to wait for you in the city, then. I heard General Jiyan is leading his troops against a wave of Tacet Discords out there." Chixia waved helplessly.
"That works, too. Just wait in the city for news from us."
Yangyang smiled gently, bending down slightly to look at Ling An in Tide Sis's arms. "The front lines are dangerous. Perhaps Ling An should stay in the city, too."
Ling An let out a disgruntled meow.
Tide Sis declined. "Let's all go together. Ling An's very strong, trust me."
With that said, Yangyang could hardly refuse. "All right, then we'll go together."
The two women and the cat headed straight for the city gate leading to Desorock Highland.
Before the gate, a familiar figure in gray and white appeared before Ling An.
She wore a practical Daoist robe, with a long cowlick sweeping over her head and a hint of innocence in her clear eyes.
"Why is it you again?" the gate guard complained helplessly.
The figure bent slightly and bowed with her hands clasped. "I am Jianxin, a humble Daoist who has come down from the mountains to gain experience. Someone entrusted me with finding a person outside the city. Please make an exception."
"You were here yesterday at noon, too. I already told you, the fighting at the front is intense right now, and it's extremely dangerous. This gate to Desorock Highland is under strict control. Once the Midnight Rangers return, you'll get the news you're after."
"I am a Resonator. Even if I encounter Tacet Discords, I can defend myself. You need not worry about my safety."
Jianxin had actually started debating with the guard at the city gate.
Ling An shook his head helplessly.
He knew a thing or two about Jianxin.
He admired her innocence and kindness, but her excessive willingness to help everyone left him exasperated.
She had little experience of the world and knew little of its ways. Getting out of the city now was hardly a matter of winning an argument with a guard.
Still, since they had run into her, there was no harm in helping.
He poked Tide Sis, giving her a hint.
Just then, the guard noticed them and asked, "Are you also looking to leave the city?"
Yangyang replied, "I am Yangyang, a member of the Treading White Squad under the Midnight Rangers. We have urgent business outside the city."
"No, no. You need authorization to leave the city right now." Perhaps irritated by Jianxin's persistence, the guard waved them off repeatedly.
Ling An silently glanced at Tide Sis.
Your turn, overpowered protagonist.
Sure enough, Tide Sis stepped forward and presented her authorization.
The guard took it and inspected it, his heart jolting.
He looked at the authorization, then at Tide Sis.
After looking back and forth twice, he spoke with barely concealed shock. "Uh... you may leave the city."
Ling An knew perfectly well that Magistrate Jinhsi had given Tide Sis the highest level of clearance. There was nowhere in all of Jinzhou she could not go if she wished.
So this was the overpowered protagonist treatment.
Ling An was openly envious.
Tide Sis looked at Jianxin. "Daoist, we happen to be going to Desorock Highland, too. Why don't we travel together?"
Jianxin's face immediately lit up, and she thanked her. "You have my gratitude."
Tide Sis smiled and looked at Ling An. "Don't thank me. Thank him."
Though somewhat confused, Jianxin still graciously bowed to Ling An with her hands clasped.
"Jianxin thanks you, um, little feline friend."
Ling An nodded appreciatively.
Tide Sis really knew how to handle things.
Jianxin turned to the guard. "Would this arrangement be acceptable?"
The guard waved helplessly. "Yes, yes, yes."
They had barely started walking when another guard suddenly spoke from the other side. "That cat..."
Ling An let out an annoyed meow.
What now?
The guards at this gate didn't seem very reasonable.
Beside him, another guard hurriedly stopped his colleague and gave a couple of awkward chuckles. "Nothing, nothing."
Then he lowered his voice and told the guard who had spoken, "With that clearance, never mind bringing a cat or another person. She could even take me out of the city."
Hearing their whispers, Ling An raised his head proudly.
Honestly, being with Tide Sis felt pretty great.
He didn't have to lift a paw for anything anymore.
So what if she was an overpowered protagonist? Wasn't she still his mount?
Ling An was already putting the art of mental victory to good use.
Seeing his expression, Tide Sis lowered her head, her tone peculiar. "What are you thinking?"
Ling An gave a sheepish laugh. "Hehe, nothing."
Under the protection of Tide Sis's supreme clearance, they left the city together and headed straight for the military camp in Desorock Highland.
After asking a few questions, they learned that Jianxin was looking for a soldier named Zhiyuan.
Unfortunately, Zhiyuan was not in Desorock Highland. He had moved to Fubo Camp, farther toward the front.
"Along the road to Fubo Camp, we've lost contact with two Midnight Rangers reconnaissance towers. I hope you can help me investigate."
Inside the camp, Desorock Highland's quartermaster made her request.
"Don't worry. Leave it to us." As a member of the Treading White Squad and thus one of the Midnight Rangers, Yangyang readily accepted.
Guided by Tide Sis's senses, the three women and the cat continued onward.
Sure enough, a damaged reconnaissance tower appeared before them.
Beside the tower, several shabbily dressed people who looked like civilians were fiddling with something.
Yangyang shouted sharply, "What are you doing!"
The civilians panicked at the sight of them and hurriedly said:
"We're ordinary people displaced by the war. We can barely afford to eat, so we thought we could dismantle this thing and sell it for money."
Anger immediately surfaced on Yangyang's face. "Once a reconnaissance tower is damaged, it can no longer detect Tacet Discords. If they slip through that gap, who knows how many civilians could suffer?"
Beside her, Jianxin added, "Please do not commit such harmful acts again. If you truly lack food and water, I have some provisions I can give you."
Watching this unfold, Ling An knew full well that these people were not ordinary civilians, but Exiles.
The Exiles were bandits who murdered and robbed.
Ling An had not the slightest sympathy for them.
They were lucky to have met kindhearted girls like Jianxin and Yangyang. Anyone else would probably have attacked them already.
As for who that "anyone else" might be, Ling An recalled that girl who killed without batting an eye.
But with Yangyang and Jianxin beside him, Ling An could hardly speak up.
Just when everyone thought these Exiles disguised as civilians would take the rations and leave it at that.
One of the Exiles secretly drew a short blade from his waist and lunged at Yangyang.
"Don't think you can get rid of us with a few rations!"
"Watch out!" Jianxin cried softly as her qi began to flow.
In the blink of an eye, she had knocked all the Exiles down.
"Tell us the truth. Who are you really?" Yangyang demanded angrily, drawing her swiftblade.
Civilians would never dare pull a knife on someone right away, and the vicious expressions on their faces moments ago had been all too real.
"We're... Exiles."
Before you continue