Ling An knew what was going on and said nothing.
The person who had been watching them just now was Camellya.
Ling An was very interested in both Camellya and the Black Shores organization she belonged to.
For now, though, he had to get past the city gates first.
Inside Jinzhou City, the Central Resonance Beacon covered the entire city, and a protective barrier kept ordinary Tacet Discords from entering.
Sure enough, the instant Ling An entered the city, the gate guards seemed to receive a discreet order.
Their wary gazes all turned toward Tide Sis and Ling An on her shoulder.
"Routine inspection," a guard said.
"Wait, she's the Magistrate's honored guest!" Chixia stepped in front of Tide Sis.
"Oh, it's Ma Xiaofang. I see. We've already received advance notice from the Magistrate."
"Hehe, that's right." Chixia stepped aside, revealing Tide Sis and Ling An behind her. "This is the honored guest the Magistrate mentioned. She's heading to the Border Fortress to meet the Magistrate!"
"I see." The guard scratched his head and looked at Ling An. "Then this kitty..."
The guard's words caught Ling An's attention.
As Huanglong's gateway and a place that had endured years of war, Jinzhou surely had procedures for responding to Tacet Discords.
The guards must have received an alert the instant he arrived.
"This kitty is Rover's..." Yangyang started to explain, but her good manners left her struggling to find an appropriate description.
"Companion," Tide Sis supplied.
"In that case, please enter!" Another guard extended a hand and saluted.
That was it? He'd gotten in?
Ling An stared in disbelief at the smug look on Tide Sis's face.
Jinhsi might have called Tide Sis an honored guest and opened doors for her, but this door had been opened a little too wide.
So this was the treatment an overpowered protagonist deserved.
Ling An was envious.
As they gradually walked away, the two guards at the gate spoke to each other.
"Was that confirmed to be a Tacet Discord's presence?" one guard asked doubtfully.
"I doubt Jinzhou's Tacet Discord detection system would make a mistake. It's probably at least Overlord-Class," the other replied.
"Should we report it to the Border Fortress?"
"The Magistrate never makes mistakes. It's only natural that her honored guest would be a little unusual. Just notify the higher-ups."
Ling An had no idea that his strength had been exposed the moment he entered Jinzhou.
Still, that information would probably only reach someone of Jinhsi's standing.
Whatever the case, with Tide Sis backing him, he was perfectly safe for now.
Inside Jinzhou City, Chixia bounced along as she introduced everything around them to Tide Sis.
Rather than a patroller, a tour guide might have suited her better.
"Rover, there's something unusual about your body. Why not come to Huaxu Academy for an examination?" Baizhi suggested.
"Oh, Baizhi! The Magistrate might already be getting impatient. Meeting her at the Border Fortress comes first." Chixia raised a hand.
"True. Rover, once you return from the Border Fortress, have Chixia take you to the Central Resonance Beacon to register your information, then come to Huaxu Academy."
With that, Baizhi turned and left.
Before leaving, her gaze swept over Ling An.
The meaning behind it was clear.
She had always been that sort of person: composed and meticulous.
Watching her graceful figure recede, Yangyang said gently, "Rover, let me take you to the Border Fortress first."
Tide Sis nodded and said goodbye to Chixia. The two women and one cat headed toward the Border Fortress.
When they reached the Border Fortress, Ling An's lazy demeanor immediately turned serious.
He sensed a faint pressure emanating from within.
He hurriedly poked Tide Sis, signaling that he had something to say.
"Rover, what's wrong?" Yangyang noticed Tide Sis's unusual behavior and asked with concern.
"Nothing. I spotted a strange plant over there just now and want to take a look. Wait here for me."
Tide Sis laughed it off and carried Ling An somewhere deserted.
"Well? What's wrong?" Tide Sis's face was full of suspicion.
"Ahem. I can't enter the Border Fortress with you. My identity will be exposed," Ling An declared solemnly.
He really wasn't lying. Although Jinhsi, the current Magistrate, was absent, her personal bodyguard Sanhua was waiting inside the Border Fortress.
She was not a woman to be trifled with.
She could see the frequencies of all things.
She was also the one who had confirmed Tide Sis's identity as the honored guest.
That was precisely why Ling An couldn't accompany Tide Sis into the Border Fortress.
One glance from Sanhua would expose his true form.
An Overlord-Class Tacet Discord barging into the Border Fortress would probably dominate Jinzhou Headlines for three months.
"I see." Tide Sis rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"Then wait outside for me. No wandering off!"
"Of course. I, Ling An, always keep my word!" Ling An patted his chest in assurance.
"And no flirting around!" Tide Sis suddenly warned.
"Hiss." Ling An felt rather helpless at being seen through. He said awkwardly, "Do I look like that sort of person-no, that sort of Tacet Discord?"
"No." Tide Sis nodded.
"Exactly!" Ling An looked utterly righteous.
"Because you are one!"
Thump.
Ling An nearly stumbled.
"Don't think I don't know how comfortable you were in Yangyang's and Chixia's arms earlier. Hmph. If I catch you, I'll swallow you whole!"
Leaving that threat behind, Rover turned away and rejoined Yangyang.
Ling An remained alone, utterly exasperated.
So she had seen through all his little tricks ages ago.
This was awkward on top of awkward.
Come to think of it, was Tide Sis really all right?
She rather gave the impression of being bright and sunny on the outside but scheming underneath.
Why did it feel as though she had some strange fixation on him?
Was he imagining things?
As Tide Sis walked away, Ling An felt the pressure on him ease considerably.
Never mind Solaris as a whole; Jinzhou alone had plenty of places to explore.
Basking in the sunshine, he stretched lazily and walked to the edge of a pool.
Come to think of it, this was the first time he had taken a proper look at himself since becoming a cat.
At that glance, even Ling An couldn't help falling for himself.
An elegant figure, soft gray fur, and a face devastating to humans-even he probably couldn't have resisted the urge to cuddle him.
He sat by the pool, admiring himself in its mirrorlike surface.
Suddenly, a figure slowly approached from behind him.
Before Ling An could turn around, he was scooped up.
"Ah! A kitty!" a girl's bell-like voice rang out.
Ling An's vision went dark as he was forcibly tucked into her embrace.
The next moment, she lifted him high, bringing their eyes level.
Ling An paused. Her face seemed a little familiar.
He felt as though he had seen her somewhere before, but couldn't recall her name.
The girl had red hair and wore a large piece of Unpolished Jade on her chest.
The gourd she carried marked her as a Resonator.
Her azure eyes brimmed with laughter, innocent and carefree.
"Kitty, who left you here?" The girl brought her cheek close and nuzzled Ling An.
Ling An said, "Meow."
There was nothing else he could do. He couldn't exactly speak, or he might be shipped off to Huaxu Academy the very next second.
"Hehe, I never thought I'd meet you while coming to get Mortefi to fix my weapon. Want to come outside the city and play with me?"
The girl's eyes sparkled, her expression utterly charming.
Though she had asked, she didn't seem to have any intention of waiting for Ling An's answer.
Holding Ling An, she headed out of the city.
Ling An was delighted and put up a couple of token struggles for show.
Tide Sis, you can't blame me this time. I'm being forced.
Before long, he was back at the city gates.
The guards seemed familiar with the girl and greeted her. "Danjin, heading out to play again?"
The girl nodded and giggled, her face full of innocence.
In her arms, Ling An felt a little rattled.
Wait.
Why did that name sound so familiar?
Before you continue