Jinhsi

"Become the Magistrate's personal guard?"

Though it was certainly a good chance to get close to Jinhsi, as a man who valued his freedom, he could never give up an entire forest for a single tree!

Sanhua wasn't surprised that Lu Li turned her down.

"All right, enough small talk. Come back to Jinzhou with me for a medical examination."

"What about A Piao and the others? Weren't you here to protect them?"

Sanhua paused. "...Yes. Let's catch up and join them first."

With Lu Li throwing her off, Sanhua had almost forgotten why she'd come here in the first place.

Following A Piao and Yangyang's trail, the two reached a cave entrance just as A Piao and Yangyang emerged.

"Is that... Sanhua?" Yangyang froze when she saw the two approaching.

Realization dawned on Yangyang. "So you noticed that Sanhua had been following us..."

A Piao had already known. She asked, "Did you notice anyone else following us along the way?"

According to what Scar had said earlier, various factions had been watching her from the shadows ever since she woke up.

Sanhua shook her head. "Only members of the Fractsidus. They have indeed been keeping you under surveillance."

Something suddenly occurred to Lu Li. "Are you that 'Unknown User' on the forum?"

Sanhua shook her head. "My name on the Jinya Forum is Pure Snow Bright Heart."

"As for that 'Unknown User'... I don't know who they are either."

As a public forum, the Jinya Forum's content was naturally visible to everyone.

She had also seen the Unknown User's claim that they had followed them all day.

"Perhaps they're a member of the Fractsidus," Sanhua speculated.

Lu Li sighed. "There really are all sorts of shady characters around A Piao..."

A Piao sneered. "So sorry you had to go through all this, Lu Li."

Sanhua turned serious. "Enough of that. You've uncovered the truth hidden in Qichi Village. This must be reported as soon as possible."

Lu Li asked, "By the way, did you find anything in that cave just now?"

A Piao took out a damaged diary and handed it to Lu Li.

Lu Li opened it and found that the handwriting belonged to Little Girl.

Almost the entire diary consisted of Little Girl's prayers, asking for everyone in the village to find salvation.

At the end, however, there was a line in unfamiliar handwriting that didn't match Little Girl's.

"It seems you were much luckier."

"Who wrote this?" Lu Li asked in confusion. "Was it Scar?"

A Piao nodded. "We suspect Scar wrote it too."

"In that case, Little Girl must have been rescued," Lu Li reasoned. "Scar said Qichi Village was where his connection to Jinzhou began... Maybe it was because of her?"

"Could Little Girl be the woman who appeared beside him earlier?" A Piao wondered.

Lu Li said, "Hmm... It's possible, but we'd have to see whether the timeline fits..."

"Since he said Little Girl was much luckier, that means he probably went through something similar. But unlike her, he never received 'salvation' from anyone, and that's what ultimately sent him down a dark path."

Lu Li imagined the dramatic ups and downs of Scar's childhood.

Actually, ups and downs wasn't quite right. More like an up, then down, down, down, down, down.

In short, a person's character was inseparable from their childhood experiences.

"Your theories all make sense," Yangyang affirmed. "Either way, we still need to report this. The Magistrate should know more about what happened here."

Yangyang sighed. "I truly hope nothing like this ever happens in Jinzhou again."

"But I don't have that kind of courage or confidence yet..."

"That's why I joined Taibai. I want to find the courage and confidence to prevent tragedies like this."

"I can't stop the world's Lament either, but at least I want to do everything I can to stop the sorrow around me."

Lu Li smiled faintly. "You've already done an excellent job."

"We'll be with you," A Piao reassured her.

Sanhua watched quietly.

"Thank you..." Yangyang said gratefully. "What's happened has happened. Blaming the world or dwelling on it won't help. Let's head back together."

That afternoon.

At the gates of Jinzhou City.

Looking at the magnificent city bustling with life before him, Lu Li exclaimed excitedly:

"Jinzhou City, your king has returned!"

Yangyang: "..."

A Piao: "..."

Sanhua: "..."

Yangyang smiled. "He's always so confident."

Sanhua grew serious and told Lu Li, "It's getting late. Get some proper rest first. I'll come find you tomorrow."

Lu Li asked, "So, is this medical examination absolutely necessary?"

Sanhua nodded, leaving no room for argument.

Yangyang said, "Then I'll go report what happened. Let's meet at the Frontier again tomorrow."

A Piao stretched. "In that case, let's go to the Panhua Restaurant first, then head back and get some rest. We've certainly been through a lot these past two days."

Lu Li said, "Finally, I can have Jinzhou Stew! Whoever enjoys living in the wilderness can have it!"

With that, everyone went their separate ways.

"Ahh-now that hit the spot!"

Lu Li's mouth was covered in grease from his meal. With a smile in her eyes, A Piao picked up a tissue and wiped the corners of his mouth clean.

"Let's go."

Feeling thoroughly relaxed, Lu Li strolled through Jinzhou City with A Piao, heading toward the accommodation Jinzhou had provided.

A Piao, however, seemed lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" Lu Li asked curiously.

"Something feels odd," A Piao said, her brows furrowed.

"Odd?" Lu Li asked, puzzled.

"It feels like we've forgotten something..."

Lu Li was completely baffled. "What?"

A Piao took out the Sundial, studied it for a while, then asked, "What information do you think we'll get once we unlock the Sundial?"

Lu Li scratched his head. "Probably the time and place for our meeting with the Magistrate?"

"Within three days..." A Piao mused. "Tomorrow is the third day, but... I keep feeling it isn't that simple."

"Lu Li, let's open it now."

"Huh?" Lu Li asked in confusion. "Didn't we agree to open it with everyone tomorrow?"

Ignoring his confusion, A Piao opened the Sundial herself using the information they had gathered.

Inside was a route map.

"This is..."

"It looks like a map of the Frontier's interior," Lu Li said, examining it beside her.

"Is this where we're supposed to go tomorrow?"

A Piao rubbed her chin. "It should be, but I still feel like something's missing..."

"What?" Lu Li looked utterly bewildered, unable to follow her thinking at all.

A Piao put the Sundial's face back on, but didn't tighten it. Instead, she stared at the shadow cast across its face, deep in thought.

"According to the information we gathered... Wei Hour, Vermilion Bird."

"Right now... it's exactly Wei Hour..."

A Piao set the Sundial in the sunlight, then adjusted its angle so the light fell on it from the south.

"Taking the Frontier as the center, the shadow cast by the pointer at the center of the Sundial points toward Black Tortoise."

"The hour of the ox. The early hours, before daybreak."

Lu Li looked up toward the Frontier. "So that means the rooftop of the Frontier?"

"Seriously... Is it really this complicated?"

A Piao put away the Sundial. "Either way, it can't hurt to take a look."

She turned to Lu Li. "You're coming with me."

Lu Li gave an awkward smile. "I have to go too? Didn't the Magistrate only invite you?"

A Piao shrugged. "I'm a little worried. You'd better come with me."

"You can transform into an Echo and watch from the shadows."

Lu Li sighed. "Fine! Exceptional people always have to shoulder more responsibility."

A Piao smiled in satisfaction, then suddenly jumped onto Lu Li's back.

Startled, Lu Li quickly supported her bottom to keep her from falling:

"Why did you jump on my back?"

A Piao wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear:

"Carry me back. Exceptional people always have to shoulder more responsibility, after all."

Lu Li: "..."

One in the morning.

Lu Li transformed into a Violet-Feather Heron and flew out the window.

He went ahead to scout the way for A Piao.

Flying above Jinzhou City, Lu Li looked down. The entire city lay shrouded in silence, without a sound.

He flew toward the top of the Frontier. Just to be safe, he made a deliberate circuit before finally landing at the top.

Peeking down stealthily, he found a white-haired girl standing by the rooftop railing, gazing out over all of Jinzhou City.

To his surprise, Jinhsi really was here. A Piao had actually guessed correctly.

Jinhsi had made the clues so complicated that Lu Li would never have thought that far on his own.

After a short wait, A Piao appeared on the rooftop as well.

Lu Li had chosen an excellent spot, where he could hear their conversation clearly.

Beneath the moonlight, Jinhsi heard the footsteps, turned around, and smiled faintly.

Watching from above, Lu Li was a little entranced. Jinhsi's smile was so pure at that moment.

She seemed no longer to be the Magistrate, but simply an ordinary girl next door.

After losing himself in the sight for a moment, Lu Li suddenly realized that this innocent-looking girl had practically led them by the nose through everything they had done.

It was hard to imagine Jinhsi being so calculating. Or had her Advisor really been orchestrating everything behind her?

Then Jinhsi spoke. "Within three days."

"It seems neither of us has failed to keep our promise."

"Please allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Jinhsi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Rover."

She paused, then smiled. "And... Mr. Lu Li up there."

"Squawk?"

I've been spotted again!?

Am I really that bad at sneaking around?

Bai Zhi spotted me instantly back at Die Shiping too.

A Piao shrugged, looked up, and told Lu Li, "Come down."

Lu Li had no choice but to descend and transform back into himself.

This was the first time Lu Li had seen Jinhsi up close.

She carried herself with elegance, giving off a tranquil, comforting air, like a lake beneath the moonlight, calm and deep.

On closer inspection, however, Lu Li noticed that Jinhsi's eyebrows and eyelashes were snow-white, just like her hair.

White hair and a youthful face?

Lu Li had never seen that before.

He had to admit, if he hadn't already seen her in the holographic message...

He would never have imagined, even in his dreams, that the Magistrate would look like such a young girl.

Jinhsi covered her mouth and laughed. "You're very clever, Mr. Lu Li, taking such a wide detour to stay out of my sight."

"However, here in Jinzhou City, not even the slightest disturbance escapes my senses."

A Piao looked a little apologetic. "I'm sorry for bringing someone else."

Jinhsi smiled faintly. "It's all right. I'm quite interested in Mr. Lu Li too."

Jinhsi openly offered her hand for a handshake, her expression calm and sincere.

After the two women shook hands, Lu Li also reached out and gave her hand a light shake.

However, he noticed something strange and white appearing on Jinhsi's forearm.

"Are you injured?" he asked curiously.

Jinhsi quickly withdrew her hand and covered the spot with her other hand, preventing Lu Li from examining it further.

"...No, it's nothing."

She quickly moved past the subject. "Unexpected matters truly did keep me occupied earlier. In my haste, I could only leave behind the tokens. I sincerely apologize for neglecting my honored guest."

A Piao guessed, "Does this unexpected development have something to do with the Sentinel?"

Jinhsi's gaze flickered away. "...Jinzhou's Sentinel is not in Jinzhou at present."

A Piao asked in confusion, "I thought Sentinels couldn't leave their territories?"

Jinhsi nodded. "Yes. Sentinels guide and protect civilization, and they also embody civilization itself."

"When a Sentinel is absent, unrest is inevitable. This matter has far-reaching implications, so I hope you and Mr. Lu Li will keep it confidential, Rover."

"The Fractsidus has trapped Jinzhou's Sentinel, Jué. I have been doing everything I can to investigate and find Jué, which is also why I could not meet with you sooner."

Beside them, Lu Li sank into thought at her words. The Fractsidus trapped the Sentinel?

It seemed the Fractsidus was far more powerful than he had imagined.

Or perhaps it wasn't that the Fractsidus was too strong, but that the Sentinel was too weak?

Hmm...probably not.

Jinhsi had said that Sentinels embodied civilization itself. How could one be too weak?

But then why had the Fractsidus been able to trap the Sentinel?

If the Fractsidus really was that powerful, wouldn't it have seized control long ago? Why would it still need to stir up trouble in various countries like this?

Could the Sentinel be unable to use its full power for some reason?

That was certainly possible.

A Piao continued asking beside him, "I heard you resonate with the Sentinel?"

Jinhsi confirmed it. "Yes. That means Jué and I share a certain degree of empathy. Jué's memories, feelings, and circumstances are reflected in me, though not very clearly."

A Piao asked, "Have you found Jué yet?"

Worry filled Jinhsi's face. "No. I can sense that Jué is in danger, and through my investigations over the past few days, I have learned who is behind all of this."

Lu Li chimed in, "The Fractsidus?"

Jinhsi nodded. "Yes. The Fractsidus wants to bring the Lament forward and unleash disaster."

"And Scar, an Overseer of the Fractsidus, came to Jinzhou with three objectives."

Jinhsi looked at A Piao. "To follow and test you, recruiting you into their ranks; to take away the Sentinel, Jué; and to guide the Threnodian's awakening."

A Piao asked in puzzlement, "Why do they want to recruit me?"

Jinhsi said, "I believe they have also learned of your unique qualities through some means, most likely through Jué. Your joining them would undoubtedly strengthen their forces."

"If you refuse to join the Fractsidus, they may not allow an unpredictable factor like you to affect their plans. Your safety would be threatened."

A Piao said, "..."

Hearing this, Lu Li thought, Just as I suspected.

Back in Qichi Village, he had guessed that they would attack anyone outside the Fractsidus's plans who might alter their outcome.

He had already shown a little of his strength in front of Scar, too. It seemed that from now on, not only A Piao but he himself would have to be more careful.

Jinhsi smiled gently. "I do have a way to capture Scar now. As long as he is under our control, the Fractsidus should not interfere with you again for a while."

"If you are willing to help, I will ensure your safety during the operation."

A Piao was not fully convinced. "I'll think about it."

Jinhsi nodded. "I respect your decision, Rover."

"Still, it seems you have learned a great deal from the tokens during this time."

A Piao told her what she had learned. "The Mangosteen points to Jinzhou's wars and its people. The Sugar Ball points to plagues and historical disasters. The Leaf points to the Fractsidus. The Sundial was an arrangement for our meeting."

Jinhsi smiled. "Just what I would expect of the Rover."

A Piao said, "And the information about me lay along the path of the search."

Jinhsi's tone grew grave. "Jinzhou's current situation is far more serious than people realize."

"The Threnodian is about to awaken again..."

A Threnodian?

He had heard that word again. Yangyang had mentioned it before-the Threnodian battlefield...the Norfall Barrens...

Why did Jinhsi suddenly bring this up? Could A Piao have something to do with the Threnodian?

A Piao asked, "What exactly is a Threnodian?"

Jinhsi's expression was solemn. "They are the enemies of civilization, the fears and inner demons lurking within the collective will. They are formidable foes that must be defeated."

"We are doing our best to prevent this disaster, but the Fractsidus is obstructing us, attempting to awaken the Threnodian as soon as possible."

A Piao clearly shared Lu Li's thoughts. "I have something to do with the Threnodian, don't I?"

Jinhsi nodded. "Yes. The Remnant you defeated and absorbed earlier, Crownless, is a Remnant that embodies the very act of warfare."

"-The resentment of those who died in battle and the fear of those who clung to life make up everything that Crownless is."

"Crownless is a Remnant that possesses the power of a Threnodian."

"If Jinzhou, as Huanglong's gateway, draws the backbone of its civilization from an unyielding will and a spirit of resistance, then its inner demons are endless warfare and fear."

"And you can not only absorb Threnodian Remnants into your body, but also share their feelings."

"Historical records tell of a hero who could absorb Remnants into her body and once saved Huanglong during the Threnodian War."

"The documents concerning Jinzhou's founding also contain accounts of 'her.'"

"This person may be connected to you in countless ways."

Lu Li rubbed his chin. By the usual conventions, the person described in those documents was undoubtedly A Piao.

At the very least, she would be a descendant or something.

But Lu Li leaned toward the former. After all, the reincarnation of a mighty figure was definitely cooler.

A Piao asked, "You think that person is connected to me?"

Jinhsi said, "Yes. But this is not merely my own judgment. It is also the guidance Jué has given me."

A Piao recalled, "When I saw Jué's statue in Yunling Valley earlier, some fragments of memories came back to me, but I don't know whether those memories were real."

Then A Piao described the scenes from her memories.

After some thought, Jinhsi replied, "I believe I mentioned before that Jué and I can resonate with each other. The things you described really did happen, but...they were things Jué experienced."

"I have seen similar images through our resonance. In other words, this fragment of memory is very likely real."

Lu Li voiced his guess. "So...A Piao might be 'that person' from the past, the one who appeared in those documents."

A Piao asked in confusion, "Even Resonators can't live that long, can they?"

Jinhsi said, "Although Resonators live longer than ordinary people, there is indeed no precedent for someone's appearance remaining completely unchanged for nearly a hundred years."

"But there are still many mysteries surrounding you. The timescale is hardly the most surprising one."

A Piao said, "How did I lose my memory? Who was I before?"

Her eyes looked a little lost. Noticing this, Lu Li quietly took her hand.

Seeing Lu Li's gesture, Jinhsi smiled faintly. "That may be something you need to discover for yourself. The last message Jué conveyed to you was to go to the Norfall Barrens and find the Threnodian."

"Perhaps you will find your answers there."

"A Threnodian awakening, troubles both within and without-everything is so similar to that crisis in Huanglong's ancient history. Perhaps this is why you have come?"

A Piao raised an eyebrow and asked bluntly, "You want me to help Jinzhou get through this crisis?"

Jinhsi shook her head. "No. I have never pinned my hopes on a hero descending from the heavens to save Jinzhou for me."

"I only want to help you understand your past. After all, that must be what troubles you most right now. I hope I can help you, nothing more."

"If you and Mr. Lu Li are willing to lend Jinzhou your strength, I would be very grateful. But I do not want to use helping you understand your past as a reason to make demands of you."

"The people of Jinzhou are my people. Naturally, I should protect them myself."

"This is not merely confidence in myself. More than that, I have faith in Jinzhou's soldiers and in all its people who faithfully fulfill their duties."

"Once you understand your identity, I believe you will make your own choice."

"I am grateful for everything you have done for us, whether in the 'past' or now."

"After everything has settled, if you wish to leave Jinzhou or Huanglong, I will not stop you."

"If you need help, you can also let me know at any time."

"This will be a secret just between us. How does that sound?"

Lu Li and A Piao fell silent, because the young woman's eyes and words were simply too sincere.

Ten minutes later.

"All right, you should head back and rest. Thank you both for your hard work." Jinhsi tilted her face up to look at the two of them as they mounted the Violet-Feather Heron.

In the end, A Piao chose to trust Jinhsi, and they drew up a plan to capture Scar.

Lu Li made an OK gesture. "Once this is over, I'll tell you more stories about our world."

Jinhsi smiled and nodded. "Yes, I look forward to it."

Lu Li patted the Violet-Feather Heron's rear and flew toward their lodgings with A Piao.

Early the next morning, Lu Li woke groggily and suddenly spotted a black figure standing by the door.

"A ghost!" Lu Li cried out, bolting upright.

He took a closer look and realized Sanhua had come. She stood leaning against the doorway, her sword cradled in her arms, silently watching him.

Lu Li let out a long breath. "You scared me."

Sanhua shrugged. "I told you yesterday. I'm taking you to the Research Institute."

Lu Li climbed out of bed, rubbing his messy hair, looking as though he wanted to cry but had no tears. "I go to bed later than a dog and get up earlier than a rooster. Is there anyone in this world more miserable than me?"

Sanhua ignored his complaints. "I'll wait outside."

With that, she walked out.

Then A Piao, who was staying in the next bedroom, came in. It seemed she had woken up early too.

She took a comb and smoothed Lu Li's hair, comforting him gently. "All right, stop complaining. Things will be easier once this is over. I'll treat you to a meal then."

"I want Jinzhou Stew!"

"Then you'll have it! Large portions! Will ten meals be enough?"

"Yes! Thank you, A Piao. You're the best!"

A Piao smiled and put down the comb. She nodded in satisfaction at his neatly combed hair. "Then I'll wait for you at the Frontier."

The Huaxu Research Institute.

The mature woman with long, straight black hair wore a mischievous grin, an expression rarely seen on her face.

"Well? You avoided me for so long, but you still ended up coming here."

Lu Li looked utterly disdainful. If it weren't for the system, would I ever let you study me?

He gave a cold snort. "Just get started."

But although he looked arrogant on the outside, he was a little scared inside. After all, this concerned the system!

He asked in his mind, "System, you won't be discovered, right?"

[Relax. I am a supreme existence. Even if this world's technology developed for another hundred years, it still would not be able to detect me.]

Lu Li immediately relaxed. "That's good. Speaking of which, I haven't opened my frequency to them. Can they still examine my condition?"

[Of course. They have sophisticated instruments, after all. Even if you open your frequency to someone, they will not necessarily know, because that requires special observation methods.]

[Although Resonators are more sensitive to frequencies than ordinary people, they cannot necessarily observe other people's frequencies directly. At the very least, they would need a special ability like Sanhua's.]

"Hey! Why didn't you say so sooner? You had me worrying for so long."

[You never asked!]

"...Fair enough."

Bai Zhi watched with her own eyes as Lu Li climbed onto the examination table, his expression shifting from fearful anxiety to utter fearlessness.

Bai Zhi looked thoroughly puzzled. "Is there something seriously wrong with this guy?"