Adaptation doesn't mean making things up

The interior of the Frontier could not be entered directly.

Citizens seeking an audience on official business had to follow a set application process. Once approved, they could only attend during a designated time slot, escorted by specially assigned staff.

That was why Yangyang had left on her own earlier-to apply for permission for the two of them to have an audience.

They passed through the vast entrance hall and entered a corridor.

Lu Li and A Piao's footsteps echoed through the space.

The specially designed sound-absorbing walls on either side kept the corridor quiet and solemn, reminding visitors to mind their manners.

Beyond this corridor lay their destination: the inner hall.

An attendant stood outside the doors to the inner hall.

She nodded to them. "Please follow me."

They followed the attendant into the inner hall and took their seats under her guidance.

"Please wait a moment." With that, the attendant left.

It was quiet now. Neither Magistrate Jinhsi nor Sanhua was there.

This was where everything in Jinzhou began-the place where the Magistrate handled government affairs, as well as a reception hall for important guests. The magnificent hall had witnessed countless pivotal moments.

With no one arriving, Lu Li grew bored. He used the Pangu Terminal's camera function to take a picture of the tea set beside him, then posted it on the Jinya Forum.

[Title: The legendary Lu Li is already waiting in the Frontier's inner hall!]

[Content: A word of advice to all you schemers trying to meet the Magistrate: stop wasting your time! The legendary Lu Li has already been received! The rest of you should give up your delusions! [Image]]

[--Editor: Jinxi's Dog]

[Danhuang Lihuo: Oh? So this "legendary figure" actually exists?]

[--Jinxi's Dog replied: Of course! A playful retelling isn't nonsense, and adaptation doesn't mean making things up! As your editor, I always stick to the facts. Don't forget to follow!]

[Unknown user: Never heard of him.]

[--Jinxi's Dog replied: Read more books.]

[--Unknown user replied: ?]

[Taotao Turtle: I heard there were loads of people seeking an audience at the Frontier today. The Magistrate really works hard...]

[--Jinxi's Dog replied: Those people tried so hard to meet Lady Jinhsi, only for Lu Li to swoop in and reap the rewards. What a bitter pill to swallow!]

At Jinzhou's border, a pink-haired girl read that reply.

Lu Li had swooped in and reaped the rewards...

Whatever had crossed her mind, she put away her terminal with a flushed face and hurried back to her patrol...

[Qiushui Wuhen: I don't believe it. How did you get that photo?]

[--Jinxi's Dog replied: Believe first, question later. Show some respect, kid.]

After replying to everyone, Lu Li smiled in satisfaction as he watched his fame rise again.

Once I reveal that I'm Lu Li, my fame will probably go through the roof.

Heh heh heh!

A Piao had read Lu Li's post too. She shook her head slightly, utterly at a loss with him.

Just then, footsteps came from the doorway, and the two turned toward the sound.

"Sorry for the wait. It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Sanhua, the Magistrate's bodyguard."

The newcomer had a cool expression, white hair, and red eyes. She wore a black leather jacket and skirt, with a string of large prayer beads around her neck and black stockings covering her long, slender legs.

Lu Li noticed a tiny mole near the corner of her mouth, adding a distinctive touch to her beauty.

She really is an ice-cold beauty.

Lu Li couldn't help marveling. The public certainly had good taste.

"Rover." A Piao nodded.

"Hello, I'm Lu Li."

Sanhua turned to him at that. "You're Lu Li?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Hmph..." Sanhua said nothing more.

She had read that boastful post earlier too, but she didn't believe Lu Li was the person Magistrate Jinhsi was looking for.

Then she turned toward Rover, and the Tacet Mark in her pupil glowed faintly.

A few seconds later, Sanhua smiled slightly, understanding dawning on her.

"The Magistrate is currently away from the Frontier, but before she left, she prepared a welcoming gift and some tokens she wished to entrust to you."

"The Magistrate asked me to tell you that, during her absence, you may investigate the things indicated by the tokens. They should help you obtain the information you seek in advance."

"Within three days, the Magistrate will formally meet with you."

Lu Li said, "Wait, wait, wait... what about me?"

Sanhua's expression remained impassive. "Although that post described you as very powerful, no such person exists in Jinzhou's history. Presumably, then, it was a fabricated story born of your delusional desire to meet the Magistrate."

"Then how did you confirm that she's the one the Magistrate wants to meet?" Lu Li pointed at Rover.

"If you're asking how I singled her out among all the 'visitors'..."

"My eyes can see the frequencies of living beings."

"Or rather, I can only see 'frequencies.'"

"Her frequency is the same as... the Magistrate's."

"Undistorted, true, in its original form."

Lu Li asked in confusion, "Really? Then what does my frequency look like?"

"Yours?"

"I imagine it's much like most people's."

As Sanhua spoke, the Tacet Mark in her pupil lit up again, and she looked at Lu Li.

Unexpectedly, the instant her gaze reached him, a sharp pain stabbed through her right eye.

She bent forward, covering her right eye in pain.

Lu Li panicked. "Wh-what's wrong?"

Surely that eye of hers can't see through me and tell I'm from another world?

Sanhua took a moment to recover, then let out a long breath.

"You..." Sanhua frowned deeply. "I can't make out your frequency."

Years ago, Sanhua's hometown had been ravaged by a sudden Anomalous Snowstorm.

Sanhua, still an infant at the time, had miraculously survived.

It was a blessing, and a curse.

The infant snatched back from hell opened her mesmerizing, uncanny crimson eyes for the first time.

The Remnants had not taken her life. Instead, they had corrupted her right eye. The frequencies of Echoes had miraculously reassembled into a newly formed eye, allowing her, born blind, to use it to perceive the fundamental frequencies of all things.

-Little did she know, this was also a "curse from the Lament."

The curse twisted everything into grotesque, terrifying, unbearably noisy monsters, disrupting her senses and shattering her understanding of the world.

There were no lies, but neither was there light.

This was the first time she had been unable to make out someone's frequency.

It was as though something was stopping her.

"You can't make it out?"

Lu Li slapped his forehead in sudden realization. "I really am the Chosen One!"

Rover: "..."

Sanhua: "..."