All Sides Gather, a Confrontation Looms

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the middle-aged man led Jinhsi and her group toward the port's reception area.

Sanhua followed Jinhsi, her heart pounding. She didn't understand why Lingyin had suddenly decided to come to Ragunna.

Unless... that person also invited her.

Yangyang was at the very back of the line, hoping to meet that person.

Ragunna, Montelli. He wondered if he'd be startled if she secretly showed up beforehand.

Baizhi was next to Yangyang, and her thoughts were the same as Yangyang's.

Yangyang unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure at the port; with those golden hairs, she was absolutely certain she wouldn't mistake him.

Seemingly noticing Yangyang's gaze, she turned around and immediately saw Yangyang behind the crowd.

Like a golden whirlwind, Suisui rushed straight through the crowd.

"Yangyang--!"

The sound was clear and loud, attracting everyone near the harbor to turn their heads to look.

Before Yangyang could react, she was grabbed and hugged.

Suisui's arms were wrapped tightly around her, and her whole body was practically hanging on her, her long, golden hair tickling her cheeks.

"So you're here too! It's been so long! Let your older sister take a good look at you."

She knew her sister must have received that guy's invitation too, and sure enough, she bumped into her.

Suisui took a half step back, her hands still resting on Yangyang's shoulders, and looked her up and down, her brows furrowing. "Why have you lost so much weight? Have you not been eating properly again? You've always been like this since you were little, you don't care about anything when you're busy."

"Sister, I didn't..."

"You still say you don't, but your collarbones are showing."

Suisui reached out and poked her collarbone, her voice full of tenderness, "No, no, Yangyang needs to eat more, it'll be more comfortable for me to hold you. I'll make sure you get some good nutrition these next few days. What do you want to eat? Seafood? Barbecue? The seafood in Ragunna is so fresh, I guarantee you'll never forget it after just one bite."

The accompanying officials and Ragunna's reception staff cast curious glances at them, and a few young people even covered their mouths and chuckled.

Yangyang's face flushed red.

"Sister, everyone's watching..."

"What's wrong with you?" Suisui didn't care at all, instead pulling her into her arms again, nuzzling her face against hers. "Did your sister miss you? It's been so long, have you missed your sister?"

Yangyang's face was squeezed out of shape, and her voice was muffled. "I... I want to."

That's more like it.

Suisui released her with satisfaction, her eyes sparkling with undisguised joy.

Yangyang straightened her disheveled clothes and muttered softly, "Sister, I'm not a child anymore..."

"In your sister's eyes, you'll always be a child." Suisui playfully pinched her nose.

Jinhsi stood to the side, maintaining a polite smile throughout.

She waited until the sisters' affectionate moment had subsided before slowly and deliberately speaking.

"Yangyang."

"Your subordinate is here."

Jinhsi stepped forward and straightened the collar that Suisui had askew, her movements light and natural. "You must have had a long journey. Since your family is in Ragunna, why not take this opportunity to have a proper reunion?"

Yangyang paused for a moment. "But what about Lord Lingyin's itinerary...?"

"With Sanhua handling the trip, you don't need to worry." Jinhsi glanced back at Sanhua, who immediately straightened his back and nodded.

Jinhsi then looked at Yangyang, her tone warm and unyielding, "It's rare to be able to reunite with family in a foreign land. If I miss out on spending time with my family because of work, then it would be my fault."

"Lord Magistrate..."

"Go ahead." Jinhsi patted her shoulder and added in a low voice, "Also, go check on the Rover for me, see how she's doing here."

Yangyang's eyes lit up.

Suisui, who had overheard everything, immediately beamed and took Yangyang's arm. "That's great! Thank you, Magistrate Jin! Come on, let's go get a nice meal first, then we'll go see where I live. You can stay at my place tonight!"

"Hey, sister, slow down--"

"Sister, what brings you to Rinascita?"

"Me? I... cough, I'm here to discuss business, and incidentally to prevent some little lamb from being eaten alive by the big bad wolf."

"What little white sheep? What are you talking about, sister?"

An unnamed mountain area.

Christopher, Scar, Phrolova meet here.

The Scar spoke first.

"Why did you call me over? I was having a great time at Septimont. The duels there were pure and exciting."

"You seem quite interested," Christopher said calmly. "You're unaware that someone is hunting you down."

The Scar paused for a moment, then threw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Chase me? Are you kidding me?" He clenched his fist and pounded his chest, making a dull thud. "Whoever wants to die, my Scar will show them just how high the sky is and how thick the earth is."

"Then I wish you good luck." Christopher withdrew his gaze without comment.

"Alright, let's get down to business." Phrolova's tone was a little impatient.

Christopher nodded. "I called you here today because there's a new plan."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.

"The Rover has arrived in Ragunna. We need her as a catalyst."

"The trigger?" Scar raised an eyebrow.

"Leviathan, and that saintess." Christopher began slowly, explaining his entire plan point by point.

From the carnival setup to luring the Rover into the trap, and then to the capture plan after Leviathan appeared, everything was well-organized and interconnected.

Phrolova listened quietly without saying a word.

The Scar, however, became intrigued. "Interesting. Is she that guy with the Rover and the Sentinel's dual resonance? I really want to fight her and see just how strong she really is."

"There will be opportunities," Christopher said, "But only if the plan goes smoothly."

After listening, the Scar slowly nodded.

"Great idea. This script is crazy enough, I like it."

"Phrolova," Christopher turned to her, "You'll be the one guiding this plan. Thank you for your hard work."

Phrolova paused for a moment, then nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

But the Scar couldn't help but speak up, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "I heard the guild leader ordered you to kill someone in Montelli, and you failed?"

Christopher neither denied it nor got angry; he simply said, "Just a minor incident. I'll handle this unnecessary drama."

Scar's eyes lit up. "I heard that kid's throwing a banquet, it'll be quite a spectacle. You don't mind if I get involved, do you? I happen to have an art piece I want to experiment with."

"Oh?" Christopher glanced at him. "You, Scar, know art?"

"Of course." Scar puffed out his chest, a near-fanatical expression on his face.

"Art is an explosion!"

"..."

Phrolova finally raised his eyes. "Who are you going to kill?"

"The young master of the Montelli Family."

Phrolova looked at him. "The reason?"

"Who knows?" Scar shrugged. "Maybe he offended the president. Or maybe..."

Ragunna Port.

Another ship docked.

Juno was the first to rush onto the deck, spread his arms, and stretched languidly, feeling refreshed.

"Is this Ragunna? -- It's even more lively than I imagined!"

Behind the deck, Augusta was talking to Lupa.

"Thank you for your help, Lupa. It's saved me a lot of trouble along the way."

Lupa crossed her arms, the sea breeze gently lifting her hair.

She smiled at his words, revealing a sharp canine tooth.

"It's nothing, Your Excellency. But could you come to watch my match at the next gladiatorial tournament? I promise I won't let you down."

Augusta glanced at her, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

"I will. I look forward to that day."

"Okay, it's settled then!" Lupa reached out and gave him a firm handshake.

"Then let's say goodbye here."

"Bon Voyage."

Lupa watched her leave the dock before turning her gaze away.

"Augusta--!"

Seeing that she had sneaked away alone, Juno ran over and looked at her with a mischievous grin.

"Where are you going? I don't know anyone in Ragunna, you can't leave me behind."

"I'm going to see a close friend," Augusta said calmly.

"Oh? Is that so?" Juno tilted his head, took a half-step closer, and smiled like a little fox that had spotted its prey. "Can I come along? I'm curious, who is your best friend in Ragunna?"

"This... Juno, didn't you come to Ragunna fun? I'm just going to see a friend, it's boring, I don't want to take up your time."

"Is that so?" Juno drawled.

"Hmm." Augusta remained expressionless.

"Okay." Juno shrugged and took a step back. "But..."

I hope I won't unexpectedly run into you somewhere tomorrow.

"That... shouldn't be the case."

"That would be for the best." Juno smiled sweetly and turned to walk in another direction.

Augusta watched her walk away, let out a soft breath, straightened his cuffs, and then turned and walked in another direction.

As for what will happen tomorrow? It's hard to guess.