[Ding! Option 1 completed! Talent 'Old but Tough' acquired!]
[Old but Tough: Gain +1 Defense for every day you survive. Too scared of dying? Just stack defense!]
Hmm… Not bad. Survival is the true path to power!
After running for who knows how long, Chixia still being carried in Lucian's arms tapped his chest.
"Alright, put me down already."
Lucian set down the blushing Chixia. "Xia, you okay?"
"I'm fine. But you—you scammed him out of so much money. What if he comes after you for revenge?"
"Scammed?" Lucian shook his head. "Xia, you just don't get it. What we intelligence merchants do can't be called scamming!"
"This was a legitimate transaction! You're the witness, Xia. If it comes to it, you've got to back me up!"
"Ugh, fine, fine. You're impossible." Chixia helplessly poked Lucian's forehead.
"Rover should be about done by now. Let's go check on them."
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Huaxu Academy.
"You're here. The sampling data from Cloudpeak Valley has been submitted for analysis, and we'll have results by today. The equipment for the physical examination is also ready."
Baizhi looked at the two before her.
"By the way… where's Lucian?"
"He…" Yangyang glanced awkwardly at Rover.
"He ran off."
"Ran off?"
"Yeah. Took Chixia and ran."
"..."
But Baizhi didn't press further. After all, Rover was far more important to Jinzhou right now.
That Lucian was probably still somewhere in the city. With him being unfamiliar with the area, he likely wouldn't wander too far.
With that thought, Baizhi changed the subject.
"Did you find anything at the City Hall?"
Rover took out the keepsakes and recounted their encounter with Sanhua.
"Baizhi, any ideas?" Yangyang asked.
After carefully examining the keepsakes, Baizhi said:
"I have a hypothesis about the sugar pill, but it's unverified. If possible, I suggest conducting tests on all the keepsakes without damaging their original structures."
"That's… straightforward."
"Data is always clear and direct. The first three keepsakes can be processed by the Echo Division's lab, but this small sundial requires radiation detection equipment. We'll need to apply to the Tacetite-related department head in the Security Division."
...
...
Night deepened.
"We're here."
At the same time, Rover and Yangyang stepped out of Huaxu Academy's gates.
"Look!" Chixia pointed at them from afar. "Perfect timing."
"So, Rover, how's the body holding up?"
"Perfectly fine."
Yangyang: "Baizhi said Rover is in good health, with no abnormalities."
"The investigation into the keepsakes has made some progress, and Rover has a few deductions."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "What did you find?"
"We've confirmed that the sundial points to the hour of the Wei (1–3 PM)."
"But with just the time, we still can't open the puzzle box."
"Puzzle box?" Lucian frowned.
"Ah—right. According to Mr. Mortefi, this sundial has an intricate nested structure inside, but it's missing a critical component. We need to find that part to unlock the mechanism," Yangyang explained.
Lucian stroked his chin. "So we won't know where the Magistrate is until we open the puzzle box?"
"Pretty much."
"Any other leads?"
Rover: "Of all the clues we've gathered, the sugar pill explicitly points to information needed to unlock the sundial's mechanism."
"In other words, a single keepsake might not point to just one target it could point to multiple, and a single pointer might contain layered information."
"Earlier, we knew the Magistrate wanted to see me because she had something to tell me. And I wanted to see her because I had questions of my own."
"The words hidden in the keepsakes contain both 'what she wants to tell me' and 'what I want to know,' and the two aren't the same. They're mixed together, making it seem like the Magistrate is 'laying a trail of false clues.'"
Rover rambled on at length, leaving Chixia clutching her head in pain.
"Stop, stop, you're making me dizzy…"
Lucian noticed Rover's gaze, sensing a thirst for knowledge in her eyes.
"Go on."
"Maybe the Magistrate was in such a hurry that she only had time to leave this one layer of information, unable to craft a more intricate chain…"
Lucian deadpanned: "Unlikely."
From Magistrate Jinhsi's earlier broadcast to Rover's trip to the City Hall, there had been subtle guidance all along.
Even if the Magistrate was in urgent circumstances that forced her into hiding, she must have prepared thoroughly.
After all, finding the person she spoke of concerned the fate of all Jinzhou no room for carelessness. Perhaps these layered clues were also a form of… screening?
Rover nodded. "So I also think it's the latter. Maybe she is a master strategist, her schemes interlocking like chains. This first layer of information is actually a filter."
"It ensures that those who stumble upon these clues can't pinpoint the truth, rendering the information useless to them."
Clearly, Rover's thoughts aligned with Lucian's.
"Rover, if I'm Sherlock Holmes, you're Hercule Poirot." Lucian praised.
Chixia: "What nonsense are you spouting now?"
Rover smiled faintly. "If it were you, Lucian, how would you accurately convey the information you wanted after the screening?"
"After screening? Just emphasize the correct information repeatedly and clearly."
Yangyang nodded in agreement, then suddenly remembered something.
"Among all the policies enacted after the Magistrate took office, most were clear and effective when implemented."
"Some measures were far-sighted, hardly befitting her age. Rumor has it that her advisor, Changli, was the mastermind behind them."
Rover: "Advisor Changli?"
"The advisor serves as the Magistrate's strategist and counsel. But I've heard that Lord Changli is also the Magistrate's teacher. She once held the position of Chief Secretary in the Central Administration but voluntarily came to Jinzhou."
"However, there are also rumors that Lord Changli is a 'sycophant'… that her mind is full of twists and turns. I've definitely heard such gossip."
Chixia yawned. "Ugh, who cares if she's loyal or a sycophant? I'm getting sleepy."
"Oh, right! I promised to treat Rover to a meal, and I haven't forgotten! But it's the middle of the night the night market's already closed. We'll have to go early tomorrow morning. Before my shift, let's meet up you two, plus Yangyang and me at Panhua Restaurant. Don't be late!"
"And now?" Rover hesitated, glancing at Lucian.
"Now? Now we go sleep at the place Sanhua prepared for us!"
"…Alright."
After everything that had happened, Rover was certain Jinzhou was relatively safe. Magistrate Jinhsi's convoluted clues didn't seem like they were meant to harm her.
Chixia: "If we keep talking, dawn will break. Let's get you two back to your lodgings first. We'll figure out the rest tomorrow!"
"No need. You're tired too. Let Lucian and me go on our own. We know the way."
"Alright, then. Be careful…"
The group waved as they parted ways outside the academy.
Under the moonlight, Chixia and Yangyang could still hear the two bickering.
"Rover, look we're both in the same boat. I think we should share a bed to… strengthen our bonds"
"Ow! Stop hitting me…"