It didn't take long before the commendation ceremony officially began.
First, a thrilling ten-minute video montage was projected on the screen, followed by Counselor Changli hosting the stage.
The first to be commended was none other than Noah. As Changli recounted his achievements, Jinhsi personally presented the awards.
Congratulations to Noah for receiving five million Shell Credits along with various precious materials and treasures, being bestowed the "Jinzhou Hero" honorary medal, lifelong Jinzhou VIP status, a life-sized statue carved in his likeness, and other rewards.
With each award announced, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, cheers boiled over, and the fervent atmosphere made Noah feel immensely satisfied.
No wonder so many people love honors—just these waves of cheers alone could make someone feel like they're on cloud nine.
This Jinzhou—was worth saving, after all.
Below the stage, Lumi rubbed her eyes vigorously, looking at Noah beaming on stage, only hoping she was still dreaming and hadn't woken up.
No—
Yesterday, she casually bent the rules to take a "delivery" job, and it turned out to be the Jinzhou hero himself.
Bro, you're a hero—why didn't you say so earlier? A ride is just a ride; I wouldn't charge even if you insisted!
If others found out she took money from the Jinzhou hero—she felt her vision go black, and even the light on her tail dimmed considerably.
Noah, of course, had no idea about Lumi's inner turmoil. At this moment, he was already wearing his various large and small medals, sitting in the center of the front-row VIP seats, watching the awards on stage.
The commendation ceremony after him proceeded from lower to higher levels of recognition.
There were enthusiastic citizens who donated supplies, shop owners who voluntarily provided spaces for the wounded to rest, and then all the soldiers who contributed, and so on.
The ceremony was highly efficient; in just half an hour, hundreds of people received their awards. Even the lowest received an honorary citizen award and over a thousand Shell Credits.
Finally, after an inspiring speech, Jinhsi finally had some free time. She sat beside Noah and whispered to him.
"Magistrate, so many awards were given out—how come there's none for you?"
"For me?"
Jinhsi was slightly taken aback; she had never thought about this issue.
"As the Magistrate, protecting the people of Jinzhou has always been my duty. As long as the citizens live in peace and worry-free, I feel that's already my greatest reward."
"That won't do; I have to give you an award."
Noah removed the "Jinzhou Hero" medal from his chest, turned, and pinned it on Jinhsi's shoulder, smiling satisfactorily:
"Do you like it, the true 'Jinzhou Hero'!"
The medal on her shoulder seemed to still carry the warmth from the man in front of her, scorching hot enough to make the young woman's ears turn red.
Jinhsi's cheeks were dyed with a layer of gorgeous color like the evening glow, turning flushed. Her lips unconsciously curved upward, revealing a brilliant yet shy smile.
"I... like it!"
Her voice trembled slightly, carrying a hint of excitement and nervousness, unsure if the person opposite could detect that this was a response with double meaning.
"This is what you deserve."
Noah nodded satisfactorily and shifted his gaze back to the stage.
The last ten minutes of the commendation ceremony featured a passionate and beautiful dance as fiery as flames, leaving all the Jinzhou citizens thoroughly satisfied.
Noah also watched with great interest, casually commenting:
"The dancing is pretty good."
"Do you like watching dances?"
Jinhsi suddenly asked, glancing at Noah:
"Nonsense—who doesn't like beautiful things?"
His terminal suddenly vibrated. He picked it up and saw it was a message from Danjin, asking where to meet.
Noah quickly typed out a message, agreeing on a meeting spot.
The dance ended amid boiling cheers, and the lively commendation ceremony officially concluded.
After bidding farewell to Jinhsi, Yangyang, and others, Noah changed back into casual clothes and set off for Dim Forest.
After the commendation ceremony ended, Noah's life once again became plain and unadorned.
From Monday to Friday, he would leave the city to duo with Danjin in the wilderness, often camping overnight in the wild.
Occasionally, he would receive Exploration Quests and some combat-related dailies—no big deal; just go in and fight.
This also caused the Tacet Discords and Exiles near Jinzhou to suffer greatly.
Exiles aside, Tacet Discords—whether Whisperin or Howler types—were slaughtered by Noah along their entire family trees.
Especially Tacet Fields, which received Noah's focused attention.
As a result, Huaxu Academy successfully collected a large amount of precious Waveworn materials, sending people multiple times to express gratitude to Noah.
Because the tracking function in the Data Bank prioritized displaying the nearest Tacet Discords, this nearly wiped out the Tacet Discords near Jinzhou.
Noah and Danjin even farmed all the way to the Desorock Highland frontline, Norfall Barrens, and even Mt. Firmament.
As for Overlord Class Tacet Discords—
Inferno Rider, Feilian Beringal, Lampylumen Myriad, Tempest Mephis, and others were all casually slain by Noah.
The Overlord Class Mourning Aix was a bit trickier, but in front of Noah, who had a six-chain Jinhsi, it couldn't make any waves.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, twenty days had passed.
[Exploration Quest "When the Forest is No Longer Dim" completed!]
[Exploration Quest "Illuminating the Dragon, Reflecting the Pearl" completed!]
[Exploration Quest "Mission Accomplished" completed!]
[Exploration Quest "Hidden Dangers Beneath Peaceful Daily Life" completed!]
[Companion Story "Dauntless Evernight" completed!]
[Chronicle Quest "The Hunter of Tacet Discords" completed!]
[Chronicle Quest "Leap, Turtle Dance Troupe" completed!]
[Chronicle Quest "Silver-Haired Echo Trainer"...]
Freezing Frost, Molten Rift, Void Thunder, Sierra Gale, Havoc Eclipse, Rejuvenating Glow, Moonlit Clouds, Lingering Tunes Echo sets—graduated!
[Currently possess Radiant Tide *20, Lustrous Tide *40, Astrite *53800, Shell Credits *648w.]
Struck it rich!
Unprecedented riches!
"Little Solo King, we've pretty much cleared out the Tacet Discords in the Jinzhou area. Thanks for your hard work these days; we won't need to farm Tacet Discords for a while."
Noah clapped his hands, pulled out his terminal, and transferred 50,000 Shell Credits as "severance pay" to Danjin.
After twenty days together, Danjin had grown accustomed to the nickname "Little Solo King."
"Um... then goodbye, Hero. If you want to clear Tacet Discords again next time, I'll be on call anytime."
Danjin looked up, somewhat reluctant to part.
She had never met someone like this—slaughtering Tacet Discord families across the world, sometimes even looking very happy when absorbing Echoes. He was simply... simply her kindred spirit!
"The Exiles near Jinzhou have basically been dealt with too. You can give yourself a vacation, like going to play in Jinzhou City or something."
Noah simply advised a few words, then took out Commando of Conviction and handed it over:
"This blade has been with me for a long time, accompanying me since I was weak, but it holds great sentimental value."
"Now I no longer need it. I originally planned to collect it, but I always feel it should be used on the battlefield rather than gathering dust as a treasured sword."
"If this blade is used to slay evil people, I think I'd be happy for it too. So, this blade is for you."
Danjin carefully accepted the blade, fondly stroking the body, then removed a crescent-shaped beautiful jade from her neck:
"I don't have anything valuable to give you—this jade is for you."
"No need."
Noah refused:
"Your official position has been finalized. Later, the border defense head Taoqi will personally hand over to you—oh, right, do you have any more Dragon Beard Crisp? Give me a bite."
After some more small talk, the two parted in the wilderness. Noah estimated the date.
It seems the Moon-Chasing Festival is coming up soon, right?