The group continued to discuss the potential movements of the Fractsidus for a little while longer. Changli glanced out the window at the sky and spoke softly, "Jinhsi, Rover and his companion have traveled a long way. They must be exhausted. Why not let them rest first? The Fractsidus is not an issue that can be resolved overnight anyway."
Jinhsi suddenly realized her oversight. "Master is right. Please excuse my negligence."
"Rover, Miss Cartethyia, please come with me. I will show you to the guest quarters in the Grand Library."
"Wait..." Changli spoke up again, halting Jinhsi's movements and earning a slightly confused look from her pupil.
"It is so rare for Rover to return," Changli looked warmly at Rover, her eyes seductive yet incredibly tender, her voice as soft as flowing water. "Tomorrow happens to be your designated day off, allowing you a moment to relax, Jinhsi. Why don't we invite him and Miss Cartethyia to visit Mt. Firmament?"
"There is no need to go through so much trouble..."
Before Rover could finish his polite refusal, Changli smoothly cut him off. "Ahem. What do you think, Jinhsi?"
"..."
Jinhsi looked at the smiling Changli, then at Rover, and finally at the seemingly innocent and bewildered Cartethyia standing behind him.
Something stirred in her heart. Changli's suggestion perfectly aligned with a thought she had secretly been harboring all along.
"Rover is an honored guest of Jinzhou, and more importantly, the hero who saved both the Sentinel and the state. It is only right that we host him properly." Jinhsi nodded at Changli before turning her pure, gentle gaze toward Rover. "What do you think, Rover?"
"I am fine with whatever. As for Carty..."
"I will do whatever the Righteous One decides."
"..."
Seeing no objections, a faint smile surfaced on Changli's face, seemingly fueled by the joy of a successful scheme. "Since both host and guest are willing, let us depart."
"We shall head to Mt. Firmament today, so that tomorrow you may thoroughly explore Hongzhen and the mountain."
With things having reached this point, there was naturally nothing more to say.
The group rose, left the Grand Library, and rode together in a specially extended Jinzhou official vehicle toward their destination.
At Loong's Crest, they transferred to a ferry and slowly drifted across the sea until they arrived at Mt. Firmament.
The path was sparsely populated and deeply tranquil, the scenery growing increasingly beautiful and pleasant the further they went.
By the time they arrived at the Magistrate's secluded manor halfway up Mt. Firmament, the setting sun was painting the mountain peaks with a glorious golden rim.
After settling in, Jinhsi and Changli accompanied the two guests for a simple yet exquisitely prepared dinner.
During the meal, everyone maintained a tacit understanding to avoid discussing stressful official business.
Occasionally, Jinhsi would still drift off into thought, her mind wandering to the escaped convict and the extermination of the Fractsidus. However, she was always quickly pulled back by Changli's smooth conversational shifts or the amusing tales from the outside world that Rover shared.
Night fell. Mt. Firmament grew completely silent, save for the rustling of the wind through the forests.
Cartethyia stood on the veranda outside her guest room, gazing down at the scattered lights of Hongzhen. However, her mind was occupied by the Fractsidus. Her ingrained sense of duty as a knight drove her to ponder what she could do to help the Righteous One and his friends.
In another courtyard, the light in the study was still on.
Jinhsi was staring intensely at a map of Jinzhou hanging on the wall, cross-referencing it with the latest reports submitted by the Midnight Rangers. Changli sat quietly beside her, keeping her company, occasionally pointing out a detail or two on the reports.
Meanwhile, Rover sat alone in his bedroom, his eyes closed in quiet meditation by the window. His fingertips unconsciously tapped a rhythmic beat against the wooden desk.
The consecutive appearances of Fractsidus Overseers across different regions and the hyperactive movements of their underlings gave him a nagging premonition. This trip to Jinzhou probably wouldn't end up being the simple, relaxing visit with old friends he had anticipated.
In places unseen, turbulent undercurrents were already raging.
The next day.
Morning on Mt. Firmament arrived quietly, veiled in thick, swirling mist and the crisp chirping of birds.
The air was saturated with the refreshing scent of damp earth and lush vegetation. Standing by the window of the Magistrate's manor and looking down the mountain, the rooftops of Hongzhen faded in and out of the sea of clouds, making it look exactly like a realm of immortals.
After breakfast, Changli smilingly presented the arrangements for the day.
"Mt. Firmament boasts many breathtaking sights. It would be a shame to remain confined within these walls all day." Her gaze fluidly shifted, finally landing on Jinhsi and Cartethyia. "Jinhsi, since today is your designated day of rest, why don't you take Miss Cartethyia for a stroll through the mountains? You can show her the ancient Tianqu Tree and explore the markets in Hongzhen. What do you think?"
"Miss Cartethyia has traveled a long way; I am sure she would find these sights quite fascinating."
Hearing this, Jinhsi's clear, silver-gray eyes brightened slightly.
Usually buried under mountains of official duties, it was incredibly rare for her to have a moment to relax—and even rarer to have a visitor her own age.
She turned to Cartethyia, her tone laced with genuine anticipation. "How does that sound, Miss Cartethyia? The Tianqu Tree is a spiritual marvel of Mt. Firmament and truly a spectacular sight. And while Hongzhen may be small, it has its own unique charm."
Naturally having no objections to learning more about Jinhsi and her homeland, Cartethyia nodded in agreement. "I am looking forward to it. Please lead the way, Miss Jinhsi."
"And what about me?" Rover asked with a smile.
Changli, clearly having already planned this out perfectly, turned to Rover. A tender, alluring smile graced her lips. "Rover, would you be willing to accompany me to a certain place?"
"Recently, I have noticed a faint anomaly near one of the mountain's resonance nodes. While it doesn't appear to be a major issue, to be safe, I need someone with sharp perception to investigate it with me. Coincidentally, it will also give you a chance to see a different side of Mt. Firmament's scenery."
Her phrasing was flawlessly logical and entirely reasonable, yet her eyes carried a hidden meaning that only Rover could decipher.
Rover understood instantly. This was an excuse Changli had deliberately manufactured to get them some alone time. He nodded. "Alright."
Thus, the group split into two paths in front of the manor.
Jinhsi led Cartethyia down a winding path paved with bluestone slabs, heading toward the Tianqu Tree. The silhouettes of the two young women gradually vanished into the depths of the forest canopy.
Meanwhile, Changli led Rover up a completely different, secluded trail leading higher up the mountain.
Along the way, Jinhsi introduced the various sights to Cartethyia. Her tone was noticeably lighter; temporarily setting aside the crushing weight of her Magistrate duties, she finally revealed a bit of the youthful vibrancy expected of a girl her age.
Cartethyia listened attentively, asking questions occasionally.
She was immensely curious about everything in Jinzhou, but she was especially curious about the young Magistrate walking beside her.
Before long, the massive, ancient millennium tree came into view.
Countless branches spread outward from the colossal main trunk, dotted with brilliant crimson leaves. A gentle breeze swept past, sending a flurry of red leaves dancing gracefully through the air. It was a breathtaking, incredibly picturesque sight.
"How spectacular..." Cartethyia couldn't help but marvel.
"Yes. Every time I look at it, I feel my heart grow much calmer," Jinhsi said softly, gazing up at the massive canopy.
The two found a smooth, flat boulder beneath the tree and sat down.
After a moment of comfortable silence, Cartethyia suddenly spoke up, her voice quiet. "Miss Jinhsi, holding such an important position at your age... it must be incredibly difficult, yes?"
Jinhsi was slightly taken aback, but she quickly smiled. "It is certainly exhausting, but it is also my responsibility. Besides, with Master Changli, Sanhua, and everyone in the Midnight Rangers helping me, it has become much easier."
She paused before asking in return, "As a knight, Miss Cartethyia, you must also deeply understand what it feels like to shoulder heavy responsibilities, correct?"
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