The salty sea breeze swept across the deck as the silhouette of the distant continent gradually came into view.
Unlike the futuristic, high-tech aesthetic of the Black Shores, Guixu Port in southern Jinzhou exuded a vibrant, bustling, and distinctly modern vitality.
Massive metal docks extended far into the sea, acting as berths for all manner of ships.
The harbor was packed with people. The rhythmic chanting of dockworkers hauling cargo blended with the cries of seagulls overhead, filling the air with the raw, chaotic energy of everyday life.
"So this... is Jinzhou."
Standing beside Rover, Cartethyia observed her surroundings with immense curiosity in her icy blue eyes.
She gave a small sniff. The air carried a mix of the pungent scent of fish and the crisp fragrance of vegetation—an entirely new experience for her.
"Yes. Guixu Port, the largest harbor in Jinzhou." Rover nodded, his golden eyes carrying a trace of nostalgia at returning to a familiar place. "It's still a bit of a journey from here to Jinzhou City proper."
The moment they disembarked and set foot on solid ground, uniformed personnel immediately approached to receive them.
Since they were visiting the Magistrate of Jinzhou, it was only natural to give advance notice. While still aboard the ship, Rover had utilized the Black Shores' official channels to contact Jinzhou's officials.
Recognizing Rover's identity, the port officials immediately escorted them to a designated parking area.
A sleek black sedan—a perfect blend of Huanglong elegance and modern industrial design—had been waiting for quite some time.
The vehicle pulled out of the port, heading north along a broad highway.
Outside the window, a succession of terraced rice paddies, tea plantations, and quaint, rustic villages flashed by. In the distance, layers of majestic mountains were shrouded in mist. Completely distinct from the imposing grandeur of the Seven Hills or the futuristic sci-fi aesthetic of the Black Shores, Jinzhou possessed its own unique, profound sense of tranquility.
"The Magistrate of Jinzhou... Lady Jinhsi. What kind of person is she?" Cartethyia asked softly, still looking out the window.
Rover smiled, the image of a petite yet incredibly burdened figure surfacing in his mind. "Her? She's an incredibly strong person. Chosen by Jué to be the Magistrate while still a young girl, she possesses an iron will and a heart devoted entirely to her people, despite being barely sixteen."
"It's just that... sometimes, she pushes herself far too hard."
Recalling the time Jinhsi intended to travel to Mt. Firmament alone to rescue the Sentinel, Rover's tone was laced with obvious admiration and a hint of a sigh.
"And... Counselor Changli?"
"Changli... she's the former Secretary-General of the Central Secretariat in Huanglong's capital. Now, she serves as the Counselor to the Jinzhou Magistrate. She is also Jinhsi's master, and the bedrock of Jinzhou's stability."
When speaking of Changli, Rover's tone carried an extra layer of respect and an almost imperceptible closeness. "She possesses profound wisdom. On the surface, she appears gentle and accommodating, but she holds vast stratagems within her heart. With her around, Jinhsi is able to breathe a little easier."
Cartethyia listened intently, silently committing the information to memory.
She always held a deep respect and curiosity for strong individuals who similarly shouldered heavy responsibilities and missions.
The vehicle entered the towering, majestic Jinzhou City. It didn't stop at the city gates, driving straight toward the central district—the Grand Library.
The entrance to the Grand Library was heavily guarded, the atmosphere utterly solemn. Here, even official Jinzhou vehicles had to undergo strict inspection before being permitted entry.
At the drop-off point, a woman with neat, short silver hair stood waiting. She wore a black beret and a sleek, practical black combat uniform.
It was Jinhsi's personal bodyguard—Sanhua.
Sanhua's eyes were as sharp as a hawk's. Her gaze swept past Rover, instantly snapping to Cartethyia behind him, performing a calm, meticulous assessment.
"Lord Rover." She took a step forward, her demeanor perfectly disciplined. "Lady Magistrate is currently presiding over a routine administrative meeting, and specifically ordered me to receive you here. Please come with me. Lady Magistrate will join you shortly."
Rover nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Sanhua."
Sanhua gave a slight nod, her gaze lingering on Cartethyia for a fraction of a second longer before she turned to lead the way. "This way, please."
Navigating through several winding corridors, Sanhua escorted the two to an elegant side hall to wait.
"Please wait here for a moment. If you require anything, inform the attendants outside the door," Sanhua stated before bowing and silently retreating outside.
The side hall immediately grew quiet.
Sitting next to Rover, Cartethyia felt a bit out of her element. The solemn, imposing atmosphere of the Grand Library unconsciously made her sit up straighter.
Noticing her tension, Rover smiled. "Relax. While Jinhsi holds the prestigious title of Magistrate, in private, she is a very gentle and peaceful person."
"Mm... With the Righteous One here, I am not nervous."
After a slightly extended wait, Sanhua returned.
"My apologies, Rover. Lady Magistrate has... run into a bit of trouble," Sanhua said, bowing slightly to express her apologies. "Today's meeting is taking longer than initially anticipated. Would you care to take a stroll through the city first? I will contact you immediately once Lady Magistrate is free."
"I see. That's fine; official business comes first." Hearing that Jinhsi was busy, Rover suddenly remembered a pastry shop in the city he had visited in the past. He turned to Cartethyia. "It looks like Jinhsi will be tied up for a while longer. I know a pretty good pastry shop nearby. Want to go grab a bite? We can explore the city a bit while we're at it."
Cartethyia's eyes lit up slightly, and she nodded.
She was always intensely interested in trying local delicacies from around the world.
Thus, the two left the Grand Library, strolling toward a bustling market street within the city.
The atmosphere of the market was a stark contrast to the solemnity of the Grand Library, bursting with vibrant, everyday life.
The shouts of vendors, the sounds of haggling, and the mouth-watering aromas of food all blended together.
With practiced ease, Rover found the traditional pastry shop and bought a few specialty tea cakes for Cartethyia.
Just as Cartethyia was happily munching on the sweet pastries, a gentle, pleasantly surprised voice called out from nearby:
"Rover?!"
They both turned around.
Standing a short distance away was a young girl holding a small medicinal packet.
She wore an elegant, unadorned blue and black dress and a blue beret. Her long black hair, interwoven with gray feathers, cascaded smoothly down to her waist. Her features were delicate, her aura tranquil.
Absolute gentleness. That was the universal first impression she gave off—like a delicate little skylark, instantly drawing affection from anyone who saw her.
The person was none other than the mysterious writer...
The poster girl of Wuthering Waves, one of the original trio, the second daughter of an aristocratic musical family, and a member of the Midnight Rangers' Outrider squad—Yangyang.
Wearing a soft smile, her clear eyes brightened as she walked over slowly. "It really is you. It's been a long time."
Her gaze then naturally shifted to Cartethyia beside him. With friendly curiosity, she gave a polite nod of greeting, deliberately avoiding staring too intensely, perfectly displaying the refined upbringing of a young lady from a noble house.
"Yangyang?" Rover was slightly surprised, but a warm smile quickly surfaced. "It has been a while. What are you doing here?"
"Baizhi needed something for her research... I was helping her pick up some medicinal ingredients," Yangyang said softly, lightly lifting the packet in her hand. "I planned on buying her some food on the way back, and happened to pass by."
"And this is...?" Her gaze once again rested gently on Cartethyia.
"This is Cartethyia, a friend from Rinascita," Rover introduced. "Carty, this is Yangyang, a member of the Jinzhou Midnight Rangers' Outrider squad."
"Hello, Miss Cartethyia," Yangyang greeted with a soft, melodious voice and a warm smile. "Welcome to Jinzhou."
"H-Hello, Miss Yangyang." Cartethyia hurriedly swallowed her pastry, returning the greeting with a touch of embarrassment.
Despite it being their first meeting, Yangyang's incredibly gentle aura instantly put her at ease.
"Are you two here to see Lady Magistrate?" Yangyang asked softly, glancing toward the Grand Library.
"Yes, but she seems to be caught up in a meeting," Rover nodded.
"Lady Magistrate attends to countless matters daily; her official duties are indeed taxing," Yangyang nodded in understanding. "If you aren't in a hurry, you should explore the city. Jinzhou has many wonderful places to visit."
Just as they were chatting, Rover's terminal chimed. It was a message from Sanhua: "Lord Rover, Lady Magistrate has concluded her official duties. Please return to the Grand Library with your friend."
Rover acknowledged the message before turning back to Yangyang. "We have to head back now."
"Alright." Yangyang smiled warmly. "I won't keep you any longer. Rover, Miss Cartethyia, I hope you enjoy your time in Jinzhou."
Giving another polite nod, she turned and walked away, her small figure gradually blending into the bustling crowd of the market.
Watching Yangyang leave, Cartethyia murmured softly, "She gives off such a gentle, comforting feeling."
"Mm, Yangyang has always been like that," Rover agreed, before adding, "Let's go. We shouldn't keep Jinhsi waiting."
The two turned around, heading back toward the solemn Grand Library once again.
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