Jinzhou.
"Hello, Chixia, we are reporters from Jinzhou Publication · Inaugural Issue. May we briefly interview you?"
On a street corner, two reporters stopped Chixia.
"As everyone knows, the hero of Jinzhou has twice helped Jinzhou escape disaster. Everyone in Jinzhou is very curious about this outsider hero."
"As a friend of the Jinzhou hero Noah, what do you think of Noah?"
"This question, ah."
Chixia recalled her experiences with Noah and spoke frankly:
"I think Noah is a very powerful, kind, and easy-to-get-along-with person."
Once the floodgates opened, it was hard to stop. Chixia went on at length, from their first meeting in Gorges of Spirits all the way to Jinzhou, full of unabashed praise for Noah.
The two reporters started with humble interviewing, but later could hardly hide their weariness, unable even to get a word in.
"Alright, thank you for your sharing."
Finally enduring Chixia's words with patience, the two reporters fled as if escaping.
Not long after, on the other side, Yangyang similarly received an interview.
"What do you think of the Jinzhou hero Noah?"
"He's someone who always thinks of others and can't bear to see people suffer. The more capable he is, the more this is true."
Yangyang lowered her gaze, as if lost in memories:
"When I first met him in Gorges of Spirits, what attracted me most was his eyes."
"Clear, pure, sincere—eyes that shouldn't belong to someone in this post-apocalyptic world. From those eyes, it was as if I could see another happy and peaceful world."
"However, once he enters battle, those eyes become unfamiliar—cold, ruthless, filled with rationality. I often wonder if Jinzhou has changed him..."
"Ah, sorry, I seem to have zoned out."
The two reporters said it was fine and encouraged Yangyang to continue, but Yangyang no longer had the desire to share further, so the interview ended hastily.
Soon, the interview wind blew to City Hall.
"Lady Sanhua, we are reporters from Jinzhou Publication · Inaugural Issue. We had an appointment to interview the Magistrate."
"Follow me."
Without much delay, the two reporters met the Magistrate of Jinzhou and asked the standard question:
"Magistrate, what do you think of the Jinzhou hero Noah?"
"He is a highly noble person, detached from low tastes. When Jinzhou falls into danger, he often disregards life and death, sacrificing himself for righteousness."
Jinhsi lightly sipped clear tea, her lips curving slightly upward:
"It is an honor that noble character, represented by Noah, was also displayed in many soldiers and support personnel during this campaign."
"Tomorrow, Jinzhou City Hall will hold a commendation ceremony for the heroes. We sincerely invite people from all walks of life in Jinzhou to participate."
"At the same time, for the annual Moon-Chasing Festival celebration, Jinzhou officials are also gradually preparing."
"The core theme of this Moon-Chasing Festival is: May Jinzhou surpass the old Jinzhou!"
By noon.
Copies of the Jinzhou Publication had spread through the streets and alleys of Jinzhou, and the content became the focus of discussion among the citizens.
"Have you heard? Tomorrow, City Hall is going to commend the Jinzhou hero and the Midnight Rangers."
"It's not just the Midnight Rangers; many outstanding contributors from research institutes and civilians have also received invitations."
"For example, the owner of Yuanwu's Fist Gym, the Linyang from the Auspicious Lion Troupe, the plant cultivator Verina, Jianxin from the Hexagon Teahouse, and others—they're all going to be commended tomorrow."
"The most important is still our Jinzhou hero. Look, whenever neighbors mention him, there's nothing but praise. His friends speak of him endlessly with admiration."
For a time, Jinzhou City was bustling with excitement, with voices of discussion unending in teahouses and theaters.
===✧✦✧===
Dim Forest.
The main content of the Exploration Quest "When the Forest is No Longer Dim" was to assist researchers in resolving the toxic mist spores appearing in Dim Forest.
With Noah's efforts, the quest was smoothly half-completed; the rest would have to wait until the next day.
He and Danjin added each other's terminal contacts, agreed to meet again tomorrow, and then headed toward Jinzhou City at dusk.
Originally, Noah planned to camp in the wilderness, but he received a communication from Jinhsi, learning that there would be a public commendation for him tomorrow and that he was invited to attend.
To not miss tomorrow's commendation, he had to return to Jinzhou first.
"Today, I cleared over thirty Tacet Discords outside— a bit few, but no choice; in reality, the density of Tacet Discords isn't as high as in the game."
Noah tallied today's gains while hurrying along:
"The [Freezing Frost] Echo set already has two with double crits; I still need three more."
Arriving at a beacon location, Noah stopped rushing.
Soon enough, a Lollo Logistics vehicle appeared. Noah reached out and shouted the Lollo Logistics slogan:
"Lollo Logistics—mission accomplished!"
The vehicle stopped, and a cute brown bun-headed figure poked out from the window, with an employee badge clipped to the bun:
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"Hey, Lumi?"
Seeing a familiar face from the game, Noah was a bit surprised but didn't dwell on it:
"I need to ship a large item—1.85 meters long, 1 meter wide, 1 meter tall—from here to Jinzhou. How many Shell Credits?"
"For such a short distance... let's say 100 Shell Credits."
"Deal."
Noah got in the vehicle:
"Let's go."
"Huh?" Lumi's eyes widened:
"Sir, the large item you mentioned—is it yourself?"
"Yes!"
Noah nodded confidently.
"Uh... sir, Lollo Logistics doesn't have a service for shipping live people."
"No need to treat me as a person; just treat me as large cargo."
"That still doesn't comply with regulations..."
Lumi was a bit troubled, but she didn't stay troubled for long, because a bag full of Shell Credits appeared in Noah's hand.
He gently shook the bag, and the Shell Credits inside made an enticing clinking sound:
"Perhaps I can convince you."
"Lollo Logistics—mission accomplished!"
Although regulations didn't allow it, regulations are rigid, but people can be flexible—especially since this customer had already moved her with sincerity.
Thinking this, Lumi skillfully pulled out a small black device, printed a shipping label, and stuck it on Noah.
Now it complied with regulations.
Under the setting sun, a Lollo Logistics vehicle drove farther and farther away.
Night gradually crept from east to west, and a crescent moon rose.
Noah finally returned to his residence, spotting two people waiting at his door from afar.
As his gaze fell on them, the two seemed to sense it, turned around, and immediately ran over excitedly with cameras and notebooks.
"Jinzhou hero, we've finally waited for you! We are reporters from Jinzhou Publication. May we interview you?"
"Uh—you guys really seem to have waited a long time. Alright, what do you want to interview?"
With permission granted, the two immediately spoke enthusiastically:
"As the widely beloved hero of Jinzhou, what kind of person do you think you are? And also, do you have anything you'd like to say to everyone in Jinzhou?"
"Me? Actually, I think I'm just an ordinary person."
Noah casually shrugged:
"As for what I'd like to say to everyone in Jinzhou, um..."
He pondered for a moment, his expression gradually turning serious:
"Please do not regard me as a hero, because more heroes remain anonymous among the people, waiting for the right moment to act."