The sunset over Jinzhou was like fire, with the evening glow magnificent and breathtaking.
After seeing Yangyang off from work, Noah used his face ID to enter the Midnight Rangers camp and soon spotted Jiyan walking toward him.
"Ah— it's the Hero of Jinzhou."
Noah smiled and nodded:
"Old Ji, I'm here to race you with pufferfish."
"Hahaha, it's almost winter now. Let's race again next summer."
Jiyan laughed and opened his arms, preparing to give Noah a warm hug, but Noah directly shoved the big Rinascita gift package into his arms.
"We're both grown men. No need for those sentimental formalities."
Patting Jiyan's sturdy arm, Noah joked:
"I just got back and already heard there's another Tacet Discord tide in Jinzhou. Want to take me charging into Norfall Barrens again? If we run into Ovathrax this time, watch me shake Its yolk until it scatters."
"You're joking again, Old You. It's just some Common-class Tacet Discords gathering. It's not a big problem. The army has already sent a special agent team to investigate."
Setting down the big Rinascita gift package in his hands, Jiyan invited Noah to sit in a room for a casual chat.
"Has the Midnight Rangers run into any troublesome matters lately?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Jiyan hadn't expected that the first thing Noah did upon returning was to show concern for the Midnight Rangers' recent situation. He felt a warmth in his heart and replied:
"Everything inside the army is going smoothly, but we've actually encountered some strange things externally."
"It seems a mysterious organization has appeared in Jinzhou recently, causing many retired veterans to disappear."
"Not only veterans, but also some older Resonators have gone missing. After investigation, those who disappeared seem to be people whose families are not complete."
[Companion Story: "Solitary Path" has been activated.]
After glancing at the newly activated quest, Noah immediately understood:
"Small problem. I'll go solve it right after dinner."
"This kind of thing is probably the work of exiles banding together. Just leave it to the Jinzhou patrollers to handle. You've just returned to Jinzhou, so you should rest properly."
"No need, no need."
Noah shook his head:
"When a tiger shows its head, we strike. When flies are buzzing around, we swat them. It's all just convenient matters that won't take long."
"Alright, alright. Then I'll leave it to you. Treat it seriously. If you need anything, contact me anytime. I'll personally lead the Midnight Rangers to help you."
Jiyan smiled and didn't say anything more. He then asked about the reason for Noah's departure.
Toward Jiyan, Noah naturally held nothing back, though he slightly edited the content of his story and avoided mentioning the level of danger. Overall, it was summarized in four words—his clothes barely got dirty.
Once several dishes arrived, along with a plate of peanuts and two bowls of hotpot soup, they chatted while eating. The topic gradually went off track, and soon they were talking excitedly. The two of them slapped their thighs and laughed loudly:
"In Ragunna, that Threnodian Leviathan was beaten up by me hahaahaha—"
"Hahahaha, you're bragging. Beating up a Threnodian? Why don't you say you saved the world?"
"Actually, with just three sentences, I made the global Lament call me daddy."
"Amazing, amazing. Then you're really this."
Upon hearing this, Jiyan laughed heartily and gave a thumbs up.
Pleasant times always pass especially quickly. The two who had been chatting happily soon finished dinner.
Noah did not accept Jiyan's invitation to stay overnight and continue their conversation. He switched to Shorekeeper and left the Midnight Rangers camp.
"Chatting with Brother You is really enjoyable. I really want to talk with him all night long."
Watching the pure white light circle disperse along with Noah's departure, Jiyan sighed:
"It's just a shame that military discipline is strict and we can't prepare wine. I'll have to wait until my next vacation to chat with Brother You to our hearts' content."
He was about to continue with official duties when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching. Jiyan shifted from his previous relaxed state back to serious, his gaze turning toward the newcomer.
"General Jiyan."
The soldier who came running handed over a report, his expression not looking very good:
"Based on the special agent team's analysis compared with past years' experience, the reason for the Tacet Discords inexplicably gathering is very likely that Ovathrax's consciousness is reviving."
"As expected..."
Jiyan's brows furrowed slightly as he sighed inwardly:
Jinzhou had only been recuperating for a month, and the Threnodians were already starting various small moves again. This was truly not good news.
"No need to worry too much. After the previous battle in Norfall Barrens, the Threnodians are temporarily not a major threat."
He spoke steadily:
"The current Threnodians are not to be feared. Increase patrol personnel, add more patrol routes, and do your best to find the Threnodians' hiding spots. I will report this matter to the Magistrate later."
"Yes."
...
The sun in the west had long since set.
The figures on Jinzhou's streets gradually became sparse.
"Those patrollers have finally left."
With an extremely low murmur, a tall and seductive figure walked out from the shadows of the alley.
A head of fiery red hair was tied into a high ponytail with a four-leaf clover hairpin. A black cheongsam wrapped around her full, voluptuous figure. Beneath her slender waist that could be grasped with one hand, the snow-white legs visible through the cheongsam's slits appeared and disappeared with her steps.
The streetlights finally illuminated that charming and beautiful face. Her nose was elegant, her cheeks soft and tender, and the two beauty marks beneath her purple eyes added an extra touch of allure.
She walked silently toward the north city gate. After passing a few turns, her steps suddenly paused, then quickened as she turned a few more corners.
Finally, she stopped, turned her head to look at the young man who had been following behind her at some point, and spoke softly:
"The illustrious Hero of Jinzhou secretly tailing a weak woman at night. If word gets out, it won't sound very good, will it?"
"It's not tailing."
Noah shook his head calmly, his gaze directed at the woman before him, who was said to possess the greatest face in all of Wuthering Waves:
"This lady, I simply want to ask you one question."
"Oh?"
Yinlin let out a soft sound of surprise. Her wariness eased slightly, assuming Noah was here to hit on her. She unhurriedly spoke to politely refuse:
"If you want to ask my name, then forget it."
"Such a superficial question—how could I ask that?"
Oh? Playing hard to get? She didn't expect the renowned Hero of Jinzhou to be this kind of person. Yinlin secretly shook her head and spoke again:
"If you want to ask my age, then forget it."
"Such an impolite question—I couldn't possibly say it."
Hearing this, Yinlin's brows furrowed slightly. Seeing that the other party didn't catch her polite refusal, she spoke bluntly:
"If you want to ask anything about me, then forget it."
"Of course. Actually, I'm not interested in you."
This time, it was Yinlin who was surprised.
If what Noah said was true, then he wasn't trying to hit on her but had other intentions.
Thinking of a certain possibility, Yinlin put her hands behind her back. Several electric arcs flashed from her fingertips as she slowly stepped closer. A charming yet dangerous, extremely beautiful smile appeared on her face:
"Then what... do you want to ask me?"
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly thrust out her palm carrying high-voltage current. The sneak attack was easily countered and pinned in mid-air by the other party.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful face in front of him turning flustered, Noah smiled faintly:
"I want to ask—where is the mastermind behind the Séance Society located?"
To sweep out darkness, evidence is needed.
To fight terrorism, coordinates are enough.
...