The next morning, Panhua's Restaurant was already buzzing with the smell of broth, sizzling oil, and the chatter of locals squeezing in breakfast before their day began. The sunlight slanted through the restaurant, painting warm stripes across the wooden tables.
Jeff pulled up first, the faint footsteps echoing signifying their arrival. Rover followed at his side, her hair catching the light, strands falling forward against her cheek before she tucked them behind her ear.
"Mrs. Panhua! G'morning!" Chixia's voice rang out as she waved them over with both arms, already perched at a corner table. Her grin was wide, her energy uncontainable even this early in the day. "Four bowls of extra spicy noodles, please!" she called before the innkeeper even made it to their table.
She leaned back in her chair, smirking proudly. "What did I tell ya? Nothing beats a bowl of spicy noodles in the morning!" Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked between Rover and Jeff. "So? What do you say?"
Jeff eyed the steaming bowl that was set in front of him, the bright red broth almost intimidating. He picked up his chopsticks, testing the heat with a cautious blow. "I haven't had my first bite yet," he muttered dryly.
Rover, on the other hand, had already dug in. She lifted a bundle of noodles to her lips, slurping them with surprising ease, and when she looked up, there was a tiny spark of delight in her eyes. "I love it," she said simply, cheeks faintly flushed from the spice. "It's just the way I like it."
Chixia laughed, clapping her hands once. "Knew it! Knew you'd like it. Mrs. Panhua's got the magic touch!"
Yangyang slipped into the seat next to them, adjusting her robes neatly before speaking. Her calm tone was a stark contrast to Chixia's excitement. "It looks like Baizhi's locked herself in the lab again. She hasn't left since yesterday. I doubt we'll see her until her research is finished."
Chixia leaned her elbows on the table, eyes gleaming. "Unless… we use Rover and Jeff as bait to lure her out." She lowered her voice dramatically, gesturing wildly with her chopsticks. "Picture this—tie both of them up at the Academy's entrance, and with just a few tugs on the rope, every researcher will come running. Hook, line, and sinker! Baizhi leading the charge."
Rover blinked at her, then tilted her head, lips curving into a rare amused smile. "We could give it a try."
Jeff nearly choked on his noodles. "That sounds dangerous."
Chixia burst out laughing. "Okay, okay! Maybe not for real. Just… in case of emergencies!" She raised her hand like a soldier reporting for duty. "Rover, Jeff—roll out!"
That earned her a soft laugh from Rover, while Jeff only shook his head, muttering, "Let's not try that shit."
The conversation turned, as it always did, back to the tokens. Chixia twirled her chopsticks as she mused aloud. "Now that we've figured out the sugar pearl and the sundial, all that's left is that weird leaf and the mangosteen, right? Took us one trip to the Academy to solve half our problems. Either you two are geniuses, or Madam Magistrate wanted it easy from the start."
Yangyang rested her chin against her hand, thoughtful. "What's our next plan of action, Rover, Jeff?"
Rover's voice was steady. "Look into the mangosteen first."
"That works," Chixia agreed quickly. "Plenty of vendors selling them at the market. We might find something."
But Yangyang shook his head. "Mangosteens aren't from Jinzhou. They're usually brought in by boat. If we're chasing that lead, we should start at the harbor."
Jeff's hand stilled on his chopsticks. He knew where this was heading already. "Let's leave the city," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
Yangyang's brows furrowed. "Do you think the token is guiding us outside the city?"
Jeff forced a calm look but he already know where this is going. "Let's look into the strange leaf first."
Yangyang nodded slowly. "Baizhi said the leaf carries the frequencies of Tacet Discords. It must have come from a tree near a Tacet Field. If that's true, then yes… we'll have to leave Jinzhou."
"We've got two more days," Rover said suddenly, her tone practical. "Might as well wait."
Yangyang looked at her, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Yes, that may work too. Any plans for the next two days, Rover? Jeff?"
Jeff set his chopsticks down, expression flickering. "I have other plans."
"Madam Magistrate gave us an Access Pass," he said quickly to deflect, trying to ground himself.
Yangyang's sharp gaze flicked toward him. "Then perhaps the pass is another hint. After all, there are no checkpoints within Jinzhou. You only need one if you're leaving the city."
Chixia snapped her fingers. "Now why didn't I think of that? Gotta hand it to ya, Yangyang!"
Across the table, Rover straightened, her expression oddly firm. "My body aches for battle!"
Jeff blinked at her in disbelief as she leaned forward with sudden fire in her eyes. Where the hell did that come from you battle maniac.
"That's the spirit!" Chixia cheered, playing along instantly. "Been beating my brains up 'til now—time to get these joints cracking!"
"I don't know who I am. I don't know why I'm here," Rover continued, her voice almost too dramatic and edgy, though her lips quirked at the edges. "All I know is—I must kill!"
Chixia slapped the table hyping Rover up, laughing. "Whoooah! She's fast! She's furious! A Tacet-Discord-killing machine!"
Jeff stared, baffled almost cringed, but couldn't stop the laugh that slipped out of him. "You've gotta be kidding me…"
Yangyang pinched the bridge of her nose. "…Please stop it, you two."
"Fine, fine." Chixia sat back, still chuckling, while Rover's smirk lingered.
Soon after, the mood shifted again, and Chixia sighed. "If you're heading out of the city, it's a no-go for me. My shift's coming up. Yangyang, protect these two well, yeah? And message me if anything happens."
Rover tilted her head, her voice calm but teasing. "I'm sure you meant the other way around."
Jeff leaned back, his tone a little smug. "I'm really strong, you know. Yangyang will be safe with us."
Chixia grinned, throwing him a thumbs-up. "I believe in ya!"
Yangyang allowed himself a small smile. "Without a doubt."
The table quieted again, but the threads of laughter, unease, and something unspoken between them. The morning sunlight gleamed across their bowls, half-eaten and steaming, while the day outside waited for what would come next.
A few minutes later they finished their food and made their way to the city gate. The group slowed as they approached the city gate, the glow of lanterns spilling faint light across the cobblestones. Yangyang walked a little ahead, her hands clasped behind her back, posture relaxed.
She turned toward Jeff and Rover with a small smile tugging at her lips. "You know," she began, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek, "we Resonators can boost our combat abilities with special items and training. Your Echoes can use them too."
Her voice carried a matter-of-fact tone, but there was a hint of playfulness underneath, the kind that always softened her serious explanations. She tilted her head at Jeff. "If you're up for it, you should visit Instructor Yhan at the training camp. He can give you enhancement items and some extra practice."
Jeff nodded, though his jaw tightened slightly. I'll definitely spend some time there get more TD combat experience in a safe environment … maybe finally get the hang of this damn rectifier, he thought, suppressing the urge to sigh aloud. His hand brushed over the weapon at his side as though to reassure himself.
Just as they were about to step beyond the city's edge, Chixia froze, ears twitching faintly as if she'd picked up a sound others couldn't. Her eyes widened. "Y-Yangyang… did you hear that? Someone's crying. Wailing, even…" Her voice wavered with unease.
Yangyang paused, her expression tightening for a moment before smoothing back into calm composure. She shook her head, the motion firm but gentle, like an older sister reassuring her sibling. "That should be the Midnight Rangers' training camp." Her lips curved into a wry smile. "Don't worry about it, Chixia. They're probably just being… disciplined."
Chixia blinked, her brows furrowing as though she wasn't fully convinced.
Yangyang softened her tone, turning toward Rover and Jeff this time. "Instructor Yhan is in charge of the recruits there. He's… well, let's just say he's not exactly known for being gentle." Her eyes sparkled with a teasing glint as she added, "But I think the two of you can handle anything he throws your way."
Rover met her gaze with her usual calm intensity, giving only a slight nod. Jeff, on the other hand, tried to mask the way his chest tightened at the thought of tough training having a PTSD flashback from his Officer Candidate Course (OCC) boothcamp days, forcing a half-smile.
When they finally stepped close to the city's massive gate Chixia excused herself and went to do her duty, Yangyang's expression turned serious again. She slowed her pace and gestured toward the reinforced barricades. "The defense here has been strengthened," she said, her voice dropping just slightly.
Her eyes lingered on the heavy steel fixtures and the doubled guards. After a pause, she murmured, almost to herself, "It wasn't like this when we came back…"
The group exchanged silent looks, the weight of unspoken questions settling between them.
The clang of metal echoed faintly against the stone walls of the city gate. Guards stood in crisp formation, armor polished. The air was cooler here, brisk with the draft that slipped in from beyond the city's borders.
A woman stood before the gate, her posture straight despite the exhaustion written across her face. Strands of dark hair clung to her temples, and her travel-worn robes carried faint stains of dust and mud. She bowed her head respectfully toward the soldiers, her hands folded in front of her chest.
"Access Pass is required if you're heading to the Norfall Barrens," the guarding soldier announced, his tone stiff, rehearsed. "That place is off-limits."
The woman didn't flinch. Instead, she lifted her gaze, eyes steady. "You must be the soldier on duty yesterday, at noon," she said softly, almost with relief. Her voice was calm, but there was a stubborn edge beneath it. "Nice to see you again. I'm a Resonator and a trained martial artist. I can handle myself."
Her hands tightened slightly in front of her as she added, "Please… I need to go look for someone."
The shifting soldier—a younger man with tired eyes—sighed and adjusted the strap of his spear. "Young lady, this is my third shift, and you're still here. Haven't you given up yet?"
"I promised his grandfather I'd bring him back." The woman's voice trembled, only for a moment, before she steadied it. "Would you let me through? Just this once."
The guarding soldier shook his head firmly. "Be that as it may, I cannot let you pass. My apologies."
Her brows drew together. "But the city feels fine. Peaceful. Are things really that bad on the frontlines?"
"That's why we must stay vigilant," the shifting soldier said, his tone softer now, though weary. "So people in the city can go on living peacefully."
The other guard chimed in, voice firmer. "Besides, General Jiyan is currently stationed at Norfall Barrens. Dangerous as it is, he'll keep an eye on every soldier there—including the one you're looking for."
The younger soldier shrugged almost helplessly. "We've already sent a report on your case. You could go home, wait for good news. What's the point of staying here?"
But the woman only smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Thank you, but I've already asked the Patrol Station for help. I've tried every method I could think of. I promised him, so I have to give it my all." Her eyes softened as though remembering something. "Would it help if I hid my presence and stayed further away? Five miles? A hundred? A thousand might be too far—I wouldn't be able to see you clearly…"
The soldier groaned, rubbing his temple. "Listen. Nobody knows when they'll return, and even if they do, you might not find the one you're looking for. It's dangerous out there, and you don't even have an Access Pass—"
At that moment, footsteps approached. Rover strode forward with her usual quiet confidence, Yangyang by her side, and Jeff lingering half a step behind hand in his pockets. The trio stopped in front of the gate, and Rover pulled the pass from her pocket.
The soldier's eyes widened slightly before he cleared his throat. "…Ahem. Access Pass verified." His gaze flicked between them. "Just you three?"
"Yes," Rover answered simply.
Before the guards could wave them through, the woman stepped forward, clasping her hands together. She bowed once more. "Greetings. I am Jianxin. Could you please do me a favor?" Her voice was earnest, but her eyes betrayed desperation. "I want to look for someone outside the city, but I don't have a pass. May I… tag along with you?"
Jeff blinked. The martial artist, huh. His lips quirked into the faintest smirk. "Okay."
Jianxin's whole face lit up, relief breaking through her calm composure. "Thank you for your kindness!"
Rover tilted her head, studying her. "What can you do for us?"
Jianxin straightened her back, voice steady. "I'm a jack-of-all-trades. Tai Chi, cooking, tea-making, mining, foraging, errands, fixing utilities, caring for animals…" She paused, then offered a small, sheepish smile. "If you've got something else in mind, I'm always up for learning new skills."
Jeff chuckled under his breath. She's really selling herself here. Out loud, he only said, "Alright then."
But Rover's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do I get out of this?"
Jeff turned his head toward her sharply, suppressing a laugh. Damn, Rover's being pragmatic now?
Jianxin hesitated, then reached into her pouch. "I see. Well… I've got three Guokui flatbreads, thirty-four Shell Credits, and the Mirrors of Clarity. They're all yours."
Rover's expression softened slightly. "You seem to live a humble life."
Jeff snorted. "You can keep them.
You're broke as hell—I get it." I was the same back in college the only thing keeping me alive was my scholarship grants.
Jianxin smiled faintly at his honesty, though her cheeks flushed.
Rover, however, remained firm. "You'll have to ask the guards about it."
"You're right," Jianxin agreed, bowing her head. "I don't want to lie or cause more trouble for the soldiers." She turned, her gaze steady now, and addressed the guards directly. "I intend to leave the city with them, and they have agreed. Will it be an issue for you?"
The shifting soldier shifted uncomfortably. "I, uh…"
Jeff crossed his arms. "Is it allowed?"
"Please," Rover added softly, her tone carrying more weight than the single word should.
The guarding soldier hesitated only a second before nodding. "It says here you both have the highest level of access. No procedural issues."
The younger soldier muttered under his breath, almost incredulous, "Honestly, they could lead an entire troop out of the city with that pass, and no one would question it…"
"Let's go," Jeff said, already stepping forward.
Rover turned her head. "Master Jianxin?"
"Sure!" Jianxin answered quickly, following close behind.
As they walked, Jianxin began to explain. "The man I'm looking for is named Zhiyuan. I don't know him personally. On my way down the mountain, I met his grandfather—an old man who had gotten lost searching for his grandson. I couldn't just leave him."
Yangyang slowed her pace, her eyes soft as she regarded Jianxin. "You're willing to go to such lengths for someone you don't even know…" She smiled faintly. "You have a kind soul, Master Jianxin."
Jianxin shook her head. "It's only thanks to kind people that Mr. Zongye and I made it safely to Jinzhou. Helping him is the least I can do."
Jeff raised a brow. "But why is it so important to you?"
"Because Mr. Zongye is confused, and worried sick," Jianxin said simply. "Every time no one's looking, he sneaks out to search for his grandson again. He's been through too much already."
The conversation shifted. Rover suddenly asked, "Do you know anything about mangosteens?"
Jianxin blinked, then chuckled softly. "This one?" She held up a fruit from her pouch. "Fresh leaves, soft skin, eight fleshy segments inside. Looks good, right?"
Jeff laughed. "Thanks for the fruit-picking lesson."
"Oh, one more thing." Jianxin's voice was light, but careful. "There's a bruise at the bottom. Eat it soon, or it'll spoil."
"Good to know," Rover said with a nod.
As the group continued down the road, Jianxin spoke of her past—her life in the mountains, training in Tai Chi, and her journey to the outside world. Her words carried no arrogance, only the humility of someone who still believed she had much to learn. "According to what I've gathered, Mr. Zongye's grandson is very likely in the Desorock Highland. Thanks to your help, I can finally leave the city to find him."
When she finished, Rover glanced at her. "Got it. That's where we're headed too."
Jeff gave a small grin. "Then let's go together."