It took some time, but the Tacet Discord wave at the north gate was temporarily repelled. The group panted heavily, each busy with their own tasks.
Taoqi reported the situation to superiors, Verina healed the injured soldiers, Lingyang and the Auspicious Lion Troupe members transported supplies spontaneously donated by city residents.
Yuanwu proactively approached border defense officers, offering to house the injured soldiers at the nearby Yuanwu Teahouse and martial hall.
Once these miscellaneous tasks were done, they unanimously approached Noah, expressing heartfelt respect:
"Worthy of the great hero—those moves just now are enough for me to learn a lifetime."
"No wonder he became Jinzhou's great hero—truly a reputation well-deserved."
"Noah, your skills are still so amazing—left hook, right hook, and in a few moves, you cleaned up so many Tacet Discords."
Listening to the endless praises, Noah nodded, his face calm and composed:
"Practice makes perfect."
The rain curtain grew heavier. Noah lifted his head, glancing at the increasingly bright and full moon phase on the horizon, then surveying the crowd around him before speaking loudly:
"Everyone, under Retroact Rain, the Tacet Discord assault at the front lines is far fiercer than what Jinzhou City faces. I will head to the front lines to support the Midnight Rangers. Jinzhou City—I leave it to you."
Hearing this, shock appeared on everyone's faces.
Indeed—even Jinzhou City was affected by Retroact Rain and attacked by massive Tacet Discords; the front lines would only face greater impact.
Thus, no one doubted it; they even proactively made way.
As for the possibility of the long-dead Scar returning with Fractsidus members under Retroact Rain—that was classified; ordinary people didn't know.
As border defense head, Taoqi's face showed worry. She couldn't help asking softly:
"Mr. Noah, is it possible not to go? The protective barrier still needs thirty minutes to repair. Illusions that could appear in Jinzhou City at any time..."
"I asked the Magistrate. The Magistrate promised to protect everyone's safety. I believe her."
At this point, Taoqi immediately understood Noah's meaning, no longer trying to retain him. Instead, she turned to Yangyang:
"Yangyang, you are a member of the Outrider squad. This journey—I entrust you to accompany Noah."
Yangyang: Huh?
Yangyang's eyes widened, not expecting to actually be assigned to guide Noah.
From duty and rationality, she knew that with her ability to sense flow of breath, she was most suitable to distinguish Retroact Rain illusions and lead Noah on the fastest, safest path.
But she knew Noah wasn't going to help the Midnight Rangers resist Tacet Discords—he was going to assist General Jiyan in fighting the Threnodian.
Emotionally, she subconsciously didn't want Noah facing such danger.
As Yangyang hesitated, Taoqi and the others' words cut through the rain into her ears.
"Heading to Desorock Highland camp requires crossing a Tacet Field—dangerous path. Please be careful."
"Noah, Yangyang—I, Jinzhou's Blazing Dawn, will guard Jinzhou well. Await your safe return!"
Yuanwu: "Count me in!"
Verina: "I... I'll be here too!"
Lingyang: "And everyone from the Auspicious Lion Troupe!"
The soldiers in unison: "And us!"
Even Jinhsi, handling countless rear messages in the city, sent a holographic image amid her busyness:
"Regardless of the outcome, you are Jinzhou City's hero. Noah, may you cross the long night and return victorious."
Everyone: "May you cross the long night and return victorious."
Yangyang: With everyone saying this much, what else can I do.
Under everyone's gazes, the two figures gradually faded into the distance.
The downpour gradually eased. Yangyang's mood heavy, after running for a long time, she finally spoke:
"Noah."
"Mm."
Noah casually threw a blue swift blade, piercing a distant Viridblaze Virtuoso Tacet Discord, then looked at Yangyang.
Only then did he see the girl's face full of fatigue.
"Yangyang, are you tired? How about we stop and rest a bit."
"No. I just feel like you're hiding many things from me."
Yangyang turned her head away, voice somewhat muffled:
"As early as the first day after Jinzhou recovered, when I conveyed General Jiyan's gratitude and invitation to you—do you remember what you said?"
"What?"
"You said: Hope General Jiyan doesn't drag you into fighting Ovathrax."
Her tone gradually became urgent, as if the pent-up frustration in her heart found an outlet:
"But what are you doing now? Neither General Jiyan nor the Magistrate invited you to do anything, yet you're proactively going to help fight the Threnodian."
"So you knew all along that Jinzhou would face the Threnodian's revival one day—and even knew that day would come soon."
"I don't understand you anymore, Noah. I don't know what kind of motive would make you choose this."
Yangyang didn't understand—and completely couldn't understand.
In her eyes, Noah was just a traveler passing through Jinzhou—someone completely unrelated to Jinzhou's crisis.
Since Noah knew early that Jinzhou would soon face the Threnodian threat—why not leave?
With his ability, whether going to Mengzhou, Huangdu, or countries beyond Huanglong—he would be treated as an honored guest anywhere.
Why choose to stay in Jinzhou and proactively face the extremely dangerous Threnodian?
She didn't know why she thought this way. Clearly, as an Outrider of the Midnight Rangers, seeing a strong person proactively help Jinzhou—she should be happy.
But anyone could help Jinzhou—why did it have to be him?
Even if Yangyang believed in Noah deeply, she couldn't confidently say Noah would return alive from the Threnodian.
After blurting out a long string of words, Yangyang took a deep breath, calming down, her tone still muffled:
"Sorry, I was a bit out of line."
"You're right, but—"
Noah lowered his gaze, speaking slowly:
"Some things—someone has to do them."
One sentence stirred Yangyang's dejected emotions again:
"Why does that person have to be you?"
"Yeah, I want to ask that too—why me?"
Noah felt a toothache, face helpless.
Logically, the one heading to Desorock Highland camp with Yangyang right now should be Rover.
As civilization guide, Astral Modulator, Emperor of Solaris—Rover had the status and reason to fight the Threnodian.
If Rover appeared now, he would immediately yield—after all, fighting the Threnodian wasn't risk-free.
But the problem was—Rover wasn't here! What could he do?
Noah admitted he was easily swayed—any factor could make him give up.
So he had to force himself onto the track before giving up, only then charging forward relentlessly, regardless of the unknown end.
"But if I don't go—Jiyan will fail, the front lines will collapse, and Jinzhou will fall too."
Can Jiyan fight the Threnodian alone? No—he couldn't. Everyone knows that—even Geshu Lin couldn't.
Shrugging, thoroughly accepting it, Noah calmed down instead and comforted Yangyang:
"Relax, we'll win. If you're tired, head back. Just wait for my good news."
One sentence made Yangyang grit her teeth in anger, yet helpless.
After all—even without her guiding, Noah knew the way to Desorock Highland camp.
She might as well lead him there—watching him personally would ease her mind more.
If the situation truly became extremely dangerous—she would unhesitatingly shield Noah, even—at the cost of her life.