The walls of Jinzhou City were far taller and grander than the ones Mohai remembered from his life simulation.
Built from black stone that gleamed with a metallic sheen, the ramparts were etched with circuit-like energy lines that shimmered faintly under the setting sun.
At the main gate, squads of soldiers in matching armor methodically inspected passing pedestrians and merchant caravans.
A simulated training ground for soldiers was situated nearby as well.
Their gear was top-notch, their eyes sharp, radiating the grim aura born of a battle-tested army.
“Things have…
really changed,” Mohai couldn’t help but remark.
*It feels stronger and stronger.* “Hmm?” Chixia glanced at him curiously.
“Have you been to Jinzhou before?” Mohai felt a sudden pang of tension and quickly covered up: “No, I just heard about it from some wandering merchants riding alpacas.
They said Jinzhou wasn’t nearly this grand back in the day.” “Of course it wasn’t!” Chixia raised her chin proudly.
“This is all thanks to the Magistrate!” Thanks to their Midnight Rangers credentials, the group passed smoothly through the city gates.
Stepping inside, a vibrant atmosphere of bustling prosperity washed over them.
Wide, clean bluestone streets were lined with packed shops.
Hawkers’ shouts, lively chatter, and children’s laughter filled the air continuously.
Most pedestrians wore contented smiles, reflecting a peaceful and settled life.
The entire city throbbed with vibrant vitality.
Mohai took in the scene with quiet satisfaction.
He saw a vendor selling candied haws on a street corner, the glazed skewers glistening translucently, with far more varieties than he recalled from his memories.
He saw a group of children chasing each other, their parents watching fondly with smiles, devoid of any fear for what tomorrow might bring.
He also noticed…
toward the central square, a massive statue draped under a black cloth.
Though seemingly unfinished, its grand silhouette suggested an indomitable hero standing tall.
“This way, Mohai,” Yangyang’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“We need to take you to the Midnight Rangers Headquarters first for registration and Resonator evaluation.
Will you join us, Rover?” “Sure.” Mohai pulled his gaze back and followed them.
The Rover nodded as well, indicating she would go wherever Mohai went.
Passing through several bustling avenues, they arrived before a massive, solemnly styled building.
This was the Midnight Rangers Headquarters, the nerve center of Jinzhou City’s military power.
After verifying Chixia’s and Yangyang’s credentials, the guard at the entrance turned his gaze to the unfamiliar Mohai.
“Who is this?” “A survivor we found outside the city—and a Resonator, too.
His name is Mohai.
We brought him in for evaluation and registration,” Chixia replied fluently.
Baizhi had already headed back to her work, leaving just the four of them here.
The guard nodded, asking no further questions, and stepped aside to let them pass.
Yet just as Mohai was about to set foot inside the Midnight Rangers Headquarters— *Buzz—!* The “Heart Mark” on his chest suddenly vibrated violently, without the slightest warning!
The reaction was more than ten times stronger than the brief flicker outside the city!
It was no longer a faint, needle-like prick of sorrow.
Instead, a titanic emotional wave—a mixture of infinite yearning, intense anticipation, and a possessiveness so obsessed it made his heart freeze—crashed straight through his chest like a tsunami!
This surge of emotion was so overwhelming and domineering that Mohai staggered, his face draining of color instantly.
*She’s nearby!
And her emotional state…
is wildly unstable!* At almost the exact same moment, the heavy, carved wooden doors of the Midnight Rangers Headquarters burst open from the inside.
“Halt!” A crisp, cold female voice rang out, carrying an unmistakable note of authority.
Mohai snapped his head up.
Standing atop the steps, looking down at them, was a woman dressed in a sleek black combat outfit.
She had sharp, short silver hair and breathtakingly exquisite features, yet her eyes were as cold and sharp as an eagle’s.
Her gaze brushed past Chixia and Yangyang before pinning itself onto Mohai’s face like twin unsheathed blades.
It wasn’t scrutiny, nor curiosity.
It was a complex expression—a storm of shock, ecstasy, and incredulity, like someone who had searched for ten long years and finally caught sight of their quarry!
“G-Greetings, Miss Sanhua!” Chixia and Yangyang bowed immediately upon recognizing her.
This woman, Sanhua, was the trusted captain of Magistrate Jinhsi’s personal guard.
Yet Sanhua ignored them completely.
Her body trembled slightly with overwhelming emotion.
Staring dead at Mohai, her lips parted, whispering in a tone audible only to herself: “That’s right…
it’s this frequency…” “Three years…
Lady Magistrate, I’ve finally…
found him!” *?* Hearing those words, Mohai had a very bad feeling about this.