"Though we failed to eliminate those who got in the way, the final outcome is still favorable."
"After all, our goal was never here to begin with."
"The answer we sought has already been revealed."
"—Through secondary resonance, even the power of the Sentinel is no longer so unattainable… Moreover, artificial resonance is no longer just a fantasy."
A follower behind hesitated before speaking: "Then… about that Lucian—should we continue monitoring him?"
Phrolova: "Of course. His strength far exceeds my expectations."
"An outsider… Hmph, how intriguing…"
Phrolova pursed her lips, staring for a moment longer before turning away.
"Let's go. We shouldn't let certain people linger too long in their cells."
Below, Lucian seemed to sense something and glanced toward the high stone platform, though he saw nothing.
Lucian shook his head slightly and stuffed a synthesized satiety pill into Abby's mouth.
The creature lay sprawled on Lucian's head, basking in the sunlight, utterly content.
Changli: "...That's how things stand."
Xinyi let out a relieved sigh: "As long as Jinhsi is safe."
"While you were descending the mountain, we noticed the followers of Fractsidus gradually leaving Mt. Firmament."
"It seems they've already achieved some kind of objective."
Rover wondered: "What exactly was their goal? It doesn't seem like they wanted the Sentinel and the Magistrate to destroy each other."
"After all, they didn't interfere during our fight with the Sentinel."
Changli: "Most of Fractsidus' followers were intercepted by the Echoes Lucian released. As for that Phrolova earlier…"
Looking back, she now suspected that Fractsidus' true aim was never to have Jinhsi and Jué weaken each other.
There must have been a deeper purpose.
Lucian lazily stretched. Though Mt. Firmament was a snowy peak, the temperature wasn't too low, and the sunlight felt warm against his skin.
"Who cares? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. A puny group like Fractsidus is nothing to me, Lucian."
Changli covered her mouth with a light chuckle: "In that case, we'll be counting on you, Mr. Lucian."
"Well, enough idle talk. I should return to Jinzhou to handle official duties and check on Jinhsi."
"She must be exhausted after that battle."
The next day, Lucian awoke in the accommodations Sanhua had arranged for them.
He suddenly felt a weight pressing on his abdomen.
Opening his eyes, he saw Rover sitting at the vanity nearby, fixing her hair.
Confused, he turned his head—only to find a girl who looked no older than twelve or thirteen sitting on his stomach, her golden eyes locked onto him.
Lucian jolted in shock: "What the—! Whose kid is this?!"
Before he could process the situation, the little girl spoke—in Jué's voice: "How dare you! What 'kid'?!"
The contrast between the child's youthful appearance and her mature tone left Lucian utterly baffled, his expression one of pure, unadulterated confusion.
Seeing his bewilderment, Rover explained: "Didn't you agree to heal the Sentinel's injuries?"
"This is a manifested fragment of its form."
"Since going to the Mianloong Chamber every day would be inconvenient, it'll be staying with us in this form from now on."
The little girl gave a slight nod: "Precisely. Once my wounds are fully healed, I shall no longer accompany you."
Lucian: "...Are you trying to suck me dry, Your Lord Jué?!"
The last time Lucian attempted to heal the Sentinel, his energy was drained in the blink of an eye.
If he had to do this every day, wouldn't he be completely spent before his time?
"Do not worry. I will control the scale—slow and steady."
Lucian exhaled in relief: "That's good…"
"But, Lord Jué, couldn't you at least change your form?"
"This body with that voice is really throwing me off!"
The little girl snorted coldly: "Absolutely not."
"I know your character. If I took on a mature form, you might develop… immature thoughts."
"Lord Jué, I think you have some deep misunderstandings and prejudices about me."
Rover: "I think it's right."
Jué added: "However, I can alter my voice."
The next moment, it spoke in a soft, childlike tone: "This should suffice, yes?"
Lucian nodded slightly. That sounded much better.
He studied the Sentinel's current appearance—delicate features, refined and elegant.
Anyone who didn't know better would assume she'd grow into a stunning beauty.
Her mid-length black hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, the ends streaked with a few strands of white.
Below her earlobes was a faint, barely noticeable Tacet Mark.
Lucian reached out and pinched the Sentinel's cheek—soft, bouncy, and tender.
Jué swatted his hand away: "Though I currently require your aid, that does not grant you license to act recklessly."
Lucian: "Rover, we have to have a daughter someday!"
Rover agreed: "She really is adorable."
Lucian pondered: "Still, if you're traveling with us, what should we call you?"
"Wouldn't 'Jué' be too conspicuous?"
Jué: "A name is merely a designation. Call me whatever you wish."
"I'd prefer not to reveal my true identity to too many—it might cause unnecessary panic."
"Why don't you assign me a mortal alias?"
Lucian brightened: "Perfect!"
After a moment's thought: "Since your true form is Jué (Horned Serpent), how about… Jiao-Jiao?"
Jué fell silent for a while, neither approving nor objecting, instead glancing at Rover.
Rover, having finished getting ready, leaned over and kissed Lucian on the cheek.
"I think it's lovely! Fits the little girl aesthetic perfectly! And it's innocuous—people who don't know might just think it's 'Jiao-Jiao'."
Jué: "If the Lady Arbiter approves, then you may address me as such henceforth."
Rover smiled: "And in public, no need to call me 'Lady Arbiter'—just 'Rover' is fine."
Jué gave a slight nod, accepting the name.
Lucian quickly washed up, straightened his appearance, and lifted the Sentinel's light, soft body into his arms as they headed out.
"Let's go! Jiao-Jiao, I'll buy you some candied hawthorns!"
Hongzhen, before the Water Shadow Screen.
Jiao-Jiao held the candied hawthorn stick, her small tongue slowly licking at the treat.
Some of Hongzhen's residents had already gathered around a stove to boil tea, the steam rising in swirling white tendrils, lending the area an almost ethereal quality.
The Water Shadow Screen, repurposed from mountain stones, was used to perform Water Shadow Plays—a form of entertainment invented by Hongzhen's people to pass the long, uneventful years.
The plays were ingeniously simple: red leaves, abundant in the mountains, were cut and woven into shadow puppets, projected onto a water screen to enact vivid performances. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel⚑fire.net
Jiao-Jiao watched the laughing, chatting crowd and murmured: "Since Mt. Firmament fell into stasis, it has been long since laughter echoed here."
"And it has been long since I last truly observed the joys and sorrows of the mortal world…"
Lucian: "...Don't say such solemn things in such a tiny body!"