"Alright, based on the information we obtained from the Huaxu Academy and Qichi Village… we should be able to unlock the sundial now, right?"
Yangyang examined the inscriptions on the sundial.
"East is the Azure Dragon, West is the White Tiger, South is the Vermilion Bird, North is the Black Tortoise."
Rover thought for a moment. "According to the clues, the final time and direction should be… the Sichen of Wei (1–3 PM), the South, the Vermilion Bird."
Rover adjusted the sundial's pointer to the corresponding position.
The upper part of the sundial rose, revealing the clue hidden inside.
Chixia cheered excitedly, "Wow, it really opened! Amazing!"
Rover took out the object inside—it was a marked map.
Chixia, standing nearby, suddenly gasped. "Ah! Should we not be looking at this?"
"Quick, Yangyang, let's turn around, turn around!"
Lucian looked puzzled. "Why can't we look?"
Chixia explained, "The Magistrate's message must be highly important, and since it's been hidden so elaborately, it's definitely top-secret!"
"As public servants—even if we're just reserves—we know the rules!"
Yangyang nodded in agreement. "Chixia makes a good point."
Lucian crossed his arms. "Good thing I'm not a public servant. I can look!"
Rover shook her head helplessly. "We all solved this together. There's no reason anyone can't see it."
Yangyang remained cautious. "First, check what's written on it."
Rover unfolded the map, revealing several red circles marking locations she was presumably meant to visit.
At the edge of the map, the words "Grand Library" were written.
Rover asked, "What's the Grand Library?"
Yangyang explained, "It's the name of a unique database in Huanglong. Its location is a secret. It's said to contain all the critical data and records of the region, capable of solving any problem."
"It can be considered the lifeline of Huanglong's data archives. Since ancient times, it has been under the Sentinel's control, with access permissions managed by the local Magistrate. However, it's almost never open to the public."
Chixia rephrased it in simpler terms, "Sounds like the City Hall's vault, but for data." Follow current novᴇls on novel⦿fire.net
Yangyang nodded. "Yes, the information there is the most comprehensive and accurate."
She pondered, "If we need to go to such a place, it can only mean one thing."
"Rover's identity is undoubtedly connected to Jinzhou."
Chixia: "A guest of utmost importance to Jinzhou—and perhaps even Huanglong itself…"
"Feels like we accidentally befriended some incredibly influential super VIP!"
Though she said that, Chixia couldn't help but worry internally.
If Rover really is some big-shot, what'll happen to Lucian?
What if Rover just orders him to be taken away as her "trophy husband"?
Chixia shook her head vigorously. No, no, absolutely cannot let that happen!
Meanwhile, Yangyang wasn't overthinking it. She turned to Rover, who was still deep in thought, staring at the sundial.
"What's wrong, Rover? Is there something strange about the sundial?"
Rover asked, "Is City Hall the center of Jinzhou's territory?"
Yangyang nodded. "It's the political center of Jinzhou. Geographically, it's also the heart of the city."
"When Jinzhou was founded, City Hall was the first structure built—the origin point for all directions."
Rover shook her head. "It's nothing."
"The Magistrate wants to meet me alone."
She then glanced at Lucian.
Come to think of it, last night's "Tacet Mark Capture Plan" didn't specify whether Lucian should come along…
But since the Magistrate has acknowledged him, it should be fine, right?
As she hesitated, a cool, composed female voice suddenly spoke from behind them.
"Take Lucian with you."
They turned to see Sanhua, wearing high-heeled boots and the sunglasses Lucian had given her, making a grand entrance!
Yangyang was surprised. "Sanhua? You…"
She found it odd—she had never seen Sanhua wear sunglasses before. And given Sanhua's eye condition…
Chixia, being straightforward, blurted out, "Sanhua! Why are you wearing sunglasses today?"
Sanhua paused before answering, "Lucian gave them to me."
Chixia gasped. "Lucian!?"
Does he just flirt with every pretty girl he sees?!
Rover took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
She grabbed Lucian's shoulder and squeezed it tightly, whispering in a threatening tone:
"Lucian, Lucian… you sure have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, huh?"
Yangyang, meanwhile, gave Lucian a strange look. Does he not know about Sanhua's eye condition?
Or is this some weird fetish of his…?
Before Lucian could explain, Sanhua spoke first.
"My eyes are sensitive. The sunglasses Lucian gave me help with that."
Chixia immediately felt guilty. "Oh… I didn't know."
She had never noticed before—Sanhua always seemed perfectly normal.
But how did Lucian even get something like that?
Lucian was moved to tears. "Sanhua, thank you for explaining. Otherwise, I might not have lived to see tomorrow's sunrise in Jinzhou…"
Though Lucian and Sanhua were just friends for now, given the earlier misunderstanding, any explanation from him would've sounded dubious.
Rover released her grip on Lucian's shoulder. "I'll let you off for now."
Then she added, "Next time, I expect a gift from you too."
Lucian sighed deeply. "Rover, don't compare yourself to others—be true to yourself!"
His sage advice earned him a solid smack on the back of his head.
Meanwhile, Yangyang grew even more curious about Lucian.
Ever since meeting him, he kept doing unexpected things, and he seemed to possess abilities unlike anyone else.
Chixia asked, "What did you mean earlier about Rover taking Lucian along?"
Sanhua glanced at Lucian. "I've already reported Lucian's situation to the Magistrate. She said Rover should bring him along—it'll be safer that way."
Rover nodded. After all, she wanted Lucian to come too.
"In that case, Lucian and I will go together."
Yangyang smiled gently. "Alright, be careful. We'll wait for you to return."