Yinlin: "I've never met my parents, but their convictions have always supported me."
"When I was young, I often wondered why I was so unlucky… but I never once thought of sacrificing others' happiness to make up for my own misfortune."
"Because I understand that lives already lost should rest in peace. That is my fate—I cannot erase it."
"What I can erase are the criminals who abused their power for selfish desires and took my parents' lives…"
Dollmaker retorted defiantly: "Power exists to obtain happiness! Laws and morals are just tools crafted by the stronger!"
Yinlin's expression hardened. "So you'd steal others' happiness? Treat innocent lives as your pawns?"
Dollmaker sneered. "Hah! Such pointless righteousness! You don't actually think you're still patrol officer of Jinzhou?"
"Your records in the Security Bureau have been wiped clean. No one knows you were a patrol officer—you can't even prove your identity."
Lucian scoffed. "I can prove it for her."
Dollmaker shot him a disdainful look. "And who do you think you are? Patrol officer records are strictly verified—your empty words mean nothing."
Lucian flicked his hair proudly. "I'm the Magistrate's fiancé. Of course I can vouch for her."
Dollmaker stared blankly. "You're insane. Why not claim you're the Sentinel's fiancé while you're at it?"
Lucian rubbed his chin, then brightened. "The Sentinel works too!"
From what he knew, the Sentinel was a dragon. Riding a dragon? Now that was an exhilarating thought!
"Even if I can never return to the Security Bureau openly… it doesn't matter. As long as I can stop you and the evil behind you."
"My identity is irrelevant. I'll accomplish what I must—my own way."
Clearly, Yinlin didn't take Lucian's words seriously either.
First, there was no way Lucian was the Magistrate's fiancé.
Even if he were a guest of Jinzhou who'd assisted in resolving past incidents, he shouldn't have authority over Jinzhou affairs.
The Dollmaker's face flushed with rage. "You—ugh—cough…"
Yinlin had no interest in lingering for his tantrum. She turned to Lucian. "Alright… I'll leave the rest to you. It's time for me to go."
Lucian pouted. "Already? I really can help restore your identity!"
Yinlin smiled faintly. "Titles don't matter. The greatest reward from this mission was gaining a… friend like you."
"Besides, as an undercover investigator, my identity must remain hidden. Otherwise, the operation loses its purpose."
"So please keep this from the Patrol officer—until the day I can reveal everything myself."
With a casual wave, she added, "I'll take my leave now. I'll contact you later."
Lucian grumbled inwardly. His chance to lick thighs—ahem, claim his reward—was slipping away!
Not long after Yinlin left, Chixia arrived with Patrol officers in tow.
Chixia fretted, patting Lucian down. "Lucian! Are you okay?!"
Lucian deadpanned. "Chixia, if you keep touching me, we'll be consummating our marriage tonight."
Chixia's face burned. She hadn't meant to get carried away, but his physique was… distractingly well-defined.
Lucian changed the subject. "I'm fine. What about the others?"
Chixia: "The survivors at the camp were sent back to Jinzhou City for treatment. But they're resisting fiercely—they refuse to be separated from those puppets for some reason."
"No one knows how to handle it…"
Lucian: "Give them time to come to terms with it."
Chixia pressed, "What about the female suspect who took you hostage? Did she escape? We need to organize a pursuit!"
Lucian shook his head. "No need. She wasn't a bad person."
Chixia eyed him suspiciously. "Lucian… don't tell me your morals bend for pretty faces?"
Lucian pinched her cheek indignantly. "What do you take me for?! I judge people by their hearts, not their looks!"
Her gaze drifted downward—then she flushed crimson. "You pervert!"*
By the time she looked up, Lucian was already sprinting away. "GET BACK HERE!!"
On the way back to Jinzhou with the Patrol escorting the Dollmaker, Lucian heard the system's chime in his mind.
[Ding! Option 4: "Discover and resolve a hidden incident" completed. Reward: [Cloud-Dancing Butterfly Steps]]
[Cloud-Dancing Butterfly Steps: Your combat movement becomes unpredictably elusive.]
As a witness, Lucian needed to give a statement. En route, he summarized the day's events in a message to Jinhsi—after all, he took his job seriously.
Though Yinlin asked him to keep her identity secret, Lucian figured informing Jinhsi was fine, as long as he omitted it in the official report.
He wasn't sure if he'd stay in Jinzhou long-term (Rover wouldn't allow it), and with the system's "intimacy quest," he wanted to travel and meet more Resonators to grow stronger.
Ensuring Jinhsi knew Yinlin's true identity would safeguard against future data loss.
[Jinhsi]: "I've reviewed the details about Yinlin and the Séance Society. You've had quite the eventful day."
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "I'd brave fire and water for you, Master Jinhsi!"
[Jinhsi]: "…Could you change your name first?"
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "Before, this name might've been presumptuous. But now that I'm employed by you, it's only fitting."
[Jinhsi]: ".....As you wish. By the way, if you're often with Rover, please look after her. She's an important guest to Jinzhou—and Huanglong."
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "Master Jinhsi, that's outside my job scope."
[Jinhsi]: "What would make you agree?"
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "You'd need to pay extra."
[Jinhsi]: "…Fine. We'll discuss this in person. Until then, please watch over Rover—as a personal request from Jinhsi." Read complete version only at novel{f}ire.net
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "You want to get it for free?"
[Master Jinhsi's Dog: (「°ロ°」)]
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "Just kidding. I'll take care of Rover. Actually, I have one more request."
[Jinhsi]: "Go ahead."
[Master Jinhsi's Dog]: "You must publish my heroic deeds in the Jinzhou Daily!"