Crossing the Luo River for the First Time

"As expected, influence can be borrowed."

Feeling the sudden, surging rush of true qi within his body, Gu Chengyin felt a profound sense of clarity and satisfaction.

He was well aware that the spiritual core of a special army like the Golden Feather Guard...

...was by no means loyalty to any single general, but rather an absolute, almost religious devotion to the orthodox royal bloodline.

If he had passionately rallied them to return home in his own name,

it might have caused a few ripples, but it could never have triggered such a tsunami of resonance.

Much less bring about the surging feedback of true qi he was experiencing right now.

Because in the eyes of the Golden Feather Guard, he, Gu Chengyin, was merely a favored subordinate who had suddenly risen to power due to Her Highness's patronage.

His authority was a castle in the air; the moment he lost her favor, it would instantly collapse.

Overreaching to claim credit and buy their loyalty would not only be fruitless, but it would also invite suspicion: with the liege still present, how could a subordinate dare to overstep?

But when Gu Chengyin attributed all the glory and promises to the name of Luo Zhao,

everything became entirely different. He was no longer a sycophant trying to buy their hearts, but had transformed into the mouthpiece and extension of Her Highness's will.

To pledge loyalty to his commands was to pledge loyalty to Luo Zhao.

This status, born of royal legitimacy, naturally possessed a supreme rallying power. It was the true spark that ignited the fire in the hearts of the thirty thousand iron cavalry.

Although this influence ultimately converged upon the 'fake Luo Zhao', it was like a surging river.

Merely siphoning a trace of the tide's mist was enough to instantly fill the small pond that was Gu Chengyin.

Not to mention, the current Her Highness was a hypnotized target firmly under his control.

There was no fundamental difference between the influence concentrating on her and on Gu Chengyin himself.

The 'fake Luo Zhao's' absolute trust in him was the firmest foundation.

When the surging true qi slowly calmed down, ultimately stabilizing at the threshold of the early Qi Condensation realm, Gu Chengyin was not surprised.

At most, the Golden Feather Guard before him numbered only thirty thousand, and the vast majority of their faith and influence were firmly anchored to the name of Luo Zhao.

But...

Feeling the vortex of true qi in his dantian—now several times more solid than before, having already taken a rudimentary shape as it flowed—a flash of satisfaction still crossed Gu Chengyin's eyes.

Compared to the meager trace of true qi from before that could barely illuminate his meridians, this current power could be considered a modest accumulation.

If he were to fight against a Foundation Establishment realm expert like Shangguan Yunying right now...

Gu Chengyin quickly ran the calculations in his head and arrived at a rather realistic conclusion:

It would most likely be a nine-to-one split.

He would give it his all to barely block one of her sword strikes.

Then, for the remaining ninety percent of the time, she would crouch beside his peacefully resting body, muttering in confusion: "That's it?"

After concluding his speech, Gu Chengyin turned and walked away without the slightest lingering attachment.

He headed straight back to Shangguan Yunying's horse, mounting it with natural familiarity and taking his seat behind her once again.

This sudden return caught Shangguan Yunying off guard, causing her body to stiffen slightly.

Could it be... that for the long journey ahead, she would have to share a horse with him like this?

Shangguan Yunying subconsciously glanced at Her Highness, who was currently surrounded by waves of cheers and bathed in fervent gazes.

Seeing no reaction from her, Shangguan Yunying struggled internally for a moment before finally gritting her teeth.

She would endure it.

"Gu... Steward Gu."

She tried her best to make her voice sound as steady as usual, ignoring the warm breath and presence of the adult man behind her.

Fortunately, the deep night concealed her slightly hot earlobes and the probable blush on her cheeks.

"The Luoshan Tokens have been distributed to the commanders of each battalion. Please give your orders."

Although Gu Chengyin had just rallied the entire army in the name of Luo Zhao, Shangguan Yunying knew perfectly well:

On this northward journey with an uncertain fate, the true helmsman and core decision-maker was still the man sitting behind her.

Gu Chengyin raised his hand and pointed toward the vast river outside the northern city gates. Though shrouded in darkness, its mighty, humid mist could still be felt. His voice was clear and concise:

"Her Highness commands."

"All troops are to cross the river immediately."

"Northward, to Dawn City!"

......

Dawn City, the General's Manor.

"What?! The demoness is heading our way?!"

Yang Yufeng shot up from behind his desk with such force that even the heavy sandalwood table rocked.

He glared at the scout kneeling in the hall. His voice boomed like a great bell, laced with shock, fury, and a faint, almost imperceptible trace of excitement.

"Is this information accurate?!"

"Reporting to the General, it is absolutely true! The demoness's forces gathered at the northern gates of North River City and have crossed the river overnight to head north. Their direction... is straight for our Dawn City!"

"Good! Good! Excellent!" Yang Yufeng cheered three times, his eyes glinting sharply.

"Just as the tactician predicted! Order the ten thousand light cavalry to turn around immediately and rush back to defend the city at full speed! And go invite Mr. Wei."

"Yes, sir!" The scout accepted the order and quickly retreated.

Yang Yufeng strode over to the hanging map of Luoshui Commandery. He stabbed his finger heavily onto the location of Dawn City, then traced an imaginary line along the northern bank of the Luoshui River, a ferocious sneer of absolute certainty on his face:

"Luo Zhao, oh Luo Zhao, did you think I would march out in full force like those fools in North River City?"

"Dream on! I only sent ten thousand light cavalry as a feint, while seventy thousand elite troops wait leisurely within the city! Once you arrive at Dawn City, you will learn the true meaning of an iron wall!"

"General!" A slightly urgent voice rang out from outside the door. Wei Tingsong arrived wearing a draped outer robe, his hair still somewhat disheveled. He had clearly just been roused from his bed and rushed over.

"Mr. Wei, you've arrived just in time!"

Yang Yufeng turned around, the excitement on his face yet to fade:

"Just as you predicted! That demoness is actually heading for us! I've already ordered the ten thousand cavalry to rush back to our defense. With our sturdy walls and elite troops, we will definitely stop them outside the city!"

Wei Tingsong walked briskly to the map. His gaze was like lightning as he rapidly scanned the markings, but his brows furrowed slightly:

"General, where are the reinforcements sent by Shuanghe City and Huangzhong City right now?"

"Based on their marching speed, they should still be halfway there. I'm afraid it's too late for them to reach North River City and intercept the demoness..." Yang Yufeng said, stroking his beard.

"Who asked them to intercept her?!"

Wei Tingsong's voice suddenly spiked, laced with exasperation and urgency, as he jabbed his finger at the map.

"Look here, General! Since the demoness has crossed the river to head north, her target is obviously our Dawn City."

"Right now, we must urgently order the reinforcements from Shuanghe and Huangzhong to immediately change direction and converge on Dawn City at full speed!"

His fingertip traced two arcs on the map, ultimately converging right in front of Dawn City:

"This way, our main forces in Dawn City will hold the front line, while the reinforcements from the east and west will outflank them. A three-sided encirclement will be instantly formed!"

"So what if that demoness has Chen Busha's Golden Feather Guard protecting her? A mere thirty thousand troops! With a fortified city in front of them and a massive army behind them, they wouldn't be able to escape even if they sprouted wings!"

"Wouldn't capturing the demoness alive be as easy as reaching into a bag to retrieve an object?"

Hearing this, Yang Yufeng was initially stunned, but soon his eyes grew brighter and brighter until he slapped his thigh fiercely:

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Tactician, this plan of yours is magnificent! A three-sided encirclement to catch a turtle in a jar! Hahaha!"

"I shall use the Luoshan Token to contact the two generals immediately and tell them to change course! If we can capture the demoness alive and present her to the Second Prince...!"

"You and I will ascend to the heavens in a single bound! Titles of nobility and prime ministerships are right before our eyes!"