Crossing the Luo River for the Second Time

North River City, West Gate.

When Gu Chengyin once again shared a mount with Shangguan Yunying and arrived outside the city gates,

the Golden Feather Guards had already finished assembling like a black forest of steel.

Everyone traveled light, carrying three days' worth of rations, their expressions solemn and their gazes sharp.

After an hour of rest, their stamina and true qi had recovered to an excellent state.

As for Chen Busha and the three thousand heavy-armored elites ordered to carry out a special mission, they were nowhere to be seen, as if they had never existed.

Gu Chengyin's gaze swept over the neat and solemn military formation, and he gave a slight nod.

Without further delay, he announced loudly:

"Her Highness commands:"

"Direction: northwest. Advance at full speed after crossing the river."

"Destination: Huangzhong City!"

Orders were executed the moment they were issued!

Shangguan Yunying flicked the reins. The magnificent steed beneath her let out a long neigh and charged forward first like an arrow released from a bowstring!

Having the experience of riding together several times before, Gu Chengyin had learned his lesson. The instant the horse started moving,

his arms firmly wrapped around Shangguan Yunying's slender yet flexible and powerful waist, securing himself tightly to the horse's back.

And Shangguan Yunying seemed to have long grown accustomed to this sudden, close contact.

The true qi in her body flowed freely, devoid of any subconscious defense or tension. The barrier between them had silently melted away during their days of sharing life and death.

"Steward Gu."

Amidst the howling wind, Shangguan Yunying's voice, wrapped in true qi, reached Gu Chengyin's ears clearly, carrying a hint of inquiry.

"How much longer do we need before we can truly break out of Luoshui Commandery?"

Gu Chengyin's gaze swept past the Fake Luo Zhao who was also galloping alongside them, and he understood perfectly.

Rather than just Shangguan Yunying asking, it was more like she was asking on behalf of Her Highness, and on behalf of everyone else who was risking their lives to follow them.

After a brief moment of thought, Gu Chengyin gave a clear timeframe:

"Three days."

"Within three days, we will definitely break through the moat formed by these three cities and arrive at the Divine Capital!"

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunying's heart jolted.

It would actually only take... three days?

From the time they left North River City, maneuvering and weaving through enemy lines until now, it had been less than four days in total.

Adding these three days, it would be no more than seven days in all!

This was far shorter than the ten-day limit set by Her Highness!

Seven days. Leading thirty thousand men through the encirclement, pursuit, and interception of hundreds of thousands of rebel troops.

To pierce through the entirety of Luoshui Commandery without a single casualty and arrive at the Divine Capital—this was simply a miracle.

Although they had been galloping on the road this whole time, compared to bleeding and dying, this little bit of sweat was absolutely nothing.

If... the man behind her could truly accomplish this incredible feat.

Fulfilling his seemingly arrogant promise of a flawless, casualty-free speedrun.

Then, based on Her Highness's promise, wouldn't he...

Be ennobled and appointed as a minister?

Shangguan Yunying's heart inexplicably surged with emotion, and an indescribable hint of anticipation quietly grew.

As long as Gu Chengyin could become a noble and minister, he could be considered a good match for her in social standing.

No.

Before this vague thought could fully form, Shangguan Yunying forcefully crushed it.

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she silently cursed herself for letting her imagination run wild.

What did his becoming a noble and minister have to do with her!

Her proper business was to be a good Chief Lady-in-Waiting to Her Highness.

Gu Chengyin keenly noticed that after receiving his answer,

Shangguan Yunying's breathing became briefly disordered, and her heartbeat seemed to have quickened considerably.

It was as if she had instantly imagined countless scenarios, her emotions highly unsettled.

What is this woman thinking about now?

Gu Chengyin muttered in his heart, but he did not point it out.

After some thought, he took the initiative to say:

"Yunying, since Her Highness has already agreed, how about you start teaching me the cultivation method now?"

"Ah? Now?"

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunying looked back at him in astonishment, then quickly turned back to look ahead.

On the back of a galloping horse, surrounded by open wilderness, traveling with an army of tens of thousands.

Wasn't this teaching environment a bit too open?

"Cultivation is all about racing against time."

Gu Chengyin's tone was serious.

"Once we return to the Divine Capital, the situation will be even more complicated. Whether in the open or in the dark, I'm afraid it will be hard to find a moment of peace."

"Who knows if we'll even have any free time then. It's better to take advantage of the present to lay a foundation."

Hearing Gu Chengyin say this, Shangguan Yunying also felt it made sense.

Although it looked dangerous now, the pacing was actually entirely under control.

But once they returned to the Divine Capital, putting everything else aside, just the people Shangguan Yunying knew of—

None of them were easy to deal with; each was more sinister than the last.

Mastering one more cultivation method meant Gu Chengyin would be one bit safer.

And that would be even more beneficial to Her Highness.

She nodded lightly: "Steward Gu is right. I was not being thoughtful enough." Her tone had already returned to its usual calmness.

Gu Chengyin smiled slightly, his tone sincere, even carrying a bit of formal respect:

"Then, Master Yunying, please instruct me."

Master... Yunying?

These words fell into Shangguan Yunying's ears, making the tip of her heart feel as if it had been lightly brushed by a feather.

A strange sense of numbness and palpitation welled up, and an unprecedentedly complex feeling quietly spread in the bottom of her heart.

"M-master or whatever, Steward Gu is being too polite."

She muttered softly, but the tips of her ears couldn't help but turn slightly red. Fortunately, the sound of the rushing wind covered up the barely noticeable tremor in her voice.

Gu Chengyin retorted: "As the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime."

"Since you are teaching me a cultivation method, you are my master. The proper respect must be given."

"If we were in my hometown, some people would have already started calling you mommy."

"Ah?"

At the thought of Gu Chengyin calling her mommy, Shangguan Yunying instantly felt her heartbeat quicken even more.

"Th-this kind of title, how could anyone say it out loud? It's simply too shameless."

Gu Chengyin nodded in deep agreement: "Indeed, I feel the same way."

"Ahem... Let me first teach you a basic breathing technique. Most martial moves can be extended using this as a foundation."

Shangguan Yunying focused her mind, steering the steed while silently transmitting her voice to Gu Chengyin.

As a Foundation Establishment expert, this kind of multitasking had no effect on her.

Gu Chengyin also focused his mind, earnestly listening to the breathing technique transmitted to him.

He memorized every single word in his heart while simultaneously beginning to try adjusting his breathing rhythm.

The breathing technique Shangguan Yunying taught him.

Its core lay in using specific breathing rhythms and mental guidance.

To circulate the true qi dissipating in the dantian and meridians in an orderly manner, ultimately forming an elemental effect outside the body or on a weapon.

And the attribute of the effect depended on the natural attribute of the cultivator's own true qi.

If the true qi was of the fire attribute, it would be the Breath of Fire, and executing it would result in fiery strikes with every blade.

If the true qi was of the lightning attribute, it would be the Breath of Lightning, and executing it would shatter the darkness with thunderbolts.

Others included the steadiness of earth, the sharpness of metal, the continuous flow of water, the vitality of wood, and so on.

"That is the full text of the breathing technique. Once you have initially mastered it and can circulate it stably, you can try to mobilize a wisp of true qi outward to observe its form and feel its nature."

"Then you can roughly determine the natural attribute of your true qi."

"At that time, it will be easier for me to choose a high-tier cultivation method that matches your attribute."

The voice transmission ended, but there was no response from behind for a long while.

Puzzled, Shangguan Yunying tilted her head slightly, casting a glance from the corner of her eye.

She saw Gu Chengyin with his eyes tightly shut and a serene expression on his face. The rhythm of his breathing seemed to be undergoing an incredibly subtle yet regular transformation. Clearly, he was already deeply immersed in attempting to circulate the breathing technique.

Shangguan Yunying felt a hint of astonishment, which was soon followed by a gentle smile gracing her lips.

Although the breathing technique was foundational, it was by no means simple. For an ordinary person to achieve true mastery, it would take at least several years, if not decades.

Even she had spent roughly a month to completely master it back in the day.

However, before Shangguan Yunying could even withdraw her gaze.

The very next second.

Gu Chengyin's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open!