One Hour

After this disturbance, things actually progressed much more smoothly.

Gu Chengyin's prestige had quietly established itself in everyone's hearts—not just the authority of a powerful minister, but his terrifying martial prowess and ruthless methods.

To kill the guards of a prominent noble family without hesitation—even if the other party offended first—fully displayed his decisive ruthlessness.

This actually made many people feel more at ease.

What is the most terrifying thing when going out on a mission? Is it having enemies as strong as gods?

No.

The most terrifying thing is having teammates who act like pigs.

After meeting with the remaining representatives, Gu Chengyin gained a preliminary understanding of the composition of this sect inspection team.

Simply put, excluding himself and Madam Jiang, the martial strength of this team was nothing short of luxurious:

One early-stage Golden Core Realm cultivator (Lin Qingyan)

One peak Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator (Chen Busha)

Twelve mid-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators (Eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Department)

Twenty early-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators (Ministry of Justice and Female Officials)

One hundred entry-level Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators (Golden Feather Guards)

Coupled with the relay escorts from the garrisons of various commanderies along the way, the security guarantees were practically maxed out.

If an assassination could still succeed under these conditions, Gu Chengyin would eat Lin Qingyan alive.

After all, none of the people selected for this journey were rookies; they were all experienced veterans highly skilled in actual combat.

Their true combat power was several times higher than what was written on paper.

Gu Chengyin walked up to the high platform of the drill ground, cupped his hands to the crowd around him, and said loudly:

"Everyone! This sect inspection is a matter of great importance to the state. It has reached the ears of the Emperor, and the entire court and country are watching closely!"

"I hope all of you can advance hand in hand, weather the storm together, watch out for one another, and embark on this journey united! Let us spread the heavenly might of our Great Luo and manifest the laws of our imperial court!"

These words highlighted both the importance and danger of the trip, while also painting a picture of the prospects for establishing merits and building careers. He spoke with such passion that it made people's blood boil.

The people in the drill ground all cupped their hands in return and shouted in unison:

"We are willing to follow Junior Preceptor Gu and spread the heavenly might of Great Luo!"

They had already understood the inside story of this trip before coming and were well aware of the risks involved.

But as the saying goes, the greater the storm, the more expensive the fish.

If one were too afraid of risks to come, how could they even talk about establishing merits and building a career?

Merits do not fall from the sky; wealth and honor must be sought in the midst of danger.

Not to mention, just look at the inspection team assembled by Junior Preceptor Gu.

Lord Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion was personally holding the line, and the strongest Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, Chen Busha, was also here...

Looking at the entire Great Luo, I am afraid only Emperor Luo leading an expedition in person could surpass this lineup.

So what else was there to say?

Just do it!

Seeing that everyone's emotions had been stirred up, Gu Chengyin revealed a smile and continued:

"Meeting all of you for the first time today brings great comfort to my heart."

"To show my sincerity, I have already ordered someone to book the entire Fan Restaurant. Tonight, I will host a banquet to drink and rejoice with all of you!"

"If everyone is free tonight, please do me the honor of attending!"

As soon as these words came out, the drill ground was instantly in an uproar.

Fan Restaurant!

This was the most famous, luxurious, and expensive restaurant in the Divine Capital.

The restaurant had countless fine wines, dishes prepared to the standard of imperial chefs, and singing and dancing for entertainment.

It was the top choice for high officials, nobles, and scions of prominent families to feast and make merry.

But the cost was also frighteningly high. The annual income of an ordinary family probably couldn't even cover a decent banquet table at Fan Restaurant.

Although the salaries of everyone present were not low, if they had to pay out of their own pockets to dine at Fan Restaurant, their hearts would ache for a long time.

Now, Junior Preceptor Gu had actually booked the entire Fan Restaurant?!

Moreover, this was clearly not just as simple as drinking and rejoicing; it was an excellent opportunity to draw closer and build relationships!

For a moment, everyone's eyes burst with burning light.

"Junior Preceptor Gu is so generous!"

"We will definitely be there!"

"Whoever doesn't go isn't a true person of Great Luo!"

"We must not return until we are drunk!"

The crowd was impassioned, their voices surging like a tide.

The smile on Gu Chengyin's face deepened.

The martial world is not just about fighting and killing; it is about the ways of the world and human relationships.

If he wanted these proud martial artists and slick, worldly officials to truly risk their lives for him, merely establishing authority was not enough; he also had to bestow favors.

Balancing grace and severity was the ultimate method for winning people's hearts.

As the meeting concluded, the crowd gradually dispersed, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

After exchanging a few instructions with Chen Busha, Gu Chengyin walked toward Lin Qingyan, who had been standing quietly to the side.

This Lord Jingzhe had not uttered a single word from beginning to end. Just by standing there quietly, she had become the invisible stabilizing force of the entire venue.

Just as Gu Chengyin approached, before he could even speak, he heard Lin Qingyan say indifferently:

"I won't be going tonight."

Gu Chengyin raised an eyebrow.

Lin Qingyan was the big shot with the most important status; she was the nuclear deterrent of this team.

If she didn't go, the weight of tonight's banquet would be at least halved.

More importantly...

How would Cui Shifan come to apologize?

The whole show put on today was actually to sever the ties between the Cui family and the Crown Prince's Palace.

What Emperor Luo wanted was a balanced imperial court, not a united one.

Since balance was required, the factions within it had to be independent, or even opposed to one another.

If Lin Qingyan was present, then Cui Shifan could come to apologize to Lord Jingzhe.

If Lin Qingyan was absent, then Cui Shifan definitely wouldn't come.

Otherwise, it would be considered forming a faction.

Thoughts spun rapidly in Gu Chengyin's mind, but his face showed a look of concern:

"Is Auntie feeling unwell? Or do you just dislike such noisy occasions?"

Lin Qingyan glanced at him, a faint light seeming to flash in her eyes.

"Golden Core cultivators have long abstained from grain and do not consume mortal food."

"Moreover, I need to quietly regulate my breathing and stabilize my inner demons."

These words were perfectly reasonable and left no room for criticism.

But Gu Chengyin heard the underlying meaning: she didn't want to get involved in this kind of social networking occasion, much less pretend to be polite with others.

It made sense.

Given Lin Qingyan's status and position, there was indeed no need for her to attend such a banquet.

Being willing to come to the drill ground to show her support was already giving him a lot of face.

But Gu Chengyin couldn't let her off the hook.

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly lowered his voice and said:

"Auntie, tonight's banquet might not be peaceful."

Lin Qingyan was silent for a moment before suddenly speaking:

"Are you asking me to go to hold down the fort, or to make the noble families pay the bill?"

Gu Chengyin: "..."

He was quite straightforward and admitted it directly:

"Auntie is perceptive; it's a bit of both."

"I am penniless and cannot afford the bill at Fan Restaurant. So naturally, whoever has the most money will pay the bill."

Lin Qingyan listened quietly and said softly:

"You are quite frank."

Gu Chengyin: "To you, Auntie, I never lie."

Lin Qingyan looked at him, then shifted her gaze, looking into the distance.

Finally, she spoke indifferently:

"One shichen."

Gu Chengyin was taken aback: "What?"

"I will only appear for one shichen."

Lin Qingyan's tone was calm:

"During this time, I will not drink, I will not converse, I will only sit quietly."

"If the people from the noble families come, have them arrive before I leave. I will not wait past the time."

Gu Chengyin's heart stirred. Lin Qingyan's words meant she would show up at Fan Restaurant for one shichen.

Once the time was up, she would disappear. After all, as a Golden Core cultivator, if she truly wanted to hide her figure, no one would be able to find her.

But one shichen was enough.

As long as Cui Shifan wasn't stupid, he would definitely rush over before she left the banquet.

Gu Chengyin immediately cupped his hands: "Thank you, Auntie!"

Lin Qingyan gave a soft sound of acknowledgment and stood in place without moving.

Gu Chengyin turned around and waved to Cui Gong, who was waiting not far away.

Cui Gong hurriedly trotted over: "What are your orders, My Lord?"

Gu Chengyin instructed:

"Go to the Cui Manor and deliver a message. Tell them that Lord Jingzhe will make an appearance at Fanlou tonight."

Cui Gong shuddered all over and hastily replied,

"Yes! This humble official understands!"