Most Rule-Abiding

The hoofbeats of the convoy entering the city rolled across the street like muffled thunder, the shop signs on both sides swaying and casting uneven shadows.

Commoners crowded along the streets, standing on tiptoe to peer at this inspection team from the Divine Capital.

The inspection group of several hundred men wore armor that reflected the sunlight, dazzling the eyes of the onlookers.

Chen Busha rode on horseback, his back perfectly straight.

His gaze swept across the tea stalls, the second floors of taverns, and the attic windows of tailor shops.

As a deputy general of the Golden Feather Guards, he habitually evaluated every possible location where an assassin might hide.

In the middle of the convoy, the curtains of the third carriage were kept open just a crack.

Jiang Jianli rested her fingertips on the windowsill, her nails neatly and cleanly trimmed.

Her divine sense spread out slowly along both sides of the street like invisible quicksilver.

Those two people in the tea stall had a slower heart rate than ordinary people, with long, drawn-out breaths—they were practitioners of cultivation arts.

The window seat on the second floor of the tavern was empty, but there was a teacup on the table, the water mark on its rim still wet. The person had left less than half a quarter of an hour ago.

She withdrew her divine sense and looked opposite her at Jiang Qingzheng, who was resting with his eyes closed.

Senior Brother, two in the tea stall, one on the second floor of the tavern. They are all spies.

I know.

Jiang Qingzheng did not even lift his eyelids. They are Li Shiyuan's people conducting routine surveillance. The real eyes and ears are not on the street.

Jiang Jianli frowned. Where?

The cellar of the third civilian house in the back alley.

Jiang Qingzheng finally opened his eyes, a pattern flashing deep within his pupils. Three people. The one with the highest cultivation is at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. They should be using the Dark Dispersion Art. They are hiding very well.

The carriage fell silent for a moment.

People from the Sun and Moon Cult? Jiang Jianli lowered her voice.

Uncertain. Jiang Qingzheng closed his eyes again. These are just the vanguard. Has Gu Chengyin been notified?

Wang Gangfeng just sent someone to pass on a message, saying he wants to...

Before she could finish her sentence, a slight commotion arose ahead.

Jiang Jianli lifted the carriage curtain.

She saw the main convoy split into two at a fork in the road: most of the carriages turned west, towards the relay station district designated for officials to stay.

Although most members of the sect inspection team could afford to stay in better conditions.

But the accompanying censors were not blind, and no one would court death right in front of the Censorate.

Except for Gu Chengyin.

The carriage of the Celestial Master's Mansion continued forward along the main street, its target clear: the tallest five-story wooden building in the center of Dawn City.

Under its soaring eaves hung a row of red lanterns, the ink characters on them clear:

[Fan Tower]

This was the Dawn City branch of Fan Tower, and also the best tavern in Dawn City.

Both its class and specifications were directly on par with the Fan Tower in the Divine Capital.

Wang Gangfeng stood in front of the relay station, watching the Celestial Master's Mansion carriage disappear at the end of the long street. His expression was as complex as an overturned palette.

He was the leader from the Censorate, and his duty was to keep an eye on everyone in the inspection team.

According to the rules, there were clear restrictions on the accommodation standards for officials traveling on public business.

Officials above the third rank could stay in the superior rooms of official relay stations, but the area must not exceed thirty square meters, the decorations must not use gold, and the beds must not use brocade.

The Heaven-grade superior rooms in Fan Tower were a hundred square meters in size, furnished with golden thread nanmu wood, and provided with cloud brocade bedding.

This was no longer just exceeding the standard; this was tearing up the Great Luo Official Travel Regulations and trampling them underfoot.

Lord Wang.

The voice of a colleague came from behind. It was also a censor, Censor Zhao. Our Junior Preceptor Gu really doesn't take our Censorate seriously at all.

Wang Gangfeng did not reply.

He recalled the conversation beside the carriage just a moment ago.

Gu Chengyin leaned halfway out of the carriage, a gentle smile on his face, his tone as cordial as if they were chatting about everyday matters:

Lord Wang, logically speaking, a censor of your rank has no authority to investigate me.

This statement was a fact.

For the Censorate to investigate officials above the third rank, the approval of the Left Censor-in-Chief was required.

But that didn't mean Wang Gangfeng couldn't submit a memorial to impeach him.

However, Gu Chengyin's next sentence completely blocked him:

But rest assured, who told us to have such a good relationship?

Wang Gangfeng's eyelids twitched at the time.

He had only met Gu Chengyin a few times in total; since when did they have a good relationship?

So just go ahead and submit your memorial according to the rules of the Censorate. I won't mind.

Gu Chengyin smiled even more sincerely and even patted his shoulder. Even if you deliver it right to His Majesty's desk, that's perfectly fine.

I am someone who follows the rules the most.

After saying this, Gu Chengyin retreated back into the carriage.

When the carriage started moving, he even waved at Wang Gangfeng. His demeanor was as relaxed as if he were going on a spring outing, rather than blatantly violating regulations.

He did it on purpose.

Censor Zhao walked up beside Wang Gangfeng and lowered his voice. He's putting on a show for Li Shiyuan, and for us too.

Wang Gangfeng, of course, knew this.

Everyone in the inspection team was staying in the standard-issue relay station. Only Gu Chengyin took Lin Qingyan to Fan Tower.

What did this mean?

It meant Gu Chengyin was telling Li Shiyuan: I am not like them. I am not here to do things by the book.

He was also telling the Censorate: You can impeach me, but you won't bring me down.

Are you going to write a memorial? Censor Zhao asked.

After a long silence, Wang Gangfeng said:

Write it.

But only write the facts. Do not add any judgments.

The fact is that he violated regulations.

As for what His Majesty thinks, that is not for us to worry about.

......

Night fell.

Fan Tower in Dawn City.

The room in the southeast corner of the top floor offered the best view.

Pushing open the carved wooden windows, one could see the lights of half of Dawn City.

The lanterns on the main road formed a winding river of light, and the candlelight shining from the windows of civilian homes scattered like stars.

Further away was the architectural complex of the City Lord's Estate, where the night-luminescent pearls hanging from the eaves emitted a cold white halo.

Lin Qingyan sat cross-legged on the soft couch by the window.

Her breathing was long and even, each breath completing a cycle. As she circulated her energy, the spiritual power flowing through her meridians formed an extremely faint golden shimmer on the surface of her body.

A quarter to the Hour of Xu, the sound of footsteps came from the corridor outside the door.

Three breaths of silence.

Then the door was pushed open. Gu Chengyin walked in and closed the door behind him.

His movements were very natural, as natural as returning to his own room.

Lin Qingyan did not open her eyes, but her eyelashes fluttered slightly:

Don't you have your own room?

Gu Chengyin froze in place.

Oh, right!

He then clapped his hands together and said with great surprise: So this isn't my room after all!

Lin Qingyan opened her eyes.

Her gaze fell on Gu Chengyin's face, her eyes calm and indifferent.

Her pupils dilated slightly, and the patterns in her irises emitted a very faint purple hue.

This was the external manifestation of the Nine Heavens Lightning Attraction Art, normally concealed with spiritual power.

At this moment, with no outsiders present, she no longer hid it.

Gu Chengyin's smile remained unchanged: Sorry, Auntie! I accidentally walked into the wrong room!

Though his mouth spoke apologies, his feet showed no intention of leaving; instead, he stepped closer to the soft couch.

Auntie.

Gu Chengyin unceremoniously sat down in front of Lin Qingyan: I'm going to have a chat with Li Shiyuan. You don't mind, do you?

Lin Qingyan shifted her gaze away from Gu Chengyin's face and looked out the window towards the distant City Lord's Estate. It was brightly lit, clearly preparing for something.

I am Zhao'er's aunt.

Hearing these words, the smile on Gu Chengyin's face grew even brighter.

Her Highness's aunt is my aunt!