What Would She Think

This night, from being struck by lightning to the rampage of inner demons, from the forced descent of oppressive aura to the deep kiss of blood-red eyes, finally settled into this embrace at the break of dawn.

Lin Qingyan let down all her defenses, weeping silently in his arms like an ordinary woman.

Gu Chengyin sighed silently in his heart.

Regarding Lin Qingyan, his thoughts had always been very pure.

If he could draw their relationship closer, he would.

The closer the relationship, the better.

This was not entirely out of calculation, but it was by no means pure affection either.

It could be said that Lin Qingyan was the most worthwhile existence to win over among everyone he had met so far.

In terms of status, she was the Celestial Master Mansion's Jingzhe, a Golden Core cultivator with a transcendent position; even Emperor Luo had to give her face.

In terms of strength, she was a genuine Golden Core realm expert and a cultivator of the Nine Heavens Lightning Attraction Art, rendering her combat power invincible among her peers.

In terms of relationships, she was Luo Zhao's aunt, the elder Luo Zhao trusted and relied upon the most.

If such a person could truly stand by his side and become his aid.

Then the path ahead would be much smoother.

Not to mention, Gu Chengyin did indeed like Lin Qingyan very much.

No man could reject such a fairy: when aloof, she was like the profound ice of the nine heavens; when enchanting, she was like the demonic flower of the other shore; when shy, she was like peach blossoms in March; and when crying, she was like pear blossoms battered by the rain.

The contradictory feeling she exuded, a mixture of strength and fragility, rationality and sensibility, coldness and fiery passion.

It was like the strongest wine, the most poisonous honey, the most tempting poppy, making it incredibly difficult to quit once tainted.

If possible, Gu Chengyin would even use his third hypnosis quota after reaching the Golden Core realm on Lin Qingyan.

Not to control her.

But to ensure she would never become an enemy.

This thought flashed through Gu Chengyin's mind and was immediately suppressed into the deepest depths of his heart.

It was still too early now.

He couldn't rush.

He couldn't reveal any flaws.

He couldn't let Lin Qingyan perceive it.

How much calculation was hidden within this tenderness.

...

The morning light just pierced through, and the thin mist had not yet dispersed.

The long streets of Dawn City were still bathed in the pale cyan light of the sky, and the leaves of the parasol trees by the roadside were hung with last night's dew.

As the wind passed, a few drops rustled down, smashing onto the ground to bloom into tiny splashes.

The copper bells on the south city gate tower emitted clear and melodious chimes in the morning breeze, one after another, as if seeing off this team that was about to set off.

The inspection team had finished regrouping.

Chen Busha rode on a fine horse, positioned at the very front of the convoy.

At this moment, he was slightly narrowing his eyes, looking at a group of figures slowly walking over from inside the city gate.

It was the City Lord of Dawn City, Li Tianming, leading seven or eight subordinate officials who looked like civil servants, walking towards the convoy.

General Chen.

Li Tianming cupped his hands in greeting, This subordinate official has come under the orders of the Lord Governor to see the inspection group off.

Chen Busha dismounted, stepped forward two paces, and similarly cupped his hands in return, City Lord Li is too polite. Is the Lord Governor still well?

This question was asked with profound meaning.

Li Tianming's smile stiffened for half a breath.

But he quickly recovered as usual, his tone remaining respectful, The Lord Governor is perfectly well, only that he caught a slight chill last night and felt somewhat unwell upon rising this morning. Therefore, he was unable to come personally to see you off, and specifically ordered this subordinate official to apologize on his behalf.

Saying so, he turned sideways to signal a subordinate official behind him to step forward.

The subordinate official held a red sandalwood box about a foot long in his hands, its surface carved with intricate cloud patterns.

Li Tianming took the wooden box and presented it with both hands to Chen Busha, This is a small token of appreciation from the Lord Governor. It is the specialty spirit tea of Dawn City. Please have Young Master Gu and the lords use it to quench your thirst and soothe your throats on the journey.

Chen Busha did not take it immediately.

His gaze fell on that wooden box, and his divine sense probed out like invisible silk threads, gently sweeping over the surface of the box.

There were no spiritual energy fluctuations, no hidden mechanisms or concealed weapons; it was indeed just an ordinary tea box.

Only then did he reach out to take it, his tone flat, This general thanks the Lord Governor for his kindness on behalf of Young Master Gu.

I wouldn't dare.

Li Tianming bowed, keeping his posture very low, I wish all you lords a smooth journey.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Li Tianming led the subordinate officials to retreat to the side of the road, standing with their hands by their sides, watching the inspection team depart.

Chen Busha mounted his horse and raised his hand to order, Move out.

The order was passed down level by level, and the convoy slowly began to move.

Inside the carriage of the Celestial Master Mansion, Gu Chengyin sat on the soft couch by the window.

He was slightly leaning sideways, lifting a corner of the window curtain, and looking outside.

His gaze swept over Li Tianming and the others standing with their hands by their sides at the city gate; Li Shiyuan's figure was nowhere to be seen there.

Then he released his hand, the curtain fell, cutting off the line of sight from the outside world.

In the next second, Lin Qingyan pressed herself against him.

She leaned over Gu Chengyin's shoulder from behind, resting her chin lightly against the side of his neck, her arms wrapped around his waist, her palms pressed against his lower abdomen.

This posture was extremely intimate, so intimate that if outsiders were to see it, it would absolutely cause a massive uproar.

But there were only the two of them inside the carriage.

Li Shiyuan didn't come.

Lin Qingyan's voice rang in Gu Chengyin's ear, carrying a bit of the lethargy of someone who had just woken up within its coldness:

Does this mean he misunderstood, or has he come to a realization?

After last night's entanglement, Lin Qingyan's attitude towards Gu Chengyin had clearly become much closer.

Although she still maintained the posture of an aloof fairy on the surface, when they were alone, she would naturally press close to him, completely devoid of her usual alienation.

Of course, this was only limited to when the two were alone.

In front of outsiders, Lin Qingyan was still the unprofanable Jingzhe of the Celestial Master Mansion.

Li Shiyuan didn't show up.

Gu Chengyin pondered thoughtfully, It means he has at least received it.

Received what? Lin Qingyan asked curiously.

Received my show of goodwill.

Gu Chengyin said slowly, Of course, I can only guess, just like Li Shiyuan can only guess my intentions.

But it doesn't matter. This is just a seed; when the time is right in the future, it will naturally take root and sprout.

Lin Qingyan let out an oh and said disapprovingly, That's why I don't like dealing with people like you.

Why? Gu Chengyin asked with a smile.

Too many schemes.

Lin Qingyan said lightly, A single sentence has to twist and turn seven or eight times, a single look has to hide three or four layers of meaning. Isn't it tiring?

Cultivation is still simpler. When your realm is reached, it's reached; when your strength is high, it's high. There aren't that many twists and turns.

These words were spoken bluntly, even somewhat naively.

But Gu Chengyin heard the deeper meaning within them. Lin Qingyan wasn't belittling him; she was stating a fact: she had seen too many schemes and calculations, and she was tired of those hypocritical dealings.

Compared to the complexity of the human heart, the purity of cultivation actually made her feel more at ease.

Therefore, Gu Chengyin didn't mind it.

Instead, he felt that Lin Qingyan's words were actually complimenting him.

If I didn't have this bit of skill, how could I help Her Highness ascend the throne in the future?

Gu Chengyin lowered his voice, so low that only the two of them could hear:

After all, His Majesty is the one who is truly unfathomable.

Lin Qingyan's breath caught slightly.

The arms wrapped around Gu Chengyin's waist tightened a bit, and the carriage fell quiet again.

Outside the window, the sky was getting brighter and brighter.

After a while, Lin Qingyan suddenly thought of something and leaned into Gu Chengyin's ear.

Faintly, asking with a double meaning:

Tell me, after we go back, if Zhao'er knew...

What would she think?