The Little Dark Room

Gu Chengyin abruptly lifted the carriage window curtain and poked his head out to look outside.

The sunlight was blinding. He squinted, and only after adapting to the light did he clearly see the scenery outside the window.

The pine forests flanking the official road had disappeared at some unknown point, replaced by open fields, scattered farmhouses, and the Luoshui River winding like a ribbon in the distance.

Further away, the silhouette of a magnificent city loomed in the sunlight. Its walls were towering, its gatehouses majestic. One could faintly see the flags fluttering on the walls and the stream of people and carriages passing in and out of the city gates.

That was indeed Luodu.

The economic center of the Great Luo Dynasty, and also the transit hub on the way to the Qingjian Sect.

Gu Chengyin's pupils suddenly shrank.

He remembered very clearly that when they set out from Dawn City, it was the end of the Mao hour, right as the sky was getting light.

But now, looking at the height of the sun, it was at least the You hour.

In other words...

He had been unconscious for a whole day?

What kind of electric shock could knock someone out for an entire day?

Even if Lin Qingyan had truly slipped up, with his late Foundation Establishment cultivation base, he shouldn't have been unconscious for so long.

Unless...

Lin Qingyan was afraid of him waking up and had shocked him a few more times.

But that made even less sense.

What could she possibly be doing that she feared his waking?

Even if she wanted to kill him, that would mean he would never wake up at all.

Yet now, Gu Chengyin was not only awake but completely unharmed, without a single scratch on him.

So what on earth had happened?

Gu Chengyin's thoughts were in complete disarray.

He withdrew his gaze, sat back down inside the carriage, and looked at Lin Qingyan with a complex expression.

Lin Qingyan still maintained her aloof and detached posture, her profile facing him, her gaze looking out the window as if admiring the scenery of Luodu.

But Gu Chengyin noticed that her breathing was slightly faster than usual, and a faint pink hue lingered at the base of her ears.

Lin Qingyan was nervous.

Or rather, she was forcing herself to appear calm.

Gu Chengyin's heart sank.

He knew Lin Qingyan must be hiding something from him.

And it was something major.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting so abnormally.

But he also knew that he wouldn't be able to get an answer out of her right now.

So Gu Chengyin could only temporarily suppress his doubts and force a relaxed smile:

"So we're almost at Luodu. I really slept for quite a long time."

Lin Qingyan gave a soft hum of acknowledgment without turning her head.

Just then, Chen Busha's voice came from outside the carriage:

"Junior Preceptor Gu, Luodu is just ahead."

Gu Chengyin replied, lifted the window curtain again, and nodded at Chen Busha.

Riding on his horse, Chen Busha cupped his hands in a salute toward him, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

As if asking, Are you alright? Why haven't you shown your face for so long?

Gu Chengyin waved his hand, signaling that he was fine.

But in his heart, he knew clearly.

Something big had happened.

He had been unconscious for a day, Lin Qingyan's attitude was highly unusual, and the inspection convoy had inexplicably arrived at Luodu.

Everything about this was bizarre.

And the most bizarre thing was Lin Qingyan's current state—an aloofness mixed with a sense of satiation.

After turning it over in his mind, Gu Chengyin eventually gave up. At the very least, Lin Qingyan definitely wouldn't kill him.

For him right now, that was enough.

As for everything else, he would probably have to wait until the future to learn the truth.

Meanwhile, Lin Qingyan, sitting beside him, was forcing an aloof facade, but out of the corner of her eye, she kept paying close attention to Gu Chengyin's reactions.

Seeing him look out the window again without pressing the matter, Lin Qingyan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the tip of her tongue involuntarily swept across her lips.

The movement was quick, like a thieving cat savoring the last drop of fish broth.

Even Lin Qingyan herself didn't realize it.

She only knew that she could be one hundred percent at ease now.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with Gu Chengyin.

Not only was he not a eunuch, but...

He was also a very capable, normal man.

This realization made all her doubts and anxieties vanish into thin air.

Therefore, Lin Qingyan was in a very good mood.

So good that even though she forced an aloof demeanor, she still couldn't hide the satisfied smile in the depths of her eyes.

The inner demon suppressed within her sea of consciousness shrank by more than half again.

Logically speaking, after confirming it with her own eyes.

Lin Qingyan could have just stopped right there, but she couldn't hold back.

Out of curiosity.

Because she had never seen it before.

And also because... of desires that could no longer be suppressed.

In short, when all these various reasons combined, things spiraled completely out of control.

So by the time Lin Qingyan snapped back to her senses, it was already too late.

This forced her to replenish her lightning techniques to ensure Gu Chengyin wouldn't wake up.

But exactly because of this, Lin Qingyan made a surprising discovery.

Wasn't this just a mobile dark room?

In this dark room, the unconscious Gu Chengyin belonged completely and solely to her.

She could do whatever she wanted, do absolutely anything, without having to worry about the consequences.

Because Gu Chengyin was unconscious!

He knew nothing at all!

He wouldn't have any memories!

The corners of Lin Qingyan's lips couldn't help but curl into an expectant smile.

As long as no one knew, as long as Gu Chengyin had no memories of it.

Then she would forever remain that aloof and distant Jingzhe of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

So, although this was her first time shocking Gu Chengyin unconscious.

It absolutely would not be the last.

......

Outside the north gate of Luodu, a dense crowd of officials stood waiting.

Leading them, naturally, was the Governor of Luodu, Xiao Yuliang.

Indeed, amidst the massive trend of Xiao Song retiring to his hometown, Xiao Jie being imprisoned, and the Xiao clan officials being purged.

Xiao Yuliang was the only official of the Xiao clan who had been promoted rather than demoted.

And this appointment was decreed personally by the Emperor of Luo.

Xiao Yuliang stood at the very front, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his gaze looking far into the distance at the slowly approaching convoy.

The officials behind him subconsciously straightened their backs, adjusted their attire, and composed their expressions, preparing to welcome this inspection team arriving from the Divine Capital.

But to everyone's surprise.

After the convoy stopped outside the city gates, only the Golden Feather Guard general on the lead black horse dismounted and walked toward them.

It was Chen Busha.

He stopped ten paces in front of Xiao Yuliang, cupped his hands in a salute, and spoke in a loud and clear voice:

"Governor Xiao, Junior Preceptor Gu is exhausted from the journey and feeling slightly unwell. It is inconvenient for him to disembark and meet you, so he has specially ordered this subordinate to convey his regards on his behalf."

Xiao Yuliang's face showed no sign of surprise as he returned the salute in the same manner:

"General Chen is too polite. Junior Preceptor Gu has had a hard journey inspecting the sects and rightfully should rest well."

"This humble official has already prepared a modest banquet at my residence. I wonder if Junior Preceptor Gu would do us the honor of attending?"

These words were airtight; they expressed concern, extended an invitation, and simultaneously probed Gu Chengyin's attitude.

But Chen Busha's reply was even more airtight:

"Junior Preceptor Gu is ill and needs to rest quietly for a few days, so it is inconvenient for him to attend the banquet. This subordinate will pass on the Governor's kind intentions."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions in the eyes of the officials behind Xiao Yuliang became subtle.

Feeling unwell?

He wasn't unwell earlier or later, but just happened to be unwell right at the gates of Luodu?

This clearly meant he didn't want to see them.

Or rather, he didn't want to see Xiao Yuliang.

After all, the downfall of the Xiao clan could be said to have been single-handedly brought about by this Junior Preceptor Gu.

Xiao Yuliang's tone remained calm:

"Since that is the case, this humble official will not disturb Junior Preceptor Gu's rest."

"If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to command us. This humble official will fully cooperate."