Alliance

Gu Chengyin returned to his own side hall.

Without lighting a lamp, he sat alone in the rosewood armchair by the study window, his fingers unconsciously tapping against the smooth armrest.

Luo Zhao's abnormal reaction earlier that day, along with the lingering sensory memory in his palm, replayed in his mind like a haunting ghost.

"Did the hypnosis... actually fail?"

This question tangled around his thoughts like a poisonous vine.

The system hadn't given any warnings, and his commands seemed to have been executed, yet a subtle sense of wrongness lingered, refusing to dissipate.

Was it a fluctuation in the hypnotic state caused by a change in environment? Or was Luo Zhao's willpower so extraordinary that she could still retain some deep-seated reactions even while hypnotized?

Or, in the worst-case scenario, had she already broken free from his control and was now playing an incredibly dangerous game of pretend?

Gu Chengyin needed more information. Just as these thoughts raced through his mind, the faint sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

The visitor seemed hesitant, pausing for a moment outside the gate.

Gu Chengyin slightly raised his eyes, letting his perception spread out silently like spilling quicksilver.

His mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivation, combined with his system-enhanced perception, allowed him to clearly see the familiar crimson silhouette outside the door.

Shangguan Yunying.

The corners of Gu Chengyin's lips curled up slightly. As Luo Zhao's closest chief lady-in-waiting, no one knew her better. Wasn't she exactly the person he needed the most right now?

With a soft creak, the courtyard gate was gently pushed open, and Shangguan Yunying's figure appeared in the moonlight.

She had clearly finished her duties for the day, yet a deep worry clouded her brow.

When she saw the figure sitting quietly by the study window, her steps faltered again. She took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision, and walked briskly to the study door.

"Administrator Gu," she called out, her voice tight.

"Master Yunying, what brings you here? Come in."

Gu Chengyin's calm voice drifted out. "It just so happens that I have a few things I'd like to ask your advice on as well."

He raised his hand and flicked a finger. A bronze oil lamp on the desk ignited silently, its warm halo dispelling the darkness and illuminating the study.

Shangguan Yunying walked into the study but didn't sit down immediately.

She stood at the edge of the light and shadow, her crimson palace dress tinted with a warm hue by the lamplight.

She looked at Gu Chengyin, her lips parting slightly as if she didn't know how to begin.

Gu Chengyin gestured to a chair. "Please, have a seat, Master Yunying."

Shangguan Yunying finally sat down slowly, resting her folded hands on her lap. "Administrator Gu, I don't understand," she said in a low, strained voice.

She looked up, her eyes filled with confusion. "The current situation is so complicated and confusing... I want to hear your thoughts on the matter."

Her tone was sincere, even carrying a hint of pleading.

In her mind, Gu Chengyin's flawless calculations and his ability to turn the impossible into the possible had long cemented his status as their chief strategist.

Faced with this bizarre and unpredictable situation, she instinctively sought his counsel.

Gu Chengyin listened quietly, his gaze lingering on Shangguan Yunying's face for a moment.

Instead of answering her question immediately, he changed the subject. "Master Yunying, do you think Her Highness has been acting any differently today compared to before?"

Shangguan Yunying was taken aback, not expecting him to ask this. She thought about it carefully before replying hesitantly, "Differently? Do you mean her state of mind? It's only normal that her mood would change, considering what just happened."

"No." Gu Chengyin shook his head and leaned forward slightly. The lamplight danced in his eyes, revealing a probing glint. "I mean in more subtle ways. Her demeanor, her speech, or her habitual little quirks?"

"You have been by Her Highness's side for so long, Master Yunying. You should know her better than anyone. Tell me, since returning to the Divine Capital today, has there been anything unusual about her? Even the most minuscule detail."

He asked casually, as if he were simply concerned about Luo Zhao.

However, the question made Shangguan Yunying turn incredibly serious.

She frowned in deep thought, carefully recalling the events of the past few days, especially every little detail concerning Luo Zhao.

As a close confidant and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her observation skills were far sharper than those of an ordinary person.

After a moment, she slowly shook her head, stating with absolute certainty, "I haven't noticed anything unusual about Her Highness."

She paused before adding, "If I had to point out something, it would be that she seems more majestic and composed. But now that we're back in the Divine Capital facing such a complex situation, it's only natural for her to act that way."

Her answer was clear and resolute. In her eyes, Luo Zhao was still Luo Zhao; nothing was amiss.

Yet, with her words, Gu Chengyin's heart sank little by little.

No abnormalities? That was the biggest problem of all!

Gu Chengyin fell silent, and the air in the study seemed to freeze along with him.

The heavy atmosphere made Shangguan Yunying uneasy, and she couldn't help but speak up again. "Administrator Gu? Have you discovered something? Something about Her Highness?"

She keenly sensed that Gu Chengyin's questions stemmed from more than just mere concern.

"Master Yunying, what would you do if I told you that Her Highness was being controlled by someone?"

Shangguan Yunying's eyes went wide. She shot up from her seat in disbelief. "Her Highness is being controlled? How is that possible!"

"Don't panic. It's only a guess; I haven't confirmed it yet."

Gu Chengyin stood up and gently pressed Shangguan Yunying back into her seat. "At first, I thought it was impossible too," he said softly. "With you and Chen Busha guarding her, no one should be able to get close."

"But what if—and I'm just speaking hypothetically—this person's cultivation base is higher than both of yours?"

"Higher than mine and General Chen's?" Shangguan Yunying furrowed her brows. "I can believe someone having a higher cultivation base than me, but higher than General Chen's? That's highly unlikely. He is one of the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivators there is."

Gu Chengyin wagged a finger in disagreement. "Master Yunying, you're falling into the trap of empiricism. Let me ask you this: before today, would you have ever believed that Luoshui County could be wiped off the map?"

At this reminder, Shangguan Yunying's face instantly turned pale.

It was true. If someone had told her that before today, she would have absolutely treated it as a joke.

But now, it had happened right before her very eyes. Shangguan Yunying grabbed Gu Chengyin's hand, panic seeping into her voice. "Then what should we do? Is Her Highness really being controlled?"

Glancing down at Shangguan Yunying clutching his hand, Gu Chengyin smoothly held her hand in return and said in a steady voice, "Master Yunying, I know you're anxious, but please calm down."

"This is merely a guess. As it stands right now, Her Highness is likely not under anyone's control."

"Though, we can't rule out the possibility that the perpetrator simply failed their initial attempt."

"Therefore, I believe that from now on, you must be extra vigilant about the people around Her Highness, and pay close attention to her condition."

"If you notice anything unusual or out of place, you must tell me immediately."

Shangguan Yunying nodded vigorously. Knowing that Her Highness might be in grave danger, Gu Chengyin had now become her sole pillar of support.

"In that case,"

Gu Chengyin looked deep into Shangguan Yunying's eyes and said softly, "Master Yunying."

"Consider us allies from now on."