No Damage, Speedrun

When consciousness rushed back like a tidal wave, Luo Zhao abruptly opened her eyes.

The familiar dragon patterns still adorned the hem of her black, gold-embroidered robes, and the weight of the black jade hairpin at her temple was exactly as it should be.

But in the next second, her breath suddenly caught in her throat.

Standing clearly by the tea table was another Luo Zhao!

With eyebrows like distant dark mountains and eyes like cold stars dotting the night sky, even the dark gold dragon patterns embroidered on the hem were completely identical.

Luo Zhao subconsciously raised her hand, only to discover that her palm was a translucent phantom.

Lowering her gaze, she saw her entire body encased in a faint, luminous white halo, suspended in the air like amber.

This halo was as thin as a cicada's wing, warm, familiar, and exuding a peaceful aura that originated from the depths of her bloodline.

Only then did Luo Zhao finally understand what had happened.

Her gaze fell upon the wrist of the fake Luo Zhao. The white jade bracelet, which should have been as lustrous as mutton-fat jade, was now completely dim and lackluster.

It had saved her.

Luo Zhao knew better than anyone just how perilous that bizarre, soul-striking attack had been moments ago.

The white jade bracelet had activated on its own in the nick of time, forcibly extracting her soul from the brink of total subjugation.

However, due to the immense exhaustion of its power, it could only temporarily seal her within this protective halo.

Luo Zhao's heart sank. She knew that without external intervention, this protective halo would take at least seven days to dissipate naturally.

During this time, although her soul could still move, she could not stray far from her physical body, nor could she interfere with reality.

This damned man! That so-called staring contest gamble was nothing but a meticulously designed trap!

Luo Zhao narrowed her eyes, glaring fixedly at Gu Chengyin's profile through the luminous white halo.

The night was as dark as ink, yet it could not conceal the chilling, blade-like killing intent in her eyes.

"Petty parlor tricks, yet you dare to defy the heavens."

"Once This Sovereign regains power, I shall have you drawn and quartered by five... no, six horses!"

Gu Chengyin had no idea that the real Luo Zhao was already planning his funeral.

He and Shangguan Yunying had already stepped out of the room and were walking downstairs together.

Following the fake Luo Zhao's decree granting him temporary authority as the Principal of Internal Affairs, Gu Chengyin could clearly feel a certain invisible barrier being shattered.

A wisp of cool and exceptionally pure aura poured into his body from the void, slowly circulating along meridians that had never been opened before.

The gate to Qi Refining had been opened.

However, this true qi was as thin as mist, far from forming a steady stream.

Gu Chengyin knew very well: an official title only opened the door; influence was the true foundation of his true qi.

Not to mention, his position as Principal was only temporary. Only an official document written in black and white would truly solidify it.

Yet, in these chaotic and war-torn times, to formalize this document, Gu Chengyin first had to help Luo Zhao return to the Divine Capital.

After being reprimanded, Shangguan Yunying had completely suppressed her doubts about Gu Chengyin deep in her heart.

"Lord Shangguan, time is of the essence. We must go find General Chen immediately."

"Mister... Gu can just call me Yunying." Shangguan Yunying took a half-step forward, lowering her voice to stop him. "Mister Gu, I wonder if Her Highness has mentioned to you that we..."

"The Golden Cicada escape plan?" Gu Chengyin interrupted her, his tone flat. "I know."

Shangguan Yunying's pupils constricted slightly.

This plan was formulated by Her Highness, and she was responsible for executing it, so only the two of them knew about it.

To think this man actually... His credibility silently soared in Shangguan Yunying's heart.

"But I have advised Her Highness against it, and she has approved my request. Therefore, the plan is canceled."

"Canceled?!" Shangguan Yunying's voice sharply rose before she forcefully suppressed it.

"But the fastest rebel forces will arrive in two... no, one and a half shichen!"

"Which is why I said time is of the essence." Gu Chengyin said no more, turning around and walking away.

Shangguan Yunying watched his unhesitating back, anxiety wrapping around her heart like vines.

She only felt that Gu Chengyin was unfathomable and mysterious, yet he faintly exuded a certain decisiveness that felt familiar to her.

Such absolute resolve she had only ever seen in Her Highness.

What the two of them did not know was that an invisible figure was silently floating just a few steps away, following closely behind them.

The real Luo Zhao coldly stared at Gu Chengyin's back.

"This Sovereign shall see... just what kind of tricks you have hidden up your sleeve."

...

"General Chen."

When Gu Chengyin and Shangguan Yunying appeared together, Chen Busha's tense heartstrings relaxed slightly.

To be acknowledged by both Her Highness and Shangguan Yunying simultaneously meant that there should be no problem with this man's identity.

He took the initiative to step forward, extending a hand covered in thin calluses, and managed to squeeze out a polite smile on his resolute face. "Mister Gu, I have offended you greatly before. I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive me."

Gu Chengyin shook his hand and smiled. "General Chen was simply performing his duties. What fault is there in that?"

Shangguan Yunying stood to the side and conveyed with a stern expression, "Her Highness's verbal decree: Mister Gu is to temporarily assume the position of Principal of Internal Affairs and oversee the entire situation. He has the authority to act first and report later on all matters."

Principal of Internal Affairs? Chen Busha's heart trembled slightly.

This position had been vacant for quite a few years. To think it was actually given to this Mister Gu before him; it seemed Her Highness valued this man very highly.

"Mister Gu... no, Principal Gu is young and promising. I, Chen, am truly in awe." He cupped his fists, his tone carrying a bit more solemnity.

"You flatter me." Gu Chengyin waved his hand, his expression turning serious. "Time is short, so I won't waste words. General Chen, do you know of the Golden Cicada escape plan?"

Shangguan Yunying's heart tightened. She hadn't expected Gu Chengyin to blurt it out so directly, leaving her no time to stop him. She could only quickly fix her gaze on Chen Busha.

However, Chen Busha looked completely candid and even nodded. "I know. I won't hide it from you, Principal, but this humble general has already made secret arrangements. Right now, death squads are lying in ambush all over the city."

"You... knew?" Shangguan Yunying could not hide her shock and blurted out.

Chen Busha instead looked at her with some confusion. "This is common military logic. When the enemy outnumbers us, we must use unorthodox strategies to break the stalemate. Her Highness is wise and decisive. Since this humble general grasped her intentions, naturally I had to make foolproof preparations."

"Once the military order is given, we will definitely be able to buy enough time for Her Highness to break through the siege."

"But..." Shangguan Yunying's voice trembled slightly. "You will die."

Chen Busha exchanged a glance with Gu Chengyin and suddenly burst into hearty laughter. There wasn't the slightest trace of gloom in that smile:

"If I die, then I die. I, Chen Busha, am the Vice General of the Golden Feather Guard. Protecting Her Highness is my bounden duty. Furthermore..." His smile faded slightly, his gaze as hard as iron:

"I trust Her Highness, just as Her Highness trusts me. Even if I die in battle, Her Highness will certainly compensate my troops generously and ensure a lifetime of peace for our families, leaving us with no worries behind. What is there to fear in death?"

Shangguan Yunying was stunned.

Having lived deep within the palace by Luo Zhao's side for a long time, she was well-accustomed to political machinations and the unpredictability of human nature. Facing such open, fiery loyalty and bravery at this moment, she suddenly didn't know how to respond.

"Actually, it's not as complicated as you think." Gu Chengyin patted her shoulder, his voice gentle yet clear. "If Her Highness were in danger right now, what would you do?"

"Naturally, I would fight to the death to protect her!" Shangguan Yunying replied without hesitation, her eyes burning bright. "I will absolutely not allow anyone to harm Her Highness in the slightest!"

"Then there you have it." Gu Chengyin pointed at Chen Busha.

"You and he are no different."

He turned to face Chen Busha, his tone resolute and decisive: "General Chen, I have advised Her Highness to cancel this plan. Her Highness has already approved and granted me full authority over this matter."

"So, our next move is not a desperate breakout where we must sacrifice our own to survive."

Gu Chengyin paused, enunciating every single word:

"Instead..."

"It will be a flawless speedrun!"