Returning to the Palace

The morning light faintly glimmered as the eastern horizon turned a pale grey, dispelling the heavy night over the Divine Capital.

Morning mist, like a thin veil, gently draped over the pavilions and towers of the Shangguan estate. Crystal-clear dewdrops condensed on the tips of the grass and leaves.

In the eastern guest room, Gu Chengyin woke up early.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he did not meditate and regulate his breathing like ordinary cultivators. Instead, he simply and quietly felt the changes within his body.

Everything that had happened last night, the various scenes, whirled through his mind like a revolving lantern, so clear that it didn't feel like a dream.

Especially that lingering softness on his lips; even recalling it now sent strange ripples through his heart.

Gu Chengyin shook his head vigorously, focusing his attention back on himself.

With a slight shift of his mind, the true qi within his body flowed naturally.

This was not the result of deliberate cultivation, but a power that grew in tandem with his rising status and influence.

The time he had actually spent cultivating could be counted on one hand, and he currently only mastered a single amplifying breathing technique.

Yet, the true qi in his dantian's sea of qi was no longer in its initial, thin-as-mist state.

Looking inward at this moment, the true qi was like a trickling stream, surging endlessly through his broadened and resilient meridians, abundant and active.

Its vigor had astonishingly reached the peak of the middle stage of the Qi Condensation realm, faintly touching the threshold of the late stage!

If this rapid progress were known to those cultivators who had trained bitterly for decades without advancing an inch, they would probably cough up blood from sheer jealousy.

After all, from the time he had crossed over to this world until now, a mere nine days had passed in total.

After a moment of thought, Gu Chengyin understood where this true qi had come from.

Influence...

During yesterday's morning court assembly, though there were no flashing blades or crossing swords, it was still a fierce, bloodless battle.

He had made his first official appearance as the newly appointed steward of the Internal Affairs Department and had directly faced His Majesty.

Coupled with his series of performances afterward, his name would inevitably spread to every corner of the Divine Capital.

The spread of his name brought about a tangible expansion of his influence.

Whether it was the apprehension of the court officials, the gossip among the commoners, or even the faction-forming effects triggered by his relationship with Luo Zhao...

All of these invisibly converged into a force, driving his influence higher and higher, which then directly translated into the rapid growth of his true qi.

If I were to bring down a Grand Secretary right now...

A sharp light flickered in Gu Chengyin's eyes as he silently calculated.

The resulting influence would be catastrophic! My influence would be completely solidified and pushed to a new peak!

He could almost foresee that, by then, the true qi in his body would no longer just touch the threshold of the late Qi Condensation stage. Instead, it would break through the bottleneck in one fell swoop, reaching the Great Perfection of the Qi Condensation realm! There might even be a surplus.

As for breaking through from the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation to the Foundation Establishment realm, a subtle smile curled the corners of Gu Chengyin's lips.

This seemingly arduous chasm was, to him, just a matter of going through the motions.

By borrowing the prestige of taking down a Grand Secretary, he could smoothly have Luo Zhao promote his steward position a bit higher.

When that time came, the Foundation Establishment realm would be achieved naturally.

This was the domineering and convenient nature of his path to immortality.

Power meant cultivation base; status meant realm.

Having sorted out his thoughts, Gu Chengyin delayed no further.

He got out of bed, swiftly and simply washed up, and changed into a clean dark-cyan casual robe, neatly equipping the jade token and golden fish pouch that symbolized his status.

Pushing open the door, the cool morning air rushed against his face, carrying the fresh scent of vegetation.

Outside the door, the Shangguan mansion's steward was already standing by with his hands respectfully at his sides, waiting.

Seeing Gu Chengyin come out, the steward immediately took a step forward and bowed in greeting. Steward Gu, the Master is already waiting in the study. He instructed this old servant to wait here and invite you over.

Gu Chengyin looked up at the sky.

The morning light was still faint; Shangguan Yuan was actually in the study this early?

I'll have to trouble you to lead the way, Gu Chengyin nodded.

Passing through the still-quiet courtyard and corridors, Gu Chengyin arrived at the study once again.

Unlike last night, the windows of the study were wide open in the morning. The morning light filtered in, dispelling some of the heavy atmosphere.

Shangguan Yuan was sitting behind a large desk, supporting his forehead with one hand. He only looked up when he heard footsteps.

Gu Chengyin took one look and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, Lord Minister, what happened to you?

He saw heavy dark circles under Shangguan Yuan's eyes, his sclera bloodshot, and his face utterly exhausted, as if he had aged several years.

You didn't stay up all night, did you? Gu Chengyin asked.

Shangguan Yuan shot him a grumpy glare, his voice carrying the hoarseness of an all-nighter. I wanted to sleep! But how could I?

He rubbed his throbbing temples and smiled bitterly. Digging out these old accounts and sorting them out clearly—do you think it's easy? This old man stared at these torn papers and stayed up the entire night!

Saying so, he carefully brought out a red sandalwood box from under the desk. It was about a foot square and three inches thick.

The box was exquisitely crafted, its corners wrapped in brass, with a small yet intricately structured copper lock embedded in the center.

Shangguan Yuan's expression became extremely solemn. He offered the box to Gu Chengyin with both hands and said in a deep voice:

Steward Gu, inside this box is what Her Highness needs. Of course, it only contains the crucial parts.

He stared into Gu Chengyin's eyes, emphasizing every word, This item is of grave importance. You must hand it over to Her Highness personally! Under no circumstances should it pass through another's hands along the way, and you absolutely must not lose it!

Gu Chengyin received the red sandalwood box with both hands.

It felt heavy in his grasp. He nodded with equal solemnity and promised:

Rest assured, My Lord. As long as I am alive, the box will remain safe. I will not fail this trust and will safely deliver this item into Her Highness's hands!

Having handed over the red sandalwood box, Shangguan Yuan's nerves, which had been tense all night, finally relaxed.

He looked as though he had been relieved of a thousand-pound burden. Letting out a long breath, his whole posture slumped slightly as he waved his hand.

Go, go... This old man needs to hurry back and catch up on some sleep. He let out a massive yawn, the exhaustion in his eyes growing even heavier.

Gu Chengyin said no more. He carefully tucked the red sandalwood box into his robes, bowed with clasped hands to Shangguan Yuan, and turned to leave the study.

The morning light was growing brighter, and servants in the mansion had already begun sweeping the courtyards.

Gu Chengyin passed through several courtyards and arrived at an open area near the front gate.

From a distance, he spotted a familiar scarlet figure.

Shangguan Yunying had changed back into her standard scarlet palace dress. The pattern of a mythical bird carrying a branch on her cuffs gleamed in the morning light.

She stood tall and straight in the center of the courtyard. The morning breeze fluttered her skirt and a few strands of her hair, making her look elegant yet capable.

Behind her stood eight neatly arranged guards, all wearing uniform brown martial arts attire, with short swords at their waists and lean, formidable physiques.

These men had sharp gazes and steady auras. They were clearly well-trained experts nurtured by the Shangguan mansion, far from ordinary servants.

Seeing Gu Chengyin approach, a natural and graceful smile appeared on Shangguan Yunying's face as she confidently stepped forward to greet him.

It was as if the woman who had taken the initiative to kiss him last night was merely an illusion.

Good morning, Steward Gu. Did you get... the item?

Gu Chengyin walked up to Shangguan Yunying and revealed a corner of the red sandalwood box hidden in his robes.

Shangguan Yunying's gaze lingered on it for a moment before she nodded. Lowering her voice, she said, Since my father entrusted the item to you, he must have made thorough preparations. However, just in case, it is best to remain cautious on the journey back to the palace.

She turned sideways, gesturing to the eight guards behind her. "These men are all elite fighters from our estate. They are fiercely loyal, reliable, and highly familiar with the streets of the Divine Capital. With them escorting us, our journey will be safe."

Gu Chengyin glanced at the guards standing in silent reverence. Knowing this was Shangguan Yuan's final safeguard, he nodded in agreement. "I will have to trouble you all, then."

Shangguan Yunying said no more. Turning to face the eight guards, her expression grew stern as she reassumed her commanding aura. "Move out. Stay alert on the road and keep a close watch on your surroundings."

"Understood!" the eight guards replied in unison, their voices low and steady.

Shangguan Yunying gestured for Gu Chengyin to proceed. As the two walked side by side, the eight guards swiftly divided into two groups.

Four took the lead while the other four brought up the rear, keeping the pair safely enclosed in the middle to form a simple yet highly effective defensive formation.

Bathed in the early morning light, the group marched with steady steps out of the grand vermilion gates of the Shangguan Estate.