“Ahhh… Gong Shangyu! You’re looking for death—”
Gu Qingying trembled with rage, her dark purple eyes flashing with a cold light, her aura suddenly chaotic.
Even she didn’t notice the flash of scarlet that suddenly appeared in her eyes.
Provoked by Gong Shangyu’s earlier words, she lunged recklessly at her again, even swinging a fist infused faintly with spiritual energy.
Purple light flickered at Gu Qingying’s fingertips, clearly enraged.
Seeing the joke had gone too far, Gong Shangyu quickly floated back half a step with a graceful lightness.
The white jade bone fan in her hand snapped shut with a “swish,” precisely blocking Gu Qingying’s angry Finger Sword strike.
“Hehe… Little junior sister, calm down! Calm down!”
Though Gong Shangyu pleaded verbally, her face still bore that near-signature mischievous smile that made Gu Qingying’s teeth itch with hatred.
“Hehe… just joking, purely joking! How dare I disrespect Master? I was only venting a little bit in front of you!”
“Hmph! Venting doesn’t count!”
Missing her strike, Gu Qingying’s anger flared even more, but she knew the situation called for prioritizing the bigger picture—not a reckless fight with Gong Shangyu.
So she quickly suppressed the raging blood and boundless killing intent inside, glaring fiercely:
“If you keep spouting nonsense, I… I’ll tell Master your true identity and gender! At worst, I’ll drag you down with me!”
Gu Qingying’s threat hit Gong Shangyu’s soft spot directly.
Her smile froze for a moment before she waved her hand dismissively:
“Alright, alright… I’m scared. Is it enough if I say I’m scared?”
“Enough with this—let’s talk about serious matters.”
Gong Shangyu cleared her throat, briefly smoothing over her lazy expression, then pointed with her fan toward the children still frozen in the Time Stop.
“All the evidence is basically confirmed. Zhao Zongchang is the mastermind.”
“That guy’s diary and the Underground Chamber and altar are ironclad proof of his crimes. Our priority now is to handle these matters well.”
Though still simmering with anger, Gu Qingying could see the urgency and asked coldly, “So what do you suggest… we do next?”
Gong Shangyu looked around confidently.
“Simple. Once I release the Time Stop, you and I will lead these children down this passage. It leads to the back courtyard’s spirit hall of the City Lord’s Mansion.”
“Then you activate the Cognition Modifier and guide these captured children out of the City Lord’s Mansion. We’ll settle them somewhere safe first, then notify Master to close the net and capture that old thief Zhao Zongchang.”
Gong Shangyu paused, a gleam of sharpness flashing in her eyes:
“At that time, we just need to inform Master about what we found underground. With the testimony and evidence in hand, Master can confront Zhao Zongchang directly and catch that old fox.”
“Afterward, the two of us will assist Master to ensure the capture operation goes off without a hitch. This is what you call… an inside-outside pincer move, catching the turtle in a jar!”
Though irritated by Gong Shangyu’s commanding air, Gu Qingying had to admit it was the most reliable plan for now.
She snorted, tacitly agreeing but couldn’t resist a jab:
“Hmph! Your plan sounds thorough, but don’t mess up when it counts.”
Gong Shangyu fanned herself confidently.
“Hehe… don’t worry. When have I ever messed up? It’s you who can’t afford to drag me and Master down~”
She glanced pointedly at Gu Qingying.
Gu Qingying’s face shifted slightly, biting her lip without directly retorting.
She replied coldly, “No need for you to worry! Just take care of yourself!”
“If that’s settled, it’s a deal then~”
Gong Shangyu smiled slightly and stopped arguing, immediately ordering the Time Stop System to lift the suspension.
“System! Release Time Stop!”
At Gong Shangyu’s silent command, the invisible field of halted time vanished instantly.
The frozen dust resumed drifting, the halted candlelight flickered back to life, and the children’s locked expressions instantly revived as lively chatter and soft sobs resumed, as if the absolute stillness Gong Shangyu created had never existed.
As the Time Stop lifted, the underground passage brimmed with life once more.
When the children regained awareness and realized they had just teleported a short distance, and that a graceful stranger holding a fan now stood ahead of the passage, they immediately whispered among themselves, full of caution.
“Ah! Who’s that…”
“Huh? Why is there suddenly someone new?”
“Is… is he a bad guy?”
“I remember… we were just downstairs…”
Gong Shangyu’s appearance caused a stir.
The missing children instinctively shrank behind Gu Qingying, warily eyeing Gong Shangyu.
At that moment, Wang Yingying and two other children from the Dan Ding Pavilion’s guest families’ eyes lit up.
They clearly recognized Gong Shangyu, their three little faces breaking into expressions of delight.
Wang Yingying even parted her lips, about to call out:
“Sister Shangyu!”
Gong Shangyu reacted swiftly, raising a slender finger to her lips and making a playful yet clear “shush” gesture to the three children.
Then she shook her head gently, her peach blossom eyes curving as she sent them a look to keep the secret.
The three children from Dan Ding Pavilion immediately understood, swallowing the words on their tongues.
Instead, they looked at Gong Shangyu with excited curiosity and obediently nodded.
Satisfied, Gong Shangyu folded her fan and stepped forward, flashing the children around her a warm, friendly smile.
Her clear, pleasant neutral voice rang out.
“Hehe… Little ones, don’t be afraid. I and this brother Gu here are together. We’re both immortal cultivators your parents sent to rescue you and bring you home.”
Seeing this, Gu Qingying hurried to echo, “Yes, he’s also an immortal cultivator here to save you! To take you home to reunite with your parents!”
Hearing “home” and “parents,” the fear and doubt in the children’s eyes gradually gave way to hope.
Combined with Wang Yingying and the others’ clear trust in Gong Shangyu and Gu Qingying’s guarantee, the children finally relaxed a bit.
Seeing the situation stabilize, Gong Shangyu impatiently urged.
“Stop dawdling! Qingying, you lead the way. Use your methods to hide our trail. I’ll cover the rear. Let’s move!”
She winked at Gu Qingying, signaling her to proceed according to plan.
Gu Qingying snorted coldly, said no more, and activated the Cognition Modifier again.
A faint wave suddenly enveloped the entire group, reducing their presence and hiding them from detection.
She then took the lead, heading straight toward the faint light at the end of the passage.
Meanwhile, Gong Shangyu fanned herself leisurely, trailing behind the group, her sharp gaze sweeping the surroundings to ensure no surprises.
Thus, the group silently advanced through the dim passage toward the exit leading to the City Lord’s Mansion’s spirit hall.
At the same time, Gong Shangyu sent a Transmission to Luli, reporting the situation with Gu Qingying, and honestly relaying the various incriminating evidences against the City Lord Zhao Zongchang she had seized earlier in the study.