"Young master Gong, what brings you here?" The tallest guard spoke, his hand resting casually on the hilt of his weapon as he walked toward them. His gaze swept over the three individuals with a critical eye.
There was young master Gong Feng—a renowned troublemaker and a nuisance to the Mo Family—and on the other hand, Li Ping, a palace attendant who had been working at the palace for about three years.
And finally, the mysterious guest, whom the Crown Prince valued highly.
"None of your business, Guard," Gong Feng scoffed, hitching up his robes impatiently. "We are leaving."
The guard remained politely firm. "Young Master Gong, no one leaves the palace grounds at midnight, especially not with an attendant and the Crown Prince's guest. I must ask you to return to your chambers until dawn."
Li Ping's eyes darted frantically between Johan and the guard, her fear returning full force.
Johan stepped calmly past Gong Feng, directly addressing the guard with a respectful, yet commanding tone. "Guard, my apologies for the unusual hour. I am Qian Yun." He paused, letting the prestige of the Crown Prince's "Savior" sink in.
"The Imperial Physician was very clear," Johan continued, lowering his voice to an urgent, confidential whisper. "The attack that broke my meridians left severe lingering stress. He prescribed immediate therapeutic exposure to mountain air. He affirmed the sooner, the better to prevent further relapse."
Johan gestured toward Gong Feng with a polite, deferential nod. "Senior Gong Feng, recognizing the urgency and knowing that my body cannot handle the walk, offered his divine dragon to make the trip as quick as possible. We will return by dawn. This is a matter of medical necessity and the Crown Prince's guest's well-being. Are you truly prepared to deny the Imperial Physician's direct orders?"
The guard hesitated, his expression caught between following procedure and not wanting to incur the wrath of the Crown Prince by potentially letting his Savior suffer a relapse. He looked at Gong Feng's smirk and Li Ping's basket, which did look like a hasty trip.
The other guards murmured, their interest piqued as they heard Gong Feng's dragon mentioned, fuelling their anticipation for their commander's response.
"No, Young Master Qian," the guard responded reluctantly. "But I still can't let you leave the premises. "
"Commander Wang, please let us through the gates." Li Ping whispered, stepping forward.
Her long black hair shimmered under the moonlight, her eyes shifting from black to rosy gold. The air thickened, not with coercion, but with serenity. The commander's grip on his sword loosened as a warmth spread through his chest.
"Apologies, but we must make haste," Li Ping said softly. Her voice carried the Truth Echo, each syllable ringing like a temple bell. The commander's doubts wavered, his suspicion dissolving into reluctant trust.
"You'll be honoring the crown prince by letting us through." A faint glow of lotus petals shimmered around her, the Lotus Veil blooming in silence. The soldiers felt their hostility ebb, their shoulders relaxing as if burden lifted.
Johan observed quietly, his golden hair catching the moonlight. He realized she wasn't manipulating minds. Instead, she was balancing them. A holy soul of Fenglan definitely could not hypnotize, but could disarm fear itself.
"Remarkable," Johan murmured, his smirk faint. "You don't bend wills… you cleanse them."
Li Ping lowered her gaze, her voice trembling but resolute. "This is the Dharma of Fenglan, young master. I cannot force, but I can guide."
"Dharma of Fenglan?" Johan repeated, his interest piqued. "Interesting."
"It appears you aren't as useless as you look, little attendant." Gong Feng walked past the enlightened guards, clearly unamused by Li Ping's antics.
"Is that a compliment, Young master Gong?" Li Ping smiled, eyes returning to normal.
Gong Feng didn't respond, rolling his eyes. Johan followed Gong Feng, clearly amused by the exchange between his attendant and his arrogant chauffeur.