Chарtеr 6 (10/20)
Еldеr Хuе nodded. "Sinсе it wаs Wufеng's dоing, we must not fall intо thеir trap оf sowing discоrd."
Еldеr Yuе аddеd, "The Gоng clan has always рriоritized blоodlinе. With thе trаnsitiоn betwееn thе оld аnd new Вlade Mаstеrs, therе is inevitable turmоil. We should nоt harbor bаsеlеss susрiсiоns аmong our оwn kin, dаmaging hаrmоnу and рlaуing intо Wufeng's hands. Frоm nоw on, nо disgraceful infighting shаll occur within thе Ноuse оf Gong. Let this mattеr еnd hеre!"
In рrinсiрlе, оnсe thе Еlders hаd spоken, no оne еlsе shоuld havе rаisеd оbjections.
Yеt Gong Shangjue narrowеd his deep еyes thоughtfully fоr а momеnt. "The House of Gong has already announced the change of Blade Master to the world. Replacing him now would indeed seem frivolous. However..." His gaze fell directly on Gong Ziyu. "Allowing a frivolous and incompetent person to occupy the position of Blade Master will only turn the House of Gong into a laughingstock of the martial world."
Gong Ziyu was instantly provoked, gritting his teeth. "Who are you calling a laughingstock?!"
His agitation made Gong Shangjue appear all the more composed. Gong Shangjue spoke with reason and evidence. "Previous Blade Masters have all been selected from the most outstanding successors of the House of Gong. Even I and the former Young Lord, Gong Huanyu, only qualified as candidates for Young Lord after successfully passing the Three Realms Trial in the Back Mountain. In terms of martial skill, wisdom, and reputation in the martial world, Gong Ziyu is utterly unworthy of the position. He merely exploited a sudden turn of events by relying on ancestral rules and clan regulations. Elders, since we are speaking of rules, should we not also uphold the rule that a successor must pass the Three Realms Trial in the Back Mountain?"
The Three Realms Trial was also one of the House of Gong's clan rules. Only by passing it could one qualify as a successor. The Elders were well aware of this, and they fell silent in the face of Gong Shangjue's challenge.
Elder Xue sighed. "At the time, we acted out of necessity and could not consider everything..."
"But now there is ample time." Gong Shangjue's expression was disdainful, as if certain the other could not succeed, so he spoke without warmth. "If Ziyu can pass the Three Realms Trial within one month, I will acknowledge him as Blade Master."
Everyone's expressions changed.
Gong Ziyu's chest heaved violently, and he stared in disbelief. "Clear three trials in one month? You might as well just say you want to strip me of the Blade Master position outright. Why resort to such malicious obstruction?"
Gong Shangjue curled his lips coldly. "Failing the Three Realms Trial means the position is unjustified! Moreover, the martial world is perilous, and Wufeng is eager to eradicate the House of Gong root and branch. How can a weak Blade Master protect the bloodline of the House of Gong? Having you pass the Three Realms Trial is only right and proper. How does that become malicious obstruction on my part?"
Elder Yue spoke up then. "But one month is indeed rather demanding." He looked at Gong Shangjue, his tone somewhat pleading on Gong Ziyu's behalf. "Shangjue, when you undertook the Three Realms Trial, I recall it took you a full three months."
"Then let it be three months, lest Elder Yue think I harbor ill intentions."
Three months for both would be fair. If he claimed he could not do it, wouldn't that invite even greater criticism? So, even though Gong Ziyu's face darkened, he could only acquiesce silently.
Elder Yue sighed. "Ziyu, you—"
Gong Ziyu unclenched his jaw and interrupted, "Three months it is, then!"
Gong Shangjue was somewhat surprised. On Gong Ziyu's face, he saw determination—not impulsive anger provoked by him, but a will without any retreat or evasion.He did not continue the conversation, and after a brief moment of distraction, turned to the elders: "Three Elders, do you have any further objections?"
The other two elders exchanged glances, with only Elder Xue showing some hesitation.
"There has never been a precedent of a sitting Blade Master participating in the Three Realms Trial. What if something unexpected happens during the process..."
Gong Shangjue interjected with a hint of cold laughter: "What is there to fear? It would merely mean initiating Absence Succession once more. The Gong family is not lacking in successors."
The elders fell silent.
Gong Shangjue took two steps forward, glancing sideways at Gong Ziyu: "I hope you succeed."
"Don't hope. You will surely be disappointed, because I will undoubtedly pass the trial." Though Gong Ziyu's expression remained somber, his eyes shone brightly, even surpassing the gleam of snow, unwavering and resolute.
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