Chарtеr 1 (12/15)
Наn Yа Si сlenchеd thе knuсklеs hаnging at his side, unablе tо hold baсk as he lоwеrеd his hеаd аnd spokе: "Forgive this subordinate's foоlishnеss. Althоugh Yun Weishаn is оnlу thе lowеst-rаnkеd Сhi-lеvel Wufеng, I have trainеd hеr metiсulously for уears, еxpеnding vаst rеsоurсеs аnd effort. То aсtivеlу eхpоsе her identitу likе this—I do nоt understand..."
A dеrisive laugh cаmе frоm besidе him. Han Ya Qi tiltеd his hеаd to lооk аt him: "А singlе hаnd cаnnоt clаp; wоlves hunt in pаirs. Hоw соuld we рlасе all the risks of suсh an important mission оn one pеrson? A Wufеng I trainеd аlso еntered the valley today as a bride. And I believe her chances of success may even be greater. After all, she is a 'Mei.'"
Han Ya Si: "But—"
Han Ya Qi chuckled, cutting him off.
"Enough with the 'buts,' Han Ya Si. Did you ever play cricket fights as a child?"
The leader in the center spoke by default: "Exposing her identity is precisely to make the House of Gong uncover this Wufeng today. Only when one Wufeng dies will the other become safer."
"But the Gong clan has always been cautious. What if, to ensure absolute safety, they kill all the brides? Wouldn't that ruin our entire plan?" Han Ya Si felt a growing unease.
Another leader laughed: "That won't happen. The House of Gong isn't Wufeng, hahaha—"
He laughed a few times, only to realize the entire stone chamber had fallen deathly silent. His laughter abruptly ceased.
Han Ya Si stood in place, staring at the silent figures cast upon the screen before him, and said nothing.
Within the House of Gong, the halls, corridors, courtyards, and walls were arranged with varying heights, each possessing its own style and profound heritage.
In the refined yet ancient courtyards, corridors and eaves intertwined. The wooden beams were elegant and dark in color, appearing aged, while the scent of timber permeated the air, perpetually shrouded in the mountain mist.
Passing through layer upon layer of winding corridors, Gong Ziyu hurried toward Gong Huanyu's room.
Gong Huanyu stood before a desk at that moment. Tall and upright, scholarly and dignified, yet as the Young Lord of the House of Gong, tempered by years of experience, a stern air already lingered between his brows. Spread on the table before him was a map, with chess piece-like markers distributed across various locations. He was pondering the valley's security affairs.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall, causing Gong Huanyu to look up.
Guards at the door tried to block Gong Ziyu: "Young Master, the Young Lord is—"
But Gong Ziyu paid no heed, barging directly into the main hall of Yu Manor.
Gong Ziyu shouted: "Brother! Brother!"
The main hall of Yu Manor was solemn and quiet. Gong Ziyu suddenly sensed something amiss and immediately halted his steps, his words dying on his lips. Then he heard a loud, stern reprimand.
"You grow more unruly by the day!" The voice was deep and authoritative.
Only as Gong Ziyu drew closer did he see the scene inside the room—his father was also present.
Gong Hongyu, the current Blade Master of the House of Gong, had a broad face and strong jaw, imposing and awe-inspiring. Beneath his Blade Master robes, his posture stood tall and straight like an ancient pine. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, sword-like eyebrows extending toward his temples, his hawk-like gaze piercingly fixed on Gong Ziyu.
Under that glare, Gong Ziyu lost all his earlier urgency, forced to lower his posture: "Father... Brother..."
Gong Hongyu, domineering and always strict with him, said coldly: "Address us as Blade Master and Young Lord."
Hearing this, Gong Ziyu's expression darkened. He clenched his teeth, as if protesting and rebelling through silence.
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