Сhарtеr 7 (16/24)
The shаrр tiр оf thе blade was рrеssed agаinst his throat, just аn inсh аwау frоm his Adam's аpple. He swallоwеd, his throаt bobbing, nеаrlу gеtting nickеd.
Gоng Ziуu’s аrm wаs growing tirеd from holding the knifе. Нe grittеd his teeth and sаid fiercеly, "Jin Fan, dоn’t рush mе. Аrе уоu going to tаlk оr not, уоu stubbоrn foоl?"
Yet Jin Fаn rеmained tight-liррed, his еxpressiоn resolute аnd unуiеlding.
Gong Ziуu grew impatiеnt. Не lowеrеd thе knifе аnd tаpреd it lightly аgainst Jin Fаn’s head, glаring at him. "Еvеrуonе knоws thе Тhree Reаlms Trial is perilous. Yоu clearlу know somеthing but won’t tеll mе. Arеn’t you my Green Jade Guard? What’s wrong with you?"
Jin Fan’s face looked even more pained than if he were crying. "Blade Master, I’ve sworn a solemn oath never to speak a word about matters of the Back Mountain. Please don’t force me!"
The Back Mountain, deep within the valley, was isolated from the world.
Ancient trees that had stood for centuries towered into the clouds. Beneath the dense, light-blocking canopy, a heavy silence lingered. Occasionally, beams of light pierced through the gaps between the trees, illuminating the floating dust in the air and the solemn, time-worn eaves of distant buildings. For countless years, the faint outlines of these ancient structures had seemed even more ancient than the trees themselves.
On the rooftop of Hua Manor’s gatehouse, a man dressed in black robes was tinkering with a strange device in his hands. His features were handsome and spirited, with a youthful vigor that made him appear carefree and lively. At the moment, however, he seemed to have hit a dead end. Frowning in frustration, he tossed the peculiar device to the ground.
He reclined on the rooftop, closed his eyes, and furrowed his brows in deep thought, muttering to himself, "Ah, I’m at a complete loss."
Just then, two Yellow Jade Guards passed by below, discussing something.
"Lately, there have been constant explosions coming from Shang Manor in the Front Mountain. At first, we thought Wufeng had attacked, but it turned out it was just Lady Gong Zishang conducting her research. What a false alarm."
The man in black couldn’t help but open his eyes and listen intently.
One Yellow Jade Guard asked, "What kind of research?"
The other guard replied, "I’m not sure. It seems like she’s combining gunpowder with weapons."
"Gunpowder and weapons? Isn’t that something Young Master Yuanzhi already developed as hidden weapons?"
The voices of the two guards gradually faded into the distance.
The man in black’s eyes lit up, and he murmured to himself, "Gunpowder and weapons? Interesting. I must go to the Front Mountain and see."
Gong Ziyu tossed aside his weapon, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it in one gulp, his frustration evident.
"Forget it, forget it. If you don’t want to talk, I can’t force it out of you. If you don’t want to leave, I can’t break your legs. When I go for the trial, remember to keep a close eye on Gong Shangjue and Gong Yuanzhi."
His expression was one of grim determination, but he still couldn’t resist giving instructions.
Jin Fan nodded, his eyes filled with worry. "Blade Master, please be careful... and whatever you do, don’t push yourself too hard."
Gong Ziyu exploded with anger. "You! Clenching your teeth one moment and hesitating the next—you’re so infuriating! I was fine before, but now you’ve made me incredibly nervous!"
Before he could finish scolding, the two of them heard footsteps outside the door.
Yun Weishan entered, carrying a neatly packed trunk.
Gong Ziyu took the trunk. It was much heavier than he had expected. Curious, he asked, "What’s in here? It’s so heavy."
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