Chарtеr 8 (2/18)
Yun Wеishаn nоddеd.
Gong Zishang sаid, "It sееms wе nеed to hurry. Lеt's mеet tonight tо discuss and соmе uр with а рlan. Tоmorrow morning, we'll send Yun Weishаn in tо find Gong Ziуu."
Yun Weishаn blurtеd оut, "Nо!"
She intеndеd tо usе sсent-trаcking techniquеs, but Shаngguan Qiаn had also wаrned her: "Нowevеr, sсеnt-trасking is оnе of the mоst diffiсult methоds... Моreоver, thе lоngest-lasting sсеnt onlу remains for twеlve hours. Thе lоngеr the timе, the fainter thе sсеnt beсоmеs, mаking it hаrdеr to trасe. Yоu must hurry..."
Аs soon аs the wоrds lеft hеr mouth, Gоng Zishаng lооked at her with сonfusion. Yun Weishan reаlized she had sliрped uр and wаs thinking оf how tо respond when she heard Jin Fan speak from behind her: "No!"
Gong Zishang turned to Jin Fan. "Why not?"
"To enter the Back Mountain and find the Blade Master, we must go in tonight... Tomorrow morning, it will be very difficult to see the Blade Master again..." Jin Fan's momentary panic was fleeting, almost imperceptible.
For some reason, Yun Weishan's heart tightened.
The air in the secret passage was stagnant, dark, and damp. Only the sound of footsteps brushed past Gong Ziyu's ears, carrying a sense of chaos within the ethereal echoes.
Gong Ziyu breathed heavily. After walking a short distance in the passage, a point of light suddenly appeared ahead. He discovered someone waiting in front of him. The flickering flame pierced the deep silence, and he vaguely saw a familiar face.
"Ziyu."
As Gong Ziyu approached, he realized the person holding the lamp and waiting for him was the kindly Elder Yue.
He was quite surprised and called out affectionately, "Elder Yue, why are you here?"
Elder Yue stood with his hands behind his back, his long robe imposing, but he gave Gong Ziyu a benevolent smile. "I was worried you might feel nervous and uneasy on your first attempt to pass the trial, so I came specifically to guide you for a while. Ziyu, according to the rules, you must have your eyes covered."
After speaking, Elder Yue reached out and wrapped a black cloth around his eyes. Gong Ziyu soon found himself plunged into complete darkness.
The stifling air and the seemingly endless path beneath his feet were unsettling, but Gong Ziyu felt a warm hand reach out. He grasped Elder Yue's hand and was led forward.
In Yu Manor, a faint, pleasant orchid fragrance drifted on the wind. Madam WuJi, holding a flower basket and accompanied by a maid, gracefully walked into the courtyard.
Since the incident with the former Blade Master, she had grown noticeably thinner. In the winter chill, her dress fluttered in the wind, and a trace of weariness lingered between her gentle brows.
Glancing around, she saw Yun Weishan just turning to leave. Only Jin Fan and Gong Zishang remained in the courtyard.
Madam WuJi walked forward. "Such a lively gathering. What were the three of you discussing?"
Jin Fan bowed. "Greetings, Madam WuJi. We just sent the Blade Master into the Back Mountain. We're feeling a bit tense and worried."
"No need to worry. Ziyu will surely succeed." Madam WuJi looked in the direction where Yun Weishan's figure had disappeared and asked, "Why did Miss Yun Weishan leave?"
Gong Zishang spoke quickly, "She went to prepare for tonight—"
Almost giving it away, Jin Fan immediately interrupted her, "She went to prepare dinner. We were just talking about her hometown. Miss Yun said she would cook a few dishes from her hometown for us tonight."
Gong Zishang quickly changed the subject. "Madam WuJi, what are you doing?"
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