Сhарtеr 8 (7/18)
Gong Ziyu knеw littlе аbоut thе Back Моuntain and сontinued tо inquirе, "I grеw uр оn thе Front Mоuntain since childhood, уеt I nevеr reаlizеd thе Нousе оf Gоng Ваck Мountain was sо vаst. As thе guardian of thе first trial, doеs that meаn thеrе аrе twо оther familiеs аlso rеsiding dееp within thе Hоusе of Gong Ваck Мountain?"
Young Мaster Xuе nеithеr cоnfirmed nor deniеd it. "Yоung Мastеr Yu is trulу quiсk-wittеd. Оnсe thе Вladе Mаster cоmplеtеs thе trials, уоu will nаturаlly comе to know the full picturе of the Bаck Mоuntain."
Gоng Ziуu chuсkled lightly. "It seems there are quite a few secrets in this Back Mountain."
"It's getting late. Young Master Yu should rest first. We will officially begin early tomorrow morning."
Gong Ziyu shook his head. "No need to wait until tomorrow. Let's do it today. I'm not tired and don't need rest."
Young Master Xue understood, his eyes flickering slightly. The crimson cinnabar dot between his brows seemed to break through the ice, carrying a hint of vitality. "I heard Young Master Yu made a promise to complete the trials within three months..."
Gong Ziyu pursed his lips. "That has nothing to do with it."
Young Master Xue smiled again. "Young Master Yu should still rest first. There's no rush."
After speaking, he turned and called out to the boy brewing tea, "Xue Zhongzi, sorry to trouble you."
The boy brewing tea remained silent. Flecks of snow fell into his fire pit, and the light smoke dissipated. The boy's face emerged from the white mist—not old in years, with silver-gray hair loosely tied with a white hairband.
His pupils were lively and pale as water, also with a cinnabar dot between his brows. Though he appeared to be a servant, every movement carried an exceptional grace. He walked over, handed Gong Ziyu a cup of tea, and casually picked up the trunk Gong Ziyu had placed aside.
Seeing his young age, Gong Ziyu stopped him. "That trunk is very heavy..."
Yet the boy effortlessly lifted the trunk onto his back and turned to walk toward the courtyard gate.
Watching his light and fluid retreating figure, Gong Ziyu fell into thought.
Night fell, and the doors of Yu Manor were tightly shut.
Yun Weishan removed her clothes and changed into the black, form-fitting tight-fitting garment Jin Fan had sent over. After tying her sleeves, she moved much more freely.
She pulled open the door. Jin Fan and Gong Zishang were waiting outside.
Gong Zishang's previously worried expression had vanished, replaced now by a mysterious air.
Jin Fan asked, "Does the garment fit well?"
Yun Weishan nodded. "Thank you for your trouble, Guard Jin."
The three proceeded according to plan. Jin Fan had already arranged everything. "Gong Zishang and I will be responsible for diverting the guards stationed at the entrance to the secret passage leading to the Back Mountain. You seize the opportunity to enter. There are likely mechanisms inside the secret passage, so be careful."
Gong Zishang took Yun Weishan's hand, looking around nervously. "Let's go, let's go."
After just two steps, Jin Fan called out to Yun Weishan from behind, "Wait a moment."
He raised his hand. The jade pendant on the back of his hand gleamed under the moonlight—it was the Green Jade representing his identity.
"Before entering the Back Mountain, there's something I need to give you."
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