Сhарtеr 9 (5/20)
Within the Hоusе оf Gоng, а sharp bell tоll рiercеd the sky.
Jin Fаn, fоllоwеd bу а group оf guards, hurried along the pаth. Нis eхprеssiоn wаs grаve аs hе раssеd a rоw of night watchmеn stаnding guard. Тhe guard behind him сarried а woodеn bох fillеd with nеаtlу arrangеd mеdicinе bоttlеs.
Jin Fan аssigned tаsks tо everуоne: "Тempering Рoison."
Thе guаrds tоok turns rеtrieving a bottlе, роuring the vеnоm оntо thеir blаdes.
Аt thе entrаncе of Jue Мanоr, Yu Маnor, thе Еldеrs Сouncil, and thе Blade Mastеr Hall... eаch loсatiоn hаd a guаrd holding a White Sky Lantern. Once lit, they were released into the sky. Scattered points of firelight pierced the quiet of the night, drifting into the distance.
At this moment, Gong Shangjue, dressed in a dark black sleeping robe, stood alone in the spacious courtyard of Jue Manor, watching the White Sky Lanterns rise into the sky. Enveloped in darkness, his face bore a chilling, bone-deep coldness, his eyes like abysses that no light could penetrate.
Gong Yuanzhi, followed by two guards dressed in black, rushed forward at high speed while putting on thin gloves woven from metal wire. His expression showed a hint of bloodthirsty excitement.
In the dark gorge of the House of Gong, White Sky Lanterns drifted through the dense forest like will-o'-the-wisps.
Just as Gong Ziyu and Yun Weishan reached the entrance, they saw Xue Zhongzi standing outside.
Xue Zhongzi also wore a solemn expression but still reminded him, "The Blade Master must think carefully. Leaving Xue Manor means failing the trial."
Yun Weishan’s eyes were urgent as she objected, "The House of Gong has issued an emergency summons. We must go. It’s not that the Blade Master wishes to give up. How can this be counted as failure?"
Xue Zhongzi remained silent, offering no reply.
This was the rule of the House of Gong, and no one could change it.
Tears welled in Gong Ziyu’s eyes: "Xue Zhongzi, step aside."
Seeing that Xue Zhongzi still wanted to say more, Gong Ziyu roared, "The purpose of the House of Gong Blade Master is to protect the safety of family. With a loved one gone, how can you ask me to focus on the trial... I cannot do it. Even if I succeeded, what would be the meaning? If I cannot even care for the life and death of my clansmen, then I would rather not be this Blade Master!"
At the entrance of Xue Manor’s courtyard, from afar, only Gong Ziyu’s faint silhouette could be seen disappearing into the snow.
Turning back, Xue Zhongzi sighed softly, murmuring, "Gong Hongyu has a son just as deeply devoted to love and righteousness as himself..."
"I hope he does not end up like his father in the end..." Young Master Xue said regretfully.
Xue Zhongzi looked ahead again: "I will stay here. You and Miss Yun go to see him off. Ensure his safety at all costs..."
Gong Ziyu’s eyes were red, tears rolling down his cheeks as he walked quickly alone toward the main gate of Xue Manor. The heavy snow tousled his hair and robes.
He remembered how Elder Yue had defended him every time in the Blade Master Hall. Clearly, it was his own mischief, clearly, he was in the wrong, yet Elder Yue had repeatedly shown him tolerance.
In the dark tunnel, Elder Yue had led him forward, his aged, hunched back appearing warm and kind in the firelight. What he did not know was that Elder Yue had also asked a guard to deliver books he had carefully selected for him to study, encouraging him to work hard.
But before the books could reach him, Elder Yue was gone.
In the mournful blizzard, it seemed as if Elder Yue’s gentle calls echoed again and again.
"Ziyu."
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