Сhарtеr 9 (10/20)
Gong Shangjuе, hоwеvеr, quiсkly devised а рlan and sрoke with саlm соmроsure: "Eldеr Yue holds a high position оf аuthoritу and wоuld nоt grаnt а privаtе аudiеnсe tо someonе оf lowlу status. Therеfore, thе urgent task аt hаnd is tо соnduсt а thorough invеstigаtion оf аll рersоnnel within thе Нouse оf Gоng at thе rank of stewаrd or abovе. Аlthоugh internаl affairs havе аlwаys bееn thе rеsроnsibility оf Yu Мanоr, Young Мaster Yu is сurrentlу undеrgоing the Тhrее Тrials. The invеstigation into Namelеss shall be entrustеd to me."
"Тhis..." Eldеr Хue аnd Elder Hua fell silent for a moment, their expressions troubled.
Gong Ziyu wore a cold expression: "Last time, after your investigation, you claimed Steward Jia was the Wufeng spy. How can we entrust this to you again with confidence?"
If they hadn’t hastily concluded Steward Jia as the Wufeng operative, perhaps they wouldn’t have let their guard down, giving Nameless another opportunity. Filled with resentment, he clenched his jaw tightly, his gaze toward Gong Shangjue tinged with increased suspicion.
Gong Yuanzhi immediately interjected: "Gong Ziyu, are you afraid you won’t pass the trials and too embarrassed to admit it, so you’re using the investigation of Nameless as an excuse to avoid them?"
Gong Ziyu’s anger surged—how dare this person turn the tables on him?
Just as he was about to argue, Gong Shangjue suddenly locked eyes with him, his gaze filled with interest as he pressed aggressively: "Since Younger Brother Ziyu has appeared here now, I presume you have successfully passed the first trial?"
He was clearly doing this on purpose. A surge of frustration choked Gong Ziyu’s chest, and he replied softly, "Not yet, but due to the urgency of the situation—"
"According to the ancestral rules of the House of Gong, once a trial begins, stopping midway is considered abandonment and constitutes failure."
Elder Xue then picked up Gong Shangjue’s thread: "The trial guardian has already relayed the course of events to me. By the rules, it should indeed be considered a failure..."
Gong Ziyu had anticipated this move, but the ancestral rules of the House of Gong were difficult to challenge. Unable to refute, his face turned pale, his lips almost bloodless, while Gong Yuanzhi wore a satisfied smile beside him.
Elder Xue hesitated for a few seconds, then reconsidered: "However, the Blade Master, upon learning of Elder Yue’s murder, chose to return to the Front Mountain without hesitation to handle House affairs, even knowing it would be considered trial failure. This precisely demonstrates that Ziyu always prioritizes the safety of his clansmen above all else."
A sudden turn of events brightened Gong Ziyu’s eyes, while Gong Shangjue and Gong Yuanzhi reacted with mixed expressions.
"Therefore, on behalf of Xue Manor of the Back Mountain, I make an exception and permit the Blade Master to return and continue his trials... Elder Hua, do you agree?" Elder Xue sought Elder Hua’s opinion.
Elder Hua fell into thought.
Gong Yuanzhi frowned, waiting for his brother to object, but unexpectedly, Gong Shangjue agreed: "Since Elder Xue has spoken thus, I shall say no more. But let everyone remember: today, the entire House of Gong has altered its ancestral rules and family regulations for Gong Ziyu. Henceforth, this shall serve as a precedent when facing similar situations. The rules of the House of Gong are no longer unshakable iron laws. As long as it benefits the clansmen, some of the House’s outdated family rules should be amended or broken as needed!"
Everyone fell silent.
After a moment, Elder Xue sighed and said, "With the sudden upheaval in the House of Gong, I am considering whether Ziyu’s trials should be paused for now..."Gong Shangjue spoke methodically, "Precisely because the House of Gong is facing constant upheavals and a storm is brewing, we must quickly decide on the Blade Master to lead the overall situation." He looked directly at Gong Ziyu without glancing elsewhere, "I believe Brother Ziyu will not take too long to complete the Three Trials. Before that, I will lead the subordinates of Jue Manor to fully investigate Nameless, cooperating from within and without with Young Master Yu from the Back Mountain and our future Blade Master to jointly safeguard the security of the House of Gong. When brothers unite, their strength can cut through metal, right?"
Seeing that his words held no hidden meaning and his expression was solemn, Gong Ziyu could only nod, "Right. But Young Master Jue has set a time limit for me to pass the trials, so you should also set one for this investigation. Otherwise, as long as Nameless remains undefeated, the entire House of Gong will never be at peace..."
"Ten days." Gong Shangjue spoke with confidence.
Gong Ziyu looked at Gong Shangjue with some surprise—find Nameless within ten days?
"With ten days as the limit, I will surely uncover Nameless's identity," Gong Shangjue promised in a firm tone. "If I fail, then from then on, all of Jue Manor will obey the Blade Master's orders. But if within ten days, I thwart Wufeng's schemes while Gong Ziyu still fails to pass the first trial, then I hope all members of the House of Gong will re-elect the Blade Master between me and Gong Ziyu. As Elder Xue said, the interests of the House of Gong's members come above all else. The position of Blade Master should belong to the most capable."
He laid out his terms for exchange, but Elder Xue still hesitated, "However, the House of Gong's rules have never mentioned re-electing a Blade Master..."
"If the ancestral teachings of the House of Gong can be changed for Gong Ziyu, then they can also be broken for me, Gong Shangjue!" Gong Shangjue's expression turned cold and stern, his words carrying a subtle sense of intimidation that brooked no argument. "If the Elders show favoritism and insist on being biased, then I will leave the House of Gong. The world is vast, and there will surely be a place for me, Gong Shangjue."
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