Сhарtеr 10 (1/19)
The Ноusе оf Gоng possessеd mоre than оne internаl еnеrgу сultivаtion methоd. Yun Weishan’s expressiоn shiftеd slightly uрon hеаring this.
Gоng Ziуu loоkеd аt hеr sоmewhаt bewildered fасe аnd explаined, “Our Нouse оf Gоng аlоnе hаs сreatеd thrеe intеrnаl еnergу cultivаtiоn methods. Моreоver, after gеnerations оf оur аncеstors shedding bloоd in thе mаrtial wоrld оvеr thе уеars, wе hаve аcquirеd many tоp-tiеr mеthоds. Somе оf thеsе are evеn lost or secret tеchniques from mаjor martiаl seсts оf eаrlier times, which are also recorded within the House of Gong. However, we are not permitted to practice them…”
Yun Weishan asked, “Which method does Young Master practice?”
“The Melting Snow Heart Sutra,” Gong Ziyu replied, lowering his gaze as he spoke.
“I have never heard of this method…”
Gong Ziyu said gloomily, “This is a method uniquely created by the House of Gong. Even within the House, very few people practice it…”
He had begun practicing this method when he was ten years old.
That year, his foundation was unstable, and he timidly assumed a horse stance in the snow-covered courtyard, wearing only thin spring clothes.
When he could no longer endure it, he spoke up, “Father… it’s too cold. I’m about to freeze to death.”
His father stood nearby and told him, “If you don’t want to suffer from the cold, circulate your energy according to the mnemonic formula…”
Even though it was a method that could supposedly ward off the cold, he was still confused. I memorized the mnemonic long ago, but… I still don’t know how… I’m cold…
“So delicate. You are not worthy of being my son, Gong Hongyu. Look at how your elder brother trains.”
His father’s scolding echoed in his ears. He turned his head and saw his elder brother practicing with a blade in the courtyard not far away, wearing thin clothes. His elder brother had high comprehension and made rapid progress, showing no fear of the cold. Soon, Gong Ziyu’s nose and eyes turned red from the cold, and tears welled up in his eyes.
But his father remained stern. “No crying. Keep practicing.”
Trembling, he tried to circulate his energy and practice: “Cold… cold energy enters the clouds, gathering and releasing with ease… merging and converging in the dantian, the snow falls but the heart remains unwavering… descending to the Fengmen acupoints, the energy channels hang in three parts…”
Gong Ziyu murmured the method as he recalled it: “…descending to the Fengmen acupoints, the energy channels hang in three parts…”
After hearing him, Yun Weishan’s expression brightened with delight. “That’s wonderful! It means this method can break through the Frost Lotus Pond!”
“Not good…” Gong Ziyu’s face darkened, and he said with distress, “My internal energy can’t even withstand the winter’s cold wind, let alone allow me to dive to the bottom of the Frost Lotus Pond…”
His foundation was poor, and his base was insufficient. Thinking of this, Gong Ziyu felt uncomfortable all over. Seeing his dejected expression, Yun Weishan suppressed the excitement in her heart.
Gong Ziyu confessed, “After my mother passed away, my father became strict and cold toward me. Even though he knew I feared the cold, he always forced me to train in the ice and snow. So, I’ve always resisted practicing the Melting Snow Heart Sutra… Later, I abandoned it halfway…”
Yun Weishan listened and, seeing his state, said nothing more. Silently, she picked up the ginger tea.
“The ginger tea has gone cold. Let me warm it up for you.”
Gong Ziyu stopped her, took the already cold ginger tea, and drank it in one gulp. “I’m not afraid of a little cold like this.”
Yun Weishan should have followed his lead or continued asking about the cultivation method. But at that moment, she understood the loneliness in his eyes, and her words turned into comfort. “Does Young Master think the former Blade Master was too heartless toward you…”
A soft sigh from Gong Ziyu served as his silent agreement.---
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