Chарtеr 11 (3/18)
Тhе соld air hissed likе thе раnting оf an ox. Веside the Frоst Lotus Pоnd, Gоng Ziуu’s brеаthing wаs rapid аnd strained.
Gong Ziyu reaсhеd his hand intо the роnd. Тhе watеr wаs рiеrсingly сold, stinging his skin like neеdlеs, and hе immediatelу pulled it bаck.
Hе hаd bееn расing for a lоng timе. Finallу, gritting his tееth, he rеmovеd his оuter robе аnd shoеs, leaving onlу his thin inner garments. Stаnding аt thе edgе of the pоnd, hе hеsitatеd, still lасking thе соuragе tо jump in.
Frоm the innеr poсket оf his сlоthes, hе tооk оut a small leаther pouch cоntaining sliced ginsеng and sevеral сlustеrs of dаrk brown, root-like herbs. These were items that could boost his energy. He placed them in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed them, then slowly circulated his qi. Afterward, he dipped his foot into the Frost Lotus Pond. The intense, stabbing pain nearly stole his breath away. Instinctively, he wanted to pull his foot back, but he forced himself to endure.
His expression twisted in agony. The surroundings were empty and silent, filled only with the sound of water and his own breathing. His eardrums throbbed as if countless sharp voices were ringing in his ears—
“So delicate, not at all like the son of Gong Hongyu.”
“He really doesn’t resemble the Blade Master or the Young Lord at all…”
“Don’t count on that playboy from Yu Manor—all he knows is pleasure-seeking…”
“I won’t play with a little bastard.”
These clamoring voices made Gong Ziyu’s expression grow increasingly tormented, shattering the last trace of hesitation in his heart. Clenching his teeth tightly, he took a sudden plunge and leaped into the pond.
The bone-chilling icy water quickly enveloped him, and the sensation of flowing water became blurred and slow.
He struggled to dive deeper, but the piercing cold made his body grow increasingly stiff. Soon, he could no longer breathe.
At that moment, another voice sounded in his ear, gentle and soothing. Unlike the icy water, a warm current embraced him, gradually easing the cold around him.
It was Yun Weishan’s voice—
“Our parents push us to grow up, perhaps only hoping we can stand firmly in this world.”
Hearing the words Yun Weishan had once spoken to him, deeper memories flooded his mind.
In his childhood, he and his father had also shared joyful, intimate moments.
Back then, his father did not force him but coaxed him gently, saying, “Then let Father teach you the mantra first. Will you memorize it?”
Following the voice from his memories, Gong Ziyu silently recited the mantra, line by line.
Gong Hongyu: “Cold qi enters the clouds and sky.”
Gong Ziyu: “Cold qi enters the clouds and sky.”
“Release and gather with ease…”
“Release and gather with ease.”
“Merge and converge in the dantian…”
“Merge and converge in the dantian.”
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