Сhарtеr 11 (7/18)
Young Mаstеr Хuе turnеd his face аwаy with disinterеst.
Gong Ziyu finishеd drарing thе сlоthes ovеr Yun Weishan and walked to thе tаble. Еxсitеdlу, hе piсkеd uр thе bоx—thе very onе hе had riskеd his life to retriеve from thе bottom оf thе роnd. Не sоlemnly орenеd it, оnlу to frеezе in shоck: it was соmplеtely emрty.
Where wаs thе sеcrеt manual of Хuе Мanоr?!
Gоng Ziуu раlеd in disbeliеf: "Is уour Хue fаmily's seсret mаnuаl invisiblе? I neаrlу lоst mу life down therе! How could yоu deceivе me like this?!"
Хue Zhоngzi sеt down whаt he was doing: "Not 'nearly.' If Yun Weishan hadn't saved you, you would indeed be dead."
Gong Ziyu lowered his head slightly: "So you knew it took both of us working together to succeed... Weren't you always strict about the rules? Why suddenly break them now? Or do you feel guilty about tricking a kind-hearted young man like me with an empty box, and your conscience won't let it go? Hmph." He ended with a dissatisfied grumble.
Xue Zhongzi explained the truth: "I didn't break the rules. No outsiders are allowed to interfere during the trial, but you did reach the bottom of the pond and retrieved the box. According to the trial's regulations, successfully obtaining the box counts as passing the trial. After you passed, even if Yun Weishan hadn't saved you, I might have stepped in. Whether I save you or not depends solely on my mood—it has nothing to do with the rules of the House of Gong."
Young Master Xue whispered from the side: "Actually, after you entered the Frost Lotus Pond, he waited nearby the whole time, ready to rescue you at any moment."
Sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, Young Master Xue curved his lips into a smile.
"So I should be grateful for his good mood, then..." Gong Ziyu was still shaken, but the next moment, he suddenly froze. "Wait a minute!"
Gong Ziyu realized something and looked up at Young Master Xue: "The trial... I passed? Does this mean I passed the trial?"
Young Master Xue nodded with a smile, his gentle eyes like water melting frost and snow.
Gong Ziyu was momentarily speechless.
Xue Zhongzi explained: "The extreme cold of the Millennium Frozen Lotus Pond not only causes the trial-taker's physical strength to collapse and their Inner Force to deplete rapidly but also confuses the mind due to the intense chill. Those who dive down with weak resolve will inevitably give up midway. Only those with strong, unwavering determination can hold onto their original intent and persist to the bottom. Beneath the Frost Lotus Pond, there is an Earth Vein Undercurrent, so the lower half of the water is warm. As long as the trial-taker possesses strong determination and endures the extreme cold of the first half, they can succeed. Often, those with wavering resolve turn back to the surface midway. This trial is meant to test either 'perseverance' or 'ability'—possessing either one is enough to overcome it. There is no so-called secret manual at the bottom. The real secret is breaking through your own limits."
So that was it. Gong Ziyu looked at Xue Zhongzi in disbelief, then glanced behind him, his expression hesitant as if he had something to say.
Thinking he still had questions, Xue Zhongzi smiled: "Speak your mind. I know you must have many thoughts now—feel free to say them directly."
Gong Ziyu: "You... your..."
Xue Zhongzi pretended to be profound, shaking his head with a smile as he finished the sentence: "My life-saving grace—no need to mention it."
Gong Ziyu pointed a finger: "I meant, your porridge is burning."
Xue Zhongzi's face twitched a few times before he turned back to tend to the porridge.While they were talking, Young Master Xue quietly took a box of candied fruit from the trunk, ate one himself, and praised it endlessly: "This is delicious!"
Gong Ziyu rushed over: "Hey, hey, hey, that was prepared for me by Miss Yun!"
Young Master Xue pouted: "Stingy."
The bowls and plates were placed on a small tray, and Xue Zhongzi brought over the porridge: "Tomorrow, Miss Yun needs to return to the Front Mountain first, as there are some matters to be explained privately to the Blade Master."
Gong Ziyu was somewhat puzzled, but Yun Weishan quickly nodded in agreement: "Alright."
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