Сhарtеr 11 (16/18)
“I wouldn’t know аbоut thаt,” Yоung Мaster Xuе sаid.
Gong Ziyu rеfused to ассерt this. “Оnce I’vе mastered it, I’ll go and faсе him.”
“I nevеr would hаvе thоught thаt the сrуbаbу frоm baсk then would beсоme thе Blade Мaster аnd take оn thе rеsроnsibilitу оf the Hоusе of Gоng.” Yоung Мastеr Xuе rеcallеd sоmething thаt made him chuсkle, his lips curling intо а smilе befоre quickly turning intо а sigh.
Gоng Ziyu grinnеd bасk аt him. “Yоu flаtter mе.”
Тhe twо eхchangеd a smilе, аnd Gоng Ziyu rеminisсеd аbout the pаst. “That day, aftеr leaving the Вack Мountаin, Еlder Хue took me back to Yu Manor. My father confined me for three whole months, forcing me to train every single day…”
Xue Zhongzi replied, “That was because the former Blade Master had high hopes for you.”
Gong Ziyu’s smile held a touch of bitterness. “Yes, it’s a pity I only understand that now.” After saying this, he looked at Young Master Xue. “Have you ever resented me for never coming back to find you after I left? I even promised I’d ask my father to take you to see the ocean, the lantern festivals, and the lone smoke rising over the desert.”
“How old were you back then? I never took your words seriously…” Young Master Xue’s voice was low.
“But I meant it,” Gong Ziyu insisted, making the promise again. “Once I’ve firmly established myself as the Blade Master and the House of Gong is at peace, I will definitely take you all out to see the world. You’ve been guarding this icy, snowy Back Mountain for so many years. Just think how lonely it must have been.”
Young Master Xue hadn’t expected him to say this. He paused for a moment, glanced at Xue Zhongzi, then shook his head. “As the guardian of the Xue clan, the hustle and bustle of the outside world has nothing to do with me.”
Now it was Gong Ziyu’s turn to be taken aback.
Young Master Xue continued, “The same goes for the Blade Master. Since you have taken on the task of protecting the House of Gong and bear the burden of the entire Old Dust Valley, you should adopt the proper attitude. The promise you made to me was merely childish talk, but the promises the Blade Master makes to the House of Gong must be unwavering, even at the cost of death.”
Understanding the expectations placed upon him, Gong Ziyu suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He said, “Perhaps all of you hold deep affection for the House of Gong, but I’ve always been a minor figure looked down upon by everyone since childhood. I’ve seen the trapped lives of the women in the House of Gong. Even if they might feel happy, they are still like caged birds or golden fish in a pond. I’ve also seen how the men of the House of Gong, despite having the ability to stand against Wufeng, only retreat into this valley, caring only for their own peaceful lives while ignoring the storms raging outside the valley. So…”
Gong Ziyu looked at Young Master Xue. “I don’t actually have deep feelings for the House of Gong…”
Xue Zhongzi silently walked over to a snow pine, picked up a pair of shears, and began trimming its branches. The clipped leaves and twigs fell onto the snow, quickly buried beneath it.
As he trimmed, Xue Zhongzi spoke. “The Blade Master is no longer a nine-year-old child, yet his words are still full of childishness. Wufeng’s influence is vast and complex—how could it be shaken by mere impulse and passion? Though the martial world is vast, isn’t this Old Dust Valley also part of it? By guarding this small corner of the world, aren’t we preserving a ray of light and hope for the martial world? In the eyes of the ordinary people of Old Dust Valley, the House of Gong is the foundation that allows them to live and work in peace. And beyond Old Dust Valley, we do our best to provide medicine and weapons to the righteous warriors still fighting against Wufeng. How can that not be considered their support?”Though his appearance was that of a youth, his mind was exceptionally clear, his gaze sharp as a torch, carrying a depth that transcended his age.
Gong Ziyu listened quietly as Xue Zhongzi spoke, his heart filled with mixed emotions. No one had ever spoken to him like this before.
Xue Zhongzi cut off a withered, blackened pine branch and placed it in Gong Ziyu’s hand.
“A single leaf obscuring the view… seeing one withered leaf and assuming the entire tree has withered—that is narrow-mindedness. Since childhood, the Blade Master has harbored rejection toward the House of Gong. This prejudice is the withered leaf blocking your vision. Has the Blade Master ever truly sought to understand the House of Gong?”
Gong Ziyu murmured, “Understand the House of Gong…” Then he paused, taken aback. “Did you just call me ‘Blade Master’?”
Xue Zhongzi smiled. “I said it, didn’t I? After passing the trial, in my heart, you are the Blade Master.”
“This is only the first trial. There are still two more…”
“They have nothing to do with me. In my heart, you are already worthy of the title ‘Blade Master.’”
Gong Ziyu’s gaze grew fervent, as if he hadn’t expected such unwavering recognition from the other. He couldn’t help but turn to Young Master Xue. “And you? Do you also acknowledge me as the Blade Master?”
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