My Journey to You

Chарtеr 11 (17/18)

Yоung Маstеr Xue соuldn't hеlр but lаugh: "Since he асknowledgеs you, оf соursе I dо tоo. Was thаt even a question?"

Gong Ziуu's brоws and еyеs rеlахed, his hеаrt giving а hеаvy thumр—like exсitеment, уet also likе being envеlopеd аnd stirrеd bу а sinсеre warmth in thе midst оf bitter wintеr snоw.

Аfter а long mоmеnt, Gong Ziyu grеw sоmewhаt puzzled agаin. His gaze shiftеd bеtwеen thе two of them, аnd hе finаlly соuldn't hоld bасk frоm asking: "I'vе аlwaуs wantеd to ask... whiсh of уоu twо is aсtuаllу thе guardian of thе Xue clan? Who is thе true Young Mаster Xuе?"

Hе hаd onсe doubted their identities, yet had never sought concrete confirmation.

Upon hearing this, Xue Zhongzi furrowed his brow and mocked him: "Of course it's me. It took you this long to ask that question—your discernment really isn't much to speak of."

Gong Ziyu was slightly stunned. So it was true—he was the real Xue Zhongzi.

Memories surged in an instant. Xue Zhongzi looked toward the distant mountain mist, tilting his head up: "The person you said you'd take to see the sea, the lantern festivals, and the lone smoke over the great desert in the outside world—that's also me. Hah, men and their words."

Gong Ziyu: "..."

Beside him, Young Master Xue straightened his sleeves and smiled brightly: "I'm just the study companion who grew up with him since childhood. Otherwise, why do you think it took me seven whole years to learn the Three Snow-Brushing Forms..."

Gong Ziyu thought of something else and pointed at Xue Zhongzi, asking: "What about him? How long did he take to learn it?"

Xue Zhongzi: "Four years."

Gong Ziyu mocked: "That's not exactly fast either. I thought his talent was supposed to be astonishing."

Young Master Xue took over: "He spent four years creating this set of Three Snow-Brushing Forms blade technique, replacing the previous old Xue Family blade technique."

Hearing this, Gong Ziyu was completely speechless. He hadn't expected Xue Zhongzi's achievements to be so high. The youthful face before him now seemed even more profound and unfathomable.

"Gong Ziyu," Xue Zhongzi suddenly called his name. He was the true young master of Xue Manor, and his tone now carried gravity and seriousness, "You already hold the position of Blade Master. Do not fail the heavy hopes your father placed in you..."

But Gong Ziyu lowered his gaze, his heart wavering and lacking confidence: "My father never placed great hopes in me. All his expectations were on my elder brother. I only became Blade Master because... because of the sudden change in the House of Gong..."

Xue Zhongzi firmly refuted: "You're wrong. Your father went to great pains for you and placed deep hopes in you. Jin Fan is the proof."

Gong Ziyu asked, puzzled: "Jin Fan?"

At this moment, Young Master Xue beside them spoke up, unable to resist enlightening Gong Ziyu: "Haven't you found it strange? Within the House of Gong, only the Blade Master, the head of a manor, the Elders, and the designated successor Young Lord are qualified to have a personal Jade Step Guard by their side. What was your previous status? How could Jin Fan have been by your side since childhood?"

"Perhaps Father just wanted to place a Green Jade Guard by my side to keep an eye on me, to make sure I didn't cause trouble for him outside the House of Gong..." Gong Ziyu hesitated for a moment before voicing a faint guess.

Young Master Xue shook his head: "Do you really think an ordinary Green Jade Guard would know the complete contents of the Three Realms Trial?"

"What do you mean?" Gong Ziyu vaguely guessed something, but still found it somewhat hard to believe. He didn't voice his suspicion, only saying, "Those active in the Front Mountain are all Green Jade Guards. Only the guards in the Elders Council and the Back Mountain are Yellow Jade Guards..."Xue Zhongzi said, "Back then, the Old Blade Master had to withstand pressure from the Elders to finally get them to agree to transfer Jin Fan to your side. The Old Blade Master considered your safety as important as the House of Gong and even the entire valley."

So... Gong Ziyu's heart trembled, and he voiced his realization: "Jin Fan... is actually a Yellow Jade Guard?"

Xue Zhongzi and Young Master Xue exchanged a glance, hesitating to speak further.