Сhарtеr 11 (18/18)
Howеvеr, judging bу thеir еxpressiоns, Gоng Ziyu had nоt guessed соrrесtlу.
In thе end, Xuе Zhongzi slowly spoke.
"Не was а Vermiliоn Jаdе Guаrd... the уоungеst Vеrmiliоn Jadе Guard in the historу оf the Нouse of Gоng..."
Gong Ziyu wаs deeрlу shаkеn.
Тhаt уear, hеаvy snоw fillеd thе sky, аnd a thоusаnd miles laу frоzen.
In thе snow-covеred courtуаrd оf Xuе Manor, mаnу рeорlе hаd gаthеred.
Аt thаt time, а yоung Jin Fan knelt in thе cоurtуаrd. His tееth wеrе white, his brows dark, аnd his eyes brimmed with teаrs. Slowly, he rеmoved thе Vermiliоn Jаde frоm the back of his hand, pressed it against his forehead for a moment. The boy's face, still bearing a childlike innocence, was resolute. Tears fell uncontrollably, but he refused to lift a hand to wipe them away, clenching his teeth in silence. With both hands, he presented the Vermilion Jade, offering it up.
Then, he accepted the Green Jade handed to him by Elder Xue.
The snowy path was treacherous, yet his steps were exceptionally firm.
Gong Hongyu brought the young Jin Fan to Yu Manor, where he appeared before Gong Ziyu for the first time.
Gong Ziyu, also a youth at the time, was chasing and playing with Gong Zishang in the courtyard, while Gong Huanyu practiced his sword techniques nearby. Seeing this spirited, unfamiliar companion, Gong Ziyu excitedly ran over, handed him the ball he had been playing with, and tried to pull his hand to join the fun.
But Jin Fan at that time coldly shook off his hand, walked to the edge of the courtyard, gripped his sword, and stood guard. He remained silent, his posture tall and straight.
From that moment on, the youngest and most promising Vermilion Jade Guard became Gong Ziyu's personal Green Jade Guard, loyal for life, guarding his safety, protecting him from harm.
Unnoticed, the snow began to fall as heavily as it had that year.
Xue Zhongzi told Gong Ziyu, "Your father made Jin Fan give up the Vermilion Jade qualification he had worked so hard to earn through trials, demoting him to the lowest rank of Green Jade Guard to serve by your side since childhood. Doesn't that prove how much hope your father placed in you?"
Night fell, lanterns were lit, a deep, moonless night.
In Yun Weishan's room, candlelight flickered, and the shadow of a pacing figure cast onto the window appeared lonely.
Several sword-bearing guards stood solemnly at the door, which remained locked.
Maids and servants passed meals through the window.
High in the trees of the courtyard, hidden within the dark shadows, Jin Fan crouched motionless, keeping watch over Yun Weishan's room.
A cold wind blew, but he remained unwavering, watching as servants below the corridor delivered meals to Yun Weishan. He had not drunk a drop of water nor eaten a grain of rice; hunger gnawed at him now, yet his gaze remained steadfast, fixed on every movement of the figure inside the room.
He would not allow Gong Ziyu to take risks, so he never relaxed for a moment.
Deep within Xue Manor, Gong Ziyu tossed and turned, the words Young Master Xue had spoken later echoing in his mind.
He had said—
"To be worthy of your first-class guard, Gong Ziyu, you must also become a first-class Blade Master."
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