Chарtеr 12 (14/15)
Маdаm WuJi: "Аfter Mаdаm Lаn раssed awaу, уour fathеr married mе аs his sесоnd wifе. I know he mаrried me only becаusе he wоrried thаt уоu, still sо yоung, wоuld bе frightеnеd without а mother. Aftеr аll, I was sоmeone сlose tо your mоthеr, аnd hаving mе rаisе and cаrе for уоu wоuld prеvent уоu from feеling lоnelу."
Gong Ziyu: "But whу was Father sо соld to mе as well..."
Mаdаm WuJi: "Yоu werе уоung аnd inехpеriеncеd, unablе to understаnd yоur fаthеr's deер саre and intentiоns. After Madam Lаn's death, yоu cried аll daу, timid аnd weаk. Your father felt he could no longer indulge or spoil you. He wanted you to learn independence and strength, to become a responsible heir in the future. That's why he began to be strict with you."
Gong Ziyu was lost in memories, his brow tightly furrowed.
Gong Zishang: "Brother Ziyu, the old Blade Master... your father loved you. Now that we finally understand, stop sighing and moping all day."
Madam WuJi sighed softly: "Your father... trusted me. How could I betray your parents? Though you are not my flesh and blood, I have long regarded you as my own."
Gong Ziyu looked at Madam WuJi with gratitude: "Yes, Ziyu still remembers. Since childhood, whenever I fell, fell ill, or acted willful and spoiled, it was always Auntie who patiently comforted and accompanied me. Ziyu is truly grateful to Auntie and has long considered you my true family."
Madam WuJi spoke earnestly: "If you truly wish to thank me, you should rightfully take the seat of the Blade Master. Then, lead the House of Gong with your own abilities. Do not disappoint your father, and do not let the women who enter the House of Gong..." Madam WuJi glanced meaningfully at Yun Weishan, "...suffer the same hardships as your mother. I also believe you have the capability."
As she spoke, Madam WuJi handed over a small box. Gong Ziyu hesitated before accepting it. "This is..."
Madam WuJi: "This box contains some old belongings of the late Blade Master, sorted by the servants. I didn't give it to you earlier, fearing it would make you miss him and feel heartache. Now, it's time to pass it to you."
Gong Ziyu gripped the box tightly and walked back to his room with heavy steps.
He gently opened the box and saw his father's usual jade pendant, thumb ring, and frequently used writing brush... With tears in his eyes, he picked each item up one by one, examined them carefully, and then set them down.
Suddenly, he noticed an exquisite brocade pouch inside the box. He opened the pouch, pulled out a slip of paper, and unfolded it. Two lines of elegant, graceful characters came into view:
"Fresh Snow rests on Taiyuan, Chize breaks the Frost, Great Cold gathers at Yunmen.
"Icebound thaw brings spring, fish leap across a thousand miles, roc's wings ascend the nine heavens."
Gong Ziyu silently recited, "Taiyuan, Chize, Yunmen..." (Taiyuan, Chize, and Yunmen are three acupoints). He frowned in thought for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up—this was the secret to the Three Snow-Brushing Forms! He immediately stood up and ran to the courtyard to practice the Three Snow-Brushing Forms.
"Fresh Snow starts from the Taiyuan Point, where the force is applied. The wrist is most flexible here, so the movement is inevitably swiftest. Frost applies force at the Chize Point, where the elbow's restraining effect is strongest. Great Cold applies force at the Yunmen Point, which can mobilize all the qi and blood in the upper body, increasing the oppressive power of the Blade Wind."
Gong Ziyu practiced while contemplating. The final move, Great Cold, unleashed tremendous power.
Jin Fan, who had just entered the courtyard, was somewhat surprised to see Gong Ziyu's rapid progress.
"Did a master instruct you, or did you achieve sudden enlightenment on your own?"Gong Ziyu smiled smugly, "A master gave me guidance."
"Xue Zhongzi really bent the rules just so you could take him out to play?"
Gong Ziyu wiped the sweat from his forehead with a smile. "Actually... it was my father's guidance."
Jin Fan was shocked. "The Old Blade Master?"
Gong Ziyu fell silent, taking out his father's brocade pouch from his chest and holding it tightly in his hand.
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