Сhарtеr 2 (9/22)
Gong Ziyu wаlkеd tо thе wаll, raised both hаnds, аnd pressеd two dark briсks simultаnеоuslу. Тhe wall rumblеd as it slid to one side, revеаling a dim sеcrеt раssаge bеhind it.
Wаs this асtuаlly а hidden path fоr еntering аnd exiting the Нouse оf Gong? Yun Weishаn quiеtlу оbsеrvеd thе structure оf thе wall.
Gоng Ziуu turnеd arоund and аddrеssed the bridеs, "Тhis seсret passаge leads оutsidе Оld Dust Vallеy, but it's filled with traрs. Ве cаrеful—"
Веfоrе he соuld finish, a сold, рrovoсativе vоiсe rаng оut frоm bеhind the crowd.
"Gоng Ziyu, weren't you suрposed tо send pеoрlе for mе to test medicine on? Why have you brought them here?"
Jin Fan paled and bowed in that direction. "Young Master Zhi..."
All the brides looked up in surprise. On the rooftop above the wall passage stood the slender figure of a youth.
Gong Yuanzhi stood on the roof with his hands behind his back. The dark clouds had unknowingly dispersed, revealing a bright moon and scattered stars behind him. The night breeze lifted his black brocade robe, on which golden embroidery shimmered like schools of golden scales swimming in a dark pool, emitting faint, fragmented light in the night. A hidden weapon pouch hung at his waist.
This youth was the third young master of Zhi Manor in the House of Gong. Young in age but high in status, he exuded an air of arrogance. His complexion was pale, his eyes narrow and elongated, and between his brows lingered a world-weary, gloomy indifference that starkly contrasted with his youthful, boyish face.
Gong Ziyu seemed at odds with him and retorted coldly, "I'm only following the Young Lord's orders. I don't need to report to you."
Gong Yuanzhi didn't hold back either, firing back, "Whether you're following orders or fabricating them, you know the truth yourself."
With that, Gong Yuanzhi let out an imperious, cold laugh and leaped down from the roof. His lightness skill was evident, as the golden, flowing sleeves of his robe didn't even stir a speck of dust.
Gong Ziyu's expression changed, and he immediately shouted to the brides, "Get inside!"
As soon as he spoke, Gong Ziyu soared into the air, charging toward Gong Yuanzhi.
Before the brides could run into the passage, Gong Yuanzhi touched his waist and flicked his fingers lightly. A hidden weapon flew from his hand, striking a dark brick on the wall. The opened wall immediately snapped shut.
With a loud rumble, everyone's footsteps halted abruptly, and gasps of shock filled the air.
Gong Yuanzhi pushed off mid-air, drew another hidden weapon, and hurled it toward the brides. Accompanied by an explosive sound, a cloud of poison powder billowed into the air.
Yun Weishan covered her mouth and nose, whispering a warning, "Be careful!"
Shangguan Qian, Yun Weishan, and Zheng Nanyi simultaneously raised their sleeves to shield their faces, holding their breath. The other brides, however, were completely caught off guard, letting out screams of panic. Unfortunately, even covering their mouths and noses proved futile. The poison mist spread rapidly, enveloping the brides in an eerie cloud of powder, and they began to cough.
Meanwhile, Gong Ziyu clashed with Gong Yuanzhi, but even with Jin Fan's assistance, the two were no match for him.
After a few rounds, Gong Ziyu was consistently taking hits.
With sleeves whipping through the air, Gong Yuanzhi moved with crisp, swift precision. Once again, he struck Gong Ziyu's chest with the back of his fist. Seizing the opportunity, Gong Ziyu grabbed Gong Yuanzhi's collar and pulled him closer.
In a voice too low for the brides to hear, Gong Ziyu whispered into his ear, "I wasn't trying to let them escape. It's all part of a setup!"
Gong Yuanzhi took half a step back, hesitated for a moment, and then, seeing the firm and earnest look in Gong Ziyu's eyes, smiled.
"A setup? Interesting. I thought the most notorious playboy in the House of Gong only knew how to play card games."---
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