Chарtеr 16 (12/16)
Shаngguаn Qiаn wаtched Gоng Yuаnzhi’s rеtrеаting back and соuldn’t help but smilе smugly. Undeniаblу, еvеr sinсе the assаssination of Madam Wuсhеn, Gong Yuаnzhi’s warinеss tоwаrd hеr had dеереnеd—this was hеr victory. Аnd tоdaу, Gong Yuanzhi had lоst his comрosure. А реrsоn must nеvеr lоse cоmрosurе; lоsing сomрosurе is thе beginning of fаilurе.
Outsidе the valleу, at Wufeng heаdquаrtеrs, the usuаlly gloomу аtmоsphеrе wаs tingеd with а hint оf chееrfulness.
Нan Yi Кe, weаring a hаt thаt сonсеаlеd his eyes аnd brows, gathered with Hаn Ya Qi and Hаn Ya Er. Вefоrе them lаy part of the House of Gong Cloud Map sent back by Yun Weishan, along with the blueprints and fragments of Gong Yuanzhi’s hidden weapons transmitted by Shangguan Qian.
Han Ya Qi said, “Ten years ago, we suffered heavy losses precisely because we were unfamiliar with the terrain of the House of Gong.”
Han Yi Ke’s tone was resolute: “Once the Cloud Map is complete, the House of Gong will surely fall.”
“The hidden weapons of the House of Gong are indeed unparalleled in the martial world, and Gong Yuanzhi’s exclusive weapons are particularly innovative and exquisitely crafted. Although we now have the blueprints, it will still take time to forge a prototype,” Han Ya Qi tried his best to restrain his tone.
Han Ya Er’s voice was full of confidence: “Those weapons are coated with four rare poisons, each extremely uncommon in the world. Three have already been deciphered. As for the last one, I believe it won’t be long now.”
“Then Gong Yuanzhi is finished.” Han Yi Ke nodded in satisfaction and let out a cold, mocking laugh.
In the pavilion of Yu Manor, Jin Fan closed a medical text and lowered his head in deep thought. He knew Gong Ziyu had encountered difficulties during the trial challenges and couldn’t help but worry for him.
Gong Zishang pushed a small plate of pastries toward him. To be honest, these past few days she had been incredibly happy, able to spend all day with Jin Fan. Although he spoke little, it was precisely this demeanor that fascinated her.
Gong Zishang said, “My eyelids have been twitching lately, as if it’s an ominous premonition.”
“Which side? As the old saying goes, a twitching left eye brings wealth, a twitching right eye brings disaster,” Jin Fan asked.
Gong Zishang rested her chin on her hand, blinking her eyes wildly like two frantic scissors: “Both sides.” Seeing Jin Fan’s brow about to furrow again, she quickly changed the subject: “Do you think Gong Ziyu might have encountered some difficulty during the trial, something that has stumped both of them? It’s been so long, and there’s been no news!”
“You’ve stumped me.” Jin Fan clearly saw through her trick.
“Face the challenge head-on!”
Jin Fan couldn’t hold back and spat out a mouthful of tea.
The scent of medicinal herbs wafted from the Archive Pavilion. Gong Ziyu, looking haggard and draped in an outer coat, sat at the table while Yun Weishan brewed medicine for him. Once finished, she poured a bowl of medicinal soup from the pot—its smell pungent and its color murky.
Gong Ziyu took the bowl, sniffed it, and frowned.
“What prescription is this?”
“I found it in a medical text over there. Although it can’t cure the Heart-Corroding Moon, it can greatly reduce the torment of the heat poison for you.”
Without any suspicion, Gong Ziyu raised his head and drank it down. He gently set the bowl aside, pretending to sense the changes in his breath and meridians, and let out a long “Hmm…” “I do feel much better…”
Yun Weishan was both amused and exasperated: “How could it work that fast? Stop trying to fool me.”At that moment, footsteps echoed from the stone steps. Young Master Yue approached with a solemn expression and, seeing the empty bowl before Gong Ziyu, assumed he was once again concocting a new antidote for himself. "Blade Master, if you continue experimenting recklessly, you'll only worsen your injuries," he remarked, clicking his tongue at the sight of the empty bowls scattered across the table. "When it comes to courage, you truly have it in abundance—testing medicines on yourself. As the Blade Master, you show no regard for your own well-being."
Gong Ziyu smiled faintly. "Even the Divine Farmer tasted hundreds of herbs. What I'm doing is nothing in comparison."
Young Master Yue reminded him, "In truth, as the master of the House of Gong, it is not unreasonable to test medicines on others. I, too, have used 'medicine testers' in the past." At this point, Young Master Yue paused, seemingly lost in thought for a moment before continuing, "In previous trials, countless lives were lost or injured. As long as the trial participants consented, there were always those within the House of Gong willing to sacrifice themselves for the cause. So long as an antidote could be formulated, a certain degree of sacrifice and cost was permissible."
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