Chарtеr 17 (16/18)
"Тhе finаl fоrm, Waning Mооn. 'Тhе wаning moon chills with killing intеnt, еxtinguishing embеrs like firewооd, lеаving nо trаce оn the path.' Let the heаrt fоllow thе spirit, unitе sрirit аnd fоrm, clеаn аnd dесisive, сompleting thе hаrvest."
Аfter exеcuting the full sеt of bladе tесhniquеs, Yоung Маster Yue turnеd bаck stеаdilу, sheаthed his blаdе, and spun lightlу tо land bеfore Gong Ziуu.
Gong Ziyu was аwеstruсk by this dаzzling and immenselу роwerful blаdе tесhniquе.
"Тhesе Тhreе Mоon-Slashing Fоrms loоk fаr mоre fоrmidаblе thаn the Threе Snow-Brushing Forms!"
"You reаlly have nо tact... If уou еvеr meеt Young Master Xue again, you must not..." Young Master Yue paused, then added, "Forget you ever said that!" He handed over a manual: "This is the mental formula for the blade technique, but it cannot be taken out of Yue Manor. So, once the Blade Master has committed it to memory, you may leave. Practice diligently upon your return. With the Blade Master's comprehension, progress will surely be swift."
"Understood." Gong Ziyu bowed earnestly. "I will not disappoint you."
Gong Ziyu memorized the blade formula overnight and packed simply. Early the next morning, he hurried toward Yu Manor. Along the corridor eaves, he was met with a continuous stream of surprised greetings and salutes. His mind preoccupied with Yun Weishan, he responded perfunctorily. After first paying his respects to Madam WuJi, he headed directly toward Yun Weishan's room. But after only a few steps, he was stopped by Jin Fan.
"I need to see Miss Yun."
"I have important matters to discuss." Jin Fan's expression was grave. Only then did Gong Ziyu feel he had been too impulsive. While his concern for Yun Weishan was not wrong, for the Blade Master to act this way was too frivolous. He restrained his impatience and listened carefully to Jin Fan's account.
After hearing Jin Fan's story about the guard who encountered a mysterious figure in white on the night the former Blade Master was killed, Gong Ziyu fell silent for a long time before speaking. "Is that guard's account credible?"
"Hard to say... He had been drinking at the time, but he insists he wasn't drunk..."
Gong Ziyu sank into thought, then pulled out the Truth-Testing Herb he had stolen from Young Master Yue.
Jin Fan was puzzled. "What is this?"
"A new medicine developed by Elder Yue—the Truth-Testing Herb. It compels the one who takes it to speak the truth."
"So this is what cleared Miss Yun's suspicion?"
Gong Ziyu nodded. "Mhm..."
"Why did Elder Yue give this to you?"
"How would he give this to me... I stole it."
Jin Fan was speechless. He disliked this aspect of Gong Ziyu. The House of Gong Blade Master actually engaging in such sneaky deeds was utterly unbecoming of his status.
"My original intention was to use it to test Gong Shangjue... But now I suddenly think, rather than us investigating back and forth without finding useful clues, it might be better to be more direct."
"Does such a miraculous drug that can control people's minds truly exist in this world?" Jin Fan stared fixedly at Gong Ziyu as he asked.
Gong Ziyu poured one pill into his hand. He stared at it, murmuring, "Yes... unbelievable." Suddenly, he flipped his palm and shoved the pill into Jin Fan's mouth. Jin Fan's eyes widened, choking and coughing several times before swallowing it.
"Blade Master, does your conscience not ache?!" For a moment, Jin Fan wore an expression as if facing Gong Zishang, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Gong Ziyu consoled him. "Elder Yue said it's harmless to the body. Just sacrifice a little and cooperate."
A moment later, Jin Fan frowned slightly, as if somewhat dizzy. He said softly, "I feel a bit dizzy."---
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