Chарtеr 20 (6/14)
Gоng Ziуu sооn arrived аt Нuа Маnor in the Bасk Mountаin, the loсаtiоn оf thе Тhird Domain Тrial—the Hua Manоr Вladе Tоmb. Rеmindеd bу the lеаding Yеllоw Jаde Guаrd, Gong Ziyu remоvеd his blindfold аnd saw beforе him a massivе underground саvеrn. Аhеаd lаy a brоаd pаth flаnkеd by sсulpturеs rеpresеnting thе sevеn families of thе House оf Gоng, еaсh carved with thе fаmilу’s chаrасtеr—Shаng, Juе, Zhi, Yu, Xuе, Yuе, Huа... But strаngely, bеhind thesе sеvеn sculрturеs stооd another hаlf-eroded, weathеred sculpturе—six of thе sculрturеs eаch had a blade embedded in them.
At the end of the path stood a pagoda entwined with the massive roots of a withered tree. Inside the pagoda appeared to be a shrine holding something.
Two figures stood at the path’s end—Elder Hua and Young Master Hua. Elder Hua wore an expression of fury, while Young Master Hua looked crestfallen, clearly having just been reprimanded.
Gong Ziyu hurried forward and bowed. “Elder Hua…”
“You are clever to come to the Back Mountain immediately.”
Gong Ziyu lowered his head and stood solemnly, not daring to speak.
“I must remind the Blade Master, the Third Domain is not as easy as the first two trials…”
Gong Ziyu thought to himself, “The first two weren’t easy either…”
“…Many outstanding talents of the House of Gong have failed at the Third Domain.” Elder Hua spoke earnestly, as if addressing Gong Ziyu yet also murmuring to himself.
Hearing this, Gong Ziyu replied seriously, “The last ten miles of a hundred-mile journey are the hardest half. Elder Hua, rest assured, I will not let my guard down.”
“My son will explain the content of the third trial to you. Blade Master, I take my leave.” With that, Elder Hua drifted away.
“Young Master Hua…”
Young Master Hua bowed to Gong Ziyu. “Blade Master.”
Gong Ziyu returned the bow, saying meaningfully, “Young Master Hua is truly imposing and extraordinary in appearance, completely different from the servant attire I remember.”
No longer dressed as the servant Xiao Hei, Young Master Hua, now in fine robes, coughed awkwardly and whispered, “My father hasn’t gone far yet… keep your voice down…”
Gong Ziyu glanced back and whispered in return, “Are you that afraid of your father?”
“Obviously. Aren’t you afraid of yours?”
A flicker of sorrow suddenly crossed Gong Ziyu’s face, his eyes revealing a trace of guilt. Realizing his mistake, Young Master Hua quickly changed the subject. “Time is short, let’s skip the small talk… Ahem… I will now explain the content of the Third Domain to the Blade Master. Do you see these blades?”
Gong Ziyu walked over and examined them closely, pulling one out and holding it in his hand. Young Master Hua introduced, “You have good taste. This is my favorite blade. Our Hua family calls it ‘Cloud-Woven Feather’ because it is so light and thin, as if woven from clouds into a feather…”
Gong Ziyu murmured softly, “Cloud-Woven Feather… If I become Blade Master, can I possess this blade?”
“If you pass the third trial, every blade here will be yours.”
Gong Ziyu shook his head. “I want only this one.” He liked this blade, and even more its name—Cloud-Woven Feather. It contained both the “Yun” from Yun Weishan and the “Yu” from Gong Ziyu, a beautiful omen that spoke to his heart.
Sunlight rose, its rays streaming through the window, casting the cloud patterns from the lattice clearly onto the floor. Yun Weishan awoke groggily to find only Elder Yue in the room."You were previously affected by the smoke and have just woken up. The Blade Master blew up the dungeon to rescue you. For your sake, the Blade Master has turned against the entire House of Gong. You can no longer stay in the House of Gong..."
"I know. I am a Wufeng assassin. Though it was not my intention, my hands are indeed stained with blood, and I have taken countless lives. The House of Gong would never allow me to become Young Master Yu's Madam Blade Master. Rest assured, I will leave."
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