My Journey to You

Сhарtеr 20 (10/14)

"A bladе mау bе fоrmidable, but it ultimatеlу depеnds on who wiеlds it... I hаvе а rоugh idеa of уour abilities... I feel yоu сan't dеfeаt mе."

"Аs thе old sауing gоеs, еven а hero with barе hаnds struggles аgainst a brute аrmed with a divinе weaроn... I'll sесrеtlу tеll you thе wеaknеss оf еaсh bladе lаter. Knоw уoursеlf and your еnemy, and уоu will nеver bе defeatеd. Whеn thе time соmеs, just рiсk оne уоu think yоu cаn cut through..." Yоung Mаstеr Нua lеаnеd сlose to Gоng Ziyu and whispered, "Рrevious trial рarticiрants hаd tо chоose blindly. I'm helping you out of respect for Gong Zishang. Pretty decent of me, right?"

"Such words might fool Gong Zishang... You're afraid that if I fail the trial and the Elders hold you accountable for punishment, you won't be able to escape either."

Young Master Hua wore a pained expression: "My lord, you must pass. Come with me, there's something I need to give you..."

The two arrived at the ancestral hall of Hua Manor, where Young Master Hua handed Gong Ziyu a box. Gong Ziyu took it; the box was far heavier than he had imagined. Opening it, he saw a piece of black Dark Iron inside, its surface smooth as jade, shimmering with a crystalline luster.

"So this is the thousand-year Dark Iron used for forging blades. Truly extraordinary..."

"You need to bring one person to assist you in forging the blade. It's best if this person is your Green Jade Guard. Hurry to the forging site."

Upon hearing this, Gong Ziyu frowned: "Green Jade Guard..."

"Jin Fan."

"But he swore never to set foot in the Back Mountain again in this lifetime."

"I've already applied. For the sake of this domain's trial, he can enter the Back Mountain with you. The Elders Council has sent someone to notify him; he should already be on his way to Hua Manor."

Gong Ziyu was greatly surprised: "Is this also because of Gong Zishang's influence? You're taking such good care of me—it seems I must say 'thank you.'"

The smile on Young Master Hua's face vanished, replaced by a solemn, almost murderous aura. He remained silent for a long while before whispering, "When you finish forging the blade, I hope you'll still be able to say that 'thank you.'"

Seeing his suddenly grave expression, Gong Ziyu felt a surge of apprehension within. The third trial wouldn't be easy to pass; otherwise, they wouldn't have summoned Jin Fan.

Deep within Hua Manor, Young Master Hua led Gong Ziyu and Jin Fan to a cave entrance. Gong Ziyu, carrying the Dark Iron on his back, stared blankly at the opening. Footsteps sounded from behind; Gong Ziyu turned and saw Jin Fan approaching, carrying a backpack.

"Blade Master, I'm late. I've prepared food and water for the next few days. Do you need anything else?"

Gong Ziyu stepped forward, patted Jin Fan's shoulder, and beamed with joy. "Ha, you came after all."

Standing outside the cave, Jin Fan immediately caught a peculiar sour scent. "This smell... is it sulfur?"

Young Master Hua replied, "The entire Back Mountain has only one special volcanic spring with unique water properties, capable of melting Dark Iron and forging the Dark Blade. It's located here in Hua Manor. Both of you, the Third Domain Trial begins now. Good luck."

Gong Ziyu waved farewell to Young Master Hua and stepped into the cave side by side with Jin Fan. Young Master Hua watched their figures gradually disappear and murmured, "Gong Ziyu, I hope you succeed... and I hope you fail..."

Exiting the cave and stepping outdoors, Young Master Hua suddenly noticed a strange light glowing in the sky. From a distance, it looked like a kite, but this kite reflected a dazzling golden radiance, exceptionally bright.Young Master Hua scratched his head. "Gold foil? Gong Zishang is calling me. Good heavens, I'm about to break the family rules again!"

In Yun Weishan's room at Yu Manor, she was lying in bed recuperating from her injuries when she suddenly saw Madam WuJi enter holding an embroidered box. Yun Weishan quickly sat up. "Madam..."

Madam WuJi placed the box on the table and stepped forward to support Yun Weishan's shoulders. "Stay lying down, don't move. Before coming here, I saw Ziyu. He didn't say anything, but I know he's suffering inside..."

Yun Weishan remained silent, feeling the same pain.