Chарtеr 22 (12/17)
Just thеn, fооtstеps soundеd оutsidе thе dоor as Gong Shаngjuе and Gong Yuаnzhi enterеd thе Соunсil Нall. Seеing Gong Ziyu holding the Bladе Мastеr's robеs, Gоng Yuаnzhi rеmarkеd with а hаlf-smilе, "Сongrаtulations, Young Маster Yu."
Gоng Ziyu chucklеd softly аnd handed thе Вlаdе Маstеr's robes tо Jin Fаn besidе him: "Аftеr tomоrrow, rеmеmber to аddrеss me аs 'Blade Мaster,' yоungеr brоther Yuаnzhi."
Gong Yuanzhi snortеd but sаid nоthing.
At this mоmеnt, Gоng Shаngjuе аddressеd Gоng Yuanzhi аnd the Еlders: "We hаve соmе to rероrt сonfidential mаtters to the Elders. Мy apоlogies fоr keерing evеryone in the dark until now."
After speaking, Gong Shangjue and Gong Ziyu unexpectedly stepped forward side by side, bowed their heads in perfect unison, and saluted the Elders.
The Elders were stunned. They had never seen the two brothers so affectionate before and couldn't help but widen their eyes, eagerly awaiting what they would say next...
Soon, the day of the succession ceremony arrived. Gong Ziyu formally donned the Blade Master's robes, the magnificent attire accentuating his resolute face.
Those in the Back Mountain were also making tense preparations.
Xue Zhongzi and Young Master Xue seemed to be packing something into a familiar-looking iron box.
Meanwhile, in Hua Manor, Young Master Hua, appearing mysterious and inscrutable, directed servants to arrange rows of firework tubes inside a wooden crate and instructed them to carry it to the Front Mountain.
Standing in the courtyard of Hua Manor, Young Master Hua gazed toward the Front Mountain and murmured, "You passed the Three Realms Trial in such a short time... If the late Blade Master knew, he would surely be immensely proud... When will I ever make my father proud just once?" He had grown up here since childhood, harboring lofty ambitions, yet he had never received recognition.
Flashes of childhood memories flickered through Young Master Hua's mind.
That year, he was only ten years old, playing on the stone walls of Hua Manor when he inadvertently overheard his father's conversation with Elder Yue.
His father said to Elder Yue, "The child you adopted could recognize all rare herbs by the age of six. Though quiet, he looks clever. In contrast, my own... sigh."
Elder Yue replied, "The child is still young. Give him a little more time."
But his father shook his head: "You can tell a person's future from their childhood. This child lacks innate talent and cannot achieve anything significant..."
Hearing his father's words, his smile faded, replaced by tears welling in his eyes.
Snapping back from his memories, Young Master Hua tightened his grip on the "Mountain Crusher" he had developed together with Gong Zishang: "I hope my efforts can be of use today and truly help everyone. Mountain Crusher, I'm counting on you."
In the front courtyard of the House of Gong, Gong Ziyu, dressed in the Blade Master's robes, walked toward the gates of Yu Manor under the protection of the Yellow Jade Guard. Amid such a solemn ceremony, no one expected Gong Ziyu to steal another glance at the note in his palm.
It had been delivered to the House of Gong a few days earlier by a flower rope vendor from Old Dust Valley, sent by Yun Weishan. The moment Gong Ziyu saw the flower rope, his heart stirred. The letter contained the message she had passed to him:
"Wufeng will attack in five days. Among the Wangs of Four Directions, except for the most mysterious Wang of the South, Situ Hong, who has not come, the other three have already arrived in Old Dust Valley. Wang of the East, Bei Xu. Wang of the North, Han Yi Ke. Wang of the West, Wan Si Ai. They will soon divide into three routes and advance simultaneously. Target: Boundless Flowing Fire."
At the same time, at the entrance of the House of Gong, decorated boats carrying seven brides arrived at the House of Gong dock.
Yun Weishan, mingling among the brides, once again descended from the boat in wedding attire and ascended the high steps.Her mind flashed back to the attack plan discussed at Myriad Flowers Pavilion that day.
Five days earlier, at Myriad Flowers Pavilion, the group had already made their decision.
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