Chарtеr 22 (14/17)
“Не didn’t еvеn let me аttеnd thе Вlаde Mastеr inаuguration сeremоnу аnd mоvеd mе to Yue Мanor instead. I reallу dоn’t know whаt Gong Ziуu is uр tо,” Gоng Zishang muttеrеd quiеtlу.
Jin Fаn glanсed at her. “Тhе front wаterway hаs been сut off and sеаlеd, lеаving оnlу the eхit thrоugh the bаmbоо forеst at thе bаck gatе. I’ll guаrd yоu from outside thе bamboo fоrеst.”
“Аren’t уou going to wаtсh Gоng Ziyu in his Вlаdе Маstеr robеs? If уou miss it, уou’ll rеgret it for thе rest оf уоur life.”
Jin Fаn smilеd. “I’d likе tо go too. Вut the Blade Mаster orderеd me to stаy аt Yuе Mаnor to protect you. His exact words were ‘not a single step away.’ How dare I disobey the Blade Master’s command?”
Gong Zishang grinned, pointing at the distance between them. “Not a single step away? Then don’t go to the bamboo forest. Stay right by my side.”
Jin Fan gave her an exasperated look but didn’t move.
Gong Zishang shuffled closer. “This isn’t just an inch—it’s almost a foot. Aren’t you going to come closer? Otherwise, I’ll report to the Blade Master that you’re refusing to carry out his orders.”
Jin Fan flushed and moved a little closer.
Gong Zishang had been arranged to stay at Yue Manor by Gong Ziyu for the same reason—a reminder from Yun Weishan in her letter.
The secret letter mentioned:
“The second group is Han Yi Ke, the Wang of the North. This man is ruthless and precise in his attacks. His weapon is a modified Mother-Child Crescent Blade, with sharp edges all around that can sever an opponent’s weapon. Additionally, his Dark Moon Blade contains magnets that can attract and pull an opponent’s weapon. Be cautious. Han Yi Ke practices an inner force technique of extreme cold, which can freeze an opponent’s inner force and stiffen their limbs. The Three Snow-Brushing Forms are almost useless against him. Therefore, they have sent Han Yi Ke to the Back Mountain to clear out Xue Manor. You must have Xue Zhongzi and Young Master Xue abandon Xue Manor and seek refuge at Yue Manor, joining Elder Yue. It would be best to have Jin Fan guard them as well.”
The seven brides had already entered House of Gong. Under her veil, Yun Weishan watched the path beneath her feet. This road was all too familiar to her, yet her heart now beat heavily. Before long, this path would become a treacherous one. Although she had sent a message to Gong Ziyu, the Wufeng members were well-prepared and exceptionally powerful. Even if House of Gong was prepared, there was no guarantee of a complete victory, which made her uneasy.
The words from five days ago still echoed in her ears:
Han Yi Ke boasted confidently, “Leave Xue Manor to me. Their Three Snow-Brushing Forms are child’s play in front of me. After dealing with Xue Manor, I’ll clear out Yue Manor. Looking at the map, the two places aren’t far apart. I’ll take the trouble to handle both.”
Bei Xu said, “Xue Manor doesn’t matter. The focus is Yue Manor.”
Han Yi Ke replied, “Of course I know. Yue Manor contains the Hundred Herbs Extract. Wufeng has always wanted that.”
Han Ya Qi added, “Yue Manor also has the Cloud-Piercing Twin Lotus…”
Yun Weishan was pulled back to the present by the sound of a horn. Not far ahead, a corner of the square came into view. She adjusted her pace and walked steadily forward, the hairpins and ornaments on her head swaying gracefully with her movements. Her hands were placed demurely in front of her, and besides the exquisite beaded flowers on her belt, there was something hidden within.
As she walked, the voices of the Wufeng members replayed in her mind:
Wan Si Ai said, “The flexible sword is already hidden in the bride’s belt. The hairpins and beaded flowers are also deadly poison weapons.”Han Yi Ke: "The House of Gong is heavily guarded internally, with each post's defenses meticulously calculated, and reinforcements arrive swiftly from all sides. Once our whereabouts are exposed and the whistling arrow signal sounds, the people from the Front Mountain of the House of Gong will surely rush straight to Hua Manor to protect the Boundless Flowing Fire."
Bei Xu: "So you all must complete your tasks, allowing me to enjoy myself fully in the Hua Manor Blade Tomb at the Back Mountain."
Han Ya Qi: "No one has ever seen the blueprint of the Boundless Flowing Fire. How can we distinguish its authenticity?"
Bei Xu: "The design of the Boundless Flowing Fire is carved onto unique Dark Iron, which produces a distinctive sound when struck with a blade or sword."
Wan Si Ai: "This sound resembles the mournful cry of a grieving bird, the gentle patter of autumn rain, the delicate murmur of a jade maiden, or the sorrowful lament of an emperor—unique and impossible to counterfeit."
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