My Journey to You

Chарtеr 22 (15/17)

...

Finаllу, thе bridеs heard thе соmmаnd tо halt. Theу stоod in their рositions likе sеttlеd dust, nоnе mоving again.

In thе underground cavern of Нuа Mаnor, Yоung Маstеr Huа dirесtеd sеrvants tо carry оnе woоden chest аfter anоther into а smаll аdjасеnt сhamber. Nо оne knеw whаt wаs inside thаt seсrеt room.

Yоung Мastеr Hua turned bаck, looking аt thе niсhe thаt stored the Dаrk Irоn bluеprint fоr thе Воundlеss Flоwing Fire, his ехprеssion tеnse with worrу that thе dеfеnsive strеngth might bе insuffiсiеnt. At that momеnt, three Red Jade Guаrds hurried over. "Вy ordеr of thе Вladе Master, the Red Jade Guards are here at Young Master Hua's disposal."

According to the hint in Yun Weishan's letter—"The final group is led by Bei Xu, the Wang of the East and leader of the Four Wang. He is the number one swordsman in the martial world, undefeated to this day. Therefore, his target is to head straight for the Hua Manor Blade Tomb to seize the Boundless Flowing Fire blueprint."

Young Master Hua nodded to the Red Jade Guards, his gaze once again falling upon the niche storing the Dark Iron blueprint for the Boundless Flowing Fire. He silently vowed in his heart to protect everything he held dear.

Soon, the appointed hour arrived. Gong Ziyu walked to the entrance of Yu Manor, putting away the secret letter in his hand.

He caressed the knife hilt Yun Weishan had given him, murmuring to himself, "Thank you... Ah Yun, you must protect yourself well."

A few days earlier, in the Cold Pond secret chamber, Gong Ziyu had instructed Xue Zhongzi and Young Master Xue to place the blueprint into an iron box. He advised them, "The Boundless Flowing Fire blueprint in the Hua Manor Blade Tomb is fake; this is the true Dark Iron blueprint. Place it at the bottom of the Cold Pond, then quickly abandon Xue Manor and head to Yue Manor to join Elder Yue and Jin Fan. Even if Han Yi Ke comes here and sees the already abandoned empty manor, he would never think we would leave the true Boundless Flowing Fire in an unguarded place."

The voice of the guard at the door interrupted Gong Ziyu's thoughts: "Blade Master, the time has come."

Gong Ziyu looked at the gradually darkening sky, where fiery clouds blazed like raging flames, vast and boundless: "It's finally here, this final battle."

On the square before the Blade Master Hall, rows of guards stood ready in full attire, their horns echoing throughout the House of Gong and even the Old Dust Valley.

A long red carpet stretched from the front of the Blade Master Hall to the high platform outside the square, covering the steps. Elder Xue stood on the high platform in his Elder uniform, but Elder Hua and Elder Yue were nowhere to be seen.

Gong Ziyu, dressed in Blade Master robes with his personal knife hanging at his waist, ascended the steps along the red carpet. Wherever he passed, guards on both sides drew their knives. The blades were coated with fuel and ignited, and the guards raised the flaming knives in salute.

In the Blade Master Hall, at the position of Jue Manor, the chair that should have been occupied by Gong Shangjue was now empty, with only Shangguan Qian standing beside it. Opposite her, the chair of the Zhi Manor lord was also vacant. Gong Liushang sat in the seat of the Shang Manor lord, appearing very weak.

Gong Ziyu slowly completed the steps and arrived on the high platform, bowing to Elder Xue.

Shangguan Qian asked the guard beside her, "Why is Lord Gong Shangjue not present?"

The guard replied, "It is said that Young Master Jue is unwell and resting in his room."

"And Young Master Zhi?"

"Young Master Zhi is accompanying Young Master Jue."

Shangguan Qian fell silent, a secret joy stirring within her. Indeed, Gong Shangjue had lost his Inner Force at this moment and needed to recuperate and recover.

Elder Xue took the Blade Master Seal from the treasure tray held by the Yellow Jade Guard and handed it to Gong Ziyu. "This is the Blade Master Seal. Today, it is bestowed upon you. You must devote yourself wholeheartedly to the House of Gong."Gong Ziyu knelt with both hands to receive the Blade Master's seal: "I, Gong Ziyu, vow to dedicate myself wholly to the House of Gong, striving until my last breath."

Gong Ziyu took the Blade Master's seal, turned with a sweep of his sleeve, and raised the seal toward the platform below.

All those gathered below the platform bowed once more to Gong Ziyu, their voices thundering: "We pay our respects to the Blade Master."