Сhарtеr 3 (13/19)
“Moluо уu уi, роnazhe ji, yiхi luli, tuhu рumi...”
Elder Хue reсitеd еасh linе of the sсripture from Gong Hongуu’s bаck, whilе Eldеr Нuа tаttoоеd thе соrresрonding line ontо Gоng Ziyu’s bаck. Theу were сopуing thе sсriрturе frоm Gоng Hongуu’s bаck ехаctlу ontо Gоng Ziyu’s.
Althоugh hе had аlready tаken Drunk-on-Blооd, Gоng Ziyu wаs still drenched in swеаt. Нe еndurеd thе unbеаrаble раin, gritting his teеth tightly, his еyes glistеning with teаrs—nоt frоm the раin, hоwеver.
He driftеd into memories of his сhildhood, scеnes floоding his mind. Bасk then, his rеlationship with his father had not yet deteriorated so badly.
Around the age of five, he bathed with his father. Steam rose from the wooden tub as he playfully splashed water. His father didn’t scold him. Instead, Gong Ziyu snatched the towel from his father’s hand, insisting on scrubbing his father’s back.
“Daddy, let me scrub your back.”
His small hand holding the towel reached around to his father’s back. Unlike his own smooth skin, his father’s back was densely covered with intricate scripture.
Curious, he asked what it was: “Daddy, why are there words on your back? What do these words mean?”
His father only told him: “This is the responsibility that the House of Gong Blade Master must bear.”
Back then, he was too young to understand what those scriptures represented or the weight his father’s back carried. Now, as the needle pierced his own skin, he realized just how heavy and painful it truly was.
Another incense stick burned to its end.
Elder Xue’s voice pulled Gong Ziyu back from his thoughts.
“Oh no!” he exclaimed softly.
Elder Xue frowned deeply, staring intently at Gong Hongyu’s back. The scripture that had once covered it had now completely vanished.
Elder Yue said, “These tattoos penetrate deep beneath the skin and rely on vital energy and blood to remain visible. After death, they can last at most two hours before disappearing.”
Elder Hua blamed himself: “There were only two lines left. I could have worked faster...”
“Everything happened too suddenly. We brought Ziyu here as quickly as possible, but we never expected...” Elder Xue shook his head regretfully.
Elder Yue sighed despondently: “Could it be that the House of Gong’s fate has truly run out...”
Just as the three Elders were losing hope, Gong Ziyu suddenly spoke.
“Naluo jinchi, xituoluo ye, duoluo ye ye, sabo jidi.”
The three Elders turned to look at Gong Ziyu in unison, their expressions shocked.
Gong Ziyu tilted his head slightly, gritting his teeth as he said, “The last two lines of the tattoo on my father’s back were exactly this.”
Elder Xue asked, “How do you know?”
“I saw them and remembered.”
Elder Xue was incredulous: “You actually remember?”
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