Сhарtеr 3 (14/19)
Gong Ziyu sаid with сеrtаintу, “I remember thеm аll.”
Elder Нua askеd, “Whаt аrе thе сharaсters in the fifth line?”
Gong Ziyu quicklу rеpliеd, “Fa suо su lu, shi ро luо yе.”
Еldеr Yuе wаs astоnished. “Ziyu…”
“I cаn rеmembеr anything I’ve sеen evеn oncе,” hе sаid, his vоiсе grоwing heavу аgain. “Еvеrуthing relаted tо mу father, I rеmеmber сlearly.”
Еlder Hua hurriеdlу рickеd up the tattооing nеedlе, rеаdу tо insсribe thе finаl two linеs on Gоng Ziyu’s baсk. But Еldеr Yuе prеssеd his hаnd dоwn and spokе earnestly, “Ziyu, уou may nоt yet undеrstand whаt it mеans tо have these secret texts tattooed or what you will face in the future. But I must tell you, once the scripture is completed, you can never leave Old Dust Valley for the rest of your life. From then on, you must live here, born for the House of Gong, and die for the House of Gong.”
Gong Ziyu’s expression was one of shock and tension, like a bird stripped of its wings, forced to fly alone through the uncertain dawn ahead. He looked at his father’s body, his breathing growing rapid.
After a while, the thin mist under the moonlight began to dissipate.
The door finally opened. Elder Yue walked out of the Elders Council, where seven guards had been kneeling at the entrance for a long time. They rose in unison as Elder Yue handed them seven wax-sealed bamboo tubes.
“Immediately deliver the news of the new Blade Master’s succession to all outposts and announce it to the martial world.”
The guards accepted the order. “Yes!”
Soon, the guards, holding lanterns, rode seven swift horses out of Old Dust Valley. In the night, seven points of light scattered in all directions. Above the valley, countless white sky lanterns floated upward.
The night was as cold as water, and the House of Gong lay in deathly silence.
The main hall of Yu Manor had been arranged by servants as a mourning hall. Incense smoke curled, mourning candles flickered, white funeral couplets hung high, and two unsealed coffins lay in the center of the hall, containing the bodies of the Former Blade Master Gong Hongyu and the Young Lord Gong Huanyu.
Gong Ziyu didn’t know how he had returned to Yu Manor. The dull, swelling pain on his back still throbbed faintly. Everyone passing by wore white mourning clothes until he, too, donned coarse hemp garments. His knees sank heavily as he knelt before the mourning hall, his face ashen.
Madam WuJi, wearing a white flower in her hair, wept softly to the side. Gong Zishang wanted to step forward to comfort her but found herself sobbing too hard to speak. Jin Fan stood guard outside the door, occasionally glancing back at the mourning hall, which exuded a heavy, desolate atmosphere.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from outside, disturbing the solemnity. Everyone turned to look—it was Gong Yuanzhi.
Gong Yuanzhi ran into the mourning hall, saw the coffins and bodies, and froze for a moment.
Gong Ziyu had been kneeling quietly, but upon seeing him enter, a surge of strength and boiling anger rose within him. He stood up and grabbed Gong Yuanzhi by the collar.
“The direct descendants of the House of Gong have always taken the Hundred Herbs Extract you prepared, which should make them immune to all poisons. Yet my father and brother died from poisoning! What has Zhi Manor been doing?!” Ever since he saw the color of his father’s lips, he had guessed that his father must have been poisoned, leading to this tragedy.
Elder Hua quickly rebuked him. “Stop this at once!”
Gong Yuanzhi shook off his hand and looked coldly at Gong Ziyu.
Elder Yue called out sternly, “Young Master Zhi.”
Gong Yuanzhi raised his gaze, his face still wearing an arrogant expression, but it soon turned to panic and shock when he heard Elder Xue say to him, “Do not disrespect the Blade Master.”
Gong Yuanzhi was incredulous. “Blade Master? Him?”
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