Who Would’ve Thought (2)
Even though Huang Yuzao had his sword aimed at Gongsun Chu’s throat, every time he tried to force it forward an extra inch, it’d start splintering from the tip.
Gongsun Chu stated, “You defeated even nature. How could I be an exception?”
The superior swordsman had been undisputedly determined, same with the stronger swordsman.
Gongsun Chu never used internal energy. His previous victory against Huang Yuzao now seemed to be but a fluke. Whether it was strategy or swordplay, he was the loser today, forcing him to rely on brute strength. Huang Yuzao crumbled do the ground similarly to his sword. After all, he was already on wobbly legs. The wooden chips that Gongsun Chu made with his true qi rained down as if to symbolise Huang Yuzao’s end.
Due to the lack of light in the underground palace, the shadows cast on Gongsun Chu’s face gave him the aura of a dispirited man. Gazing at the man on the ground, he, in a low voice, said, “Yu Sihe uses Principle of Six Swordplay better than I do.” There wasn’t any bitterness in his raspy voice.
“From what I know, he was devoted solely to teaching and growing Confucianism’s branch. The only time he bore his fangs was during the internal power struggle. He deserves to be praised as a leader of Confucianism. Only his version of Principle of Six Swordplay is worthy of being passed down.” Gongsun Chu raised his wooden sword and imbued it with true qi to sharpen the blade. “But he still died, didn’t he?”
Huang Yuzao lifted his heavy head to look into his enemy’s eyes. He didn’t find any emotion in Gongsun Chu’s eyes. It was as though he was the one who consumed a “love is pain” pill instead of Gongsun Chu.
Recognising the inquisitive gaze, Gongsun Chu answered, “Yu Sihe didn’t die in a fair duel. He lost his life to an assassination plot. His Principle of Six Swordplay beat mine, but he was the one who died. Here I am standing in front of his disciple today. You learnt your shifu’s swordplay, but you will forfeit your life. It intrigues me. Did you never learn your lesson?”
“You lost your principles.” There was no quit in Huang Yuzao’s gaze.
The staredown was practically a third match that resembled their rematch – silent, yet intense.
“Is it because you’re afraid of death?” questioned Huang Yuzao, genuinely curious. “Do you spout this sort of nonsense because you fear death? My shifu died to someone’s subterfuge, not because he was wrong. He couldn’t avoid the blade that took his life, but he lived a just life. Mayhap only a few people remember him, but those who do remember him will never forget him. I’m not losing my life today because I’m wrong; I just couldn’t beat you. Your principles will never prevail. As its creator, you should know what the nature of Principle of Six Swordplay, so why would someone who controls their temper approve of the fallacy? Is death truly so frightening?”
“…” Gongsun Chu’s loneliness stemmed from the fact that he didn’t feel anyone understood how he felt. “This sky and this earth, both of them are in disorder. I peered down from above the clouds, dove deeper and deeper under the ocean, watched birds fall towards the sky and fish fall out of the water surface. The order is wrong.”
Gongsun Chu cracked a forlorn smile. “What principle is there?”
Huang Yuzao possessed enough self-awareness to know that he couldn’t convince somebody so smart and stubborn. How would he undo a belief Gongsun Chu held on to for a century within a few sentences?
“Who killed my shifu?” The reason for the duel had changed. More importantly, the culprit was still unidentified, so Huang Yuzao pressed on. “Since you knew that letter would be convincing bait, you must know the details. At least tell me the truth before you kill me.”
“A will of steel and stubbornness even in death, you truly are Yu Sihe’s disciple.” Gongsun Chu rested his sword on Huang Yuzao’s shoulder. “Were His Majesty still alive, I’d endorse you. You’d have a good opportunity to realise your goals and even succeed me.”
“His Majesty has already allowed me to carry out my goals.”
“Indeed, your Emperor has given you the chance already.” Gongsun Chu lost motivation to settle personal vendettas long ago. If Emperor Yuansheng was useful to his goal, Gongsun Chu would spare him. “As for your question, I can’t answer it. We have some deals between us. I can’t betray him until I have the person I need from him.”
Huang Yuzao clenched his teeth and lowered his head.
“We have the final result yet?” Ming Feizhen got up, yawned and scratched his belly as he asked, “I’ve finished my nap, and you’re still going?’
Gongsun Chu smiled. “There’s no rush. I’ll kill you one by one. You’re next after him.”
“That’s certainly very Gongsun Chu of you.” Ming Feizhen flipped his palms face up. “But what makes you believe I’m history?”
“You’re not the type to sit around counting down his final moments. All that attitude from before must be because you’re waiting for help. I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. You were able to access the bronze palace because you unlocked ’Pain of Parting’ from inside while others unlocked ‘Speechless’ from outside. What you don’t know, is that the path that’s accessible after unlocking ‘Speechless’ leads straight to the two big rocks where ‘Pain of Parting’ is. I’m sure you’ve seen all the traps there already.”
“Yeah, it is pretty dangerous.”
“If your saviours barge in, their corpses are most likely there.”
“Oh really? Tsk, tsk, tsk, man, my luck with people.”
Gongsun Chu furrowed his brows. “What do you mean?”
Ming Feizhen picked up the sword that pierced his shoulder to file his fingernails and check their shape. “Nothing. Conversation requires response, doesn’t it?”
Frankly, Gongsun Chu was sick of Ming Feizhen’s mind games. Ming Feizhen surprised him each time, admittedly, but he wasn’t convinced Ming Feizhen still had any trump cards.
“Of course, if someone does come to my rescue, they might ignore everything to search your wife’s coffin for treasures.”
Gongsun Chu instantly aimed his sword at Ming Feizhen, prompting Ming Feizhen to straighten up as if a teacher caught him slacking off in class.
“Didn’t I just mention I have a helper? I’d be careful if I were you.”
He’s not referring to Huang Yuzao?
“Don’t kid me now. How could Uncle Huang help me in that state? My helper is dangerous, man.”
“Hah, and where is he? Call him out.”
“Uh, I-I don’t want him to scare you.”
Gongsun Chu simpered. “Now I’m even more curious. Call him out.”
Watching Gongsun Chu encroach step by step, Ming Feizhen frantically voiced, “I’ll count down from three, and he’ll come out. Three, two… hey, wait!”
“Where is he?”
“Just wait a bit.”
Gongsun Chu started channelling qi into his sword. “I’m wasting my time with you. I don’t care how many helpers you have. I’ll kill them all. Now die!”
As soon as Gongsun Chu raised his sword, he heard, “Would you really have the guts to fight me if I come out? You sure?”
Gongsun Chu freaked out.
He suddenly showed up in the centre of the platform, carrying a man in one hand. Despite his appearance being shrouded in the darkness, Gongsun Chu would never forget the voice.
“Tianhu!” For the first time, Gongsun Chu felt that he was not in control.
Tianhu mindlessly threw the man in his hand on the ground and thumped his own shoulders. “I lost track of you while I was following you. Thankfully, a couple of nice guys wandering around mentioned a boulder blocking the way and there being a whole bunch of contraptions inside for capturing idiots, so I helped them break everything.”
“… But there was a stone wall…”
“That mound of dirt? I just put a hole in it, hahaha.”
While the wall wasn’t some solid-godly material, it was still ridiculous for a human to punch a hole through it.
“Ahahaha, Brother Tianhu, you came just at the right time. Do a good job, and I’ll wash your hair with one bowl less of manure.”
“…” For the first time, Tianhu couldn’t find it in himself to laugh.
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