20. Recognition
Even after all this time, Ghost Lord Nine still remembered.
Back then, a much younger Gong Muzhi, heavily pregnant, stood before the gates of Qian Yue Academy and said,
“Huaiqiu is being questioned today because of me. If I don’t go and save him, he will surely die.” Her sword pointed at the academy’s plaque.
“I can’t let my unborn child lose his father so young. At worst, the three of us will die together, a complete family.”
“Big Sister, if you really want to go in,” Ghost Lord Nine couldn’t help but say, “I’ll lead my brothers and flatten this Qian Yue Academy!”
“No.” Gong Muzhi turned, a hint of apology in her smile.
“This is my personal matter. I can’t involve the entire Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace, nor can I bear to see you die because of my selfishness. That’s not the kind of unrestrained freedom I believe in.”
“But Palace Master—”
“If I die, you can go to the Northern Territory and find Gong Musheng. As long as they’re from the Gong family, they’re qualified to succeed me as the Palace Master of the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace. And I believe she won’t refuse.”
“And Old Ghost, remember, this isn’t a suggestion. It’s an order. An order you must obey as long as you’re a member of the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace.”
And in the end, on Gong Muzhi’s command, not a single person from the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace attacked Qian Yue Academy. Her solo infiltration to rescue someone was a personal act, with no connection to any organization.
But until she fought her way out, even leaving her newborn daughter behind and falling off a cliff to survive, Qin Huaiqiu never appeared.
After that, although Gong Muzhi eventually returned to the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace, Ghost Lord Nine and the others could see that although her injuries had healed, she was left with a deep emotional scar, a profound aversion to the past.
She even went out of her way to cause trouble for anyone who practiced the Sword Control Technique, her attitude towards the Returning Heaven Sect becoming extremely hostile.
Now, if Ghost Lord Nine could see what was happening to his Big Sister’s earth puppet, he would surely exclaim—My dear grandmother, you two really know how to push each other’s buttons! Unbelievable!
Of course, Gong Yiling and the uncle were unaware of the true reason for Gong Muzhi’s rage.
Gong Muzhi let out a low growl, then flashed before the uncle, unleashing a flurry of blows on his head.
Yes, a true warrior didn’t need any weapons or techniques. Her fists were the most terrifying weapon.
After being slapped a dozen times, the uncle finally started to fight back.
His lazy and carefree demeanor vanished, and the surrounding grass and trees became his weapons. Anything long and sharp could be used as a sword.
These “swords,” under his control, surrounded Gong Muzhi. A single opening, and she would be killed instantly.
Of course, Gong Muzhi was no pushover.
A powerful demonic aura erupted from her, repelling the swords and transforming into a pure, raw force, as if she were venting all her anger on this seemingly unrelated man who had taught her daughter the Sword Control Technique.
This was the one thing she couldn’t tolerate. How dare anyone promote this technique to her precious daughter? This was her absolute taboo.
A taboo born from a fantasy she couldn’t speak of.
But even with her fierce attacks, the man’s lonely and terrifying sword intent, at least at the seventh level of Sword Heart, allowed him to hold his own, even though he was on the defensive.
Moreover, this earth puppet had a limited time. If she couldn’t end this quickly, it would crumble.
So, although she didn’t want to reveal her identity, she had no choice but to use her full power.
With a focused gaze and a flash of white light, Gong Muzhi’s personal sword, the Ling Yuan Chi, appeared in her hand.
However, the moment he saw this sword, the uncle froze.
This momentary hesitation not only disrupted his concentration, causing him to lose control of the swords, but also made him completely forget he was in a life-or-death duel.
So, the next moment, the sword pierced through his chest.
“You?” Gong Muzhi hadn’t expected it to be so easy. She hadn’t even used any special techniques, just a simple thrust.
Her anger subsided, replaced by confusion.
But the scruffy, disheveled man before her asked, his voice trembling, “Are you… are you… Zhi’er?”
Their eyes met.
A mixture of shock and an indescribable emotion flickered between them.
It was a feeling of seeing a ghost, as if they had traveled back in time, to a time of flowers and moonlight, of a carefree life, as if they were not as they were now, but… in a more familiar form.
Of course, Miss Gong, who had been watching the whole show from the sidelines, almost wanting to shout “take your fight to the dance studio,” was completely stunned.
The moment the uncle called out “Zhi’er,” she understood.
Her father in this world had always been a Schrödinger’s cat.
As long as she believed her mother wasn’t a parthenogenesis enthusiast, or that she wasn’t just picked up from a dumpster, then she must have a father.
As for where he was, whether he was alive or dead—no one knew.
And now, she was almost certain that this scruffy uncle she had randomly met in a cave was her biological father.
—Although this reunion was a bit… hardcore. So hardcore that they were practically trying to kill each other.
But before they could react, several powerful figures appeared nearby.
After all, the demonic energy Gong Muzhi had unleashed had crossed the detection barrier’s red line. If these law enforcers couldn’t even handle this, they might as well go home and feed the pigs.
But these people… had a terrible sense of timing!
