It had been awhile since he had last passed through Xing Xing Pavilion’s walls. To be precise: since Tian Han’s health needed inspecting. Stepping even one foot into the entrance hall had attention locked to him.
Fu Ran didn’t think he stood out that much, but when he was such a rare sight to see, everyone turned to look at him as he entered. He didn’t like coming here for this reason. The weight of eyes means nothing to a practiced Peak Master, he lied to himself, At least it is better than the auction hall. Lips slipped into a grin as he walked poised passed dozens and dozens of people. They chattered back and forth like usual.
“What does walking calamity want in Xing Xing Pavilion?” The library.
“Where is Master Fu going?” The library.
“Why is he here? Is he even permitted?” The library. And yes, I am allowed to be here!!
Practiced or not, one could tolerate only so much condemnation without feeling isolated. He grimaced each time he heard disciples talking about him. These disciples are certainly bold when their Shizun aren’t with them! At least the Peak Master’s didn’t outwardly gossip, Fu Ran thought.
No, actually some definitely did do that. It was only in the presence of the Peak Elder Yi Yang that no one dared to commit such acts of rudeness towards a fellow master.
Fu Ran sighed as he entered the courtyard. He squinted as the sun bounded off the bright whites. Normally this would have caused most people to become awe-struck by the sight alone. The entire courtyard had been paved with pearly white cobblestones, so pristine and clean that one could doubt they were ever walked on. The buildings that encircled the courtyard had been made of white and golden stone, with intricate designs carved into the outsides. The sun had glimmered off the gold decorations, creating a dazzling display of light and color. It was blinding.
In the very center was a fancy square building with exits on three of the four sides. It was massive and imposing with large pillars surrounding double doors.
This was the library and records hall, and Fu Ran’s destination. The outside was full of visitors, and disciples even hung around the stairs leading to the entryway. On the steps were groups of young teenagers with books on their laps and stacks of even more to their sides.
Girls had decided to sit on the little stretch of flower speckled grass that wrapped around the library, while boys stood around in small clusters around the white courtyard. It was busy today. Luckily there seemed to be no masters in sight.
Fu Ran walked past stacks of books and children as he made his way to the gilded door. He planted his hands flat on the white painted wood and pushed. With a creak he was enveloped in a wave of cooler air. Now more than ever, Fu Ran thought that Shesui Lang was so lucky. Books weren’t meant for sweltering heat, so various spiritual items or arrays had been set up over the library in an attempt to keep it regulated. Xingti Pavilion was being cooked at this time of day.
The library and records hall was always a pleasure to visit, because it was well cleaned and maintained. Despite heavy traffic, it didn’t look worn down even after all these years.
Fu Ran first saw these halls 15 years ago when he was taken into An Xian Yun Peak, and they hadn't aged. Perhaps it was because of Shesui Lang’s meticulous micromanagement. If the building was left in any other state, Shesui Lang would be having an external breakdown. Every disciple, master, and worker within the walls would have suffered his tantrums should a single book be out of place.
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The halls leading to the library were packed, even on a slow day.
“Fu Shibo, is there something that you need?” A woman called to him as soon as he stepped through the front door. The call gave him a fright since he hadn't been given a title like that in a few years now.
The soft voice belonged to a short young girl with brown hair done up in braids. Big round glasses covered her brown eyes, and the rest of her facial features were pretty normal. Fu Ran felt some shame that her name had escaped his mind. He simply didn’t visit enough to know her.
“L-Looking for books fit for brand new disciples.”
She smiled and opened a large book that took up the width of the entire return desk. When it flopped open with a thud, puffs of dust came up with it. Ah, it was THE book of the library and records hall.
Avoiding dust is impossible with things this ancient, Fu Ran wore a look of pity as the particles completely obscured her view.
The writing in the book was astonishingly small, but the librarian read it with ease. “It looks like a lot of them were recently returned, so you should see them restocked in the disciple’s section. The one’s in the Peak Master’s zone might be a little complex for a new recruit.” She spoke so pleasantly and clear that it was refreshing, compared to his initial thoughts of coming to the library.
Shesui Lang used to manage the front, but it seemed that most of his old disciples decided to remain working here. And dutiful they were.
After Fu Ran was quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time, she asked, “Do you need me to show you around?”
He stiffened and waved, his sleeve obscuring his hands. “No no! This master is perfectly fine with searching on his own!”
“I hope I did not offend.” She bowed. “I am aware that you don’t visit often, so should you find yourself needing any aid… Don’t hesitate to call me!”
“Um. Yes, of course,” he stammered.
Fu Ran was thankful to escape what must have been one of Shesui Lang’s past disciples. Why does he always have a habit of picking up the nicest children? And how did Shesui Shixiong and his bad manners always produce the most attentive and thoughtful young adults? he thought.
His eyebrows furrowed thinking of his martial brother. I would rather not see him today.
The halls were expansive and once he entered into the library there were signs designating different locations. The main hall was for disciples, distinguished apart by the fact that it was double layered with smaller shelving. The upper level wrapped around like a balcony overlooking the bottom floor.
In the far distance, another hall held the word “Master” above it.
Because of the massive archway opening separating the two areas, the bookshelves could be seen. They stretched tall to the ceiling from the floor, much bigger than the one here, and were packed in with more books than what could be read in a mortal lifetime. There wasn’t much need to visit that side of the library.
The first level of the disciple’s library was near empty, aside from a few young children who sat together at tables. They chose the better option of focusing on their studies inside. With their noses pressed into books, not a single disciple looked to him as he passed. When his gaze wandered to the upper level, there was less reading happening. Instead girls and boys propped on the railings and talked. He decided to head to the upper level so as to not disturb the diligent workings.
Fu Ran preferred the upper areas anyways, as it was most quiet. That was the usual anyway. Today was filled with gossip no matter where he went. There wasn't much space for the words to spread so Fu Ran heard them clearly.
A teenage boy laughed and gossiped, “What do you think really happened with this year's new disciples? There was barely any, right?” A boy sat on the railing and repeatedly leaned back and forth, threatening to fall right off onto the bookshelves on the first floor. Showing off for the girl at his side, he occasionally leaned further back than he should have, still managing to catch himself.
Fu Ran felt slightly annoyed at both the display and the spoken words. He stopped nearly at the top of the stairs.
The girl had her lower back against the railing, and she leaned towards the boy with a shy giggle. “I don’t know but I heard that it could have been planned by one of the other Peak Masters. I just know that it wasn’t my Shizun. She’s too kind.”
“Agreed, Agreed, Feng Shibo doesn’t seem the type. But it certainly wasn’t my Shizun either.” They threw back words of accusation like it wasn’t an event that just recently happened.
Of course, word of rumor would spread in under two months, the entirety of An Xian Yun Peak must be wondering why there were no more than 15 new disciples this year.
“I bet it was the “Master of Calamity.” I overheard Shizun and Master He talking about it.” The boy’s words sent a reactionary wave of goosebumps over Fu Ran’s body. His breath hitched.