Books of profound meaning

Back to Li Zhen, he walked through the sprawling outer sect library, its towering shelves looming over him like ancient sentinels. The dim light filtering through the tall windows cast long shadows, giving the space an almost otherworldly ambiance. He moved with purpose, navigating the labyrinth of books and scrolls, searching for anything that could illuminate the current time.

Just as Li Zhen was about to delve deeper into the shadows of the library, an unexpected presence made itself known. From the dim recesses of the library, an old man emerged—his appearance as enigmatic as the library itself.

The man's long, silver beard and robes, threadbare yet majestic, gave him an aura of timeless wisdom. His eyes, sharp and penetrating, seemed to see beyond the surface of things.

"Ah, Young Master Li," the old man's voice broke the silence, smooth and layered with age-old authority. "You seek something,do you not?"

Li Zhen halted, his gaze fixed on the old man. There was a moment of charged stillness before he responded. "Indeed. I need information about our history"

Past it been a long time since anyone came to me inquiring about the past, The old man's eyes flickered with a glimmer of amusement, as if he had anticipated this very encounter. Allow me to guide you. old man led Li Zhen through a series of winding corridors, their walls adorned with faded tapestries and ancient symbols. The air grew denser, filled with the scent of old paper and ink. They arrived at a concealed chamber, its entrance guarded by heavy wooden doors inscribed with cryptic runes.

With a deliberate motion, the old man pushed open the doors, revealing a hidden sanctum of ancient records. Scrolls and manuscripts lay in meticulously organized chaos, their age and significance apparent. He gestured towards a section of the room where large volumes were arranged in an almost reverent order.

"This should be what you need," the old man said, showing the books to Li Zhen.

"It's the history of the sect and our mortal realm, written in great detail. If anything recent has happened, it will be here."

Li Zhen took the book with a nod of thanks, his fingers brushing over the worn cover, feeling the weight of time held within.

As the old man turned to leave, he paused for a moment, his gaze distant. "I've spent many years here. When you've seen as many faces as I have, you begin to notice patterns... You remind me of someone I met long ago, searching for answers in these very halls."

Li Zhen's brow furrowed slightly. "Someone like me?"

What does he mean someone like me , it looks like there is someone else who came here to learn, whatever it must be just coincidence.

Without waiting for a response, he shuffled back into the shadows of the towering shelves, leaving Li Zhen alone with the weight of the book—and the curious words that now echoed in his mind.

*******

The Southern Gate of Blue Dragon Peak loomed against the horizon, casting long shadows over the mountain path. The silence was thick, broken only by the soft rustle of wind through the trees. Inside the hall, an elder dressed in an immaculate blue and white hanfu sipped tea from a small, delicate cup. His gaze, however, was sharp, fixed on the young man kneeling before him.

"Wei Qing," the elder's voice was calm, yet carried a weight that made the air heavy. "Do you know why I summoned you?"

Wei Qing, his head lowered, fists clenched in frustration, remained silent for a moment. The shame he felt was palpable. He had always stood tall, but now, in front of his master, he felt smaller than ever.

"Master, I…" His voice faltered as he forced out the words. "I apologize. This disciple has brought shame upon you."

The elder placed his teacup down, the clink of porcelain on wood echoing ominously in the room. His eyes narrowed, the disappointment evident, like a blade cutting through the space between them.

"Wei Qing, as the heir of the Long family, as my successor on Blue Dragon Peak, how could you allow yourself to be so distracted by worldly desires? Striving for success is one thing, but losing yourself to emotion… that is the path of the weak."

Wei Qing's body tensed, his hands tightening into fists on his lap. Every word from his master was like a strike to his core, each one deepening the sense of failure in his heart. He had trained for years, become stronger than anyone in his generation. Yet now, before his master, he was being chastised like a child.

"Master, I know I am at fault," he said, his voice shaking with the effort to remain composed. "But… I cannot give up on Junior Sister. She's been with me since we entered the sect. I've watched her grow, her talent unmatched. If I allow someone like Li Zhen to approach her, to taint her with his filthy hands…" His voice cracked, emotion bleeding through his composure.

"Master, I cannot stand by and watch."

The moment he finished speaking, a powerful aura descended upon him. The pressure was immediate, suffocating. Wei Qing's breath hitched in his throat as though the very air had been ripped from his lungs. His body trembled under the immense force of his master's spiritual power, which bore down on him like an iron weight.

"Master…" he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper. Pain surged through him, his shoulders quivering, and his knees buckled under the invisible force.

The elder's expression darkened, his disappointment now tangible in the thick atmosphere. "You speak of your feelings, Wei Qing. But have you forgotten who you are? You are not a mere boy chasing after love. You are the future of Blue Dragon Peak. A swordsman. Do not let your heart blind you."

Wei Qing's vision blurred as he struggled to remain upright under the weight of his master's anger. He had endured countless trials, faced danger many times over, but never had he felt so small, so helpless. His master's words cut deeper than any sword.

"Leave," the elder's voice was cold, commanding.

"Until you have mastered your heart, you are not fit to speak of honor or power."

The oppressive aura faded as swiftly as it had come, and Wei Qing collapsed forward, gasping for breath. His body shook, the shame and anger boiling inside him. He had failed—again. He rose slowly, casting one last glance at his master, whose back was already turned to him.

As he left the hall, guilt gnawed at his insides, but the anger remained. Li Zhen. That name burned in his mind.

"I won't let him take her. I'll fix this. I won't fail again," Wei Qing muttered under his breath, his resolve hardening into something colder, darker.

Behind him, the elder watched his disciple leave, a flicker of sadness passing over his ancient features.

"Wei Qing… you've grown, but you still do not understand. Your heart will be your downfall." He sighed, looking out towards the distant horizon, where the storm was already brewing.

"And that Li Zhen brat… I've tolerated his presence for quite some time now." His fingers drummed lightly on the table, each tap echoing through the stillness of the hall.

"But from what I hear, he handled the situation remarkably well. Uncharacteristically calm for someone so young… so defiant."

The elder's eyes narrowed, a spark of curiosity mingling with the frustration in his tone. "Unexpected, indeed. Perhaps I've underestimated him."

As the echoes of the elder's words faded, Li Zhen in the library, the weight of unanswered questions pressing upon him. The dusty shelves stood as silent sentinels, holding secrets of a world he barely understood.