Simply Trading

The Hidden Scripture Library was huge.

That was the first impression that he had of the place, and he had to force himself to look away from the stacks and stacks of books, so that he could listen to what Chen Xing had to share with him, as they walked along aisle that led through the same.

"Well, this place is called the Hidden Scripture Library because of an event that took place during the time of the Fourteenth Grandmaster. It seemed his Master had hidden a martial arts manual in here, and sent him and his two elder disciples to go and hunt for them.

"Of course, the prize was that the finder would end up being the new Grandmaster. Needless to say, the Fourteenth Grandmaster managed to solve the riddle and thus win the prize," Chen Xing finished with a soft laugh, as he pointed at the stacks ahead.

"If you are interested, you can look through the old stories part of the bookshelves ahead. The way that it is written is far more fascinating than the crude way that I tell it."

Qin Feng had nodded absently at that, while he took in the sheer number of volumes there were on the ground floor alone. And these weren't even the ones on martial arts! What sort of people would bother to keep so many books on so many different subjects, all in one place?

But he didn't really have a chance to dwell on that. The old man was talking again, and he forced himself to pay attention:

"Don't bother to ask me how many books there are in here, because I have no idea at all. This place has been here ever since the School was founded, and it has gathered more books and tomes with generation that passed through its gates. So it stands to reason that no one can finish reading everything in here."

Chen Xing smiled at him almost indulgently then, as if showing off a great prize to someone who was appreciative of the same. Qin Feng didn't really care. He was just surprised that there could be so many books gathered into one place. Of course, now that he had heard Chen Xing's explanation, it all made sense.

After all, it was easy to see how it was done, since it was the effort of multiple generations.

"Where we are going is on the second floor. That is where all of the common martial arts manuals are kept. Most of them have multiple copies, but you may end up choosing one that is popular, and so you will have to wait for someone to return it first. But no need to worry. There is a strict rule that requires one to return the manuals within two moons."

Then Chen Xing paused, and looked at him with a warning in his eyes. "Don't even think about the third floor. That's the Restricted Section, where only the Inner School disciples - and not all of them, mind you! The most important martial arts books are kept there."

There was a certain reverence when the old man said that. And Qin Feng could feel the respect emanating from Chen Xing. It was rather clear that the old man wanted nothing more than to head up there himself. Well, that was something that he wasn't going to be able to do anything about!

"Enough of that. Come! Let me show you where the stairs are!"

Qin Feng nodded at once. He felt a certain excitement, as soon as he heard that. Wasn't that the reason why he had come to the Heaven Sword School in the first place? The rest of the manuals were just a waste of time for him, but he had to get his hands on the Jade Tree Scripture! That was the one thing that would allow him to match the inner martial arts techniques that he had in his possession!

Still, he couldn't give himself away, he reminded himself, as he did his best to maintain his somewhat nonchalant demeanour. Walking into the Library, he stuck close to Chen Xing, and listened carefully to what the old man had to say:

"There aren't any specific rules regarding the manuals, but some of them, like I said, are a little more popular among the new Outer School disciples. So, you might not find any remaining copies here. However, all of them are suitable for improving your qi and your body, until you complete the Foundation stage and bring yourself up to the Basic, or Qi Accumulation, Realm.

That meants the manuals that would be suitable for you are only good for the next year or so. After that, you should have already progressed to the Qi Accumulation Realm, and will need a new Breathing technique."

Qin Feng simply nodded, acknowledging the old man's words. But he only looked over some of the manuals while Chen Xing was there beside him. After all, he didn't want to let the old man see what sort of Foundation martial art manual he was going to pick.

Of course, there was a possibility that the School had already lost their copy of the Jade Tree Sixteen Breathing Exercises. Or that someone else had already borrowed it. Or it might have been rated more highly than expected, over the years, and placed in the Restricted Section. But he doubted that it would be the case.

Foundational manuals didn't stay with the ones who borrowed them very long, since most would rush through that level of training. Not to mention, there were a lot more easier techniques that would give a similar result. So, most of the disciples of the Heaven Sword School would likely take up one of the others, and leave this particular one alone.

Hopefully.

There were other disciples in the Library, and some of them were clad in the dark blue over-robes that marked them as Inner School disciples. Which meant that everyone else moved out of the way where they walked. But they didn't seem to put on any airs, and nodded their thanks to those that moved aside.

Well, those who bothered to pay attention to their surroundings, that is. There were many disciples, both in the dark blue and grey robes alike, who were so engrossed in what they were reading that Qin Feng doubted that they even knew if it was day or night!

So he judiciously decided to stay well away from that lot. They were likely to be trouble, if they had their reading disturbed.

Then Chen Xing waved a gnarled hand at a corner of the ground floor, and he noticed the stairwell that had been hidden behind the rows and rows of bookshelves at last. Immediately, he could feel his own heartbeat accelerate from anticipation!

"Come on then. Let us go up and pick out your new martial arts manuals."

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