Chapter 33: No More Politics
I spent a sleepless night in the library, with my only company being the librarian and the old man dozing off in a chair. There wasn't much talking or joking around like we usually did. The tension in the air was palpable, and there was nothing that could ease it.
"By the way, next time, can you give me less vague instructions during lessons? I almost died out there," I said, recalling how the realization that I could use the trees as points had been such a last-second discovery.
But the librarian frowned, "What are you talking about?"
"You know, how I could use four points anywhere and should look around and anything that could substitute for a ritual to activate an array," I explained.
"Oh, you used the trees as points? That's nice, but what I had been talking about in the library was the pillars that hold this library up. Or even the chairs and bookshelves being used as the four points of the Bind Array. Though of course, the pillars would be best since they were strong enough that it would be difficult to break them," he continued with his lesson, and I listened attentively.
He made a good teacher, explaining many small details about certain Level 1 barriers. He even criticized me on some points about how I could have used a different chant to make the Bind stronger since last night was a full moon.
"By the way, what about Elder Rong?" I asked. "Will he become a trouble in the future?"
"I think you should worry more about whether your cousins cared enough to deal with the grandson," the librarian shook his head like a disappointed parent. "Elder Rong is a man who will die soon, he just doesn't want to be graceful about it. He wants to break through past Foundation Establishment and reach the next stage. He probably won't come after you and cause trouble, since a conflict with your clan would only take time out of his already limited supply. He would rather use that time to do something useful."
That made sense. Even if someone has lived over a century, if they had the wealth of an inner elder and the power like that, no doubt someone would want to live even longer. I was more used to old people caring about their grandsons or granddaughters, but in this world, maybe such a long life made people have a different perspective on things.
"Can you tell me more about this Elder Rong?" I inquired because there was nothing better to do, and learning about someone who might end up becoming an enemy in the future didn't sound like a bad idea.
"Well, for one, if he were to go after anyone, then it would be your relatives in the inner sect," he laid that point out there before walking up to one of the chairs and sitting down. A frown furrowed his brows as he leaned back on the chair. "When I was younger, Elder Rong was already an inner elder and younger. There were rumors that he was quite talented. A hard worker too, if said rumors of his youth are to be believed. Some said he would become the next Core Elder. However, he took a step back once he became a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and enjoyed life, having had over twenty wives, dozens of children, and hundreds of grandchildren."
He explained many things about how Elder Rong was much friendlier in his younger years, and the only downside was that he used to indulge his descendants with anything they wanted. He was a big spender, but as an inner elder, his spirit stones rarely ran out despite his lavish expenditures.
However, in the last decade or so, things started to change as the man entered the final phase of his life. At the time, he had only been a six-star Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he had little wealth saved to purchase the expensive resources needed for rapid advancement.
This all sounded uncomfortably familiar to me, and a chill crawled up my spine. "How confident are you that Elder Rong won't resort to practicing demonic techniques to advance his cultivation?"
It was a xianxia clich in these scenarios, where the person in power would use demonic techniques or pills to advance. That would be dangerous as hell.
"That's impossible. The sect keeps a close watch on such matters. Everyone keeps each other's powers in check, as too many sects were destroyed that way," he smiled. "If you read some of the texts from the Century of Darkness on the third floor, you'll find that it was a common practice for the Poison Demon Saint to deal with rival sects by tempting the people in power."
Just then, a soft gust of wind brushed by, which was unusual as the library was surrounded by arrays designed to prevent such occurrences. A white flash flew in and landed on the librarian's shoulder: a paper origami figure that emitted a soft whistle before bursting into flames.
A smile graced the librarian's face. "Well, it seems like your cousins and clan do care for you. Or maybe your grandfather would have caused quite a stir if you weren't looked after. It's either one of those or perhaps a bit of both."
I slumped into one of the wooden chairs and let out a sigh of relief. "Finally, this ordeal is over."
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I had no idea what was happening in the inner sect, but this entire situation had blindsided me. I was relieved that it had been resolved in a matter of days, although it felt like weeks had passed waiting for a response or for the inner disciple to arrive at the library's doors.
"I wouldn't be so quick to feel relieved," the librarian cautioned, dampening the mood once again. "After all, I doubt you will be the only one whose person they put in charge who will either end up dead or with their cultivation shattered. The elders will send a replacement spy for whoever they're trying to surveil, and they will dispatch another inner disciple to monitor you, just to save face."
I gazed around at the shelves of the first floor and briefly entertained the notion of staying here, reading and training indefinitely.
Yes, I was momentarily ignoring reality.
Finally, I snapped back to reality and posed the dreaded question, "What are the chances of this being yet another arrogant fool sent here?"
The librarian tapped his finger on the desk, pondering before finally reaching a conclusion and nodding. "Higher than normal, that's for sure. All the inner elders will send people they trust to keep an eye on things, which usually means their descendants. It depends on your luck whether your partner ends up being some arrogant bastard or not."
"Damn it," I groaned and laid my head on the cold table.
"I know your opinion might be skewed due to your... experiences. But some inner elders raised their descendants right and didn't spoil them rotten," the librarian attempted to reassure me, though it felt like empty promises.
Just as I was about to voice my complaint, a small twitch appeared on the librarian's lips, which he tried to cover with a fake cough. Then he looked me straight in the eyes with the most serious expression he could muster.
Was this guy messing with me? No, that couldn't be it. The old goat was more likely to joke around, while the librarian I knew was the serious, no-nonsense type.
I straightened up and narrowed my eyes at him. "Honorable Elder, Xin Ma," I addressed the librarian by his name, something I had rarely done before. "Are you messing with me?"
"During working hours, of course not."
"This isn't exactly working hours," I leaned forward, resting my elbow on the desk and my head on my palm.
"Then yes, I'm having some fun with it," he finally cracked a smile. "But before you misunderstand, I'm not laughing at your misery. You will no longer have to worry about someone keeping an eye on you. Instead, I will be the one to do that job."
This guy could crack a joke? That was a plot twist bigger than Darth Vader being Luke Skywalker's father.
Also, how was he supposed to keep an eye on me? Wasn't he the one stuck in the library for most of the day?
"Aren't you curious how this happened?" He asked, his face returning to normal but the happy twinkle still dancing in his gaze.
Yes, I was curious.
"No, not really. I don't question good things when they happen to me," I shrugged, feigning disinterest.
If he wanted to take this to a petty place, I was already there.
Suddenly, someone snorted, it was the sleeping old man. He opened his eyes, looking around confused. "Huh? Did someone say something?"
Then he looked at me and the librarian before wincing, as if he had swallowed a lemon. "It seems like I'm still asleep. A nightmare, really. Who would ever want to wake up looking at you two?"
Closing his eyes again, he shifted in his wooden chair, trying to find a comfortable position. But that was hard to do since it was a damn wooden chair and not cushioned. After some grunting and cursing under his breath, he stood up and stretched before looking at me. "You're still alive?"
The librarian's face returned to its usual serious demeanor, restoring a sense of balance to the room.
"Anyway, I have decided to take you on as my personal disciple," the librarian revealed.
"I guess the kid is still in shock that you're actually human and know how to joke around sometimes," the old man chuckled.
I quickly regained my senses and bowed down to my waist as a sign of respect. "Disciple greets master!"
"This will be far from the average mentorship, so you don't need to start acting differently. I'm making you my personal disciple to spare you the trouble of dealing with the inner sect disciples or anyone else. From now on, if anyone has a problem with you, you can come to me," he narrowed his eyes. "From now on, you're untouchable from internal sect politics or anything silly like that."
That was more than I could ask for, and it sounded like something that would help me in the long run in more ways than one. I was buzzing at the thought of no longer having to deal with that kind of nonsense.
"Thank you," I didn't bow or clap my fist and palm this time. Instead, I just looked the man in the eye and expressed my gratitude.
He had just offered to shield me from a tsunami of potential trouble. Any elders, disciples, or anything else that could cause me problems were now under his purview.
"Well, there's no need to thank me yet," the librarian took off his glasses and began cleaning the lenses. "From now on, you will be my eyes and hands in places where it would be inappropriate for an elder to intervene. I helped you deal with all your problems, and we haven't even discussed the perks you'll receive as my disciple. However, my issues will now become something you'll have to help me with."
I didn't bother hiding my wince, and the old man chuckled. But the librarian shot him a glare that silenced him, before putting his glasses back on and continuing his explanation, "Don't worry, I won't put you in any danger or have you start conflicts with anyone. Just to make sure we are on the same page, my goal is to become an inner elder, and you're going to help me achieve that."
Okay... I was okay with this. I scratch your back, and you scratch mine. A mutually beneficial relationship for both of us.
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