Chapter 44: Advancing through Peril

Qu Wanqing stood outside the majestic library. A nocturnal breeze swept through, rustling a few fallen leaves and rendering the solemn, heavily guarded building even more mysterious. Two guards flanked the entrance like fierce temple guardians, their sharp gazes sweeping over anyone who dared to approach. She muttered inwardly to herself: This library is hardly a dragon's pool or a tiger's den; is there really any need to make it look like a high-security military zone? Charging in blindly was definitely out of the question—a direct confrontation was the worst possible strategy. She needed to use her wits! With a roll of her eyes, a clever plan formed in her mind.

Instead of sneaking around like a thief, she walked straight toward Scholar Wu’s quarters. This brazen move utterly stunned Student Lin and Young Master Chen, who were watching from the shadows. Student Lin sneered, "Is she going over there just to humiliate herself? Scholar Wu is such an old-school stubborn fossil; how could he possibly help her?" Meanwhile, Young Master Chen stroked his chin, looking thoughtful. "This woman... she's rather interesting."

Scholar Wu was a figure of immense respect within the academy. He had devoted his entire life to the research of ancient texts and once fought fiercely against book thieves to protect a precious manuscript, sustaining severe injuries in the process—an act that earned him widespread reverence. At that moment, he was studying an ancient tome under the lamplight. Hearing a knock, he opened the door with a trace of displeasure. Seeing that it was Qu Wanqing, he was startled at first, then furrowed his brow slightly. "Student Qu, what business brings you here at this late hour?"

Qu Wanqing smiled faintly, her posture elegant and composed. She did not shrink back in the slightest despite Scholar Wu’s chilling indifference. "Respected Scholar, I have a humble request to make, and I earnestly hope you will grant it." She gracefully laid out her desire to consult the *Annales of Ancient Geography*, speaking with sincere tones and a gaze carrying a hint of imperceptible anticipation. As Scholar Wu listened, his expression gradually shifted from suspicion to surprise, ultimately revealing a trace of appreciation. This Qu Wanqing did not play by the conventional rules! To have the audacity to come straight to him—that sort of boldness alone was worthy of praise.

He was well aware of the library's strict regulations; without his personal authorization, not a soul could set foot inside. Yet, looking at Qu Wanqing's expression, which radiated an absolute thirst for knowledge, he found himself somewhat reluctant to refuse. However, Scholar Wu did not agree immediately. Instead, he tested Qu Wanqing with a riddle drawn from an ancient manuscript. After a brief moment of contemplation, Qu Wanqing delivered a brilliant and incisive answer. This earned Scholar Wu’s profound admiration, prompting him to issue the token.

"Very well. Given your commendable dedication to learning, I shall make an exception this once," Scholar Wu stroked his beard, turned back into his room, and retrieved a bronze token, handing it to Qu Wanqing. "Take this, and the guards will let you pass."

Qu Wanqing accepted the token, thanked Scholar Wu joyfully, and turned toward the library. Watching from the shadows, Student Lin saw Qu Wanqing walking triumphantly toward the library with the token in hand, and his face turned green with fury. A look of murderous rage blazed in his eyes as he clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug deep into his palms, yet he was utterly helpless to stop her. Young Master Chen, on the other hand, smiled meaningfully. It seemed this drama was about to get much more entertaining.

With the token in hand, Qu Wanqing arrived at the library entrance. The guards glanced at the emblem and respectfully swung the heavy doors open. As she stepped inside, a heavy scent of antiquity rushed over her. She took a deep breath, the corners of her mouth curling into an imperceptible smile. "Finally made it in..." she whispered under her breath, her gaze suddenly turning sharp and piercing.

Meanwhile, a letter was quietly and stealthily delivered to Master Zhang’s study...

"Master Zhang, you'll never guess what happened! Scholar Wu actually..." Student Zhao’s voice abruptly cut off. Zhao vividly and dramatically described the "earth-shattering scandal" of Scholar Wu letting Qu Wanqing into the library. Upon hearing this, Master Zhang nearly crushed the teacup in his hand. "Outrageous! Has old Scholar Wu lost his mind?! Has he forgotten the rules of the library?!" Master Zhang bristled with anger, his whiskers trembling as he strode furiously toward the library.

This Qu Wanqing had been drawing far too much attention lately, and he had been fretting over finding an excuse to put her in her place. To think that Scholar Wu was actually rolling out the red carpet for her! By the time Master Zhang rushed to the library, he happened to intercept Qu Wanqing just as she was about to step inside. He threw out an arm to block her path and sternly rebuked, "Qu Wanqing, you have no qualification to enter the library! Turn back this instant!"

Qu Wanqing blinked innocently. "Master Zhang, I have Scholar Wu's token right here." With that, she flashed the token in her hand. When Master Zhang saw it, confirming it was indeed Scholar Wu's personal token, he was instantly so furious that smoke practically billowed from his seven orifices. That old eccentric had actually helped this girl!

He spun around to face the approaching Scholar Wu and demanded angrily, "Scholar Wu, what is the meaning of this? Are you completely unaware of the library's regulations?" Scholar Wu stroked his beard and replied with unshakeable calm, "Rules are rigid, but people are adaptable. Student Qu is diligent and eager to learn; why should I stand in her way?" "Diligent and eager to learn? I'd say she has ulterior motives!" Master Zhang scoffed coldly. "Who knows what she's planning to steal in there!"

The two men fired verbal jabs back and forth, arguing heatedly. Teachers and students drawn by the commotion gathered around, treating the spectacle like the gossip event of the century. The crowd’s gazes bounced back and forth between the three of them. The atmosphere became intensely awkward. Standing off to the side, Qu Wanqing engaged in an internal monologue: *Dear esteemed elders, could you please keep it down? My heart can hardly handle the intense gaze of all these onlookers treating this like a front-row seat to a drama!*

In a courtyard sprinkled with a gentle mist of rain, students and teachers took shelter beneath the covered walkways to watch. The patter of raindrops striking the bluestone slabs intertwined with the heated argument of the two seniors, creating an atmosphere that was both tense and uniquely picturesque. True to his reputation as a seasoned veteran of the academy, Scholar Wu effortlessly reduced Master Zhang to silence with just a few remarks, finally pulling rank by invoking the Headmaster's authority to force Master Zhang into a bitter defeat.

Master Zhang flicked his sleeves in furious indignation and stormed off, casting a venomous glare at Qu Wanqing just before he left—a look that clearly telegraphed: *Just you wait!* Qu Wanqing offered Scholar Wu a grateful smile before turning and slipping into the library. This maneuver had been an absolute masterpiece of 666 proficiency; not only had she successfully gained entry, but she had also left Master Zhang nursing a grievance he couldn't voice. Talk about double the joy!

Inside the library, Qu Wanqing swiftly located the *Annales of Ancient Geography* she had been searching for. As she opened the ancient volume, a long-sealed aura washed over her. The pages were yellowed and the calligraphy archaic, as though silently recounting a history buried away by time...

At that very moment, a solitary figure stood quietly outside the library entrance...

Jiang Ji gazed at the tightly shut doors of the library and murmured, "She's out..." Waiting outside like a sturdy, upright green pine, he gently brushed a speck of dust from Qu Wanqing's hair the moment she emerged. His gesture was completely natural yet carried a trace of imperceptible tenderness. A faint blush crept across Qu Wanqing's cheeks. Their eyes met, and the bustling crowd outside the library seemed to vanish entirely, leaving the world with just the two of them. An ambiguous, sweet atmosphere spread through the air, rich as dripping honey.

"Well? Did you find it?" Jiang Ji's voice was low and magnetic, as pleasing to the ear as a cello. "Found it," Qu Wanqing brandished the ancient tome with a radiant smile. "However..." She paused, her smile fading slightly. "Something feels a bit off."

Back in her room, Qu Wanqing eagerly flipped open the *Annales of Ancient Geography*. The pages were yellowed and scented with aged ink; yet, as she read closely, she noticed peculiar markings, as if someone had deliberately tried to mislead readers down the wrong path.

Qu Wanqing had nurtured a deep fascination for ancient texts since childhood. Once, she had ventured alone into deep mountain forests to track down a lost manuscript, nearly losing her way entirely. Thus, her dedication to ancient books made her immediately realize that someone was tampering with things. Gritting her teeth, she thought, *That bastard Student Lin is definitely behind this!* The green tea hypocrite actually had the audacity to pull cheap tricks right under her nose!

The surrounding silence was broken only by the rustling of turning pages, and the tension in the room steadily mounted. Channeling her inner Sherlock Holmes, Qu Wanqing began a meticulous investigation. Finally, hidden in an inconspicuous corner, she uncovered the "secret code" left behind by Student Lin.

"Hah, cheap parlor tricks," Qu Wanqing sneered coldly. Just as she was about to use the hidden code to trace further clues, she discovered that the crucial section of the ancient text had been torn clean out! What secrets had been recorded on the missing pages? And who had gone to such desperate lengths to rip them away? Qu Wanqing's heart sank as a wave of unease washed over her...

Clutching the mutilated ancient text tightly, her gaze turned icy as she enunciated each word with chilling clarity: "Splendid indeed..."