The group of three arrived at the Library Pavilion.
This place was even more tranquil than Lin Changkong had anticipated.
The pavilion was backed by a cliff, surrounded by forest on three sides, with a small stream flowing gently in front, the sound of water clear and melodious.
The pavilion itself wasn't particularly tall, only three stories, but with its flying eaves and intricate carvings, it exuded an ancient and weathered aura, clearly having stood for many years.
In front of the pavilion was a small courtyard, paved with bluestone, with a corner cultivated into a herb garden, growing spirit herbs whose names Lin Changkong couldn't recall, their fragrance faintly lingering.
In the courtyard stood an old crooked tree, its trunk thick enough to require two people to embrace, its canopy like an umbrella, casting a cool shade.
Beneath the tree's shade, a wicker lounge chair was leisurely placed.
On the lounge chair, an elderly man with white hair was resting with his eyes closed.
The old man's hair and beard were all white, even his eyebrows were snow-white, hanging long enough to almost cover the corners of his eyes.
He wore a long gray robe, washed to the point of fading, loosely draped over his body, with one foot dangling off the chair, gently swaying with his breathing, exuding an indescribable sense of leisure and ease.
Elder Liu and Elder Jin, upon seeing this, immediately stepped forward quickly, stopping three feet in front of the lounge chair, clasping their fists and bowing respectfully:
"Disciple Liu Hai..."
"Disciple Jin Moran..."
"Greetings, Elder Willow!"
Lin Changkong hurriedly followed suit, bowing his head, while secretly glancing at the old man on the lounge chair from the corner of his eye.
So this was the Elder Willow who had guarded the pavilion for over two hundred years?
He looked... no different from an ordinary old man in the countryside.
Elder Willow, hearing the two voices, did not open his eyes or rise, but simply lay there, speaking slowly:
"So it's Little Liu and Little Jin."
His voice was aged, with a hint of laziness and a trace of unexpectedness.
"What brings you two here today?"
Elder Jin raised his head, a smile spreading across his face, about to speak, but Elder Willow's next words cut him off directly.
"Enough, no nonsense."
The old man still had his eyes closed, his tone indifferent yet undeniably firm:
"Speak your piece or let it out, don't disturb my peace."
Elder Jin's mouth twitched slightly.
Elder Liu, standing beside him, couldn't help but chuckle, exchanging a glance with Elder Jin, both shaking their heads with a smile.
Elder Willow's temperament was as consistent as ever.
Elder Jin cleared his throat, composing himself, and said seriously:
"Elder Willow, we've brought you a disciple who can help you clean the Library Pavilion and handle some chores."
On the lounge chair, the old man's white eyebrows twitched slightly.
"Didn't I say I don't need one?" His tone carried a hint of displeasure: "Why bring one anyway?"
"Elder Willow, this disciple was personally arranged by the Sect Master.
The Sect Master, considering your solitary guardianship of the vast Library Pavilion for over two hundred years, specially sent a young disciple to assist with chores.
For any tasks in the future, feel free to instruct him."
"Sect Master?"
Upon hearing these words, Elder Willow finally opened his eyes slightly.
He turned his head slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Lin Changkong standing behind Elder Liu.
That glance seemed casual, yet it sent a chill through Lin Changkong.
In that instant, he felt as if something had scanned him from head to toe, seeing through him inside and out.
The gaze held no oppressive force, yet it had an indescribable penetrating power, leaving nowhere to hide.
Elder Willow withdrew his gaze, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
An ordinary person?
Indeed, an ordinary person, with no trace of spiritual qi fluctuation.
Judging by his bone age, he was fifteen or sixteen, yet hadn't even entered the Qi Refining Stage.
Such a person, arranged personally by the Sect Master?
Though puzzled, he didn't inquire further.
After a moment, he closed his eyes again, waving his hand:
"Alright, he stays, you two can leave."
Elder Liu and Elder Jin were delighted to hear this.
They had expected to have to persuade him further, but Elder Willow agreed so readily.
It seemed the words "Sect Master" indeed carried weight.
The two quickly clasped their fists in salute, beaming:
"Yes, yes, we're leaving, we're leaving."
Elder Jin turned to Lin Changkong, lowering his voice: "Do well, don't anger Elder Willow."
Elder Liu also patted Lin Changkong's shoulder, giving him a look that said "good luck."
Then the two turned and left, their steps quicker than when they came, as if fearing Elder Willow might change his mind.
In a moment, their figures disappeared at the end of the forest path.
The courtyard returned to silence.
The stream babbled, birds chirped softly.
Lin Changkong stood alone, looking at the closed wooden door, then at the old man on the lounge chair, unsure of what to do. Get faster updates on g.com.
The air seemed to freeze.
What should he do? What should he say? Or should he just stand there?
Just as he was feeling uneasy and at a loss, the old man on the lounge chair suddenly spoke:
"The side is the guest room."
His voice was still calm, devoid of any emotion.
Lin Changkong was taken aback, then quickly responded, "Yes!"
"Find a room yourself, tidy up and settle in," the old man continued. "Once you're done, come here and sweep the ground."
Following the old man's direction, Lin Changkong noticed the courtyard floor was covered with fallen leaves and some scattered paper scraps from who knows where, indeed needing a sweep.
He immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, disciple understands."
With that, he turned and headed towards the guest room the old man mentioned.
As he passed the crooked old tree, he deliberately lightened his steps, afraid of disturbing the old man's peace.
However, just as he brushed past the lounge chair.
"Stop."
The old man's voice suddenly rang out.
Lin Changkong halted, freezing in place.
He slowly turned around, looking at the old man on the lounge chair.
Elder Willow still had his eyes closed, as if those words hadn't come from him.
But the next moment, he spoke again.
"I don't care what your identity is, or what your relationship with the Sect Master is."
His voice was aged, yet carried an inexplicable chill.
"But here, be honest and behave."
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, don't look at what you shouldn't look at, don't touch what you shouldn't touch."
"Do your duty, and I'll ensure you're unharmed."
"If you harbor any inappropriate thoughts..."
He didn't finish, merely raised a finger, pointing lightly at the neatly stacked woodpile in the corner of the courtyard.
Each piece of wood in that pile was uniformly thick, consistently long, with cuts as smooth as mirrors.
Lin Changkong's gaze fell on the woodpile, his pupils slightly contracting.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in his heart, clasped his fists, and bowed, his voice steady:
"Disciple will remember the teachings."
Elder Willow said nothing more, just waved his hand, indicating he could leave.
Lin Changkong turned and continued towards the guest room.
Behind him, under the crooked old tree, the lounge chair continued to sway gently, as if nothing had happened.