357 Learning the Truth in Another Way?
The shopkeeper chuckled, guiding Qin Huai to the top floor. “Although our Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary can’t compare to the larger sects in Qingzhou City, we have our alchemical expertise and the contributions of the previous pavilion masters to lean on. We’ve collected a wealth of information on the ancient history of Qingzhou. Some of it might even be more comprehensive than that of the larger sects.”
The shopkeeper radiated pride. Because Qin Huai held the golden core token, they encountered no hindrance in accessing the top floor of the Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary.
Qin Huai beheld the dazzling bookshelf before him, momentarily dazed. These ancient texts emitted an alluring scent, a blend of scholarly wisdom and medicinal herbs, that was so potent it could induce sleep.
Following the shopkeeper, Qin Huai skimmed through books detailing Basic Pill Essence, Thousand Taste Code, Pill Fire Technique, and other alchemical techniques, cultivation methodologies, and medicinal recipes preserved by the Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary. He eventually stopped at a dusty bookshelf displaying titles like Qingzhou Annals, along with several nameless books that consisted of just a few hastily printed pages.
“I must apologize. The younger generation tends to favor immediate results over studying ancient history. Even I can’t help dozing off after reading a few pages,” the shopkeeper confessed, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
“I’m alright,” Qin Huai reassured him, his spirits buoyed by the sight of the books. He hoped to find the answers he sought here.
“Feel free to browse. There’s an attendant by the door. If you need any books, he can assist you,” the shopkeeper offered. The Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary was busy and thriving, especially after the great demon tide. The city’s martial artists often purchased calming pills, vitality-enhancing medicines, and training aids.
Qin Huai randomly selected a Qingzhou book and began reading: “In the first year of Emperor Dongguang, a divine bird landed on Heavenly Mountain in Qingzhou. It stayed for nine days before departing… In the third year of Emperor Dongguang, Qingzhou suffered a severe drought. Tens of millions were left destitute and starving, trading their children for food…”
He flipped quickly through the thick Qingzhou book, full of orderly historical records, but found nothing pertinent to his inquiry. Perusing a few more editions of Qingzhou Annals and Qingben Official, he noticed that while the content was generally similar – recounting events from different perspectives – there was no mention of any unusual occurrences in Qingzhou.
Qin Huai spent the entire day reading, to no avail. His eyes ached from strain, but it was his mental exhaustion that weighed heavier. Leaning tiredly against the bookshelf, he sighed.
The shelf wobbled, revealing its long-standing disrepair. However, nothing of use fell from its ancient shelves.
Qin Huai returned late that night, heavy with disappointment. As he approached his courtyard door, he noticed Zhou Cunzhong leaning against it, struggling to stay awake.
“What are you doing here?” Qin Huai asked.
Startled, Zhou Cunzhong immediately straightened up. “Fifth Master!” he exclaimed, excitement evident on his face. “I have important news. There are updates on the young prodigy you asked me to look into.”
“Oh?” Qin Huai’s interest was instantly piqued.
“An elderly storyteller on East Street, who regularly freeloads meals at restaurants and inns, claims he was once a heaven’s favorite whose name resonated through the outer city six decades ago. He boasted about having had five full-pattern king’s force and visiting a peculiar place,” Zhou Cunzhong shared, his tone full of excitement.
Qin Huai’s brows furrowed upon hearing this. “A five full-pattern king’s force who is now an old storyteller, dining and drinking at various restaurants and inns? That hardly sounds believable.”
“But the old man tells his tales vividly. I even went to listen to one this afternoon. His stories about his youth… Wow, so thrilling,” Zhou Cunzhong said, licking his lips. “It seemed so real.”
“Alright, I’ll go take a look tomorrow,” Qin Huai conceded with a sigh. His options were running thin.
The Blood Poison Gang was powerful, significantly superior to the Three Cauldron Elixir Dispensary. However, they lacked any interest in history or culture. Their only library housed books exclusively on poison making, so Qin Huai had no choice but to look elsewhere in the hopes of finding a solution.
Zhou Cunzhong looked startled, then stammered, “Isn’t it because I’m spending time with you? The increase in resources has sped up my progress.”
“You’ve already reached the third-level bone pattern realm,” Qin Huai teased. “This rate of improvement surpasses even those so-called elites in the city.”
Zhou Cunzhong blushed. “I owe it all to you, Fifth Master!”
Qin Huai burst into laughter, while Zhou Cunzhong offered an apologetic smile before respectfully stepping aside to make way.
The smiles faded from their faces just as quickly as they had appeared.
…
On East Street, within the Storm Tower, a lively old man was holding court. Standing on a table, one leg propped up, a pot of wine in his left hand and a roasted chicken in his right, his voice rang out loud and clear.
“In my youth, I was handsome and elegant, my martial prowess unmatched within the county. I had a beautiful fiancée… We spent our days practicing martial arts, traveling together, basking in people’s admiration and the envy of our peers,” he began, his eyes far away.
“Until that day.”
The old man’s booming voice softened to a hush, his eyes clouded with memory. “It was a day of heavy rain. Cui’er and I had sought shelter in a cave by a mountain stream.”