Chapter 67
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: History Pavilion's Secret
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A place packed with countless bookshelves lined up in tidy rows, spaced two cheok apart.
It was the Justice Alliance's History Pavilion.
At first, they had gathered information from all corners of the Central Plains, saying something like "We need a place like this," and filled a three-story pavilion with books. But so what?
Most people in the Justice Alliance were martial artists.
No one showed any interest in the history and information of the Central Plains unless it was a martial arts manual, so the History Pavilion was gradually neglected over time. Now, it held meaning only for the diligent few librarians who managed it.
But today, something unusual happened.
And that, too, at night, when the day was over and it was time to head home...
"Right? Isn't it?"
"Yeah. Seems like it."
"As expected of the heir to the world's greatest scholarly family..."
"Indeed. They say studying is done with your butt, right? He must have been well-taught in his clan."
"Truly astonishing. He looks so young, yet he can maintain that focus for so long."
"Blood will tell, won't it? His father is revered by the scholars of the world, so his son is on that level too."
"By the way, I heard he came straight to the History Pavilion?"
"Yeah."
"Exactly! That's how it should be. Those dumb martial artists think martial arts manuals are the most important thing, don't they?"
"Idiots. As the saying goes, one learns from the lessons of history..."
The librarians clustered in one corner of the third-floor stacks, peeking at someone while whispering among themselves.
It was the first time in years something like this had happened, and even though closing time had long passed, they couldn't bring themselves to leave.
Librarians.
Those who provided various services for the users of the History Pavilion.
Though they belonged to a group of martial artists, at their core, they were scholars.
All of them had once dreamed of officialdom and immersed themselves in studies day and night.
They had ended up as Justice Alliance librarians out of necessity for livelihood, but their scholarly aspirations were second to none. And then, suddenly, this man named Yu Hyun appeared before them.
Rumors said his martial prowess was extraordinary, but what they saw looked no different from any other scholar.
In a secluded corner of the stacks.
The musty smell should have been bothersome, but he didn't stir a muscle, turning the pages with his delicate, fair hand bathed in the lantern's glow.
Rustle.
What a clear, pleasant sound it was.
"Oh! This isn't the time. I'll go brew some tea."
"Good idea. I'll refill the lantern oil for him."
Awed by his noble concentration, the librarians watched Yu Hyun for a good while before scattering to find ways to help.
Because Yu Hyun was so admirable?
Of course, there was affection for a junior scholar, but before that, it was because of his father.
Yu Seong-hwan, the idol of scholars. The core of power, even respected by the Emperor.
Just currying favor with the son of a man who wielded immense influence in politics even after retirement—wouldn't that create connections where none existed and avoid troubles?
In short, it was a situation ripe for networking.
Rustle.
Yu Hyun showed no interest in the librarians, who should have gone home long ago but stayed and bustled about. He simply repeated two actions.
Take a book, read it.
As if he knew nothing else.
"Hmm, it's not coming up easily, huh?"
Frowning, he stared blankly at the towering pile of Hainan Island-related books on the table after closing the last page with a thud.
According to Hwang Deok-sam, it was definitely in one of the records about Hainan...
Previously, Yu Hyun had conversed at length with him in the prison cell and struck a deal.
The spirit creature whose clue Hwang Deok-sam held: the Millennium Purple Shell.
A legendary spirit from antiquity, said to grant three jiazi worth of internal energy if a cultivator absorbed its inner core. Now regarded only as myth.
To advance to the next stage of the Spirit Heart Core Method, he absolutely needed that inner core.
Fortunately for Yu Hyun, what Hwang Deok-sam wanted from the Millennium Purple Shell wasn't the inner core.
He sought the pearl that grew within its body.
A treasure among treasures, infused with the spirit energy nurtured over long years in extreme yin qi, possessing infinite efficacy against demonic influences and poisons.
The Tang Clan's famed poison pearl?
Once the Millennium Purple Shell's pearl became known, that thing wouldn't even qualify as a bead.
The moment it appeared in the world, hordes—hundreds of cartloads—would turn red-eyed and chase after it with swords drawn.
Yu Hyun hadn't asked why Hwang Deok-sam sought that pearl.
Even if he did, he doubted the man would tell him, and all he wanted was the inner core.
So they made a deal. He'd provide a lifeline along with the pearl.
At first, Hwang Deok-sam was skeptical, but Yu Hyun persuaded him: facing execution soon, wasn't betting on him for one last chance better?
Of course, the execution bit was a bluff...
Anyway, they joined hands, and he shared all the information he knew.
Hainan Island.
The Millennium Purple Shell was in some sea area around it, and the exact location could be found in the Justice Alliance's historical records.
Perhaps that's why he'd been thrown into the Justice Alliance prison in the past.
A intruder caught sneaking in.
Left to rot in the cell for a long time while keeping silent about the Millennium Purple Shell info, only to meet the minions of the Calamity's Lackey.
Didn't the circumstances fit perfectly?
Maybe the Calamity's Lackey had made the same offer to him.
Whatever the case, it was a good thing.
The time when the Calamity's Lackey met Hwang Deok-sam was roughly four months from now.
The dogs raised by the Calamity's Lackey would soon learn Hwang Deok-sam's location and move to find the Millennium Purple Shell, but by then, it would be too late.
Because he'd find it first...
"Kukukuk."
Thinking about it, the ones he commissioned at the Black Shadow Village were probably those guys too... Quite an amusing mess all around.
Calamity's Lackey bastard, go be a dog chasing chickens for once.
Rustle!
Pleased by the pleasant imaginings, his hand turned the pages faster.
How much time passed after that?
Yu Hyun let out an irritated sigh and slammed shut the final page of the book he was reading.
None of the books he'd skimmed so far mentioned the Millennium Purple Shell.
"Tch, another bust... Hmm, aren't there any really old books around?"
He tossed aside the book he'd been reading with disinterest and picked up another.
Was he a bit tired?
Crash.
A misstep with his hand, and the stacked books tumbled messily to the floor.
"Damn..."
As Yu Hyun coughed lowly amid the rising dust and rose to tidy the scattered books,
"Oh dear, Young Master Yu! I'll take care of it."
"..."
One of the watching librarians rushed over, robes fluttering, and began swiftly organizing the books before Yu Hyun could even reach out.
"Please sit, please sit. Leave this to An Hui-gang, scholar from Ikju County!"
"..."
What was with this guy?
Why recite his name and hometown in this situation...
"Yes, Young Master Yu, just sit over here and soothe your throat with the yeoncha brewed by No Hyeong-do, scholar from Hwangseok County!"
"It's getting dim in here! I'll refill the oil right away—Lee Chi-saeng, scholar from Hamnyeong County!"
"..."
Was that... a habit?
Or some unique etiquette of the History Pavilion?
Well, whatever—the books were sorted, hot tea was ready, and the lantern brighter. No harm in that.
But since they were staying late because of him, a thank-you was in order, right?
"Thank you for your help—Yu Hyun, genius martial artist from Anpyeong County!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
At Yu Hyun's words, the librarians froze mid-motion and stared at each other with blank expressions.
What? What was it?
The "genius" bit was just light teasing... What went wrong? He was just mimicking them...
Ah! The accent?
Damn, must've sounded off because of the regional difference. Should've been more careful...
Misunderstanding all on his own, Yu Hyun gave an awkward smile and turned to the books An Hui-gang had neatly stacked.
Huh? What's that?
Among the piled books, now shifted, a single loose sheet protruded jaggedly.
It could've torn when it fell, nothing strange, but looking at the book's side, that page alone seemed exceptionally... worn.
Could it be?
Harboring vague hope, Yu Hyun pulled out the book with the protruding paper and opened it.
Flip.
Too quick—the paper detached and fluttered away.
Yu Hyun snatched it mid-air and examined the edges closely.
No tear marks, and the texture was different... Ho, this is getting interesting.
Feeling a thrill build, Yu Hyun checked the title of the book in his other hand.
A book introducing Hainan Island's local products.
And the worn paper was a map of Hainan Island, with the locations of those products marked in detail.
...An insert, probably.
Different eras, but someone thought it fit the category and slipped it in.
But maybe, just maybe, this place had...
"..."
Yu Hyun stared piercingly at the worn paper.
Not missing a single character.
But aged as it was, parts were faded here and there, and the dim light made it hard to see.
Should he wait for daylight to view it in sunlight? But his curiosity was piqued; he couldn't hold back.
"The light..."
As Yu Hyun's hand neared the lantern.
"I'll get it for you—An Hui-gang, scholar from Ikju County!"
"No, Hwangseok..."
"You lot, this is for the oil-refilled one from Hamnyeong County..."
The librarians vied like competitors, reaching for the lantern.
Clink.
Someone's hand bumped a teacup, knocking it over...
Splash.
The spilled tea soaked the worn paper.
"Oh no!"
To make matters worse, a flustered librarian toppled the lantern too.
Whoosh!
Flames erupted instantly as oil poured onto the old book.
These damn fools!
My paper! My Millennium Purple Shell!
Yu Hyun startled and hurriedly tried to extinguish it, but then something strange happened.
"Huh?"
The tea-soaked part of the worn paper touched the flames and began to melt and dissolve, rather than burn.
Melt? Not burn?
Wax?
Eyes sharpening, Yu Hyun swiftly shoved aside the bewildered librarians' hands.
"..."
The hastily snatched paper now revealed content different from before.
What had been sealed in wax: small islands near the coast.
Confirming the text at the bottom, a broad smile spread across Yu Hyun's lips.
"...So that's where you were."
"Pardon?"
The librarians, flustered trying to put out the fire on the book, looked puzzled at Yu Hyun beaming while holding the paper.
Ignoring them, he just kept smiling.
"Kekekeke."
"..."
Bewildered by the sinister laugh that burst out unwittingly, the librarians stared in confusion.
"Keke... Ahem, ahem."
Coughing hurriedly to mask his grin, Yu Hyun tucked the paper securely into his bosom and bowed politely.
"You've all worked hard. Well then, I'll be off..."
"..."
The librarians dazedly watched Yu Hyun leave without a backward glance after his farewell.
"Y-Yu, Young Master Yu. I'm from Ikju..."
"Hwangseok..."
"Hamnyeong..."
"..."
Their shouts rang out, but Yu Hyun, striding swiftly out of the stacks, gave no reply.
Ikju, Hwangseok, Hamnyeong... lumped together, you scholar fools.
I may not remember your names, but take pride in this.
You saved the murim.