A heavy, heavy silence fell over the library when Grandfather finished speaking. But the sound of the rain outside was no silence, no peace. Raindrops fell with an uneasy thump.

  Grandmaster Gongzhang watched with calm eyes. Master Kang Jue was fully aware of the events Grandfather had just recounted. His eyes were downcast as well. Jun Wan stood there, a completely empty, desolate figure, as if nothing was left inside her.

  After enduring the silence for a while, Grandmaster Gongzhang finally took a deep breath. He looked at Master Kang Jue and Suo Jing and, with a heavy, serious voice, looked at Grandfather.

  "I'm sorry. I'm.... I'm sorry for what I heard. But there's a reason I invited you here today," he said with a deep, cold sigh.

  But before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted. Just then, a servant came running in. His face was pale, his eyes were wide open, and his breathing was labored. Zhuang Hue's fierce eyes were watching him closely. Yet, his face remained calm, as if a storm was brewing over a calm sea.

  The servant approached Master Kang Jue, panting. His voice was trembling.

  "Master, we found this in the Forest of Trials." The man offered the same maroon scroll to the Master.

  "Master, we found this scroll lying on the ground a short distance from Daowan Cave."

  Suddenly, everyone stood up at the sight of the ancient scroll. Suddenly, the library was filled with a strange rustling sound. Grandmaster Gongzhang immediately recognized the scroll. Everyone's eyes were on the scroll, and they all just stared at each other in silence, bated breaths.

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  Looking at the scroll carefully, Master Suo Jing spoke in a serious tone, his voice adding a heaviness to the silence that was deeply uneasy.

  "This... this is the sound method of the jiuhuang yin zither."

  He looked at Grandmaster Kang Jue and, making eye contact, said,

  "How could she have come out?... while...!!"

  Just then another thunder roared, shocking everyone. But with that, Gu Zong's cold footsteps landed on the rain-soaked, frozen water at the main entrance of Fukun Xueyuan. But the sound of his steps had changed. There was a pause in them. But his clothing had also taken on a new look and was a little strange. The rest of his clothing had turned dark maroon, but only his belt remained pure white, as if it weren't part of his robes. And his eyes were as calm as a deep lake. But despite this, there was a small maroon triangular mark on his forehead right between his eyebrows, which perhaps even he was unaware of. Then he took the first cold step inside.

  And then, inside, Grandmaster Gongzhang's eyes widened sharply. He glanced toward the library entrance in a sharp and cold swift motion. His breathing quickened, his face tightened, and his eyebrows furrowed. Master Suo Jing felt the same way. Without a second thought, he stopped and headed straight for the library door. Seeing this sudden reaction from Master Suo Jing and Grandmaster Gongzhang, a faint smile appeared on Zhuang Hue's face. Even his eyes were smiling. Just then, Chi Zu, noticing Grandmaster Gongzhang's calm reaction, rushed to him. A silent eye-to-eye conversation took place between the two masters and disciples. After this secret communication, Chi Zu flew out and landed directly on the library's rooftop in a single, precise leap. Upon reaching there, she drew her sword without delay.

  But inside, as Master Suo Jing stepped forward, preparing to leave, a hand suddenly came from behind, gagged him, and dragged him back. Unfortunately, no one noticed this, as everyone, including Jun Wan, followed Grandmaster Gongzhang outside. But then Jun Wan heard something behind her, and when she turned to face him, there stood Zhuang Hue, alone and quiet. As soon as Jun Wan's eyes fell on Zhuang Hue, Jun Wan gave him a beautiful, sweet smile and beckoned him over. Zhuang Hue, in turn, followed her outside.

  The rain continued to pound relentlessly. But Gu Zong, standing at the main entrance, his eyes fixed on the warrior standing on the rooftop, sword drawn.