Hero stared at him for a moment, then let out a quiet breath.
"…So what you're saying is"
He tilted the card slightly, his tone dragging just a bit.
"I need to read a book?"
The old man nodded without hesitation.
"Yes."
A short pause followed.
"Go to the oldest library in this region," he added. "If there's anything about this… you'll find it there."
"To the oldest library in the region "
Then, the scene shifted.
Tap… tap… tap…
A steady rhythm filled the room.
The scene settled, revealing Ilya seated behind a wide table.
One arm rested lazily against the surface, while her other hand tapped lightly along the edge, fingers moving in a slow, deliberate beat.
Her gaze lifted.
It landed on him.
There was something unreadable in her expression as she studied him, measuring, almost amused.
After all, it wouldn't be usual for someone to come and knock on your door with a request to read a book.
"You need access to that place?"
"Yes."
Hero answered without hesitation, standing straight before her.
A brief pause.
"Why?"
"To read."
Her fingers stopped tapping.
"...To read?"
"Precisely."
Hero nodded, no bullshittin around, straight to point. He didn't elaborate.
Didn't intend to.
After all, his appearance should look scholarly, no? And for someone scholarly looking as him, shouldn't it be weird to come and find a Library here.
Ilya watched him for a moment longer, her eyes narrowing slightly.
There was no change in her posture, but the look she gave him carried quiet suspicion.
Trouble.
She could almost sense it on him.
Her fingers brushed along the edge of the table once, then she reached for a pen resting nearby.
"No."
The answer came just as simply.
She lowered her head again, attention returning to the stack of papers in front of her, pen moving as if the conversation had already ended.
Hero blinked, caught off guard.
"But why?"
Ilya paused.
Just for a second.
She lifted her head slightly, a faint smile touching her lips.
"Because I said so."
Then she lowered her gaze again, continuing to write as if nothing had happened.
Hero fell silent, words caught in his throat.
He had expected this to be simple.
With his current status, guest, contributor, someone who had already proven his value, getting access to the so-called ancient library shouldn't have been difficult.
He thought that it was just a PLACE.
At least, that was what he thought.
But clearly.
That wasn't how it worked.
His gaze lingered on Ilya for a moment longer before shifting slightly.
As for going through the City Lord instead…
That wasn't realistic.
Most of the city had already fallen under the control of the Purple Cloud Pavilion. From trade routes to manpower, nearly everything moved through their hands now.
Only the City Lord's mansion remained untouched.
And even that.
Felt more like a shell than a center of power.
If he wanted access to that place, he needed Ilya's approval.
No other way around it.
Hero let out a quiet breath, his eyes lowering briefly in thought.
There was no way she would leave a place like that unguarded.
Ancient records.
Old knowledge.
Anything tied to that kind of history.
Was worth protecting.
Even without asking, he could already picture it.
Foundation Building guards. Stationed nearby, whether openly or not.
He exhaled again, slower this time.
This… wasn't going to be as easy as he hoped.
Sigh…
Hero let out a quiet breath.
He wasn't a fool.
If Ilya truly wanted to refuse him, she would've done it the moment he asked. There was no need to keep him standing here, no reason to entertain the conversation this long.
She was waiting.
Setting the terms.
And he had already caught on.
"What do you want?" he asked, his tone flattening.
Ilya didn't look up immediately, her pen still moving across the paper for a few strokes before she answered.
"Something more useful than the last one."
Her voice remained casual.
Hero's brow twitched slightly.
But he didn't argue.
He knew where he stood.
He came here needing something.
And she.
Wanted something in return.
Another sigh escaped him as he lifted a hand, rubbing the back of his neck. His fingers moved to his storage ring, pausing for a brief moment before drawing something out.
A scroll appeared in his hand.
Without ceremony, he tossed it onto the table.
It slid a short distance before coming to a stop.
Ilya's pen halted mid-motion.
Her attention shifted instantly.
She reached out, picking up the scroll without hesitation, her fingers unfolding it smoothly. Her eyes scanned through the contents, calm at first.
Then, slowly, a smile formed.
Not wide.
But real enough.
She placed the scroll back down, fingertips lingering on it for a second.
"You truly are a genius."
Her voice carried a hint of approval now.
She lifted her hand slightly and gestured to the side.
At once, a cloaked figure appeared beside the table.
"He'll take you to the library."
"Great."
Hero's lips curved into a faint smile.
"But—"
Ilya's voice cut in before he could move.
"You have two hours."
Hero paused.
"What?" he said, turning back slightly. "A time limit? Isn't that a bit… insincere?"
Ilya shook her head, already picking her pen up again.
"If anything, I'm being generous."
Her gaze lowered to the papers, though her tone remained clear.
"To most people, those ancient books and records are worthless."
She paused briefly, then added.
"But not to you."
Her pen stopped again.
This time, she looked up.
A different smile rested on her lips.
"Your intentions are obvious. You're looking for something."
Hero held her gaze for a moment, then gave a small shrug.
No point denying it.
"I just hope you won't interfere."
"I'm not interested in your secrets," Ilya replied with a quiet scoff.
She leaned back slightly, studying him again.
"Though I am curious."
Her eyes flicked briefly toward the scroll on the table.
"How someone like you, still in the Qi Refining realm, can create formations that deal with the red tide so efficiently."
A faint pause.
"Even my formation masters couldn't manage that."
Hero didn't respond.
He simply turned his head toward the cloaked figure waiting beside him, his intention clear.
He didn't plan to stay here any longer than necessary.
Ilya clicked her tongue softly but didn't press further.
The matter, for now.
Was settled.
Stepping out of the building, Hero followed behind the cloaked figure.
There was nothing secretive about the route itself. It was just… odd.
The path they took wound through less familiar parts of the city, cutting across corners and quieter streets that most wouldn't bother with.
Despite being the city closest to the Great Wilderness, there were no rogue cultivators causing trouble.
The reason was simple.
Foundation Building guards patrolled openly.
Their presence alone was enough to keep most forces, small or large, from stepping out of line.
No one wanted to test their luck here.
Still, not everything could be suppressed.
The black market remained.
And that was exactly where they were heading.
—
Hero slowed slightly as they arrived.
In front of him stood a small, rundown shop.
Nothing about it stood out.
No sign. No decoration. Just another worn building in the outer circle.
The flow of people here was thinner compared to the inner city.
And different.
Few mortals.
Mostly cultivators.
Some walked openly, others hid beneath cloaks and hoods, while a few had altered their appearances entirely.
The strange smell in the air, salty...
Well that's weird.
Hero's gaze shifted briefly.
A formation.
Subtle, but effective.
Mortals wouldn't be able to approach this place easily. Their senses would be led astray before they even got close.
Clever.
He took it in with a glance, understanding enough of its structure without stopping.
The cloaked figure didn't slow.
Hero followed.
They entered the shop.
Inside, it was just as unremarkable.
A clerk stood behind the counter, barely lifting their head as the two passed.
No questions asked.
They were led toward the back.
A door opened.
And beyond it.
A narrow hallway stretched forward.
The walls were worn, stained with patches of moisture. Faint traces of algae clung to the surface, giving the place a damp, neglected feel.
The air carried a slight, stale scent.
Rot.
Natural.
Hero's steps echoed softly as he walked through.
"I didn't expect the library to be in the black market…" he said, glancing ahead.
The cloaked figure didn't turn.
"The statement should be reversed," he replied calmly.
Hero's brows lifted slightly.
Oh?
He turned the words over in his mind.
Then it clicked.
His eyes flickered.
So… the black market exists within the library.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"…That's new," he muttered under his breath.
Don't be surprised, the old man's voice echoed in his mind.
The black market exists because of the library, not the other way around.
Hero's gaze sharpened slightly as he walked.
This place… will be useful to you.