Finally reaching the table, she saw a book in the middle. Flipping through a few pages, she discovered it was about martial arts techniques and uninterestedly placed it back.
Carefully, she took a few more steps and kicked something. Looking down, she found a notebook, quickly flipping through it. It was a woman’s diary, recording only trivial daily events and containing nothing related to her search, which left her disappointed. She placed the diary back on the table and continued searching.
The bed was extremely neatly made. Ru Feng glanced at it and noticed the fine golden hooks holding the curtains, thinking their ancestors were wealthy to use gold as curtain hooks.
On the side cabinet were some vases and decorations.
Ru Feng examined the room, initially feeling agitated but finding it somewhat interesting. However, she felt disappointed, expecting something important or forbidden since she had reached the top floor. Instead, it was a simple bedroom, likely prepared by a past ancestor for a beloved. The room was well-preserved, featuring a legendary dust-absorbing pearl in the incense burner, indicating care had been taken. Reluctant to disturb anything, she looked around and returned items to their original place.
After sighing inwardly, she ate the mantou she had brought, drank some water, and noticed that the blood on her calf had scabbed over. Slowly, she walked out, hoping to go home soon, thinking of her second brother who must miss her.
The journey had been arduous, but on the return trip, her heartstrings were taut, and nothing remarkable occurred. As she placed her hand on the ladder to descend, a loud boom startled her. She turned back to find that the bedroom had vanished, replaced by a small study that mirrored the first floor’s layout. Ru Feng stood in shock, struggling to comprehend the sudden change.
What did this mean? They didn’t let her see it when she was looking, but now that she was about to leave, they wanted to keep her?
After a moment of confusion, she turned back.
The books on the shelves were ancient. Ru Feng flipped through a few, then blushed and tossed them aside—they were erotic novels and spring palace illustrations. Her cheeks burned, yet she continued to browse.
Soon, Ru Feng grew serious. The books recorded clan affairs with even scandalous incidents like a concubine being caught cheating.
She understood the first floor was for general clan members, while this contained personal notes of clan leaders, reflecting unbound lives. She could hardly contain her excitement; perhaps hidden histories could be found here.
Carefully examining each book, she hoped to find hints about the clan’s secret spell to dispel her confusion. She looked meticulously, afraid of missing details.
Time passed unnoticed. Ru Feng was so engrossed that she lost track of time, while outside, Si Tu Qi Wu began pacing restlessly.
By nightfall, several elders had arrived.
Hearing almost no sound and recalling his previous conversation with Ru Feng, Cang Shan’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly pushed open the door.
The elders rushed in, while Qi Wu anxiously waited at the entrance.
As soon as they entered the book pavilion, the elders sensed something was wrong. Cang Shan sighed.
“Big brother, why didn’t you stop her?” Cang Hai panicked, knowing the third floor was not for ordinary people.
Cang Shan remained silent. Cang Tian looked at the ceiling for a long time before saying, “We’ll just wait here for Si Tu Qi Feng to settle the score with us.”
Cang Sang, arms crossed, added, “Don’t worry, Qi Wu will fight us first, and by then, we’ll have some experience.”
Meanwhile, Ru Feng felt hungry and took out some mantou, taking a few bites while reading.
Unexpectedly, Si Tu Qi Wu, hearing that Ru Feng had gone to the third floor, was determined to enter the pavilion.
Cang Hai blocked him. “Qi Wu, have you forgotten the rules? You can’t enter the book pavilion.”
“If I can’t go in, make Ru Feng come out,” Qi Wu shouted, eyes red.
Si Tu Qi Wu’s uncharacteristic wildness shocked Cang Hai.
“If you can’t make her come out, I’ll go,” Qi Wu said as he pushed past Cang Hai and opened the door.
“Stop!” Cang Hai moved quickly, grabbing his back.
Qi Wu blocked with one hand and leaped toward the book pavilion, using Cang Hai’s palm force to propel himself. Cang Sang and Cang Tian joined forces to stop him.
“Get out of the way!” Qi Wu kicked out with both legs, managing to push Cang Sang and Cang Tian aside, but Cang Hai’s palm struck his back. A sweet taste rose in his throat; he tasted blood and flew into the book pavilion.
Cang Shan’s hands like claws grabbed his legs and pulled him back. Qi Wu wanted to rush in, but the elders restrained him. His eyes were bloodshot as he used a double palm strike to push the elders aside, feeling intense chest pain.
He couldn’t think of anything else. The third floor of the book pavilion was filled with intricate mechanisms, and those who had died inside had become white bones. He was anxious about Ru Feng.
Cang Hai wanted to stop him again, but Cang Shan had already grabbed him. In that moment, Qi Wu rushed in like lightning.
“Big Brother, where is Qi Wu?” Cang Hai asked, confused.
Cang Shan shook his head, “He can’t go to the third floor, and if you make a move now, aren’t you trying to kill him?”
Qi Wu stepped onto the second floor, calling Ru Feng’s name, each call filled with urgency.
Ru Feng on the third floor seemed disconnected, unable to hear.
The lamp burned all night, and as day broke, Ru Feng discovered a notebook from a past generation of the clan. It collected forbidden language and conveyed that while it contradicts natural ways, it encapsulates the essence of the human heart, unwilling to be lost, hidden under the bed, waiting for destined successors to improve it for the world’s benefit.
These words brought tears to Ru Feng’s eyes. The clan leader had truly been insightful. Weapons may harm or protect depending on their usage.
Ru Feng moved the items on the bed, revealing a large pit at the frame’s bottom. She jumped down and eagerly opened a box. Upon turning the first page, her hands trembled.
The title page had a line: “Exchange life for life, one’s loss is another’s gain.”
Suddenly, the bed board fell down. Ru Feng raised her hands to block it, and the book slid to the side.
The pit began to shake violently, prompting Ru Feng to drop the wooden board and retrieve the book. Just as she rose to her feet, she noticed another shadow pressing down. She tried to dodge but saw water seeping where the book had fallen.
Without hesitating, Ru Feng lunged for the book. As she picked it up, an iron plate struck her legs, causing excruciating pain.
Qi Wu heard the noise and quickly dodged, witnessing the floorboards crack open, allowing a familiar figure to fall through with various objects.
“Ru Feng,” he cried, rushing to embrace her. But he found her eyes tightly closed, blood gushing from her legs.
In the corridor outside the hospital room, Si Tu Qi Wu leaned against the wall, knees drawn up, head resting on them. Despite this position, his body trembled from the cold.
“Qi Wu, it’s okay, don’t worry,” Si Tu Qi Feng consoled him, though the hand on his shoulder felt the intense shaking.
Si Tu Qi Wu was lost in his own thoughts, hearing nothing, only seeing Ru Feng’s bloody, unconscious image.
His hand gradually tightened, the sound of bones cracking audible.
“Qi Wu, don’t blame yourself, this is not your fault,” Qi Feng hurriedly shook him, trying to wake him up.
“No, it’s my fault,” he murmured, eyes vacant. “I’m useless.”
