32 Scripture Library 2

It was about three days later that Qin Feng finally made a trip out of his medicine fields, and headed towards the Main School Hall. And he was not surprised to find himself panting away, before he had even covered half the distance. It was a little too far away, he thought, for those who did not cultivate the Lightness-of-Body martial arts that were so prevalent in the School.

Or even those who had not managed to gain at least Initial Mastery of that Art. He had barely covered a quarter to a third of the distance, and he was already feeling tired!

Still, he persisted, and finally made it to the Scripture Hall. Thankfully, Chen Xing was already waiting for him. And did not look too impatient either.

"You must have started when dawn broke, didn't you?" laughed the old man, as soon as he noticed Qin Feng's somewhat exhausted expression. "Don't worry. You will get better at it soon enough. You just need to keep practicing."

"I think I had better skip the Four Weather Sword practice and concentrate on getting my Flowing Wind Steps up to standard. Otherwise, it would take forever for me to get from place to place in here," he gasped, leaning his palms on his bent knees.

"Well, that is up to you. Those are just the basic techniques that almost everyone learns. So you can always come to me for advice if you have any trouble with them. And yes, practicing the Flowing Wind Steps would help, if you are concerned about getting around."

Then Chen Xing gestured at the building behind him and the pair started towards the wide entrance that was painted black and studded with bright bronze hemispheres. A large signboard above the door named the building without any fuss:

"Hidden Scripture Hall. Why do they call it hidden? I thought that all of us can gain access to the place?"

"Only the basic texts, Qin Feng. Everyone can gain access to the basic texts. But if you are interested in learning the more formidable styles of the Heavenly Sword, you will need to exchange points for them," Chen Xing reminded him at once.

"And you are so new that you don't have any points to spare! So you can only draw one single martial arts manual from the Hall today. So choose wisely."

Qin Feng gave out a bark of laughter as soon as he heard that. "I am not going to look for one that is too extraordinary, if that is what you are worried about. I have just started to learn the basic footwork and sword style of the School, so I doubt that I can understand much, if I were to pick one of the elite styles in there today.

"So, no. I am probably going to look for a simple, Foundation Breathing and Cultivation technique. That should allow me to learn how to Breathe properly, I think. You did say that it was important that I do that, didn't you?"

Chen Xing laughed again. "You remembered that? That is better than I had hoped. Most of the boys that I bring here would try their hands at the most powerful techniques and formulae they can find. But how can those be so easy to master?"

The two of them shook their heads together, then laughed. Qin Feng had to agree that it was true. None of the martial arts that were worth anything were difficult to understand and to master. If it were not for the fact that he had a method of cheating, he wouldn't even bother to try!

Still, he wasn't going to admit that. He didn't want everybody to start wondering why he was so eager to get his hands on the Foundational text like the Jade Tree Sixteen Exercises!

That is, if it was still available there, in the Hidden Scripture Library of the Heaven Sword School. According to what he knew, there were only six copies of that particular book available, there in the Southlands. And this would be the easiest place where he was more than likely to get his hands on the same.

Provided, of course, that it didn't cost him any points at all, as he hoped. After all, with the word Foundation in its name, the folk of the Heaven Sword School wasn't likely to be treating it like some sort of treasure, were they?

Yet, as eager as he was to get inside and start searching for the book, he couldn't make a move without Chen Xing. And the old man was still looking around himself, a short distance away from the entrance to the Library building. Was there someone else that they were waiting for? Another disciple from the Outer School perhaps?

Suddenly, the old man started to move, stepping forward to the beginning of one of the paths that wound down towards the Main Hall. And he bowed low, to a man in a deep blue robe. Who seemed a little surprised, and annoyed, to be so accosted.

The fact that he was not in a uniform was enough to warn Qin Feng that the newcomer wasn't simple. And given the sour-looking expression on his face, he certainly wasn't going take the chance that he would take offence. So he simply bowed, and kept his eyes on the ground.

There was a smattering of a conversation, before he heard a soft coughing sound. When he looked up, there was only Chen Xing standing in front of him, and the broad smile on his face gave Qin Feng the impression that the old man was in a good mood. Had he succeeded then? In whatever he was doing?

"That is Elder Ming Guanhe. He's the one who is in-charge of handling all matters pertaining to the rear mountain medicine gardens. In other words, he is the one who supervises all of us there," Chen Xing introduced in a humble voice.

"I am bringing you to his attention, so that he would recognize you, if any problems occur. There are some among the Outer School disciples who have ... tried to make things difficult for their peers. Hence, it is better to have someone who we can depend upon, to protect us from such ... idiots."

"Ah. You have had ... some issues with the other disciples then?"

"One or two. But that is not a concern for you. They aren't that bored that they would bother a newly inducted disciple. Especially not when Elder Ming is going to be watching over their every move now," Chen Xing snorted.

Then he pointed to the Library. "But I think we have taken up enough of your time. Let us go in, and get you your training manuals!"

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