Chapter 10

After Yuki and elder Chi walked out of the throne room, Ling Jian called for vice sect master Chen. They both had a discussion, which lasted for quite a long time.

Meanwhile, Yuki and elder Chi were making their way towards the library. Sword sect library has one of the most comprehensive collections of books which includes martial techniques, cultivation manuals, historical records, etc. It can even be said that amongst all the first-rate sects in the western continent, there are very few who can outmatch them.

"Why did you want to go to the library first, elder sister? wouldn't it have been better for you to get clothes first?" elder Chi asks, though she still gets a bit embarrassed on the elder sister's part. But since she is not being watched by Ling Jian or someone else, her embarrassment is much less than earlier.

"Clothes can wait, I am more curious about the changes in the world" Yuki replies

Elder Chi nods her head as her expression seems to say she totally understands.

"What is level 5 which little Ling was talking about earlier?" Yuki asks as she has been curious about it ever since she heard it.

"The library has a total of 8 levels" elder Chi explains "outer sect disciples have access to 2 levels, inner sect disciples have access to 4 levels. Elders, department heads, and vice sect master have access to 7 levels. And for the last level, it can only be accessed by the sect master"

"So does that mean I have access to 7 levels?"

"Yes," elder Chi says. It is pretty clear that Ling Jian is already treating Yuki at par with elders and elder Chi has noticed it too. After a few moments, she points towards a building "look there it is"

Yuki follows her line of sight and what greets her eyes is a tall building, dark blue in color, surrounded by green shrubs. The building has 9 floors in total. There is a big door in front of the building, which is currently opened or it will be more accurate to say it rarely closes. Disciples can be seen going in and out of the library.

Yuki smiles, then says "But I can see a lot of people, won't they notice us?"

"There is a separate door at the side of the building which is only used by elders and the like. We'll use that door"

"Let's go then"

Elder Chi leads Yuki towards the side door, though there are a few elders present who notice Yuki along the way. But since her presence is already known to most of the elders, it's not much of a problem. Even though some of them are curious about her, no one dares to approach her and as such, they go back to whatever they were doing.

The side door has stairs that go all the way to the top. Yuki and elder Chi climb those stairs and reach the 7th floor. The floor has multiple shelves that almost reach the ceiling. All the shelves are loaded with various books, scrolls, etc. There is also some furniture present for readers, but there is no one present at the moment besides Yuki and elder Chi. Elder Chi then brings Yuki to a quiet corner of the 7th floor. There is a single chair and a table by the window, which presents a beautiful view of the outside.

"Elder sister, you can use this place to read" elder Chi smiles and tells Yuki

"Does little Ling uses this?" Yuki asks though she has some idea about it.

"Yes, sect master uses it" she also adds "it's one of the few places she finds herself at peace." Her words carry a deeper meaning than it implies and Yuki can sense it.

"How was little Ling like growing up?" Yuki asks out of the blue, elder Chi answers, even though she is startled by the sudden topic

"Junior sister Ling was very naughty while growing up" she smilingly adds "she used to pull pranks, always wanting to play, and never wanting to do her homework. She used to laugh a lot and it would bring a smile to everyone's face" There is a hint of reminiscence and nostalgia in her words. Yuki smiles as she imagines the younger Ling Jian.

"So what changed?" Yuki asks

Elder chi breathes a sigh and says "due to unfortunate circumstances, junior sister had to take the position of sect master and"

"The burden which came with the position made her change" Yuki interrupts and completes her words.

"Yes," elder Chi affirms her words.

"People are slaves to circumstances," Yuki somberly says. Elder Chi is taken aback by her words which seem to come from her experience. 'Has Elder sister also experienced something similar?' A question arises in her mind but she refrains from asking it. A wave of silence fills the area.

Elder Chi eventually breaks the silence "Elder sister, I will go and tell the librarian about you. You can stay and read here. Use the same way to go back after you are done. I have some work to attend to, so I'll take my leave after talking with the librarian."

"Okay" Yuki replies

Elder Chi then leaves to go to the librarian. Yuki sits at the chair while staring at the beauty outside. Anyone who'd see Yuki now would be mesmerized by her, it's a shame that no one is present. It is hard to tell what is going on in her mind. Yuki eventually sighs, takes a deep breath and walks to a shelf, and picks a book. She comes back and starts reading it.

*****

Vice sect master Chen is sitting in a room alone. He has his eyes closed while thinking about something.

'I was against attending the celebration from the start, but now that we are attending it. Sect master wants to send her. We don't even know about her intentions, but it doesn't matter, Whether she is our ancestor or not, if she has any ulterior motives, I'll kill her without a second thought'