'So she is around the level of an advanced master. Seeing as it is a guard for the alliance leader it seems there won't be a lot of people there. I should still keep up some appearance.'
"Before we head on to the upper floor could you give me some books on how to read?"
"Wait, you can't read?"
"Yes."
"Then how do you plan on reading the books here, much less the history ones.?"
"I plan to learn to read here."
"What! So let me get this straight. You are here in the best library in all of murim full of manuals up to a grandmaster's level with access to them all as well but you plan on learning to read!"
"I apologize if I offended you but yes that is the case."
'These f*c*king spoiled brats. Ahhh! Calm down Nari, calm down he is still the leader's son. You are here to guide him so just do that. Right! Let's just get this over with'
Squeezing her fists air tight she calms herself down.
"Then follow me, young master!"
Being a library mainly for martial manuals there were not a lot of books catered towards learning but being bound by her duty Ryu-Nari scavenged the entirety of the first floor to search for such books.
'I am starting to feel guilty.'
"There should be enough, if it isn't then you will have to make do! These are the characters and that is the pronunciation. Since you can speak well enough you should be able to learn the letters quickly."
Wanting to get back to her job Ryu-Nari starts heading in the direction of stairs but looking at the child her heart doesn't agree.
"I will only read them outloud once so listen carefully."
"Thank you for your consideration."
'She really didn't have to.'
Finishing their little lesson Ryu-Nari then leads Ji-Hyeon to the fourth floor, "But are you sure you want to waste your time here on learning to read? You will need the leader's permission every time you want to enter here."
"Thank you but I am sure. Then farewell."
"Uh, yeah sure. See you next time."
'Why the hell is a child so polite?'
***
'She has a very kind heart but so did they. At the end of the day even the kindest of souls can do the most heinous things if a situation allows it. Well let's focus on the now.'
Ji-Hyeon then started to go through all the book titles on the floor. After a long while he finally came across one with a title he was looking for, "Origin of the poison clan."
'Out of all the other books this is the only one covered in filth. They really are a bunch of brutes.'
***
Signing on documents Kim bai-tian sees the moon reflected in the ink. 'It's already this late?'
"Lee jin-shin, Where is Ji-Hyeon right now?"
"He is still in the library sir."
"What? He still hasn't gone out of there?"
"Yes sir. At the moment he is on the fourth floor."
"Fourth floor? I see, he must be very infatuated by the idea of manuals of such a high level to spend so much time there."
"Actually that's not the case sir. According to Ryu-Nari he went there to read about the history of the murim rather than the manuals."
Puzzled by his son's actions Kim Bia-Tian decides to head to the library himself.
***
Having finished the book Ji-Hyeon receives more questions than answers. Unable to hold himself back he tries to head to the fifth floor but gets denied.
"You were escorted by Ryu-Nari so you only have access up until the fourth level."
Though he had already looked over all the titles on the fourth and failed to find other relevant books he still couldn't help but look over the entire floor yet again.
'There must be another one! There must! Why the hell do these brutes have nothing but martial-arts manuals!'
***
Heading up the floors upon reaching the 4-th floor Kim Bai-Tian starts blinking multiple times to confirm whether or not he was seeing an illusion.
In front of him he saw Ji-Hyeon's face who since meeting him always always remained a void of any form of expression filled with rage just like the day Ji-Hyeon stabbed him.
He was looking over every nook and cranny, throwing books in every direction as if he would die if he didn't find what he was looking for.
'What happened for him to act like this? No could it be!'
Kim bai-tian feels a chilling cold down his back, his sole wet, and his heart beating faster than when he had to pierce a sword through his mother and brother.
Still being a leader he couldn't let his thoughts show.
Raising his hand Kim bai-tian gave a command, "Hold him down."
But the one to heed that command was not Lee jin-shin but shadows who flew from across the library and held Ji-Hyeon down.
'I hope… I truly hope you haven't been taken over by a demonic manual. I won't be able to show Mei-Lan my face again if I kill you. Please, calm down. Please, I don't wish to lose her again. Please…'
"Calm down son. Whatever it is you are looking for, you can come again tomorrow. No need to get agitated."
***
Ji-Hyeon finally feels his body stuck as if he was chained, his eyes now started seeing the things around him rather than just books, his heart started calming down and his mind gained clarity.
"My apologies sir, I will make sure I do not show this side to you again. But may I ask for permission to enter the fifth floor?"
Lee jin-shin relaxes his hand from his sword's grip seeing the child gain composure so quickly.
Looking over to Kim bai-tian he breathes a sigh of relief for he didn't have to kill the son of the one he served.
"You may, but before I give it to you we need to have a talk."
'Did I stand out too much? No, that should not be the case. Since it's the fifth floor there are some classified documents there.'
"I understand sir." Looking around and seeing the people holding his limbs, Ji-Hyeon slightly feels joy. He even had people look after me in the shadows. 'Mother also must have some if not more people standing guard for her. It seems I won't have to worry about her anymore. Finally, she won't have to wake up before chickens and sleep later than dogs washing other's filth again. I'm glad.'
Knowing his mother's days of poverty and suffering had ended, Ji-Hyeon couldn't help but smile.
Kim bai-tian however started to worry again.
'Why is he smiling again?! Did he truly… No! No! It must be because I already somewhat gave him permission to enter the fifth floor. Yes, that must be it. Let it be it.'
"Lee hin-shin have it reorganized I will now head out."
"Understood sir."
***
In the carriage Ji-Hyeon felt Kim Bai-tian's relentless gaze upon him. 'Did I do something wrong? Is it because I went straight to the fourth floor? That must be it, he must think I am a brat who got far too greedy for my own greed. I can't afford for him to have a wrong impression of me for both me and my mother.'
"I am sorry sir if I overstepped my boundaries by going to the fourth floor but I didn't go there-"It's not because you went to the fourth floor."
"Sorry? Then wh-"It's because of the way you were acting there. As if.. You were possessed."
Ji-Hyeon first scoffed at his father for being so superstitious but seeing such a reaction he himself started to think there was something more to it.
"Could yo-""No, This is not the right place to have this discussion. Come to my study after finishing your meal. Understood?"
"Yes, sir."
Reaching the estate Kim sujin greets the two.
Having been accustomed to her husband's stoic face she who could now make out his mood for very minor changes in his expressions saw her husband's face grim.
She quickly ordered the maid to take his food straight to study. Looking over to Ji-Hyeon, "It seems we won't be dining together tonight."
Ji-Hyeon, understanding the situation, was quick to reply, "I see. Then have a good night."
Nodding at one another they head their own way.
Reaching his residence Ji-Hyeon sought out the maid in charge of them and asked her to prepare a meal for them while also informing Mei-Lan of it.
Finishing the meal he went straight to the study.
Before he could even knock a voice came from within the study, "Come in."
"Sit"
"Now tell me why were you so agitated from reading a book?"
"Before that could I-"
"No."
"I will ask you again, why were you so agitated from just reading a book?"
'What is going on? Why is he so serious?'