Chapter 974 - Youngsters Should Read More
Han Wu wasn’t about to waste a precious White Soul Coin on Human Pregnancy: Postnatal Care and Recovery. Instead, he asked the Desolation Manifestation to scan the entire library for any trace of Esquiem’s mother.
The Desolation Manifestation spread its perception and silently enveloped the entire Full Moon Library. It didn’t find the Great Fire Dragon mother’s presence, but it did detect three areas that blocked its perception.
After learning that, Han Wu pretended to browse the shelves as he approached the first blocked area. Few visitors were reading there. Most only glanced through the books before leaving, and those who actually stayed to read were extremely rare.
“What kind of books are stored here? Why is nobody reading them?” Han Wu asked curiously as he moved closer to a shelf. He couldn’t understand the titles.
The Desolation Manifestation explained, “These are documents from the era of the White Soul Civilization’s First King. Most are records of major events from various regions, along with some hero biographies from that period.”
Han Wu pulled out a book at random and tried to open it, only to be told it cost 100 White Soul Coins for a single day of reading. He hastily shoved the book back onto the shelf.
“No wonder nobody reads these,” he grumbled.
They were outrageously expensive and completely devoid of anything useful. Who would bother?
Just as Han Wu voiced his opinion, a middle-aged man in a black robe silently appeared behind him. “No talking in the library. Since this is your first offense, the fine is 10 White Soul Coins.”
Han Wu stared at him. He had spoken only twice since entering the library, and he had kept his voice low. There was no way he had disturbed anyone. He also had no idea who this black-robed man was or what authority he had to fine him.
“This isn’t the place to talk. Follow me.” The black-robed man turned and headed toward the back of the area.
Han Wu noticed a room labeled Fine Room[1] at the back.
The Desolation Manifestation informed him that the Fine Room was one of the areas its perception couldn’t penetrate.
Han Wu followed immediately. The moment he stepped inside, he felt invisible shackles lock around him, severing his connection to all six of his Forms.
The black-robed man clearly expected this. He pressed his powerful, bony hand onto Han Wu’s shoulder. “Don’t try anything clever. Pay the fine!”
The grip was painful, but Han Wu twisted free with a burst of strength and demanded coldly, “Who are you? Why did you bring me here?”
Although he couldn’t access his six Forms, Han Wu’s base attributes were still intact. With those alone, he was still a capable fighter.
The black-robed man shook his head. His figure shifted as the black robe expanded into an endless spread of darkness that swallowed the entire room. It spread across the doorway and sealed off Han Wu’s only escape.
“I’m the librarian of this section. You dared to insult the books under my care, and that crosses a line. Pay the fine now, and I’ll let you leave safely,” the black-robed man warned.
“What if I don’t?” Han Wu shot back.
“Then don’t blame me!” The black-robed man spread his hands, and countless books materialized behind him. He plucked one from the air and tossed it at Han Wu.
Han Wu dodged and watched the man warily. “An attack of that level has no effect on me.”
“Attack? I never intended to attack you,” the black-robed man replied, looking genuinely confused. “Since you won’t pay the fine, you’ll have to study this book instead. Once you’ve memorized every character in it, you’re free to leave.”
Han Wu’s eyes widened. That was a novel form of punishment. He picked up the book. It was written in the obscure script of the First King era. The text made his head spin. It was even harder to understand than religious scripture. Memorizing the whole thing would take an eternity.
Han Wu tossed the book aside and headed for the exit, only to find that the door had vanished.
The black-robed man said nothing. He simply stood there with a stern expression and watched Han Wu.
Han Wu searched every corner of the room. He even asked the Desolation Manifestation to scan the entire space. Neither of them could find an exit. It was as if the space had been completely sealed.
The Desolation Manifestation also confirmed that there were no traces of Esquiem’s mother there. It was nothing more than a room, so the first suspicious area was ruled out.
After struggling for a while with no way out, Han Wu finally sat down and started reading. With the Desolation Manifestation’s quiet guidance, he worked through the entire book.
Only then did the black-robed man nod with satisfaction and offer a piece of advice. “Youngsters like you should read more. No book is useless. It’s only a matter of whether you’ll need it someday. I hope you’ll remember this lesson.”
He waved his hand, and the exit reappeared.
Han Wu walked out, thoroughly irritated. He checked the time and realized that he had been trapped in the Fine Room for an entire day.
What a colossal waste of time! If I had known it would take this long, I would’ve just paid the 10 White Soul Coins.
“What a scam. This place is a total scam,” Han Wu grumbled under his breath.
The black-robed man materialized behind him once again as if from thin air. “No talking in the library...”
“I know, I know. Here’s the fine!” Han Wu stuffed 10 White Soul Coins into the man’s hand and hurried out of the section. He never wanted to see that Fine Room again.
After personally checking the remaining two blocked areas, Han Wu found that they were also Fine Rooms. The entire Full Moon Library showed no sign of Esquiem’s mother.
Han Wu was at a loss. “So the capture of Esquiem’s mother really has nothing to do with the Full Moon Library.”
He found the conclusion difficult to accept. The library’s shady practices had already convinced him they were capable of almost anything. In his mind, if the librarians were willing to fine people today, they would force everyone to study tomorrow. The day after, they would set up exam halls and make everyone take tests. Kidnapping a Great Fire Dragon just to educate it through compulsory learning sounded exactly like something they would do.
Yet the truth remained that they hadn’t kidnapped Esquiem’s mother.
“Looks like I need to pay the Fire Worship Cult a visit,” Han Wu said as he prepared to leave the Full Moon Library.
Just then, a loud alarm rang out.
The librarians went on high alert and shouted, “Protect every book in the library! The Word-Eaters are here! Everyone stay alert!”
“Word-Eaters? What are those?” Han Wu couldn’t understand why the librarians were panicking, but he was about to find out.
1. Fine as in being fined for money ☜