Jing Yi hesitated for a moment. He definitely wouldn't mind going to take a look and finding out but he also didn't want to miss out on being able to see more of the city. But then again, he would probably also be able to look around later on. Nobody said that they had to do it all immediately.
Thinking of that, he finally nodded. "Yes, let's do that. I guess in the end, we can just go and look around further when we have taken a look at the tower. There's no need to do everything at once, is there? In any case, it'll probably take a few days for them to come up with something, right?"
Qiu Ling felt complicated when Jing Yi said that. In any case, what this basically meant was 'they will need a few days before they decide how to kill me', didn't it? That was definitely something he didn't want Jing Yi to think about it. But he was right. Sooner or later, the gods would come up with something. Thinking of that, he sighed and then nodded. "Yes, it probably will."
Jing Yi smiled and grabbed his arm, forcing himself to show a smile. "Don't look like that. You'll make me feel guilty for saying it in the first place and making you unhappy. It's okay. I know that this isn't your fault. This is just how things are. I'm sure we'll be able to deal with it somehow."
Qiu Ling nodded but he didn't really feel happy. If he could, he definitely wanted to make things easier for Jing Yi. "Well, let's go then. If there's something else you want to take a closer look at, just tell me. I'll take you there."
Jing Yi nodded and continued to hold onto his arm. "Yes, don't worry. I'll tell you if I think of something."
The two of them went over to the Tower of Wisdom while Jing Yi pondered what he had found out so far. He was a little angry about the thing with the scroll of fate but that Fate's Scribe had just done his job. He would like to go and find out what exactly his original fate said but he didn't know if it was possible. That was something he would either have to ask Qiu Ling or he would have to find out here in the Tower of Wisdom. He didn't really think that Qiu Ling would be able to give him an answer so it would likely be the latter.
Then, he would also like to find out more about the people that were close to Jing He. He didn't know what he could do with that kind of knowledge but just having it in the first place might be helpful later on. The easiest person to approach would probably be his uncle. They had already met once and back then, he hadn't shown any bad attitude. Even today, he had seemed a little apologetic. He was definitely much better than Jing Yi's parents, especially his father. So if he wanted to make some progress and could somehow use these people for that, then Jing He's uncle would be the first he should start with. After that would come the Heavenly Empress, and then finally, the Heavenly Emperor, even though he didn't hold much hope in regard to him.
Finally, the two of them reached the steps to the door of the Tower of Wisdom.
Jing Yi looked up at Qiu Ling, wanting him to take the lead.
Qiu Ling looked at him and wasn't quite sure how to proceed. "Well, let's go in then?"
Jing Yi nodded and continued to hold onto his arm, trying to put on a good expression. So far, most people wouldn't know who he was. Aside from Jing He's family and that God of Justice, there had only been the soldiers and officials at that moment. Nobody else should be aware of his identity. So leaving others with a good first impression would be for the best.
The two of them stepped inside and Jing Yi's gaze swept around. There weren't many people. In fact, at first glance, this Tower of Wisdom seemed pretty much deserted. There was a counter not far from the door but other than that, there were just rows upon rows of shelves with books and scrolls, pretty much like what Qiu Ling had said. In between the shelves, he could not see a single person and only faintly heard somebody's steps somewhere further away. At least on this first floor, there shouldn't really be anyone other than them, that person, and the clerk at the counter.
Speaking of that one, the clerk glanced up when he heard steps and then immediately sat up straighter when he realized who one of them was. "Longjun!"
Qiu Ling looked over and then motioned for Jing Yi to go there, leading him over.
The clerk seemed flattered that this bigshot would actually come over when he greeted him, and hurriedly stood up to show his appreciation. "Is there something specific that Longjun is looking for?"
Qiu Ling looked at him, feeling a bit complicated. This guy looked a bit like he was stunned to see him but also happy. He really hadn't known that there were gods that he had that kind of appeal to. Well, even if there were some, he would've thought that they would be in the palace of the God of War and not in the Tower of Wisdom. He definitely wasn't known as the wise king of the dragon race after all. If anything, he was better known as a warrior.
Nonetheless, Qiu Ling cleared his throat and tried to look serious, forcing himself not to revert back to how he had been behaving for the last millennia. "Well, I'm currently staying in the Nine Heavens. I also brought one of my advisers with me, An Bai. You probably know that he is a well-known scholar of my race. I wonder if it would be alright for him to just come over here and take a look around?"
Jing Yi looked at him, feeling like his worldview was refreshed when he saw just how easily Qiu Ling was able to spout such a lie. He probably shouldn't be surprised. After all, he had often heard him spout nonsense in the past as well. It was just that he would've thought things would be different in the immortal realms. But it seemed that some things just never changed.
The clerk hurriedly nodded. "Of course, of course. It would be our honor to receive scholar An Bai. In any case, the Tower of Wisdom is open to anyone. All the books can be used inside the tower. If he wants to take one of them with them, he can do so for most and just needs to register them here at the counter. There are some restricted areas that books cannot be taken out of but they are clearly marked as such. When in doubt, he can always ask one of the clerks of our tower though."
Qiu Ling nodded. "He will be happy to hear that. Thank you. Then, we will also go and take a look around. Or what do you think?" He turned to Jing Yi, pretending that this had just been a casual idea he had at the moment and not the reason they had come here in the first place.
Jing Yi smiled, playing along. "Well, I do have to admit that I am quite curious myself. Let's go and take a look."
Qiu Ling nodded, then inclined his head toward the clerk in thanks and turned around to lead Jing Yi to one of the corridors between the shelves.