The library cavern was noiseless and well-lit. In the center was a rectangular stone table surrounded by seven wooden shelves. Three of these shelves were used to store unusual items. The other four were for books, and one of these four was guarded by a barrier. This library cavern belonged to Li Yuan, and nobody knew about this place aside from him, his disciple, and now his substitute.Fen Lei heaved a sigh as he turned the book to the next page. He was lying on the stone table with his legs crossed and his head resting on a pile of books. He Jin had given him new books, and this time he needed to study and learn all of their contents rather than simply reading them.He closed the book with a heavy-eyed face and yawned as he stared at the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling. He had been on Plaillon for over two months and had not missed a single day of reading in the cave since his injuries had healed.His daily pattern had changed. He would get up before sunrise to meditate for an hour, eat breakfast with He Jin, and then jog to the library cavern near the peak of Angu-An mountain. He Jin, on the other hand, would use a portal each time to get to the cave, which was why Fen Lei often made a fuss, as he thought it was unfair.He Jin would always place a barrier at the cave's entrance, fearing that if he did not, Fen Lei would flee and skip his learning hours, as he had done three times during his first week of training, only to stroll through nearby villages and flirt with every decent-looking woman he saw.Fen Lei would spend seven to eight hours inside the cave studying the contents of each book and memorizing the patterns and methods of every magic that was necessary for him to learn.He Jin would remove the barrier before sunset and head deeper into the forest with Fen Lei to hunt monsters, or they would travel to nearby villages to exorcise evil spirits. This served as Fen Lei's practice as well as his physical, mental, and spiritual training, as he struggled to control his nenha despite having memorized all of the magic he had studied and learned.He had been doing these things since he had recovered from his injuries, and living this way was the worst of the worst. Who would want to be locked away in a cave every day to study a bunch of books and then taken to the woods at night to face terrifying creatures?In the midst of his thoughts, his gaze was drawn to the book shelf protected by a barrier. He could see the books inside as the barrier was transparent. "Those books do not appear to be noteworthy. Why does that kid forbid me from touching that shelf? He even refuses to respond to my questions about it." He leapt from the stone table and approached the barred shelf. "Let us see how this barrier can be broken."Just as he was about to touch the barrier, he perceived a number of blades coming straight at him. His eyes widened, and he immediately ducked for cover. The blades collided with the shelf's barrier and then dispersed.He stood up and pointed angrily at He Jin. "You brat! Have you gone mad? You should know that my dodging skills are not all that great!"He Jin responded at the top of his lungs, pointing at Fen Lei as well, "How many times do I have to tell you not to touch that shelf, you moron!""It is not like I am able to break that barrier even if I punch it a hundred times! Are you sick?""You!" The young man was stupefied for a moment. "Stop whining and get back to studying!"Fen Lei sat on the stone table, scowling. "Hah! Why should I? Who do you think you are to give me such torture?"He Jin frowned. "Did you hit your head somewhere? What torture are you talking about?""Is not everything you make me do torture? You lock me here as if I were a prisoner and make me memorize the contents of these books as if it were not a stressful task. You can not even consider bringing me water or food, let alone giving me a break."He Jin fell silent and was overcome with guilt. Fen Lei, on the other hand, glanced at him, trying to suppress his laughter as the young man seemed to have taken his bait.After a long silence, He Jin spoke, "Sure. Open a portal and get out of here.""Ha? I have not even perfected that technique yet!" Fen Lei protested, but He Jin did not respond and simply looked at him, arms crossed across his chest."Fine, fine! I will try." Fen Lei drew a pattern in the air, and a portal appeared in front of him. The portal disappeared as soon as he entered, but it reappeared a few seconds later, and he came out of it with a frown on his face. "I have been practicing it for two months now! Why am I still unable to do it?"This was one of the techniques he had been struggling to master as it required intense mental concentration to visualize the location one desired to set foot in. This was the first technique He Jin had taught him, and he had made no progress at all. He kept returning to the same location."And whose fault is it?" scoffed He Jin, opening a portal in front of him. "I have a commission today, so I cannot accompany you.""Ha?" Fen Lei gave him a perplexed look."Did you not say you needed a break? Here. I just opened a portal to Lingmell City for you."Fen Lei's lips slowly curved into a wide smile. "So you are not a heartless brat at all. Hehe, I will take my leave then." He cheerfully approached the portal and was about to enter when He Jin stopped him, outstretching his right arm to block him. "Huh? What?""There are things you should be aware of before you leave. I suppose you have heard of Yu Hyarin, have you not?" asked He Jin."Is he not the youngest elected ruler of this region? He was mentioned in one of the books you gave me before, and he has been in the position for four years now," Fen Lei answered."Exactly. Also, Yu Hyarin is an old friend of master. You must show him respect and not speak to him casually.""I understand.""You have probably read about the Hashiya Commission as well."Fen Lei nodded. "It is the largest organization in this country, primarily responsible for public security, military affairs, and border supervision. This organization is led by Yan Shiren. Wait, Yan Shiren? Is this not the person your master likes?""Enough!" A frown suddenly formed on He Jin's brow. "Go to the headquarters of the Hashiya Commission and look for Yu Hyarin. He was the one who confiscated my master's weapon. Get that weapon back, and you can wander around the city afterward until you are bored. I will come get you at dusk."Fen Lei chuckled and mumbled, "Jealous brat.""I am not jealous!" exclaimed He Jin."Sure, if you say so, then how about this?" Fen Lei extended his hand and pointed to his palm with a smile."What?" He Jin was confused."You should give me money; five hundred ruu will suffice," Fen Lei replied, but he was met with a kick that pushed him into the portal."Get lost and do not make a mess while I am away! If you do, I will send you to the forest of giant beetles!"The portal opened in front of the gates of Lingmell City, and Fen Lei emerged from it as if he had been pushed by a strong wind. He hit the ground on his buttocks first and grimaced in pain. People passing by gave him a brief glance before returning to their respective activities.With an irritated expression, he stood up and shook his robe off. "How could that brat kick his master's body?"However, a smile instantly appeared on his lips when he saw the gate. The city gate was guarded by four guards, each armed with a spear. Normally, these guards would inspect every outsider before allowing them to enter the city, but as he approached the gate, they simply stared at him.Why would they indeed be suspicious of him when the former owner of his body was known as the loser and pathetic male admirer of the chief commissioner of the Hashiya Commission?His lips curved even more when he entered the city. The area was nearly congested, with various goods stacked along the roadside. He looked around and noticed a lot of things. Houses and establishments were built of wood, or if not, clay and brick. People of all genders were dressed in long robes and wore their long hair in ponytails, buns, or braids.He eventually arrived at the Hashiya Commission headquarters. People inside the headquarters were dressed in white robes tucked into jade green ankle-length skirts. Their sleeves were long and wide, covering their arms. Their long hair was pulled back in a high ponytail with a long piece of jade green cloth wrapped around the base, and several chin-length hair strands on each side of their foreheads were left untied.Two gentlemen approached Fen Lei with smiles on their lips in the midst of his saunter. These two were Li Yuan's close friends, Se Ran and Ru Jun."Li Yuan, you have not shown up in months. The last time we saw you was when you confessed to Yan Shiren." Se Ran draped his arm around Fen Lei's shoulders.Meanwhile, Ru Jun agreed with a nod.Se Ran was the biggest quidnunc in the city. His face might not exhibit it, but he literally knew every bit of news and gossip going around within and outside Lingmell. He even knew where a city couple had done their final horizontal tango before breaking up.While Se Ran was an outgoing person, Ru Jun was his polar opposite. Ru Jun was known as the "rich drunkard" of Hashiya. He rarely spoke and would only respond to people with gestures or hums. Whenever he was drunk, however, he would talk a lot and would not hesitate to give anyone anything they asked for. A million ruu, for example, or a house and lot."Have you moved on from him? What have you been up to anyway? Yan Shiren has traveled to many places in recent months, both within and outside the country. Did you two happen to cross paths elsewhere?" Se Ran asked.Fen Lei was slightly tense as he had no idea who these people were. He simply laughed and pretended to know them. Fortunately, despite knowing very little about what had happened between Li Yuan and this person, Yan Shiren, he was able to comprehend their situation. "Hah! Who cares about that Yan Shiren? I have found someone I like.""Is that so? How unfortunate that person is to have you as their admirer," a young man standing behind them interjected into their conversation.They all turned to face this young man. He was handsome and appeared to be the same age as He Jin. His arms were crossed across his chest as he scowled at Fen Lei."Rin Han!" Se Ran ejaculated.Ru Jun, on the other hand, said nothing."Rin Han?" Fen Lei mumbled.The young man yelled as he pointed at Fen Lei, "Do not say you have forgotten about me and what you did to me! Do you think I will let it slide? Wait until I exact my vengeance on you, lustful gay!"This young man was Rin Han, the cousin of Yan Shiren. A misunderstanding had occurred between him and Li Yuan about a half-year ago. Rin Han had been severely injured after a battle with a poisonous gauwoki near the peak of Angu-An mountain. Li Yuan, who happened to be nearby chasing down the monkey who had stolen his liquor, had discovered him unconscious on the ground. Seeing the blood on Rin Han's chest, Li Yuan immediately took off Rin Han's upper garment to treat his chest wound. However, the Hashiya officers who had come to rescue Rin Han had witnessed this, and Li Yuan had been accused of harassing Rin Han.Naturally, Fen Lei was puzzled, as he was unaware of this. "What are you talking about? Did I offend you in any way? And I can accept you calling me gay, but lustful? How did I become lustful? And even if I were, I would not lay a finger on you because you have no sexual appeal."Rin Han was stunned and offended. "I have no...sexual appeal?"Meanwhile, Se Ran was chuckling behind Ru Jun, who had no reaction at all."So the loser who brings misfortune is here."Their attention was quickly drawn to the approaching man, who had spoken in a deep voice. The three Hashiya officers, Ru Jun, Se Ran, and Rin Han, immediately bowed their heads and respectfully greeted this man upon recognizing who he was."Greetings, Chief Commissioner Yan.""No wonder my day did not start well," the man added, not taking his daunting stare away from Fen Lei.