The two rushed over only to find the towering inferno had completely engulfed the study.
Flames reaching several meters high emitted soft "crackling" sounds as they burst, the "clang clang clang" of the gong being struck, the shouts of people fighting the fire, the splash of water, the thud of running footsteps, and the crashing sound of burning wood falling to the ground... A cacophony of noises blended together.
After a moment, Old Cheng popped up from somewhere, his whole body pitch black except for his two eyeballs which were still distinctly clear.
"Old Master Marquis! It is this old servant's incompetence, for not discovering the fire in the study in a timely manner. By the time it was noticed, the fire inside was too fierce. Although us servants risked our lives to plunge into the fire, we could only manage to save these few damaged books..."
Old Cheng gestured towards a carry basket that someone behind him was shouldering, "Please punish me, Old Master Marquis!"
