The air was damp with the rain, but the scent of tragedy was also palpable, not in his ears, but in his mind. When Master Kang Jue, trailing behind Grandmaster Gongzhang, finally reached the library door, his face lost all color, his heart throbbed with a heavy burden, and his eyes couldn't believe the sight before him.

  Gu Zong, dressed in the ancient hungi robe, was standing before him, the very robe considered to be the identity of the owner of the jiuhuang yin zither. Grandmaster Gongzhang's face showed no reaction, his eyes merely stared at Gu Zong with a deep, pensive gaze. But behind him, Master Kang Jue's face was pale, and sweat was beading on his forehead like raindrops. Everything seemed to be in motion, yet still. As if, amidst this heaviness, a strange silence had fallen upon his ears. Jun Wan and Grandpa were also outside, looking at Gu Zong. But their faces bore the expression of a deep loss. They both stood frozen like ruined trees.

  Just then, Grandmaster Gongzhang's calm voice, like a heavy hammer in the pounding rain, shattered the silence.

  "Master Kang, if you permit, I'd like to take matters into my own hands."

  He said without looking at Kang Jue. At this, Master Kang Jue, in a trembling, almost stammering voice, his eyes scanning Grandmaster Gongzhang's extremely calm and composed figure, replied, "Master. But what you're seeing is a...!!"

  Before Master could continue, Grandmaster Gongzhang waved his hand. Master Kang Jue went completely still and stiffened.

  Gu Zong, who was standing on the rooftop and closely observing everyone in the library, had spotted Grandmaster Gongzhang standing inside. Gu Zong glanced away for a moment, then looked back at him with sharp, fierce eyes and entered.

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  He continued walking towards his old room where he had stayed the day before. Just then, Jun Wan came running out of the library, her eyes welling up, and countless tears fell from her like melting diamonds. Zhuang Hue was following behind her, but his eyes, like a ruthless predator, were staring at Gu Zong from afar. Seeing Jun Wan approaching, Gu Zong stopped in the corridor. His eyes lit up with a beautiful, gentle look at Jun Wan. And the moment Jun Wan stopped in front of him and looked into Gu Zong's eyes with a tender expression. But when Jun Wan's gaze fell upon the jiuhuang yin zither held in Gu Zong's arms, a strange expression appeared on his face. Gu Zong also caught the reaction of anger on Jun Wan's face in a single glance, and without further ado, Gu Zong embraced Jun Wan with one arm. His voice was too heavy for her.

  "Senior Sister, I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I got lost in the forest. But now you don't need to worry; I'm not going anywhere."

  In return, Jun Wan straightened up, grabbed Gu Zong's ear, and scolded him for his mischief.

  "From now on, you will stay with me. You're becoming more and more mischievous."

  Jun Wan said, turning Gu Zong away. Just then, Zhuang Hue arrived and spoke in a voice that was sweet and bitter.

  "Senior Sister is absolutely right. Brother, you deserve this. You disappear like a blank slate at any moment, but not anymore. I'll keep a close eye on you. Why, Senior Sister?"

  He said, looking at Jun Wan. Jun Wan smiled warmly at this gentle conversation. Just then, Gu Zong looked back toward the library, where the three masters and Grandfather were still standing, watching him. His face hardened into stone for a moment, but when he looked at Jun Wan again, a softness filled his face.

  "Senior Sister, I'm very hungry. Can you make me something?"

  Gu Zong said, rubbing his stomach. Jun Wan smiled sweetly and nodded, leaving. Gu Zong, with his hand on Zhuang Hue's shoulder, happily walked with her back to his room.

  But the atmosphere was only outwardly warm and comfortable. But deep inside, a tragedy was brewing. Like a lotus suddenly harboring poison.