Nine Netherworld Demon Subduing Record

Fu Qing picked up the book and glanced at it. He flipped through it and found that it contained the register of Daoist masters in the Tanyou Pavilion. The book clearly recorded their names, the Dao they cultivated, the methods they practiced, and the levels they had reached.

He discovered that these were all first-level items, divided into low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level.

Recalling what Xing Luochen said before, that a first-level Daoist needs to absorb two portions of traits, it seems that this low-level Daoist only cultivates the method, the intermediate level absorbs one portion of traits, and the high-level level absorbs two portions.

Fu Qing thought that he should be considered an unofficial Taoist master, since he had not registered and had only practiced the magic under Xing Luochen.

Why are there no second-tier Dao Masters? Or is the list of second-tier Dao Masters recorded separately?

Putting down the roster, Fu Qing picked up other books instead, since the roster was of no use to him.

He picked up another book, this time also a register, but this time it was a register of those who applied to enter the Netherworld.

Fu Qing thought so too. The Netherworld contained spiritual herbs and stones, and many Daoists relied on them for their livelihood. It was normal for them to want to enter the Netherworld.

Those on it were mostly novice Taoist masters.

"Even beginners can enter?" Fu Qing scratched his head. He originally thought that since this secluded realm was so dangerous, those who were allowed to enter must be advanced Dao Masters or something similar.

As Fu Qing was about to pick up another book after putting this one down, he heard footsteps outside the door.

"Is there anyone here so late?" Fu Qing was startled and quickly put the books back and locked the door.

He went out to greet them, only to find that he did not recognize the person who came.

The man before me was dressed in a simple gray robe, with gray hair, and appeared to be around forty years old, with a scholarly air about him.

The man was taken aback when he saw Fu Qing.

"Sir, the library is not open at night. May I ask who you are?" Fu Qing walked over and greeted him with a cupped hand.

"So you're the new one who's in charge of the library?" The man's voice was incredibly hoarse, like an old bellows, completely unlike what one would expect from someone in their forties.

"Indeed, my name is Fu Qing, but I don't know, sir..."

"My surname is Zhang..."

Fu Qing immediately realized who this person was—his predecessor in this position, Lao Zhang.

"So it's Mr. Zhang. I've heard so much about you, but I've never had the chance to meet you." Fu Qing hurriedly bowed.

"No need for formalities, I'm here to retrieve something I left behind."

"Something left behind?" Fu Qing was taken aback. This library was full of books, and he hadn't seen any personal belongings here.

"A book, yellow cover, with three words."

"Three words..."

Fu Qing suddenly realized what book Old Zhang was talking about; it was "Exploring the Mysterious".

"I understand. Is this the one?" Fu Qing took the book out from behind him and handed it to Old Zhang. Old Zhang's eyelids twitched slightly when he saw the book, and then he smiled and said, "That's right."

But for some reason, Fu Qing felt that his smile was somewhat fake.

Seeing that Fu Qing had found the book in no time, he took it from Fu Qing, glanced behind Fu Qing, and then said, "Thank you, young man."

Then he hurriedly turned to leave.

Out of respect for his seniors, and considering that he had just been peeking, Fu Qing felt a little uneasy and quickly went to greet them.

"I'll see you off, sir."

Old Zhang pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, young man. My legs haven't been feeling very well lately, so I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Fu Qing was surprised that Old Zhang agreed so readily.

"It seems that Old Zhang's health is not very good. No wonder he wanted to quit his job." Fu Qing thought to himself, and went up to help Old Zhang. After all, the stairs in the library were quite long, and Old Zhang's legs were not very strong. In addition, it was dark now, and he might fall if he was not careful.

Old Zhang glanced at Fu Qing but didn't say anything, letting him help him walk out the back door.

Strangely, Fu Qing did not see the guard who accompanied him to report to the authorities that day waiting here.

"Would you like me to call a carriage for you, sir?" Fu Qing felt a pang of sympathy upon seeing his difficulty walking.

"Thank you very much, young man. Please go back now. I live nearby, so there's no need to trouble yourself any further."

Seeing that Lao Zhang was really refusing, Fu Qing had no choice but to bid farewell from behind.

Old Zhang's figure gradually shrank, and Fu Qing, busy going back to check the documents, turned around and went over.

At this moment, footsteps sounded from the side. Fu Qing looked over and saw that it was the guard he had seen that day. When he saw Fu Qing, he quickly greeted him.

"It's you again, young man?"

"It's so late, aren't you going to finish work yet?"

"It's still early. We recently received a notice that we have to work in shifts until midnight. I just finished my shift. What about you? Did you just get back from dinner?"

"Shift change?"

Fu Qing was afraid of being discovered peeking, so he overlooked many details. Upon closer reflection, he realized that something was amiss.

While chatting with Grandma Yu, she mentioned that Old Zhang had quit his job and returned to his hometown, but today he suddenly came to this library. He had worked here before and knew that the library was not open at night, so what was he doing here so late?

Moreover, they came over during the guard shift change.

"When he took the book, he just took it directly. Today the clouds were very thick, the sky was dark, and there was no moonlight. You can't see the words on the book anyway. How did he know that I took the one he wanted? And he even glanced behind me..."

"Behind me..."

"Was he looking at that lacquered suitcase?"

Fu Qing suddenly realized that Old Zhang had been working here all along, and it seemed that he knew someone would be delivering this lacquered box today. He wanted to come and check it out when the library was empty at night, but he never expected that he would be looking at the map until this time.

"Old Zhang also wants to investigate the affairs of the Nine Netherworlds? He's also a Taoist master? Otherwise, how could he open that lock?"

Fu Qing found it increasingly strange, but ultimately suppressed his curiosity, deciding to ask Grandma Yu about it the next day.

"Young man?" The guard stared at Fu Qing, who was frozen in place, and raised his hand to wave in front of Fu Qing.

"Oh, I was seeing someone off. Old Zhang just left."

"Old Zhang? The Old Zhang who was looking at the archives before? Didn't he go back to his hometown?" the guard asked curiously.

"Who knows?" Fu Qing shook his head and turned to go back to the library.

All the way, he kept thinking about what had just happened.

"If Old Zhang really is a Taoist master, what is he going to do with all those things? Are the maps the most valuable thing there, or does he want to see some other information?"

Fu Qing felt puzzled and was also very curious about the information. With that thought, he quickened his pace.

Fu Qing walked up the steps. He hadn't closed the door to the library when he left. The door was open at an angle, and just as Fu Qing stepped over the last step, the candlelight inside flickered and suddenly went out.

Fu Qing frowned slightly. He had just lit a new candle, so it shouldn't have burned so quickly, and it just happened to go out when he came back.

He felt a slight jolt, but didn't dwell on it. He walked straight into the library and relit the oil lamp.

He walked up to the two remaining lacquered cases, wanting to continue examining the documents inside, but the moment he touched the cases, Fu Qing felt a sudden tingling sensation on his scalp.

The locks on both boxes had been opened and placed aside.