Chapter 33. A Dog

Chapter 33. A Dog

Lin Nuo had no idea where this note came from.

It looked like a reading note or some sort of casual essay.

Lin Nuo glanced at Dao Yuan the spirit cat.

“Master Cat, do you know who wrote this note?”

However, the spirit cat simply stretched with a yawn and replied,

“Not a clue.”

Lin Nuo found it strange, pondering that there were so few people in this book pavilion, and anyone who dared to flip through this “One Hundred Years of Solitude” would surely attract the attention of this fat cat.

If it didn’t know, was it truly an ancient book passed down from ancestors over a thousand years?

No, looking at the handwriting, this note seemed to be written not long ago.

Who would flip through this dull and tedious ancient book like him for no reason?

It was likely that some reader came across “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, had some thoughts after reading, and casually wrote down a line of reflection.

Lin Nuo recalled that there was a legend in this world about a group of impoverished scholars who couldn’t afford books and could only borrow them from public reading rooms. One of these scholars, inspired, wrote a line of reflection on a piece of paper, slipped it into a book, and later it was found by other readers. They too began writing down their thoughts, and over time that piece of paper became filled with reflections from many scholars. Eventually, these scholars passed their exams and returned home in glory, reminiscing about their glorious days as they rediscovered the paper, which then became a celebrated tale passed down through generations.

Looks like this could be a Xuanyun Sect version of a reflective story.

Seeing this as a fortuitous encounter, Lin Nuo decided to write some thoughts for a memento.

What to write? A visit from an unknown handsome guy?

No, no, too cliché. Writing a reflective note should be exquisite and profound.

After a moment’s thought, he picked up the pen and wrote on the paper:

“Know your fate, but don’t succumb to it.”

This phrase perfectly represented his own mindset.

To know fate meant he understood he was destined to be the antagonist, and to not succumb meant he refused to be killed by the protagonist’s hand.

He, Lin Nuo, had a golden dream of living in a world where even an antagonist could defeat the protagonist.

Perfect, concise yet profound, and the main thing is it exudes high class. This would surely be remembered for generations, becoming a tale worth telling.

Once he finished writing, Lin Nuo placed the note back into “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and closed the book.

“I’m off, Master Cat.”

He returned “One Hundred Years of Solitude” to the shelf, then took the three volumes of Qi Training to register with Zhao Yuedong.

Dao Yuan the spirit cat said nothing, lazily stretching again as it continued to wander between the shelves.

…

In the quiet library, the sound of pages turning occasionally echoed.

Zhao Yuedong placed the newly arrived books onto the shelf and tidied up a bit.

“Just finished organizing the last batch of new books, I’m really tired.”

Zhao Yuedong gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, murmuring softly.

As the readers gradually left the book pavilion, she thought it might be time to close up.

“Let’s pack up and head back.”

Tap, tap, tap… the sound of crisp high heels approached, revealing a cold, silver-haired girl rounding the corner.

“Shi, Shili Senior Sister.”

Zhao Yuedong greeted softly, and Qin Shili lightly nodded in response.

With her stunningly beautiful, icy features, elegant demeanor, and confident stride, the strongest of their peers from the Xuanyun Sect seemed to be surrounded by a thick layer of ice, isolating Zhao Yuedong from her.

The appearance of the ice queen came with an invisible aura, making others unconsciously show her deference.

Qin Shili was also a frequent visitor to this book pavilion. She liked choosing one or two profound books, quietly sitting down to read, savoring the precious wisdom of those who came before her.

Zhao Yuedong quietly left, not daring to disturb her.

Qin Shili scanned the bookshelves, pulling down a book.

“One Hundred Years of Solitude.”

She found a corner to sit in, gently flipping through the pages until she stopped at the note.

The note contained two lines. [I once had the vast ocean and sky, yet my heart yearns for the deep abyss] and [Know your fate, but don’t succumb to it].

The first beautifully penned line was written by her, while the second, although the handwriting left much to be desired, seemed to hide a profound meaning in its five short words.

A lazy, chubby black and white cat with its eyes half-closed padded toward Qin Shili, swiftly leaping onto the desk, gazing at her.

“Dao Yuan, do you know who wrote the second line?”

Qin Shili whispered to Dao Yuan the spirit cat using a sound transmission technique; those acknowledged by the spirit cat could communicate this way.

Dao Yuan the spirit cat casually replied,

“A dog.”