Go and capture those thirty-six fierce villains.

The third floor is smaller than the first two floors.

There were only a dozen or so books on the shelf, which could be seen at a glance from the top of the stairs.

Qin Ning strolled among the mahogany bookshelves, smelling the scent of paper and ink. His gaze swept across the shelves and he noticed that the books on this floor were much more specialized.

Such as "Thirteen Needles for Kidney Meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine", "Dietary Guide for Martial Artists in the Blood Refining Realm", "Complete Guide to Tantric Joyful Meditation Postures", etc.

However, even after browsing through all the bookshelves, he still couldn't find anything about the murderous creature.

Slightly disappointed, Qin Ning silently picked up a Tantric text to broaden his horizons, then pondered to himself.

I wonder if the fourth and fifth floors above have any books I'd like to read...

Standing on the steps leading to the fourth floor, he looked up and saw someone looking down at him.

The two men locked eyes, a look of doubt flashing in both of their gazes.

Qin Ning wondered why the other person was wearing a Taoist robe and had his hair styled in a bun.

The other party is puzzled...

Qin Ning had no idea what the other party was wondering!

After exchanging only a glance, the person withdrew from the gap in the stairs. Qin Ning wanted to go up, but remembering the guard's warning not to "get lost" when they entered the library, she suppressed the thought.

Is there a Taoist priest hiding in the Prince Su's mansion?

Or perhaps... this person was actually mentioned by Feng Hanying, a Daoist enthusiast.

He guessed that the other party might also be a retainer, but just didn't live in the Qunying Academy, which was why he had never met him.

I spent some more time exploring the ocean of knowledge, reading various books about the customs and social conditions of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Qin Ning and the little black cat planned to return to the ocean of food and continue their journey.

One hour later.

In the Hall of Heroes, in Qin Ning's room.

He had just finished brewing a pot of tea when he heard a loud knocking on the door.

From last night until this morning, apart from the servants and attendants, I haven't seen anyone else in this courtyard. It's not time to treat the prince yet, so who could it be?

With a puzzled look in her mind, Qin Ning opened the wooden door and found Bai Gu standing outside with a smile on his face.

"Ji Heng?"

"Brother Qin, you really are here!" Bai Gu said with a look of "I've finally found you," grabbing Qin Ning's wrist. "Come on, I'll treat you to dinner at Yu Shi Lou."

Do you want to check what time it is...?

Qin Ning pulled the other person into the house, patting her stomach, "I just ate in the dining hall, I'm stuffed. How did you find your way in?"

He wasn't surprised that Bai Gu had come looking for him, but it was strange that the other party had just appeared so openly outside his door.

Where are the guards of the Prince's Palace?

As far as Qin Ning knew, the other party was not a retainer of the Prince Su's mansion.

"I went to the inn first, and the innkeeper said you had left the city. I didn't quite believe it, so I went to Chang Le Lane to ask Miss Feng. She said you went to the Prince's mansion to treat the young master, so I came in."

Bai Gu said as he walked to the table and sat down, "Then let's go to Yu Shi Lou again tonight."

Qin Ning asked curiously, "Isn't the Jade Food Pavilion a priority? Didn't the guards at the Prince's Mansion stop you?"

"Hehe, I'm traveling with the Grand Master, how could the guards possibly stop me?"

"The leader of the Mohist school?"

"Yes, he is also a retainer of the Prince Su's mansion. He comes to the mansion every afternoon to play chess with the Prince Su."

It's that person from yesterday... Wait, so I'm now working with the leader of the Mohist school?

Qin Ning picked up the purple clay teapot on the table, poured Bai Gu a cup of tea, and casually asked, "Is the armor repaired?"

"All done!" Bai Gu said excitedly, tapping his chest twice through his clothes, making a thumping metallic clanging sound.

Judging from the other person's appearance and recalling what he had said before, Qin Ning guessed that this storyteller who called himself a Mohist was probably restless again, wanting to go out and right wrongs.

As expected, after taking a small sip of tea, Bai Gu eagerly asked, "Brother Qin, my armor is repaired. I wish to leave the city again to uphold justice. Would you be willing to come with me?"

In his heart, Qin Ning was now a like-minded confidant!

Moreover, with the other party's "face reading" secret technique, he wouldn't have to go through so much trouble to find bad guys.

Qin Ning shook his head. Putting aside the Si Chenwei, he couldn't leave for the time being because the ferocious creatures in Bei'an City hadn't been dealt with yet.

Disappointment was visibly visible on Bai Gu's face.

Qin Ning poured another cup of tea for the cat and comforted it, saying, "Ji Heng, I think if you want to be a chivalrous person, you don't necessarily have to go outside the city. I think there are many injustices waiting for you to resolve within Beian City."

He thought of the gang of hooligans and the beggars that could be seen everywhere in the city.

Bai Gu remained silent. Remembering the concerns the other party had mentioned earlier, Qin Ning saw this and said no more, changing the subject: "Are we going to the border again this time?"

After saying that, he picked up the fine ceramic teacup, took a small sip, and said, "I must say, the tea from the Prince Su's mansion is much better than the tea leaves from the Eastern Tree."

At this point, Bai Gu's clear eyes lit up again: "No, this time I'm going to assassinate the young emperor of the Great Ling!"

puff!

Qin Ning took a sip of tea, spraying half of it onto Bai Gu's face and the other half onto the little black cat's head, which was about to drink water.

"What are you going to do?!"

"To assassinate the young emperor of the Great Spirit, just like the previous generation's leader of my Mohist school!"

You might die... no, you definitely will die!!

Qin Ning's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air as she recalled the knowledge she had just learned that morning.

Zhou Shan, the leader of the Mohist school, traveled eight thousand miles alone and severely injured the previous emperor of the Great Spirit, leaving him on the verge of death.

Reason: When that person was in power, he heavily relied on Tantric Buddhism, and skinning, dismembering, and removing flesh and bones from the people was commonplace for him. Human life was treated worse than that of livestock.

Upon learning of this situation, the great master sat in meditation all night. The next day, he set off, sacrificing his own life to ignite a war between Zen and Tantra within the Great Spirit Realm. In doing so, he also gave the people of the Great Spirit Realm a chance to live like normal people.

"Wait a minute. Back then, that Grand Master went to assassinate the Great Ling Emperor because the emperor favored Tantric Buddhism. But now, Zen Buddhism is the dominant force in the Great Ling Empire. What would you do if you went to assassinate that young emperor?"

Bai Gu's eyes were firm: "According to information received through the Mo family's channels, Tantric Buddhism is showing signs of a resurgence, and its supporter is the current young emperor."

"You're only an eighth-rank official; you probably won't even be able to get through the palace gates."

Patting the metal on his chest, Bai Jiheng said earnestly, "I've strengthened the Hundred-Refined Azure Divine Armor again. Now my strength is comparable to a sixth-rank martial artist!"

He took a half-step step forward... Qin Ning frowned: "Sixth rank or eighth rank, does it make a difference in front of the Great Spirit Imperial Palace?"

"I know this journey is fraught with peril, but Brother Guiyuan, I am willing to risk my life to ring the bell for the many righteous people of the world! If we truly wait until Tantric Buddhism is completely revived, who knows how many more people will suffer!"

So that's why... wait, I reminded you to release the message!

What's with this dramatic act?

Qin Ning put down her teacup and took a deep breath: "Have you discussed this plan with your master and the others?"

"No, those old guys who only have inkstones in their heads would never understand chivalrous people like us!" Bai Gu said with an expression that said, "I consider you a confidant, and I've only told you this."

"..."

Qin Ning was numb.

Looking at Bai Gu's resolute expression, his mind raced.

Having known each other for so long, I can't just stand by and watch the other person go to their death.

However, conventional methods are definitely ineffective in persuading the other party.

Three breaths later, Qin Ning glanced at the teacup in his hand, let out a long breath, and solemnly asked Bai Jiheng:

"Ji Heng, what do you think is the essence of chivalry?"

The topic shifted so quickly that Bai Gu was taken aback for a moment before speaking in a loud voice:

"A life of swift retribution and unbridled freedom!"

"wrong."

"To sacrifice one's life for righteousness, and to value promises over personal gain!"

"wrong."

After being rejected twice in a row, Bai Gu frowned and thought for a while before speaking.

"Act on behalf of Heaven and save the people!"

"Not right yet."

Bai Jiheng stood up.

"Brother Qin, please enlighten me, what is the meaning of chivalry?"