Chapter 277: Great Fire

Gu Kang hurriedly crossed the courtyard and walked toward the front courtyard's main hall.

Usually, Mr. Wen's living quarters have no paper or brushes; even when studying, he only goes to two places.

The first is the lecture hall in the main hall; inside, discussion with visitors is inevitable, so paper and brush are naturally prepared.

When writing books, he goes to the library.

These days Gu Kang often accompanied Mr. Wen to the library, boiling tea and grinding ink, attending to him at his side.

Mr. Wen would then write vigorously, pointing out to Gu Kang which books to read.

After he finished reading, they would discuss the book, and in the conversation he would thoroughly explain those principles.

In just a few days, Gu Kang felt he had benefited greatly.

At this time he stayed in Nan Shan Academy, like a fish about to die of thirst that suddenly returned to the ocean of knowledge, as a fish in water, free and unrestrained.

The master and apprentice stayed in the library for a whole day.

The days were warm, peaceful, and fulfilling, and Gu Kang even felt a sense of anticipation.

Let it be so—let him guard this kind old man, and live forever in Nan Shan Academy.

He fears no hardship, having experienced life and death, the warmth and coldness of human relations, and the unpredictability of human hearts.

He greatly enjoys the simple life here, as well as his master.

Logically, the library should never lack snow paper, since each month the Imperial Court allocates silver to the academy as Mr. Wen's pension.

Zhang Cheng runs diligently, often going to the capital to buy brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, so snow paper is never lacking.

It's really strange—just now, how did the box run out of paper?

Could it be that Zhang Cheng didn't go down the mountain to purchase supplies this month?

Suddenly, Gu Kang's steps stopped there; he clearly remembered that Zhang Cheng had gone down the mountain just three days ago.

Where did the paper in the library go? If someone deliberately took it, what was the purpose?

Oh no! Lure the tiger away from the mountain!

A chill instantly rose from Gu Kang's heart up his spine; he turned and ran toward the library.

He ran as if mad!

His eyes turned slightly red as he desperately ran over.

There is some distance from the front hall to the library, and Gu Kang wished he could fly there.

Why doesn't he just grow a pair of wings?

Because he was running too fast, he accidentally stumbled on a stone while passing through the moon gate and fell hard to the ground.

Gu Kang's forehead was split open, but he didn't care about anything.

He madly ran through a small path and directly charged toward the library.

By then the library was already filled with thick smoke; in the night, a cold wind drove the flames upward to the library's third floor.

When the library was originally built, for aesthetics, most of it was wooden structure.

At this point such a large fire cannot be withstood; it is likely to collapse.

Fortunately, Gu Kang returned in time; otherwise there would be no way to save it.

Gu Kang had no time to think; he took off his clothes, threw them into a fish‑raising pool to soak, tore off wet strips to cover his mouth and nose, then draped the remaining outer garment over himself and rushed toward the library.

He hadn't even reached the door when he found the library locked from the outside.

Gu Kang felt waves of chill in his heart; this looked like an attempt to burn Mr. Wen to death completely.

Who could hold a grudge against such a good person as Mr. Wen and want to put him to death?

He lifted his leg and kicked the wooden door hard, over and over; this was probably Gu Kang's most desperate moment.

With his final kick he actually burst open the locked door, and half of the door fell off.

He then rushed up to the third floor, where the thick smoke had already made him almost suffocate.

His hair was set ablaze, and blisters of blood formed on his skin.

Gu Kang no longer felt the pain; he madly rushed forward and finally touched the unconscious Mr. Wen on the floor.

"Mr. Wen!" Gu Kang cried out in anguish.

Since encountering those misfortunes, being betrayed and framed by those he thought were kin, he has lost the courage and ability to love others.

But now he is panicking to the point of death, terrified to the point of death.

Mr. Wen is the rare light in his life; he absolutely cannot let Mr. Wen die.

Gu Kang covered Mr. Wen with the wet outer garment he had previously draped over himself.

He then covered Mr. Wen's face with the wet cloth he had been using to shield his own mouth and nose.

Gu Kang's body was instantly exposed to the flames; he could even hear the sound of his skin being roasted.

That sound became his future nightmare.

He hoisted Mr. Wen onto his back, preparing to go downstairs, when strange sounds began to come from all around.

Gu Kang instantly felt his body's hairs stand on end; the building was about to collapse.

Water and fire are merciless; life is devoured in that instant.

Gu Kang gritted his teeth, endured the burning pain after the flames, and ran toward the third‑floor window.

He had no means left; the old man on his back remained motionless.

Gu Kang silently recited various incantations, praying to the deities of the eight directions to keep Mr. Wen safe.

Mr. Wen! Hold on!

Mr. Wen held on!

Gu Kang stood by the window carrying Mr. Wen, looking downward.

Not far away, people were already rushing over with wooden buckets and such; in an instant the usually tranquil Nan Shan Academy lost its former serenity.

Gu Kang is now also unafraid of death, but he fears that Mr. Wen behind him will die; he is terrified.

"Master! Hold on!" Whether Mr. Wen can hear or not, he has already done his best.

Gu Kang carried Mr. Wen and jumped out the window; at the same moment, with a boom, the entire Cang Shu Ge collapsed.

Gu Kang felt his foot broken, his leg also broken.

Because he was cushioning him, Mr. Wen actually had nothing wrong; instead, a gurgling sound came from his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

He saw the collapsing wood hurtling toward Mr. Wen.

Gu Kang had no time to think; instinctively he rolled over and used his body to shield Mr. Wen's head.

Another thud!

Gu Kang's vision went black and he passed out.

At the Rui Wang Fu, Gu Jiu Ling had finished washing up and was half-reclining on the bed, reading for prenatal education.

Today Xiao Yin finally agreed to come back; after walking for several days, Gu Jiu Ling thought this man would not return.

She has actually developed a dependence on Xiao Yin; whenever she doesn't see him for a while, she worries to death.

At this moment, Xiao Yin seemed to enjoy Gu Jiu Ling's worry.

He also leaned against the side of Gu Jiu Ling's bed, holding a military text, staring intently.

"Prince, why are you reading instead of sleeping in the middle of the night?"

"Setting an example for the child!" Xiao Yin stared at the military text without lifting his head, but the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.

Gu Jiu Ling's eye twitched; does this count as prenatal education?

She felt that Xiao Yin's gaze toward her had been strange lately; clearly he was a bit nervous when facing her, a woman's sixth sense is odd, and Gu Jiu Ling couldn't put it into words.

Suddenly a hurried footsteps came from outside; it was Ling Feng's voice: "Report to the Prince! Something has happened at Nan Shan Shu Yuan!"