Chapter 564: Newcomer

Human World, Zhou Royal Family palace.

Zhou Ling Wang warmly greeted Li Er, indicating that Li Er should sit on the seat beside him.

"Li Er, come, sit and speak." His voice was gentle, carrying a hint of the composure typical of one in a higher position, "Was the journey tiring?"

Li Er complied and sat down, bowing slightly, "Thank the Son of Heaven for the concern."

"The journey was fine, no major trouble."

Zhou Ling Wang nodded, his gaze containing a hint of appreciation.

He extended his hand and pointed at the two people beside him.

"Come, let me introduce you; this is Liu Ding Gong, a great adept."

The man on the left, a refined‑looking middle‑aged gentleman with three long strands of beard, gave Li Er a slight nod, a gentle smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Li Xiaoyou, young and accomplished, being summoned personally by the Son of Heaven, must be extraordinary."

Liu Ding Gong opened his mouth, his voice steady, bearing a hint of elder kindness: "When you serve in Shou Cang Shi in the future, if you need anything, feel free to speak up."

Li Er rose and performed a bow toward him.

"Thank you, Liu Gong, for the favor."

"Li Er, newly arrived, if there are things you do not understand, I hope Liu Gong can give ample guidance."

Liu Ding Gong smiled and waved his hand, "Very well, very well."

Zhou Ling Wang again pointed to the burly, whiskered middle‑aged man on the right.

"This is Dan Jing Gong, who assists the court together with Liu Gong, also the right and left arm of the Royal Family."

Dan Jing Gong nodded at Li Er, his smile bright, his voice resonant.

"Li Xiaoyou, just now the Son of Heaven praised you abundantly."

"Those who can hold a post in Shou Cang Shi are not ordinary people."

"In the future, if you have leisure, you may come to my residence and we can chat."

Li Er performed another bow toward him.

"Dan Gong, thank you for the favor; Li Er is apprehensive, but will certainly visit in the future."

Dan Jing Gong laughed heartily, "Good! I'll be waiting!"

The few exchanged pleasantries for a while, the atmosphere harmonious, laughter abundant.

But Li Er could feel that those two pairs of eyes, from time to time, swept over him, bearing a faint, intermittent appraisal.

Observing him.

Assessing him.

Attempting to discern what ability this youth, suddenly placed by the Son of Heaven into Shou Cang Shi, truly possesses.

Li Er's expression remained normal, neither servile nor arrogant, answering when required, performing the proper bows, smiling when appropriate.

He could see nothing.

Liu Ding Gong and Dan Jing Gong exchanged a glance, a barely perceptible doubt flashing in their eyes.

But they asked nothing.

Li Er sat for a while longer, feeling it was sufficient, then rose and said:

"Son of Heaven, Li Er has a matter to request."

Zhou Ling Wang raised his hand, "Speak freely."

Li Er said, "My coming this time is for Shou Cang Shi."

"I wonder if it would be permissible... to go see it now?"

Zhou Ling Wang smiled.

"Why the haste? You've just arrived; why not rest a few days?"

Li Er shook his head, "The journey has given enough rest."

"The books in Shou Cang Shi are mountain‑high; Li Er's heart longs for them, truly cannot wait."

Zhou Ling Wang looked at him, the admiration in his eyes deepening.

"Excellent!" He clapped his hands, "Attendant, take Li Er to Shou Cang Shi. From today onward, he shall be the Keeper of the Repository Chamber."

A attendant stepped forward in response, bowing to Li Er, "Mr. Li, please follow me."

Li Er performed a bow to Zhou Ling Wang, Liu Ding Gong, and Dan Jing Gong respectively, then followed the attendant, turning to leave.

His silhouette vanished beyond the hall's doorway.

Inside the hall, only Zhou Ling Wang, Liu Ding Gong, and Dan Jing Gong remained.

Liu Ding Gong withdrew his gaze, looking at Zhou Ling Wang, his smile fading slightly, gaining a hint of inquiry.

"Son of Heaven," he began, his tone respectful yet questioning, "What is the background of this Li Xiaoyou? Why let him assume the role of Keeper of the Repository Chamber directly?"

Dan Jing Gong also looked at Zhou Ling Wang, awaiting his answer.

The Keeper of the Repository Chamber, though not a high‑ranking official, is a crucial post overseeing the world's scriptures.

Those who can hold this position are invariably erudite scholars of great virtue and reputation.

And Li Er is only fifteen or sixteen years old.

Zhou Ling Wang smiled faintly.

"I merely saw a talented youth and admired him," he said, his tone light, offering no further explanation.

Liu Ding Gong and Dan Jing Gong exchanged a glance.

They knew the Son of Heaven did not wish to speak.

They therefore asked no further.

The three exchanged a few more words about court affairs, after which Liu Ding Gong and Dan Jing Gong rose and took their leave.

They walked out of the palace, side by side.

"What do you think?" Lord Jing of Shan asked in a low voice.

Lord Ding of Liu shook his head.

"I can't see through him; that youth is not ordinary."

Lord Jing of Shan nodded: "I also feel that when he looks at people, he doesn't have the demeanor one should have at his age."

"Forget it; we'll look into it later."

Lord Ding of Liu said nothing.

The two walked to the palace gate, each boarded their own carriage, and went their separate ways.

Lord Ding of Liu's carriage slowly drove along the streets of Cheng Zhou and soon stopped in front of an imposing mansion.

This is the Liu clan's residence in Cheng Zhou.

As Lord Ding of Liu had just stepped down from the carriage, an attendant quickly came forward to meet him.

"My lord," the attendant bowed, his face somewhat solemn, "your niece met with an accident last night."

Lord Ding of Liu's steps halted.

"What?!"

He abruptly turned his head and stared at the attendant.

"Tell me in detail!"

The attendant hurriedly said:

"Last night, on a rainy evening, your niece encountered a ferocious tiger on her way home; thanks to the help of three hunters and a man named Li Er, she escaped harm."

Lord Ding of Liu was stunned.

Li Er?

Again, Li Er?

He fell silent for a moment, and a meaningful glint appeared in his eyes.

This kid actually has some affinity with his Liu family.

Never mind.

He noted this life-saving favor owed to his Liu family.

Under the attendant's guidance, Li Er passed through several corridors, went around a building complex, and finally arrived before the Shou Cang Shi.

This is an ancient-style building, with a plaque hanging above the gate inscribed with three ancient characters: "Shou Cang Shi."

Two stone beasts stood before the gate.

Before the gate, a row of people was already standing.

Seven or eight men in official robes, old and young, stood neatly in a row, evidently waiting for the newly appointed superior official.

Li Er approached.

Those people all lifted their heads, their gazes falling on him.

Then—

They were stunned.

A youth?

A youth who looks only about fifteen or sixteen?

Someone couldn't help rubbing his eyes, thinking he was mistaken.

Someone instinctively opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back.

Someone else secretly exchanged a glance with his companion, his eyes full of "No way," "How can he be a youth?" "This is our new superior official?"—astonishment and bewilderment.

Li Er took all this in.

He paid no mind, merely gave a slight smile and clasped his hands toward them.

"You've all worked hard, waiting here. I am Li Er, courtesy name Bo Yang, newly arrived; I hope you will all look after me in the future."

His tone was neither loud nor low, his manner neither humble nor arrogant, his attitude courteous and gentle.

Those people were stunned for a moment, then all returned the salute.

"Bo Yang, you're too polite."

"Not at all, not at all, Bo Yang, please."

"Bo Yang, you've had a hard journey; please come in quickly."

Li Er nodded, said no more, and walked straight into the Shou Cang Shi.

His steps did not linger, nor did his gaze linger on those people.

He walked toward the place that stores the most and most complete collection of books in the world.

Behind him, those people watched his back, looking at each other.

"This..."

"He just went in like that?"

"Shouldn't a newly appointed official first hand over duties and get to know people?"

"Doesn't he even bother to see who we are?"

Someone lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

But many more simply remained silent.

"Looks like we've gotten a different sort of superior official here."