4: Chapter 4: Receiving a Mission in the General Affairs Hall and Encountering an Old Acquaintance

The General Affairs Hall was located at the foot of the mountain where the Qingyun Sect's Outer Sect resided.

It was a three-courtyard complex with green bricks and grey tiles, looking much more imposing than the Servant Quarters, though it could hardly be called magnificent.

Standing at the entrance was a greyish-white stone stele, twice the height of a man, covered in papers of various colors.

Looking closer, they were various tasks issued by the Sect.

The white papers were public chores open to all Disciples, such as cleaning a certain hall, assisting in transporting supplies, or short-term care for low-level Spirit Beasts. The rewards were mostly Spirit Stone fragments or contribution points.

The yellow papers were routine tasks that only Outer Sect Disciples and above could accept, such as gathering specified Spirit Medicine, hunting low-level Yao Beasts, or escorting supplies. The rewards were slightly higher.

Occasionally, one could see a red paper; these were emergency tasks involving danger or requiring special skills. The rewards were the most generous, but they were often accompanied by risks.

Early in the morning, over a dozen people had already gathered in front of the General Affairs Hall.

There were those wearing grey servant robes and those in cyan Outer Sect Disciple robes, standing in small groups, pointing at the stele and whispering to one another.

Ye Qing mingled at the edge of the crowd, calmly observing the tasks.

"The West Mountain mine needs five servants for a half-month period. Meals are provided daily, and the reward is two Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"The Herb Garden urgently needs to recruit three temporary herb-tending boys. Must know basic Spirit Medicine. The duration is ten days, and the reward is three Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"Two kitchen assistants needed for the dining hall. Requires basic culinary skills. Duration is one month, and the reward is five Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

...Most were time-consuming and laborious physical tasks with low rewards.

Ye Qing's gaze swept over them quickly, silently evaluating them in his heart.

The mine task was excluded first; the environment there was enclosed and the people were complicated, which was not conducive for him to "absorb energy" in private.

The dining hall kitchen assistant role mostly involved dealing with ordinary ingredients, which had limited Spiritual Qi.

The role of a herb-tending boy in the Herb Garden was not bad; he could come into contact with more Spirit Medicine and might have the chance to touch some discarded medicinal dregs or naturally fallen leaves.

But he soon discovered that two young people wearing Outer Sect Disciple robes were already standing before that task sheet, talking to a Fat Deacon who was on duty at the General Affairs Hall.

The competition seemed quite stiff.

Ye Qing did not rush forward rashly; he continued to look down.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on an inconspicuous white task sheet in the lower right corner of the stele.

"The Library Pavilion needs one servant to be responsible for the daily cleaning and shelving of books in the basic area of the first floor. Requires a meticulous mind and the ability to endure loneliness. Long-term task, monthly reward of two Low-Grade Spirit Stones, and the ability to read basic books on the first floor."

A monthly reward of two Low-Grade Spirit Stones was considered mid-to-low among servant tasks.

But the condition of "the ability to read basic books on the first floor" made Ye Qing's heart skip a beat.

The Library Pavilion!

Even if it was just the most basic first floor, the books stored inside would inevitably involve cultivation common sense, fundamental Cultivation Techniques, and introductions to various arts.

For a Transmigrator like him who lacked systematic knowledge of immortality cultivation, the value far exceeded a few Spirit Stones.

Moreover, "long-term task" and "endure loneliness" meant that the competition might not be great, which also fit his need to develop in a low-profile manner.

"This is the one."

Ye Qing made up his mind, squeezed through the crowd, and came before the Fat Deacon who was yawning while leaning against the door frame.

"Senior Brother, I would like to accept the cleaning task for the Library Pavilion."

The Fat Deacon lifted his eyelids and sized Ye Qing up. Seeing that he was wearing grey servant robes and his cultivation was only at Qi Refining Stage 2, he asked lazily, "Name? Which courtyard are you from? Can you read? The books in the Library Pavilion are very precious; if you damage them, you won't be able to afford the compensation."

"Ye Qing from the Servant Quarters. I know a few characters, I am careful in my work, and I will definitely be cautious." Ye Qing said in a respectful tone, handing over his identity wooden plaque.

The Fat Deacon took the wooden plaque, scanned it carelessly with his Divine Sense, and after confirming it was correct, took out a ledger from his bosom and noted it down with a pen.

"Fine, this job is yours. Go report to the Library Pavilion today and find Old Man Liu, who is in charge of the first floor. He knows the rules and will instruct you. The monthly reward is two Spirit Stones; come to the General Affairs Hall at the end of the month to collect it. Remember, you are only allowed to move around on the first floor. If you enter the second floor or above without authorization, you will be dealt with according to the Sect rules."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Ye Qing took back the wooden plaque and a stamped voucher from the Fat Deacon, feeling relieved.

"Ye Qing?"

A slightly surprised voice sounded from the side.

Ye Qing turned his head and saw Zhang Feng standing not far away, also holding a voucher in his hand; it looked like he had just accepted a task as well.

Standing next to him was Senior Sister Chen, whom he had met once before. She was still wearing a pale cyan Outer Sect Disciple robe, with a cold and aloof expression.

"Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Sister Chen." Ye Qing bowed and saluted.

"You also came to accept a task?" Zhang Feng looked Ye Qing up and down. Seeing the voucher in his hand, a trace of imperceptible contempt flashed in his eyes: "Library Pavilion cleaning? Heh, it suits a dull person like you. Two Spirit Stones a month is barely enough to buy a few pills of inferior Fasting Pill."

Ye Qing smiled and did not reply.

Senior Sister Chen's gaze lingered on Ye Qing for a moment, as if she had an impression of him, but she didn't say anything. She just said indifferently to Zhang Feng, "Since you have accepted the task at the Herb Garden, go over early. Junior Martial Uncle Li does not like people being late."

"Yes, yes, yes, what Senior Sister says is correct." Zhang Feng hurriedly apologized with a smile, glanced at Ye Qing again, and followed Senior Sister Chen away.

Ye Qing watched their departing backs and rubbed his nose.

It seems Zhang Feng had climbed the social ladder through Senior Sister Chen and gotten a job at the Herb Garden. The pickings there were definitely more lucrative than the Library Pavilion, so it was no wonder he looked down on his own "meager pickings."

However, this suited him just fine.

Ye Qing did not delay any further; holding the voucher, he walked toward the Library Pavilion following the route in his memory.

The Library Pavilion was located halfway up the main peak of the Outer Sect. It was an independent five-story wooden pavilion with flying eaves and bracket sets, exuding an ancient charm. The surrounding ancient trees towered into the sky, and the environment was quiet and secluded.

Sitting at the entrance was an old man wearing a grey cloth long gown with greying hair, dozing off on a bamboo chair while clutching a purple clay teapot in his arms.

Ye Qing lightened his footsteps, walked forward, and bowed: "Old Liu, Disciple Ye Qing, on the orders of the General Affairs Hall, has come to be responsible for the cleaning of the first floor."

The old man's eyelids moved, but he did not open his eyes. He just gave a vague "Mn" sound and waved his hand, signaling him to go in by himself.

Ye Qing did not say much more; he gently pushed open the slightly ajar carved wooden door and walked in.

A scent mixed with old paper, faint ink, and the crisp smell of wood rushed toward his face.

The first floor was quite large, with dozens of rows of tall wooden bookshelves arranged neatly. They were densely packed with books of various materials—Bamboo Slips, Jade Slips, animal skin books, and thread-bound paper books, all sorts.

Sunlight spilled in through the high wooden lattice windows, casting mottled light and shadows on the clean bluestone floor.

The air was very quiet, with only the occasional bird chirping from outside the window.

This place was indeed a place to "endure loneliness"; apart from him, there was not a single living soul.

Ye Qing took a deep breath and felt an inexplicable sense of peace.

This place was simply a "development treasure land" tailored for him.

He first found the cleaning tools from behind the door—a seemingly ordinary bamboo broom, a wooden bucket, and a few rags.

Then, he began to clean meticulously from the corner closest to the door.

There wasn't much dust, clearly someone had been cleaning it regularly before.

But Ye Qing swept very carefully, not letting go of any corner.

At the same time, his gaze swept quickly across every bookshelf he passed.

"Detailed Explanation of Qi Refining Basics," "Analysis of Five Elements Spiritual Roots," "Qingyun Sect Outer Sect Rules and Precepts"...

"Introduction to Basic Talismans," "Illustrated Guide to Common Spirit Medicine," "Identification of Low-level Ores"...

"General Record of Yao Beasts (Volume 1)," "Geographical Records of the Cangyun Mountain Range," "Miscellaneous Notes of the Southern Wilderness"...

The types of books were numerous, but as the Fat Deacon said, they were all the most basic and popular knowledge.

For true Inner Sect Disciples or even Outer Sect elites, they might not have much value.

But for Ye Qing, this was simply a treasure trove waiting to be excavated!

He suppressed the urge to immediately pull one out and read it, first focusing on cleaning the entire floor of the first floor, and then wiping the surface of the bookshelves with a wrung-out rag.

After doing all this, the sun was already near noon.

He walked to the door; Old Liu was still dozing off, holding the purple clay teapot firmly.

Ye Qing coughed lightly: "Old Liu, the cleaning and wiping of the first floor is finished. Would you please check if it is satisfactory?"

Old Liu finally opened his eyes; they were eyes that were slightly turbid but certainly not dull.

He stood up slowly, clutching the purple clay teapot, paced inside for a circle, and nodded.

"Acceptable. From now on, come at the Chen hour and leave before the You hour. You may read the books on the bookshelves, but you are not allowed to damage them, take them out, or scribble on them. You must remember the position of each book and return them to their original places after reading."

"Disciple understands."

"Mn." Old Liu took out a brass key from his bosom and threw it to Ye Qing: "This is the key to the small courtyard at the side door. Inside there is a water well and a room to rest. You can rest there at noon. I will be at the door; if you have something, you can come to find me. If not, do not disturb me."

After speaking, he swayed back to his bamboo chair and closed his eyes, as if there were no other things in the world.

Ye Qing took the key that still carried body temperature, feeling a bit more curious about this Old Liu.

This demeanor did not look like that of an ordinary gatekeeping old man.

However, this was not important.

What was important was that from now on, this first floor of the Library Pavilion could, to some extent, be considered his "territory."

He walked to the nearest bookshelf, looking at the dazzling array of books on it, and a repressed, excited light flashed in his eyes.

"Then, the first one..."

His fingers gently brushed over those carriers of knowledge, and finally stopped at a bamboo slip that was the most ancient in color and had some wear on the edges.

"Detailed Explanation of Qi Refining Basics (Supplemented Edition)."

He carefully took down the bamboo slip and walked to a small wooden table by the window to sit down.

The sunlight outside the window was just right, and the tree shadows were swaying.

Ye Qing slowly unfolded the bamboo slip, his mind sinking into it.

The space within his body, which was already nearly one zhang, seemed to have sensed his focus, sending a trace of an extremely subtle, warm, and gentle fluctuation, making his mind even clearer and more tranquil.

A new starting point was slowly unfolding on this old bamboo slip that exuded the fragrance of ink.