Chapter Six: Reverence

Han Yu was the first to step out of the study, with Lei Yan closely following behind. Although Han Yu's pace was unhurried, Lei Yan struggled to keep up, given that his body was still that of a three-year-old child.

After traversing the western garden, a long stone bridge appeared before Lei Yan. Beneath the bridge lay a vast artificial lake, its waters teeming with aquatic plants. Surrounding the lake were numerous ornamental rocks and scattered stones. Lei Yan had never imagined there was such a tranquil spot within the Lei residence.

"Young master, this is the path leading to the library. The buildings around us are constructed according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation, so follow me carefully!" Han Yu explained as he walked ahead.

"The Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation changes every hour. Right now, it's the hour of the Tiger, corresponding to the Gen trigram. Kun and Gen represent earth, while the gate of life is at the Li position, so we head this way. If it were the hour of the Rabbit, it would correspond to the Zhen trigram; Zhen and Xun represent wood, and the gate of life would be at the Kan position..." Han Yu continued, detailing the positions and methods to solve the formation as they walked further in.

Lei Yan doggedly followed behind. Though he wasn't entirely clear on the trigram positions, he understood that he would eventually have to traverse this path alone. Therefore, he needed to memorize every detail, leaving no room for error.

"This Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation may seem simple—anyone with a basic knowledge of formations could solve it—but that's not the case. You'll see soon enough," Han Yu added.

After passing through the formation, Han Yu and Lei Yan arrived at a cluster of underground chambers.

"There are dozens of secret rooms down here. As for how many books are inside, I couldn't say. This is the accumulation of generations of the Lei family," Han Yu said with a hint of pride in his eyes. Though he was not a direct descendant, he had always considered himself part of the Lei family and felt proud of their legacy.

Lei Yan, breathing heavily, gazed at a massive stone door ahead. Its surface was smooth and cold, reflecting a faint icy light like a frozen river. Flanking the door were two giant stone lions: the one on the left fierce and menacing, its forehead carved with the word 'Death,' and the one on the right gentle and benevolent, its forehead inscribed with 'Life.' Each lion held a large iron ring in its mouth.

"What do those mean?" Lei Yan asked, pointing at the lions in confusion.

"Young master, you have no idea how precious the books here are. These are the result of generations of the Lei family risking their lives..." Han Yu grew increasingly animated as he spoke.

Lei Yan understood the value of books. As in his previous life, without books, technology might regress by decades or even centuries. Yet now, Lei Yan was more interested in the purpose of the stone lions. He interrupted Han Yu, saying, "I only want to know what the stone lions are for."

"Yes, yes! I got carried away," Han Yu replied, a bit embarrassed. "The stone lions are mechanisms, and the choice is obviously 'Life.' It's meant to confuse intruders."

Lei Yan was quietly startled—indeed, the Lei family understood human nature well. At first glance, anyone would sense something amiss. People are peculiar; simple problems often become complicated due to overthinking. Take the question 'What is one plus one?'—for a grade-schooler, the answer is obviously two, but present it to a doctoral candidate, and the answer could become bizarrely complex. The choice between 'Life' and 'Death' was similarly straightforward—the answer was simply 'Life.'

Han Yu walked to the lion marked 'Life,' pointed at the iron ring, and said, "This one is easy to pull." With that, he gave it a gentle tug.

A thunderous rumble echoed through the ground, causing it to tremble slightly. Lei Yan watched as the smooth stone door slowly rose, and Han Yu said, "Young master, from here on you must go alone. Someone inside will tell you what to do."

"Alright," Lei Yan nodded and walked through the doorway. Han Yu watched the small, wavering figure disappear into the stone door and sighed, "Is the master too harsh? He is still just a child."

Only after Lei Yan’s figure vanished did Han Yu turn and slowly leave, returning to Lei Tiechuan’s study as dawn approached.

"Has Yan entered the library?" Lei Tiechuan’s eyes betrayed a trace of sadness.

"Yes, master. But..." Han Yu thought of the tiny, stumbling figure and was at a loss for words.

"Do you think I’m too cruel to Yan?" Lei Tiechuan seemed to see through Han Yu’s thoughts.

"Young master is still just a child," Han Yu sighed.

"There is no father who does not love his child..." Lei Tiechuan paused, then continued, "But what else can I do? Should I let him live thirty years indulged in my affection? Would he even survive thirty years if I coddle him? I must let him understand the harshness of survival, so he might develop the strength to withstand the pain caused by his atrophied meridians. After all, there is still hope for his condition."

"You mean..." Han Yu seemed to realize something.

"Exactly! The Nine Dragons Stone! The legendary artifact said to cure any illness, capable of saving anyone with even a breath left," Lei Tiechuan said solemnly.

"But... but that’s just a legend!" Han Yu protested, finding it hard to believe that Lei Yan's fate should be determined by such a myth.

"No! It’s not a legend; it’s hope—Yan’s hope, my hope. As long as hope exists, I will not let Yan die, unless he gives up himself," Lei Tiechuan’s eyes flashed with determination. "It’s time to prepare."

Meanwhile, after stepping through the stone door, Lei Yan looked around. The darkness was so deep that he could barely see, except for a faint spot of light ahead.

"This must be the passage to the library," Lei Yan thought, and slowly walked deeper inside.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Lei Yan arrived at a secret room. It was an ordinary chamber: a table, a chair, a bed, and some simple living essentials. It felt more like a typical home than a secret room.

At the table sat an elder reading a book. When he saw Lei Yan enter, he was clearly surprised. "I've been here so long, but never has someone so young entered the library. Child, what is your name?"

"Which generation?" Lei Yan was even more astonished. From the elder’s tone, Lei Yan could tell he had been here for a very long time. To spend so many years in the Lei family's secret chambers, he must surely be a senior. Lei Yan respectfully replied, "My name is Lei Yan, my father is Lei Tiechuan. May I ask which senior of the Lei family you are?"

"Oh! So you’re Tiechuan’s son. Very good, very good! Such wisdom at a young age. No wonder he let you in so early. Just call me Grandpa Lei. It’s been centuries—I’ve lost track of which generation this is," the old man said, seemingly pleased to finally have someone to talk to after so many years.

"Grandpa Lei!" Lei Yan felt genuine respect for the old man. To endure centuries in a secret chamber, even if occasionally visited, was a feat few could manage. Yet this elder had persisted, a testament to his immense contribution to the Lei family.

"Good, good!" Grandpa Lei liked Lei Yan from the first moment he saw him. Hearing Lei Yan’s respectful address, he was even happier. "Come, I’ll take you to the library."