Chapter 3: Matters of Ennoblement in Years Past
Li Shun had sat in silent meditation through the entire night. When the first pale light of dawn crept across the horizon, he pushed open the door and stepped outside.
Bathed in the faint morning glow, he moved with practiced familiarity, turning into a narrow and inconspicuous bookstore tucked away within Lengshan County.
The shopkeeper was a young man, no more than eighteen or nineteen, with refined and delicate features. Yet within his calm, unfathomable eyes lingered a trace of age and weariness wholly at odds with his youthful appearance.
“The Crippled one, back again? Which book are you after this time?” The shopkeeper showed no surprise at Li Shun’s early visit. His tone carried an air of easy familiarity.
With a casual sweep of his sleeve, the shop door shut on its own.
The already dim interior plunged into deeper shadow.
“Record of Emperor''s Exegesis.” Li Shun lowered his voice, speaking concisely.
The shopkeeper chuckled softly. “Knew it. I’ve had it ready for you. Same rules as always. Same price.”
With a flick of his fingers, he drew out a single yellowed, worn page from his sleeve and placed it face-down on the mottled wooden table.