At the very moment when the entire structure of the Library Pavilion rumbled and shook, William Harris was hurrying toward the building with a grim expression.

　　She moved as swiftly as a gale, gliding through the air like a hawk, her feet barely touching the ground.

　　William Harris cursed inwardly as she rushed along.

　　After those new disciples entered the building, they would stay inside for a full two days. As a dignified instructor, she certainly couldn’t just wait idly beneath the Library Pavilion.

　　She had already arranged to meet Captain Clark from the east side of the city for tea later, followed by a few rounds of mahjong.

　　William Harris hadn’t expected that before she could even leave the martial arts hall, such an incident would erupt inside the building.

　　When she landed on the steps in front of the Library Pavilion, she saw the instructor of the West Courtyard, Samuel Grant, and the instructor of the North Courtyard, Daniel Price, standing ahead, facing off against a blood-clad youth just inside the main doors.

　　The youth looked about fifteen or sixteen, with a hawk-like nose and deep-set eyes, his demeanor cold and sinister, and he was gazing out with a hint of mockery.

　　William Harris was somewhat puzzled. She pushed off with her foot and glided toward the building.

　　“Old Qiu, Samuel Grant, what’s going on here? Why are you both just standing there watching?”

　　Samuel Grant’s expression was icy, and he didn’t move: “Don’t go over there, come back!”

　　How could William Harris possibly listen to her old rival? She had already swept up to the main doors and reached out to grab the blood-clad youth by the neck.

　　The youth didn’t resist at all, standing there with a bright smile.

　　Just then, a sudden ‘boom’ exploded from inside the building.

　　William Harris was momentarily stunned and looked toward the source of the sound.

　　It was the third door in the left corridor, from which tongues of fire were spewing out.

　　She also noticed that two other doors inside the building bore scorch marks.

　　“That’s one of your sect’s ten external martial arts, the true intent diagram of Cloud-Dispelling Palm. Now it’s been burned to ashes.”

　　The blood-clad youth let William Harris grab his neck, a wicked smile appearing on his face: “Instructor Harris, with every step you take forward, another true intent diagram in this library will turn to ash.

　　If anything happens to me, then all the books in this entire building, along with everyone inside, will be buried with me.”

　　William Harris’s eyes flashed with shock and suspicion.

　　She didn’t know if what he said was true.

　　The blood-clad youth let out a laugh and produced a fiery red talisman, waving it in front of William Harris.

　　“See this? An Explosive Flame Talisman—about ten taels of magic silver each on the market. There are a total of 6,900 Explosive Flame Talismans planted throughout this building, enough to blow the whole place sky-high. If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to try again.”

　　William Harris couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath. She saw that indeed, many identical fiery talismans were affixed to the nearby walls.

　　But what was the purpose behind such a grand scheme?

　　Six thousand nine hundred Explosive Flame Talismans—that’s sixty-nine thousand taels of magic silver.

　　The blood-clad youth nonchalantly slapped away William Harris’s hand: “If Instructor Harris doesn’t wish to try again, then please step outside—and don’t forget to close the door!”

　　William Harris’s face was ashen as she stood motionless.

　　As she hesitated, a deep, powerful voice sounded from behind: “Instructor Harris, step back. This scoundrel is probably telling the truth.”

　　William Harris turned to see the imposing, mountain-like figure of the headmaster, Brian Reed, already standing outside the door.

　　At his side stood another man.

　　He was a middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a Jin Yi Wei Qianhu, with green hair, green beard, and green eyebrows—a most unusual appearance.

　　William Harris recognized him at a glance as Ethan Brooks, the Qianhu of the Xiushui Commandery’s Qianhu Office, from the Eastern Town Patrol Division of the Jin Yi Wei.

　　She let out a muffled grunt and, looking extremely unwilling, retreated outside, but did not close the door.

　　However, two people inside, dressed in inner sect disciple robes, came out to push the door, slowly closing the heavy ironwood doors.

　　After William Harris stepped out, she saw a large number of Jin Yi Wei streaming into the courtyard. They were all clad in heavy armor, armed with swords and sabers, exuding murderous intent, and had the twelve-story Library Pavilion surrounded so tightly that not even water could get through.

　　William Harris couldn’t help but look suspiciously at Brian Reed and Ethan Brooks: “Headmaster, Qianhu Brooks, may I ask what’s going on? Who are these people inside—where did these thieves come from?”

　　“They are the Bloodwind Bandits under Matthew Thompson.”

　　The one who spoke was Qianhu Ethan Brooks, his green brows slightly raised: “About three days ago, our spies discovered someone buying up large quantities of Explosive Flame Talismans on the black market and immediately reported it to the Eastern Town Patrol Division.

　　We traced the source and finally locked onto the wanted criminal, Bloodwind Sword Matthew Thompson. He recently infiltrated Xiushui Commandery, though we don’t know his intentions. I, as Qianhu, conducted a thorough investigation and only recently tracked them to Zhengyang Martial Hall—unfortunately, we were still a step too late.”

　　Brian Reed frowned deeply, his gaze sharp as he looked at Ethan Brooks: “Matthew Thompson has no enmity with our Wuxiang Divine Sect. Why would he come to our Zhengyang Martial Hall?”

　　Ethan Brooks’s face immediately darkened as he looked at the twelve-story building ahead: “He’s probably here for Grace Carter’s ‘Reverse God Banner.’ Somehow, he got wind of a rumor that the clue to the Reverse God Banner might be hidden in this Library Pavilion.”

　　Brian Reed and the other instructors present were all momentarily stunned, exchanging glances.

　　Brian Reed then rubbed his brow in distress, pondering how to resolve this crisis.

　　“Don’t worry!”