Zixin walked across the streets of Daisal, his pupils drifting from one stall to another in search of general ingredients. His gaze landed on an old lady who sold fresh meat.
He dragged himself over, biting his lip as he muttered, "The meat seems good, but I can't tell why."
The lady's ears perked up, her hand grabbed his as she spoke, "If that would persuade you to purchase some, then let me teach you."
Zixin's lips quivered, forming a smile, and speaking, "Oh, thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it."
The lady laughed, commenting, "Flattery would get you nowhere with me. But I suppose it's comforting."
She shook her head, speaking, "There are only four things to keep in mind. First is the colour; if the meat is bright red, it's fresh because it means that it hasn't been long since it was butchered."
The lady stretched her arm forward, grabbed a piece, and raised it in front of him as bright red meat covered his view.
She leaned in, inhaling the meat's odour. Her lips curled up as she spoke gently, "Second is the smell. If it smells neutral or even metallic, it indicates its freshness due to blood, but if it smells strange, it has most likely been handled terribly."
Zixin leaned forward, taking a deep breath and letting the smell infiltrate his nostrils. He nodded as a metallic smell seeped through the meat.
The lady chuckled, continuing, "Third is touch. Fresh meat would often be firm, but if it is slimy, it has most certainly lost its freshness."
She lowered her hand, placing the meat down before pinching it. Zixin followed, pressing a finger down. The tender meat resisted, its surface barely compressing. He withdrew his hand, wiping it against a handkerchief.
The lady nodded, speaking, "Fourth and last includes a question: 'Are there any strange spots?'. If there is, it indicates that the meat is no longer fresh."
Zixin scanned it, his eyes darting back and forth, finding no such spots.
The lady spoke, "And it seems this meat fits the mark. So, are you now willing to purchase one?"
"I suppose. How much is the cost?"
"Hohoho, only five Pier Coins."
Zixin took out his wallet, handing the lady his payment as she packed the meat. He grabbed forward, carrying it with him.
He thanked the old lady and headed elsewhere in search of possible ingredients. On his way, a sudden realisation struck him: I don't know any recipe…
His scattered thoughts shot into one circle, forming a roaring cloud inside his mind. A glint of light shone through his eyes as his thoughts clashed: If I don't know any, why not learn one? But how would I do so? With books perhaps? But there's no bookstore in Daisal, leaving me with two options: one is Hope, and the other is Fang Hau. Sigh, what a conundrum indeed. I suppose it'll be better to ask Fang Hau since he likely has a library inside his Chamber.
Zixin dragged himself, reaching the stone formation hidden in Mount Lorebale. He closed his eyes, opening them anew as the Throne Room entered his sight.
Purple smoke covered the room, only for it to begin condensing, reforming Fang Hau's appearance.
Shooting Zixin a glare, he probed, "And what reason have you come here for, carrying around that basket filled with fresh ingredients for?"
Zixin stared back, his eyes set on the condensing smoke. Shaking his head, he glanced at Fang Hau, speaking, "I'm searching for a recipe book. Do you perhaps have one?"
"A recipe book? Why would you… oh! I see–is this a bet with her?" Fang Hau's gaze drifted, rubbing his chin.
"Close enough. So, do you have one?"
Fang Hau stepped forward, speaking, "I suppose I do, but why exactly do you need one? Are you perhaps reading for fun, or do you genuinely wish to learn?"
Zixin stepped forward, following him, and replying, "I'll clarify then. Hope wanted me to cook dinner, but she gave me no recipe nor any idea of what I should make."
"Hmm, fascinating indeed. Although you two are merely allies, it seems you both view one another as a trustworthy companion." Fang Hau commented, his steps quickening.
"Well, playing along with her isn't too bad, especially right now because I'm learning how to cook–a valuable skill." He sighed, his eyelids drooping down.
Fang Hau chuckled, letting his feet dissipate and beginning to float like a balloon. Purple smoke leaked from his lower half as he drifted forward.
With his lips curling up, Fang Hau asked, "What do you think of Hope?"
"She's an invaluable ally needed in accomplishing her favour, and she's also been my personal doctor–no, sketchy herbalist who has been helping me out every day." Zixin pondered, giving a response.
"Personal doctor?" He probed.
"Every time I have been injured, she has treated me with utmost care." He spoke, slipping into his memories.
Fang Hau sighed, turning his gaze back, "As far as I could see, Hope lacks the qualities needed to be called a doctor, but it barely matters."
Fang Hau's feet condensed as he halted, speaking, his voice a mere echo, "Here we are."
A large metallic door stood closed off from the world. Copper-colored rust covered its hind edges, a soft echo of time's influence. Fang Hau stepped forward, stretching his hand and pressing the door as a creaking sound shot through the hall. He sighed lightly, his gaze shifting to Zixin as he spoke with a faint curve on his lips, "Welcome to the Knowledge Observatory."
Upon stepping into the room, dim green lighting illuminated from the eight lamps that hung on the ceiling. The stone floor was neat and clean without a speck of dust.
Zixin stepped forward, his gaze locked on the bookshelves in front. Halting his steps, he stretched his arm, reaching for the bookshelf. His fingertips brushed past the soft wooden shelf, creating a realisation: This… hasn't aged? The door was covered in rust, yet this room remains unscathed from time; it almost seems like this Chamber's time remains stuck until the entrance creaks open.
Shaking his head and silencing his thoughts, he continued, strolling ahead, circling the bookshelves.
His gaze diverted, landing on Fang Hau as he asked, "Strange… This set of bookshelves was arranged to form a triangle if seen from above."
Fang Hau strode forward with a glint in his eyes as he spoke, "It seems curiosity runs in our bloodline more than I imagined. Since you ask, who am I to oppose?"
He paused, explaining, "But before I do, do you perhaps have any idea of why I chose the name 'Knowledge Observatory'?"
"Is this a rhetorical question?" Zixin commented, tilting his head.
"Feel free to think of it as you wish, but I am curious about your idea."
"Well, the name sounds self-explanatory, but the question I pose says otherwise: 'How is knowledge in any way observable?'. Knowledge is only observable when it takes a physical form, also known as physical knowledge, one of its various forms. This is knowledge contained in this realm. A rock's structure, its components–such are forms of knowledge." Zixin posed, his gaze locking onto him.
"You are well informed. I should praise your Teacher. Setting such matters aside, you are overthinking. How does one usually observe knowledge? The answer is as clear as day; one does so by recording information. And this is exactly what this Chamber does." Fang Hau chuckled, shifting his gaze to the ceiling.
He raised his arm, pointing a finger as he spoke, "See that unusually dark area on the ceiling? That is right beneath the Peak of Mount Lorebale. In other words, this room encapsulates it."
Zixin's thoughts raced: If it's truly beneath the Peak, then this room must be a core room, or in other words, the Chamber's lifeline–how curious.
Fang Hau continued, "It was named Knowledge Observatory because of its capacity to keep track of the ongoing cycles of Mount Lorebale. Not only is it beneath the Peak, but it also feeds off the life essence of the mountain, further advancing the cycles towards this very moment. Using the life essence, the Restrictions I placed beforehand have now grown stronger, and are the exact reason why I can track it."
I suppose this is still reasonable, within the Peak lies a representation of the cycles–that immortal tree. But this would mean that the Restrictions he set had already reached the tree before it began its operations. Sigh, I assume the books are the records. Shaking his head, Zixin's thoughts wandered off.
"This room also contains information capable of shaking the current era. Don't believe me? How do you think I managed to create my eight-hundred-year-long plan? It was with the use of my ability, Time is Fruitless." He closed his eyes, slipping into past memories.
As his body trembled, his thoughts ran like wildfire: Uh… this place is dangerous. If my curiosity ever gets the better of me, I might learn something that I never should have.
He raised his hand, tapping his forehead as he muttered, "For now, keeping a calm mind should clear my thoughts up. I came here for a recipe book, and I will obtain it."
Taking a step forward, Fang Hau smirked, stretching his arm and taking a brown covered book. He dusted it off before handing it.
"There are countless topics that I wish to discuss with you, but they are meaningless at this juncture. Take it and learn a lesson on the difficulties she calls 'cooking'." Fang Hau spoke, tilting his head.