Whispers in the Old Library

The old library at the University of Jinling was a relic of the past, its walls lined with countless tomes of knowledge and history. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper and the echoes of countless conversations long past. It was a place of solace for students, a sanctuary of tranquility amidst the chaos of campus life. Yet, for those who dared to delve deeper, the library held secrets that were best left buried.

Among the students was a young man named Li Qian, a history enthusiast with a penchant for the obscure. His latest assignment was to research the history of the university, and he found himself drawn to the library’s most secluded section—a place where the whispers of the past seemed to carry on a conversation with the present.

One rainy afternoon, as the rain tapped against the old windows, Li Qian stumbled upon a dusty, leather-bound scroll tucked away in a forgotten corner. The scroll was adorned with strange symbols and a cryptic note that read, “Unveil the past, and face the wrath of Wang Kui.”

Intrigued, Li Qian unrolled the scroll, his eyes tracing the intricate symbols. As he did, a sudden chill crept over him, and the air around him seemed to grow heavier. He continued, drawn by an inexplicable force, until he reached the end of the scroll. There, in bold, inked letters, were the words, “The Wang Kui’s Curse.”

Before Li Qian could react, a soft whisper filled the room. “You have awakened me, scholar. I shall claim your soul as payment for my suffering.”

Li Qian’s heart raced as he spun around, but the room was empty, save for the flickering candlelight and the echo of his own heartbeat. He dismissed the experience as a trick of the mind, the result of too much research and too little sleep. But as the days passed, strange occurrences began to unfold.

First, it was the books themselves that seemed to move of their own accord, their pages turning as if driven by an unseen hand. Then, Li Qian would hear the sound of laughter, though the library was always deserted. Worst of all, he began to see visions—shadowy figures of people from the past, their faces twisted in pain and sorrow.

Li Qian’s friends began to notice the change in him. Once a lively, cheerful individual, he had become withdrawn, often muttering to himself. They tried to help, but the curse seemed to grow stronger, its tendrils weaving themselves into his very being.

Desperate for answers, Li Qian returned to the library, the scroll clutched tightly in his hand. As he approached the same corner, he felt a cold hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw a figure, cloaked in darkness, its eyes glowing with an eerie light.

“I am Wang Kui,” the figure said, its voice echoing in his mind. “You have released me, and now you must face the consequences.”

Li Qian, driven by a mix of fear and determination, demanded to know what he must do to break the curse. Wang Kui’s eyes narrowed, and he spoke, “You must tell the truth of my story, and you must bring my name to be remembered.”

Li Qian nodded, his mind racing as he sought to understand the truth behind Wang Kui’s suffering. He learned of a scholar from centuries past, a man who had wronged Wang Kui by denying his contributions to the library. In a fit of rage, Wang Kui had cursed the library, promising to claim the souls of those who dared to uncover his story.

Li Qian knew he had to act quickly. He began to write, his pen flying across the page as he documented Wang Kui’s life and the injustice done to him. He shared his findings with the university, and soon, the story of Wang Kui spread like wildfire.

As the tale of Wang Kui’s suffering reached more ears, the curse seemed to lift. The library returned to its peaceful state, the books no longer moving on their own, and the laughter subsided. Li Qian, forever changed by his experience, dedicated his life to the preservation of knowledge, ensuring that Wang Kui’s name would be remembered.

The old library at the University of Jinling stood as a testament to the power of truth and the enduring legacy of those who have been wronged. And as for Li Qian, he lived out his days in the library, his soul forever bound to the place that had once held so much darkness, now a beacon of light and remembrance.