"What? I have a Broken Meridian Physique?" Yang Chunqiu couldn't believe what he heard. The words [Broken] and [Meridian] are like two independent iron nails hammered into his fragile heart as soon they were mentioned.
This fact hurts him more than the news about how the original Yang Chunqiu could have died from alcohol poisoning. Simultaneously, it explains why the previous host died from drinking the wine.
Since the wine was brewed by the disciples from a small sect, there's a possibility that several cultivators' medicinal herbs were added as ingredients in the brewing process. The boost in medicinal potency and alcohol strength could be too much for his body to handle.
(Author's Note: In his dream, lol... The host literally died from drinking methanol-like wine that was brewed by the third-rate disciple, thinking it was something better than wine. But I ain't gonna touch this part of his shame until later in the story...)
"Yes, young master..." The nanny nodded at Yang Chunqiu's question. Her honest and apologetic reply was like another strike on the two iron nails stuck in his heart as if she was telling him not to dream about the impossible.
"But..." the nanny quickly continued just as Yang Chunqiu was about to feel weak on his knees. "You shouldn't give up, young master." a small hint of hope was hidden behind her next sentence.
"There must be a reason behind the patriarch's decision to send you to this Yuanling City. Although there's no record of a Broken Meridian Physique recovering and being able to cultivate, that's just in our small Northern Yuan Country..." said the nanny.
"Hence, please carry on holding on to that vague light. You shouldn't give up because the patriarch hasn't given up too." she added. Her answer was obscure, but as fuzzy as it was, the words worked like the ember to Yang Chunqiu's hope.
Since a miracle like his transmigration to this realm into the body with the same name as he already happened once, there is no reason why the second miracle won't happen to him again.
Such a hope might be a thin thread to hold onto, but it's better than none.
"I'll listen to the rest after returning from the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion later," Yang Chunqiu responded to the nanny's words and ensured he showed his most sober face mixed with indescribable emotions.
"I want to walk to the pavilion today. Can this request be done?" Yang Chunqiu suddenly changed his mind before the nanny arranged a horse for him. Since he had no idea how to ride on horseback, he would arouse others' suspicions if he fell from the horse midway.
"As you wish, young master. I'll let the housekeeper arrange so you can walk comfortably to the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion." replied the nanny. The nanny and other female servants left after the reply.
Ten or so minutes later, she returned with two men following closely behind her. One wore a robe befitting a housekeeper, while another had a high-level guard appearance.
"Lesser Yang Courtyard's housekeeper, Liang Sheng (and the leader of the outer guards, Yang Xuan), greets the young master," the two respectfully greeted Yang Chunqiu as soon they arrived at the Flower Appreciating Pavilion.
"Skip the formalities, you two." Yang Chunqiu responded similarly.
"We don't dare, young master. But we're thankful for your kind words," the two cupped their fists in response to his words. Although it was mere pleasantries in his sentence, hearing them is better than nothing.
"Yang Xuan is ready to escort the young master to the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion anytime. Since there's nothing much happening in the city in recent days, the walk to the building should be quite peaceful and quiet," the guard leader quickly added.
"Let's make our way there then..." Yang Chunqiu lifted his arm and held the nanny's hand to stand up.
With Yang Xuan leading the way, Yang Chunqiu took the opportunity to memorize and study his surroundings, including the way in and out of the Yang Family Seven-Courtyard Manor and a few obvious landmarks outside.
Although such caution was unnecessary, not doing it in a foreign world would made Yang Chunqiu feel something was amiss...
As he was told, the walk towards the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion was quite peaceful and boring. Although plenty of stalls and shops were open along the way, the people hardly patronized them.
The people here were more or less absorbed in what they were doing or had no leisure time to make a cordial visit for window shopping.
It took Yang Chunqiu and Yang Xuan half an hour to arrive at the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion. And during that 30-minute walk, Yang Chunqiu would randomly ask Yang Xuan some irrelevant questions to increase his understanding of this world.
Those questions mostly cover topics like what people do, how they live, the factions that took root in this Yuanling City, and so on. Listening to some of the answers gave Yang Chunqiu some idea of how he could thrive in this world.
To make it easier to understand, this world was not much different from the one he knew. The only differences were perhaps the existence of cultivation, martial arts, and private sects that operate to their own interest.
"Young master, we're here at the Spring Autumn Treasures Pavilion. Please come in," Yang Xuan said and pushed open the door into the building.
The shop full of treasures on display immediately greeted Yang Chunqiu as he entered.
(I had to say... This place is indeed worthy of the name "Treasures Pavilion" from the number of goods it had here. Sadly...)
There were both praises and complaints in Yang Chunqiu after he glanced at the inside of the pavilion. Although the number of goods on display was doubled the number of treasures he had in his room, the way it was presented made him feel dissatisfied.
After all, there are big differences in customer demographics and practices between this place and the world he's from. Furthermore, there's a big lack of something here, for example, a glass display or panel to keep the contact between the treasure and the client to a minimum.