They both left the master's room and made their way to the room beside it.
Lin Mao's eyes immediately swept the space, taking in every detail.
"This place is massive."
He stepped further inside the room. To the left, a low bed was fixed directly on the floor, in the typical Japanese style.
It was simple, with soft, neatly arranged fabrics that looked like they belonged in an ancient noble household.
Lin Mao hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure whether he should be comforted or intimidated by how elegant everything looked.
"Definitely not used to something like this."
To the right, rows upon rows of wooden shelves were fixed, packed with books and scrolls.
They contained a mixture of ancient texts and scrolls tied with threads. The overwhelming number of books and knowledge made Lin Mao's head spin.
This place feels like the library of a grand sage.
In the center of the room stood a large wooden table. Its surface was covered with books, scattered papers, and a bottle of ink.
Like the usual historical setting, within the ink bottle there was a long feather, intentionally placed for writing.
Lin Mao leaned in closer, his fingers itching to touch the feather, but he stopped himself.
What kind of place is this? he wondered.
Even the carpet beneath his feet was surprisingly soft as he walked towards the table.
His eyes scanned the room once more, and everything seemed so... perfect.
He couldn't help but feel like he was intruding on something that he did not quite understand.
As though this room wasn't truly his yet.
He stopped in the middle of the room, running a hand through his hair.
Am I really supposed to stay here?
His mind raced with questions that felt like they might never get answered.
After a long pause, he glanced back at Ti Xhin.
"Is this... my room?" he asked, as his eyes shifted from the table to the shelves.
Ti Xhin gave him a quick glance before turning towards the corner of the room, where a small doorway led to what appeared to be a personal study.
"Yes, Junior Brother," Ti Xhin replied, his tone more serious than usual. "You will find everything you need here. Books, scrolls, ink—everything a scholar would require."
Ti Xhin gracefully sat down in the lotus position.
"Junior Brother, sit in front of me," he instructed.
Lin Mao nodded and sat in a similar position on the floor. He shifted slightly, trying to make himself comfortable.
"Now listen to me," Ti Xhin continued.
Lin Mao eagerly nodded again, his eyes fixed on Ti Xhin.
**
Time seemed to stretch on as Ti Xhin spoke. The hours passed slowly, and Lin Mao's attention remained focused, absorbing every word.
However, his body began betraying him. The lotus position was getting harder to maintain with each passing minute. His legs grew stiff, and he could feel the numbness.
But none of that mattered. He couldn't allow himself to break focus.
He needed to understand what this world that he had suddenly transmigrated to was.
Stay calm.
He took a deep breath, trying to block out the discomfort of his body.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Ti Xhin finally stood up. His movements were fluid, as though he had not spent hours sitting cross-legged on the floor.
He walked towards the door, and without another word, disappeared into the hallway.
Lin Mao sat still for a moment, feeling the sting of his numb legs. He finally moved with difficulty and laid back on the floor with a sigh.
So, I really have transmigrated to ancient China.
The reality of his situation hit him hard in that moment. He had been transported into a world that was far beyond anything he had ever imagined.
And yet, it seemed like his journey had only just begun.
What kind of life awaited him here? What would he be able to accomplish in this strange new world?
***
The world Lin Mao had found himself in was unlike anything he could have imagined. It was a world where knowledge was not just power—it was everything.
In fact, knowledge was so highly valued that it was even used as a form of currency.
Lin Mao couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief.
How could knowledge be used as currency?
It seemed strange yet Ti Xhin had made it clear:
"The more knowledge one had, the more valuable they became in society. It wasn't just about wealth or influence—what you knew could determine your entire status in this world."
As Lin Mao tried to gather his thoughts, another interesting piece of information came to his mind.
The scholars here were different from those on Earth.
On Earth, students were typically focused on practical and technical subjects like math, biology, chemistry, etc. The heavy focus was always on science and unraveling the mysteries of nature.
But in this strange, new world, the focus was entirely different. Here, scholars devoted themselves to philosophy, poetry, and society.
It was more about understanding or unraveling the mysteries of ourselves.