“If damaged meridians were so easy to restore, my father and the others would have helped me recover long ago. Why would it have dragged on until now? Three years have passed—do I still have hope?” Charles York let out a long sigh. He was already a cripple, yet so many people around him still cared for him, making him feel ashamed. He wanted to do something for those around him, but unfortunately, he was powerless, and even ended up being a burden to them. Charles York’s only hope was the flying dagger in his mind.

“Charles York gege once said that Heaven rewards the diligent. Even if Charlie has to give it her all, she will find a Duanxu Pill for Charles York gege and help him restore his meridians.” A trace of determination flashed in Charles York’s clear eyes.

The Duanxu Pill could reconnect the meridians of someone whose meridians were completely severed, and could heal Charles York’s injuries.

“The Duanxu Pill is a precious treasure that only a Medicine Master can make. Even if the Ye family spent all its wealth, we still couldn’t buy one. How could it be so easy for us to obtain?” Charles York said with a bitter smile. To obtain a Duanxu Pill was easier said than done!

In this world, pills were extremely precious. Even the lowest grade Qi Gathering Pill could sell for fifty taels of silver, which was equivalent to several years’ worth of food, clothing, and shelter for an ordinary family. Not to mention the Duanxu Pill made by a Medicine Master—one Duanxu Pill was worth at least tens of thousands of Qi Gathering Pills. Even if the Ye Family Fort was pawned, it still wouldn’t be enough to exchange for a single Duanxu Pill.

In these three years since his meridians were severed, Charles York had to use more than ten Qi Gathering Pills every day to nourish his meridians. Even with the Ye family’s deep foundation, they couldn’t withstand such consumption, and had even sold off many family properties. In the past two years, Ye Family Fort had gradually declined among the Eighteen Forts of Lianyun, and was starting to face shortages. In another five or six years, if things continued like this, Ye Family Fort would likely fall to the bottom among the Eighteen Forts of Lianyun.

Even so, his father and the vast majority of the clan had no complaints, and cared deeply for Charles York. Such great kindness, Charles York would never forget. In his previous life, Charles York was an orphan, but now, for the first time, he had found the feeling of home—Ye Family Fort was his home.

Charles York himself had tried countless methods to restore his shattered meridians, but all had failed. His only hope was the flying dagger that had brought him to this world. Lately, the flying dagger would tremble from time to time, which made Charles York see a glimmer of hope.

Chapter 3: Father

“Charles York meimei, I didn’t expect you to come to the martial arena too.”

While Charles York and Charles York were talking, a young man about their age walked over.

Ethan York could be considered a talented youth of Ye Family Fort. Among the younger generation of Ye Family Fort, three people had reached the peak of the fifth rank, just a step away from entering the sixth rank: Third Uncle Ye Zhanyong’s daughter Emily York, Charles York, and Ethan York. Although Ethan York couldn’t compare to Charles York in the past, he was still very gifted. He was handsome and dashing, and as for his family background, he was the son of the Grand Elder of Ye Family Fort, whose status was second only to the clan leader and a few others.

“Mm.” Charles York replied casually. When outsiders approached, her expression returned to its usual coldness.

Charles York’s attitude made Ethan York’s face look a bit unpleasant. Ethan York glanced at Charles York, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. He couldn’t understand what was so good about Charles York. Sure, Charles York used to be a genius, but now he was a cripple. What did Charles York see in Charles York?

“Charles York big brother, long time no see. Has your health improved lately?” Ethan York looked at Charles York. Although he said this, a hint of contempt flickered at the corner of his mouth.

Before Charles York’s profound energy was crippled, Ethan York had almost always obeyed Charles York. Charles York was two or three months older than Ethan York, and Ethan York used to call him “ge” all the time, very affectionately. Charles York had taught Ethan York many things back then. But after Charles York’s meridians were crippled, Ethan York hadn’t even come to visit once, making Charles York truly understand how fickle human relationships could be. Charles York was proud by nature—if others didn’t come, he wouldn’t go and beg for attention only to be ridiculed.

Only when you are down and out do you see who your true friends are.

“Not bad. I can eat and sleep.” Charles York replied calmly. Although his situation was dire, he was still rather carefree.

“Looks like someone’s life is still pretty comfortable. But the clan leader and the others are really suffering. In order to gather Qi Gathering Pills, their hair has turned white with worry, only to feed an ingrate.” Ethan York narrowed his eyes, glanced at Charles York, and said, “I heard the Lord of Donglin County got a Duanxu Pill. When the clan leader found out, he rushed to the Donglin County Lord’s mansion two days ago to beg for the pill, even kneeling before the Lord, but was thrown out. With such a precious treasure, how could the Lord of Donglin County give it away so easily? It’s a pity—the clan leader, a hero all his life, a man of iron, actually knelt to beg for medicine. Now, the whole Donglin County is laughing at him.”

“What did you say?” Charles York’s heart sank. He knew nothing about this; neither his father nor his elders had mentioned it to him.

“Ethan York, stop talking!” Charles York said anxiously, rebuking him coldly. The uncles of the Ye family had specifically instructed that Charles York must not be told about this, but Ethan York had gone against their wishes and revealed everything.