Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

The festive atmosphere of the New Year had not yet completely dissipated, and the light in the villa's study cast the shadows of Lin Yan and Lin San onto the heavy bookshelves.

"Lin San, you will be returning to the mainland tomorrow." Lin Yan's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight. "You must steer the ship well for the next three years."

Lin Sansu stood solemnly at the table, his expression grave: "Young Master, I understand. I've read the briefings from various places, and the situation... is not optimistic."

His words carried a heavy weight. The wheels of history were heavy and cruel. Though he had pried open a crack with his foresight and strength, his individual power was insignificant in the face of the overwhelming tide... "When you get back, you must be on your guard." Lin Yan's gaze sharpened. "The nationwide black market network must be further strengthened in its management and control. Our goal is not to profit, but to save lives. We must ensure that food, medicine, and all emergency supplies are accurately delivered to the places that need them most and are most desperate. The methods can be flexible, but the bottom line must be upheld. We must never compete with the people for profit or make money against our conscience! Spread the word that if anyone has inherited skills such as brewing, medicine making, or medical skills, they can bring them to the black market to exchange for food, fine grains, meat, medicine, cotton, and oil. Offer a higher price."

"Yes, young master!" Lin San straightened his back, his eyes as firm as iron. "Lin San will do his utmost to live up to your expectations! We will make our channel a beacon of hope in the darkness."

"Alright." Lin Yan gave him a deep look. "Go ahead and prepare early. This journey will be arduous and long."

The space remained vibrant and full of life, a stark contrast to the harsh winter outside. Lin Yan went directly to the main room in the courtyard that had been empty for a long time.

The room was simply furnished, with only an old eight-immortal table in the center standing out. On the table, a quiet ebony urn held the remains of his nominal father, Lin Jianguo.

Lin Yan stepped forward, his fingertips gently tracing the cold surface of the box, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions. There was respect and pity for this unsung hero who had worked so hard all his life, but also a subtle sense of distance stemming from his own unique background.

"The reason we didn't bury you at first was because we wanted to find a truly beautiful place with lush mountains and clear waters." He murmured softly, as if explaining, or perhaps talking to himself. "Before, this space was just endless plains, too monotonous. Now it's much better. The Wanyan Mountains have opened up, with mountains and water, and the scenery is beautiful. You should like it."

He carefully picked up the urn, his mind stirring slightly. As the absolute master of space, he didn't need to move; the next moment, he appeared on the outskirts of the Myriad Evolution Mountains.

This is an extremely secluded valley. On one side are verdant and majestic mountain walls, and on the other side is a lake as clear as jade, its surface as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the mountain scenery and the sky. It is filled with spiritual energy and is indeed a rare and auspicious place for peaceful rest.

Lin Yan selected a flat spot by the lake at the foot of the mountain. With a thought, the ground in front of him silently sank down, forming a tomb.

He solemnly placed his father's urn into the grave, then personally covered it with handfuls of soil, building a mound.

Having done all this, he pointed his fingers like a sword and softly shouted, "Sword, come!"

Within his dantian, the flying sword "Star" emitted a clear, resonant hum, transforming into a streak of light that shot out. The sword light precisely swept across the mountain wall, slicing off a huge, bluish-black rock.

Lin Yan manipulated "Starry Sky" like the most precise carving tool. He first cut and polished the rock into a thick and regular tombstone about five feet high and two feet wide. The top of the tombstone was carved into the shape of auspicious clouds surrounding the moon, and the sides were carved with simple pine and crane longevity patterns, making it look ancient and solemn.

Then, using his finger as a pen, he concentrated his spiritual power and carefully carved the inscription on the surface of the stele:

The Tomb of Lin Gongjian

Born in turbulent times, died an ordinary life.

Diligence throughout life, integrity passed down through generations

Green hills are fortunate to bury loyal bones

The flowing blue water reflects the father's kindness

Filial son Lin Yanjing

January 1959

After finishing the carving, he took out several gold bars, and a ball of blazing white flame rose from his palm, quickly melting the gold bars into molten gold. He guided the molten gold, slowly filling it into the grooves of the carved characters. In an instant, the golden epitaph shone brightly on the dark blue-green surface of the tombstone, noble yet solemn.

He used his flying sword to cut the remaining stones into dozens of square stone slabs of the same size and thickness, and carefully laid them around the tomb to form a simple yet solemn rectangular cemetery.

Finally, he took out a second-tier top-grade protective array plate that he had personally crafted, embedded several top-grade spirit stones as an energy source, and drove it deep into the ground in the center of the tomb. Afterward, he threw out several matching array flags in specific directions, and the flags silently disappeared into the surrounding ground.

"Buzz—"

A pale golden, almost transparent light curtain instantly rose, gently enveloping the entire cemetery and a radius of about one mile around. On the light curtain, delicate runes flowed ceaselessly, radiating an inviolable majesty. From that moment on, apart from Lin Yan himself, no demonic beast in the space could set foot in this area, ensuring its tranquility.

Lin Yan took two steps back, straightened his robes, and with a solemn expression, knelt before the tomb and respectfully kowtowed three times.

His forehead touched the cold stone slab, and he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

"Father," he said softly, "rest in peace here. It's a beautiful and quiet place, and no one will disturb you."

He paused, then said, "I will come to see you again on the anniversary of your death. I... although by chance I have taken over Xiao Yan's body, please rest assured, I will live my life well, for his sake, and make something of myself. I will never let this second life down!"

As the words fell, only the sounds of wind, water, and the faint hum of the pale golden light filled the valley. The golden lettering on the tombstone shimmered with a warm glow under the light of the surrounding space.

Lin Yan stood there for a long time, finally taking a deep look at the brand-new grave and tombstone, as if burying a sense of responsibility and concern there. Then, he resolutely turned around, his figure slowly fading away as he left the space.