Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Lin Yan returned to his suite at the Ritz Hotel. He didn't turn on the lights, but simply stood quietly in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the gradually brightening lights of Paris. He focused his mind inward, sending a divine sense across space to Albert.

Less than half an hour later, a restrained but urgent knocking came from outside the door.

"Come in."

Albert pushed open the door and entered, his impeccable attire barely concealing his hurried pace. Before he could speak, Lin Yan had already turned around and handed him a tightly sealed, heavy file folder:

"I sense that the Golden Core Tribulation is approaching, just around the corner. This tribulation is no small matter; it is exceptionally dangerous." He paused, his gaze as deep as an ancient well. "But since I have decided to proceed, I have made thorough preparations. Here is the detailed plan and instructions for the European team over the next ten years. Also here is a business plan for the Libre de Soi brand. Please give this to Tang Liuqian and tell him to contact you if anything comes up!"

He looked at Albert's face, which tightened instantly, and continued, "In the coming days, you may not be able to contact me. At that time, there's no need to hesitate or look for me; just proceed with this plan."

"Young Master! I..." Albert suddenly looked up, his eyes reddening instantly, his voice trembling slightly as he desperately tried to say something.

Lin Yan raised his hand, gently but firmly stopping him from saying anything more.

"No need for further words." His tone softened slightly, even carrying a hint of reassurance. "Simply sticking to the plan is the greatest support you can give me. Besides..."

He paused slightly, and the figure by the window, illuminated by the city's neon lights, exuded a sense of solitary confidence, as if defying the odds.

"Although the Way of Heaven is powerful, it may not be able to do anything to me."

The morning mist in Paris had not yet dissipated when Lin Yan instructed Charles, who was standing beside him:

"Charter a plane and go back to Hong Kong."

"Yes, sir." Charles bowed and replied without asking any further questions.

The following day, in the VIP lounge at Orly Airport, Albert silently watched Lin Yan board the jet he had arrived in. The silver-gray fuselage sliced ​​across the runway and quickly disappeared into the clouds.

The journey home was far from easy. The plane made refueling stops in Beirut, Karachi, and Bangkok, and during the long, twenty-plus-hour flight, Lin Yan spent most of his time closing his eyes and resting. It was already the afternoon of the following day when the familiar runway of Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport came into view.

Lin Er had been waiting outside the airport for quite some time. Upon seeing Lin Yan step down the gangway:

"Young master, the car is ready."

"To Central." Lin Yan got into the back seat of the car, his voice showing no sign of fatigue.

The black Rolls-Royce weaved through the crowded streets of Kowloon, crossed Victoria Harbour, and headed straight for the Lam Group Building in Central.

Inside the top-floor office of the Lin Group in Central, the night view of Victoria Harbour shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a flowing neon glow on the interior.

Lin Yan placed a heavy document bag on the coffee table, the brown paper bag making a dull thud as it hit the surface.

"Lin Yi, Lin Er." His gaze swept over his two capable assistants. "This is the development plan for each global team over the next ten years."

Lin Yan's fingers traced back and forth across the world map in the office, finally stopping at the throat of the Strait of Malacca.

"Singapore," he lightly tapped the Malay Peninsula with his fingertip, "will be independent from Malaysia in five years. At that time, I will want this place—" his knuckles tapping softly, "openly and secretly, all within my grasp."

Lin Yi's expression turned stern: "I've heard that Lee Kuan Yew is not someone to be trifled with."

"Therefore, you are permitted to use extraordinary means." A golden glint flashed in Lin Yan's eyes as he turned. "If the Chamber of Commerce can't reach an agreement, seek help from underground forces. If the underground forces can't handle it, let Golden Core cultivators negotiate. Remember—"

The air in the office suddenly froze, and even the neon lights outside the window seemed to freeze.

"What I want is absolute control of Malacca." His voice was soft, yet it sent a chill down their spines. "If we encounter any obstacles, let's just leave a few more floating corpses in the South China Sea."

Lin Yi was about to speak when Lin Yan raised his hand to stop him: "The Golden Core Tribulation is approaching, and the outcome is uncertain. But regardless of whether I return or not, the plan must continue."

He walked to the window, gazing at the myriad lights of Kowloon across the water: "Hong Kong will be the foundation of our future. All talent and technology will converge here. You'll need to put in a lot of effort in the coming years."

"Don't worry, young master," Lin Er said in a deep voice, "Even if it costs us our lives, we will protect this business."

"Also," Lin Yan turned around, "tell Lin San that after 61, grain trade should be gradually reduced. Select the best rice and other grain seeds from our seed bank and have our brothers in China send them to Anjiang Agricultural School in Huaihua, Hunan." He paused, "find a teacher named Yuan Longping and make sure he can focus on studying these seeds."

Finally, he looked at Charles, who was standing quietly to the side: "You'll return to New York tomorrow and temporarily follow Alexander's arrangements. Handle my leave of absence procedures."

The old butler hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Furthermore," Lin Yan's voice softened, "prepare an education fund for Tom, Mike, and Daniel each. If they get into university but struggle with tuition, give it to them in my name."

He looked out the window, the lights of Hong Kong Island flickering in his eyes: "If they ask, I'll say I've returned to China to handle family matters. We'll meet again once everything is settled."

Charles bowed deeply: "This old servant understands."

"By the way," Lin Yan paused at the door, "I heard that Malaysia is cleaning up Chinese chambers of commerce?" He tossed a jade slip to Lin San, "Give the list of these people to Lin San; he knows what to do."

"Yes, young master!"

The raging waves of the North Atlantic crashed against the dark rock walls of Rockel Island, and Lin Yan's flying sword remained motionless in the storm. When he landed atop the pyramid-shaped reef, the soles of his shoes made a soft hissing sound as they touched the volcanic rock.

"Old Master, what do you think of this place? Is it suitable for use?"

Three old men appeared in response. The old man's white beard remained motionless in the gale, and his cloudy eyes shimmered with a star-like light: "In this desolate land, it doesn't matter where one undergoes tribulation. The desolation of this place certainly reduces disturbances."

The old man tossed over nine jade bottles, their surfaces gleaming with a hazy, precious light: "The Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill can heal severed limbs, three bottles; the Supreme Purity Spirit-Nourishing Pill can protect the sea of ​​consciousness, three bottles; and these three bottles of Golden Crow Blood Pills are for your body-refining."

Master Fu silently unrolled the scroll, and nine Thunder-Suppressing Talismans moved automatically without wind: "This old man adds a little something extra."

The old man suddenly pressed down on the compass he was about to use to set up the formation: "Young master, wait a moment. Your Eight Intents Condensing Pill formation is probably too powerful even for the Forty-Nine Thunder Tribulation. Why don't you first enter the space to fully understand the next level of the 'Great Zhou Celestial Body Refining Technique' and then integrate the eight intents into the spell?"

Elder Dan continued, "The Heavenly Tribulation is both a calamity and the best resource for tempering the body."

Lin Yan gazed at the roaring sea, and eight colors of Daoist energy appeared in his palm in succession. Ice and fire combined to create rime, wind and thunder intertwined to unleash a dragon's roar, and the newly comprehended golden essence condensed into a three-foot-long green sword between his fingers.

"Three days." He withdrew his Daoist aura. "Three days later, I request the three of you to protect me."

As the figures disappeared into the space, only the three aged figures remained on the reef, forming the Three Talents Formation. The Array Master stroked the array flag he had just buried, while the Qilin pattern on the array plate absorbed the spiritual energy of the top-grade spirit stone at the array's core.