Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

As the last days of the twelfth lunar month drew to a close, the chill in Beijing grew increasingly biting. He Daqing had been living in the west wing of the backyard for some time now. The room had originally been piled high with clutter and dust. He Damin had told him to clean it up himself, and he had truly been like a penitent laborer, cleaning and scrubbing day and night. He used old newspapers he had collected to wallpaper the walls, and with the little money He Damin had given him, he bought the cheapest cattail mat and a stiff old cotton quilt, and that was how he settled down.

Every day before dawn, He Yuzhu's shouts as he practiced Bajiquan in the courtyard became his wake-up call. He dared not go out, only secretly watching his son's increasingly solid figure and his younger brother's effortless movements when he occasionally gave pointers through the crack in the broken window. His heart was filled with mixed feelings, but mostly with a bitter regret. Only after Yuzhu finished his practice, hurriedly ate breakfast, and rushed to Hongbinlou did He Daqing dare to come out, hunched over, silently start a fire to boil water, tidy up the house inside and out one last time, and then wait for He Damin's instructions.

That morning, after a simple breakfast, He Damin called out to He Daqing, who was about to wash the dishes.

"I'm going into the mountains for a few days," He Damin said calmly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary. "I'm going to hunt some wild game. Zhu Zi is practicing his martial arts and needs meat to nourish himself. Yu Shui is also weak and needs to recover slowly."

He Daqing paused for a moment, then rubbed his hands together, somewhat at a loss: "Go into the mountains? In this freezing weather... it's dangerous in the mountains..."

"I know what I'm doing," He Damin interrupted him. "While I'm gone, your job is to pick up and drop off Yushui from school and keep an eye on the house. You don't need to worry about Zhuzi; he eats and sleeps at Hongbinlou Restaurant, and Master Li is very strict with him. Yushui," he looked at his little niece who was obediently packing her schoolbag, "you have to listen to... listen to your dad, and come home on time, understand?"

Yu Shui glanced at her uncle, then quickly looked at He Daqing, who stood to the side looking haggard and with evasive eyes. She pursed her lips and nodded gently, "Yes, Yu Shui understands."

He Daqing quickly assured him, "Don't worry! I'll definitely take good care of Yushui! I'll watch over the house! I won't wander off!"

"Remember what you said." He Damin glanced at him and said nothing more. He turned around and took out a pre-prepared, slightly worn canvas backpack from the house, which seemed to contain some dry food and a water bottle.

He walked out of the main room, thought for a moment, then turned to He Daqing and said, "Make yourself something to eat for lunch. Zhuzi won't be back tonight, so you and Yushui can have something simple to eat. The rice and noodles are in the cupboard, and I've left some vegetables by the stove."

After giving instructions to his family, He Damin did not leave immediately. He picked up his backpack, left the courtyard, and headed towards the front gate.

The storefront of Xue Ru Silk Shop looked exceptionally elegant in the winter sunlight. Pushing open the door, the crisp sound of wind chimes rang out. Chen Xue Ru was behind the counter, working on her accounts with an abacus, wearing a light purple cotton cheongsam with piping, over which she wore a thin woolen vest. Her jet-black hair was neatly tied in a bun at the back of her head, revealing her fair and slender neck. Hearing the bell, she looked up and saw He Damin. Her phoenix eyes immediately lit up with surprise and delight. She put down the abacus and went to greet him.

"Brother He! What brings you here today? Is it because your clothes don't fit or..." She spoke quickly, with a familiar and affectionate tone.

"Neither." He Damin put his backpack on the stool next to him. "I'm leaving Beijing for a few days to take care of some business in the mountains. I just wanted to let you know."

"Going into the mountains?" Chen Xueru's smile froze for a moment, her eyes showing concern. "It's freezing cold in the mountains, how dangerous it is! What's the matter that requires you to go at this time?" She now regarded He Damin as her future partner. Although their relationship had not yet been made public, she had already drawn up countless pictures of their life together in her mind. Hearing that he was going to risk going into the mountains, she was naturally worried.

"I'll gather some wild game to nourish Zhuzi and Yushui. I know the mountains well, so it'll be fine," He Damin explained, his tone softening slightly as he saw the genuine worry in her eyes. "I'll be back in three to five days, or seven or eight at most. Keep an eye on things at the shop and at home."

Hearing him say that, Chen Xueru knew she couldn't dissuade him, but the word "home" warmed her heart. She bit her lower lip, took a thick wool scarf from under the counter, and shoved it into He Damin's hand without a word: "The wind is strong in the mountains, wear this. Be sure... be careful, and come back soon. Don't worry about Yushui and Zhuzi, I'll go check on them when I have time."

He Damin looked at the soft gray scarf in his hand, then at Chen Xueru's bright face filled with concern, hesitated for a moment, and finally did not refuse, casually draping the scarf over his backpack. "Okay."

Without saying anything more, he nodded, picked up his backpack, and turned to leave the silk shop.

Chen Xueru chased after him to the door, watching his tall figure disappear into the sparse crowd on the street. A sense of emptiness filled her heart, yet it was also filled with a strange longing. The cold wind ruffled the hem of her cheongsam, but she seemed oblivious to the chill, silently counting the days ahead.

He Damin left the city and walked slowly towards the western mountains. There were few pedestrians on the road, and occasionally a farmer driving a donkey cart would pass by and cast a curious glance. His pace was unhurried, seemingly slow, but with each step he took, his figure seemed to blur slightly, and when he reappeared, he was already several feet away, yet without stirring up any wind or dust, eerily harmonious.

After walking for about an hour, he had long since left the main road and ventured deep into the remote foothills. Ancient trees towered all around, covered in snow, with only the whistling of the cold wind through the bare branches and the occasional chirping of unknown birds. He found a large, sheltered rock and stopped.

His divine sense spread like mercury, instantly covering an area of ​​several miles. After confirming that there were no prying eyes or auras, He Damin sat cross-legged on the cold rock and closed his eyes.

With a slight thought, the Yang Spirit departed from the body. This time, the Yang Spirit did not maintain its human form, but rapidly transformed and condensed, becoming a magnificent peregrine falcon! This "peregrine falcon" was enveloped in a faint purple-gold halo, its eyes sharp as lightning, and although its wingspan was not extremely large, its streamlined shape was perfect, containing terrifying speed and power. This was an advanced application of the Yang Spirit's manifestation—a form of mimicry, which was more conducive to long-distance flight and less likely to attract attention.

The golden peregrine falcon took flight silently, piercing through the treetops in an instant and soaring into the sky. Its speed far surpassed that of any ordinary bird, leaving an almost invisible pale golden trail in its wake as it sped southward!

Beneath the rock, He Damin's physical body vanished into thin air the instant his spirit left his body, entering the inner realm. There, the flow of time slowed to an extreme degree, and his physical body remained unharmed.

The golden falcon sped south at breakneck speed. The mountains, rivers, towns, and villages below receded rapidly, like a flowing scroll painting. The speed of a Nascent Soul cultivator at the peak of his cultivation was terrifying; in just over half a day, he had already traversed the vast North China Plain and the Yangtze River, entering the Lingnan region. As dusk fell, a bustling coastal city came into view—Hong Kong.

At this time, Hong Kong, though not as towering as it would later become, was still an important free port and trade hub in the Far East. It was filled with (relatively speaking) high-rise buildings, sails like clouds, and dazzling lights, exuding a unique atmosphere that was completely different from the mainland, a mixture of colonialism, commercial vitality, and chaotic elements.

The golden falcon dimmed its light on a secluded, deserted cliff in a bay, transforming back into a faint, ethereal figure of Ho Damin. He determined his direction, and his divine spirit once again departed, drifting towards the most bustling area of ​​Central, Hong Kong Island.

Within the inner world, his physical body changed into a well-prepared, high-quality dark suit (the style was slightly avant-garde but not jarring), over which he wore a woolen overcoat. His hair was still tied up, but his demeanor had subtly transformed into that of a cold and mysterious wealthy businessman. With another thought, his body appeared in a secluded men's restroom. He straightened his clothes, emerged from the restroom, and, not wanting to attract attention, hailed a taxi.

"Go to the nearest, reputable bank," he said to the driver in Cantonese with a slight northern accent but clear intonation.

The driver glanced at the distinguished-looking, well-dressed passenger who had boarded the bus from a remote location in the rearview mirror, asked no questions, and turned the steering wheel toward Queen's Road Central.

He Damin chose HSBC, a British-owned bank with a long history. Upon entering the VIP room, he took out 20 gold bars, each weighing 500 grams, that had been melted and refined and had no markings, and asked them to be exchanged for US dollars and deposited into his account.

The bank manager's eyes lit up when he saw the gold bars, so pure and heavy, and his attitude became even more attentive. In this era, gold was the hardest currency of all. The process—verifying the gold, weighing it, calculating the exchange rate, opening an anonymous account (He Damin presented a flawlessly forged overseas document)—was carried out efficiently and confidentially. Ultimately, $35 was deposited into his first bank account in Hong Kong.

With the funds secured, the next step was finding a place to settle down. Through newspapers and real estate agents, He Damin quickly purchased a two-story European-style villa with a garden in a quiet location on the hillside of Victoria Peak, boasting excellent views. The price was only $20; he paid by HSBC check, and the transaction went exceptionally smoothly. This place would serve as one of his secret bases for future activities in Hong Kong.

After settling into his accommodations, he immediately got down to business. By consulting the Yellow Pages and making inquiries, he found a British law firm with a strong reputation in the field of intellectual property rights.

He was received by a senior partner at the law firm, a white-haired, gold-rimmed-glasses-wearing, meticulous Englishman named Edward Lawrence.

"Mr. He, how may I help you?" Lawrence asked in slightly Oxford-accented English, his eyes keenly scrutinizing the unusually young yet composed Eastern client before him.

"Mr. Lawrence," He Damin replied in fluent and perfect English, which made Lawrence's eyes flash with a hint of surprise, "I have several innovative ideas about automotive safety and comfort, and I would like to entrust your firm to apply for patents in major industrial countries around the world, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and other places."

"Oh? Automotive technology?" Lawrence's interest was piqued, and he leaned forward slightly. "What kind of innovation is it?"

He Damin took out several pre-prepared, precisely drawn, and detailed drawings and written instructions from his briefcase (which was actually taken from the Little World), and pushed them over.

Lawrence put on his glasses and began to carefully peruse the document. The more he read, the more serious his expression became, even revealing an undisguised shock.

The first set of drawings clearly demonstrates a three-point car seatbelt system! It includes webbing, a retractor, a locking device, a buckle, and anchor points fixed to the B-pillar and the side of the seat! Its ingenious design and comprehensive safety considerations far surpass the current situation where rudimentary two-point lap belts or even no restraint devices are occasionally seen in cars!

The second document is a circuit diagram of the integrated linkage system for car turn signals and hazard warning lights (double flashers).

The third document is a design sketch of an improved disc brake for automobiles (although the disc brake was already in its early stages, its design had advantages in terms of materials and structure).

The fourth document even mentions the initial concept and schematic diagram of a car air conditioning system!

These drawings and instructions were not entirely based on imagination. He Damin combined some German and Japanese automotive technology data captured in the small world, mechanical knowledge from later generations, and his own profound understanding of mechanical principles (the cultivator's insight into matter and energy far surpasses that of ordinary people) to make reasonable "advanced" designs and explanations, making them technically feasible and conceptually groundbreaking.

"My God..." Lawrence put down the blueprints, took a deep breath, and his gaze towards He Damin completely changed, filled with disbelief and intense professional excitement. "Mr. He, these... these ideas are simply amazing! Especially this 'three-point seatbelt.' If it can truly reduce occupant injuries in a collision as you describe... this will be a landmark invention in the history of the automotive industry! Enough to save countless lives! How... how did you come up with this?"

"It was a series of serendipitous inspirations combined with my reflections on existing automotive safety flaws," He Damin said casually. "What I'm concerned about is whether your firm can help me complete the global registration applications for these patents with the fastest and most professional process, while maintaining strict confidentiality. Cost is not an issue."

"Of course! Of course!" Attorney Lawrence immediately replied. "Mr. He, please rest assured! Our firm has partner institutions in major countries around the world and has extensive experience in handling international patent applications. I will immediately assemble a top-notch team to prioritize your case! These technologies... are of immeasurable value!" He had already seen the enormous patent licensing fees and industry influence they contained.

"Very good." He Damin nodded. "Regarding the specific details and the commission agreement, my requirements are the highest level of confidentiality and the fastest possible application progress. In addition, the name of the patent applicant should be 'Heavenly Fire Tech,' which I registered in the Cayman Islands."

"Spark Technology... No problem!" Lawrence noted down the name. Although he had never heard of it before, it was quite normal given the prevalence of offshore registered companies.

Next, the two parties held in-depth discussions on the details of the engagement, fees, and application strategies. He Damin displayed a maturity and meticulousness beyond his years and appearance, and his understanding of patent law secretly impressed Lawrence. Ultimately, a generous and strictly binding agency agreement was signed. He Damin made a prepayment of $10.

As I left the law firm, the city lights were just coming on. The night in Hong Kong was dazzling and colorful, a stark contrast to the solemn winter nights of Beijing.

Standing on the shore of Victoria Harbour, He Damin gazed at the lights of the Kowloon Peninsula across the water, the salty sea breeze ruffling the hem of his coat. Patents such as the three-point seatbelt were merely the first pieces in his strategic plan. The intellectual property rights to these inventions, which would benefit the world and create immense value in the future, would be firmly in his (or rather, the offshore companies he controlled) hands. This was not only a potential source of enormous wealth, but also a powerful bargaining chip that could be used in future dealings with the domestic and international automotive industries, and even at higher levels.

More importantly, all of this was done in a completely "legal" and "modern" business manner, perfectly distinguishing it from his identity as a resident of a courtyard house and a monk.

He turned, his figure disappearing into the dazzling and mesmerizing night of Hong Kong. The peregrine falcon, transformed from the Yang spirit, was already waiting in the clouds. His physical body once again entered the inner world of Qiankun.

It's time to go back. In the courtyard, Zhu Zi still needs meat, Yu Shui is waiting for him, and He Daqing... also needs to be kept an eye on. The plan for Hong Kong has quietly begun; though the spark is small, it can start a prairie fire.

With a flash of purple-gold light, the peregrine falcon flapped its wings and flew north, disappearing into the vast night sky.