Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

He walked back to the sofa, sat down again, leaned back slightly, and placed his hands on his lap. "Davis from the Commercial Crime Bureau has obtained so-called 'evidence' and is preparing to seize my vault on suspicion of money laundering. Chan Yiu-hing of Wo Shing Wo sent people to cause trouble at my elder brother Ho Yu-chu's restaurant, injuring several employees, all to force me to come forward. Jennings of Jardine Matheson, together with several British banks including HSBC and Standard Chartered, pressured the Governor's Office to thoroughly investigate my background and sources of funds, attempting to uproot me completely."

His voice remained calm, devoid of any anger or agitation, simply stating a series of cold, hard facts, as if he were telling someone else's story.

"Miss Ma," he looked at Ma Xiaoling, his eyes sharpening, "if I were just an ordinary businesswoman, without these 'supernatural powers,' what do you think would happen? My vault would be seized, my bank would be run on and collapse, my elder brother's restaurant would be smashed, my family would lose everything, and perhaps... even their lives. They would devour me like a pack of hungry wolves, leaving not even bones behind."

His gaze was fixed on Ma Xiaoling's eyes as he said, word by word, "Therefore, I have no choice but to take the initiative. Rather than waiting to be killed, I might as well strike first."

Ma Xiaoling remained silent for a long time. Only the monotonous ticking of the wall clock filled the living room. She looked at He Damin's calm face, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She knew He Damin was telling the truth. While she didn't fully understand the rules of the mortal world, she had heard many stories of the survival of the fittest. Those with money and power would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Two hundred tons of gold was enough to drive anyone mad, enough to make them trample on all laws and morals.

"But..." she tried to argue, her voice hoarse, "you could have used other methods. For example, calling the police? Or seeking protection from our organization, or other practitioners..."

"Call the police?" He Damin laughed out loud as if he had heard something utterly ridiculous. His laughter carried a clear hint of sarcasm. "Miss Ma, do you think the Hong Kong police would listen to a Chinese person and offend those British tycoons and gang leaders who have been entrenched in Hong Kong for years and whose influence is deeply entrenched? It would be good enough if they didn't kick you when you're down."

Ma Xiaoling was speechless. She truly couldn't refute it. In Hong Kong at that time, the status of Chinese people was still low, and relying on the local police to fight against those powerful forces was tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin.

"As for seeking asylum," He Damin picked up his teacup, took another sip of the now-cold tea, and said calmly, "Why would I seek asylum? I will protect my own things. I will protect my family. If anyone dares to try to take them, I will cut off their hand. If anyone tries to threaten my family, I will... kill them."

He spoke casually, as if remarking on the pleasant weather. But the undeniable resolve and sharp aura in his words sent a chill down Ma Xiaoling's spine. She recalled the lightning tribulation atop Taihang Mountain three years ago, and the figure who stood unyielding amidst the raging lightning, his aura as deep and unfathomable as the ocean. Three years had passed, and his cultivation had clearly become even more unfathomable, but his style remained unchanged… domineering, utterly ruthless.

"You..." She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, such as "When will this cycle of revenge end?" or "One should be forgiving when one can," but the words stuck in her throat. Facing He Damin's calm yet sharp eyes, those words seemed so pale and powerless.

Seeing her hesitant expression, He Damin softened his tone: "Miss Ma, I know you have your responsibilities, your stance, and your principles. When you go back, you can report the truth to your superiors and say that I did those things. But I hope you understand—I am not a bloodthirsty person, much less someone who indiscriminately kills innocent people. Every single one of those people deserves to die. The blood and sins on their hands are enough to make them die ten or a hundred times over."

As he spoke, he took a thick file folder from the drawer under the coffee table and handed it to Ma Xiaoling.

Ma Xiaoling took the document with a puzzled look, opened the folder, and inside was a stack of neatly printed A4 papers. On it was a detailed list, along with brief descriptions following each name. She turned to the first page, and her eyes were immediately drawn to it—

Jennings, a senior partner at Jardine Matheson. In 1948, through forged documents and threats of violence, he drove a Chinese couple, the Lins, to their deaths and seized their Causeway Bay property. In 1952, in an attempt to monopolize the Southeast Asian rubber trade, he hired assassins to kill three of his competitors.

Chen Yaoxing, the head of the Wo Shing Wo triad. He has long operated underground gambling dens and loan sharking businesses, victimizing countless people, forcing dozens of women into prostitution, and directly or indirectly responsible for more than twenty deaths.

Jason, Jennings' secretary, was actually a liaison officer for MI6 stationed in Hong Kong. He participated in many commercial espionage activities targeting Chinese entrepreneurs, leading to the bankruptcy of many Chinese-owned companies and the suicide of many people.

Davis, head of the Commercial Crime Bureau. He accepts bribes, provides protection for gangs, fabricates numerous wrongful convictions, and imprisons dissidents.

Wilson, Vice President of HSBC. He abused his position to embezzle public funds for illegal speculation, causing many depositors to lose everything. He also secretly funded the Hong Kong British authorities' racially discriminatory policies and suppressed Chinese financial professionals.

Ma Xiaoling turned the pages, growing increasingly horrified with each reading. Behind every name lay a shocking history of crime. These people, on the surface, were all "successful individuals" and "elite figures" of Hong Kong society, impeccably dressed and dignified. But in this list, their facades were peeled away layer by layer, revealing their greed, cruelty, and bloodshed beneath. Although, according to conventional law, they might not all be sentenced to death due to insufficient evidence or their immense power, and might even escape justice, in the eyes of spiritual practitioners, using killing to stop killing, using evil to punish evil, and eliminating these social scourges seemed like a "natural justice."

She closed the file and let out a long, silent sigh. The scales in her heart began to tip involuntarily toward He Damin.

"Mr. He, I understand your actions and your predicament." She looked up at He Damin, her eyes filled with complex emotions. "But this matter is far too serious in nature and has too great an impact. I must report it to the organization. It is my duty."

He Damin had anticipated this, and he nodded calmly: "It's only right. Since I did it, I never intended to hide it." His frankness only made Ma Xiaoling feel even more uncomfortable.

That evening, He Damin invited Ma Xiaoling to stay at the villa. Chen Xueru had no objection and instead warmly prepared a spacious and bright guest room for her. The guest room was simply yet elegantly furnished, with green mountains and trees visible from the window, creating a tranquil environment.

Chen Xueru personally cooked a sumptuous dinner. Her culinary skills were superb; the steamed grouper was tender and delicious, the braised sea cucumber with scallions was soft and flavorful, the poached chicken had crispy skin and tender meat, along with several refreshing seasonal vegetables and a bowl of slow-cooked soup, the aroma filling the entire restaurant. He Yushui came home from school, carrying her schoolbag, skipping and hopping into the house. Seeing a beautiful older sister in the house, she opened her eyes wide with curiosity, circling around Ma Xiaoling several times, before Chen Xueru smilingly pulled her to wash her hands and eat. He Yuzhu also returned from the restaurant, wearing a white chef's uniform, his face showing fatigue, but upon seeing He Damin and the guests, he immediately showed a warm smile. Hearing that this was his uncle's friend, whom he had met "on the mountain," he greeted her respectfully and enthusiastically served Ma Xiaoling food.

During the meal, watching the family's harmonious atmosphere, Ma Xiaoling felt a strange sensation welling up inside her. At the table, He Damin patiently listened to He Yushui recount amusing anecdotes from school, reminded Chen Xueru to take care of her health and not overwork herself, and discussed the restaurant's new dishes with He Yuzhu. He was no longer the ruthless, murderous "strongman," but simply an ordinary husband, uncle, and younger brother. This warm and harmonious family atmosphere was something Ma Xiaoling had never experienced before. From a young age, she had received strict family training, her life consisting only of Taoist magic, talismans, and exorcising demons; she had never had such a relaxed and warm moment.

This powerful cultivator, who summoned heavenly lightning atop the Taihang Mountains and slaughtered thirty-seven people in Hong Kong overnight, also had such a tender side. His wife was gentle and virtuous, his niece was lively and adorable, and his nephew was honest and kind... How could this be a ruthless "demon"?

She suddenly recalled what He Damin had said to her three years ago—"cultivating both body and spirit." At the time, she thought he was just being mysterious, making excuses for his "demonic behavior." But now, looking at everything before her, she seemed to vaguely understand something. Perhaps, what he cultivated was not just powerful strength, but also this earthy "human touch." Strength is "life," emotion is "nature," and the two complement each other to make a complete "human being."

After dinner, Ma Xiaoling went alone to the villa's terrace. The mountain breeze was much cooler than during the day, carrying a strong salty smell of the sea. It brushed against her face, gradually calming her troubled mind. In the distance, Victoria Harbour was ablaze with lights; colorful neon lights outlined the city's silhouette, and the lights of ships on the water resembled flowing stars, reflecting the sparse stars in the sky. The entire city of Hong Kong appeared bustling and enchanting under the night sky.

She took out a warm, smooth jade talisman from her bosom. This was a specially made communication talisman from the Ma family, capable of transmitting information across thousands of miles. She carefully infused the talisman with her inner energy, and it immediately emitted a soft white light. She closed her eyes, concentrated her mind, and silently recited a short incantation.

A moment later, her father, Ma Tianxing's, calm yet slightly authoritative voice came from the jade talisman, clearly entering her mind through the fluctuations of spiritual energy: "Xiaoling? How is the situation? Have you found out who did it?"

Ma Xiaoling took a deep breath, composed herself, and recounted the events of the day in detail—she found He Damin, who readily admitted to killing those people, their attempts to embezzle his gold, and their threats against his family, as well as the detailed list of the victims' crimes. She concluded, "...So, Father, He Damin's actions were more like a form of self-defense."

A long silence fell on the other end of the jade talisman, so long that Ma Xiaoling thought the communication had been interrupted. The night wind blew through her long hair, bringing a chill.

"Are you sure he acted in self-defense?" Ma Tianxing's voice rang out again, carrying a hint of caution and an imperceptible seriousness.

"I'm sure," Ma Xiaoling answered confidently. "The list he gave me, the crimes recorded on it, every single one of those people were shocking, they deserved to die. And..." She paused, choosing her words carefully, "With his current level of cultivation, if he really wanted to indiscriminately kill innocent people, the whole of Hong Kong would probably be a river of blood by now. But he was very restrained, only killing the thirty-seven people who were directly involved in targeting him and his family, not one more, not one less."

There was another silence on the other end of the jade talisman, this time seemingly longer. Ma Xiaoling could sense that her father was weighing his options and thinking things through.

"I understand." Ma Tianxing's voice came again, his tone tinged with weariness and relief. "I will report this matter to Kunlun Market immediately, and they will make the decision. You will remain in Hong Kong, do not act rashly, and do not disturb He Damin."

"Yes, daughter understands," Ma Xiaoling replied respectfully.

The jade talisman's light gradually dimmed, returning to its original warm and smooth appearance.

Ma Xiaoling put away the jade talisman and looked up at the deep night sky. There weren't many stars, but each one was exceptionally bright, as if watching over the joys and sorrows of humankind from time immemorial.

She suddenly felt a pang of envy for He Damin. He had family to protect, a career to strive for, and enough power to control his own destiny. He lived so authentically, so freely, doing whatever he wanted, with clear likes and dislikes. And what about herself? Although she bore the honor of being the heir of the Ma family and the mission of protecting the dragon vein, it also meant endless responsibility and constraints. She had to consider rules, contracts, and consequences at every turn, and often found herself powerless to act as she pleased.

But she quickly shook her head, dismissing these unrealistic thoughts. She was Ma Xiaoling, a descendant of the Ma family of Northeast China. Upholding righteousness and maintaining order in the cultivation world was her innate responsibility. Rules and contracts were not constraints, but rather means to protect innocent people and allow the world to operate on a relatively stable track. She couldn't envy them, nor should she.

three days later.

On the banks of the Thames in London stands a building with an antique exterior but an extremely modern interior—the headquarters of the Council of the Shield. Hidden deep within a bustling neighborhood, it's hard for the average person to imagine that this is one of the core decision-making bodies of extraordinary power across Europe.

The silver-haired elder, the Speaker of the Holy Shield Council, once again summoned the council's thirteen core members. They sat around a large round conference table, each with a solemn expression. In the center of the table, a soft white light floated, projecting the encrypted intelligence they had just received—a formal reply from the Eastern monk organization "Kunlun Ruins."

"The Easterners have confirmed it," the silver-haired elder said slowly in his aged yet still powerful voice, his gaze sweeping over each of the councilors present. "The series of unusual deaths that have recently occurred in Hong Kong were indeed the work of a high-level cultivator. However, according to their investigation, those who died were all guilty of their own actions. That cultivator's behavior has been defined as... self-defense."

A buzz of whispers immediately filled the meeting room as the councilors exchanged glances, their faces showing surprise, confusion, and even anger.

"Self-defense?" A tall, bearded councilor frowned and said in a deep voice, "Killing thirty-seven people overnight, and you call that self-defense? The logic of Easterners is truly... peculiar!" He was clearly very dissatisfied with the result.