Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

At 8:00 a.m. on July 10, the sky over Guangzhou was overcast, as if it were about to rain.

Chen Yu stood at the entrance of He Ji Restaurant, watching He Yuzhu hang the last wooden sign that read "Northern Flavor" on the lintel. It was custom-made by the two of them at the carpentry shop yesterday; the red background and black lettering made it stand out among the row of Cantonese restaurant signs.

"How is it? Impressive, isn't it?" He Yuzhu took two steps back and looked at it with satisfaction.

"Impressive," Chen Yu laughed. "Brother Zhu, this marks your official opening."

"Thanks to your suggestion," He Yuzhu said, wiping his sweat. "Jianjun said that the number of customers ordering Northern cuisine has increased by 20% in the past few days, and some people have even come all the way from Yuexiu District to try it out. Once I've made all the signature dishes, business will definitely be even better."

Seeing the renewed sparkle in He Yuzhu's eyes, Chen Yu knew his choice this time was right. At the steel mill, He Yuzhu was just an ordinary cook; although he had excellent culinary skills, he struggled to shine in the communal dining environment. Here, he was one of the owners, able to run the business according to his own ideas, and his entire demeanor was transformed.

"By the way, Chen Yu," He Yuzhu said in a low voice, "you're going back to Beijing tomorrow, be careful on the road. I heard they're cracking down on train checks lately, so don't bring anything you shouldn't."

"I know," Chen Yu nodded. He had already checked everything he bought in Guangzhou; it was nothing more than some Cantonese dim sum, herbal tea packets, and a few ancient books given to him by Huang Wenyuan—all ordinary items.

Yesterday afternoon, he went to Xuanhutang again. Huang Wenyuan was still in Hong Kong and hadn't returned yet. His apprentice, A-Ming, handed him an envelope, saying it was from Dr. Huang. Inside was a note and a black-and-white photograph.

The note read: "Comrade Chen, everything in Hong Kong has been arranged. You are welcome to come when it is convenient for you. Attached is a photo, which may be helpful. Also, learning Cantonese requires perseverance; please continue. Huang Wenyuan, July 9th."

The photo is old, with yellowed edges. It shows the entrance to a cave, surrounded by lush vegetation, with faint traces of stone carvings visible at the entrance. On the back of the photo, a line of small characters is written in pen: "Ailao Mountain, southern Yunnan, photographed in 1956 (Bing Shen year)."

The Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan! This is the very place where Chen Yu found the ancient cave in the library! How did Huang Wenyuan get this photo? Could it be that he's also interested in the ancient cultivator's cave?

Chen Yu pressed A-Ming for answers, but the young apprentice knew nothing, only saying that Dr. Huang had instructed him to pass it on, and that he knew nothing else.

This photo became the biggest mystery of Chen Yu's trip to Guangzhou. Huang Wenyuan, this old traditional Chinese medicine doctor, seemed to be more complex than he appeared.

At 10 a.m., Chen Yu said goodbye to He Yuzhu and strolled around the streets of Guangzhou one last time. He was going to buy some local specialties to take back to Beijing—gifts for Qin Huairu and the children, and souvenirs for his neighbors in the courtyard house.

Walking along Wende Road, his spiritual awareness quietly unfolded. His Cantonese had improved rapidly these past few days; he could now understand most everyday conversations and have no problem with simple exchanges. He could basically understand what pedestrians were saying on the street.

"...Today's food is so expensive (Today's food is so expensive)."

"...It's raining, hurry up and put your clothes away (it's raining, hurry up and put your clothes away)."

"...I heard that a new cinema has opened in Kowloon."

These everyday voices form the essence of Guangzhou. Chen Yu suddenly understood Huang Wenyuan's words—to understand a place, you must begin with its language and way of life.

He bought half a pound of chicken biscuits and half a pound of wife cakes from a long-established shop, and some pre-mixed herbal tea ingredients from a herbal tea shop. Passing by a bookstore, he went in and bought a "Cantonese Crash Course" and a "Hong Kong Street Guide"—the latter being published in Hong Kong, which the bookstore owner secretly took out from under the counter, clearly not for public sale.

"Young man, be careful what you put away," the boss said in a low voice. "It'll be trouble if someone sees you."

Chen Yu understood and paid two extra dollars. In those days, Hong Kong goods were considered sensitive items in mainland China.

At noon, he ate a bowl of congee at a congee shop. The congee was thick and creamy, containing pork liver, pork stomach, and meatballs, sprinkled with chopped green onions and pepper—it was incredibly delicious. Chen Yu ate slowly, observing the customers in the shop—workers, students, and the elderly—all enjoying this simple meal.

"This is what life is all about," Chen Yu thought. Cultivation seeks immortality, but what's the point of immortality if one loses the appreciation for ordinary life?

At 2 PM, he returned to He's Restaurant. He Jianjun was doing the accounts when he saw him return and waved, saying, "Brother Chen, you have a call."

"My phone number?" Chen Yu was taken aback. Few people in Guangzhou knew his contact information.

"It's a Mr. Li, who said he's from Beijing." He Jianjun handed over a slip of paper. "This is his number. Please call him back."

Chen Yu glanced at the number; it had a Beijing area code, but it was unfamiliar. He walked to the telephone behind the counter and dialed.

"Feed?" A deep male voice came from the other end.

"This is Chen Yu. May I ask who this is?"

"Comrade Chen Yu, this is Li Jimin," the voice on the other end of the phone said. "Dr. Huang gave me your address in Guangzhou, saying you might need some help."

Li Jimin? Chen Yu remembered him. He was the researcher at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a student of Su Hongmei's father.

"Hello, Teacher Li. What can I do for you?"

"I heard you're going back to Beijing tomorrow?" Li Jimin said. "Perfect timing, I'm also on a business trip in Guangdong and I'm heading back to Beijing tonight. If it's convenient, we can travel together and look out for each other on the way."

What a coincidence! Chen Yu thought for a moment, "Okay, what time will you arrive at Guangzhou Station?"

"My train leaves at 8 PM, and I'll arrive at the station around 7:30 PM. Shall we meet at the entrance?"

"Okay, see you there."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yu seemed lost in thought. Li Jimin was also in Guangdong? Was it a coincidence or intentional? But having company on the road was good; Li Jimin was in the medical field, perhaps they could discuss collaboration.

Chen Yu spent the entire afternoon packing his luggage. He carefully put away everything he had bought and collected in Guangzhou, the most precious items being the photograph given to him by Huang Wenyuan and several ancient books. He wrapped them carefully in oil paper and placed them at the bottom of his travel bag.

As evening fell, He Yuzhu prepared a sumptuous farewell feast: poached chicken, steamed fish, braised pork with preserved vegetables, and several northern dishes. The three sat around the table, and He Jianjun opened a bottle of Pearl River beer.

"Brother Chen, thank you so much for accompanying my cousin this time." He Jianjun raised his glass. "If it weren't for you, my cousin might not have been able to make the decision to stay. I'll toast you!"

"You're too kind." Chen Yu clinked glasses. "Jianjun, I'm entrusting Brother Zhu to you. He's straightforward and sometimes speaks bluntly, so please bear with him."

"Don't worry, we're brothers," He Jianjun said with a smile. "My cousin has great skills, is honest, and customers love him. If we brothers work together, we'll definitely make the shop a success."

He Yuzhu's eyes were a little red: "Chen Yu, when you go back, please give my regards to the people in the courtyard. Especially to the old man and Qin Huairu... just tell them that I, He Yuzhu, am doing well in Guangzhou, and that they shouldn't worry about me."

"I will definitely bring it."

The meal lasted until seven o'clock. Chen Yu checked his watch; it was time to go to the station. He Yuzhu and He Jianjun insisted on seeing him off, and the three of them went out together.

Guangzhou Railway Station remains bustling at night. The station square is dimly lit and filled with people. Vendors carrying their wares call out their wares, while passengers wait for their trains, some sitting and some standing. The air is thick with the mixed smells of sweat and food.

"Brother Chen, over here!" a voice came from the crowd.

Chen Yu turned his head and saw Li Jimin standing not far away. Today he was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit and carrying a briefcase, looking like an ordinary cadre.

"Teacher Li." Chen Yu walked over.

"Just call me Lao Li." Li Jimin smiled and looked at He Yuzhu and the other man. "And these two are...?"

"My friends He Yuzhu and He Jianjun brought me here."

"Hello." Li Jimin nodded in greeting. "Chen Yu, we need to get into the station. The train will depart in half an hour."

After saying goodbye to the He brothers, Chen Yu followed Li Jimin into the station. Both of them had sleeper tickets and were in the same carriage, with their berths next to each other.

After putting away their luggage, the train hadn't departed yet. Li Jimin suggested they go to the dining car to sit and have a cup of tea.

The dining car wasn't crowded, so the two found a table by the window. Li Jimin ordered a pot of Tieguanyin tea and poured a cup for Chen Yu.

"How was your trip to Guangdong?" Li Jimin asked.

"It's very big," Chen Yu said truthfully. "I met Dr. Huang, learned some Cantonese, and got to know the situation in Hong Kong."

"I heard you're very interested in combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern science?"

"Yes. I think there's a lot to explore in traditional Chinese medicine, but we just need to find the right research methods."

Li Jimin's eyes lit up: "Great minds think alike. I've been pushing for this at the Chinese Academy of Traditional Medicine for years. But there's been a lot of resistance—old-school TCM practitioners think we don't respect tradition, and Western medicine practitioners think we're unscientific. It's tough."

"So it takes time and results," Chen Yu said. "I'm thinking, could we start with some easily verifiable aspects? For example, the analgesic effect of acupuncture, the antibacterial effect of herbs... We can use modern experimental methods to prove their effectiveness, and then study the underlying principles."

"That's a good idea," Li Jimin nodded. "I've been working on this recently, researching the active ingredients in several commonly used herbs. If you're interested, we can collaborate after we return to Beijing."

"I couldn't have gotten it."

The two hit it off immediately. Li Jimin was not only knowledgeable but also very open-minded. He mentioned that he was applying for a place to study in the United States, hoping to learn the latest Western medical research methods and return to promote the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

"But it's very difficult," Li Jimin sighed. "There are few spots available, and the competition is fierce. Besides, once you go, you might not be able to come back."

"Will you come back?" Chen Yu asked.

"Of course," Li Jimin replied without hesitation. "I am Chinese. I studied medicine to heal the sick and save lives, not to stay abroad and enjoy a comfortable life. The roots of traditional Chinese medicine are in China, and I must come back."

Chen Yu was filled with awe. Many intellectuals of this era shared this sentiment.

At 9 PM, the train departed on time. Chen Yu returned to his berth, where Li Jimin, who sat opposite him, was already lying down. There were two other people in the compartment: a middle-aged woman with a child, who were already asleep.

Chen Yu lay down, but couldn't fall asleep. He entered the small world and continued studying the obsidian fragments.

After being soaked in the spiritual spring water for several days, the fragments underwent a noticeable change—their color deepened, turning from black to dark red, and the internal luster became more lustrous. Under the spiritual eye technique, it could be seen that the purity of the fire elemental energy had increased by at least 30%.

"It really works!" Chen Yu was delighted. He took out a small fragment and tried to activate it with his spiritual power. This time, the fragment responded faster and emitted heat more evenly, as if it had been "tamed".

"If this method were used to process whole pieces of obsidian, the results would be even better," Chen Yu thought to himself. "Unfortunately, I only got fragments; I didn't get a single complete piece."

When Chen Yu exited the small world, the train had already traveled far from Guangzhou. Outside the window, it was pitch black, with only a few lights flashing occasionally. Listening to the rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the rails, Chen Yu's thoughts drifted away.

This trip to Guangzhou was far more fruitful than expected. He Yuzhu is settled in, the connection with Huang Wenyuan has been established, information about Hong Kong has been gathered, Cantonese has been learned, and photos of ancient caves in southern Yunnan have been unexpectedly obtained…

But it also left questions unanswered: Why did Huang Wenyuan have that photo? What is his connection to the cultivation world? What is Scarface collecting obsidian for? What exactly is in the cave in southern Yunnan?

A series of questions swirled in Chen Yu's mind. He knew these mysteries would be solved sooner or later. But now was not the time.

What he needs to do now is return to Beijing and lay a solid foundation. He needs to advance his "Observation of the Subtle" project at work, make breakthroughs in his spiritual practice, take care of his family, and accumulate capital for his future trip to Hong Kong.

Take it one step at a time. He told himself. You have to walk one step at a time, and eat one bite at a time.

Late at night, the train made a brief stop at a small station. The platform was dimly lit, and several railway workers were busy at work. Suddenly, Chen Yu saw a figure flash by at the far end of the platform—the figure looked a lot like Scarface!

He felt a chill and immediately extended his spiritual sense. But the figure had already vanished; only ordinary passengers and staff remained on the platform.

"An illusion?" Chen Yu frowned. That shouldn't be the case; Scarface should be in Guangzhou, how could he be here?

He carefully recalled that glimpse. The man was dressed in dark clothes and wore a hat, obscuring his face, but his gait was definitely like that of the scarred man. And… he was heading north!

Is Scarface also going to the North? What's he going to Beijing for?

Chen Yu was wide awake. He sat on his berth, keeping his spiritual sense extended, but he didn't detect anything unusual until the train started moving again.

"Maybe it's just my imagination," Chen Yu comforted himself. But deep down, he had a feeling that things weren't that simple.

He barely slept through the rest of the night. Around four in the morning, the train pulled into Changsha Station. Chen Yu looked out the window at the sparse figures on the platform. Changsha was already far from Guangzhou, but still a day and a night's journey to Beijing.

Li Jimin across from him woke up and got up to use the restroom. When he returned, he saw Chen Yu still sitting and asked in a low voice, "Couldn't sleep?"

"Yeah, I'm a bit of a light sleeper."

"It's normal, it's like this when you're traveling." Li Jimin lay down. "Go to sleep, we still have another day to go."

Chen Yu lay down again and closed his eyes. This time, he forced himself to relax and slowly circulated the mental cultivation method of the "Tai Xuan Zhen Jing". Spiritual energy circulated within his body, and his mind and body gradually calmed down.

He finally fell asleep.

In his dream, he saw the cave in the photograph. The entrance was deep and dark, but light shone inside. He went in; the walls were covered with ancient runes, and broken magical artifacts lay scattered on the floor. Deep inside, there was a stone platform, and on it sat a jade box…

Just as he was about to open the jade box, he woke up from his dream.

Outside the window, it was already dawn. The train traveled through the morning light, with the hills and paddy fields of Hunan visible outside the window.

A new day begins.

And Beijing is getting closer and closer.