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

On Wednesday evening, Chen Yu stood by the window of the production department office, watching the sky gradually darken outside. The Shanghai watch on his wrist pointed to 5:40, more than four hours before his appointment with Scarface.

"Chen Yu, aren't you off work yet?" Liu Yuhua asked, looking up as she finished packing up her documents.

"I still have some things to take care of." Chen Yu snapped out of his thoughts. "Sister Liu, you can go now."

Liu Yuhua walked over and lowered her voice: "I heard that Xu Damao was released on bail this morning. It was through the connections of that Hong Kong businessman, Mr. Li. Be careful, I'm afraid he'll cause you trouble."

Chen Yu's eyes narrowed: "Thank you for the reminder, Sister Liu. I will be careful."

"Also," Liu Yuhua took a note out of her bag, "my relative at the housing management bureau replied that there is indeed a shortage of vacant houses right now. However, he said there's a detached house near Beixinqiao where the owner urgently needs money and is willing to rent it out at a low price for three months. If you think it's suitable, I'll take you to see it on Saturday."

Chen Yu took the note, which had an address and a contact number written on it: "That's great, thank you so much, Sister Liu."

"Don't mention it," Liu Yuhua smiled. "By the way, how are the wedding preparations going? Just let me know if you need any help."

"We're still preparing, and we'll be troubling everyone a lot when the time comes."

After seeing Liu Yuhua off, Chen Yu returned to his seat and began organizing today's report. The waste utilization plan for the steel rolling mill had been implemented for three days, and the initial results were already evident—the waste area in Workshop 3 was much cleaner, the sorted scraps were neatly stacked, and the simple stamping machine was being installed and tested.

Section Chief Li came to check on things this afternoon and was very satisfied: "Xiao Chen, keep up the good work. If the data is good this month, I'll personally help you get the rural-to-urban residency permit."

This is one of Chen Yu's biggest concerns right now. If Qin Huairu's rural household registration issue isn't resolved, her children's schooling and food supply will be a problem in the future. Although he can use the system and his small world to guarantee a basic living, in this era, the household registration issue must be addressed through institutional reforms.

"System, check-in for today," Chen Yu silently read aloud.

[Ding! Japanese visa successfully obtained]

[Received: 2 Industrial Vouchers, Half a Jin of Sugar Coupons, Small Basic Fighting Skills Experience Pack, 5 Yuan Cash]

Fighting skills? Perfect timing! Chen Yu immediately put them to use, simple grappling, dodging, and striking techniques flooding his mind. Although they were only basics, combined with his Qi Refining Stage 2 physical attributes, his self-defense capabilities were greatly enhanced.

At 6:30, Chen Yu left the steel rolling mill. He didn't go directly to Shichahai, but instead went back to his courtyard house to change into an inconspicuous dark gray outfit. He also tucked three Qi-Nourishing Pills and five Hemostatic and Muscle-Regenerating Powder into his pocket—better safe than sorry.

Before leaving, he glimpsed a light on in Xu Damao's window and could vaguely hear Lou Xiao'e crying and Xu Damao's impatient shouts. It seemed the couple's conflict had become public.

"What's Xu Damao up to today, 'Fake Man Number One'?"

"Master, Xu Damao went straight home after being released from prison this morning, and then went to Dongjiaomin Lane to meet Boss Li this afternoon. The two talked privately for an hour, but the specifics are unclear. However, Xu Damao looked very unwell when he got home."

"Keep an eye on him, especially his interactions with Boss Li."

"Yes."

Chen Yu checked the pocket watch again, and after confirming that everything was in order, he climbed over the wall and left the courtyard. He didn't take the main road, but instead went through alleys and narrow lanes, changing his route several times to ensure that no one was following him.

As night deepened, Shichahai Lake shimmered in the autumn breeze. Few tourists visited Yinding Bridge, except for a few couples strolling in the distance. Chen Yu arrived half an hour early and chose a shady spot where he could observe the bridge while also having a way to retreat.

He activated his concealment technique, his aura almost completely disappearing, blending into the night. His spiritual sense expanded to fifteen zhang, giving him complete control over everything around him.

At 9:50, a figure appeared at the bridgehead—it was Scarface. He was also dressed in dark clothes, his hat brim pulled low, and he was warily observing his surroundings, clearly also wary of being followed.

Chen Yu did not reveal himself immediately, but continued to observe. Only after confirming that the scarred man was indeed a person and that there were no ambushes around did he emerge from the shade of the trees.

"You're right on time," Scarface said in a deep, hoarse voice.

"You too." Chen Yu stopped three meters away from him, a distance that was both safe and convenient for conversation.

Under the moonlight, the two men sized each other up. Scarface looked even more haggard than that night, with bloodshot eyes, and the scar on his left cheek appeared particularly menacing in the moonlight.

"Did you bring the pocket watch?" Scarface asked bluntly.

Chen Yu took out a pocket watch from his pocket, but didn't hand it over: "Tell me first, what do you need it for? What's in the secret vault?"

Scarface stared at the pocket watch, a burning glint in his eyes: "Have you ever heard the saying, 'When the three spirit runes unite, the secret vault opens'?"

"I saw it on the map of Liu Haizhong's house."

Scarface wasn't surprised: "It seems you know more than I thought. Well then, I'll be frank—there are three pocket watches in total, and they're the keys to unlocking a secret vault belonging to a cultivator from the late Qing Dynasty. The vault contains not only gold and silver treasures, but more importantly... a cultivation legacy."

Cultivation inheritance! Chen Yu's heart trembled. In this era of scarce spiritual energy, the value of cultivation inheritance far exceeded that of gold!

"How do you know all this?" Chen Yu pressed.

The scarred man was silent for a moment: "My master told me. His name was Zhao Qingyun, and he was a disciple of that cultivator, Xuanzhen Daoist. Fifty years ago, before Xuanzhen Daoist passed away, he told his three disciples the location of the secret vault and how to open it, and each of them received a pocket watch. My master was the successor of one of his disciples."

"What about the other two?"

"One piece was in the lineage of Xuanzhen Daoist's eldest disciple, but that lineage was scattered during the war, and the pocket watch's whereabouts are unknown. The other piece..." Scarface's eyes were complicated, "...was in Liu Haizhong's possession, or rather, it used to be."

Chen Yu recalled the map: "Where did Liu Haizhong get it from?"

"The old lady was a Manchu, of the Guarjia clan. She was a descendant of the third disciple of the Taoist Xuanzhen," Scarface said. "When Liu Haizhong was young, he worked as a helper at the old lady's house. Before she passed away, the old lady gave him a pocket watch and a map, but she didn't explain their purpose. Liu Haizhong always thought they were ordinary cultural relics until a few years ago when he heard about them on the black market and realized their value."

"So you and Boss Li are both looking for these pocket watches?"

"Boss Li is from the overseas Hongmen. They're also looking for a lineage of cultivation, but their motives aren't pure." Scarface's tone turned cold. "They want to use the lineage to train assassins for shady dealings. I can't let them succeed."

Chen Yu stared at him: "What's your purpose?"

"To fulfill my master's last wish, find the inheritance, and revive the sect," Scarface said resolutely. "But I can't do it alone. It takes three pocket watches to open the secret vault, and I don't have a single one right now."

"What about the part in your bangs?"

"It was stolen by Boss Li's men, just before that night at the Earth God Temple." Scarface smiled bitterly. "I was too late."

Chen Yu fell into deep thought. How credible was the scarred man's words? If true, then the cultivation inheritance within the secret vault was crucial to him. But if it was a trap...

Why should I believe you?

Scarface pulled a jade pendant from his pocket. In the moonlight, the pendant emitted a faint spiritual glow: "This is a token of our sect. It contains the aura left by Daoist Xuanzhen. You can sense whether it's the same as the aura on your pocket watch."

Chen Yu took the jade pendant and activated his spiritual eye technique. Sure enough, there was residual spiritual energy inside the jade pendant, similar to that of the pocket watch. Although weak, it was of extremely high quality, far surpassing anything he had ever come into contact with before.

"Do you believe me now?" Scarface asked.

Chen Yu returned the jade pendant: "Even if what you said is true, I only have a pocket watch, which is not enough to open the secret vault."

"I know where the other one is," Scarface said in a low voice. "It's in the hands of an old shopkeeper in Liulichang, but he doesn't recognize its value and just thinks it's an ordinary old pocket watch. I can find a way to get it, but I need your cooperation."

"How can we cooperate?"

"Boss Li is also looking for that pocket watch, we have to get there first," Scarface said. "Tomorrow morning, the old shopkeeper will be going to the Dongyue Temple for the temple fair, this is the best opportunity. I need you to help distract Boss Li's men."

Chen Yu stared at him for a long time: "And then what?"

"The secret vault is open. We'll split what's inside equally," Scarface said. "Take as much gold and silver as you want. I only want the cultivation legacy and the sect's scriptures."

This condition sounds reasonable. But Chen Yu knows that verbal agreements are the least reliable.

"I need time to think about it."

"Give me an answer by seven o'clock tomorrow morning," Scarface said. "The old shopkeeper leaves at nine, so we only have two hours to prepare. If we miss this opportunity, the pocket watch might fall into Boss Li's hands."

After saying that, Scarface turned to leave.

"Wait," Chen Yu called out to him, "What's your name?"

Scarface paused for a moment: "Zhao Tieying. Tie as in iron-blooded, ying as in eagle."

The figure disappeared into the night.

Chen Yu stood there, holding the spirit-patterned pocket watch in his hand, his mind churning with thoughts.

Zhao Tieying's words had a flaw—if the secret vault really required three pocket watches to open, then what use was the one that Boss Li stole from Liu Haizhong? Unless... Boss Li already had one, or he knew another way to open it?

Also, why is Zhao Tieying in such a hurry? What is he afraid of?

A series of questions swirled in Chen Yu's mind. He decided to return to the courtyard house first and have the imposter investigate the background of the old shopkeeper in Liulichang.

It was almost eleven o'clock when Chen Yu returned to the courtyard. As soon as he climbed over the wall and landed, he heard a fierce argument coming from the middle courtyard.

It was Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e.

"...Divorce! We must get a divorce! I've had enough of you!" Lou Xiao'e's voice was choked with sobs.

"Fine, let's get a divorce! You think I care about you?" Xu Damao's voice was shrill. "Let me tell you, Lou Xiao'e, don't think you're so great just because you're a capitalist's daughter! This house is mine now, and you get out!"

"Xu Damao, you're not human! How much have I sacrificed for this family? You were arrested for trafficking in cultural relics, and I was the one begging people everywhere for help! And now you're kicking me out?"

"That was your own choice! I didn't ask you to!"

Then came the sound of things being smashed and Lou Xiao'e's heartbroken cries.

Many windows in the courtyard had their lights on, but no one came out to offer advice—even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes.

Chen Yu shook his head and was about to go back inside when he saw Zhang Xiulan standing at his door with a serious expression.

"Xiaoyu, come here." Zhang Xiulan beckoned.

Chen Yu walked over and asked, "Aunt Zhang, are you still up so late?"

"I can't sleep," Zhang Xiulan said in a low voice. "Xu Damao has been acting strange ever since he came back this afternoon. He's been rummaging through drawers and cupboards at home, like he's looking for something. I peeked at him, and he was looking for a map."

A map! Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat.

"And then?"

"She couldn't find it and got so angry she smashed a lot of things," Zhang Xiulan said. "Xiaoyu, Aunt Zhang has a bad feeling. Xu Damao is probably up to no good this time. You have to be careful around him."

"Thank you, Aunt Zhang. I'll be careful."

Back inside, Chen Yu immediately summoned Pseudo-Man Number One: "Check what Xu Damao was looking for after returning from Boss Li's place today. Especially the map, see if it's the one at Liu Haizhong's house."

"Yes. Also, we checked in Liulichang and there is indeed an old shopkeeper surnamed Qian who is going to the temple fair at Dongyue Temple tomorrow. He has an old pocket watch that looks very similar to your description."

"What about Manager Qian's background?"

"My ancestors were in the antique business, but after the liberation they switched to running a craft shop. They are cautious people, but recently their son has fallen ill and urgently needs money, so they may sell some old items."

Chen Yu pondered. It seemed Zhao Tieying's information was true. But this was too coincidental—the clue appeared precisely when he needed the second pocket watch?

"Continue to investigate whether Manager Qian and Boss Li have any contact."

"Yes."

After the fake man withdrew, Chen Yu entered the small world. He needed to calm down and make a decision.

Beside the spiritual spring, the Purple Gold Grass had sprouted new leaves, but it would take at least a month for it to bloom again. Chen Yu took a Qi-Nourishing Pill and began to cultivate cross-legged.

At 1.2 times the time flow rate, his mind was exceptionally clear. He went through all the clues in his mind:

1. There are three spirit-patterned pocket watches, which are the keys to unlock the secret vault of the Mysterious Taoist.

2. Liu Haizhong's piece was snatched away by Boss Li, he has one in his own hands, and the third piece is with Manager Qian.

3. Zhao Tieying claims to be a disciple of Xuanzhen Daoist and wants to revive his master's school.

4. Boss Li represents the overseas Hongmen and his motives are impure.

5. Xu Damao is looking for a map, which may be related to the location of the secret vault.

There are two key points here: first, is Zhao Tieying trustworthy; second, where is the secret vault located?

After completing his cultivation, Chen Yu exited the small world at 1:00 AM. Pseudo-Man Number One came to report:

"Master, we've found out. The map Xu Damao found is a copy of the one at Liu Haizhong's house. He secretly copied it when Liu Haizhong wasn't looking. Also, Manager Qian and Boss Li met three days ago. Boss Li offered fifty yuan for the pocket watch, but Manager Qian refused, saying he wanted one hundred."

"Boss Li is asking for fifty? The market price of that pocket watch is at most twenty." Chen Yu frowned. "It seems Boss Li also knows the true value of the pocket watch."

"Yes. Moreover, Boss Li's men are monitoring Manager Qian's house, clearly determined to succeed."

Chen Yu understood. Tomorrow's trip to Dongyue Temple was not only an opportunity for Zhao Tieying, but also for Boss Li. And he himself had become a variable that both sides were vying for.

What should I do?

Helping Zhao Tieying might grant one access to cultivation techniques, but the risks are enormous.

If they stand idly by, the pocket watch will fall into the hands of Boss Li, and the consequences will be even more unpredictable.

Or...when the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits?

A plan gradually took shape in Chen Yu's mind.

At 6:30 a.m. the next morning, Chen Yu arrived at the place he had agreed to meet with Zhao Tieying—a breakfast stall on Gulou Back Street.

Zhao Tieying was already there, engrossed in eating soy milk and fried dough sticks. Seeing Chen Yu arrive, he looked up and asked, "So, what's your decision?"

"I can help you," Chen Yu said, sitting down, "but the conditions need to be changed."

"you say."

"First, I need to know the approximate location of the secret vault and verify its authenticity. Second, after the deed is done, I need to choose one item. Third, all actions must be carried out under my command."

Zhao Tieying frowned: "I can tell you the first one: the secret vault is near Fragrant Hills, but its exact location can only be revealed when the three pocket watches are combined. The second one... which do you want to choose first?"

"Anything other than what's passed down," Chen Yu said. "It could be a magical artifact, a elixir, or a copy of a classic text."

Zhao Tieying pondered for a long time: "Okay. But if it's an important text from our sect, I can only give you a copy."

"Deal. What about the third condition?"

"I'll listen to you as long as the plan is reasonable," Zhao Tieying said through gritted teeth. "But time is of the essence. What's your plan?"

Chen Yu pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, on which was a simple map he had drawn overnight: "Boss Li's men will definitely be lying in ambush at Dongyue Temple. What we need to do is not to rob it by force, but... switch it."

"Switched?"

"Go find Manager Qian and buy the pocket watch for the exorbitant price of 120 yuan—I'll pay for it. At the same time, I'll prepare a fake one and have Boss Li's men 'snatch' it. By the time they realize it's fake, the real pocket watch will already be in our hands."

Zhao Tieying's eyes lit up: "Great plan! But where will the counterfeit come from? The spirit patterns on that pocket watch..."

"I have my own way," Chen Yu said. The miniature camera he obtained from the system check-in took a clear picture of the pocket watch, which he could have the fake man find a highly skilled craftsman to replicate—although it couldn't replicate the spirit rune effect, the appearance would be 90% similar.

"There's another problem," Zhao Tieying said. "Manager Qian might not sell it to me. He knows Boss Li and might be suspicious."

"So you need to change your identity." Chen Yu took out a set of clothes and a fake beard from his bag. "Pretend to be an overseas Chinese, say that the pocket watch is an heirloom and you are willing to redeem it at a high price. Manager Qian urgently needs money right now and won't refuse."

Zhao Tieying took the clothes and gave Chen Yu a deep look: "You're really well prepared."

"We don't fight unprepared battles." Chen Yu glanced at his watch. "It's seven o'clock now. We have two hours to prepare. See you at Dongyue Temple at nine."

The two split up. Chen Yu returned to the courtyard and immediately summoned Pseudo-Man Number Two and Number Three.

"Number Two, find the best goldsmith and silversmith to make a replica of the pocket watch based on the piece. It must be exactly the same in appearance. It must be completed within three hours."

"Number three, go to Dongyue Temple and keep an eye on Boss Li's men. Find out their numbers and deployment. Report back immediately."

"yes!"

The imposter accepted the order and left. Chen Yu then entered the small world and began preparing items he might need: hemostatic and tissue-regenerating powder, calming powder, qi-nourishing pills, and a few basic self-defense tools.

As I exited the small world, Zhang Xiulan knocked on the door and came in, carrying a steaming bowl of noodles.

"Xiaoyu, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Eat it while it's hot."

"Thank you, Aunt Zhang." Chen Yu was indeed hungry, so he took the bowl and ate heartily.

Zhang Xiulan sat down in the room, hesitant to speak.

"Aunt Zhang, please speak frankly."

"Xiaoyu, Aunt Zhang saw Xu Damao leave before dawn this morning, acting suspiciously." Zhang Xiulan lowered her voice. "I followed him for a while, and he went in the direction of Fragrant Hills."

Fragrant Hills! The location of the secret vault!

Chen Yu's heart tightened: "He's all alone?"

"A person, carrying a bag, which looks like it contains... mining tools?"

Mining tools? Does Xu Damao intend to find the secret vault himself? But he doesn't have a complete map or a pocket watch, how is he going to find it?

"Aunt Zhang, please don't tell anyone about this," Chen Yu cautioned. "Xu Damao is in great danger right now, please stay away from him."

"I know, I'm just worried about you." Zhang Xiulan sighed. "Xiaoyu, you're your parents' only child, you can't get into trouble."

"Don't worry, Aunt Zhang, I know what I'm doing."

After seeing Zhang Xiulan off, Chen Yu was even more certain—the secret vault was in Xiangshan, and Xu Damao probably knew its approximate location. This trip to Dongyue Temple had to succeed!

At 8:50, Chen Yu arrived at Dongyue Temple. The temple was already bustling with people, and the temple fair was in full swing. Stalls selling snacks, performing martial arts, and fortune telling filled the streets.

The fake human number three reported in his mind: "Master, Boss Li's men are lying in ambush at the East Gate. There are four of them, all armed. Manager Qian hasn't arrived yet."

"Continue monitoring."

Chen Yu weaved through the crowd, his spiritual senses fully activated, and quickly found Zhao Tieying—he had changed into the attire of an overseas Chinese from Shanghai, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a fake beard, looking just like a returned overseas Chinese.

At exactly nine o'clock, an elderly man in a long robe appeared at the temple gate; it was Manager Qian. He carried a cloth bag and looked around warily.

Zhao Tieying stepped forward and said in Mandarin with a southern accent, "Manager Qian? My name is Zhao Wenhua. I've just returned from Southeast Asia. I heard you have an old pocket watch and would like to take a look."

Shopkeeper Qian sized him up: "How did you know I had a pocket watch?"

"A friend recommended it." Zhao Tieying handed over a business card—of course, it was fake. "To be honest, that pocket watch is an heirloom of my Zhao family, lost during the war. My father instructed me before he died that it must be found no matter what. If Manager Qian is willing to part with it, the price is negotiable."

Shopkeeper Qian hesitated for a moment, then opened the cloth bag, revealing the pocket watch inside. Chen Yu looked at it from afar, activating his spiritual eye technique—the spiritual patterns on the back of the watch were exactly the same as his own; it was genuine!

"Look, this is it."

Zhao Tieying took the pocket watch, examined it carefully, and then took out a stack of ten-yuan notes from his bag: "This is one hundred and twenty yuan, please count it."

Manager Qian's eyes lit up, but just then, four burly men rushed out from the crowd and pounced on Zhao Tieying!

"Make your move!" Chen Yu commanded in his mind.

The dummy number three, who had been lying in wait nearby, suddenly appeared and threw a cloth bag at the burly man: "The stuff is here!"

The burly men were taken aback and instinctively reached for the cloth bag. Zhao Tieying seized the opportunity to stuff the real pocket watch into his pocket, while simultaneously switching the counterfeit watch into his hand and deliberately "accidentally" dropping it on the ground.

"A pocket watch!" A burly man picked up the replica, glanced at it, and called to his accomplice, "Let's go!"

The four quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Manager Qian was terrified: "This...this is..."

"Manager Qian, here's a deposit of twenty yuan. I'll take the pocket watch first, and I'll deliver the remaining one hundred yuan to your shop this afternoon," Zhao Tieying said quickly, turning and leaving before Manager Qian could react.

The whole process took less than a minute, and the surrounding tourists didn't even realize what had happened.

Chen Yu watched from a distance, a slight smile playing on his lips. The plan was half successful.

Next, we'll see how Boss Li reacts after discovering the pocket watch is fake.

But the real contest has only just begun.