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

August 7th, 5:00 AM.

Before dawn, Victoria Harbour was shrouded in a thin mist. Chen Yu stood by the hotel window, holding the scroll in his hand, his gaze piercing through the mist as he looked at the outline of Central on the opposite shore.

He hadn't slept all night, but he felt no fatigue. After combining the two iron tubes into one, he studied them carefully all night, comparing the contents of the silk scroll with the information he obtained from the Xishan Taoist Temple and the information provided by Su Zhiqing, and finally figured out the complete outline of the Four Symbols Ritual Objects.

These four magical artifacts are not only related to the earth's veins, but also involve a legendary "source of the dragon vein"—according to Su Mingyuan's notes, when the four elements gather and are arranged in a specific time and place, they can open a "blessed land" left by ancient cultivators, which contains a vast amount of spirit stones, cultivation manuals, and even... the secret to ascension.

No wonder Scarface's team is so crazy; He Shutang is willing to kill to steal treasure.

However, the silk scroll also left a warning at the end: "When the grotto-heaven opens, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. When the dragon veins stir, the world will change. Be careful, be very careful."

Chen Yu rolled up the silk scroll, put it back into the iron tube, and sent it into the small world. This was now his biggest trump card, and he absolutely could not let it fall into anyone's hands.

At six o'clock sharp, the phone rang.

"Mr. Chen, it's me." Su Zhiqing's voice was tired, clearly indicating she hadn't slept all night. "Were you... alright last night?"

"fine."

"Something happened at the typhoon shelter. The Hai Xing was burned, and Ah Kun and his men are missing. The police found bloodstains at the scene, but no bodies." Su Zhiqing paused. "Did you do it?"

"I guess so," Chen Yu said without going into details. "I got the iron cylinder."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Su Zhiqing gasped, "You got both?"

"Yes. They've become one."

Another silence followed.

"Mr. Chen..." Su Zhiqing's voice trembled slightly, "Do you know what this means?"

"I know. The complete clues to the Four Symbols Ritual Vessels."

"It's more than just a clue." Su Zhiqing lowered her voice. "The files left by my grandfather say that the two iron cylinders are also keys. When put together, they will create a complete map—a map leading to 'that place'."

Chen Yu was startled. He carefully recalled the pattern after the iron cylinders were combined—four symbols encircling the center, with a flame symbol in the middle. That flame symbol did indeed resemble some kind of landmark.

"Where is the map?"

"It's inside the flame symbol. It requires a special method to see," Su Zhiqing said. "Mr. Chen, I need to see you. Now."

"Alright. Lu Yu Tea House, shall we?"

"No, let's change the location. Lin Heung Tea House on Queen's Road Central in Central. Seven o'clock, during morning tea time, it'll be less conspicuous when it's crowded."

At 7:00 AM sharp, on the second floor of Lianxianglou.

This time-honored teahouse was more down-to-earth than Lu Yu's, bustling with noise—the shouts of dim sum carts, the clinking of bowls and plates, and the laughter of tea drinkers mingled together. Chen Yu sat by the window, with a pot of Pu'er tea, a basket of shrimp dumplings, and a plate of chicken feet in front of him.

Su Zhiqing arrived five minutes later. She was wearing a plain-colored cheongsam today, her hair simply tied up, her eyes slightly dark-circled, but her gaze bright. After sitting down, she took a couple of sips of tea before asking softly, "Did you bring the things?"

Chen Yu nodded, took out the two-in-one iron tube from his pocket, placed it on the table, and half-covered it with his hand.

Su Zhiqing stared at the iron cylinder for a moment, her fingers gently touching the patterns on its surface, her eyes glistening with tears: "Grandfather... I've finally found it..."

"Did your grandfather's records explain how to activate the map?"

"Yes." Su Zhiqing calmed herself down, took out a notebook from her bag, and opened to a page. "You need obsidian powder. At noon, inject spiritual power into the iron tube, and the flame symbol will project a map."

He channeled spiritual energy into it. Chen Yu understood. Sure enough, this thing was designed for cultivators.

Do you have obsidian powder?

"No, but I know where to find it." Su Zhiqing looked at Chen Yu. "You said last time that you had dealings with Factory 903. Factory 903's basalt alloy contains obsidian."

Chen Yu frowned: "The basalt alloy is a top-secret project; it's impossible to obtain it."

"No alloy is needed, just powder," Su Zhiqing said. "There's an abandoned mine near Factory 903, left over from the exploration of obsidian back then. There's still a small amount of raw ore in the mine, which can be ground into powder and used."

How do you know all this?

"It's recorded in my grandfather's file," Su Zhiqing said with a wry smile. "He participated in the exploration of the obsidian mine back then, but the project was interrupted due to the war."

Chen Yu hesitated. Going to the abandoned mine near Factory 903 meant he would need to return to the mainland. But the auction was tomorrow, and there wasn't enough time.

"We can talk about the map after the auction," Chen Yu said. "Right now, the most important thing is the Vermilion Bird Bronze Lamp."

Su Zhiqing nodded: "Old Master Gu is waiting for you at the Wenhua Hotel coffee shop at ten o'clock this morning. He wants to see you."

"See me?"

"Yes, I met him in person," Su Zhiqing said. "He read the message I sent back and said that you got the iron tube and are a trustworthy person. He wants to cooperate with you."

"What kind of cooperation?"

"Let's bid on the bronze lamp," Su Zhiqing said. "Old Master Gu is willing to pay for it, and you're responsible for... ensuring its safety."

Chen Yu understood. Gu Wenyuan wasn't short of money, but he lacked someone who could deal with He Shutang and Scarface. He needed a "bodyguard" like Chen Yu.

"What are the conditions?"

"After purchasing the bronze lamp, he was willing to share the information contained within it. If there were any maps or secrets, the two of them would study them together," Su Zhiqing said. "Old Gu said that at his age, he didn't want to take any secrets to his grave."

At 10:00 AM sharp, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's coffee shop.

The coffee shop was on the first floor of the hotel, with an elegant ambiance and few customers. Gu Wenyuan sat in a corner booth, dressed in a dark gray Tang suit, holding an English newspaper, but his eyes kept glancing towards the door.

Chen Yu walked over and sat down opposite him: "Mr. Gu, I've heard so much about you."

Gu Wenyuan put down his newspaper and carefully examined Chen Yu. His gaze was gentle yet sharp, carrying the insight honed through years of appraising antiques.

"Mr. Chen, Zhiqing told me about your situation," Gu Wenyuan said calmly. "I don't like beating around the bush. You want the bronze lamp, and so do I. But if we join forces, our chances are much greater."

"Why should Old Master Gu believe me?"

"Because you got the iron tube last night." Gu Wenyuan smiled slightly. "Ah Kun was robbed in the typhoon shelter, and this news has spread throughout half of Hong Kong this morning. To be able to snatch something from him and get away unscathed is no small feat."

"Old Gu is well-informed."

"In this line of work, information is life." Gu Wenyuan's smile faded. "Mr. Chen, to be honest, I've investigated you. Chen Yuyu, a businessman from Southeast Asia—this identity only emerged in the last month. I don't want to know your true background, but I can tell you're no ordinary person."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Last night at the typhoon shelter, Ah Kun's men said that the people who attacked him were as fast as ghosts; they were subdued before they could even fire their guns. There aren't many people like that in Hong Kong."

Chen Yu did not deny it. There was no point in hiding it from a seasoned veteran like Gu Wenyuan.

"How does Mr. Gu plan to cooperate?"

"I will bid at the auction tomorrow. The maximum price is HK$200,000," Gu Wenyuan said. "If it exceeds that price, you will take it—I can tell you're not short of money. Whoever wins the bid, you will be responsible for the safety of the bronze lamp. Neither He Shutang's men nor Scarface can let it leave Hong Kong."

"What happens after you take the picture?"

"Take it to my private warehouse, and we'll study it together," Gu Wenyuan said. "The warehouse is in Kowloon, with tight security and guarded by my men. After we've finished studying it, the bronze lamp is yours; I only need the information inside."

These terms are fair. Chen Yu nodded: "Deal."

The two discussed some more details. Gu Wenyuan was experienced and knew the auction process, potential competitors, and bidding techniques inside and out. He reminded Chen Yu that Liu Zhenbang was backed by a mysterious, wealthy buyer in Southeast Asia; He Shutang's people might also bid directly or through an agent.

"Tomorrow's auction will be a war," Gu Wenyuan concluded. "Mr. Chen, be careful."

After leaving the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Chen Yu walked the streets for a long time. The streets of Central were bustling with activity, but he felt as if he were in another world—a mysterious world composed of the Four Symbols Ritual Objects, the Source of the Dragon Vein, and the Ancient Grotto-heaven.

At 2 p.m., he returned to the hotel and called Li Guoan.

"Director Li, there's important news." Chen Yu briefly reported on the secret of the iron tube, the clues about the Four Symbols Ritual Objects, and the targets of Scarface and He Shutang.

After listening, Li Guoan remained silent for a long time: "These things are more serious than we imagined."

"I would like to request permission to visit the abandoned mine near Factory 903. I need obsidian powder to activate the map."

"Sure, but we'll have to wait until after the auction," Li Guoan said. "I'll report to my superiors. Also, our people will be at the auction tomorrow. Contact us anytime if you need support."

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yu sat cross-legged to cultivate. The spiritual energy of Hong Kong, mixed with the sea breeze and the atmosphere of the city, flowed through his meridians. He needed to maintain peak condition to prepare for tomorrow's decisive battle.

In the evening, Su Zhiqing called again.

"Mr. Chen, Liu Zhenbang went to Kowloon Walled City this afternoon." Her voice was urgent. "When he came out, he was accompanied by two more people—Scarface's men."

The scarred man did indeed arrive!

"They might be preparing for tomorrow's auction," Chen Yu said.

"Yes. Also, there's been some activity from Ho Shu-tong's side. Although Ah-Kun has disappeared, he still has four men under him, and they're all gathered in an apartment in Wan Chai tonight."

"Keep an eye on them. Notify me immediately of any unusual activity."

As night fell, Hong Kong's neon lights began to illuminate the city. Chen Yu stood by the window, watching the lights of this city that never sleeps, yet his heart was utterly calm.

Tomorrow, everything will be clear.

Who will ultimately possess the Vermilion Bird Bronze Lamp?

Who will have the last laugh: Scarface or Ho Shu-tong?

And what role will he play in this game?

The answer will be revealed soon.

Chen Yu clenched his fist, a determined glint in his eyes.

Whatever the outcome, he is ready.