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

November 29th, 5:00 AM.

Daying Mountain, Huode Xingjun Temple.

When Chen Yu emerged from the cave, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Morning mist swirled among the mountains and forests, the air crisp and refreshing, a stark contrast to the perpetual darkness of the battlefield.

He stood in front of the temple gate and took a deep breath.

It's nice to be alive.

The temple gate suddenly opened, and a young novice monk peeked out. Seeing him, he exclaimed with delight, "Benefactor Chen? You're back! Abbot Zhou, he..."

Halfway through his sentence, the young novice realized he had said the wrong thing and lowered his head.

A wave of sadness washed over Chen Yu. Abbot Zhou was no longer there, but the temple remained, and the incense burned there.

"I know," he said softly. "Abbot Zhou has passed away. From now on, you will be the abbot here."

The young novice monk looked up, tears welling in his eyes, but nodded solemnly: "Yes, disciple will remember."

Chen Yu didn't linger and turned to go down the mountain.

Three days later, in Beijing.

The small courtyard in front of the gate.

Chen Yu stood at the courtyard gate, gazing at the familiar vermilion wooden door, momentarily lost in thought. He had only spent a few days on the battlefield, but in the small world, he had already lived for several years.

He pushed the door open and went in.

In the courtyard, Qin Huairu was washing clothes by the hand pump. Hearing a noise, she looked up and saw the clothes in her hands fall into the basin, splashing water everywhere.

"Chen Yu!"

She rushed over, hugged him tightly, and tears streamed down her face.

"You're back...you're back..." she repeated, her voice choked with emotion.

"You're back." Chen Yu gently patted her back. "I'm sorry to have worried you."

The two of them held each other like that for a very long time.

Only after Qin Huairu had cried enough did she release him, her eyes still red, and looked him up and down: "Are you alright? Have you lost weight? Are you hungry? I'll go make you some food!"

Chen Yu stopped her, saying, "No rush, let me take a good look at you."

Qin Huairu blushed, but still stood obediently for him to see.

She had lost some weight in the month I hadn't seen her, but she was in great spirits, and her eyes were still as bright as ever.

"Huai Ru, I have some news to tell you." Chen Yu pulled her down to sit and told her everything that had happened on the battlefield—Xuan Ming's identity, the truth about the seal, the appearance of Huo Lingzi, and Xuan Ming's sacrifice.

Qin Huairu was terrified and gripped his hand tightly: "That Xuanming... is he a good person?"

"Yes." Chen Yu nodded. "He gave his life to ensure the safety of all of us."

Qin Huairu remained silent for a long time before softly saying, "He is a hero."

"Yes."

The two sat for a while longer before Chen Yu stood up and said, "I have to go to the Xuanming Palace to fulfill his last wish."

"I'll go with you."

Chen Yu shook his head: "The people from the Xuanming Palace don't know you, it's not safe for you to go there. Wait for me here, I'll be back soon."

Qin Huairu nodded and did not insist further.

Chen Yu had previously learned from the gray-robed old man that Xuanming Palace's contact point in Beijing was located in an inconspicuous courtyard house near Xizhimen.

When he found the place, it was already evening. The courtyard was lit, and through the crack in the door, he could see several figures moving around.

Chen Yu knocked on the door.

The door opened, and a middle-aged man looked at him warily: "Who are you looking for?"

"I am Chen Yu. The Lord of Xuanming Palace asked me to deliver a message."

The middle-aged man's expression changed, and he stepped aside, saying, "Please come in."

There were seven or eight people standing in the courtyard, all of them at the Foundation Establishment stage. When they saw Chen Yu, their eyes held a complex mix of emotions—warning, hostility, and anticipation.

Chen Yu stood in the courtyard and said in a deep voice, "The Xuanming Palace Master has already sacrificed himself."

The crowd erupted in uproar.

"What?!"

"impossible!"

"The Palace Master..."

Chen Yu raised his hand, signaling them to be quiet. He took out Xuanming's token from his robes and held it high: "This is what the Palace Master entrusted to me before his death."

Upon seeing the token, everyone knelt down.

Chen Yu continued, "The Palace Master said that he has done his duty and is worthy of his ancestors. He wants me to tell you that the mission of the Xuanming Palace is complete, and from now on, you are free to choose your own path."

Some people choked up, some shed tears, and some clenched their fists, remaining silent.

After a long silence, an elderly man at the head of the group stood up, walked to Chen Yu, and bowed deeply: "Benefactor Chen, we have remembered the Palace Master's last words. If there is any need for your service in the future, the entire Xuanming Palace will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Chen Yu returned the greeting: "No need. The Palace Master is my friend; his affairs are my affairs."

He turned and left without looking back.

Behind them, from the courtyard house, came the sound of low weeping.

December 1st, at the "Huaixiu Snacks" shop in Qianmen.

Chen Yu sat in the shop, watching Qin Huairu busy with her work, and a long-lost sense of peace welled up in his heart.

The war is over, the seal has been repaired, and Xuanming has left.

He can finally enjoy a few days of peace and quiet.

"Chen Yu!" He Yuzhu's loud voice came from the doorway, "You finally showed up!"

He walked into the store, followed by Yan Bugui, Zhang Xiulan, and several regular customers.

"Brother Zhu, Uncle San, Aunt Zhang," Chen Yu stood up to greet them, "Please sit down, it's my treat today."

"Absolutely!" He Yuzhu plopped down. "Where have you been all mysterious for the past month?"

"I went on a long trip," Chen Yu said with a smile.

"A long trip? Again, to Hong Kong?"

"Further than Hong Kong."

He Yuzhu was about to ask another question when Qin Huairu brought over some steamed buns and said with a smile, "Brother Zhu, try these freshly steamed meat buns. The filling was made by Aunt Zhang; they're so fragrant!"

He Yuzhu's attention was diverted. He grabbed a steamed bun, took a bite, and nodded repeatedly, "Delicious! Huai Ru, your cooking is getting better and better!"

Everyone laughed, and the shop became lively.

Chen Yu felt a surge of warmth as he watched this scene.

This is the everyday life he wants to protect.

After the meal, Chen Yu and Qin Huairu returned to the courtyard after seeing off their guests.

The two sat in the courtyard, looking at the stars in the sky.

"Chen Yu," Qin Huairu suddenly spoke, "Will you leave again in the future?"

Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Maybe. The path of cultivation is still long, and I want to become stronger."

Qin Huairu lowered her head and remained silent.

"But no matter how far I go, I will come back." Chen Yu held her hand. "This is my home, you are my people, and I will never abandon you."

Qin Huairu looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears, but a smile playing on her lips.

I believe you.

As night deepened, the two went back to their room to rest.

Chen Yu lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Xuanming's sacrifice, Huo Lingzi's legacy, the prophecy two thousand years later... these things were too heavy, weighing on his heart and making it impossible for him to relax.

But he knew he couldn't rush it.

The path of cultivation is long and arduous. It requires time, accumulation, and taking one step at a time.

And what he has in abundance is time.

He closed his eyes and gradually drifted off to sleep.

In his dream, he saw Qin Huairu's smiling face, He Yuzhu's loud voice, and the familiar faces in the courtyard.

He also saw Xuanming, standing in the distance, smiling at him.

"Take care," Xuanming said.

Chen Yu nodded and continued walking forward.

Ahead lies a long and unknown road.

But he wasn't afraid.

Because behind him are people he wants to protect.

Everything he wanted to protect.