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

On Friday morning, Chen Yu opened his eyes beside the spiritual spring in the small world, ending his night of cultivation.

His cultivation at the third level of the Qi Refining stage was completely stable, and his object manipulation technique had become even more proficient after repeated practice. He could now control four small objects simultaneously, and the control range had expanded to a five-zhang radius. Although the fireball technique consumed a lot of energy, its power was considerable; a fireball the size of a fist was enough to burn through wooden planks, making it a terrifying weapon in this era.

"System, check-in for today," Chen Yu thought to himself. His consecutive check-ins made him look forward to the daily rewards.

[Ding! Japanese visa successfully obtained]

[Received: 5 jin of national grain coupons, 2 industrial vouchers, a small basic tactical command skills experience pack, and 8 yuan in cash]

Tactical command skills? Chen Yu immediately put them to use. His mind flooded with knowledge of basic squad combat principles, ambush and counter-ambush techniques, and terrain utilization. Although only fundamental, these would greatly benefit his subsequent actions.

Exiting the small world, it was just past six in the real world. Qin Huairu was still fast asleep. Chen Yu got up quietly and went to the yard to prepare breakfast. The aroma of millet porridge wafted in the morning air, and he also fried two eggs—all for Qin Huairu to replenish her nutrition.

At seven o'clock, Pseudo-Man Number One transmitted a message through the consciousness link: "Master, we've found out. Black Third Master has three strongholds in Beijing: an inn in Qianmen Dashilan, a pawnshop in Dongdan, and a private residence in Xisi Hutong. He has about fifteen men under his command, all thugs brought from Tianjin, equipped with knives and clubs, but no firearms."

"Personnel distribution across the three bases?"

"Five men at the inn, three at the pawnshop, and seven at the residence—Black Third Master himself is at the residence. They mostly rest at the stronghold during the day and are active at night. After the four men who attacked you yesterday were injured, Black Third Master was very angry and is preparing to personally lead his men to Beixinqiao tonight."

"Coming tonight?" Chen Yu's eyes turned cold. Perfect, saves him the trouble of looking for them.

"Continue to monitor them, especially the movements of Third Master Hei. Also, check if they have any contact with Boss Li."

"Yes."

At eight o'clock, Qin Huairu woke up. While the two were having breakfast together, Chen Yu said, "Huairu, I have to go out to run some errands today and may not be back until tonight. Don't open the door for anyone if you're home alone. Aunt Zhang will come over to keep you company at noon."

Qin Huairu looked at him worriedly: "Chen Yu, is it... those people coming to cause trouble again?"

"It's okay, I can handle it." Chen Yu held her hand. "Don't worry, for you and the baby, I won't let anything happen to me."

"Then you must be careful..." Qin Huairu's eyes were slightly red. "My child and I are counting on you."

"I promise."

After finishing breakfast, Chen Yu rode his bicycle out. He didn't go directly to find Master Hei, but went to the steel rolling mill first—it was Friday, and he needed to take care of some work-related matters.

In the office of the technology innovation team, Liu Yuhua was writing a report. Seeing Chen Yu enter, she looked up: "Chen Yu, you've come at the right time. Section Chief Li wants us to complete the first draft of the factory-wide waste utilization plan this week."

"No problem, I'll get it done this afternoon." Chen Yu sat down, opened the drawer and took out the documents. "By the way, Sister Liu, I've finished writing the wedding invitations. Here they are for you."

He took out a red paper invitation from his bag, on which was neatly written in calligraphy: "We cordially invite you to the wedding ceremony of Mr. Chen Yu and Ms. Qin Huairu to be held on September 15, 1962 (August 17 in the lunar calendar).

"Congratulations!" Liu Yuhua accepted the invitation. "I'll definitely be there! By the way, I've already spoken to the union. They can lend us tables, chairs, pots and pans for the wedding, and they can also help us find two chefs."

"Thank you so much. I'll have to trouble you to help take care of the guests later, Sister Liu."

"Don't mention it, we're colleagues."

After finishing his work, Chen Yu went to ask Section Chief Li for leave again—he needed to get his marriage certificate next Friday, so he needed another day off. Section Chief Li readily approved it and even took out a red envelope from his drawer: "Xiao Chen, this is a wedding allowance from the factory, twenty yuan. It's not much, but it's a small token of the factory's appreciation."

"Thank you, Section Chief Li!" Chen Yu accepted the red envelope, feeling a warmth in his heart. In those days, twenty yuan was equivalent to half a month's salary for an ordinary worker, which was no small amount.

At noon, while Chen Yu was eating in the factory canteen, Zhou Xiaomei sat down with her lunchbox and said, "Comrade Chen Yu, I heard you're getting your marriage certificate next weekend? Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Technician Zhou."

"Don't be so polite..." Zhou Xiaomei lowered her head. "Um... can I attend your wedding?"

"Of course, you're welcome," Chen Yu said readily.

Zhou Xiaomei looked up and forced a smile: "That's good... Comrade Chen Yu, I wish you happiness."

"Thanks."

After finishing his meal, Chen Yu left the steel mill ahead of schedule. Instead of returning to Beixinqiao, he rode his bicycle to a teahouse near Xisi Hutong. This was a temporary hideout rented by Pseudo-Man No. 3, and the windows of the private rooms on the second floor faced the house where Black Master No. 3 was hiding.

Inside the private room, Fake Man No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 were already waiting. A hand-drawn map was spread out on the table, marking the detailed locations of the three strongholds and the distribution of personnel.

"Master, Third Master Hei will be leaving at three o'clock this afternoon to meet a mysterious person at the Qianmen Inn," reported Man No. 1. "We've overheard that the person might be sent by Boss Li. They want to discuss cooperating to deal with you."

"Cooperation?" Chen Yu sneered. "Perfect, let's wipe them all out in one fell swoop. When are they meeting?"

"Four o'clock. But Master Hei will only take two people with him; the rest of his men will stay at the base."

Chen Yu studied the map, quickly formulating a plan in his mind. His tactical command skills allowed him to clearly analyze the situation: of the three strongholds, the residential house was the most important—Black Third Master's lair, and also the place with the most people. The pawnshop was the easiest to deal with—only three people were on duty. The inn was the central point, containing both personnel and supplies.

"Alright," Chen Yu began to deploy, "Number One, take Number Two to the pawnshop and use the sleeping powder to deal with those three people. Be careful not to make a commotion. Number Three, take Number Four to the inn and use the sleeping powder as well, but leave one person conscious so we can deal with them together when Master Hei arrives. Number Five, continue to monitor the residences."

"Then, Master..."

"I'm going to the private residence." A cold glint flashed in Chen Yu's eyes. "Didn't Third Master Hei want to come looking for me tonight? Then I'll go and meet his lair ahead of time."

"This is too dangerous! There are seven people in the house, and they're all thugs..."

"Don't worry, I have a way." Chen Yu took out several small porcelain bottles from his bag. "This is an enhanced version of the mind-control powder, much stronger. And this—" He took out three immobilization talismans, "Although they only immobilize the target for three seconds, that's enough."

The hypocrites stopped trying to dissuade them. They knew that once their master made a decision, it wouldn't change.

The operation began at 3 PM.

Chen Yu changed into dark clothes, put on a hat, and quietly arrived at Xisi Hutong. The house was a two-courtyard house with the gate tightly closed, but he could hear voices inside. He spread his spiritual sense, and everything within a twenty-zhang radius became clear—three people in the front yard and four in the back yard. One of them was resting in the main house, which should be the leader left behind.

He circled around to the back wall of the courtyard, used his Lightness Technique to silently scale the wall and enter. Upon landing, he immediately hid behind a pile of firewood, activated his Concealment Technique, and his presence completely vanished.

Two people were practicing martial arts in the backyard, while two others were sleeping inside. Chen Yu took out a mind-controlling powder from his storage space and used his object manipulation technique to turn the powder into two almost invisible wisps of smoke, which drifted towards the two people practicing martial arts.

The powder was inhaled through their mouths and noses, and the two gradually became sluggish, collapsing to the ground a few seconds later.

The two people sleeping inside were easier to deal with. Chen Yu blew the powder into the room through a crack in the window, and in less than a minute, the snoring stopped.

After dealing with the four people in the backyard, Chen Yu went to the front yard. The three people there were playing cards, with peanuts and bottles of liquor on the table. Chen Yu used the same method, letting the sleeping powder drift in through the crack in the door, and the three of them quickly slumped onto the table, "falling asleep."

Finally, there was the foreman of the main house. He was a burly man in his forties, wiping a dagger. Chen Yu didn't use any medicine; instead, he simply pushed the door open and entered.

"Who?!" The burly man stood up abruptly.

The only response was Chen Yu's ghostly speed! At the third level of Qi Refining, his speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. The burly man only saw a blur before his wrist was gripped, and the dagger clattered to the ground. Immediately afterward, a numbness shot through his chest, and his entire body went limp.

"You...who are you..." The burly man stared at Chen Yu in horror.

"Chen Yu," Chen Yu said calmly, "Didn't Third Master Hei want to see me? I'm here."

"How...how did you know about this place...?"

"That's not important." Chen Yu sat down in front of him. "What's important is that you've messed with the wrong people. Now, tell me what Black Third Master and Boss Li's plans are."

The burly man gritted his teeth: "I...I don't know..."

"Really?" Chen Yu tapped his finger on the man's body, and a faint spiritual energy seeped into his meridians. Although Chen Yu hadn't yet learned any truly torturous spells, stimulating a few sensitive acupoints with spiritual energy had a similar effect.

"Ah—!" The burly man convulsed in pain. "I'll talk! I'll talk! Tonight, Third Master is taking ten men to Beixinqiao to arrest you and your wife and force you to reveal the whereabouts of the pocket watch... Boss Li's men will be waiting outside. If they get the pocket watch, they'll split the profits fifty-fifty..."

"Where are Boss Li's men waiting to meet him?"

"It's...it's a farmhouse at the foot of Fragrant Hills...that's all I know..."

"That's enough." Chen Yu tapped him again, and the burly man fell unconscious.

After dealing with everyone, Chen Yu searched the house. In a locked box, he found Black Third Master's account book and some letters. The account book recorded Black Third Master's illegal activities in Tianjin and Beijing, while the letters were evidence of his dealings with officials and businessmen.

"These are unexpected gains." Chen Yu carefully put away the account books and letters. This evidence might come in handy later.

As he left the house, Fake Man Number One sent a message: "Master, the pawnshop and inn have been dealt with. Black Third Master just arrived at the inn and has been apprehended."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Inside the inn in Qianmen Dashilan, Hei Sanye was tied to a chair with a rag stuffed in his mouth. He was a dark-faced man in his fifties with a scar on his left cheek and fierce eyes. Even after being captured, he did not panic.

Chen Yu entered the room and gestured for the fake man to remove the rag from his mouth.

"Chen Yu?" Black Third Master stared at him. "Impressive skills. I underestimated you."

"Likewise." Chen Yu sat down opposite him. "Third Master Hei, we had no grudges against each other. You were the one who came looking for trouble first."

"The pocket watch is in your hands, that's revenge," Black Third Master sneered. "Kid, you think arresting me is the end of it? I have dozens of brothers in Tianjin, they'll avenge me!"

"Really?" Chen Yu took out the ledger. "Then tell me, if I hand this over to the Tianjin Public Security Bureau, how many of your dozens of brothers will still be out there?"

Black Third Master's expression changed: "You..."

"And these letters," Chen Yu waved the letters in his hand, "records of your transactions with certain people... Tell me, will they protect you, or will they silence you?"

Black Third Master finally panicked: "You...what do you want?"

"It's very simple." Chen Yu held up three fingers. "First, all your men must leave Beijing and never come back. Second, tell me everything about Boss Li's plan. Third, write a confession and sign it."

Why should I believe you'll let me go?

"You have no choice," Chen Yu said coldly. "Either do as I say, or I'll hand over this evidence and have you and your brothers shot."

After a long silence, Third Master Hei finally bowed his head in dejection: "I agree..."

"very good."

Over the next hour, Master Hei explained Boss Li's plan in detail: On the night of the Double Ninth Festival, Boss Li would lead fifteen men to ambush at Fragrant Hills. Five of them would be responsible for detonating the explosives, and ten would be responsible for robbing the pocket watch and the secret vault's inheritance. They were equipped with hunting rifles and homemade grenades, all of which were illegal weapons.

"There's an old man with Boss Li, he's very powerful. He's said to be a master of the Hongmen and knows kung fu..." Black Third Master added, "You need to be careful of that person."

Chen Yu noted down all the information, then had Black Third Master write a confession and sign it. After doing all this, he fed Black Third Master a specially made pill.

"This is a seven-day poison that will kill you in seven days," Chen Yu lied—it was actually just ordinary calming medicine. "The antidote is in the Tianjin Railway Station's baggage storage area, box number 307, the password is your birthday. You take people back to Tianjin now, get the antidote, and leave China immediately, never to return. If you dare to try anything..."

"No, no!" Black Third Master nodded repeatedly.

After dealing with Black Third Master, it was already six o'clock in the evening. When Chen Yu returned to Beixinqiao, Zhang Xiulan had already prepared dinner and was chatting with Qin Huairu in the courtyard.

"Xiaoyu's back!" Zhang Xiulan greeted him. "Did things go smoothly?"

"Successfully." Chen Yu smiled. "The matter of Master Hei is resolved; he won't be coming back."

"That's good, that's good!" Zhang Xiulan breathed a sigh of relief. "You have no idea how worried I've been all day..."

"I'm sorry to have worried Aunt Zhang."

After dinner, Zhang Xiulan left. Chen Yu and Qin Huairu sat in the courtyard enjoying the cool evening air; the autumn night sky was exceptionally bright with stars.

"Chen Yu," Qin Huairu leaned on his shoulder, "Aunt Zhang said today that the wedding arrangements are almost complete. Six tables have been booked for the banquet, and the guest list has been prepared. We're just waiting for your final confirmation."

"Thank you for your hard work." Chen Yu put his arm around her. "Huai Ru, after the wedding, I'll take you somewhere."

"where?"

"It'll be a secret for now," Chen Yu said with a mysterious smile. "It's a nice place; you'll like it."

He was referring to the small world. After the wedding, he planned to find a suitable opportunity to tell Qin Huairu the secret of cultivating immortality. Since they were going to spend their lives together, some things shouldn't be kept secret.

Of course, we have to take it slowly and let her have a process of accepting it.

At 9 PM, Chen Yu entered the small world. Today had been quite fruitful; he had not only resolved the problem of Black Third Master, but also obtained Boss Li's detailed plan. Next, he needed to formulate targeted countermeasures.

He took out the copy of the map and, combined with the trap distribution map provided by Zhao Tieying, began to study the action plan for the Double Ninth Festival.

Behind the Biyun Temple in Xiangshan, three ancient pine trees stand in a triangular formation, with the entrance to the secret storage located beneath the central cliff face. Boss Li buried explosives in three places: ten meters from the left pine, ten meters from the right pine, and twenty meters directly in front of the entrance. The detonation point was on a high ground three hundred meters away, guarded by five people.

"We need to cut all three fuses simultaneously, or control the person detonating it..." Chen Yu pondered. His Object Manipulation technique could currently control small objects within a five-zhang (approximately fifteen-meter) radius, but it couldn't reach the fuses. Fireball could be used for ranged attacks, but its accuracy was insufficient...

"Perhaps it can be done like this..." He had a sudden inspiration and remembered a simple magical artifact recorded in "Basic Introduction to Weapon Forging"—"Flying Needle". Although it was just the most basic hidden weapon, when combined with the art of object manipulation, it could be precisely controlled from a greater distance.

Without further ado, Chen Yu took out the remaining brass block and cinnabar and began making flying needles. At 1.2 times the time flow rate, it took him two hours (one and a half hours outside) to finally make twelve specially made flying needles.

The flying needles are as thin as cow's hair, with their tips coated with an enhanced version of bewitching powder and their tails engraved with simple runes, allowing for better control by object manipulation techniques. Although a maximum of four can be controlled at a time, that's sufficient.

"We'll use flying needles to deal with the detonator, then use fireballs to burn the fuse..." Chen Yu practiced the tactics.

After finishing these tasks, he resumed his cultivation. The third level of the *Tai Xuan Zhen Jing* was even more refined; as spiritual energy circulated through his meridians, faint sounds of wind and thunder could be heard. Chen Yu felt he was still some distance from the fourth level, but with each cultivation session, his strength increased by one point.

It was already one in the morning when Chen Yu exited the small world. Unable to sleep, he walked into the courtyard and gazed at the gradually full moon in the night sky.

There are still fourteen days until the Double Ninth Festival.

Fourteen days from now, everything will change.

And he was already prepared.

Back inside, Qin Huairu was fast asleep. Chen Yu gently lay down and pulled her into his arms.

The courtyard in Beixinqiao was exceptionally quiet that night.

But Chen Yu knew that this was just the calm before the storm.

An even bigger storm is brewing in the distance.

He will ride the waves and carve out his own niche.