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

Seven days until the Double Ninth Festival.

At five o'clock in the morning, Chen Yu completed his final practical test of talisman crafting in the small world. Five improved Swiftness Talismans were activated, allowing him to move rapidly within the small world, his feet seemingly flying, covering ten acres of space in an instant. Test data showed that the speed increase had risen from 30% to 45%, and the duration had been extended to 50 minutes.

"Still not enough." Chen Yu stopped, slightly out of breath. Facing the experts of the Hongmen, this improvement might not be enough. He took out the invisibility talisman he had drawn yesterday. This talisman was the most difficult to make, with a success rate of only 30%. He activated his Spiritual Eye Technique. Spiritual energy flowed through the complex patterns on the talisman, distorting light to achieve an invisibility effect, but the effect only lasted for five minutes, and he couldn't move too fast.

"One use is enough for a critical moment." Chen Yu carefully put the invisibility talisman away from his body.

Having exited the small world, Qin Huairu was already up and hanging clothes to dry in the yard. The morning light shone on her, and the loose clothes couldn't hide her slightly protruding belly; she radiated a soft glow.

"Why are you up so early again?" Chen Yu took the wooden basin from her hand.

"I can't sleep," Qin Huairu smiled. "The baby is moving around a lot in my belly, like it's saying hello to me."

Chen Yu felt a warmth in his heart and gently stroked her abdomen. Sure enough, he could feel slight fetal movements in his palm, one after another, full of vitality.

"Little one, be good and don't make Mommy work too hard," Chen Yu said softly.

Qin Huairu blushed: "How can a child understand what you're saying..."

"If our child can understand this, he must be smart."

The two exchanged a smile. This simple happiness was Chen Yu's most precious gain in this era.

After breakfast, Chen Yu went to the neighborhood office. Director Wang saw him and quickly greeted him, "Little Chen's here! I need to talk to you about something."

"Director Wang, is it about the house?"

"Yes, the paperwork for the house in Beixinqiao has been completed. Here is the property deed." Director Wang handed over a document stamped with a red seal. "The street party committee has decided, in view of your contributions and family situation, to allocate this house to you under a special policy. You don't have to pay rent, but you only have the right to use it; the ownership still belongs to the public."

Chen Yu accepted the property deed, feeling much more at ease. In this era, having stable housing was the greatest guarantee.

"Thank you, Director Wang!"

"Don't mention it, you deserve it." Director Wang lowered his voice. "By the way, your three friends—the three southerners from the department store—came to the subdistrict office this morning to register. They said they want to open a trading company in Beijing, and all the paperwork is in order."

Chen Yu knew this was an arrangement by imposters number three, four, and five. With a legitimate identity and company, many things would be easier later on.

"They are good people, all honest businessmen."

"I think so too. You're very organized in your speech and actions." Director Wang paused for a moment. "Xiao Chen, how are your wedding preparations going? Just let me know if you need any help from the neighborhood committee."

"It's almost done, thank you for your concern, Director Wang."

After leaving the neighborhood office, Chen Yu went straight to the department store. The third accomplice, using the pseudonym Chen Ming, had already rented a small storefront and was renovating it. Upon seeing Chen Yu, he nodded respectfully, "Boss."

Is it convenient to talk here?

"Please come in."

The two entered the inner room. Chen Ming reported, "Master, the company registration procedures have been completed. It's called 'Mingyu Trading Company,' and its business scope includes daily necessities, local specialties, and handicrafts. We plan to start with tea and silk from the south, and we've already contacted suppliers in Hangzhou and Suzhou."

"Very good." Chen Yu nodded. "Is the funding sufficient?"

"The initial funding of 5,000 yuan is sufficient for now. In addition, as you instructed, we have begun collecting old objects from the Beijing area, especially ancient books and jade artifacts."

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat: "Have you discovered anything?"

"Yes." Chen Ming took out a yellowed ancient book. "We received it in Liulichang yesterday. There was a map tucked inside the book, and we think it's something special."

Chen Yu took the ancient book; it was a local gazetteer from the Qing Dynasty. He turned to the page with the map tucked inside. The map was crudely drawn, but it clearly showed the terrain of the Western Hills area. Several red dots were marked on the map, one of which... was near Fragrant Hills!

"Where did this map come from?"

"We got it from a down-on-his-luck Manchu man who said it was passed down from his ancestors and he never knew what it was," Chen Ming said. "We paid twenty yuan for it."

Chen Yu carefully examined the map. The markings on the map were in ancient script. After deciphering them for a long time, he recognized a few characters: "Xuan...Zhen...Dong...Fu..."

Xuanzhen Cave! Chen Yu's heart raced. Wasn't this the place of inheritance left behind by the Xuanzhen Daoist? This map was very likely the topographical map of the secret vault!

"Keep this book safe, both the original and the copies." Chen Yu handed the ancient book back. "Continue collecting these kinds of things, but keep a low profile."

"clear."

Leaving the department store, Chen Yu felt more confident. With this map, the success rate of their operation on the Double Ninth Festival would increase significantly.

When I got home at noon, He Yuzhu was already there, and he brought a lot of ingredients.

"Brother Zhu, what's wrong with you...?"

"We're having a food tasting tomorrow, so I brought some ingredients over first." He Yuzhu wiped his sweat. "Six tables' worth of food is quite a lot, so I need to prepare in advance. Xiao Chen, can I borrow the kitchen for a bit? I'll get some of the meat that needs marinating ready today."

"Brother Zhu, you've worked hard. Come in quickly."

The two got busy in the kitchen. He Yuzhu, as expected of the cafeteria chef, had skillful knife work and processed the ingredients quickly and efficiently. Chen Yu helped out, and the two chatted as they worked.

"Xiao Chen, have you heard? Xu Damao's case has been decided." He Yuzhu said in a low voice as he cut meat.

"The verdict's been handed down? So quickly?"

"Yes, the verdict was handed down yesterday afternoon. He was sentenced to three years for trafficking in cultural relics. Liu Haizhong was also sentenced to three years. The Hong Kong businessman, Mr. Li, paid a fine, was deported, and is prohibited from entering the country for five years."

Chen Yu paused in his movements. Boss Li had been expelled? What about the Chongyang Night Vault...? No, although Boss Li couldn't come in person, his men and Hongmen members were still there. Besides, he must have made arrangements before being expelled.

"Where is Jia Dongxu?" Chen Yu asked.

"The medical expenses cost over eighty yuan. The factory reimbursed part of it, but the rest... Zhang Xiulan sold all the valuables in the house, and she's still short twenty yuan," He Yuzhu sighed. "Yesterday she came to me wanting to borrow some money, and I lent her ten yuan. Xiao Chen, I wasn't talking about your fifty yuan..."

"Brother Zhu, I understand," Chen Yu interrupted him. "Aunt Zhang has had a tough time, so let's help her if we can."

"Sigh, the Jia family was ruined by Jia Zhangshi." He Yuzhu shook his head. "But since Zhang Xiulan came back, the house has become more orderly. Banggeng has also become much more well-behaved recently, and I heard he even got a little red flower at school."

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Chen Yu went to open it; it was the postman.

"Comrade Chen Yu, your registered letter."

Chen Yu signed for the envelope, which was sent by the production department of the steel rolling mill. Upon opening it, he found it was from Section Chief Li, and the contents surprised him—the factory had decided to send him to the Shanghai Machinery Factory for three months to learn advanced waste processing technology, scheduled for the beginning of next month.

Shanghai? Three months? Chen Yu frowned. The timing was too coincidental; leaving right after the Double Ninth Festival?

"What's wrong?" He Yuzhu asked when he saw that he didn't speak.

"The factory is sending me to Shanghai for three months of training," Chen Yu said, handing him the letter.

He Yuzhu glanced at it, then slapped his thigh: "Great news! They're going to give you special training! Shanghai is a big city; you can learn a lot there!"

"I know it's a good thing, but..." Chen Yu glanced around the room, "Huai Ru is four months pregnant, and I'll be gone for three months..."

"That's true..." He Yuzhu also realized, "Why don't we talk to the factory and postpone it for a while?"

"I'm afraid that won't work. The letter says that these are quotas arranged by the ministry, and we can't refuse them."

The two were silent for a moment. He Yuzhu patted Chen Yu on the shoulder: "Xiao Chen, don't worry, we'll take care of things at home. As for Huai Ru, I'll have Yu Li visit her more often, and Zhang Xiulan will also help out."

Chen Yu was deeply moved: "Brother Zhu, thank you."

"Don't mention it! We're brothers!" He Yuzhu grinned. "By the time you get back from Shanghai, your baby will be due soon, it'll be double happiness!"

Even so, Chen Yu still felt uneasy. The trip to Shanghai was important, but he couldn't bear to be away from his pregnant wife for three months. And... he looked west; the Double Ninth Festival was only six days away.

Everything needs to be resolved before that happens.

In the afternoon, Chen Yu made an excuse to go out and went to the hideout on Gulou Back Street. Zhao Tieying was already waiting there, his face serious.

"Chen Yu, the situation has changed." Zhao Tieying cut to the chase. "My fellow disciples went to Xiangshan to scout again last night and found two more tents at the entrance, meaning at least ten more people have joined. And... we saw someone we knew."

"Who?"

"Zhao Tianxiong, Zhao Tiangang's junior brother," Zhao Tieying said in a heavy tone. "He is also an elder of the Hongmen. His kung fu is no less than Zhao Tiangang's, and he is most skilled in hidden weapons and poisons."

Chen Yu's heart sank. Two Hongmen elders, more than twenty subordinates, and weapons... this lineup was more powerful than he had expected.

"Furthermore, we discovered they've buried something around the entrance." Zhao Tieying pulled out a sketch. "Here, here, and here, they've buried explosives. There's more than one detonation point; it's a chain reaction. Once triggered, the entire entrance area will collapse."

Chen Yu stared at the sketch, his mind racing. A series of explosives—was this meant to completely seal off the entrance? Or...?

"That's not right." Chen Yu suddenly realized something. "They're not trying to seal off the entrance, but rather to blow something up. Xuanzhen Daoist's secret vault might not be a simple cave, but rather protected by mechanisms and formations. The explosives are forcibly used to break the formation."

Zhao Tieying's eyes lit up: "That makes sense! Then what's our plan..."

"The plan remains the same, but needs adjustments." Chen Yu pondered. "Zhao Tieying, can your men get their hands on the explosives?"

"It's possible, but..." Zhao Tieying hesitated, "Chen Yu, you want to use explosives? That would be too loud and would alert the entire Fragrant Hills."

"Not for bombing, but for creating chaos." Chen Yu's eyes gleamed. "At midnight on the Double Ninth Festival, they'll detonate the formation at the entrance. A moment before they detonate, we'll create an even bigger explosion on the perimeter to draw their attention. Then..."

He lowered his voice and revealed his plan. Zhao Tieying listened, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"That's brilliant! A feint to the east while attacking the west, fishing in troubled waters!" Zhao Tieying said excitedly. "I'll take care of the explosives. I know a friend in the mine who can get detonators and gunpowder."

"Be careful, pay attention to safety," Chen Yu instructed. "Also, you and your men need to familiarize yourselves with this map."

He produced a photocopy of the map from the ancient book. Zhao Tieying's hands trembled with excitement upon seeing it: "This...this is a topographical map of the secret vault? Where did you get it?"

"It was a coincidence." Chen Yu didn't elaborate. "There are three possible exits marked on the map. You and your men will lie in ambush at these three locations. Once I succeed, I'll exit through one of the exits, and you'll be there to meet me."

"Understood!" Zhao Tieying carefully noted down the map details. "Chen Yu, this map is crucial; it increases our success rate by at least 30%!"

The two discussed some more details before parting ways as it grew dark.

When Chen Yu returned home, Qin Huairu had already prepared dinner. It was a simple dish of stewed cabbage with vermicelli and steamed buns, but it was very cozy.

"Chen Yu, about Shanghai..." Qin Huairu asked softly.

"You knew all along?"

"Brother Zhu told me this afternoon," Qin Huairu said, looking down. "Go ahead, it's a good thing. I can take care of myself at home."

Chen Yu held her hand: "Huai Ru, I'm sorry..."

"Don't say sorry." Qin Huairu looked up, tears welling in her eyes, but she forced a smile. "You're going to do something important, for our family. I'll be fine, and I'll wait for you to come back."

Chen Yu felt a pang of pain in his heart and pulled her into his arms: "Three months. I'll definitely come back as soon as possible. I'll be by your side when the baby is born."

"Hmm..." Qin Huairu leaned on his shoulder, "Chen Yu, let's name the baby. It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, think of one first."

Chen Yu thought for a moment: "If it's a boy, name him Chen Mingyuan, meaning 'ambitious and far-reaching.' If it's a girl... name her Chen Jingshu, meaning 'quiet and beautiful.'"

"Chen Mingyuan, Chen Jingshu..." Qin Huairu murmured softly, "That sounds so nice. But what if they were twins?"

"Then I'll take both!" Chen Yu laughed. "Mingyuan and Jingshu."

The two looked at each other and smiled, the warm atmosphere dispelling the sorrow of parting.

After dinner, Chen Yu entered the small world to make final preparations. He sorted and arranged all the talismans: ten protective talismans, fifteen calming talismans, twelve speed talismans, and three invisibility talismans. The peach wood sword had been soaked in spiritual spring water, and its blade gleamed with a faint spiritual light. He checked the flying needles to ensure that each one was sharp.

Then, he took out the three spirit-patterned pocket watches. Beside the spirit spring, the three watches were placed together, and the patterns on their dials began to glow faintly, seemingly resonating with each other.

Chen Yu used his spiritual vision technique to observe carefully and discovered that the patterns on the three pocket watches were actually three parts that, when combined, formed a complete map—the same topographical map of the Western Hills that he had seen in the ancient book, but in greater detail, even marking the internal structure of the secret vault.

"So that's how it is..." Chen Yu suddenly realized. The clues left by Xuanzhen Daoist were layered: the ordinary map was the first layer of guidance for those with affinity; the spirit pattern pocket watch was the second layer, which required spiritual energy to activate in order to see the complete map; and the true inheritance might require all three pocket watches to be activated simultaneously at a specific time and place to open.

"Double Ninth Festival, midnight, Fragrant Hills..." Chen Yu noted down all the details.

It was late at night when Chen Yu exited the small world. He lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep. Qin Huairu was already asleep, breathing evenly, her hand gently resting on her lower abdomen.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Chen Yu felt a strong urge to protect her. For the sake of this family, for the sake of their unborn child, he had to succeed.

No matter what he faces on the Double Ninth Festival, he will win.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

Countdown: Six days.