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

The countdown to the Double Ninth Festival is in its fourth day.

At six o'clock in the morning, beside the spiritual spring in the small world, Chen Yu slowly finished his cultivation. Last night, he took two Qi-Nourishing Pills and cultivated all night, finally breaking through the bottleneck of spiritual energy in his body and reaching the mid-stage of the third level of Qi Refining. He could clearly feel that the spiritual energy in his meridians was flowing more smoothly, and the range of his spiritual sense had expanded from ten zhang to twelve zhang, making his perception of the surrounding environment more acute.

"System, check-in for today."

[Ding! Japanese visa successfully obtained]

[Received: 2 Industrial Vouchers, 1 Soap Ticket, Basic Refining Beginner Experience Pack (Small), 20 Yuan Cash]

"Introduction to weapon crafting?" Chen Yu's eyes lit up, and he immediately put it into practice. Basic knowledge of weapon crafting flooded his mind: material identification, basic smelting techniques, and simple steps for crafting magical artifacts... Although it was only at the beginner level, it was of great benefit to his understanding of the magical artifacts that Xuanzhen Daoist might have left behind.

Stepping out of her little world, the aroma of millet porridge wafted from the courtyard. Qin Huairu was busy in the kitchen, wearing a loose blue cotton jacket today. Her complexion was rosy, and her morning sickness seemed to have completely disappeared.

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

"I can't sleep," Qin Huairu smiled. "The baby moves around a lot in the middle of the night, like he's practicing his punches and kicks."

Chen Yu gently stroked her abdomen and could indeed feel obvious fetal movement: "So active, it must be a boy."

"I'd rather it were a daughter, so sweet and considerate," Qin Huairu said. "Chen Yu, shall we go to the department store today? We still need to buy some things for the wedding."

"Okay, I'll go after breakfast."

The two had just sat down at the stone table in the courtyard when the gate was pushed open. The newcomer was Yan Bugui, carrying a small cloth bag.

"Third Uncle? What brings you here?" Chen Yu stood up.

"Xiao Chen, Huai Ru," Yan Bugui greeted with a smile. "I heard you're having a wedding. I don't have anything valuable, but this is a red silk ribbon I used for my wedding back then. It's in pretty good condition, so I'm bringing you some joy."

Chen Yu took the cloth bag, opened it, and saw a piece of bright red silk. Although it was quite old, it was well-preserved and the color was still vibrant.

"Uncle, this is too precious..." Qin Huairu said, moved.

"Not valuable at all," Yan Bugui waved his hand. "It'd be a bottom-of-the-barrel item for me anyway, it's perfect for you. Little Chen, you're a good man, your third uncle has a good eye for people, you'll definitely amount to something!"

"Thank you, Uncle!"

After seeing Yan Bugui off, Chen Yu felt a pang of emotion. Although some people in the courtyard were not very good, there were also many good people like He Yuzhu and Yan Bugui.

After breakfast, the two rode their bicycles to the Wangfujing Department Store. In 1962, the department store was one of the most bustling shopping malls in Beijing, three stories high and filled with a dazzling array of goods. Although resources were limited, the wedding supplies section was still filled with all sorts of festive items.

Qin Huairu carefully selected items: a pair of red double happiness enamel basins, two thermos flasks printed with mandarin ducks, four bright red quilts, as well as towels, soap dishes, mirrors... She chose each item with great care.

"Chen Yu, what do you think of this quilt cover?" Qin Huairu picked up a red satin embroidered with peonies.

"It looks good, let's take this one," Chen Yu said with a smile. "I'm glad you like it."

"This bed is nice too..." Qin Huairu picked up another bed embroidered with lotus flowers. "Why don't we buy both? One for the mattress and one for the blanket."

"Okay, I'll buy them all."

The two pushed their shopping cart through the aisles, Qin Huairu's face beaming with happiness. Chen Yu looked at her profile, a warm feeling welling up inside him. This was the happiness he wanted to protect.

After buying the wedding supplies, Chen Yu took Qin Huairu to the fabric counter on the first floor. He pointed to a piece of light blue polyester fabric: "I'll make you a new dress with this. Even though you're pregnant, you should still dress beautifully."

"It's too expensive..." Qin Huairu hesitated.

"It's not expensive. We're better off now, so we should spend the money we need to spend," Chen Yu said to the sales clerk. "Comrade, get six feet of this cloth."

"Okay!" The sales clerk quickly measured, cut, and issued the invoice.

It was already noon when they came out of the department store. The two had lunch at the nearby time-honored restaurant "Cuihualou," ordering four dishes and spending five yuan. This was considered a luxury in 1962, but Chen Yu felt it was worth it—it was only natural to treat his wife to a good meal before the wedding.

When Chen Yu returned home in the afternoon, he told Qin Huairu to rest while he went into his little world to continue preparing.

The fifteen explosive talismans he drew yesterday needed improvement. Based on his basic knowledge of weapon crafting, he tried adding a trace amount of metal powder to the talisman paper—zinc powder extracted from used batteries, which could enhance the explosive power.

The drawing process was even more difficult. Metal powder would affect the adhesion of cinnabar, and the circulation of spiritual energy also had to be more precise. Chen Yu failed eight times before successfully drawing his first improved explosive talisman.

The patterns on the talisman were a dark gold color, with metallic powder forming a fine conductive network within them. Chen Yu carefully placed it at a distance and activated it.

"Boom!" The explosion was twice as loud as yesterday's, and the crater in the ground was much deeper.

"The power has increased by about 50%." Chen Yu nodded in satisfaction.

He continued drawing, and in one afternoon, he successfully produced ten more improved Explosion Talismans. Including yesterday's, he now has a total of twenty-five Explosion Talismans, divided into five groups of five.

"That should be enough to create enough chaos." Chen Yu put the talisman away.

Next, he took out the peach wood sword and began to perform a simple refinement using his newly learned weapon-forging knowledge. He slowly infused spiritual energy into the sword, using special techniques to make the peach wood sword more solid and better able to conduct spiritual energy.

The refining process lasted for two hours. After completion, a faint spiritual light emanated from the surface of the peach wood sword, and when held in the hand, one could feel the resonance between the sword and one's own spiritual energy.

"Now this can be considered a true magical artifact." Chen Yu waved it a few times with satisfaction.

As Chen Yu exited the small world, dusk was approaching. He had just stepped out of the house when he saw He Yuzhu rushing in.

"Xiao Chen, something's happened!" He Yuzhu's face was grim.

"What's wrong, Brother Zhu?"

"Jia Dongxu...the hospital said he might need an amputation."

Chen Yu's heart sank: "How could this be?"

"The wound is infected and has become infected," He Yuzhu sighed. "The doctor said that if we don't amputate, the infection could spread and be life-threatening. Zhang Xiulan fainted twice from crying and is still at the hospital watching over her."

"What about the medical expenses?"

"The factory reimbursed part of the costs, but the amputation surgery and follow-up treatment will cost a lot more." He Yuzhu shook his head. "Where would the Jia family have any money left? Zhang Xiulan has sold everything she could, and now they can't even afford the hospital fees."

Chen Yu was silent for a moment, then said, "Brother Zhu, let's go to the hospital to get checked out."

The two rode their bicycles to the hospital. In the surgical ward, Jia Dongxu lay on the bed, his face pale, his left calf wrapped in thick gauze, and the stench of pus and blood was noticeable. Zhang Xiulan sat by the bed, her eyes red and swollen, clearly having cried for a long time.

"Aunt Zhang," Chen Yu greeted softly.

Zhang Xiulan looked up, saw Chen Yu, and tears welled up in her eyes again: "Little Chen... Dongxu, he..."

"I know the situation." Chen Yu walked to the bedside and checked Jia Dongxu's condition. He activated his spiritual eye technique and could see black mist swirling around the wound, a symptom of severe infection.

"What did the doctor say?" Chen Yu asked.

"She said the surgery has to be done tomorrow, otherwise..." Zhang Xiulan couldn't finish her sentence.

Chen Yu pondered for a moment. Although Jia Dongxu wasn't a good person, his crimes didn't warrant death, much less amputation. Besides, if Jia Dongxu really did have his leg amputated, the Jia family would be completely ruined. What would happen to Zhang Xiulan and Bang Geng then?

"Aunt Zhang, do you believe me?" Chen Yu suddenly asked.

Zhang Xiulan was taken aback: "Xiao Chen, you..."

"I've studied some traditional Chinese medicine, so perhaps I can help," Chen Yu said, "but I'll need your cooperation."

Zhang Xiulan looked at her unconscious son, then at Chen Yu, and gritted her teeth: "I believe you! Xiao Chen, I'll do anything to save Dongxu!"

"Okay, then you can go out for a bit. I need to treat him alone."

Zhang Xiulan and He Yuzhu left the ward. Chen Yu closed the door, took out the best hemostatic and tissue-regenerating powder from the system space, and also took out a Qi-nourishing pill—although the Qi-nourishing pill cannot directly treat the infection, it can enhance the body's immunity.

He carefully removed the gauze. The wound was indeed serious; his calf was swollen and black, with pus and blood oozing out continuously. Chen Yu first cleaned the wound with spiritual spring water, then applied a large amount of hemostatic and tissue-regenerating powder.

When the powder came into contact with the wound, Jia Dongxu twitched in pain, but didn't wake up. Chen Yu then dissolved the Qi-Nourishing Pill in water and fed it to him little by little.

After doing all this, Chen Yu sat cross-legged, placed his hands on either side of Jia Dongxu's wound, and began circulating the "Tai Xuan True Scripture." He slowly injected a wisp of pure spiritual energy into the wound, working in conjunction with the medicinal power to dispel the infection.

This is a delicate task. Too little spiritual energy is useless, and too much will damage normal tissue. Chen Yu was completely focused, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Half an hour later, the black aura at the wound site had noticeably subsided, and the swelling had begun to lessen. Chen Yu applied the medicine again and re-bandaged the wound.

He opened the door and came out, and Zhang Xiulan and He Yuzhu immediately surrounded him.

"Xiao Chen, how's it going?"

"The infection is under control, but you need to continue medication." Chen Yu took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket. "The powder in here needs to be changed twice a day. Also, take this twenty yuan to pay your hospital fees."

Zhang Xiulan took the porcelain bottle and money, and knelt down with a thud: "Xiao Chen... I am so grateful for your great kindness..."

"Aunt Zhang, get up quickly!" Chen Yu hurriedly helped her up. "We're neighbors, it's only right."

He Yuzhu looked at Chen Yu with admiration in his eyes. He knew Chen Yu's medicine was extraordinary, and twenty yuan was no small sum. He was determined to befriend this man.

It was already dark when they left the hospital. He Yuzhu sighed, "Xiao Chen, you really are... repaying evil with kindness. The Jia family treated you so badly, and you still..."

"Brother Zhu, every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its debtor," Chen Yu said. "Jia Dongxu is Jia Dongxu, and Aunt Zhang is Aunt Zhang. Besides, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda."

"You're right." He Yuzhu patted him on the shoulder. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink!"

The two found a small tavern, ordered two dishes and a pot of wine. After a few drinks, He Yuzhu became more talkative.

"Xiao Chen, you don't know, things haven't been peaceful in the courtyard lately. Xu Damao went to jail, Liu Haizhong went to jail, and now Jia Dongxu is like this... Some people say it's because our courtyard has bad feng shui."

"Superstition," Chen Yu shook his head.

"I know it's superstition, but some people still believe it," He Yuzhu said in a low voice. "Especially Jia Zhangshi, she's been saying everywhere that all these problems in the courtyard started after you came..."

Chen Yu sneered: "Let her say whatever she wants."

"You'd better be careful," He Yuzhu said. "I heard that Jia Zhangshi has been getting very close to a southerner lately, and they're acting all secretive."

A southerner? Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. Could they be remnants of Boss Li's forces?

"Brother Zhu, do you know what that southerner looks like?"

"I've never seen her before, I've only heard people say she wears glasses and speaks with an accent." He Yuzhu thought for a moment, "Oh right, the day before yesterday I saw Jia Zhangshi talking to a man at the entrance of the alley. The man was dressed quite well, but he didn't look like a good person."

Chen Yu kept this in mind. It seemed that Jia Zhangshi indeed had a problem.

After finishing their drinks, the two parted ways. Chen Yu didn't go straight home, but instead took a detour to Gulou Back Street. He needed to check on Zhao Tieying's situation.

Fake Man Number One was already waiting at the base: "Master, Zhao Tieying's injuries are much better; your medicine is very effective. He asked me to tell you that the explosives issue has been resolved. His friends at the mine are willing to help, but the delivery can only be made the day after tomorrow."

"The day after tomorrow...that's the day before the Double Ninth Festival." Chen Yu calculated the time. "There's still time. Tell him that explosives should still be prepared as a backup plan."

"Yes. Also, we followed Jia Zhangshi and found that she went to a teahouse in Qianmen this afternoon and met a man with a southern accent. Here is a photo."

The fake man handed over a photograph—taken with a miniature camera. The image was somewhat blurry, but it was clear that Jia Zhangshi and a middle-aged man wearing glasses were sitting in a corner of the teahouse having a private conversation.

"Investigate this person's background."

"We're already investigating, but it will take time."

"Speed ​​up," Chen Yu said. "We must find out the truth before the Double Ninth Festival."

It was late at night when Chen Yu returned to Beixinqiao after leaving the base. Qin Huairu was still awake, sewing clothes under the lamp.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Chen Yu asked with concern.

"I'll wait for you." Qin Huairu put down her needlework. "Chen Yu, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Qin Huairu took out a small cloth bag from the drawer, opened it, and inside was a pair of gold earrings.

"This is my dowry from my mother, and I've never been willing to wear it," she said softly. "Chen Yu, I want to wear this on our wedding day."

Chen Yu took the earrings. They were made with a traditional dragon and phoenix design and were exquisitely crafted. Although they were not heavy, they were of great significance.

"You look beautiful," Chen Yu said. "Huai Ru, on your wedding day, you will definitely be the most beautiful bride in the world."

Qin Huairu blushed: "You're just saying nice things... Oh, by the way, Director Wang from the neighborhood office came today and said she'll be the officiant at the wedding."

"That's wonderful!" Chen Yu exclaimed happily. With the neighborhood committee director officiating, the wedding became even more formal.

The two chatted for a while longer before turning off the lights and resting.

In the darkness, Chen Yu held Qin Huairu in his arms, but sleep was elusive. His mind raced, processing all the clues:

The battle for the secret vault on the night of the Double Ninth Festival saw the opponents be two Hongmen elders and more than twenty of their subordinates, all armed with superior weaponry.

Jia Zhangshi colluded with an unknown southerner, with unclear intentions.

Zhao Tieying's injuries have improved, and the backup plan for explosives is in place.

My own side: Mid-stage Qi Refining Stage 3, 25 improved Explosive Talismans, a refined peach wood sword, various elixirs...

What are the odds of winning? Fifty percent? Sixty percent?

No matter how much, he had to go.

This is not only for the sake of Xuanzhen Daoist's legacy, but also to prove to everyone that he, Chen Yu, is not a pushover to be manipulated.

Anyone who tries to harm his family or disrupt his life will pay the price.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

Countdown: Three days.

Three days later, everything will be settled.

And he was ready.