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

"Waaah—"

The sound of the ship's horn echoed on the Pearl River as the "Red Star" passenger ship slowly departed from Dashatou Wharf in Guangzhou. Chen Yu stood at the porthole of his first-class cabin, watching the crowds seeing him off on the shore gradually shrink into blurry shadows, and the outline of Guangzhou city slowly fading into the morning mist.

White waves churned on the side of the boat, and banana groves, mulberry groves, and fishponds on both banks flashed by. This was the Pearl River Delta in early spring of 1964, a busy waterway with sampans, fishing boats, and tugboats shuttling back and forth, and occasionally larger cargo ships would pass by with their horns blaring.

"Sir, your tea." A knock sounded at the door, and the fake crew member, disguised as number three, entered carrying a tray with a pot of Longjing tea and two teacups. He placed the tray on the small table and lowered his voice: "Master, Suman is in second-class cabin number 7, and Aqiang and Ahu are in number 8. Just before departure, Ahu's suitcase was asked to be opened during security check, but he showed documents from the Hong Kong company, and customs let him through."

"Is the gun still there?"

"Yes. It's a Colt revolver, six bullets," Pseudo-Man Number Three continued reporting. "Since Suman boarded the ship, he's been looking through a notebook, the one Jin Yabing sold them. Number Seven is keeping an eye on things in third class; there's no unusual activity so far."

"Okay, continue monitoring. Report any developments immediately."

After the fake man number three withdrew, Chen Yu poured himself a cup of tea. Amidst the fragrant steam, he began planning his next move. The ship would take about eight hours to reach Hong Kong, arriving around four or five in the afternoon. During this time, he needed to do several things: familiarize himself with his newly acquired Cantonese, study the Hong Kong business guide, and... deal with potential contact from Su Man's side.

He first tried speaking to himself in Cantonese: "I am Chen Yu, from Guangzhou, going to Hong Kong to do business..." His pronunciation was fluent and natural, as if he had grown up in a Cantonese-speaking environment. The language pack was incredibly effective; he not only mastered everyday expressions but also integrated some slang and proverbs.

Next, I opened the "Hong Kong Business Guide." This book was clearly not a publicly published document, but rather some kind of internal document, which detailed the business ecosystem of Hong Kong: the spheres of influence of the four major trading companies (Jardine Matheson, Swire, HSBC, and Hutchison), the industrial distribution of large Chinese families (the Ho Tung family, the Lee Hysan family, the Chow Wing-tai family, etc.), the territorial divisions of triad gangs (Wo Shing Wo, 14K, Sun Yee On), and even the functions and key figures of various departments of the Hong Kong British government.

"The waters run deep..." Chen Yu murmured. Hong Kong was still a British colony at the time, a blend of East and West, where the rule of law and underworld norms coexisted. To establish oneself here, technology and capital alone were not enough; one also needed connections and...force.

Around noon, the ship's announcement system announced lunchtime. First-class passengers had a private dining room offering a Chinese set meal of four dishes and a soup. When Chen Yu entered the dining room, there were already seven or eight people inside, who, judging from their attire and demeanor, were businessmen or officials of some status.

He chose a seat by the window. The waiter quickly brought out the food: steamed sea bass, poached chicken, bok choy with oyster sauce, braised tofu, and a bowl of slow-cooked soup. The dishes were exquisite and tasted good.

As they were eating, the restaurant door opened, and Su Man walked in. She had changed into a beige suit skirt, her hair was styled in an elegant updo, and her eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses scanned the restaurant. She paused slightly when she saw Chen Yu, then casually chose a nearby table to sit down.

"One Set Meal A, please." She ordered from the waiter, her voice clear and crisp, her Mandarin carrying a distinct Hong Kong accent.

Chen Yu lowered his head to eat, but his spiritual sense quietly expanded. The spiritual sense coverage of the fourth level of Qi Refining had reached fifteen zhang, and he could clearly perceive the details of Su Man: she wore an Omega women's watch on her left wrist, with the letters "SM" engraved on the inside of the strap; there were traces of a ring on her right ring finger, but it was empty now; in her handbag, besides her wallet and cosmetics, there was a hardcover notebook and... a small palm-sized grenade pistol.

"She's very wary," Chen Yu thought to himself. This woman is no ordinary person; she's a business elite and always carries a gun, clearly accustomed to dangerous environments.

"Sir, are you also going to Hong Kong for business?" Su Man suddenly struck up a conversation with a polite smile.

"I guess so," Chen Yu replied in Mandarin with a Beijing accent, "It was a study tour."

"Judging from your accent, you're from Beijing?" Su Man's eyes lit up slightly. "I'm from Hong Kong, but I studied in Beijing for two years and have a deep affection for the North. May I ask your surname, sir?"

"His surname is Chen."

"Mr. Chen." Su Man took out a business card holder from her handbag and handed over a gold-embossed business card. "I am Su Man, the assistant general manager of Hesheng Trading Company. Our company does import and export trade in Hong Kong. If you need any assistance, Mr. Chen, please feel free to contact me."

The business card had both Chinese and English printed on it, with an address in an office building on Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Chen Yu took it and also pulled out the business card Lin Wanru had given him earlier: "Thank you, Ms. Su. I have a friend in Hong Kong who can meet me."

When Su Man saw the words "General Manager Lin Wanru of Victoria Yacht Club", a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly recovered and said: "So Mr. Chen knows General Manager Lin. She is a celebrity in Hong Kong's social circles."

"Just ordinary friends."

The two chatted for a while about Hong Kong's customs and culture. Su Man was very talkative and had insights into business, culture, and even politics. But Chen Yu could sense that every question she asked was a probe: her purpose in coming to Hong Kong, her background and connections, her financial strength...

After lunch, Chen Yu returned to his room. The pseudo-human No. 7 reported via his consciousness: "Master, Qiang and Hu are smoking on the deck. During their conversation, they mentioned 'Things will be easier once we get to Hong Kong' and 'The boss has already made arrangements.' Also, when Su Man contacted you in the restaurant just now, Hu was watching from outside the door."

"Understood. Are there any other suspicious individuals on board?"

"Nothing has been found yet. Most of the passengers are ordinary citizens and business people. However... Captain Wang lost a lot of money at the gambling den last night, and he's in a bad mood today."

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. The crew's situation was also important; perhaps it could be used.

At 2 PM, the passenger ship entered the Humen Waterway, where the river suddenly widened. This was the Pearl River estuary, where fresh and saltwater met, and the water became murky. Scattered islands and reefs could be seen in the distance, and seagulls circled around the ship's gunwale.

Chen Yu went up to the deck for some fresh air. The spring breeze carried the scent of the sea, and many passengers came out to enjoy the scenery. He saw A-Qiang and A-Hu leaning against the railing smoking. Both were wearing dark jackets, were strong, and had sharp eyes; they certainly didn't look like ordinary businessmen.

"Mr. Chen, are you out to see the sea too?" Su Man walked up to him at some point, holding a miniature telescope in her hand.

"Let's get some fresh air," Chen Yu said. "Miss Su, are you interested in sailing?"

"It's necessary for work. Our company often transports goods by ship, so knowing the shipping routes is very important." Su Man handed over the binoculars. "Look over there, that island is called Dragon's Lair Island. Legend has it that the last emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty once took refuge there."

Chen Yu took the binoculars. It was a German Zeiss military model, with clear imaging. He looked in the direction Su Man pointed and indeed saw an island shaped like a dragon's spine. Activating his spiritual eye technique, he could see faint fluctuations of spiritual energy on the island—not the kind found in the Xuanzhen Cave, but more like natural ley lines.

"The scenery is nice." He returned the binoculars.

"Mr. Chen, what specific plans do you have after arriving in Hong Kong?" Su Man asked casually.

"Let's settle in first and see what opportunities arise. Miss Su, do you have any suggestions?"

"Right now, the most profitable industries in Hong Kong are real estate and textiles," Su Man said confidently. "However, real estate requires a lot of capital, and the textile industry is highly competitive. I suggest Mr. Chen consider plastic flowers—the plastic flower industry in Taiwan is just starting out, and Hong Kong has a geographical advantage. If we can introduce the technology..."

She spoke very professionally; an ordinary businessman would definitely be tempted. But Chen Yu knew that this was both a gesture of goodwill and a further probe—to see what industries he was interested in and to assess his financial strength and background.

"I will consider it, thank you for the suggestion, Ms. Su."

"You're too kind." Su Man glanced at her watch. "We're almost there. Mr. Chen, Hong Kong is a place that values ​​rules, but there are two kinds of rules: those that are overt and those that are covert. Newcomers are easily taken advantage of. If you need any help, feel free to contact me."

These words were quite meaningful. Chen Yu nodded his thanks, but inwardly he was wary: this was both a warning and an attempt to win him over.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the outline of land appeared on the horizon. First, there were scattered islands, then a continuous mountain range. The ship's announcement came over the loudspeaker: "Passengers, this ship is about to arrive at Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong. Please collect your luggage and prepare to disembark."

Passengers returned to their cabins. Chen Yu stood at the very front of the deck, watching Hong Kong Island gradually come into view. In 1964, Central Hong Kong didn't have as many skyscrapers, but iconic buildings like the HSBC Building and Statue Square were still faintly visible. On the Kowloon Peninsula, docks, warehouses, and factories lined the area, their chimneys belching white smoke.

The most striking sight is Victoria Harbour—on the azure sea, boats of all sizes shuttle back and forth, ferries, cargo ships, sailboats, sampans... a bustling scene. Ocean-going vessels sound their deep horns, small boats bob on the crests of the waves, and seagulls fly in flocks.

This is Hong Kong, the Pearl of the Orient, one of the Four Asian Tigers poised for takeoff.

"Master, Ms. Lin Wanru is waiting at the dock," reported Pseudo-Man No. 7. "She drove a Mercedes-Benz, with a driver and a bodyguard. Also, there are several people who appear to be from Hesheng Company looking around at the exit of the dock."

"What moves have Suman and his men made?"

"He's packing his luggage, and Ah Hu has hidden the gun in his suit's inner pocket. Su Man is touching up her makeup; she seems to be taking the upcoming meeting very seriously."

Chen Yu returned to his room and did a final check of his luggage. All the important items were in the small world; his suitcase only contained a change of clothes and daily necessities. He straightened his suit in front of the mirror and took a deep breath.

The ship slowly approached the Tsim Sha Tsui pier in Kowloon. The gangway was lowered, and passengers lined up to disembark. Chen Yu, being a first-class passenger, disembarked first. As he carried his suitcase down the gangway, he immediately spotted Lin Wanru on the pier.

Today she wore a royal blue cheongsam with a white knitted cardigan over it, paired with a pearl necklace and earrings, looking elegant and graceful. Behind her stood two men: a middle-aged man in a driver's uniform and a burly bodyguard in a black suit.

"Mr. Chen, welcome to Hong Kong." Lin Wanru stepped forward with a smile and extended her hand.

"Mr. Lin, thank you for coming to pick me up in person." Chen Yu shook hands with her. Her hands were soft, but her grip was strong.

"Of course. The car is over there, let's go to the hotel and settle in first."

Just as the two were about to leave, Su Man's voice came from behind: "President Lin! What a coincidence!"

Lin Wanru turned around and saw Su Man and her group. Her smile faded slightly: "Assistant Su, you're on this ship too?"

"Yes, I'm back in Hong Kong on some business." Su Man walked over, her gaze shifting between Chen Yu and Lin Wanru. "So Ms. Lin is here to pick up Mr. Chen. You two are quite familiar with each other?"

"Mr. Chen is an important partner of our club," Lin Wanru said calmly. "Assistant Su, is there anything I can help you with?"

"No, just saying hello." Su Man's smile remained unchanged. "Mr. Chen, please remember my business card. Contact me when you have time."

Watching Su Man and the other two leave, Lin Wanru whispered to Chen Yu, "Mr. Chen, do you know her?"

"We met on the ship; she struck up a conversation with me."

"Be careful of this person." Lin Wanru led him towards the Mercedes-Benz. "Hesheng Trading has a complicated background, and Zheng Yurong is no saint either. If they're targeting you, it's probably not a good thing."

"I will be careful."

Sitting in the back seat of the Mercedes, Chen Yu surveyed the interior. It was a W110 series Mercedes, a top-of-the-line luxury car for its time, with leather seats, wood trim, and an air conditioning system. The driver smoothly started the car and drove away from the dock.

Outside the window, the street scene of Hong Kong unfolds before my eyes. Unlike Guangzhou, the streets here are narrower, the buildings are taller, and the signs are densely packed, a mix of Chinese and English. Double-decker trams clang past, pedestrians hurry by, Westerners in suits, ladies in cheongsams, laborers in short-sleeved shirts... all sorts of people converge into a bustling flow of people.

"Let's go to the Peninsula Hotel first," Lin Wanru said. "I've booked a suite for you. Stay for a few days and see if you like it. If you don't, we can go somewhere else."

"Thank you for the arrangements, Mr. Lin."

"Don't be shy, you're my VIP now." Lin Wanru took an envelope from her handbag. "This is five thousand Hong Kong dollars for spending money, please use it first. Also, here are your Hong Kong identity card and residence permit, I've already taken care of them for you."

Chen Yu took it. The name on the ID card was "Chen Yu," the birthplace was Beijing, the occupation was "technical consultant," and the issuance date was February 1, 1964—clearly, it had been prepared in advance.

"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Lin."

"Of course," Lin Wanru said, looking at him. "Mr. Chen, Hong Kong is different from the mainland. The laws here are British, but what really matters is capital and influence. You have the technology, I have the channels, and we can cooperate very well. But the prerequisite is... you have to trust me."

"Now that I'm in Hong Kong, I naturally trust Mr. Lin."

"That's good." Lin Wanru smiled. "Get a good rest tonight, and I'll take you to see the company's factory and laboratory tomorrow. Also... a few friends want to meet you; they're all interested in specialty materials."

As the car drove along Nathan Road, the neon lights on both sides began to illuminate. The signs of nightclubs, restaurants, and department stores flashed, and English songs and Cantonese opera drifted from different shops, blending into a peculiar symphony.

The Peninsula Hotel, located on Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, facing Victoria Harbour, is one of Hong Kong's most luxurious hotels. The car stopped in front, and a uniformed doorman opened the door.

Chen Yu got out of the car and looked up at the legendary hotel. The seven-story Renaissance-style building was magnificent. Stepping into the lobby, the high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors exuded a luxurious colonial-era atmosphere.

Lin Wanru helped him check in, then said, "I won't go upstairs. The room is on the fifth floor, a sea-view suite. You can order room service for dinner, or go to the French restaurant on the second floor. I'll pick you up at ten o'clock tomorrow morning."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

The waiter led Chen Yu upstairs. The suite was indeed luxurious, complete with a living room, bedroom, and bathroom, and a balcony overlooking Victoria Harbour. At this moment, the city lights were just coming on, and Hong Kong Island was ablaze with lights, the reflections of which shimmered on the water.

After the waiter left, Chen Yu stood on the balcony, gazing at the city that never sleeps. The sea breeze caressed his face, carrying the salty taste and the hustle and bustle of the city.

The voice of Pseudo-Man No. 7 sounded in his mind: "Master, Su Man and the others have returned to the Hesheng Company's office building. Zheng Yurong is waiting for them in his office and is currently reporting the situation. Should we listen in?"

"We can monitor them, but be careful. There might be anti-surveillance equipment in Hong Kong."

"Understood. Also, Lin Wanru's car didn't go straight home, but went to a villa in Repulse Bay. That should be her private residence."

"Continue to monitor. Note that Hong Kong is not like the mainland; the police and intelligence agencies here are more professional, so be extra careful in your actions."

"Yes."

Chen Yu returned to his room and locked the door. He first checked the room to make sure there were no listening devices or cameras—with technology in 1964, there shouldn't have been any miniature surveillance equipment.

Then he entered the small world. The seven keys beside the spiritual spring automatically arranged themselves into the shape of the Big Dipper, and the Yao Guang Pearl emitted a soft blue light. He placed the seven keys in the spiritual spring to nurture them, and then took a Qi-nourishing pill and began to cultivate.

Hong Kong has a slightly higher concentration of spiritual energy than Guangzhou, but it's far from being a blessed land like Mount Luofu. However, with the blessing of the spiritual spring in the small world, the cultivation speed is still considerable.

After completing one cycle of energy circulation, Chen Yu felt refreshed. He exited the small world, stood by the window, and gazed at the night view of Victoria Harbour.

This will be his new battlefield.

Business, technology, connections, power... and the clandestine path of cultivation.

Su Man and Zheng Yurong's spies, Lin Wanru's cooperation and probing, the unknown Taoist and Feng Shui circles in Hong Kong, and the ultimate search for the Xuanzhen Cave...

All the clues will intertwine in this city.

What he needs to do is to forge his own path in this complex game of chess.

Outside the window, an ocean liner sounded its horn and sailed by, the sound deep and resonant, like the clarion call of a new era.

Chen Yu drew the curtains.

Tomorrow will be his first day in Hong Kong.