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

April 22nd, Monday, three days before the full moon.

At six o'clock in the morning, Chen Yu brewed a strong cup of tea in his office in the production department of the steel rolling mill, trying to dispel the weariness of a sleepless night. Outside the window, Beijing was awakening in the morning light, with the clanging of trams in the distance and the crisp ringing of bicycle bells nearby.

But what kept replaying in his mind was the eerie green eyes of the black cat from last night.

"Chen Yu, you don't look well." Liu Yuhua walked into the office and put down her briefcase. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

"The child was fussy at night, so I didn't get much sleep," Chen Yu said, rubbing his temples and making up an excuse.

"That's how it is when you become a father." Liu Yuhua smiled understandingly, and took out a small packet of tea from the drawer. "This is Longjing tea sent from my hometown. It's quite refreshing. Try it."

"Thank you, Sister Liu."

Chen Yu brewed a cup of Longjing tea, and the fragrant aroma did indeed invigorate him somewhat. He opened his work notebook; he needed to finalize next month's production plan draft today, but he just couldn't concentrate.

"Fake Man Number One," he mentally recalled, "what was that black cat up to last night?"

"Master, the black cat stayed in the yard until 2 a.m., and then left. We followed it for a while, and it entered a courtyard house in the eastern part of the city. There were three cultivators there, the strongest of whom was at the sixth level of Qi Refining."

"Continue to monitor the Heavenly Alliance's stronghold in Beijing, but do not alert them."

"Yes. Also, at seven o'clock this morning, five people went to Jietai Temple. They were all in plainclothes and carrying surveying equipment. They looked like people from the cultural relics department."

The cultural relics department? Chen Yu's heart tightened. Was going to Jietai Temple at this time a coincidence or...?

"Find out their true identities."

"It's already under investigation."

During the morning work meeting, Chen Yu was somewhat distracted. Factory Director Li was speaking on stage about learning from the Daqing Spirit and improving production efficiency, but he only absorbed half of what he heard. It wasn't until Liu Yuhua gently nudged his arm under the table that he snapped out of his reverie.

"Chen Yu, Director Li is asking about the progress of the waste recycling project," Liu Yuhua whispered a reminder.

Chen Yu quickly stood up: "Reporting to the factory manager, the project has entered the second phase. Last month we recycled twelve tons of scrap steel, and after sorting and remelting, the yield rate increased by 1.5%. This month, we expect it to reach 2%."

"Good!" Factory Director Li nodded in satisfaction. "Xiao Chen, this project has saved the factory a lot of costs. Keep up the good work, and I'll recommend you for the year-end awards."

"Thank you, factory manager."

After the meeting, Liu Yuhua stopped Chen Yu and said, "Have you been having something on your mind lately? You don't seem to be in a good mood."

"It's nothing, just a lot of things to do at home, and the kids are still young..."

"If you need any help, just ask," Liu Yuhua said sincerely. "We're colleagues, don't stand on ceremony."

Chen Yu was deeply moved: "Thank you, Sister Liu. I will adjust."

At lunchtime in the cafeteria, Chen Yu found a corner to sit down with his lunchbox. He needed quiet time to think about his plan for the night of the full moon. The scheme of faking illness to get to the hospital was feasible, but the details needed refinement—how to make the illness seem genuine? How to choose a hospital? How to escape from the hospital undetected?

"Comrade Chen Yu, is anyone here?"

A voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and saw Yang Jianguo, Zhou Xiaomei's husband.

"Comrade Yang, please have a seat."

Yang Jianguo sat down, opened his lunchbox, and inside were the special dishes provided by the army canteen—braised pork, stir-fried vegetables, and two steamed buns. He pushed one of the buns towards Chen Yu: "Try it, it's the cooking of our old squad leader."

"How could I possibly accept this..."

"Don't mention it," Yang Jianguo smiled. "Xiaomei said you've helped her a lot these past few months, so I should thank you."

The two chatted as they ate. Yang Jianguo asked casually, "I heard you're interested in ancient architecture? Did you go to Xishan last weekend?"

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm: "Yes, let's go take a look around. There are many historical sites in Beijing, and I want to see more of them."

"The pagoda at Jietai Temple is quite nice; it dates back to the Tang Dynasty," Yang Jianguo said, picking up a piece of braised pork. "However, they're currently conducting a cultural relics survey there, so it might not be convenient to visit."

These words seemed like casual conversation, but Chen Yu heard the underlying meaning—Yang Jianguo was reminding him that Jietai Temple was being watched.

"Thank you for reminding me, Comrade Yang. I understand."

Yang Jianguo nodded, said no more, and focused on eating.

After finishing his meal, Yang Jianguo stood up and said in a low voice, "It's windy tonight, wear more clothes when you go out."

Chen Yu watched his departing figure, understanding dawning on him. Yang Jianguo's department was very likely involved in this surveillance operation. And his words just now—were they both a warning and... a form of tacit approval?

In the afternoon, Chen Yu asked for leave in advance, saying he was going to take his child to the hospital for a check-up. This foreshadowed his "sudden illness" a few days later—the child had been to the hospital and might have brought back germs, which would have made it reasonable for the father to be infected.

When I returned to the courtyard, it was three in the afternoon. The courtyard was very quiet; most of the people who went to work or school had left, and only a few old ladies were sunbathing and doing needlework in the courtyard.

As Jia Zhangshi sat sewing shoe soles at her doorstep, she saw Chen Yu return and said sarcastically, "Oh, Little Chen, you're back early today? Did you take another day off? You're a cadre after all, so you have so much freedom."

Chen Yu ignored her and went straight back into the house.

Qin Huairu was breastfeeding Xiao Chen'an when she saw Chen Yu return, and was somewhat surprised: "So early today?"

"I took leave because I need to discuss something with you." Chen Yu closed the door and lowered his voice, "Huai Ru, there's something I need your cooperation on."

He explained in detail his plan to fake illness on the night of the full moon. Qin Huairu listened, her face turning pale: "It's so dangerous...do we really have to go?"

"You absolutely have to go." Chen Yu grasped her hand. "This involves some...very important things. But I promise I'll come back safely."

Qin Huairu looked at him, her eyes filled with worry, but finally nodded: "I believe you. What do you want me to do?"

"The night after tomorrow, around nine o'clock, you suddenly say that your stomach hurts and that you are going into labor. I will pretend to be anxious and ask Brother Zhu to help take you to the hospital. After arriving at the hospital, I will find a chance to leave. Master Jingxu will meet me and create the illusion that I have been by your side the whole time."

"But...isn't this too unbelievable? I only gave birth less than ten days ago, how could I possibly be going to give birth again?"

"So we need to lay the groundwork." Chen Yu had already considered this. "Starting tomorrow, you can say in the hospital that you're not feeling well, that your back aches. I'll go to the neighborhood clinic to get you some medicine, just to make it look like a formality. That way, when the 'sudden incident' happens the night after tomorrow, it won't seem too abrupt."

Qin Huairu bit her lip: "Okay, I'll listen to you. But Chen Yu, you must be careful... The child and I are waiting for you at home."

"I promise."

After discussing the details, Chen Yu went to the next room to find Jingxu. The Taoist priest was drawing talismans, with cinnabar, yellow paper, and a brush on the table.

"Master, how are the preparations going?"

"I drew three invisibility talismans, each lasting for fifteen minutes." Jingxu put down his pen. "There are also two 'blinding talismans,' which can create brief illusions to confuse ordinary people. However, their effect on cultivators is limited."

Chen Yu looked at the talismans; the cinnabar was bright red, and the runes were smooth, clearly indicating that Jingxu had a profound understanding of talismans.

"Also, I went to the pharmacy today and got some medicinal herbs." Jingxu took out a cloth bag from under the bed, which contained several kinds of herbs. "This is 'False Death Grass.' Grind it into powder, and after taking it, you will experience symptoms similar to an acute illness within an hour, such as an irregular pulse and a bluish complexion, but without any actual harm. You can use this."

Chen Yu's eyes lit up: "Great! This makes the onset of the disease even more realistic."

"However, you must control the dosage; too much can be dangerous," Jingxu solemnly warned.

In the evening, He Yuzhu came home from get off work carrying a fish: "Xiao Chen, there was fresh fish at the market today, I bought one. I'll make soup for Huairu tonight to help her recover!"

"Brother Zhu, I can't accept this..."

"Don't be so polite with me!" He Yuzhu handed over the fish. "By the way, how is Huai Ru's health? I heard from Aunt Zhang this morning that she didn't seem to be feeling well?"

Chen Yu was overjoyed—the news had already spread.

"It might be because she didn't rest properly during her postpartum period; her back is a little sore. I'll take her to the clinic tomorrow."

"We need to take a good look at this!" He Yuzhu said earnestly. "Childbirth is a major event for a woman; she can't afford to develop health problems later. Just let us know if you need any help!"

"Thank you, Brother Zhu."

After dinner, Chen Yu went to the neighborhood clinic to get medicine for Qin Huairu. The doctor on duty was a young woman who, upon hearing that Qin Huairu was experiencing postpartum discomfort, prescribed some traditional Chinese medicine to replenish her blood and advised her to rest more.

Chen Yu walked back with the medicine bag. At the alley entrance, he felt that watchful gaze again. This time it wasn't one person, but two, one on his left and one on his right, maintaining a safe distance.

He ignored them and went straight home. But his vigilance had increased—the number of people monitoring him indicated that the authorities were escalating their attention on him.

That night, after Qin Huairu and Xiao Chenan had fallen asleep, Chen Yu entered his small world to cultivate. He was just one step away from reaching the eighth level of Qi Refining, and he hoped to break through within the next three days. Every extra bit of strength he gained would provide him with more security.

In the small world, the medicinal herbs beside the spiritual spring were growing vigorously. The Purple Gold Grass had already multiplied into a small patch, emitting a faint spiritual aura. Chen Yu picked a few plants, preparing to refine a batch of Qi-Nourishing Pills for later use.

The alchemy process went smoothly, and an hour later, twelve high-quality Qi-nourishing pills were produced. He swallowed one, sat cross-legged, and began circulating the "Tai Xuan Zhen Jing".

His spiritual energy surged through his meridians, repeatedly impacting the bottleneck of the eighth level. He could feel that barrier getting thinner and thinner, but it was always just a little bit short.

After cultivating for two hours, he still hadn't broken through. Chen Yu wasn't in a hurry; cultivation was about letting things take their natural course, and one couldn't force it.

It was already one in the morning when he exited the small world. He had just lain down when he heard a slight noise in the yard—not a cat, but human footsteps!

Chen Yu moved silently to the window. In the moonlight, a dark figure was crouching under the window of the Jia family's house, seemingly listening to what was happening inside. Judging from his build, he was a thin man.

A thief? Or...

The shadowy figure listened for a moment, then moved to the window of Chen Yu's house. Chen Yu held his breath, his hand resting on the Demon-Slaying Sword. But the shadowy figure only stayed for a few seconds before turning and leaping over the wall to leave.

Chen Yu did not give chase. He could sense that the person possessed the aura of a cultivator, around the fourth level of Qi Refining.

"Fake Man Number One, who was that person just now?"

"Master, he's a new face. He's not from the Heavenly Dao Alliance, nor is he an official. He went to the Jia family first, overheard Jia Dongxu and his wife arguing, and then came here. We followed him for a while, and he entered another courtyard in Nanluoguxiang, where an old Taoist priest lives, at the seventh level of Qi Refining."

An old Taoist priest? Chen Yu frowned. Beijing was indeed a place teeming with hidden talents; besides the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the government, there were other cultivation forces.

"Continue to monitor them and find out their purpose."

"Yes."

Chen Yu returned to bed, but couldn't fall asleep. The full moon hadn't even arrived yet, and various forces had already begun their activities. Why was the Jia family being targeted by cultivators? Did the Jia family also harbor some secret?

He recalled the mysterious scarred man who had repeatedly spied on the Jia family from outside their windows. What was so special about the Jia family?

The next day, April 23, was two days before the full moon.

Chen Yu went to work as usual, but he made sure to get some medicine for gastroenteritis from the factory clinic—in preparation for a potential "sudden illness" the day after tomorrow. He told everyone he met that his stomach had been upset for the past few days, probably because he had eaten something unclean.

At noon, Yang Jianguo came to have lunch with him again. This time he didn't say much, but just handed him a small paper packet: "Take this, you might need it."

Chen Yu took it; inside the paper package was a small bottle of pills labeled "Emergency Heart Protection Pills".

"Comrade Yang, this is..."

"It's always good to be prepared when you're out and about." Yang Jianguo patted him on the shoulder and left.

Chen Yu looked at the bottle of medicine, his heart filled with complex emotions. Yang Jianguo clearly knew something, but chose to turn a blind eye, and even secretly helped.

In the afternoon, Chen Yu left work early and went to Liulichang. In a used bookstore, he found a copy of "Records of Ancient Temples in Beijing," which detailed the history and architectural structure of Jietai Temple.

According to the book, the pagoda of Jietai Temple was built during the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty and was rebuilt several times during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There was originally an underground palace beneath the pagoda's base, but it was looted as early as the Republican era and is now empty.

But Chen Yu didn't think so. If Xuanzhenzi really hid the jade slip at the base of the tower, then the underground palace likely had a hidden layer or secret chamber that ordinary tomb raiders wouldn't be able to find.

He bought the book, and then went to buy some practical items: a powerful flashlight, a sturdy rope, and several hooks. These were things he might need for nighttime operations.

When Chen Yu returned to the courtyard house, it wasn't dark yet. He ran into Yan Bugui, the third uncle, who mysteriously pulled him aside: "Little Chen, I heard... you've been researching ancient temples these past few days?"

Chen Yu's heart tightened: "Who told Third Uncle this?"

"Hey, I have a student who works at the Cultural Relics Bureau. He said that recently several groups of people have been asking about Jietai Temple." Yan Bugui lowered his voice. "Little Chen, let me give you a piece of advice: some things... don't get too involved. Those ancient temples, the waters run too deep."

"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle. I'm just interested and taking a look."

"That's good, that's good." Yan Bugui pushed up his glasses. "By the way, when is your uncle leaving? I see him staying indoors all day and never going out..."

"He'll be leaving in a few days. He's not in good health and needs to rest."

"Oh, then let him take good care of himself."

Yan Bugui left, but Chen Yu frowned. Even the Third Uncle had heard the news; it seemed quite a few people were indeed paying attention to Jietai Temple.

At night, Chen Yu checked and packed everything he had bought. He replaced the batteries in the high-powered flashlight, tied a sturdy knot in the rope, and sharpened the hooks. He also prepared a set of black night clothes—brought back from Hong Kong, which he hadn't used yet.

"Fellow Daoist Chen," Jingxu walked in, holding a compass in his hand, "I'll go to the outskirts of Jietai Temple tonight to familiarize myself with the terrain. You should rest well at home and conserve your energy."

"Taoist priest, please be careful."

"rest assured."

After Jingxu left, Chen Yu continued his preparations. He carefully packed away the Qi-Nourishing Pills, Hemostatic and Muscle-Regenerating Powder, Explosion Talismans, Invisibility Talismans, and other items, and then checked the condition of the Evil-Slaying Sword.

The sword's blood-red runes were clear, and its spiritual energy flowed smoothly. This sword had accompanied him through the battles of Hong Kong, and now it faced new challenges.

"Master," reported Pseudo-Man Number One, "the Jietai Temple has increased its guards tonight, with eight plainclothes officers patrolling in two shifts. Also, the black cat from Xishan has reappeared, wandering around the temple."

"The Heavenly Alliance is also scouting the area..." Chen Yu pondered. "Continue to monitor them and record their patrol routes and time intervals."

"Yes."

At nine o'clock in the evening, Jingxu returned with a grave expression: "Fellow Daoist Chen, the situation is not good. The guards at Jietai Temple have increased tonight, and there are at least three groups of people secretly observing the area around the temple. In addition to the official ones, there are two groups of unidentified people, one of whom has an evil aura and is very likely from the Heavenly Dao Alliance."

"As expected." Chen Yu remained calm. "On the night of the full moon, all parties will be present. What we need to do is take advantage of the chaos to seize the treasure."

How to take advantage of the chaos?

"Create chaos." A glint of light flashed in Chen Yu's eyes. "On the night of the full moon, not only do we want the treasure, but others do too. At that time, we can... use their strength against them."

The two discussed the matter until late at night, developing a detailed action plan, including alternative plans and evacuation routes.

Before going to bed, Chen Yu went to check on Qin Huairu and Xiao Chen'an. The mother and son were both asleep, and Qin Huairu's hand was still gently resting on her son, her protective instincts never letting up even in her sleep.

Chen Yu gently touched his son's face, and the little guy smacked his lips in his sleep.

"For your sake, I will definitely come back safely," he vowed in his heart.

Outside the window, the moon has become a little fuller.

One more day.

The night of the full moon a day later will be a multi-party game.

And he had to win.