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

April 24th, the 15th day of the third month in the lunar calendar, is the night of the full moon.

In the early morning, when Chen Yu got up, he deliberately looked at his face in the mirror—slightly pale, with bloodshot eyes, looking like he hadn't slept well. This was the result of him deliberately using his spiritual power to slightly disrupt his blood circulation last night, in preparation for the "sudden illness" that evening.

"How are you feeling today?" Qin Huairu asked, bringing in a bowl of millet porridge, her eyes filled with worry.

"It's alright." Chen Yu took the bowl of porridge and lowered his voice. "Tonight at nine o'clock, proceed as planned. Remember, no matter what happens, don't panic."

Qin Huairu nodded, her hands trembling slightly. Chen Yu grasped her hand: "Trust me."

In the morning, Chen Yu went to work at the steel rolling mill as usual. In the production department office, he deliberately rubbed his stomach every now and then, pretending to be uncomfortable. Liu Yuhua asked with concern, "Chen Yu, you really don't look well. Maybe you shouldn't come today?"

"It's nothing, just a bit of an upset stomach, probably from something I ate last night." Chen Yu forced a smile. "It's almost the end of the month, and I need to finish compiling the production data."

At the cafeteria at lunchtime, he only ordered a bowl of plain porridge and barely ate anything. Yang Jianguo saw him, came over and sat down, saying nothing but handing him a small note. Chen Yu unfolded the note while drinking his porridge; it only had two words on it: "Be careful."

Chen Yu crumpled up the note, mixed it into his porridge, and ate it. Yang Jianguo finished eating and left; the two didn't exchange a single word.

At 3 p.m., Chen Yu asked for leave early to go home. As he walked out of the steel rolling mill gate, he felt at least three pairs of eyes on him—one from the guardhouse, one from the newsstand across the street, and one...from a distant rooftop.

"How is Fake Man Number One doing?" he asked in his mind.

"Master, two more vehicles arrived at Jietai Temple this afternoon, both with government license plates. In addition, at least seven cultivators' auras appeared in Xishan, the strongest being at the seventh level of Qi Refining. The black cat from the Heavenly Dao Alliance circled the temple three times."

"Understood. Continue monitoring and log all anomalies."

When they returned to the courtyard, it was very quiet. Qin Huairu was holding little Chen An in the yard, basking in the sun, while Zhang Xiulan chatted with her beside her.

"Xiao Chen is back?" Zhang Xiulan stood up. "Huai Ru said you have a sensitive stomach, so I made some ginger soup and will bring it to you later."

"Thank you, Aunt Zhang."

Jia Zhangshi poked her head out of the house and pursed her lips: "Oh, leaving early again? Being a cadre is so easy."

Chen Yu ignored her and went straight back to his room. Jingxu was meditating when she saw him return. She opened her eyes and asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen, are you ready?"

"Everything is ready." Chen Yu took out a prepared backpack from under the bed. "Fake death powder, invisibility talisman, explosion talisman, rope, flashlight... I've brought everything I need."

"I have also prepared a few things." Jingxu took out three jade bottles from his bosom. "This is the 'Breath-Holding Pill,' which allows you to hold your breath for a quarter of an hour after taking it; this is the 'Swift Wind Powder,' which can temporarily increase speed; and this..." He picked up the smallest jade bottle, "'Bewitching Smoke,' which releases smoke when crushed and can confuse the senses."

Chen Yu carefully put them away. These auxiliary items could be very useful in critical moments.

At six o'clock in the evening, the aroma of food wafted through the courtyard. However, Chen Yu's house was unusually quiet—Qin Huairu had prepared only simple porridge for dinner as planned, saying that Chen Yu had a weak stomach and couldn't eat anything else.

At seven o'clock, it was completely dark. The moon rose from the east, big and round, its silvery light bathing the courtyard.

Chen Yu stood by the window, looking at the moon, silently calculating the time. There were still two hours until the operation.

"Huai Ru, go and call Brother Zhu over. Tell him my stomach is hurting badly and I want to ask if there are any folk remedies." Chen Yu began to carry out the first step—laying the groundwork.

Qin Huairu responded and went out, returning a moment later with He Yuzhu.

"Xiao Chen, what's wrong?" As soon as He Yuzhu entered the room, he saw Chen Yu sitting on the edge of the bed, clutching his stomach, his face pale.

"I don't know, it started hurting in the afternoon, in waves." Cold sweat broke out on Chen Yu's forehead—he had forced it out with his spiritual power.

"Could it be appendicitis?" He Yuzhu frowned. "Should we take him to the hospital?"

"Let's observe further..." Chen Yu waved his hand, "It might just be an upset stomach."

He Yuzhu stayed a while longer, and seeing that Chen Yu's pain seemed to have eased somewhat, he left. Before leaving, he said, "If you can't get better, just call me, and I'll take you to the hospital!"

The first step is complete. Now everyone in the hospital knows that Chen Yu has been experiencing stomach problems.

At eight o'clock, Chen Yu ingested a small amount of the "fake death" herb powder. The effects gradually took hold; his face truly began to turn bluish, and his pulse became erratic. Following the plan, Qin Huairu began to appear anxious and restless, pacing back and forth in the room.

At 8:30, Chen Yu's "condition" suddenly "worsened". He collapsed on the bed, curled up in a ball, and groaned in pain.

"Chen Yu! Chen Yu, what's wrong with you?" Qin Huairu's exclamation was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Jingxu, who was in the next room, immediately came over and, seeing the situation, shouted, "Quick! Get him to the hospital! This looks like acute appendicitis!"

The neighbors in the courtyard were alarmed. He Yuzhu was the first to rush in, and was shocked when he saw Chen Yu's appearance: "My God! Quick! I'll go borrow a cart!"

Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui also arrived. Yi Zhonghai, more experienced, touched Chen Yu's forehead: "He has a fever! Get him to the hospital immediately!"

Zhang Xiulan also rushed over to help Qin Huairu pack her things: "Take some changes of clothes, you'll need them in the hospital."

The courtyard was in complete chaos. Madam Jia Zhang was also standing at the door watching the commotion, muttering, "They're putting on quite a show..."

He Yuzhu quickly borrowed a cart and laid out bedding. Several neighbors helped lift Chen Yu onto the cart. Qin Huairu carried little Chen An, Jingxu carried the luggage, and the group hurriedly left the courtyard.

Chen Yu lay on the cart, enduring the discomfort caused by the fake death herb—although the medicine wasn't harmful, it certainly made him feel unwell. He squinted, observing his surroundings.

The streets were quiet, save for the sound of the cart wheels rolling over the cobblestones. The moonlight was bright, illuminating the streets as if it were daytime. The cart passed through several alleys before reaching the main street, where the lights of Peking Union Medical College Hospital could be seen in the distance.

Upon arriving at the hospital emergency room, the on-duty doctor examined the patient and said, "Acute gastroenteritis; you need to be hospitalized for observation overnight. Family members, please complete the necessary procedures."

Qin Huairu went to handle the formalities, while He Yuzhu and Jingxu helped take Chen Yu to the ward. It was a six-person ward, but there were only two patients tonight; the other was an elderly man with a fracture who was already asleep.

"Brother Zhu, thank you for your hard work," Chen Yu said weakly. "You should go back and rest. My uncle and Huai Ru are fine here."

"Are you really alright?" He Yuzhu asked, still worried.

"It's nothing, just an IV drip. You have to go to work tomorrow."

He Yuzhu gave a few more instructions before leaving. Jingxu said to Qin Huairu, "You should go and rest for a while. I'll stay here and keep watch."

Qin Huairu knew the plan, nodded, and carried the child to rest on a bench in the corridor—it was close to the nurses' station, and someone passing by would see her.

Only Chen Yu and Jingxu remained in the ward. Jingxu glanced at her watch: 9:20.

"Ten minutes left," he whispered.

Chen Yu sat up; the effects of the False Death Grass were wearing off. He took his backpack from under the bed and quickly changed into his night clothes. Jingxu, on the other hand, changed into a dark Taoist robe.

At 9:30 sharp, Chen Yu took a breath-holding pill and gave Jingxu one as well. The two quietly slipped out of the ward and left through the back door of the hospital.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital is about 40 li (approximately 20 kilometers) from Jietai Temple, which is impossible to reach on foot. But Chen Yu was prepared – a bicycle was parked in the back alley of the hospital, which was prepared in advance by the puppet regime.

"Master, get in the car."

Jingxu jumped onto the back seat, Chen Yu pedaled hard, and the two quickly disappeared into the night.

The moonlight was so bright that a flashlight was almost unnecessary. Chen Yu channeled his spiritual energy into his legs, and the bicycle sped along the empty streets. Occasionally, he would encounter pedestrians returning home at night, who would only see a dark shadow flash by and think it was their imagination.

At 10:10, the two arrived at the foot of West Mountain. Chen Yu hid the bicycle and, together with Jingxu, hiked up the mountain.

The mountain path was clearly visible in the moonlight, but the two did not take the main road, instead choosing a more secluded forest trail. Jingxu led the way, as he was already familiar with the terrain.

"Fake Man Number One, report the situation," Chen Yu asked in his mind.

"Master, there are currently three groups of people at Jietai Temple. There are eight officials, patrolling in four groups; five members of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, hiding in the woods east of the temple; and another group of three, whose identities are unknown, are on the west side of the temple. The black cat is crouching on the top of the tower."

"Inside the temple?"

"There were no guards around the base of the tower, but there were two people at the entrance of the tower courtyard."

Chen Yu and Jing Xu exchanged a glance. The situation was more complicated than expected, but it was still within the plan.

At 10:30, the two arrived at the outskirts of Jietai Temple. The temple's outline was clearly visible in the moonlight, and the pagoda cast long shadows. Chen Yu signaled Jingxu to stop and took out binoculars from his backpack to observe.

Sure enough, two people stood at the entrance of the pagoda courtyard, dressed in ordinary clothes, but standing ramrod straight, clearly well-trained. Outside the temple walls, figures moved about at intervals; these were plainclothes patrol officers.

In the woods to the east, a few faint red lights could be seen—someone was smoking. The west side was quiet, but Chen Yu's spiritual sense could detect three auras, well hidden.

"As planned, create chaos," Chen Yu said in a low voice.

Jingxu nodded and took out a bamboo tube from his pocket. This was a "firework tube" he had made himself. When lit, it would emit a sharp whistling sound and a dazzling light, but it would not explode and injure people.

He aimed at the open space on the west side of the temple, lit the fuse, and threw it forcefully.

"Whoosh—Bang!"

A sharp whistle pierced the night sky, followed by a blinding red light! The silence of the mountain forest was instantly shattered!

What was that sound?

"Over there! Let's go take a look!"

The plainclothes patrol officers immediately gathered to the west. In the woods to the east, the Heavenly Alliance members also moved; several figures darted out and crept towards the direction of the sound.

Chaos began.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Chen Yu and Jing Xu scaled the wall from the other side and entered the temple. They landed silently and quickly hid in the shadows of a side hall.

The two guards at the entrance of the pagoda were also startled by the noise. One of them said, "I'll go check it out. You stay here and keep watch."

There's only one person left.

Chen Yu gave Jingxu a wink. Jingxu understood and went around to the other side, deliberately making a little noise.

"Who?" The remaining guards turned around alertly.

In the instant he was distracted, Chen Yu appeared behind him like a ghost and struck him on the back of the neck. The guard collapsed limply and was dragged to a corner and hidden by Chen Yu.

The two slipped into the tower courtyard.

The ancient pagoda stood majestic and solemn under the moonlight, its brick carvings casting dappled shadows. Chen Yu could sense that the protective energy at the pagoda's base was much stronger than it had been a few days before—the protective energy was indeed weakening on the night of the full moon.

"Taoist priest, you keep watch at the door. If anyone comes, use a sleeping potion."

"clear."

Chen Yu strode to the base of the tower, squatted down, and placed his palm on the special blue stone. The Seven Star Key in his arms was slightly warm, resonating with the restriction.

He took out the key and pressed it against the bluestone. The moment the key touched the stone, a faint white light emanated from its surface, and runes appeared and disappeared.

The restriction wasn't fully lifted. Chen Yu frowned. The book mentioned "the night of the full moon," but didn't specify the time. Did he have to wait until midnight?

Just then, footsteps and voices came from outside:

"What was that sound just now?"

"I don't know, it looked like a signal flare."

"Check the pagoda courtyard to ensure its safety."

The officials are back!

Chen Yu was startled and quickly put away the Seven Star Key, hiding in the shadows on the other side of the tower base. Jing Xu also hid.

Two plainclothes officers entered the tower courtyard, their flashlight beams sweeping across the ground.

"Where's Lao Li?"

"I don't know, I was just here a moment ago."

"strangeness..."

The two men walked around the pagoda courtyard, found nothing amiss, and then went out again. But Chen Yu heard one of them say, "I'll stay here and keep watch. You go and report."

Oh no, someone's been waiting outside.

Chen Yu glanced at his watch: 10:50. Ten minutes until midnight.

He has to wait until midnight when the restrictions are weakest, but there are guards outside now, so how can he act?

Jingxu moved over silently and asked with a gesture: What should we do?

Chen Yu pondered for a moment, then pointed to the tower. Jing Xu understood, and the two went around to the other side of the tower. Chen Yu took out a rope, swung it onto the eaves of the second floor, tested its stability, and then began to climb.

Since the base of the tower cannot be opened directly, perhaps there are other clues at the top of the tower.

The two quickly climbed to the top of the tower. From there, the view was expansive, offering a clear view of the entire temple. Chen Yu saw that seven or eight people had gathered in the open space on the west side: officials, the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and the group of unidentified individuals, all in a standoff.

"Who are you people?" the official leader asked sternly.

"We're mountain climbing enthusiasts, and we got lost," the Tiandao Alliance member said dismissively.

"Hiking at night? And with signal flares?"

The three parties were deadlocked. Chen Yu had a sudden thought; this was a perfect opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

He looked towards the center of the tower, where a stone dome stood. His spiritual sense detected that the dome was hollow inside, and... there were faint fluctuations of spiritual energy!

Chen Yu carefully moved a stone slab on the roof of the treasure pavilion and reached inside to feel around. It was icy cold to the touch—a jade box!

Overjoyed, he took out the jade box. The box was small, fitting easily in the palm of his hand, and pure white, its surface engraved with the Big Dipper. There was a recess on the lid, its shape... exactly like the Seven Star Key!

Chen Yu took out the Seven Star Key and inserted it into the recess. It fit perfectly!

He gently turned the key, and with a "click," the jade box opened.

Inside the box was no jade slip, only a thin silk cloth, as thin as a cicada's wing, embroidered with densely packed characters and patterns in gold thread. Chen Yu examined it closely by the moonlight; the first line read:

"Seven stars gather, the secret realm opens. Seven keys unite, and one can enter the 'Celestial Pivot Realm'..."

Tian Shu Realm! A legendary ancient secret realm!

Just as Chen Yu was about to continue reading, his spiritual alarm suddenly went off! A dark shadow leaped up from under the tower, heading straight for the silk handkerchief in his hand!

It's that black cat! No, it's not a cat! In the instant it pounced, the black cat's body swelled up, transforming into the appearance of a man in black! It's an illusion!

The man in black reached out to snatch it, but Chen Yu reacted quickly, putting away the silk handkerchief and drawing the Demon-Slaying Sword!

"clang!"

Sword and claw clashed, sparks flying! The man in black was knocked back a step, but then pounced again, his hands transforming into sharp claws, his moves ruthless!

Jingxu also made her move, thrusting her Green Bamboo Sword towards the black-clad man's back. But the black-clad man seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, dodging to the side and grabbing at Jingxu with his claw!

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance's 'Illusion Technique'!" Jingxu exclaimed in shock. "You're Zhao Wuji's man!"

The man in black sneered without speaking, his attacks becoming even fiercer. Chen Yu realized that this person's cultivation was at least at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and his techniques were strange, his movements unpredictable.

The standoff at the foot of the tower was also alerted by the fighting at the top. All three parties looked up at the same time and saw the figures at the top of the tower.

"You have connections!"

"The treasure has been stolen!"

"Hurry up the tower!"

The chaos escalated. Officials were going up the tower to arrest people, the Heavenly Alliance was trying to stop them, and a group of unidentified people were also rushing up the tower.

Chen Yu knew he couldn't linger in the fight. He forced the man in black back with a single sword strike and shouted to Jingxu, "Go!"

The two jumped off the other side of the tower, rolled upon landing to dissipate the impact, and then ran away.

"Chase!" the man in black roared from the top of the tower.

Chen Yu and Jing Xu rushed out of the tower courtyard and encountered two plainclothes officers. Without hesitation, Chen Yu threw out two explosive talismans!

"Boom! Boom!"

Amidst the billowing smoke, the two seized the opportunity to rush out of the temple and into the mountains.

Footsteps and shouts came from behind. Chen Yu swallowed a Gale Pill, his speed increasing dramatically. Jing Xu also took one, and the two raced through the forest.

Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Chen Yu could hear at least three groups of people chasing him from behind, and they were closing in.

"Let's split up!" he told Jingxu. "We'll meet at the hospital!"

"good!"

The two parted ways at a fork in the mountain road. Chen Yu chose a steeper path, hoping to shake off most of his pursuers.

He moved swiftly through the woods, his movements as fast as lightning. The silk handkerchief in his arms clung tightly to his chest; it was his greatest prize of the night.

But the danger wasn't over yet. He could sense a presence relentlessly pursuing him—it was the man in black! And the distance was closing!

Chen Yu gritted his teeth, rushed into a dense forest, then suddenly stopped, turned around, and held the Demon-Slaying Sword in his hand.

The man in black chased into the woods, and when he saw Chen Yu stop, he also stopped.

Under the moonlight, the two faced off.

"Hand over the silk, and I'll spare your life," the man in black said in a hoarse voice.

"Come and take it if you dare," Chen Yu sneered.

A cold glint flashed in the man's eyes, and his body swelled up again, transforming into a black panther that pounced on Chen Yu!

Chen Yu unleashed a full-force sword strike! The sword light shone like a rainbow!

"clang!"

The black panther was knocked back, but Chen Yu also staggered back three steps, his hands numb. This man in black was stronger than he had anticipated!

We can't fight like this anymore. Chen Yu took out an explosive talisman, smashed it on the ground, and turned to run.

An explosion rang out, and smoke billowed. Chen Yu seized the opportunity to rush out of the woods and sprint down the mountain.

A roar came from behind, but the distance between them had increased.

Chen Yu ran frantically all the way and finally found his bicycle at the foot of the mountain. He got on the bike and raced back as fast as he could.

He arrived at the hospital at 1 a.m. He quietly slipped back to his ward, changed out of his night clothes, lay back on his bed, and his heart was pounding.

A few minutes later, Jingxu returned and quietly lay down as well.

The ward remained as quiet as ever, as if nothing had happened.

Only the silk handkerchief in Chen Yu's arms proved that everything tonight was not a dream.

Outside the window, the moon had already begun to set in the west.

The night of the full moon has finally passed.

But a new secret has only just been revealed.