Courtyard House: Starting in 1938, kill enemies and loot equipment.

As night fell, the darkness enveloped Beiping City. The lights in the courtyard houses went out one by one, with only a faint candlelight shining through the window of the east wing.

The warmth of the Lou family banquet during the day was still fresh in Zhou Ye's mind, but he remained vigilant. Zhang Huai'an's informant dared to follow him to the outside of the Lou residence to spy, which was a blatant provocation. This man colluded with cultural relics smuggling and secretly communicated with the military police, repeatedly crossing the line. If the obstacles around him were not removed as soon as possible, he would surely become a major threat to the transportation of goods and the protection of national treasures in the future.

He lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, silently sending a message through his spiritual sense to summon Old Ma and Scarface Qiang. The two men expertly slipped into the corner gate of the courtyard, bowing and standing under the eaves, their movements so subtle as to make no sound.

"Mr. Zhou." Old Ma's voice was very low. This old man, who had spent half his life in the underworld of Beiping, was now completely loyal to Zhou Ye. "The brothers who were keeping an eye on Zhang Huai'an's spies during the day have found out the details. That group has set up three hidden stakeouts in the black market in the south of the city and has also bribed two local thugs to spy on our Shou'an Society's grain carts and strongholds."

Scarface clenched his fist, the scar on his face gleaming coldly: "There are also a few scumbags who collude with the military police, using patrols as an excuse to loiter around the warehouse, clearly covering for Zhang Huai'an."

Zhou Ye's eyes were cold and deep, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable determination: "Clean them up. Leave no survivors, leave no trace. Uproot all the undercover agents, and throw all the thugs and informants who colluded with Zhang Huai'an into the mass grave on the outskirts of the city, framing it as a gangster feud."

In chaotic times, being merciful to one's enemies is being cruel to oneself. Zhang Huai'an, who coveted national treasures and disrupted transportation, was no longer just a simple business rival, but a treacherous villain who brought disaster to the country and its people. Only by eliminating him with swift and decisive measures could this threat be eliminated forever.

"Understood!" Old Ma and Scarface Qiang responded in unison. The two knew Zhou Ye's rules well: only eliminate the wicked and do not disturb the common people. This cleanup would only target Zhang Huai'an's henchmen and would never affect the innocent.

"Hurry up, we must finish before midnight, and don't alert the city's military police," Zhou Ye instructed.

"yes!"

The two bowed and retreated, their figures quickly disappearing into the darkness like two sharp blades of night, heading straight for the hidden stakes laid by Zhang Huai'an.

Zhou Ye stood under the eaves, his spiritual sense spreading out, covering the entire southern part of the city. Old Ma was meticulous, and Scarface was ruthless; both were the most reliable men in the Shou'an Society. Cleaning up these clowns was a piece of cake for them. He could clearly sense that the black market's undercover agents had been silently removed, and the thugs who had colluded with them hadn't even had time to cry for help before they were completely dealt with. All traces were wiped clean, as if they had never existed.

In less than an hour, Old Ma sent back a message that all obstacles had been cleared and Zhang Huai'an's spies in Beiping City had been uprooted overnight.

Zhou Ye withdrew his spiritual sense, feeling a slight relief from the lingering unease. However, he knew that Zhang Huai'an would not give up easily. This man had been lying low for many years and surely still had trump cards up his sleeve. To completely eliminate him, he would have to wait for the right opportunity. Right now, the most urgent task was to cultivate a core group of absolutely loyal people with the ability to protect themselves. He couldn't possibly manage everything by himself.

He turned and went into the east wing. Xiaocao was already fast asleep, her little face still bearing the sweetness of playing with Lou Xiao'e. Zhou Ye gently tucked her in, then quietly left the courtyard and headed towards the abandoned warehouse in the south of the city.

Deep within the warehouse's secret passage lies a hidden chamber he had fortified beforehand. Its walls are lined with bluestone slabs, isolating it from sound and odors, making it the safest and most private place.

At this moment, Zhao Hu, Chen Shi, and Wang Shuan were already waiting in the secret room. The three were Zhou Ye's comrades-in-arms during the anti-Japanese war in Hebei, protecting the treasure and fighting the enemy together. They were 100% loyal and willing to die for their cause. Following closely behind were Old Ma and Scarface Qiang. After being recruited by Zhou Ye, the two were loyal and devoted, and were people who could be entrusted with their lives.

The five men stood in the secret room. Upon seeing Zhou Ye enter, they all bowed respectfully: "Mr. Zhou/Brother Zhou Ye!"

Zhou Ye raised his hand, gesturing for everyone to stand. His gaze swept over the five men, and his tone was solemn: "I've called you here today because I have a tremendous opportunity to entrust to you. But I must make it clear beforehand: this matter concerns your very lives and fortunes, and must be kept completely secret. If even the slightest leak occurs, not only will you yourselves be in danger, but your families will also be implicated. Are you willing to agree?"

Zhao Hu clasped his hands in a fist salute first, his voice resounding: "My life was saved by Brother Zhou Ye. Keeping this a secret is no small matter; I would go through fire and water for him without hesitation!"

Chen Shi and Wang Shuan followed closely behind: "We swear to follow Mr. Zhou to the death and will never reveal a single secret!"

Old Ma bowed deeply: "Mr. Zhou saved us from the oppression of the Japanese invaders, stabilized the order in Beiping, and gave the people a way to survive. Even if I am reduced to dust, I will never betray you!"

Scarface patted his chest and declared, "Sir, your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain. If I, Scarface, were to have any disloyalty, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

All five were utterly loyal and sincere, without a trace of pretense. Zhou Ye nodded; he never made a mistake in choosing his people.

"Alright." Zhou Ye spoke slowly, deliberately omitting the talk of cultivating immortality, and only mentioning the ancestral internal martial arts technique, "My family has a set of qi cultivation and health preservation techniques passed down through generations. It is not a worldly martial art, but one that can draw on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper the body. When practiced to a high level, it can strengthen the body, sharpen hearing and vision, and make one capable of fighting ten people at once. In chaotic times, it is enough to protect oneself and those around you."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes gleamed. Having spent years struggling in chaotic times, they knew the importance of strength, and were both surprised and delighted to have obtained such a miraculous technique.

Zhou Ye said no more. As a Golden Core cultivator, teaching basic Qi Refining techniques was a piece of cake for him. He first walked behind the five people, and a faint spiritual energy fluctuation emanated from his palm. With his Golden Core cultivation, he quietly sorted out their meridians, cleared blockages, and removed the hidden injuries left by years of battles in their bodies.

As the gentle spiritual energy flowed into their bodies, the five felt warm all over. Their sore muscles and bones instantly relaxed, the lingering pain from their old injuries disappeared, and even their breathing became several times easier.

"Concentrate your mind and clear your mind, discard all distracting thoughts, and follow my mantra to guide the spiritual energy through your meridians."

Zhou Ye slowly recited the "Basic Qi Refining Technique," a simple and easy-to-understand formula specifically designed for mortals to build their foundation. He stood in the center of the five people, continuously releasing gentle spiritual energy to guide the free spiritual energy in the world into their bodies, assisting them in circulating their cultivation techniques.

Zhao Hu and the other four closed their eyes and circulated their spiritual energy according to the incantation. They felt a cool current flowing through their limbs and bones, and their bodies were filled with inexhaustible strength. Their senses also became extremely sharp, and they could hear the subtle wind in the secret room and the chirping of insects outside the secret passage.

Zhou Ye focused intently, constantly adjusting the trajectory of their spiritual energy circulation. With this Golden Core expert personally guiding them, and supported by abundant spiritual energy, the five's cultivation levels soared like a rocket—

From a mortal body, stepping into the first level of Qi Refining...

Second level of Qi Refining, third level...

They advanced with unstoppable momentum, breaking through the barrier of the mid-stage Qi Refining realm.

Ultimately, it stopped steadily at the late stage of Qi Refining!

Half an hour later, the five people slowly opened their eyes, a glint of light flashing in their eyes, and exuding a calm aura, completely different from before.

Zhao Hu clenched his fist, clearly feeling the surge of power within him. He threw a punch, which made a slight whooshing sound as it cut through the air. His voice trembled with excitement: "Brother Zhou Ye, I feel like I can shatter bricks with my bare hands! My hearing and eyesight are incredibly sharp; I can hear sounds from dozens of steps away!"

Chen Shi and Wang Shuan nodded repeatedly, their faces filled with ecstatic joy: "This is amazing! This technique is practically divine!"

Old Ma, who had lived for over fifty years, had never felt such a light and strong body. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears streamed down his face: "Mr. Zhou, you've given us a second life!"

Scarface clenched his fists, his eyes filled with awe: "We will never forget your kindness, sir. We swear to follow you to the death, to protect you, and to uphold your mission!"

Zhou Ye looked at the five people and nodded in satisfaction. Their strength at the late stage of Qi Refining was already top-tier in the secular world. They were more than capable of dealing with the henchmen of the military police, thugs, and antique dealers, and were enough to become the core fighting force for him to protect the transfer, national treasures, and the courtyard house.

"Remember, your techniques must not be revealed. Conceal your aura in ordinary times and only use them in times of crisis," Zhou Ye solemnly instructed. "Your mission is to protect the Shou'an Society, the secret passage for transporting goods, the courtyard, and the righteousness in our hearts. In the future, I will teach you practical combat skills so that your strength can be truly unleashed."

"We will obey your orders, sir!" The five bowed in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized, their eyes filled with awe and loyalty towards Zhou Ye.

At this moment, they are not only Zhou Ye's subordinates and comrades-in-arms, but also the core team he personally cultivated, the most solid arms in the chaotic world.

Looking at the five people in front of him, Zhou Ye felt a sense of peace.

With the external obstacles removed from Zhang Huai'an and five loyal subordinates at the late stage of Qi Refining, he felt even more confident in the turbulent city of Beiping.

The protection of national treasures, the transfer of supplies, and the safety of relatives and neighbors are all more reliably guaranteed.

As night deepened, the lights in the secret passage flickered.

Zhou Ye led the five people out of the secret room, instructing them to return to their positions, conceal their strength, and await further instructions.

When he returned to the courtyard, the sky was already turning a pale white, and the first rays of morning sunlight shone warmly and brightly on the bluestone slabs of the courtyard.

The deaf old lady sat on the threshold, watching Zhou Ye return. A look of understanding flashed in her eyes, but she didn't ask any questions. She just nodded slowly.

Sometimes, the best way to protect something is to see through it but not say it.

Zhou Ye entered the east wing, where Xiao Cao was still sleeping soundly.

He sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at his younger sister's innocent sleeping face, his eyes filled with tenderness.

No matter how turbulent the times, with him and his loyal brothers, we can surely maintain peace and wait for the dawn to break.