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

In the late autumn of 1947, frost covered the forests of the Western Hills of Beiping, and a cold wind swept through the valleys, withered yellow leaves carpeting the mountain paths. Zhou Ye ventured alone into the deep mountains, partly to gather aged spiritual herbs to treat Xiao An's old injuries, and partly to patrol the hidden cultural relics sites in the suburbs, thoroughly eliminating the remnants of the Japanese invaders and the hidden dangers of local bullies, and protecting the safety of the surrounding people and the national treasure sites.

He was already a powerful cultivator at the early stage of the Golden Core realm. His movements were as free as a cloud or a wild crane, leaving no trace. His Golden Core spiritual sense extended over a radius of ten miles, taking in every subtle movement of grass and trees, the crawling of insects, and the rustling of mountain winds through the forest. When he reached a hidden mountain hollow deep in the canyon, his spiritual sense suddenly tightened—in a secluded cave in a recess in the mountain wall, there were seventeen remnants of the Japanese army who refused to surrender and were causing trouble!

After Japan announced its surrender, these Japanese invaders abandoned their nationality and their way home, and fled into the deep mountains of Xishan in Beiping to lie dormant. The cave contained Type 38 rifles, hand grenades, and looted money and grain. The cave entrance was littered with tattered clothes and bloodstained strips of cloth belonging to the people. It was clear that they had just burned, killed, and looted in the surrounding villages, trying to prolong their lives and continue to wreak havoc on China.

"The remnants of the Japanese invaders, who brought calamity to China, deserve to die!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Ye's eyes, and the golden core in his dantian spun rapidly. Pure and powerful spiritual energy surged like a tide, and the fine iron short sword at his waist was drawn from its sheath. He then flew on his sword!

A golden light pierced the air as he moved like lightning above the cave. His spiritual energy condensed into an incomparably sharp sword aura, slashing and hacking with unstoppable force. These remaining bandits, already terrified and with their courage shattered, didn't even have a chance to raise their guns in resistance before being utterly slaughtered by the fierce sword aura. Seventeen heinous corpses lay scattered in the cave. Zhou Ye raised his hand and waved it lightly, his spiritual energy transforming into flames that incinerated all the corpses and evidence, preventing the filthy blood of the Japanese pirates from defiling his homeland. After gathering the spiritual spring herbs, he turned and slowly descended the mountain.

He had planned to visit Qin Family Village on this trip anyway—he had met the Qin couple there when he went to the countryside to regulate the grain depot of the Shou'an Association. The couple were honest and kind, and they had a daughter named Qin Huairu, who was thirteen years old, with delicate features and a stubborn personality. Although their family was poor, they were always well-mannered. Zhou Ye had once helped them with grain seeds and herbs, so they were old acquaintances. This time, he would take the opportunity to check on the Qin family's situation.

Just as they reached the entrance of Qin Family Village, a heart-wrenching cry pierced their ears, mixed with the violent shouts of a bully, causing Zhou Ye's steps to falter.

At the village entrance, the open space was crowded with villagers. The landlord, Diao Batian, along with more than ten thugs, was brutally assaulting the Qin family. Qin's father was kicked to the ground, coughing up blood. Qin's mother collapsed in the mud, crying. The little girl with braided pigtails, Qin Huairu, whom he recognized, was being held tightly by the servants' arms. Her face was red from crying, and her eyes were full of stubbornness and fear, yet she still stubbornly protected the dilapidated house behind her, refusing to give an inch.

With his hands on his hips, Diao Batian roared menacingly, "You dare to delay paying my rent for three years? Today you either pay up, or give this little girl to my stupid son as a child bride to pay off the debt! If you dare to resist, I'll burn your dilapidated house down and drive your whole family out of the village!"

"Master Diao, please spare my daughter!" Qin's father pleaded as he crawled on the ground, only to be kicked to the ground by the wicked servant.

The servant grinned maliciously and reached out to pull Qin Huairu away. The young girl struggled desperately, crying out, "I won't marry!" Her cries were heart-wrenching.

Zhou Ye's eyes turned cold, and he immediately stepped forward, shouting in a deep voice, "Stop!"

Although he was an old acquaintance visiting, he exuded the intimidating aura of a Golden Core cultivator, instantly silencing the noisy village entrance. Diao Batian turned and saw Zhou Ye. Though he didn't know Zhou Ye's background, he could tell he possessed extraordinary bearing. However, relying on his superior numbers, he still glared fiercely: "Who are these outsiders, daring to interfere in the affairs of the Diao family? This family's debts for rent are being settled; it's only right!"

"I'll pay the rent for the Qin family." Zhou Ye walked slowly to Qin Huairu's family, shielding the mother and daughter behind him, his tone cold. "But you bullied your neighbors and abducted women. That debt needs to be settled."

Diao Batian flew into a rage: "Beat them! Take care of these meddlesome ones too!"

More than ten thugs rushed forward, wielding clubs. Zhou Ye didn't move; with just a sliver of spiritual energy from his late-stage Qi Refining realm, he casually waved his hand, sending the thugs flying backward, howling in pain. Diao Batian was terrified and turned to flee, but Zhou Ye flicked his finger, freezing him in place. This tyrant had dominated Qin Family Village for years, driving villagers to their deaths, seizing land, and committing countless atrocities. Zhou Ye coldly glanced at Diao's wife, children, and thugs who had aided and abetted his evil deeds, showing no mercy. With a slight release of spiritual energy, he eradicated this malignant tumor that plagued the village.

The villagers shouted "Benefactor!" and the Qin couple scrambled to thank him. Qin Huairu rushed to Zhou Ye's side, clutching his clothes tightly. Her face was still wet with tears, but her eyes were incredibly firm.

She was already grateful for Zhou Ye's past kindness, and now that he had saved her entire family's lives, the fourteen-year-old girl had already come to regard this highly skilled and kind-hearted brother as her only support in this chaotic world. She looked up at him, clutching his clothes tightly, and cried out in a clear but incredibly earnest voice, "Brother Zhou Ye! You've saved our family twice, I have no way to repay you, I want to be your wife! I'll follow you for the rest of my life, doing your laundry, cooking for you, serving you, and I'll never leave you!"

Qin Huairu's parents were both anxious and embarrassed, and quickly pulled her away: "Huairu, don't talk nonsense! Let go!"

But the little girl hugged even tighter, her stubbornness rising, refusing to let go even an inch: "I'm not talking nonsense! I'll follow Brother Zhou Ye and be his wife!"

Looking at the stubborn yet dependent little girl in front of him, Zhou Ye thought of the kindness of the Qin family couple and the suffering of the people in this chaotic world. He sighed softly and patted her head: "Alright, you come back to the courtyard with me. From now on, with me here, no one will dare to bully you anymore."

Qin Huairu instantly stopped crying and started laughing, her eyes crinkling as she clung to Zhou Ye. Zhou Ye took out some money to settle the Qin couple in, telling them to go to the Shou'an Guild in Beiping to make a living. Then, he took the clingy little girl's hand and began their journey home.

As the sun set, its afterglow painted the way home red. Qin Huairu held Zhou Ye's hand tightly, her face full of longing. She had already decided that this savior was the one she would rely on for the rest of her life.

When they returned to the courtyard house, Xiaocao and Xiaoan were waiting at the door. When Xiaocao saw Zhou Ye bring back the familiar Qin Huairu, she immediately greeted them with a smile. The deaf old lady sat on the threshold, watching this scene and nodding with a smile. Xiulan also quickly brought over hot water, adding a touch of warmth to the already lively atmosphere of the courtyard house.