Tianjin, starting with unorthodox methods to achieve immortality

Chen Mo returned to his temporary dormitory with a belly full of questions. He gently closed the door behind him, slightly blocking out the sound of the pattering rain outside.

Standing by the window, watching the continuous rain curtain under the gray sky, his expression shifted uncertainly in the gloom.

Chen Mo wholeheartedly agreed to leave Linhe County, but Yue Shan did not specify where they should retreat to.

For now, we can only take it one step at a time.

"Strength... I'm still not strong enough!" Chen Mo clenched his fist. If his cultivation could reach Yue Changkong's level, the situation might be completely different.

With this in mind, he stopped worrying, walked to the bedside and sat down, taking out a pigeon-egg-sized Crimson Sun Blood Crystal from his bag.

After opening the first dantian yin aperture, the cultivation speed of the "Yin Sha Bone Tempering Method" doubled, but the consumption of Crimson Yang Blood Crystals also increased.

The second stage of tempering and forging!

As the name suggests, it involves further tempering bones that have initially been infused with Yin energy, making them as tough as steel.

"The risks are great, but the rewards are also great." Chen Mo took a deep breath, grasped the Crimson Sun Blood Crystal, and held it in his palm.

Following the second level of the technique, I began to slowly circulate my inner energy.

The balance of Yin and Yang generates the power of tempering and refining.

This process is more dangerous than the first one, requiring precise control of balance. The slightest carelessness could result in burns to the meridians or erosion of the bone marrow.

Chen Mo's mind was like an ancient well, sensing the changes deep within his bones... Aches, numbness, itching, tingling, alternating hot and cold sensations, the Crimson Sun Blood Crystal rapidly shrank, and surging energy supported this transformative forging process.

. . . . . .

Renshou Lane, on the edge of the old city of Jinshi.

This is a neighborhood that blends the remnants of the late Qing Dynasty with the haphazard constructions of the early Republic of China.

The alleyways are narrow and winding, with most of the road surface being broken bluestone slabs. The courtyard walls on both sides are of varying heights, and traces of weathering can be seen between the black tiles and gray bricks, as well as newly repaired cement and red bricks.

Chen Dachuan led Liu Qingru and Yuanyuan to stand in front of a courtyard gate.

The door was a pair of black lacquered wooden doors that opened outwards, the copper nails on them were covered with dark green rust, and the pair of lion head door knockers were also dull and lackluster.

The courtyard wall is made of blue bricks and covered with black tiles. Several clumps of pine trees look desolate in the autumn rain.

"This is it." A short, stout middle-aged man wearing a worn silk jacket and a melon-shaped hat said to Chen Dachuan.

This man is Lao Sun, a real estate agent who specializes in renting and selling properties in this area.

Old Sun took out his key, struggled to open the rusty brass lock, and pushed open the creaking wooden door.

"Master Chen, take a look. It's a proper courtyard house layout. Although it's not as grand as those mansions, it has the advantage of being a separate house with good privacy."

The courtyard came into view.

The courtyard wasn't large, about two zhang square, with velvety moss growing in the cracks of the bluestone slabs, and an old well covered with a stone slab in the corner.

The front has three main rooms: the central room is the main hall, and the left and right rooms are bedrooms.

It has two side rooms on the east and west sides, with the east side room being slightly larger and the west side room being slightly smaller, both with a front porch.

All the houses have gable roofs with gray tiles and wooden lattice windows, most of which have torn paper windows.

The house was clearly uninhabited for a long time, appearing empty and dilapidated, but the beams, pillars and walls looked fairly sturdy, without any major tilting or collapse.

Chen Dachuan touched the wooden pillars, knocked on the wall, and looked up at the roof ridge and eaves.

"The roof tiles need to be removed, the doors and windows need to be replaced, the house needs a thorough cleaning, and the walls need to be repainted." He estimated in his mind, "But the courtyard is square, there are enough rooms, the east wing can be converted into my paper-making workshop, and there seems to be a small alley and storage room in the back?"

"Master Chen has a good eye!" Old Sun laughed. "There's a narrow path at the back that leads to a small backyard. It used to be where the owner stored firewood and other miscellaneous items, and there was also a small outhouse."

"The original owner of this courtyard was a descendant of a minor official from the previous dynasty. His family had fallen on hard times and he was in urgent need of money to travel south to seek refuge with relatives, which is why he was willing to sell it."

"The original market price was at least three thousand silver dollars, but now it's only one thousand five... As you can see, the house is old, but the location is still decent. It's not too far from the old market, but it's quiet in the middle of the city."

The price is indeed nearly 50% cheaper than those renovated courtyards in similar locations.

1,500 silver dollars?

This price is ridiculously low.

Although the location of Renshou Lane in Tianjin is not the best, such a well-organized courtyard house, even if it is dilapidated, would be worth at least two thousand five to three thousand silver dollars according to the market price.

Almost half price? Something's fishy about this.

"Mr. Sun, isn't this price... a bit too low?" Chen Dachuan turned around, looking at the broker, Old Sun, with a serious expression. "Is there something wrong with this house? Is the property title unclear, or... something else?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the implied meaning was already in his words.

Old Sun's smile froze for a moment, then he rubbed his hands together and lowered his voice, saying, "Master Chen, you're a wise man. To be honest, this courtyard has been empty for a while. Several tenants have moved in before, but none of them stayed for long."

"There are some rumors circulating in the neighborhood, saying that the courtyard is a bit deserted and there are occasional noises at night, but those are just the idle gossip of ignorant women and children, and shouldn't be taken seriously!"

Seeing Chen Dachuan's furrowed brows, he quickly added, "This house is absolutely clean! The land deed and house deed are complete and have been registered with the district office. The original owner was really in urgent need of money, which is why he was willing to sell it at this price."

"Master Chen, you make a living by making paper offerings and deal with funerals all year round. You have plenty of yang energy; you can keep it under control!"

"Many migrants from the south are now coming to Jinshi to make a living. Recently, the rent for houses has increased threefold, and the price of courtyard houses will soon follow suit. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"If you're not comfortable with this, I, Old Sun, guarantee it: if there's a serious problem, you can ruin my brokerage's reputation!"

Chen Dachuan remained silent, looking around the empty courtyard once more.

There's definitely something wrong with this courtyard; the atmosphere feels stagnant and gloomy.

But what Lao Sun said makes sense; people in his line of work don't really have any taboos about these things.

More importantly, the money he had, at most, was only about 1,800 silver dollars.

After buying this yard and doing some simple repairs, there will still be some left for emergencies.

If you were to buy something else, not only would you not have enough money, but you might also attract more attention.

After much hesitation, remembering Chen Mo's instructions to buy a courtyard house first after arriving, Chen Dachuan finally gritted his teeth.

"Alright, this will do. But Mr. Sun, the contract terms must be clearly stated: if the house itself has a major hidden problem that makes it impossible to live there, you will be responsible."

Old Sun patted his chest and assured him, "Of course! We can add a clause to the contract! Mr. Chen is very straightforward!"

The transaction went smoothly.

The original owner made a hasty appearance, looking somewhat pale and haggard. After signing the papers and receiving the money, he quickly left, as if he didn't want to stay a moment longer.

Chen Dachuan signed the contract under the pseudonym Chen Chuan and insisted that Lao Sun, as the intermediary guarantor, also sign and affix his seal.

With the land deed transferred and the money settled, the small courtyard at No. 13 Renshou Lane officially changed hands.