Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 318 Transfer

Within this space, 150 years seem like just a fleeting moment to a cultivator immersed in something.

During this period, Lin Yan was almost completely absorbed in the pursuit of knowledge.

In his study, he turned the pages of classic texts on array formations, the complex array patterns constantly being deduced and reconstructed in his mind.

In the weapon-refining room, the clanging and humming of hammering and the burning of spiritual fire never stopped, and the air was filled with the strange smell of various rare metals and spiritual materials after being smelted.

Deep within the Wanyan Mountains, the newly created techniques were repeatedly tested and improved. In battles against late-stage Golden Core demonic beasts, from one-on-one duels to being ganged up on, and then to single-handedly fighting off a group, his combat experience accumulated at an astonishing speed.

He also followed the elites of the weapon-refining group, diving into the endless seabed and traversing ancient mines fraught with danger, all in search of a strand of innate Geng metal and a piece of ten-thousand-year-old sunken silver needed for the "Qiankun Sword Formation," his natal magic weapon...

He was like a greedy sponge, frantically absorbing all knowledge and squeezing every last bit of his potential. Only when his spiritual consciousness was completely exhausted and his head was throbbing with pain would he be forced to stop and meditate to recover.

However, forging a natal magic weapon is far more difficult than imagined. One hundred and fifty years have passed, and after expending countless efforts and precious materials, he has only managed to forge the prototype of the Qiankun Sword Formation—a Nanming Lihuo Sword containing the pure power of Lihuo.

The Blazing Fire Sword hovered before him, its blade crimson with flickering flames. Though it possessed only a single attribute, it already displayed remarkable potential. However, it was still far, far away from the complete sword formation passed down by the ancestor, a formation that encompassed the universe and all things.

Just as he was rubbing his throbbing temples, preparing to delve into the deduction again, a specific transmission wave from the outside world pierced through the spatial barrier and resounded directly in his mind.

It was Lin San's voice, clear and respectful:

"Young Master, that woman in the West Flower Hall... wishes to see you."

The message, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, disrupted Lin Yan's 150-year-long rhythm of arduous cultivation.

He paused, slowly calming his breathing. The fervor and obsession of a researcher deep in his eyes receded like a tide.

"It's finally here..." he muttered to himself.

"Understood," he replied calmly to Lin San.

Immediately, he stood up and brushed the dust off his robes. With a single step, his figure vanished from the void and returned to his study in the courtyard house.

Outside the window, it was the Beijing sunshine in June 1966.

That evening, as dusk settled, Lin Yan met Li Shengli, who had rushed over, in his study.

Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Li Shengli's face appeared unusually solemn under the dim light of the table lamp. He took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse and heavy, and went straight to the point:

"Comrade Xiaolin, the master asked me to pass on a message to you."

He paused, his heart heavy.

"He said... the situation is exactly as you initially predicted. In fact, it's even more... serious than you thought."

Li Shengli raised his eyes, looking at Lin Yan with a complex expression, a mixture of helplessness and relief.

"His personal opinion... can no longer have much effect."

"The gentleman's exact words were: 'Let's do as Comrade Kobayashi says.'"

After saying this, Lee Seung-ri's shoulders seemed to relax slightly, but his expression remained tense.

"He's too conspicuous right now, his every move is being watched, so it's really inconvenient for him to come out in person. He can only ask me to come and see you."

Then, he carefully took out a folded piece of paper from his inner pocket and solemnly handed it to Lin Yan.

"These are the few people that you finally persuaded to go with you after much effort and persuasion," Li Shengli said in a low and earnest voice, carrying a heavy sense of entrustment. "I'm entrusting them to you."

Lin Yan took the thin piece of paper, opened it, and glanced at it: Ye Shengtao, Chen Keyin, Shu Xingbei, He Zhaowu. He then looked out the window at the deep night and watched Li Shengli leave.

The study was completely silent, with only the occasional soft crackling of the lamp wick.

Lin Yan handed the note to Lin San, his eyes filled with a calm and resolute expression.

"Lin San, let's get started. Proceed according to our previous plan. The first step is to gather all their research materials, manuscripts, books, and necessary personal belongings, and secretly store them in the space warehouse."

He paused, tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, and emphasized:

"We informed everyone that the principle behind this relocation can be summed up in just four words—'travel light.' We told them that letting go is for the sake of better preservation."

"Understood, young master!" Lin San solemnly accepted the order, fully aware of the weight of this list and the urgency of this operation. He hesitated slightly, then asked, "What if someone... really can't bear to part with certain large items?"

Lin Yan glanced at him, his gaze clear yet firm: "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Explain patiently, but the principles cannot be changed. If he remains obstinate... then knock him out and take him away."

"Yes! I will certainly take care of it!" Lin San said no more, bowed, took two steps back, then turned and quickly left.

Lin Yan pushed open the door of the tavern, and the bell hanging above the door rang with a hoarse, tinkling sound. The tavern was empty, and the tables and chairs were covered with a thin layer of dust, indicating that it had been closed for some time. He walked through the quiet kitchen, lifted the curtain, and went to the backyard.

Xu Hui was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, carefully feeding her son rice porridge. Hearing footsteps, she looked up sharply, and when she saw who it was, her eyes lit up with hope: "Brother Lin!"

She hurriedly put down her bowl and spoon, wiped her hands on her apron, and approached, her voice filled with barely suppressed urgency: "I've been looking forward to your visit every day for the past few months. Are you... here to arrange our departure today?"

Lin Yan nodded, his gaze sweeping over the neatly tidied courtyard. "Boss lady, time's up. You, your family, and Uncle Niu now have two choices."

"One option is to stay in China. I will arrange for you to go to Xinjiang or Tibet, where the land is vast and there is enough space to live a peaceful life. The other option is to go to Hong Kong with me."

He paused, looking at Xu Huizhen's slightly pale face, and added, "I have people in Hong Kong to take care of you. They can ensure you all start your new lives safely."

Xu Huizhen's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the corner of her apron. After a long while, she took a deep breath and said, "We...we'll go with you." She glanced back at her bewildered son and lowered her voice, "This child is still young. We need to find him a safe place to study."

"Okay." Lin Yan agreed readily. "Go tell Master Niu to make a decision as soon as possible. Hurry up and pack, remember, travel light, only take the essentials."

Xu Huizhen nodded emphatically, turned around and walked into the house, her steps much lighter than before.