Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 315 Celebrating the Chinese New Year

Half an hour later, Xie Qingci and the three array masters returned as streaks of light and reported back to Lin Yan.

"Young Master, the formation has been adjusted as you instructed."

Lin Yan nodded, the lingering look on his face vanishing, replaced by a lazy air of preparing to go home: "Alright, work's done. Let's go home and make dumplings! It's the New Year, nothing beats hot, steaming dumplings."

When the group returned to the courtyard house in Beijing, it was already past midnight, but Lin Yan showed no signs of fatigue. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he pulled Lin Yi and Lin Er into the study.

"Lin Yi," he said quickly and urgently, his eyes gleaming, "contact Lin Jiaze immediately! Tell him to activate all available dockworkers and warehouses in Singapore! Immediately mobilize food, meat, medicine... all the supplies the US military urgently needs for the war!"

He tapped his fingers excitedly on the table, as if he could already see mountains of gold and silver.

"We've wiped out the Japanese army's bases in one fell swoop, which means we've crippled their supply points in East Asia. Now is the time when they're most in disarray on the Vietnam battlefield and need help the most! This incredible wealth, this money delivered right to our doorstep, if we don't grab it quickly, wouldn't we be letting down God... uh, no, I mean letting down the formation I've painstakingly set up! Hehehe..."

He grinned like a fox that had just stolen some fish, as if he could already hear the pleasant clinking of US dollars.

The next day, on the morning of New Year's Eve, Lin Yan slept until late morning, a rare occurrence, and didn't wake up until 10 a.m.

After washing up, he came to the yard feeling refreshed, picked up Xiao Qi who was chasing its tail, held it in his arms, and strolled around the open space in the yard with great satisfaction.

Thinking about the wealth that would soon pour in from the Americans after his "hard work" last night, he felt completely relaxed and couldn't help but hum a tuneless little tune:

"I'm making money! I don't even know how to spend it! I have a Nokia in my left hand and a Motorola in my right..."

He was so engrossed in singing that he didn't notice the movements of Xiao Qi in his arms at all.

The little guy's fur stiffened, then he raised his large amber eyes and glanced at his older brother in disbelief, his eyes filled with intense disgust. Seeing that Lin Yan was completely oblivious and even wanted to raise his voice, Xiao Qi silently raised his two front paws and covered his furry little ears tightly, letting out a soft whimper of utter despair.

This maddening sound is worse than listening to Sister Yuling chopping dumpling filling in the kitchen!

Having enjoyed himself to the fullest, he instructed Lin San to go to the spatial storage and carefully select a decent New Year's gift for Xihua Hall. After arranging the important matters, he truly acted like a carefree young master, taking Xiao Qi out for a stroll.

The reunion dinner on New Year's Eve was naturally to be lively. Lin Yan specially invited Elder Fu and Elder Zhen from his spatial dimension to stay up all night together. The atmosphere was warm and cozy as glasses clinked.

After several rounds of drinks, Lin Yan put down his chopsticks and asked a question that had been on his mind for a long time:

"Elder Dan, Elder Fu, Elder Zhen, with your current cultivation levels, you should have been able to attempt to condense your Nascent Souls long ago after I advanced to the Golden Core stage, right? Why is there still no progress?"

The three elders exchanged glances, and finally, Elder Dan spoke on behalf of the group. He stroked his long beard, his tone filled with gratitude and a hint of solemnity:

"Young Master is very kind. To be honest, we... are not absolutely certain of success. The Nascent Soul Tribulation is no small matter; failure means certain death. It is precisely because we value our lives and are even more afraid of disappointing Young Master that we have hesitated to take that step."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yan remained silent for a moment, then unconsciously tapped his knuckles lightly on the edge of the table, clearly deep in thought.

He quickly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the three teachers:

"Alright then, the three of you need not worry about this matter any longer. I will arrange everything needed for your tribulation."

He counted on his fingers:

"I will have Nascent Soul cultivators set up a protective array specifically for you, ensuring that you are not disturbed by external demons during your tribulation. Whatever pills you need, the alchemy department will do its utmost to refine them; whatever protective talismans you need, the talisman supply will be prioritized. In short, whatever you need, I will prepare for you."

His voice rose slightly as he promised:

"Not just the three of you, but all Golden Core cultivators who serve me and are scattered across the globe will enjoy the same treatment. We are all brothers; since you have followed me, I, Lin Yan, must be responsible for your cultivation paths!"

"Once I've dealt with these domestic matters, I'll have the Nascent Soul group select a site in the Myriad Evolutions Mountains to formally establish a sect and create a legitimate organization. At that time, if you, Elder Dan, wish to further your skills in alchemy, array formation, and talisman drawing, there will be more accomplished individuals within the sect to consult and discuss the Dao with. The same applies to cultivation techniques; I will place most of the cultivation manuals passed down from our ancestors in my study into the sect's library. You, and all the brothers who have contributed to our Lin family, can borrow and study them at any time using your contribution points!"

These words resonated deeply, moving not only Elder Dan and his companions, but also Lin Yi, Lin Er, and the others serving them. This meant that the young master they were following was offering not only a path to wealth and status, but also a path to immortality with a glimmer of hope.

Xiao Qi seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, crawling out from under the table and affectionately rubbing against Lin Yan's ankle. Lin Yan chuckled, scooped it up, placed it on his lap, and raised his glass, saying:

"Come on, let's toast to our path to immortality! Enough of this talk tonight, let's eat!"

The family reunion dinner was enjoyed to the fullest, and night gradually deepened. Lin Yan, still in high spirits, carried a string of firecrackers and led Xiao Qi into the courtyard.

He had just lit the firecrackers and thrown them on the ground when the sudden loud crackling and sparks startled Xiaoqi, who was curiously sniffing them, so much that the fur on her body stood on end!

"Awoo!"

The little guy let out a short cry of surprise, kicked off with its hind legs, and transformed into a white lightning bolt, accurately darting into Lin Yan's arms, burying its little head tightly in his arm, leaving only its fluffy tail outside, wagging anxiously.

Lin Yan was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter at its cowardly appearance. He stroked its trembling back to comfort it and teased, "Look at you! You usually walk all over the place at home, and a few firecrackers scare you like this? Come on, come on, brother will take you inside, I won't let you go anymore."

Carrying the "frightened" little creature back into the warm, cozy house, he saw everyone still energetically staying up to welcome the New Year. Seeing this, Lin Yan waved his hand, a familiar smile, tinged with a gambler's gleam, appearing on his face:

"Same as always! The New Year's Eve program begins now! Poker, mahjong, dominoes, bring them to the table! The gambling industry is officially open for business tonight!"

He looked around and emphasized, "Listen up, everyone! Same rules as always: no one is allowed to use cultivator techniques to peek at the cards or calculate points. It's all down to luck! Anyone who breaks the rules, don't blame me for deducting their year-end bonus!"

Having said that, he sat down, rubbing his hands together eagerly. He unusually, even with a hint of flattery, glanced at the empty sky and muttered, "May the Heavenly Lord bless me with good luck tonight, so I can beat them all and wipe away this humiliation..."