Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 83 Tempering the Heart in the Mortal World

After emerging from his more than sixty-year-long seclusion in the spatial realm, Lin Yan felt an indescribable sense of stagnation. His cultivation had surged to the thirteenth level of Qi Refining, a force of fifty thousand jin coursing through his body, and his divine sense could cover a distance of twelve hundred meters. These numbers didn't bring him complete joy; instead, he felt a sense of unsteadiness, as if his feet weren't touching the ground. He understood that this was a typical sign that his mental state couldn't keep up with his cultivation.

That morning, standing on the villa's terrace, gazing at the sunrise over Victoria Harbour, he suddenly said to Lin Yi beside him, "From today onwards, you will still be in charge of the group's daily affairs. There's no need to report to me unless absolutely necessary. I want to... go for a walk."

Lin Yi nodded respectfully: "Yes, young master. Should I prepare a car for you?"

"No need," Lin Yan waved his hand. "I can manage on my own."

Without using any special techniques, he simply strolled down the mountain path like an ordinary citizen, taking the tram to Hong Kong Island. The tram moved slowly, and the sounds of the city outside the window—passengers chatting, newsboys hawking their wares—pulled him back to reality from the loneliness he felt at such a high place.

He got off the bus near Wan Chai and strolled towards a discount grocery store owned by the Lam family on Johnston Road. This was one of the chain stores that had initially promised to offer discounts to residents of Kowloon Walled City.

The shop wasn't large, but it was clean and tidy. Early in the morning, quite a few housewives and elderly people were already queuing up. Lin Yan didn't reveal his identity, only telling the manager that he was "Little Lin," sent by headquarters to temporarily help with the training.

He changed into the shop assistant's cotton shirt and began to learn how to measure and bag rice for customers.

"Sister, three catties of fragrant rice, thank you." An elderly woman with gray hair handed over a cloth bag and food coupons.

Lin Yan clumsily picked up the rice container, trying to control his strength. However, controlling the immense force of 50,000 jin was extremely difficult. With one scoop, he almost pierced through the rice container, and a large amount of white rice spilled out.

"Oh my! Young man, your hand movements are so heavy? Are you new here?" The old woman was startled.

Lin Yan was extremely embarrassed and apologized repeatedly, frantically tidying up. The store manager quickly came over to smooth things over.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He stopped pursuing speed and instead treated this simple task as a form of training—using his divine sense to precisely control every muscle, keeping his strength at the level of an ordinary person.

Gradually, he got the hang of it. Scooping rice, weighing it, and bagging it, his movements went from clumsy to smooth. He even learned to tie the bags with straw rope and make neat knots.

A mother holding her child carefully counted out her coins, bought the cheapest coarse rice, but deliberately added a small bag of expensive refined white rice, muttering to herself, "It's my son's birthday, I'll cook him a good meal."

A man who looked like a laborer, with sweat stains on his shoulders, carefully put the few coins he received as change into his inner pocket after buying rice, with a contented expression on his face.

Lin Yan watched and listened silently. These small efforts to survive, these simple yet sincere wishes, were like a gentle stream, quietly nourishing the lake of his heart that had become somewhat parched from long-term cultivation.

In the afternoon, the grain store became a bit quieter. Lin Yan moved a small stool to sit at the entrance to rest, watching the street scene. Suddenly, a thin figure timidly approached.

"elder brother?"

Lin Yan looked up and recognized him as "Ah Sheng," the little boy from Kowloon Walled City who had given him the steamed buns. The boy's eyes sparkled: "It really is you, brother! How did you get here?"

Lin Yan smiled and handed him a piece of candy: "I'm here to do the work. What about you?"

"Grandma told me to come buy rice!" Ah Sheng proudly showed off the money and grain sack in his hand, then lowered his voice, "Brother, do you know? Those bastards from 'Wo Shing Ho' are having a run of bad luck lately! Let's see if they still dare to bully people!"

Lin Yan patted his head: "Yeah, what goes around comes around. Things will get better from now on."

Children's happiness is so simple; a simple phrase like "evil will be punished" can bring them comfort and hope.

After handing over his shift in the evening, Lin Yan didn't go straight home. He walked slowly along the coastline, the setting sun dyeing the sea a golden-red. Xiao Qi emerged from his spatial dimension, transforming back into a little puppy, and happily chased the waves on the beach, leaving a trail of plum blossom-like footprints.

Decades of solitude in that space, followed by the vibrant world before him, suddenly gave him a sense of being in another world. Power was certainly important, but what was the point of cultivating immortality if he lost his connection to this world?

He sat down by the sea and watched Xiao Qi play. The little guy got tired from running around, stuck out his tongue, and lay down at his feet, rubbing his hand with his wet nose.

"Xiao Qi," he said softly, "sometimes, I really envy you." To be able to live such a simple and pure life.

Xiao Qi tilted its head, barked twice, and transmitted its voice, "You're good too."

Night falls, and the stars begin to shine. A cool sea breeze blows in.

Lin Yan closed his eyes and introspected. The initial feeling of emptiness caused by the surge of power gradually subsided amidst the everyday hustle and bustle. The 50,000 jin of power circulated less agitated and more harmonious. He hadn't consciously expended his energy, but his mind and body naturally entered a state of clarity. The sounds of the tides, the distant sounds of carriages and horses, Xiao Qi's breathing… all the sounds entered his ears, but instead of being chaotic, they blended into a wondrous rhythm.

After an unknown amount of time, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze serene and calm, revealing a profound inner light.

He picked up the sleeping Xiaoqi and slowly walked towards home.

The following day, Lin Yan, on a whim, decided to see what his business empire was really like. He changed into a low-key gray Zhongshan suit and, without informing anyone, went alone to the Lin Group headquarters located on Des Voeux Road in Central.

Two adjacent seven-story buildings came into view, their exteriors featuring then-fashionable terrazzo finishes with clean, simple lines. On the top of the central building, the four powerful traditional Chinese characters for "Lin's Group" gleamed in the sunlight, exuding an air of grandeur. The other building displayed signs for its subsidiaries, such as "Lin's Grain and Oil" and "Lin's Domestic Products." While not skyscrapers, the buildings occupied a considerable area, their windows bright and clean. Most of the people entering and exiting were well-dressed and walked briskly, radiating a vibrant and upward-looking energy.

Lin Yan followed the flow of people into the main building lobby. The interior wasn't extravagantly luxurious, but it possessed its own unique style. The terrazzo floor gleamed, the chandeliers were stylish, and the walls were adorned with evocative ink paintings. The receptionists were well-trained, politely inquiring about each visitor. Security personnel in neat uniforms, with sharp eyes, silently patrolled the lobby, maintaining order—Lin Yan recognized several of them as faces he'd seen at the martial arts gym; they now seemed to have legitimate professions, their demeanor and energy quite different.

Without alerting the receptionist, he subtly sensed that the security department's training ground was located on the second floor of the annex building. He strolled through the internal corridor connecting the two buildings, following the shouts.

The entire second floor of the annex building had been opened up and transformed into a spacious and bright training ground. The floor was covered with soft mats, the walls were decorated with mirrors, and all kinds of training equipment were readily available. At this moment, more than twenty security personnel dressed in uniform black training suits were divided into two groups: one group was practicing Wing Chun stance training under the guidance of Ip Man, while the other group was practicing Tai Chi push hands under the guidance of Master Yang. The atmosphere was serious and focused.

Ip Man, with his sharp eyes, was the first to spot Lin Yan leaning against the door. His face showed surprise, and he then raised his hand to signal his disciples to rest.

"Lin Yan? How did you find your way here?" Ip Man greeted him, his tone filled with the concern of an elder. Master Yang also walked over with a smile.

"I heard that you two masters hold high positions here, so I came to pay my respects and stretch my muscles a bit," Lin Yan said with a smile, cupping his hands in greeting. "Seeing how engrossed you all are in your practice, I'm itching to try it myself. I wonder if I could ask you two masters for some further guidance?"

Ip Man and Master Yang exchanged a glance, both seeing interest in each other's eyes. They were also eager to know what level this prodigy disciple/youngster had reached.

"Good! This is a good opportunity to broaden the horizons of these kids." Ip Man laughed loudly, waving his hand to have his disciples retreat to the edge of the arena, clearing out the central area.

In the first match, he sparred with Ip Man in Wing Chun sticky hands.

The moment their hands met, Ip Man was startled. Lin Yan's arm appeared relaxed, but it contained a hidden power, like steel wrapped in cotton, incredibly steady. In previous sparring matches, Ip Man could guide and deflect the attacks with his exquisite strength, but now, he felt his power flowing into the ocean like a stream, unable to stir up even the slightest ripple.

Lin Yan didn't use force; instead, he suppressed his strength to a level similar to Ip Man's. His arms intertwined and twisted, the speed increasing rapidly, producing a dense and crisp "snap" sound. His movements perfectly matched the essence of Wing Chun: short, precise, and balanced, yet each move struck first despite being delayed, as if he could predict Ip Man's next move. This wasn't a trick of the trade, but rather a profound understanding of the essence of martial arts, honed through over sixty years of arduous training and reaching an exceptionally high level, integrated into his instincts.

The sparring lasted for three minutes when Ip Man suddenly withdrew and stepped back, shaking his head with a wry smile: "I'm getting old. If we keep fighting, you'll break these old bones apart. Your Wing Chun... is no less than mine, and may even surpass it." His tone was complex, containing both satisfaction and a hint of感慨 (a sense of mixed feelings) that the younger generation was surpassing the older. The Wing Chun disciples on the sidelines were mesmerized, filled with admiration for this suddenly appearing young master.

The second match was a push hands game with Master Yang.

The two walked in circles, their arms linked. Master Yang suddenly felt even more pressure. Lin Yan's strength was incredibly smooth and profound, deeply embodying the essence of Tai Chi's "adhesion, connection, stickiness, and following," but beneath this gentleness lay an overwhelming and unstoppable force. Master Yang felt as if he were pushing a slowly rotating mountain; no matter how he guided or neutralized the force, he couldn't budge it an inch. Instead, his own strength was constantly being dissipated and absorbed.

What alarmed Master Yang even more was that Lin Yan's listening skills had reached a state of perfection. His muscles and skin were incredibly sensitive to changes in force. Just as Master Yang's force was about to be released, Lin Yan already knew it and naturally prepared a response. This was no longer "arriving before the opponent's attack," but almost "arriving before the attack even began."

After pushing for more than ten rounds, Master Yang's breathing became slightly sluggish, and his footwork became a little disordered. Lin Yan timely stopped pushing and stood up with a smile: "Master Yang, you're too kind."

Master Yang let out a long sigh of relief and exclaimed, "Excellent! What a perfect 'Tai Chi, perfectly circular and seamless'! Young Lin, your skill is truly... truly..." He couldn't find the right words to describe it. The Tai Chi disciples were also captivated by what they saw.

Both masters understood that Lin Yan had already shown mercy, deliberately maintaining a level that allowed them to fully utilize their abilities but was insurmountable.

After the exchange, Lin Yan chatted with his two masters for a few more minutes, inquired about their recent situation, and was very pleased to learn that they were living a stable life and teaching their students successfully.

With a slight thought, he contacted Lin Yi through the spatial imprint.

A moment later, the training ground door opened. Lin Yi, who usually exuded a calm and collected aura and was respectfully called "Big Boss" by his employees, strode in himself. To the astonishment of all the security guards, Lin Yi bowed slightly before the handsome young man, his attitude extremely respectful: "You've arrived."

This scene, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a storm in the hearts of all the employees present. They looked at the usually imposing Lin Yi, then at the extraordinary young man, and a mixture of speculation and awe arose within them. Just who was this young man? Why was President Lin so respectful?

Lin Yan nodded to his two mentors and the team members, then left the training ground with Lin Yi.

Lin Yi led Lin Yan in a private elevator to the seventh floor of the main building. This floor was exceptionally quiet, and the decor was even more sophisticated and elegant. The thick carpet absorbed the sound of footsteps, while the dark wood wall panels and leather sofas exuded understated luxury.

Stepping into Lin Yi's spacious office, the huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the rows of buildings and the distant harbor.

"Young Master, please have a seat." Lin Yi personally brewed some spiritual tea for Lin Yan.

"No need to bother." Lin Yan waved his hand and walked to the window. "It seems you've managed this business quite well."

"It's all thanks to the solid foundation you laid, young master," Lin Yi said respectfully. "The hundred people who came to Hong Kong with me back then are now all holding important positions in the group and its subsidiaries, in charge of key departments such as finance, procurement, sales, warehousing, and transportation. They are exceptionally capable and absolutely loyal, which is why the group can operate so efficiently."

Lin Yan nodded. A puppet with absolute loyalty was indeed the best management talent. He took a sip of tea and asked, "Are Master Ye and Master Yang settling in well here?"

"Both of the masters are very dedicated," Lin Yi reported. "The security department has now become a benchmark department in the group, with strict discipline and exceptional skills. The lives of the two masters have also improved greatly. Master Ye has moved to a bigger house, and Master Yang has also brought his relatives from his hometown to Hong Kong. They are both very satisfied with the current situation and are grateful."

"It's not about thanking me, it's about thanking you, Mr. Lin, for giving them the opportunity to use their talents and the compensation they deserve," Lin Yan corrected, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. This was exactly the result he wanted.

He changed the subject, tapping lightly on the windowpane and pointing down at the land in the distance: "Lin Yi, we have plenty of cash flow right now. Besides our existing businesses, I think it's time to make some longer-term plans."

Lin Yi's expression hardened: "Please give your instructions, young master."

"Look at Hong Kong, such a small place, yet it attracts people from all directions." Lin Yan's gaze was profound. "Now, more than a decade after the war, the population is growing, but the land is only so big. I predict that in the near future, the land and buildings here will become more precious than gold."

He turned around and said decisively, "From now on, allocate some funds to establish a real estate department. No need to make a fuss; do it discreetly."

"First, buy land when prices are low. Focus on areas that seem remote now, such as the northern shore of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon waterfront, but will definitely become core areas in the future. Also, there are good plots of land in Mid-Levels, Repulse Bay, and Deep Water Bay, which are located by the sea and have both mountains and water, and we should acquire them at any cost."

"Secondly, acquire old buildings with potential. Especially old tenement buildings in prime locations like Central, Causeway Bay, and Wan Chai, with clear property rights, buy the whole building. They may not be worth much now, but they will become prime real estate after demolition and reconstruction."

"Third, pay attention to industrial land. Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan are mostly farmland and wasteland now, and prices are low. For Hong Kong's future development, manufacturing and warehousing logistics are indispensable, and these places have huge potential."

Lin Yi quickly jotted it down and added, "Young Master's insight is brilliant. The market is indeed sluggish right now. The effects of last year's bank runs and the global economic recession are still lingering, and many real estate developers are facing tight cash flow. This is a good opportunity for us to acquire quality assets at low prices. In particular, land prices in the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories are extremely low, and many are even unclaimed government land, leaving a lot of room for maneuver."

Lin Yan nodded in satisfaction: "This matter needs to be handled cleverly. It can be carried out in batches and by region through different shell companies, so that no one will notice that the Lin Group is making a large-scale acquisition behind the scenes. The funds can be transferred directly from the space, without tying up the group's working capital."

"Understood!" Lin Yi nodded solemnly. "I will personally oversee the process to ensure it is discreet and efficient."

He stood by the window, looking down at the city lights gradually illuminating the city below. This was the first cornerstone he had built in this era.

The aroma of the spiritual tea in the cup rose gently, enveloping his deep gaze.