Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 240 New Year's Eve and New Year's Day

It was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month in 1960, early in the morning.

As the first rays of sunlight struggled to pierce the volcanic ash cloud that blanketed Tokyo, the entire nation was plunged into immense panic and chaos. Mount Fuji's sudden, violent eruption blotted out the sun with volcanic ash, lava engulfed the mountain's foothills, and aftershocks continued to reverberate, paralyzing Tokyo and the entire Kanto region. Rescue efforts, evacuations, endless cries, and frantic media coverage intertwined to create a deafening, apocalyptic cacophony.

Almost simultaneously, another, more secretive yet equally devastating blow quietly spread among Japan's top leadership—the Bank of Japan's underground vault had been robbed! 176 tons of gold and hundreds of millions of US dollars and pounds in cash vanished without a trace, leaving no signs of forced entry, as if wiped away by divine intervention. The shockwaves this news sent through the ranks were no less devastating than a volcanic eruption, as if the economic backbone of this recovering nation had been ripped away.

Two major tragedies in the East have shocked the world.

On Dongxinglong Street in Beijing, there is a completely different world inside that four-courtyard house.

In the courtyard, Wang Yuling was directing several Foundation Establishment cultivators to hang lanterns and paste "Fu" (good fortune) characters. The air was filled with a captivating fragrance—the natural aroma of spirit rice being steamed in a cauldron, mixed with the fresh sweetness of stir-fried spirit vegetables, and the abundant life essence contained in the carefully prepared spirit beast meat.

Lin Yan, wrapped in a wool blanket, lay lazily on a deck chair in the yard, holding a small transistor radio in his hand. This was a high-end shortwave radio that Lin Yan had asked Charles to buy for him in New York overnight. It was broadcasting news in urgent Japanese about the eruption of Mount Fuji and an "unprecedented major theft case," with a tone full of despair and disbelief.

"Tsk, that's quite a commotion." Lin Yan listened to the wailing on the radio, casually changed the station, and heard the melodious strains of Peking Opera. He squinted his eyes in satisfaction and said to Lin Yi, who was peeling an orange for him, "Did you hear that? That's louder than any firecracker."

Lin Yi handed over the peeled orange, a smile playing on his lips. "Young Master's 'fireworks' are naturally extraordinary." He paused, then added, "The bank was also 'cleaned up' cleanly, not a single hair was left!"

"Hey~ You guys are so heartless! You should at least leave some yen for people to clean up their messes!" Lin Yan complained in a big fuss.

Lin Yi "..."

"When will this young master's condition ever end?!"

Wearing its new red vest, Xiaoqi chased its tail wildly in the yard, occasionally rushing to Lin Yan's feet, rubbing its head against him, and whimpering for food, perfectly embodying the "carefree" spirit.

As evening fell, the reunion dinner was set on the main table in the main hall. The dishes looked ordinary, but each one was extraordinary: a version of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall with spiritual ingredients, steamed spiritual fish, stir-fried spiritual peppers and venison, stir-fried spiritual vegetables... Even the rice was plump and glistening with a warm, pearly sheen. Wang Yuling had cooked the spiritual ingredients specially supplied by her space into a dish that was perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

Lin Yan sat in the main seat, surrounded by Fu Lao, Zhen Sou, Lin Yi, Lin Er, Lin Gang, and Wang Yuling. Even Xiao Qi had his own high chair and a set of small tableware, which was piled high with sliced ​​spirit beast meat.

Lin Er took out a bottle of century-old spirit wine produced in his space and filled everyone's glasses. The wine was crimson red and filled with spiritual energy. After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly warm and cozy, and everyone's faces were flushed with the comfortable blush brought by the spirit wine.

At this moment, Lin Xiao, who had just returned from outside, said respectfully to Lin Yan with barely suppressed excitement, "Young Master, did you hear what they said on the radio today? Japan is really in deep trouble, a volcano erupted! Everyone outside is going crazy over it, saying it's divine retribution!"

Lin Yan took a sip of the spiritual wine, feeling the warmth and spiritual energy spreading through his body. He chuckled, "Heaven's sins can be forgiven, but self-inflicted sins cannot be escaped. Their ancestors committed too many immoral acts; now they're just collecting some interest." He toyed with the spiritually vibrant wine cup, completely detached from the situation. "Let's just treat this as a bit of noise, adding a 'side dish' to our New Year's Eve dinner."

Lin Yi calmly replied, raising his wine glass: "Young Master is right. Their commotion only serves to highlight our reunion. I toast Young Master, wishing you continued progress on your path and a life of freedom and joy!"

"May the young master's path be swift and prosperous, and may he live a carefree and unrestrained life!" Everyone raised their glasses in unison, even Little Seven used its little paws to dab at its specially made jade bowl filled with warm spirit beast milk, happily echoing, "Happy New Year, brother!"

Outside the window, it was New Year's Eve in Beijing in 1960, and the sound of sporadic firecrackers could be heard in the distance.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, in a small courtyard on Dongxinglong Street

Outside the window, the sounds of firecrackers exploding to wish people a Happy New Year rose and fell. Lin Yan, annoyed by the gunpowder-like smell in the air, decided to stay indoors.

"What's the point of just eating and drinking during the New Year?" he suggested enthusiastically. "Let's open our own casino today, right here at home!"

In a short time, the main hall was quickly transformed. A large table covered with a brand-new velvet cloth was placed in the center, and dice cups, dominoes, and a brand-new deck of cards were also brought out, a dazzling array of items.

"There's only one rule!" Lin Yan stood in the main seat, tapping his fingers on the table. His gaze swept over Lin Yi, Lin Er, Lin Gang, Wang Yuling, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators including Lin Xiao, who were eager to try. "No one is allowed to use divine sense! No cultivation methods are allowed! It's all about luck and skill. Winning or losing is up to fate. Just have fun!"

The crowd roared in agreement, and the atmosphere instantly became lively. These people, who were usually either strategizing or making decisive decisions, were now all eager to fight, revealing the competitive spirit of ordinary people.

"Wait a minute," Lin Yan patted his pocket, pulled out a few ten-yuan bills, and looked at Lin San. "Lin San, give me some change first, exchange it for three or five hundred yuan. I need more small bills and large bills, otherwise it'll be hard to split the bets. We don't usually need any money, so let's gamble. If we win, it'll bring good luck, and if we lose, we won't be discouraged!"

Lin San smiled and took an envelope from his personal briefcase, pushing it towards the young master: "Young master, please use this. There's about five hundred here, in various denominations."

"Okay, consider it a loan." Lin Yan took the envelope with a grin and poured stacks of brand-new RMB banknotes onto the table. The banknotes were mainly one-yuan, two-yuan, and five-yuan notes, with a small number of ten-yuan notes, as well as many small bills, which looked quite impressive.

Lin Yan picked up the dice cup, shook it a few times clumsily, and slammed it down on the table with a "bang".

"I'm on the roll, I'll bet on big!" He confidently pushed a one-yuan bill into the large print area.

The dice cup is opened: one, two, three, six points (small).

"My hand slipped, let's try again!" Lin Yan refused to believe it and shook the dice again.

"This hand is definitely going to be small!" He bet on small and put down two yuan.

The dice cup is opened: four, five, six, fifteen points (big).

For five consecutive rounds, he bet on big and won small, and bet on small and won big, with accuracy as if it were a reverse prophecy. Lin Gang had already accumulated a small pile of small and large bills in front of him, and he was trying hard to suppress a smile on his honest face.

When it was time to play Pai Gow, Lin Yan picked up a deck of cards, unfolded it, and raised an eyebrow—it was a pretty good deck.

"Haha, my luck has finally turned around! I'll add some more!" He placed a bet of five yuan.

Lin, the player to the left, silently revealed his hand: a bigger hand, take all.

In the next round, Lin Yan drew a very weak hand and was about to fold. However, the player to his left, Wang Yuling, had an even weaker hand. Lin Yan barely won, but his opponent, Lin Er, unleashed a winning hand, sweeping the game once again. Lin Yan's meager "victory" was instantly taken away.

Playing poker, Lin Yan started with the Ace of Spades and the King of Hearts, almost the highest hand! He suppressed his excitement and called bet after bet. But after the community cards were dealt, he couldn't form a strong hand and instead lost to Lin Gang, who only had a weak hand but had been foolishly calling.

"This is weird!" Lin Yan muttered to himself as he looked at the rapidly shrinking pile of money in front of him, and then at Lin Gang and Wang Yuling, who were beaming with joy.

Although Lin Yi tried to remain composed, he couldn't hide the smile on his lips. Lin Er even pushed up his glasses, revealing several banknotes in front of him.

"Young master, thank you for your generosity!" A Foundation Establishment cultivator cheerfully accepted the last "big bet" that Lin Yan had placed.

Lin Yan was unconvinced and felt he had lost face. He gritted his teeth and said to Lin Yi, "Give me some more bills! I don't believe in this nonsense!" Lin San handed him another wad of cash, mainly ten-yuan notes.

Lin Yan slammed the wad of money onto the table; it looked to be three or four hundred yuan. He then took out two small but obviously valuable jade cufflinks and a diamond brooch inlaid with an emerald from his personal space and placed them next to the money with a "thud."

"All in! I'm betting on this one round of dice! Money plus these little gadgets!"

The entire room fell silent for a moment.

result……

The dice cup is opened; three dots, small.

Lin Yan bet on big.

Everyone looked at the stack of money and the dazzling "prizes," wanting to laugh but not daring to, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

Lin Yan stared at the three glaring dice for a long time, then suddenly leaned back in his chair, looked up at the sky, and sighed deeply, his tone filled with "grief and indignation" and "resentment":

"Forget it! Heaven is unfair!"

"I'm so good at divination, I can move mountains and seas, yet I lost everything at the gambling table! Is there no justice in this world?!"

His exaggerated complaints finally caused everyone to burst into good-natured laughter. Even the usually composed Lin Yi chuckled.

Wang Yuling quickly returned most of the money she had won: "Young Master, we were just joking around, this..."

"Take it, take it!" Lin Yan waved his hand dismissively. Although he shouted "Heaven is unfair," there was no real annoyance on his face. Instead, he looked relieved to see the people around him happy. "A bet is a bet! Do you think I, Lin Yan, am the kind of person who can't accept defeat? If you win, it's yours. Take the money and divide it among yourselves! Consider it my New Year's money! Those cufflinks and brooches were originally New Year's gifts I prepared for you anyway, so I'll give them to you all at once!"

Even so, he added, feigning heartache, "But next time you play cards with me, young master, you'll have to let me win! My luck has been just too bad!"

Joyful laughter filled the main room once again. Little Qi, with a piece of jerky it had won in its mouth, rolled around happily under the table.