Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 261 Advancement of Humanity

As night deepened, the banquet was drawing to a close. Lin Yan was about to take his leave when his gaze inadvertently swept over Mr. Xiangyu's right arm. He noticed that Mr. Xiangyu's movement was slightly hesitant when he raised his hand, and he couldn't help but take another look.

"Sir, please forgive my intrusion," Lin Yan said cautiously, "I noticed earlier that your right arm seemed to be having some difficulty moving. If you trust me, I do know an old gentleman who is very skilled in treating musculoskeletal disorders."

Madam Deng, who was about to see her guest off, immediately turned around upon hearing this, her eyes flashing with anticipation: "Xiao Yan, do you know a doctor who specializes in treating these kinds of old injuries?"

"This is my grandfather, Dan," Lin Yan explained gently. "He watched me grow up, and he's coming back to China with me this time. The old man has some unique skills in massage and bone setting. If it's convenient, perhaps we could have him take a look?"

Seeing their concerned expressions, he added, "Grandpa Dan's specialty is treating these kinds of old injuries. A few years ago, there was a wealthy businessman from Southeast Asia whose arm injury was even more severe than yours. After three months of treatment by him, he can now play tennis without any problem."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Xiangyu laughed heartily and said, "Since Xiaoyan recommends it so highly, then I must meet him."

"Then I'll invite Grandpa Dan over tomorrow," Lin Yan said, then looked specifically at Madam Deng, "Don't worry, Madam, Grandpa Dan's technique is very gentle; he won't make the gentleman suffer."

Mrs. Deng then smiled and gently shook Mr. Xiangyu's hand.

Before parting, Lin Yan paused briefly at the door, then turned back and said, "Sir, you work at your desk all day, so remember to stretch your shoulders and neck every half hour. I'll have Grandpa Dan teach you a few simple exercises tomorrow."

These words caused a flicker of surprise in Mr. Xiangyu's eyes, which quickly turned into a relieved smile. He personally escorted Lin Yan to the elevator, watching until the elevator doors slowly closed.

When Lin Yan returned to the small courtyard on Dongxinglong Street, it was already late at night. After waving Lin San away, he sat alone on the stone steps outside the main house. The old locust tree in the courtyard stretched out its dense branches and leaves in the summer night, shattering the cool moonlight into fragments.

His heart felt heavy, as if a cold, hard brick had been pressing down on it. The shock of the golden light of merit he had seen on the gentleman that evening was far from over. That warm and powerful golden light was like a silent alarm bell, ringing loudly in his mind.

"The Way of Heaven is not dead..."

These four words weighed heavily on his Dao heart. He had always believed that this world was an abandoned "land of spiritual desolation," where the Heavenly Dao was hidden and the rules were lax. Therefore, although he possessed power beyond this world and had his own bottom line in his actions, he inevitably harbored a "player's" mentality deep down, looking down on all living beings and transcending worldly affairs. Detonating Mount Fuji was "enlarging fireworks," looting a vault was "taking some capital," screening and cleaning was "doing a quick clean-up"... The methods may be different, but the mentality was one of casualness that transcended the rules.

But now, this freedom has been bound by invisible shackles. Since the Heavenly Dao exists and records merits and karma, then this "anomaly," whose power system far surpasses that of this world, has already disrupted the balance with his very existence!

His own Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators—so many of them mingling in the mortal realm—were like ferocious predators thrown into a still pond. Even with his repeated strict orders forbidding them from harming the kind-hearted and lower classes, the vast power disparity between cultivators and mortals inherently implied potential danger and injustice. Conflict was inevitable, and killing… could it truly be completely eradicated? Those whose fates were indirectly altered, or even who perished, because of him and his forces—to whom would Heaven hold them accountable for this karmic debt?

A sense of unease crept into my heart. Did I have to live a life of constant restraint, like a timid accountant, calculating the gains and losses, the merits and demerits of every single action?

"No, it shouldn't be like this."

He cultivates the Way of Freedom! He seeks clarity of mind, the freedom to follow his heart's desires, and the ultimate freedom to roam the world! If knowing the existence of the Heavenly Way makes him timid and fearful, how is that different from dancing in shackles? This is completely contrary to his Daoist heart!

He suddenly raised his head and looked at the eternally bright moon.

The ways of Heaven are clear, and cause and effect are infallible. He acknowledged this.

But even though humanity is insignificant, there is still a way!

The Way of Heaven is the standard, the rule, and the sword hanging over one's head, reminding him to be in awe and restraining him from acting recklessly and falling into the demonic path.

Humanity is fundamental, it is his true nature, it is the cornerstone of why Lin Yan is "Lin Yan", it is his "self"! His principles of action should not only stem from the fear of divine punishment, but also from the "morality" he believes in in his heart - not to bully the weak, not to kill the innocent, but to fight when he should fight, and to be ruthless when he should be ruthless!

"The path I choose is neither simply following the way of Heaven, nor purely indulging in human desires." The confusion in his eyes vanished, replaced by a bright and resolute light. "Why can't I cultivate both the way of Heaven and the way of humanity, walking on two legs?"

Heaven's way is my sword and shield, and humanity's way is my soul!

He will comprehend the Way of Heaven and understand the rules, using them as a shield to protect himself, a sword to defeat enemies, to clearly distinguish cause and effect, and to avoid karmic fire.

But he will uphold humanity and stay true to his principles, taking his own sense of right and wrong as the guiding principle for his actions. Even if he is tainted by karma, as long as his conscience is pure and he has a clear conscience, he will advance bravely and relentlessly!

"If karma binds me..." Lin Yan slowly stood up, his aura radiating a resolute determination to sever all ties. "Then I will diligently cultivate, making myself stronger! Strong enough to bear karma, even... strong enough to sever karma!"

The moment this thought arose, it was as if a thunderbolt had cleaved through the fog of consciousness!

"boom--!"

Within his sea of ​​consciousness, the somewhat blurry phantom representing his understanding of the Dao suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, rising sharply and solidifying by more than three inches! The phantom's face became clearer, clearly resembling his own appearance, with a free and unrestrained spirit between his brows, naturally exuding an aura of "I am who I am, I do not need to seek externally."

Humanity has advanced!

He didn't deliberately try to improve his cultivation, but the clarity and steadfastness of his Dao heart directly propelled his understanding of "humanity" to a new level. This pleased him more than any increase in magical power.

Lin Yan let out a long breath, the pent-up emotions in his chest dissipating, leaving him feeling refreshed and clear-headed. Looking at the cold moon in the night sky again, he felt a completely different sensation. The moonlight was still cool and clear, but it no longer felt restrictive; instead, it seemed like a guiding light illuminating his path.

Heaven reigns supreme, and I hold it in awe.

With humanity in my heart, I find my own freedom.

From this night forward, he will act with greater restraint, but he will never lose his edge. He will continue to forge his own path in this familiar yet unfamiliar world, a path that embodies both power and order... a path of freedom for Lin Yan!