The Beginning of a Courtyard House: Sixty Years of Internal Strength

"Teacher Yan, I heard your wife went to the backyard to take care of the old lady?"

"Yes, we're all neighbors, and the old lady is the oldest in the courtyard, so our family has to do our part too. As the oldest man in the courtyard, we have to set an example."

"Alright, Teacher Yan, stop trying to make yourself look good. Yi Zhonghai can't possibly refuse to give you the money."

Li Jianguo had an expression that said, "I can see right through you."

"Jianguo, you see, that's superficial. Although I took the money, my family's intention to take care of the old lady is genuine."

"Tell me about yourself, even if you were offered money, you wouldn't let Wang Yao take care of the old lady, would you?"

"Hey, I'm Teacher Yan. How can this be the same? I'm very protective of my wife, while you're just after money."

However, Mr. Yan, you've really succeeded this time. You should tell your wife to get closer to the old lady.

She's bedridden and won't live more than a year or two. If your wife gets along well with the old lady, even if she just shows you a little something, it'll be enough for you to work hard for half your life.

Just think about it, given the old lady's status, hiding a box or two of gold bars would be no problem at all. She might even have some antiques that have surfaced online; those would be worth a fortune.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bugui's eyes turned red with excitement, his hands began to tremble, and he spoke in a shaky voice.

"Jianguo, you, you, you mustn't be talking nonsense. My family has no such intentions."

Li Jianguo looked at Yan Bugui, who was so excited he could barely speak, and shook his head helplessly.

"Yes, Teacher Yan, I was just making things up. Don't get agitated, or you might faint."

"Who, who's getting excited?"

After saying these two sentences, Yan Bugui could no longer hide it. He didn't even look at the door and hurriedly ran home.

Afterwards, Li Jianguo and Yaoyao went home.

"Brother Jianguo, look how excited Teacher Yan is, it's so funny."

"Haha, this is going to be interesting. With Yan Bugui's money-grubbing nature, if such a big piece of fat meat is placed in front of him, he will definitely be unable to resist pouncing on it and taking a few bites."

That evening, Yao Yao was willing but unable to do anything, so she simply surrendered, and Jianguo didn't insist.

In the future, we'll let her off this time and let her hone some other skills.

Rumors about Yi Juehu were spreading. Yi Zhonghai, who was recuperating at home and not at work, didn't immediately notice, but Li Cuilan did.

Li Cuilan is particularly sensitive to this kind of thing. There used to be a rumor that she was a barren hen, so it became a habit.

When she went out to buy groceries today, the old women in the alley pointed and whispered about her, and she realized something was wrong.

After returning home, he didn't talk to Yi Zhonghai, who was lying in bed, but went straight to Jia Zhangshi.

"Mrs. Jia, what exactly happened this morning? Is someone spreading rumors about me?"

Jia Zhangshi didn't answer her, but simply stretched out one hand, rubbed her thumb and forefinger together, making a gesture as if asking for money.

Li Cuilan sighed helplessly and handed over 1000 yuan.

Madam Jia accepted the report without hesitation and recounted the rumors, embellishing them as they came to be. Madam Jia had been discussing these rumors with great enthusiasm, so she knew them very well.

Li Cuilan immediately realized something was wrong; it must have been Li Jianguo who was behind this.

He went home, cooked dinner, and only spoke up during the meal.

Something's happened.

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback. Had something else happened? Was he going to get beaten up again? He asked, trembling.

"Who is it? What's the matter?"

"Didn't you tell me to go out and talk bad about Li Jianguo? Now his revenge is here. Now there are rumors everywhere that you wanted to eat the old lady's dead money, and that you bullied He Yushui and made her wash diapers."

Upon hearing this, Yi Zhonghai's face immediately darkened. He valued his reputation, but the recent series of events had dealt a significant blow to it.

Unexpectedly, these things had already spread like wildfire, leaving Yi Zhonghai somewhat at a loss, as he knew the power of rumors.

The ruthlessness in Yi Zhonghai's eyes could no longer be concealed.

"It's already November, and the Lunar New Year is just around the corner. How about we get started before the New Year?"

Things are chaotic before the Lunar New Year; everyone's busy preparing for the holiday, so it's quite possible for something to happen at that time.

Li Cuilan lowered her head and thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let's make our move before the new year. Li Cuilan also hates Li Jianguo to the core; all the troubles of the past year are caused by this kid."

Yi Zhonghai then fell silent, and the two ate their meal in quiet.

Li Jianguo overheard their conversation.

Li Jianguo has now developed a habit of eavesdropping on conversations at the Intermediate People's Court. Whenever he returns home, he multitasks, constantly eavesdropping.

Since Yi Zhonghai has already decided to take action, I must strike first and torment him severely. Let's start with the whistleblower letter.

The next morning, the two returned to their spatial dimension to cultivate.

After Yao Yao gained internal energy, her cultivation became exceptionally advanced. You, Li Jianguo, were also influenced by her, frequently drinking spiritual spring water to cultivate your internal energy. Unbeknownst to you, you now possess eighty years' worth of internal energy.

I went to Quanjude for lunch and had Peking duck. I also dropped off the complaint letters in a nearby mailbox, sending one to the neighborhood committee and the other to the police station.

The two found another corner and returned to their space to begin cultivating.

"Yaoyao, your meridians can't handle too much internal energy cultivation. Let me teach you some moves. Let's start with Lingbo Weibu."

"Okay, Brother Jianguo."

Because Yao Yao knew nothing about the I Ching or the Eight Trigrams, we had to teach her using the methods from the Langhuan Blessed Land.

Li Jianguo walked across a large stone slab using the Lingbo Weibu technique, leaving a series of deep footprints. As for the route of his internal energy circulation...

Yao Yao, this is the internal energy circulation route of an external technique. You'll have to practice slowly to find out which meridians it passes through. This doesn't belong to internal energy cultivation, and it would be difficult for me to guide your internal energy circulation.

After explaining, Li Jianguo started drawing with paper and pen.

"Yaoyao, this is the energy flow path of the Lingbo Weibu (Lingbo Steps). Watch and practice slowly."

Yao Yao took it and started practicing. At first, it was quite difficult, and she often fell down after taking three steps.

After all, not only must internal energy circulate within the body, but footsteps must also match the footprints exactly.

Seeing how engrossed she was in her practice, Li Jianguo also started practicing the White Rainbow Palm Force on the side.

It wasn't until five or six o'clock that the two of them started running home. When Yan Bugui saw them, he turned his head away embarrassedly, pretending not to see them.

After all, what happened yesterday still left a deep impression on him. Although what he did was shameful, he still felt that he was a scholar.

Today, Yao Yao recovered, and Li Jianguo started teaching her the dual cultivation method. After all, this is a proper dual cultivation method, not the kind of thing that involves absorbing yin to replenish yang, and it is beneficial to both parties.