Courtyard House: Starting with handing over the keys, the state helps me abuse birds.

Yi Zhonghai felt like he was going crazy.

This isn't a metaphor; I'm genuinely going crazy.

He lay on the bed, unable to sleep due to the pain all over his body. The moon outside the window was round and bright, its light shining through the paper window and casting a pale white shadow on the floor. He just stared at that light with his eyes open, his mind replaying the events of the past few days.

Sha Zhu's face kept replaying in his mind.

"Master, how are you feeling today?"

"Master, where did your inner energy go when you were climbing?"

"Master, even though you've sealed your cultivation, can you still sense the true energy?"

"Master, are you truly a reclusive master?"

Those words were like knives, cutting into his heart again and again.

He rolled over, and a sharp pain shot through his ribs, making him gasp.

Yesterday, during a weighted cross-country run, he fell three times. While crawling, he collapsed after only twenty meters. He did five frog jumps before collapsing. He could only manage ten sit-ups before he couldn't get up.

He did every single training exercise worse than shit.

Shazhu watched from the sidelines during every training session.

That look in his eyes went from initial admiration to doubt, then to suspicion, and back to admiration. But what lay beneath that "admiration" was something Yi Zhonghai could see clearly.

Sha Zhu was testing him.

Again and again, over and over.

Today I asked him how to move his true energy, tomorrow I'll ask him when he can fly. Today I asked him if he can still feel the energy while his cultivation is sealed, tomorrow I'll ask him what method is needed to unlock his cultivation.

How could Yi Zhonghai know?

He doesn't even know where the dantian is!

He can only make things up.

I felt guilty even making this up.

But Sha Zhu would nod each time and then move on to the next question.

Yi Zhonghai knew that this couldn't continue for long.

One day, Sha Zhu will discover that he wasn't a master at all. When that happens, how will Sha Zhu treat him? Will he still take care of him in his old age? Will he still call him master?

No, it won't happen.

Sha Zhu will hate him.

I hate him for lying to me for so long, I hate him for wasting my time and trust.

At that point, Yi Zhonghai will be truly finished.

Without Sha Zhu to take care of him, how many more years can this old man live? What if he becomes paralyzed? Who will collect his body if he dies?

Yi Zhonghai became increasingly frightened and unable to sleep.

He tossed and turned for half an hour before finally sitting up, putting on his clothes, and pushing open the door.

The courtyard was quiet.

Moonlight spilled onto the blue brick ground, turning everything silvery-white. The old locust tree cast a long shadow, like a giant hand reaching into the darkness.

Yi Zhonghai stood at the door, looking at the moonlight, and suddenly made up his mind.

He can't just wait to die.

He has to figure out a way.

He sought help from acquaintances, connections, and others. There's always a way, and someone can help him out of this predicament.

He glanced back at his own room, then at the window of Sha Zhu's room where the light was on—that guy was still cultivating.

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and strode out.

He walked slowly, each step light, as if afraid of disturbing anyone. He passed through the middle courtyard, through the front courtyard, and arrived at the main gate.

The gate was closed, with a large padlock hanging on it.

Yi Zhonghai was stunned.

He forgot that the courtyard was locked at night.

He stood at the door, looking at the large lock, and a sense of despair welled up inside him.

Just then, a hand patted him on the shoulder.

Yi Zhonghai turned around abruptly, almost shouting out loud.

Duan Chengyi stood behind him, looking at him expressionlessly.

"Master Yi, where are you going so late?"

Yi Zhonghai's heart pounded wildly. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

Duan Chengyi looked at him, waited a few seconds, and suddenly said, "Want to go out and look for someone?"

Yi Zhonghai was stunned.

How did Duan Chengyi know?

Before he could answer, Duan Chengyi took out a key from his pocket and unlocked the large lock.

"Go," he said, "be back before dawn."

Yi Zhonghai stared at him blankly, unable to believe his ears.

Duan Chengyi stepped aside to make way for him.

Yi Zhonghai hesitated for a second, then stepped out the door.

Behind me, the door closed gently, and the lock was locked again.

Yi Zhonghai stood in the alley, glanced back at the door, and then looked around at the pitch-black night.

He didn't know why Duan Chengyi had let him out. But he knew this was his only chance.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and plunged into the night.

---

Yi Zhonghai walked for half an hour and arrived at a low-rise residential area in the south of the city.

The houses here were much more dilapidated than those in the courtyard houses, the alleys were narrower, the lighting was dimmer, and a musty smell permeated the air. He wandered around for a while before finally stopping in front of a broken wooden door.

He knocked on the door.

No one answered.

He knocked again.

Still, no one answered.

He raised his hand, about to knock a third time, when the door suddenly opened a crack, revealing a cloudy eye.

"Who?"

"Old Wei, it's me." Yi Zhonghai lowered his voice, "Yi Zhonghai."

The eye stared at him for a few seconds, then the door creaked open.

A gaunt old man stood in the doorway, wearing a tattered undershirt, his hair gray, his face covered in wrinkles. He stared at Yi Zhonghai, his eyes filled with surprise.

"Old Yi? What brings you here?"

Yi Zhonghai didn't say anything and just squeezed through the door.

Old Wei closed the door and looked back at him.

"What happened?"

Yi Zhonghai sat down in the room, took a deep breath, and recounted what had happened during this period.

From Xie Weihong's return, through the training, through Sha Zhu, through Xie Weihong's growth, through his pretense of being a master, to now being put on the hot seat, he talked for half an hour, until his mouth was dry and his eyes widened.

After he finished speaking, Lao Wei remained silent for a long time.

"You mean," Old Wei began, his voice hoarse, "that Xie family brat is now the captain, tormenting you every day?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded.

"He can fly?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded again.

Old Wei fell silent.

He paced around the room for a few steps, then suddenly stopped and looked at Yi Zhonghai.

Do you know how he became so strong?

Yi Zhonghai shook his head.

Old Wei squinted, thought for a moment, and said, "I've heard a saying."

Yi Zhonghai's heart skipped a beat.

"What do you mean?"

Old Wei lowered his voice and leaned close to his ear.

"He has powerful backers."

Yi Zhonghai was stunned.

"Who is it?"

Old Wei shook his head: "I don't know. But I do know that his skills weren't something he developed on his own. He must have someone guiding him and providing resources. Otherwise, how could a young man in his early twenties be so strong?"

Yi Zhonghai's mind raced.

Is someone behind this?

Who?

Could it be...?

He suddenly remembered that every time Xie Weihong finished making a phone call, Duan Chengyi would rush over. He thought of those young people in plain clothes, those medical staff, and those "treatments".

Old Wei nodded, looking at his expression.

"You figured it out?"

Yi Zhonghai swallowed.

"You mean...the country?"

Old Wei didn't say anything, he just looked at him.

Yi Zhonghai's heart sank.

If Xie Weihong has the state backing him, then no matter who he turns to, it won't make a difference. Who dares to go against the state?

Old Wei noticed that his expression was off and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't rush. I know someone."

Yi Zhonghai looked up at him.

Old Wei said, "This guy has some connections and influence in the underworld. He has a group of ruthless men under him. If you can get him to help, maybe you can find a way."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up.

Where is he?

Old Wei glanced at the sky outside the window.

"It's too late now. I'll take you to see him tomorrow."

Yi Zhonghai nodded, a surge of hope rising in his heart.

---

The next day, in the evening.

Yi Zhonghai followed Lao Wei to a secluded warehouse in the east of the city.

The warehouse was large, filled with all sorts of odds and ends, and smelled of machine oil and rust. Several shirtless young men were playing cards in a corner. When they saw them come in, they looked up at them, then looked down and continued playing.

At the very back of the warehouse, a middle-aged man sat on a worn-out sofa.

He was probably in his forties, bald, with a scar running from his eyebrow to his chin. He wore a black vest, revealing two arms covered in tattoos. He held a cigarette between his fingers and squinted as Yi Zhonghai and Lao Wei walked in.

"Old Wei, is this the person you were talking about?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Old Wei nodded: "Yes, this is Yi Zhonghai, my old buddy."

Scarface looked Yi Zhonghai up and down, a smile playing on his lips.

"An old man?"

Yi Zhonghai was taken aback, not expecting the other person to know him.

Scarface stood up and walked up to him.

"I've heard of you. A highly respected elder in the courtyard house." He smiled, but there was a hint of amusement in his smile. "How did you end up like this?"

Yi Zhonghai's face flushed red, but he held it in.

"I'd like to ask you for help."

Scarface raised an eyebrow.

"Help? Help with what?"

Yi Zhonghai recounted the events of this period once again.

After listening, Scarface remained silent for a moment, then laughed.

"You mean, that Xie Weihong tortured you like this?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded.

Scarface's smile widened.

"Old man, you've finally met your match!"

Yi Zhonghai's face turned even redder.

Scarface finished laughing and patted him on the shoulder.

"Okay, I'll help you with this."

Yi Zhonghai was stunned.

"You...you'd be willing to help?"

Scarface nodded, turned around, walked back to the sofa, and sat down.

"I'm the kind of person who loves to meddle in other people's business, especially this kind of business." He lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "I've heard about Xie Weihong for a long time. He's in his early twenties, can fly, can fight, and has powerful backers. I need to meet someone like that."

Yi Zhonghai was secretly delighted.

"So what do you plan to do?"

Scarface looked at him and exhaled a smoke ring.

"What should we do? First, find out what he's up to. See who he is, who's backing him. Then..." He paused, a hint of ruthlessness in his smile, "and then we'll see how things go."

Yi Zhonghai nodded repeatedly.

Scarface stood up, walked up to him, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, sir. I'll take care of this. Go back and wait; you'll hear from me in a few days."

Yi Zhonghai's eyes welled up with tears.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Scarface waved his hand, indicating that they could leave.

Old Wei pulled Yi Zhonghai out of the warehouse.

Behind them, Scarface watched their retreating figures, the smile slowly fading from his face.

He waved, and a young man walked over.

"Go and investigate that Xie Weihong," he said. "Find out the truth."

The young man nodded and disappeared into the darkness.

---

As Yi Zhonghai walked out of the warehouse, it felt like dawn had broken.

Although it was still dark outside, his heart was filled with light.

Saved.

There's finally hope.

That scarred man looks like a ruthless character. With so many men under his command, he must have a way to deal with Xie Weihong. No matter how powerful Xie Weihong is, he can't fight off a crowd.

Yi Zhonghai felt increasingly pleased with himself, and his steps became lighter.

Old Wei walked beside him, and seeing his expression, he couldn't help but say, "Old Yi, don't be too happy yet. That Xie Weihong isn't so easy to deal with."

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand.

"It's alright. We can manage with someone's help."

Old Wei wanted to say something, but seeing his expression, he swallowed his words.

The two walked back to the area of ​​bungalows and parted ways at the door of Old Wei's house.

Old Wei watched Yi Zhonghai's figure disappear into the night and sighed.

He didn't know if the scarred man could be of any help. But he knew this matter wasn't that simple.

---

When Yi Zhonghai returned to the courtyard house, it was almost dawn.

He stood at the doorway, looking at the tightly closed door, and took a deep breath.

The door opened.

Duan Chengyi stood inside the door, looking at him.

"You're back?"

Yi Zhonghai nodded.

Duan Chengyi didn't ask anything and stepped aside to let him in.

Yi Zhonghai walked through the front yard, through the middle yard, and back to his room.

He lay on the bed, eyes closed, a smile playing on his lips.

Saved.

There's finally hope.

He thought about the scarred face, those shirtless young men, and the scene of Xie Weihong being reprimanded, and slowly fell asleep.

He slept exceptionally soundly that night.

---

backyard.

Xie Weihong sat cross-legged on the bed and opened her eyes.

[Ding! Detected that the ninth-tier demon "Hypocritical Soul Demon" has successfully found external assistance. Hope value +500%, fighting spirit restored, mental pressure temporarily relieved.]

[Ding! A ninth-tier demon, the "Hypocritical Soul Demon," has been detected plotting something. External forces are expected to intervene within three days.]

[Ding! Side quest triggered - External Provocation: Repel external forces and maintain order in the courtyard's "training" area. Quest Rewards: 10000 Spirit-Eroding Crystals, 2000 Body-Tempering Elixir, 200 Barrier-Breaking Pills, 1 Fragment of the Special Skill "Intimidation".]

Xie Weihong's lips curled up slightly.

Need outside help?

interesting.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of Yi Zhonghai's room.

The window was dark; the person must be fast asleep.

Xie Weihong smiled, turned around and went back to the bedside.

Sit cross-legged and close your eyes.

Inside his body, the silvery-white golden elixir slowly rotated, emitting a soft light.

Mid-stage of the sixth rank.

almost.

He waited for those people to come to him.