Chapter 52: The Garden Courtyard

Chen Mu had recruited these few peculiar individuals and formed his own security team as a preparation for building his own power base. From this security team, he would gradually assemble his army of the uncanny.

After the salesmen left in high spirits, Chen Mu continued forward and soon arrived at an intersection. His private taxi was already waiting there. The driver got out and respectfully opened the door for Chen Mu. Once seated, Chen Mu said, “Take me to Mountain and Water Courtyard.”

“Yes, boss.” The driver pressed the accelerator, and the taxi began to move smoothly.

During the ride, the driver suddenly said, “Boss, I feel like your aura is much stronger than before.”

Hearing this, Chen Mu realized that his own strength had increased considerably since before. How could this be? After a moment’s thought, he understood—it must be the effect of the Midnight Academy! Every time he acquired a new uncanny scene, his power surged significantly.

Before acquiring the Midnight Academy, he was at the “Uncanny Soldier” level; after buying it, his strength quietly but rapidly grew within hours. Now, Chen Mu’s power had soared to the next tier: “Uncanny Commander,” at the initial stage.

With this leap in strength, Chen Mu could clearly feel, as a human, that he could now manipulate the eerie energy within his body. Gazing at the spatial ring on his hand, he focused his mind and enveloped it with his aura. The ring slowly vanished from sight—though not truly gone, but concealed within the eerie energy, undetectable by ordinary people or uncanny beings.

Keeping it hidden was wise; after all, the spatial ring was a “Uncanny King-level” artifact, unique in the entire uncanny apocalypse. It was better not to wear it openly, lest someone covet it and try to snatch it away.

The taxi sped swiftly, and twenty minutes later, they neared their destination.

Mountain and Water Courtyard was a high-end villa district nestled on the outskirts of the city. The suburban environment was pristine, with clear mountains and flowing waters—free from the city’s pollution and honking noises. Surrounding it were lush green forests, with a moat winding through the hills.

Indeed, it lived up to its name.

Chen Mu rolled down the window, and fresh air flooded into the car. Taking a deep breath, he felt invigorated. Truly a wonderful place to live!

Though secluded, this wealthy neighborhood enjoyed convenient and swift transportation. One of the city’s Metro Line 1 stations was right at the gate of Mountain and Water Courtyard. Step out of the community, and you were at the station; within an hour, you could reach anywhere in the city.

Not keen on taking the metro? Driving was equally easy! A broad six-lane avenue ran straight through the main gate. Usually, the road was quiet, used mainly by the rich residents of Mountain and Water Courtyard.

Chen Mu couldn’t help but marvel—rich people were truly different. No matter the time, they always enjoyed the finest resources.

The difference was that before the uncanny apocalypse, Chen Mu was merely a resource others exploited; after reliving his life in this new world, he had become one of the richest in the apocalypse.

And not just any rich man—the wealthiest, wielding trillions in dark currency that he could never spend.

There’s a saying: the money of the wealthy is never truly spent.

Chen Mu had spent two days, but the money in his pocket only grew. He bought the Midnight Hotel for 7.5 million, and in just two days, earned over two million profit; he spent over ten million gifting a duke and received a “Uncanny General-level” artifact worth billions in return; the Midnight Academy, originally priced at 7 billion, he purchased for 100 million and made an astonishing 6.9 billion profit.

Money multiplied as he spent it, and he made a multitude of friends along the way.

What a troublesome life!

Just as Chen Mu was reflecting on the hardships of living wealthy, the driver suddenly turned his head and said, “Boss, my car can’t get into Mountain and Water Courtyard.”

An invisible air barrier seemed to surround the entire community, blocking outsiders completely. The taxi was stopped outside by this shield. No matter how hard the driver pressed the accelerator, he couldn’t break through.

Chen Mu stepped out and approached the air barrier. He took a deep breath and threw a punch.

“Boom!”

A loud explosion echoed, but the barrier remained undamaged.

Chen Mu was surprised. Although he was only at the initial stage of Uncanny Commander, this was an elite level in the hierarchy of “Uncanny King, Uncanny General, Uncanny Commander, Uncanny Soldier, Uncanny Civilian.”

Yet a single punch had no effect.

He pondered for a moment and realized this barrier wasn’t ordinary—it must be a power of law itself. Yes, the entire Mountain and Water Courtyard was firmly protected by a rule.

The driver frowned, frustrated that they were barred from entering. Yet Chen Mu smiled with satisfaction. This place was increasingly to his liking—protected by a rule that prevented outsiders from invading.

This meant that once Chen Mu purchased Mountain and Water Courtyard, outsiders would be unable to enter unless they could pierce the rule, even if they were as powerful as an Uncanny King. It would be an absolutely safe new home.

Standing outside the air barrier, Chen Mu began to contemplate what rule was guarding the community. After all, he was not yet the owner and still needed to find a way inside.

But with his five years of experience in the uncanny apocalypse, Chen Mu was confident that with some thought he could discern the rule.

Once he understood the rule, he only needed to find the “way in.” Different rules implied different meanings for a “way in.” For this barrier, it meant the method to cross inside.

As Chen Mu was deep in thought, a figure suddenly appeared at the main gate inside the barrier.