Chapter Three: The Way Down

  Since everything was settled, Qi Mo True Person paid his respects and took his leave, each returning to their own peak. Only Zi Yang True Person remained behind.

  As the crowd dispersed, Zǐ Wēi True Person immediately closed his eyes, revealing a tired expression. Zǐ Yáng True Person also had a solemn face, with a deep and worried look. The two True Persons sat silently in the grand hall, not uttering a word.

  For a moment, inside the grand hall, it was as quiet as ancient times.

  At this time, it seemed that he had considered it carefully, and Zi Yang Zhen Ren spoke up: "Zi Wei Zhang Jiao, Ji Ru Chen entered my door, I'm afraid it's not very appropriate!"

  Zi Wei Zhen Ren waved his hand and said, "Zi Yang Shixiong, don't be modest anymore! Among the eight Zhen Ren, you are the oldest in age and thickest in virtue. Only by letting him enter your door can we temporarily stop the dispute among the seven Zhen Ren." After finishing speaking, he let out a long sigh and continued, "Alas, I didn't expect that the struggle for dominance within our sect would still be so intense. Thirty years ago it was like this, thirty years later when I came out of seclusion, it's still the same. If things continue like this, how can we end it?"

  Upon hearing this, Ziyang True Person's face showed a hint of shame, saying: "Since the Master closed his door and started cultivating in seclusion, I was entrusted to take charge of the sect. For thirty years, I have not been able to bring any prosperity to our sect, it can be said that I am to blame for my lack of supervision, and I have failed to live up to the Master's expectations."

  Zi Wei Zhen Ren said with a smile, "How can you be blamed for this? Which of the other seven veins doesn't think about expanding their own gate and suppressing other branches? What they're after is still what I left behind after my cultivation was complete. How could you possibly suppress them? If they weren't infatuated with this, given their qualifications, how could their cultivation be limited to just this?"

  The grand hall was once again quiet, the atmosphere more oppressive than before. The struggle for dominance within the Dao De Sect had begun over a thousand years ago and could be said to have been festering for many years, deeply ingrained in their bones. How could it be possible to reverse the situation with just a few people's efforts over several decades?

  Ziyang Zhenren paused for a moment, then spoke: "The leader of the Orthodox Sect's trip out this time is a major event for my entire Righteous Path. With you in charge and having obtained the Demoted Immortal, I will be the leader of the Daoist sects' Orthodox Path, looking down on all others. That day is not far off."

  "The leader is on the right path, looking down on the masses?" Zi Wei True Person snorted and said: "What does this have to do with my moral integrity? Can it resolve the disputes of the seven true people just like that? Fortunately, although the seven true people have been fighting for decades, their actions still have a limit, and they have not yet violated the rules of the sect, damaging the reputation of my sect." Then, Zi Wei True Person's tone became serious again, and he said: "Zi Yang Shixiong, this time I deciphered the heavenly mechanism, and seized the opportunity to bring back the banished immortal. It has already disrupted my cultivation for some time, and in a few more days, I will have to re-enter closed-door meditation. The affairs of the sect will once again require your attention."

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren originally thought that the sect leader would leave the mountain pass, and he would have to wait for a period of time to deal with some internal affairs. With Zi Wei Zhen Ren's prestige, some long-standing grudges within the Seven Veins might be resolved. However, he never expected that the sect leader would re-enter seclusion just a few days later. In such a short time, how could he possibly clarify thirty years' worth of internal affairs? Zi Yang Zhen Ren was shocked and hastily said: "But..."

  Zi Wei Zhen Ren slightly raised his hand, not allowing Zi Yang to continue speaking. He walked back and forth in the hall several times, his eyebrows furrowed, his face showing a puzzled expression, as if he had something difficult to decide. After a moment, Zi Wei Zhen Ren stopped walking and stood in front of Zi Yang Zhen Ren, slowly saying: "I just cast a divination and secretly calculated, but somehow I couldn't calculate Ji Ru Chen's future fortune. Although he is a fallen immortal reborn, he has already become an ordinary person, and I should have no reason not to see through his fate. Apart from this, many sects have deciphered the heavenly mechanism and come to snatch people this time, which is also very suspicious. Logically speaking, with the minor Dao lineage of Mr. Hu Shi and Qi Sheng Shan, how could they possibly predict the heavenly mechanism?"

  Ziyang Zhenren listened and didn't think much of it, only saying: "The leader of the True Person is worrying too much! If you hadn't broken through the heavenly mechanism half a day earlier, how could we have seized the initiative, prepared thoroughly, and suppressed the people of other sects in one move? The gap in divine powers is not small!"

  Zi Wei Zhen Ren shook his head, his face turned cold, and he solemnly warned: "No matter what, Brother Zi Yang, you must be careful from now on and protect Ji Ruochen well. Now that Ji Ruochen's identity has been exposed, no matter whether it's the righteous or evil path, since they know he is a banished immortal descending into the world, they will definitely come to seize him without hesitation. Who knows, some old monsters who haven't appeared in a hundred years may also intervene. From now on, our Dao De Zong Mountain Gate will probably be plagued by endless troubles. Alas, how can our Dao De Zong's 3,000-year legacy be destroyed at our hands? Brother Zi Yang, I gaze out at the Western Mountains, and amidst the clouds and mist, I see a hint of blood-colored light. I fear that from now on, our Dao De Zong will face many difficulties that will be hard to deal with. At that time, just call me out of seclusion. Even if it means giving up my chance at ascending to immortality, I will do everything in my power to annihilate the enemies!"

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren hastily replied.

  Zi Wei Zhen Ren sank into thought for a moment, then suddenly let out a sigh, his face showing fatigue. "Actually, the heavenly mechanism is hard to fathom," he said. "I'm just like someone peering through a tube at a leopard, seeing only one spot and thinking I've grasped the heavenly mechanism, penetrated the mysteries of yin and yang, and know past and future events. Ha! What arrogance! If I really could know future events, why would the Dao De sect be in such disarray, with me unable to do anything about it?"

  Having spoken, Zǐ Wēi Zhēn Rén's expression turned melancholic, and with a wave of his hand, he retreated into the inner palace.

  The next day, at dawn, Ji Rufeng was led by a small Taoist boy to the Tai Chang Palace where Ziyang True Man lived. For him, every step he took and every scene he saw had a sense of being in a dream. Look at the majestic atmosphere of the Tai Chang Palace, with the mountain scenery and trees covering it, like a fairyland, like a crystal palace, it's not an exaggeration to call it a fairyland.

  If he were still at the Dragon Gate Inn, even if he was beaten to death, he would not have thought that there were such magnificent and extraordinary people in the world. At this time, he naturally knew that these true men of the path were not really immortals, but just by virtue of their magical powers, the immortals he could think of were only like this.

  The only thing that's not quite right is that the vegetarian dish in this Taoist temple tastes a bit off, to use a new word I just learned, it's full of artisanal flavor but lacks spiritual essence. Compared to the braised pork buns and bone soup made by the boss's wife, it's really like heaven and earth.

  The exterior of the Taichang Palace, where the Purple Sun Master resided, was majestic and grand. Upon entering, one felt refined yet unpretentious, elegant yet unworldly, without any display of luxury. The courtyard was filled with purple bamboo and palm trees, as well as several banana plants. The atmosphere in the courtyard was gentle and warm, with soft water rippling gently, evoking a sense of scenery from the Southern Sea. Ji Rufeng entered the main hall and saw that the person sitting in the center was an old Daoist with a kind face and benevolent eyes - it was indeed the Purple Sun True Person. He was extremely quick-witted and immediately kowtowed, addressing him as a divine immortal.

  Ziyang Zhenren chuckled and calmly accepted his eight bows, then without any movement, a gentle yet powerful force lifted Ji Ruochen up and placed him in front of himself.

  Ziyang Zhenren looked up and down at Ji Ruochen, then slowly said: "Since you are willing to join the Daode Sect, you must follow our rules. The leader of the Daode Sect is upright and honest, with integrity as the priority. I'll ask you, in the past few years, how many evil things have you done that go against your elders?"

  Ji Ruocheng was shocked and immediately knelt down, replying: "I have been wandering since I was a child, until I arrived at the Longmen Inn outside the pass, where I was taken in by the innkeeper. Over the years, I have always remembered the kindness of the innkeeper and his wife, doing my best to serve them, never disobeying my superiors."

  Ziyang Zhenren stared at Ji Ruochen, letting out a heavy hum. This loud hum was like a thunderclap, exploding violently beside Ji Ruochen's ear, making his head spin and eyes blur. Ji Ruochen's heart was filled with panic, his voice trembling as he said: "True Person, no, Immortal! On the day you arrived at Longmen Inn, that morning, I really couldn't resist the temptation, moved by greed, and stole three freshly steamed buns and a bowl of bone soup. It wasn't because I was hungry, but just...just because Madame's cooking is too delicious! Apart from this, there's nothing else that goes against respecting one's elders, nothing else!"

  In Ji Ruochen's heart, using aphrodisiacs to deceive and cheat people is a daily necessity, like sweeping the floor, without realizing that it is harmful and unjust.

  Even if Ziyang True Person's cultivation was deep, he was stunned after hearing it. He remained silent for half a stick of incense before finally exhaling a mouthful of turbid air. With a bitter smile, the long-prepared lecture had not even uttered a single word, and he himself had forgotten everything. He could only instruct: "Yesterday, Yunfeng Daozhang gave you our sect's rules and regulations. For the next two days, focus on memorizing them. Then Yunfeng Daozhang will teach you the etiquette and rituals for morning and evening classes, as well as worshiping during incense offerings. After I meet with Qimai True Person to discuss your course schedule, I will personally instruct you in our sect's introductory lessons. Due to the current busyness of sect affairs, this ceremony will be postponed for now. Consider yourself accepted as a disciple by Yunwei True Person after receiving your eight bows earlier. From now on, don't address me randomly with 'shen xian', it only adds ridicule."

  Ji Ruocheng nodded in response, but still stood motionless on the spot. After a long while, he muttered: "Master, I have one more thing... Cloud Wind Daozhang indeed gave me three copies of the Dao De Men rules, but... but among the ten characters in the book, I can only recognize four or five..."

  Ziyang Zhenren pondered for a moment, then said: "You originally didn't know any characters, this I had overlooked. Never mind, from now on you will set aside one hour each evening to study reading and writing with the newly selected children from all over the world this year. You may go down now, everything will be arranged by Yunfeng Daoren."

  Ji Ruocheng nodded and followed the young servant out. Just as they reached the gate, Zi Yang True Person called him back. Zi Yang took out a small green stone from his sleeve and handed it to Ji Ruocheng, saying: "Ruocheng, you are already eighteen years old in the mortal world, and it's a bit late for you to enter my great path now. However, the heavens reward diligence, as long as you're willing to put in hard work, no matter when you seek the Tao, it's not too late. It's just that since you started cultivating at an older age, you will inevitably face more hardships than others, which is also the intention of heaven to temper your character. You mustn't harbor resentment or give up on yourself because of this. From now on, no matter what happens, you must always remember that my Taoist sect is the orthodox way of the world, and everything should be done with a sense of justice. Remember?"

  Ji Ruochen nodded vigorously. Zi Yang Zhenren took out another cyan jade medicine bottle from his bosom and handed it to him, saying: "This bottle of nourishing spirit pills can relieve mental fatigue and weakness, take one pill a day, it may be useful for you."

  Ji Ruocheng thanked Ziyang True Man and was led out by the little Daoist boy. Although he was not yet fifteen years old, since Ziyang True Man said he was eighteen, then he was eighteen; he wouldn't be foolish enough to argue about it. Instead, he remembered the last few words of advice from Ziyang True Man, knowing that the true man must have had a purpose, and naturally engraved them in his heart one by one.

  After Ji Ruochen left, Yun Feng Daozhang, who had been standing silently behind Zi Yang Zhenren, finally spoke up: "Zi Yang Zhenren, Ji Ruochen is already eighteen years old, but the oldest of the disciples he will be practicing with won't be more than twelve years old. At that time, it might be a bit embarrassing for him. Moreover, you arranged for him to cultivate in the Tai Shang Dao De Palace, where there are many arrogant and spoiled children from wealthy families. They usually have an air of superiority about them, but now they see Ji Ruochen's mediocre talent being valued so highly by all of you Zhenren, not knowing that he is actually a banished immortal reborn in the mortal world... I'm afraid this arrangement might lead to more trouble than it's worth."

  Ziyang Zhenren glanced at Yunfeng and smiled, stroking his beard: "This is merely a small test. If Dust has been working in the black shop selling human flesh buns for six years, who knows how many people he has harmed? Do you think he can't handle those seven meridians of arrogant and ignorant disciples? My only concern as his master is that I fear he will be seduced by the worldly temptations and no longer be willing to work hard. At that time, even if he has the potential of a banished immortal, how can he possibly achieve perfect virtue?"

  Yun Feng Dao Chang immediately said: "The true person is wise and brilliant."