Chapter Eleven Under the Open Road

  Just as the wooden strip was about to be inserted, a strong light suddenly appeared in the bathroom, and everything turned white. The woman let out a scream, covering her eyes with her hand. Despite the stinging pain in her eyes, she still used force to push the wooden strip down.

  But the wooden strip at the front end was like being blocked by a huge stone, no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn't budge an inch. She couldn't help but be shocked, because with her current strength, even if it were a real boulder, it would be as fragile as tofu in front of her sword. What on earth was in front of her sword?

  In the blink of an eye, the strong light dissipated, and she forced her eyes open to find that Ji Ruochen was still lying motionless on the ground. However, a small jade pendant floated above his back, spinning at an unbelievable speed. The pendant emitted a faint glow, which supported her wooden strip, preventing it from advancing even a little bit.

  She couldn't help but be shocked, able to reveal profound and mysterious methods in subtle details, the person who created this jade ornament had already reached an extremely high level of moral integrity.

  This place is where the disciples of Dan Yuan Palace live, from Ji Ruofeng entering the room to that woman's sudden attack being blocked, it was just a flash of lightning, but it had already startled many people. The sound of voices outside the house was deafening, and they were rushing towards the bathroom.

  At this time, outside the bathroom suddenly quieted down, and a group of Dan Yuan Palace disciples chorused: "Greetings to Yu Xuan True Man!"

  Yu Xuan said outside the bathroom, "Don't disturb everyone, go back to rest, I will handle this matter myself."

  The disciples of Dan Yuan Palace, though puzzled in their hearts, couldn't disobey the master's orders and dispersed. In the blink of an eye, Yu Jing was already standing outside the bathroom, asking Yu Xuan: "Yu Xuan, what's going on with all this commotion?" As she asked, she headed towards the bathroom to take a look.

  Unexpectedly, Yu Xuan Zhenren's sleeve brushed across, blocking her path, saying: "All the true people will arrive soon, and they will handle this matter at that time. It's not very convenient for Shifu to enter now, so please go back."

  Yu Jing was shocked and saw that Yu Xuan had no intention of compromise, so she could only fly away reluctantly. As she left, her face naturally showed a displeased expression.

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren's face was covered with frost, and he walked towards the bathroom. He went straight to the closed door, and just as he was about to collide with the wooden door, his body became slightly blurred, and he passed through the wooden door.

  At this time, the woman and Yu Jue were only entangled for a moment, but she was already unable to hold on and retreated. For a while, she was weak and exhausted, her whole body covered in sparkling water droplets, unable to distinguish whether it was fragrant sweat or bathwater. She could only prop herself up with the wooden board, panting heavily, yet the fierce killing intent in her eyes staring at Ji Ruochen was growing stronger and stronger.

  Ji Ruocheng was lying on the ground, unable to move, and was staring at her with a helpless smile on his face.

  The woman's body was not covered with a single thread, and her figure and appearance were extremely good. Ji Ruochen had never seen a woman's body so clearly before, let alone such a beautiful one. Despite the severe pain in his waist, he couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment.

  The woman, seeing Ji Ruochen's expression, was even more furious, completely without any intention of hiding her body, but instead stared at Ji Ruochen, concentrating all her energy to gather her true yuan, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to this bold and lustful thief. However, the small jade pendant floating above Ji Ruochen's head seemed to be mocking her for underestimating herself.

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren stepped into the inner room, first gazing at Ji Ruochen who was lying motionless on the ground with his clothes half undone, then looked at the woman whose whole body was tense and ready to pounce. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly, and the frost on his face grew thicker.

  The woman finally saw Yu Xuan, and hastily paid her respects. Her eyes brimming with tears, she said: "Master Yu Xuan! Your disciple was bathing when this shameless scoundrel suddenly burst in and attempted to take liberties! Your disciple was just about to strike him down, but the scoundrel's magic is formidable. Fortunately, Master has arrived - please uphold justice!"

  At this time, the jade pendant stopped spinning and returned to Yu Xuan's waist on its own, hanging from a silk ribbon. The woman named Huai Su never expected that the jade pendant was actually sent by Yu Xuan, and she was stunned for a moment.

  Yu Xuan Zhenren raised his hand and beckoned, the clothes placed outside flew towards the woman on their own. "Huaisu, put your clothes on first. The true immortals will arrive in a moment, how can you maintain any dignity if you're naked?"

  Huaisu took over the clothes, just about to put them on, when he suddenly saw that lecher still staring at his body with wide eyes. Without thinking, he knew that he was doing it because Huaisu was about to put on his clothes, and he wanted to take a peek. Huaisu was furious, and didn't bother to dress, the wooden stick again stabbed towards Ji Ruochen.

  The wooden strip was fierce, but it was only halfway through. Suddenly, with a loud crash, the wooden strip ignited into a bright fireball and turned to ashes. Then she hit her head against an invisible wall again, dazed and dizzy.

  "Huaisu! Do you want to disobey your master's orders?" Yu Xuan's tone was already very severe.

  Huai Su was shocked, and had to reluctantly turn back, hastily putting on her clothes. She had just put on her outer robe when a gentle breeze blew in from the bathroom, clouds and mist swirling, Yu Xujian slowly walked out. In the midst of the clouds and mist, Jing Xiao, Zi Yun, Tai Yin and other immortals also followed closely behind, and in an instant, all eight immortals had arrived, making the small bathroom suddenly seem crowded.

  Huai Su never thought that this lecher would actually stir up the arrival of eight true people. At first, she didn't intend to kill anyone, only wanting to severely injure the lecher and capture him, then hand him over to the head of the Dan Yuan Palace for punishment. Speaking of it, although there is a strict prohibition on lust in the Dao De Sect's rules, everyone inside the sect is cultivating the Dao - what kind of lustful matters would they have? Like tonight, breaking into the female disciples' bathhouse and forcibly committing indecency - Huai Su had never heard of such a thing before. Just because it hadn't happened before didn't mean it wouldn't happen in the future. She also never thought that the Dao De Sect's first case of lust would be one she herself stumbled upon.

  At this moment, Huai Su's clothes were disheveled and his feet were bare. It was clear that he had just put on his clothes in a hurry. Ji Ruochen lay motionless on the ground, half-naked. What had just happened was self-evident.

  As for age and position, Ziyang Zhenren was the oldest. He immediately asked in a low voice: "Ruo Chen, what is going on here?"

  Ji Ruochen weakly cried out: "Master... disciple is innocent!"

  "Preposterous?!" Huai Su glared at Ji Ruochen, shouting: "You broke in through the window and forced yourself on me, and you still dare to say it's preposterous?"

  "Hold!" Yu Xuan Zhen Ren shouted again, stopping her words. "With all the true people present here, there is no permission for you to speak. You should leave now and wait for me to find you after this matter is settled."

  Huai Su was shocked and still said: "But..."

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren shouted again "Get out!", apparently already somewhat moved to true anger.

  Huaisu's face turned pale, and she didn't dare to say another word, so she had to leave the bathroom. Huaisu felt extremely wronged in her heart, not only was she brutally violated, but also when all the Taoist priests asked about the situation at that time, they didn't even ask for her account of what happened, instead they only questioned that lecherous man, and wouldn't even let her be present. This matter is not clear-cut, isn't it just letting that lecherous man go around spreading lies?

  Huaisu usually pleased Yu Xuan Zhenren, but at this moment he suddenly encountered a great change and suffered a great grievance. He flew back to his room in a hurry, closed the door and sat down, motionless and speechless.

  After Huaisu left, the bathroom was quiet. Ziyun True Person sighed and took out a small black jade bottle, saying: "Yu Chen's waist vertebra is already broken, let me first help him to reconnect his bones and regenerate his muscles before questioning him!"

  Having said that, the Purple Cloud True Person opened the black jade vial and dripped three drops of emerald green liquid onto Ji Ruochen's waist. As soon as the medicine came into contact with his skin, it was immediately absorbed, and at the same time, Ji Ruochen's entire body turned a pale blue color, and a thick white mist rose from his waist. In the blink of an eye, Ji Ruochen got up from the ground. For a moment, he wanted to pay his respects to the various True Persons, but then again, he wanted to tidy up his clothes first, and ended up in a flurry of activity.

  Zhen people did not urge him, waiting for him to tidy up and pay his respects. Only then did Ziyang Zhenren say: "Ruo Chen, what is going on here? Why did you sneak into the Dan Yuan Palace's female disciples' bathroom at night, and why did you disturb the quiet cultivation of all the Zhen people? Tell me in detail!"

  Ji Ruochen knelt down on the ground and said, "Disciple was really framed by evil people, because of the worry about his life, he dared to disturb all the true men..."

  He then went on to recount in detail how the man had caught the small beast, what the man had said to him, and how he had framed him, throwing him into the bathhouse of the female disciples of Dan Yuan Palace. Ji Ruochen's words were vivid and lifelike, especially when he described the man's two faces, and even repeated the man's words verbatim. He knew that to clear his own name and catch the real culprit, these details were crucial. Moreover, in this unexpected disaster, he had almost died at Huai Su's hands, although he had eventually escaped with his life, but was left with a broken spine, and the pain was not small. How could he not seek revenge? Furthermore, he thought ahead, having already been ambushed once before, and now being framed again, if he didn't catch the culprit, he would have to be constantly on guard in the future, this life would be difficult to live.

  Fortunately, after Ji Ruochen was ambushed for the first time, the True Person gave him two magical artifacts. One of them is a pearl that he wears around his neck. The pearl has an ordinary shape but was refined by the pre-heavenly yang fire. Once it's crushed, the copper bell on one of the eight True Persons will ring to alert them. Another artifact is the Three-Hole Flying Xuan Array drawn by Gu Shou, the True Person, on Ji Ruochen's back. This array has a strange effect that can lock and bind souls. If Ji Ruochen encounters danger, this array can ensure his soul won't scatter within an instant. When the True Persons arrive, they can easily retrieve Ji Ruochen's soul with their magical powers. Moreover, the person who tries to kill Ji Ruochen will not be able to escape investigation.

  Ji Ruochen didn't know if the man had seen through the Three-Hole Flying Mystic Array on his body, and that's why he hadn't made a move to kill him.

  The various Zhenren asked repeatedly several times, after which the Purple Cloud Zhenren comforted Ji Ruochen with a few gentle words, telling him not to worry and to return home to cultivate his Taoist practices at ease.

  After Zijin left, Zi Yang True Person frowned and said: "This matter is indeed somewhat suspicious, please ask everyone to discuss it together."

  After a moment, the eight immortals were seated in the Cloud Smoke Pavilion of the Supreme Morality Palace. Yu Xuan True Person spoke first: "According to what Yi Ru Chen said, the man caught a nine-lined cloud fox. This fox has many things to see, but there's nothing particularly special about it. I really don't know what that person wants to use it for."

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren interjected: "Yu Xuan Zhen Ren's words are not wrong, the nine-lined cloud fox can neither be used as medicine nor refined into a tool, it is indeed not worthy of great use."

  Yu Xuan Zhenren's face turned cold, and he stared at Zi Yun Zhenren with a fierce gaze, letting out a heavy hum. Zi Yun Zhenren pretended not to see him.

  Taiwei Zhenren said, "The nine-line cloud fox is nothing, but if Dust said that he saw two faces on that person's body. According to Dust's description, the first face I don't have in my Daoist sect, and the second face looks very similar to Boyang Shixiong. But Boyang Shixiong was just playing chess with me, how could he split his body to Dan Yuan Palace to harm Dust?"

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren said: "According to Tai Wei Zhen Ren's intention, is this a story made up by you?"

  Taiwei Zhenren said, "If Dust has never lied to us before, but this matter is too sudden and unexpected; secondly, that person did not kill If Dust, it's hard to believe he can see through the Three Caves Flying Xuan Array set up by the True Person of Guarding Truth. Thirdly, I saw If Dust looking at Huaisu with an extremely fervent gaze, which makes me suspect there is something improper."

  Tai Yin Zhen Ren hummed and said, "If it's as you say, how could Ru Xuan accurately speak of the 'Fu Yang Two Yi' great method? This method requires a true yuan from the Upper Clear Realm to be deployed. Among the seated true immortals, no one has ever transmitted this dao fa to him, right?"

  Tai Wei Zhen Ren said: "If Dust Spirit's awakening is excellent, then the great method of Fantian should be both suitable for superior and inferior. If what Dust said about the true nature is Bo Yang Shi Shu, how could that be possible? He has read a lot of Taoist scriptures, occasionally seeing the cultivation methods of the Great Law, it's not entirely impossible."

  Tai Yin Zhen Ren said coldly, "Can the 'Yin Yang Harmony' technique only have one layer of illusion? We old things are holding on to the dregs and not making progress. Can't we innovate and bring out new ideas? Just because we can't do it, doesn't mean others can't either. In my opinion, Yu Chen's words are true, and this person has been secretly plotting against our sect for many years, with a grand plan in mind. If our sect doesn't change its ways and openly recruit disciples, who knows how many more people will infiltrate us in the future? As for Yu Chen's fondness for a certain woman, what's the point of bothering with such trivial matters?"

  Taiwei Zhenren's eyebrows were upside down, and he was about to erupt at any moment.

  Zi Yang Zhen Ren coughed and interjected, "The two true immortals don't need to argue. In my opinion, since that person can cultivate a double-layered illusion and deceive Ruo Chen, we didn't find any clues at the scene, so it's impossible to find him in a hurry. This matter can be put aside for now. As for recruiting disciples, this is an ancient method left by our sect's ancestors, and changing it would not be appropriate. In fact, even if one or two evil spirits sneak in, it doesn't matter. Our sect has had many people infiltrating other schools and sects over the years, and it's all part of the natural order. Currently, the situation is unstable, and our sect has two major tasks: first, Purple Microcosm's smooth ascension to the throne, and second, protecting Ruo Chen until his ascension day. If these two tasks are accomplished, our sect will naturally lead the world. Therefore, other minor matters can be put aside for now. As for Ruo Chen, even if he was framed or made a mistake, I don't think it's a big deal. Yu Xuan Zhen Ren, you must remind Hua Su to keep her mouth shut and not reveal anything about tonight's events."

  Yu Xuan Zhen Ren nodded thoughtfully and responded.

  Tai Yin Zhen Ren let out a cold laugh, stood up from his seat and said: "How could I not know that being the leader of the world has any benefits, worth such careful consideration? The great way flourishes to its peak then declines, even if our sect dominates the world, how many years can we hold on?"

  Having said that, he stroked his sleeves and left on his own. All the immortals felt a bit awkward and quietly dispersed.

  Under the moonlight, Ji Ruoxin's heart was heavy with thoughts as he hastily made his way to the Tai Chang Palace. His waist had been injured and had just healed, now he could move about normally, only feeling a slight dull ache. The medicine of the Ziyun True Person was indeed effective.

  At this time, clouds and fog rose in front, with misty smoke coming straight towards us.

  Ji Ruochen stopped in his tracks and asked in confusion: "Hanyan? Aren't you still in closed-door meditation?"

  Han Yan stood before Ji Ruoxue with a smile and said: "I just left the pass, came out for a walk, and met up with Master Ruoxue."

  Ji Ruochen smiled and said: "What a coincidence......" But he had just been frightened, and his smile was somewhat forced.

  A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on the corners of his lips as he said lightly, "There are many clever things in this world. Considering how vast the Dan Yuan Palace is, if Dusty Master got lost and ended up at the residence of a female disciple, isn't that also a remarkable coincidence?"

  Having said that, she brushed past Ji Ruochen and quietly walked away, the wisps of cloud gradually merging with the night fog.

  Ji Ruocheng stood still on the ground, as if he had been drenched by a basin of icy water.