Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Confidence in One’s Plans

Chen Yusheng became even more resolute in his heart. He did not show any anger, merely continued to smile and said:

"I heard this Brother Chu is quite the expert in matters of the heart, thriving in the Hehuan Sect, even enticing a group of women to compete for his affections, nearly causing internal chaos?"

"No, absolutely not! Chu Xuan is definitely not that kind of person."

Despite the Guest Daoist’s strenuous efforts to explain, it appeared to be a case of protesting too much.

"Oh?" Chen Yusheng expressed curiosity, "Then is Chu Xuan truly sent by his faction? Such crucial information, Daoist friend, you must not hide from me."

The Guest Daoist was stumped by the question, stammered a few words, and finally nodded in admission, "Yes, but we don’t know which sect he originally came from, Daoist Friend Chen, please don’t believe the nonsense spouted by those young disciples."

Inwardly, the Daoist was cursing, wondering which little brat spilled all these messy details to the guest?

Feigning surprise, Chen Yusheng remarked, "Does even your sect leader not know?"

The Guest was again stuck, forced to say with hesitation, "Probably knows."

Hearing this uncertain tone, Chen Yusheng knew that even the Guest himself was unsure about the matter.

He pondered for a moment, suddenly said, "Daoist friend, do not hide from me. That earlier disciple said everything, and there are even more severe matters, such as Chu Xuan once..."

Chen Yusheng deliberately paused at this point.

As expected, the Guest Daoist became anxious, "What more serious matters could there be?!"

"Chu Xuan’s cultivation was abolished, expelled from his sect; nobody knows the true cause. Perhaps only the leader and a few adepts are aware, yet gossip flows among those disciples!"

"Tell me now, who told you all these things?"

Chen Yusheng was slightly shocked internally. Not only was Chu Xuan from Hehuan Sect, but he was also first stripped of his cultivation, then expelled? Originally, he didn’t quite believe that a mere male cultivator could stir up so much in a female-dominated Hehuan Sect, but considering the Guest’s words, Chu Xuan’s ability to charm women might indeed be formidable.

"Daoist friend, do not anger, the disciple told me so much, I can’t sell him out."

"It’s getting late, let’s discuss this tomorrow." As Chen Yusheng said this, he gestured a polite invitation.

The Guest Daoist was naturally unhappy but couldn’t force the matter with a guest, thus hurriedly left to report the affair to his superiors, aiming for a thorough investigation.

...

After returning to the quiet room, Chen Yusheng looked at the three people before him.

His master wore a worried face, while Real Person Liu paced angrily back and forth, "Well, well, how many things has Floating Cloud failed to tell us? Is there any sincerity left?"

Even Gu Haitang, who was previously expressionless, was now furrowing her brow, evidently having a poor initial impression of Chu Xuan.

Chen Yusheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, he could somewhat grasp the elders’ thoughts; Chu Xuan’s unique constitution posed a significant threat to him.

If not for the other’s stains, he would struggle to win this battle.

Li Yucheng was still attempting to smooth things over, "Senior sister, don’t rush. We hadn’t touched on marriage previously, so Floating Cloud didn’t necessarily need to disclose everything."

"Besides, the Guest mentioned, some disciples gossip absurdly, we shouldn’t take everything at face value."

"Yet Chu Xuan’s cultivation was abolished, expelled from his original sect—that cannot be false, right? What heinous actions had he committed to provoke such treatment?" Real Person Liu argued.

Li Yucheng was stumped by this, unable to muster a response for a long while, simply said, "Wait, I’ll go meet Floating Cloud now."

Gu Haitang attempted to intervene, but failed.

Watching her senior brother leave, Real Person Liu sighed, telling Haitang, "It’s unfair to you, why not just let this matter go? Rest assured, the sect will not force you."

Chen Yusheng rejoiced inwardly, however, Gu Haitang calmly replied, "Personal choice isn’t my priority, sect and family elders’ wishes should come first."

Real Person Liu tenderly stroked her hair, "You truly are a sensible child."

"Don’t worry, I will persuade your family too, ensuring they don’t sacrifice your happiness."

Li Yucheng returned shortly after leaving, surprising those in the quiet room.

His expression was peculiar, and before being questioned, he volunteered, "Floating Cloud didn’t explain anything, merely said: meet once and you’ll know."

"Moreover, he seemed totally relaxed, not a hint of anxiety."

Gu Haitang appeared thoughtful, but Chen Yusheng grew tense, concerned about unexpected changes.

Real Person Liu was about to say something when Li Yucheng waved it off, "It’s decided. No matter who Chu Xuan is, meeting once doesn’t harm anyone, right?"

Thus, everyone returned to their lodgings, patiently anticipating the following day.

...

In the Dao Palace’s great hall, Floating Cloud leisurely sipping tea, listening to reports from the two before him.

One was the sect’s Law Enforcement Elder, the other was the previous Guest Daoist.

The Law Enforcement Elder appeared a stern, white-haired old man, "This is the situation. Though those juniors acted without malice, I sentenced them to ten days of punishment beneath the waterfall."

The old man shook his head, "I’ve mentioned before such matters should be punished heavily, yet Sect Leader said forget it, since Chu Xuan wasn’t pursuing it. Now look what happened."

The Guest’s face alternated pale and flushed, "Why would he deceive me! Isn’t he a disciple from a noble sect? How could he be so unscrupulous?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Floating Cloud didn’t initially respond to the Elder but smiled to comfort the Guest, "Such is human nature. You’re young and it’s understandable to be deceived. Once you venture out into the world, you’ll naturally understand more."

The Guest knelt abruptly, bowing his head, "Please punish me, Sect Leader!"

Floating Cloud shook his head, "If you were guilty, the Elder would have already sent you for cold water punishment."

"Go on now, the elders will handle this matter further."

The Guest Daoist hesitated, "Should we inform a disciple at Chu Xuan’s side? He might be unaware of these weighty issues."

Incidentally, he wished to apologize to Chu Xuan face to face.

Floating Cloud denied, "No need, nobody say anything, I’ll personally inform him later."

Though unsure of the sect leader’s intent, the Guest agreed obediently.

Meanwhile, Chu Xuan was unaware of the drama revolving around him today.

During day he met with his master, agreeing to take folks from Purple Heaven Jade Mansion around tomorrow—as distant guests, avoiding others wasn’t ideal.

At this moment, he gazed upward at the bright moon, his expression lonely, pondering silently...