Chapter 1, The Menstrual Belt of Knowledge and Observation
He was so frank, yet the Daoist practitioners were somewhat skeptical. A group of people followed him into the Qingxu Temple to serve tea, and before long, several respected elders from the Daoist community entered the bedroom under his guidance. The furnishings in the room were simple and elegant, yet no one had the inclination to examine them closely
He wore a slightly mocking smile, his skin dry and yellow, yet his eyes were bright and spirited. Rong Chenzi did not shy away from meeting his gaze, and a look of embarrassment appeared on his face: "The secret chamber... indeed exists. The person... is also a fact." As a knowledgeable observer, how could he be unaware of the situation before him—those from the Jiuding Palace must have already investigated this matter; otherwise, they would not dare to act recklessly. Rather than allowing him to uncover it, it was better to admit it openly.
Rong Chenzi received the news, slightly furrowing his brow, and said little more as he donned his robe and went to the front gate of the Qingxu Temple. The sky had not yet brightened, and the night mist was thick. Countless torches formed a long dragon-like line.
The switch for the secret room is located on the mountain pine painting in the bedroom. During the night, when no one is around, Rong Chenzi would come here every few days.
The expressions of the young Taoists at Qingxu Temple began very subtly
Someone invoked the technique of transmitting sound, their voice resonating like a great bell: "Rong Chenzi, you have unlawfully captured the Sea Emperor; what is your intention?"
This ... ... what is this and what is going on? It is said that the one speaking with the books is the true person Yu Yan.
Rong Chenzi slightly raised his head, interrupting his words: "If any of you fellow cultivators still have doubts, please follow this humble Daoist inside for a look"
In Daoism, a man's cauldron is generally comparable to a woman's moon - scripture, both being excessively private matters. If exposed to others, it is inevitable to feel a sense of shame.
In the Daoist community, individuals are categorized into three teachings and nine streams. Over time, these practices of sexual arts and dual cultivation gradually became sources of indulgence and corruption, and thus were regarded as heretical paths.
The method of dual cultivation and the secret techniques of the bedroom are one of the Taoist practices for health preservation and energy cultivation. If we consider this method in isolation, it cannot be deemed as an evil practice. For instance, the longevity peach in folk customs actually has a meaning of virginity in Taoism; its concave shape also refers to the female genitalia. The association of the longevity peach with long life is merely based on the Taoist belief that the mature bodily fluids of women contribute to the longevity of men.
However, that night, the Qingxu Temple was not very quiet. After the fourth watch, a group of people dressed in Daoist attire suddenly approached Lingxia Mountain, clearly intending to intrude upon the Qingxu Temple
These are all practitioners of the way, and at that moment, they felt a sense of avoidance. Rong Chenzi slightly shook his head, instead lifting the gauze curtain to allow everyone a closer look. Inside was indeed a woman, still dressed in white gauze, resembling a fairy in a deep slumber
Upon these words, everyone was taken aback, and then several faces turned red to the roots of their necks
The commonly seen image of the birthday star holding a peach often features an elderly man with a prominent bald head extending a finger towards the indentation of the longevity peach. In this depiction, the finger symbolizes the male genitalia, while the indentation of the peach symbolizes the female genitalia.
Rong Chenzi slightly lowered his eyelids and said: "This... the younger generation truly does not know how to explain."
As soon as these words were spoken, a stir arose among the crowd. The newcomers were all Taoists, possessing considerable cultivation. However, the decree from the Sea Emperor was indeed of great importance, which could not be blamed for the unusual behavior of the people.
Within the layers of the red silk curtains, a woman is sound asleep
At this moment, Rong Chenzi approached slowly, holding a whisk, his attire neat and his expression serious: "So it is the Sword Master Yuyang from the Jiuding Palace. In the dead of night, what brings you to intrude, my friend?"
Pressing through the mountain pine map, they traversed a very short secret passage, all on high alert, fearing an ambush. Rong Chenzi, familiar with the route, lit the wall lamp, revealing a hidden chamber before everyone. They beheld smoke-draped red curtains and a room filled with a faint fragrance
Rong Chenzi, also known as Ren Qingxu, has observed and understood the world for many years. He is a gentleman who upholds propriety, treating everyone in the community with a strict and serious demeanor. When the entire Daoist sect speaks of this person, they cannot help but give a thumbs-up in admiration of his noble character
This... ..." Rong Chenzi was slightly taken aback, and a hint of difficulty appeared on his face. "Friend, managing a Qingxu Temple is already quite taxing for me, how could I possibly dare to covet the Sea Clan?"
Of course, in the dead of night, one cannot sleep, gathering a crowd to watch others enjoy the moonlight—those who lead feel even more embarrassed. Moreover, as one ages, having pretended to be serious for too long, one's skin becomes increasingly thin. A few elders emerged from the private chamber, leaving without even having a sip of tea, their faces darkened with anger, wishing they could cover their faces with their wide sleeves as they departed
Indeed, the Bathing Sun Master displayed several colors of joy: "Rong Chenzi, you actually dare to..."
At this moment, it was the third watch of the night. Rong Chenzi, after bathing and perfuming himself, entered the secret chamber alone and lit the Arhat lamp on the wall with a fire stick. The light gradually brightened, and behind the heavily draped gauze curtain on the couch, a figure could be faintly seen lying down.
Master Rong Chen placed the cup down, and there were no other people in the room. He remained neatly dressed and composed, showing no signs of impropriety. Having observed for a long time, it was inevitable that he appeared somewhat aged. He flipped through the scriptures in the treasure cabinet and casually selected a copy of the "Scripture of the Pillow and Harmony," reading to her for half an hour. The woman remained silent and motionless, showing no signs of awakening. After finishing the reading, Master Rong Chen returned the scripture to its place, cleansed his hands once more, lowered the gauze curtain, and left the secret chamber. He flipped through the scriptures in the treasure cabinet and casually selected a copy of the "Scripture of the Pillow and Harmony," reading to her for half an hour. The woman remained silent and motionless, showing no signs of awakening. After finishing the reading, Master Rong Chen returned the scripture to its place, cleansed his hands once more, lowered the gauze curtain, and left the secret chamber
Master Rong Chen carefully took her pulse, focused his mind to conjure a talisman, and prepared a cup of talisman water for her. She did not open her eyes, yet she kept her lips closed, refusing to drink. Master Rong Chen shook his head and added two more spoonfuls of sugar. When he fed her again, she slightly parted her cherry lips and obediently drank.
The Master of Bathing Sun immediately responded, "Hmph, for these years the Sea Emperor has been secluded in his palace, and no one knows what he is truly like. Perhaps..." Yu Yan did not allow him to continue, saying, "Master Rong Chen, your character is noble and has always been praised by the Daoist sect, but today's matter concerns the Sea Emperor and should not be taken lightly. It is better to clarify things clearly."
The Master of Bathing Sun, having surpassed fifty years of age, is of a slender build but possesses a formidable temper: "Rong Chenzi, cease your pretense! Someone has seen you secretly establishing a hidden chamber in your bedroom! At the beginning of the year, when the Sea Emperor's Palace was breached, you were the first to enter the palace, and it was you who opened the great clam where the Sea Emperor resided. The holy spring water of the sea tribe is still present, yet the Sea Emperor is nowhere to be found. Now, you suddenly construct this hidden chamber; could it be that you intend to abduct the Sea Emperor and take command of the sea tribe?"
Good deeds do not leave the door, yet embarrassing incidents travel a thousand miles. Early the next morning, someone donated a large sum of incense money to Qingxu Temple and sought guidance from Master Rongchen on the secret techniques of cultivation within the temple. The visitor also brought along two pure young women, hoping that Master Rongchen would provide them with personal instruction. This incident quickly stirred up a commotion at Qingxu Temple—who would have thought that our strict and rigid temple master actually used ceremonial vessels
The Real Person Yan Yuyang was clearly well-prepared, so how could he be deceived by a mere excuse? He stepped forward, gazing directly at Rong Chenzi: "Hmph, then who exactly is imprisoned in the secret chamber that Zhi Guan has set up in the bedroom? Or perhaps there is no secret chamber in Zhi Guan's bedroom at all?"
In the bedroom of Qingxu Guan, there is a secret chamber furnished with a red silk canopy and an ivory bed. At the head of the bed, there is a treasure cabinet, and outside the bed stands a curved screen depicting a peony and lady. In the outer area of the screen, there are a clothing rack and a basin rack, each with one set, along with a dressing table. In the corner, there is a hollowed-out, gilded incense burner, presenting an appearance reminiscent of a woman's private chamber.
He added two spoonfuls of incense for warding off evil and seeking refuge into the incense burner, purified his hands with water, and gently lifted the gauze curtain. Within the red brocade tent lay a woman dressed in white gauze, her curves delicate and enchanting. At this moment, her hands were folded over her abdomen, her beautiful eyes tightly closed, as if in a deep slumber
Rong Chenzi slightly turned his face: "I must be honest, my dear friend." He gritted his teeth, as if having made a firm decision, "She is the... vessel of this humble Daoist."