The Melon-eating Swordsman In The Ancient Dragon World Chapter 32: Ascending Shaolin - Novel Cool

Chapter 32: Ascending Shaolin

Chapter 32: Ascending Shaolin

Although Master Xinmei exclaimed in disbelief, it was clear that You Longsheng had hit the nail on the head with his question.

"What is the relationship between Bai Xiaosheng and Master Xinjian?" You Longsheng asked again.

"Bai Xiaosheng has read extensively from the Buddhist scriptures and can debate with any of us brothers on the teachings. However, he is ultimately a scholar, most proficient in Confucian principles," Master Xinmei said in a low voice. "When it comes to discussing Confucian classics, he and Master Xinjian are most compatible. But..."

Master Xinmei just couldn't wrap his head around it. "How could Bai Xiaosheng, renowned throughout the jianghu, possibly..."

"We don't have any evidence yet, though," You Longsheng said. "What if we're wrong in our suspicions?"

Master Xinmei looked up at Li Xihuan and You Longsheng. "I will take you two up the mountain. You can act discreetly and try to catch Master Xinjian in the act of stealing the Buddhist scriptures..."

"How dare he steal under Li Xihua's watchful eye?" You Longsheng shook his head. "Are you suggesting that Li Xihua stay in Shaolin Temple for half a year and play night watchman every day?"

This time, it was Master Xinmei's turn to be speechless.

Li Xihuan asked, "Master, now that you suspect Master Xinjian, has he noticed your wariness towards him?"

Master Xinmei paused, "I... I don't think so."

"Have you shared your suspicions with anyone else?" Li Xihuan continued.

"Yes," Master Xinmei nodded. "I have the closest relationship with my fifth junior disciple, Xinshu. Before I left, I wrote Xinjian's name on the last page of my Scripture Reading Notes and told him that if anything happened to me, he should continue to keep an eye on Xinjian."

You Longsheng rolled his eyes. Why do people in ancient times always like to play these clever tricks? More often than not, they end up backfiring.

Li Xihuan spoke in a solemn tone, "Master, you are a kind and upright person. If you already suspected Master Xinjian, I believe he must have sensed your wariness towards him."

"The Seven Ingenious Scholars, adept at using poison..." You Longsheng's eyes flickered. "Master, if you return to Shaolin, you might be in danger!"

Master Xinmei's white eyebrows arched. "Are you saying Xinjian intends to harm me?"

"Isn't it obvious?" You Longsheng said. "If you've already suspected him, you would naturally continue your investigation. If he doesn't want to be exposed, aside from killing you, what other option does he have?"

Master Xinmei shook his head. "We've had a decade of friendship..."

"We can test it out, can't we?" You Longsheng suggested. "Master, when you return to Shaolin, just pretend to continue investigating him. He won't be able to hold back then."

Li Xihuan smiled bitterly, "Just like how you forced Wudu Tongzi to reveal himself?"

You Longsheng shrugged. "When a person has only one path left to take, they can only walk that path. With Li Xihua around, no matter how cunning Master Xinjian is, he won't be able to lay a finger on you."

Li Xihuan smiled wryly, feeling that You Longsheng's confidence in him was greater than his own.

"Moreover, I still haven't shed my reputation as the Plum Blossom Thief," Li Xihuan added.

Before Li Xihuan could finish, You Longsheng and Master Xinmei both understood the implication.

Master Xinmei smiled faintly. "You two are considerate. However, this old monk still has some ability to protect himself."

Master Xinmei acknowledged Li Xihuan's prowess, but having practiced martial arts all his life, he also had confidence in his own skills.

"In that case, let's head up the mountain?"

"Yes, let's go!"

...

The horse carriage sped towards Song Mountain.

You Longsheng was also curious to see how Li Xihuan's entry into Shaolin, which differed from the original story, would affect Lin Xian'er's pursuit of Ah Fei.

Without the classic 'beauty saves the hero' scene, would Lin Xian'er still be able to win over Ah Fei's heart?

"Lin Xian'er, you have to be amazing!"

...

At Shaoshi Mountain, Shaolin Temple, You Longsheng finally met Master Xinmei.

"You Longsheng pays his respects to Master Xinmei."

You Longsheng bowed to Master Xinmei and then turned his gaze to a thin, small, elderly man standing beside him. His eyes were piercing, his nose tall and hawkish, and he exuded an air of authority and charisma.

"Greetings to Mr. Bai Xiaosheng."

"It's a joyous occasion that Brother Cangling has a successor like you," Bai Xiaosheng said, then turned to Li Xihuan, his eyes flashing with a keen light. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Li, the top scholar in the imperial examination."

Li Xihuan nodded, "I didn't expect Mr. Bai to still recognize me."

Bai Xiaosheng smiled faintly, "A remarkable figure like Mr. Li is unforgettable at first sight. But I never imagined that the top scholar would turn out to be the Plum Blossom Thief."

As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone was stunned.

Master Xinmei joined his palms together and said, "Along the way, Mr. Li saved my life twice, crying and killing the Five Poison Boys. Even Master Tian has clarified that it was all due to the enmity between Mr. Li and Zhao Zhengyi, who lured him into a trap."

He had already whispered to Master Xinmei about their arduous journey from Baoding Prefecture to the south, and Master Xinmei now regarded both Li Xihuan and You Longsheng favorably.

So Master Xinmei looked at Bai Xiaosheng, "Mr. Bai..."

Bai Xiaosheng replied calmly, "Mr. Li saving Master Xinmei's life twice is certainly a great favor. However, saving others is also a way to save oneself. Moreover, we are talking about the Plum Blossom Thief now. Zhao Zhengyi may have a grudge against Mr. Li, but what he said might not be entirely false."

Li Xihuan laughed, "So, Mr. Bai believes I am the Plum Blossom Thief?"

"At the very least, among those capable of killing Wu Wenti, I find it hard to think of anyone else but you." Bai Xiaosheng said, "If we're talking about masters of hidden weapons in this world, aside from the top scholar, who else could kill Wu Wenti when he was completely unprepared? Wu Wenti is neither Zhao Zhengyi nor Tian Qi. He wouldn't get so close to the Plum Blossom Thief, nor would he fall for such a stupid scheme."

You Longsheng raised an eyebrow, surprised that even after Tian Qi's departure, Master Xinmei's survival, and their arrival at Shaolin, Bai Xiaosheng still managed to implicate Li Xihuan as the Plum Blossom Thief.

Indeed, Lin Xian'er was no fool. Naturally, she would adapt to the situation, and since Li Xihuan had inadvertently aroused suspicions of being the Plum Blossom Thief, she would make sure to exploit this fully.

You Longsheng glanced at Bai Xiaosheng and then at Xinjian, who stood at a distance, his eyes shifting between Master Xinmei and Li Xihuan.

With both old men and monks involved, one had to admit that Lin Xian'er had quite an appetite.

"Then, what does Mr. Bai intend to do?" Li Xihuan asked with a smile, "Even Zhao Zhengyi and Tian Qi couldn't accuse me of being the Plum Blossom Thief without evidence. Mr. Bai, although your name shakes the world, you can't just point fingers and convict me without proof, can you?"

Bai Xiaosheng was unaware that although Li Xihuan and the others didn't know his relationship with Lin Xian'er yet, they already deeply suspected that he was conspiring with Xinjian to steal the Buddhist scriptures. Hence, the gazes that Master Xinmei and Li Xihuan directed at him were full of contemplation and profound meaning.

Bai Xiaosheng smiled slightly, "As long as Mr. Li is willing to stay temporarily at Shaolin Temple, I will naturally find a way to prove whether or not you are the Plum Blossom Thief."

(End of Chapter)

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