https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-34-Afeng-the-Dead-Dog-Enters-Shaolin/12535959/
Chapter 33: You Longsheng, Whose Wit is Sharper than His Sword
Chapter 33: You Longsheng, Whose Wit is Sharper than His Sword
And so, Li Xinhuan decided to stay at Shaolin.
He had intended to stay for a while anyway, and now he didn't even need to find an excuse.
As the saying goes, when the oriole is targeting the mantis, unaware that it has become the prey itself.
However, if Li Xinhuan still bore the suspicion of being the Plum Blossom Thief, You Longsheng was as carefree as could be.
"Oh my, who would've thought that Master Xinshu and Li Tanhua were acquainted? It's a small world after all. Come, let's drink to this happy reunion!"
"Oh, so there's bad blood between you two? Then we must drink even more! It's not appropriate to fight here in the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, so let's settle this with a drinking contest!"
"What? Shaolin monks aren't allowed to drink? That's a shame, Li Tanhua. You'll have to endure it. Didn't expect that, did you? Hahaha!"
After teasing Li Xinhuan and Master Xinshu, You Longsheng roamed Shaolin Temple as if it were his own home. When he wasn't sightseeing on Mount Song, he was surrounded by a group of Shaolin masters.
"Master Xin Hui's Dharma Wisdom Sword is truly extraordinary. I suspect even my master would struggle to defeat you."
"Master Xin Zhu's internal strength is profound. This King Kong Palm of yours could probably flatten an iron block. Is there anyone in the martial arts world who can withstand your palm strike?"
"Master Xin Deng, please spare the common folk of the martial arts world. There are so many people using staffs out there. If they were to see your Demon-Subduing Staff, they would probably lose all face."
"Master Xin Jian, I've heard that you used to be quite renowned in the martial arts world. I've recently encountered experts in poison like Yi Ku and the Master of the Valley of Extreme Happiness. Although I was lucky enough to survive, it was a terrifying experience."
You Longsheng respectfully poured tea and offered water to Master Xin Jian. "Could you teach me a few tricks so that I can protect myself in the martial arts world? I don't want to be taken down by poison so easily."
After bonding with several other Shaolin masters, You Longsheng latched onto the famous "Seven Ingenious Scholar" Shan Yu, who had once made a name for himself in the martial arts world before becoming a monk.
Despite joining Shaolin midway through his martial arts journey, he managed to become one of the seven top masters of the Xin generation, even earning the trust of masters like Xin Hu. Aside from his people skills, his true strength was also extraordinary.
His poison techniques, though perhaps not as advanced as Yi Ku's or the Poisonous Boy's, were still unparalleled in the martial arts world. Otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the title of "Seven Ingenious Scholar," and he even contributed to Shaolin's poison prevention measures.
Now that he knew Master Xin Jian's nature and foresaw his potential fate, You Longsheng was determined to take advantage of the situation and squeeze as much benefit as he could from him.
It would be a waste to let his skills be buried with him.
I'm just leading you on for the betterment of the martial arts world, ensuring your skills aren't lost to time. My sacrifice is truly great!
You Longsheng's thoughts raced, but his expression remained sincere, and his big eyes blinked innocently as he flattered Master Xin Jian.
And clearly, Master Xin Jian was enjoying the compliments from this renowned young hero of the martial arts world.
"Young Master You, as a disciple of Xue Yingzi, your focus is on the sword. It may not be beneficial for you to divert your attention to learn medicine, poison, disguise, and other miscellaneous skills."
Master Xin Jian offered guidance, "There are many useful arts in the martial arts world. If you try to learn them all, you'll end up mastering none of them."
You Longsheng nodded repeatedly, indicating that he agreed with everything Master Xin Jian said and wouldn't argue.
This was not the time to speak up.
Seeing You Longsheng's compliance, Master Xin Jian was even more pleased, and his tone softened, "However, you do make a valid point. While you shouldn't delve too deeply into these miscellaneous skills, it's also unwise to know nothing about them, or you might fall victim to despicable people.
Moreover, he had already passed on much of this knowledge to the Shaolin Temple, so even if he gave another copy to You Longsheng, it wouldn't matter much to him.
In fact, he was rather pleased to be able to gain some favor with the Angler's Island sect.
But for You Longsheng, this was more than enough for now, so he spent the next few days diligently copying the "Seven Clever Scriptures."
Meanwhile, Li Xinhuan and Xin Mei were stunned to see You Longsheng getting along so well with Xin Jian, chatting and laughing intimately.
The fact that You Longsheng could convince Tian Qi, a master who wanted Li Xinhuan dead, to admit his mistake and leave, and that he could be on such good terms with Xin Jian, a suspect in the scripture theft, especially now that he was well-liked by the entire Shaolin Temple, was astonishing.
Li Xinhuan expressed that he had never met such an extraordinary person before. He found it baffling that he couldn't bring himself to dislike You Longsheng, despite his thick-skinned and glib attitude, which far surpassed his swordsmanship.
"I've never met anyone as remarkable as him," Li Xinhuan admitted.
On the other hand, Master Xin Mei hadn't forgotten his duty. He began investigating the theft from the sutra repository vigorously, subtly implicating Master Xin Jian.
"As I suspected, someone has tampered with my copy of the 'Sutra Reading Notes.' I asked Xin Shu, and it wasn't him.
Additionally, the 'Bodhidharma's Muscle Changing Classic' that I left in the lecture hall is also missing. Thank you for your previous insight, Li Xinhuan. Otherwise, I might have suspected the abbot and Xin Shu."
"But we still lack evidence, so it's difficult to accuse anyone," Li Xinhuan added.
As You Longsheng focused on copying the scriptures, Master Xin Mei and Li Xinhuan "accidentally" found themselves in a secluded area.
"Bai Xiaosheng has left the mountain three times in seven days. I wonder what he's up to," Master Xin Mei said. "It seems he's deliberately framing you as the Plum Blossom Thief. I suspect they have a connection to the real thief."
Master Xin Mei wasn't foolish. Even if Bai Xiaosheng and Xin Jian were working together to steal the scriptures, there was no need to falsely accuse Li Xinhuan of being the Plum Blossom Thief and keep him in the Shaolin Temple. The most plausible explanation was that they were trying to clear the name of the actual thief.
"This is getting more and more interesting," Li Xinhuan said with a smile.
To be honest, he never expected that Shaolin's renowned masters, considered wise in the martial arts world, would fall for Lin Xian'er's charms.
"Be careful, Master. We'll adapt to their changes, and they'll eventually reveal their weaknesses. Their target is either you or me."
"Amitabha!" Master Xin Mei placed his hands together and sighed, "May the Buddha have mercy!"
...
During these few days, You Longsheng finished copying the "Seven Clever Scriptures" and checked it for errors. Satisfied that there were no mistakes, he returned the original copy to Master Xin Jian.
At the same time, he noticed that Master Xin Jian occasionally seemed distracted and often met with Bai Xiaosheng to discuss Confucianism and legalism.
Just as the monks of Shaolin Temple were questioning what Bai Xiaosheng's intentions were in keeping Li Xinhuan there, news spread in the martial arts world that the Plum Blossom Thief had appeared again.
(End of Chapter)
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