UCOOT CH6

Shi Shu: “What did you say?!”

“Brothers in—”

Shi Shu’s handsome, pale face lost its color. “What a terrifying term. Could something like this really exist in this world?”

“I was just thinking about it, so I said it casually.”

Xie Wuchi turned away. “But of course, it’s real. There are all kinds of people in this world. Many monsters and perverts know they aren’t accepted, so they disguise themselves as normal people, but their hearts are rotten.”

Xie Wuchi gave Shi Shu a faint, detached smile, as if he had drawn a clear line between himself and all the filth in the world. But Shi Shu only felt a chill run down his spine.

After speaking, Xie Wuchi walked toward the covered corridor beneath the eaves.

Shi Shu caught up with him. “It’s that kind of disgusting but intriguing feeling—this ‘brothers in scandal’ thing, can you elaborate?”

Xie Wuchi: “Sure. I’ll tell you next time when we’re in bed. This kind of topic is best discussed at night.”

“…?”

Was there some hidden meaning? Shi Shu gave up on the topic. “Is that monk your friend? What were you talking about? Why did you stop as soon as I arrived?”

“His name is Hui Jue. He wanted to know what the Prince of Liang is thinking, so he came to ask me.”

“The Prince of Liang, the one who tried to kill me yesterday? And you’re still helping him?”

Xie Wuchi: “Yes. He seeks something. Lately, he has been praying at the monastery, hoping to be freed from his troubles. He has power and influence and can offer benefits. Making a trade with him isn’t a bad deal.”

“So you’re not a proper monk. I don’t like him—feudal nobility, treating human lives like nothing.” Shi Shu curled his lip, unconvinced.

Xie Wuchi walked leisurely, answering calmly, “Think of him as the final boss in a game. When your level and damage output aren’t high enough, don’t provoke him. If you think of it that way, it makes sense.”

Shi Shu: “So you mean that when the level is high enough and the damage is strong enough, a person can provoke him?”

Xie Wuchi: “Whose level?”

Shi Shu: “Yours.”

Xie Wuchi: “You want me to provoke him?”

Shi Shu: “Is that not allowed?”

Xie Wuchi: “You’ll have to wait. I just started my first ‘ten-year plan.'”

“…”

The more Shi Shu listened, the more impressed he became. He had no choice but to trail behind Xie Wuchi.

At the monastery’s dining hall, a monk in charge of checking registration papers saw Xie Wuchi and didn’t stop him. However, he scrutinized Shi Shu for a long time. “And this one is?”

Xie Wuchi: “My sworn brother.”

“Tsk.” The monk handed them two steamed buns and a bowl of porridge. “The monastery only provides two meals and one night’s lodging. If you come again tomorrow, there won’t be free meals waiting for you.”

Xie Wuchi: “I will explain to the abbot myself.”

Shi Shu held his two steamed buns and the bowl of porridge and vegetables, then sat in a corner by the wall. “So you can’t eat for free in a monastery for life? Then if you take me in, won’t that be a burden on you?”

“A monastery isn’t a charity. It doesn’t support freeloaders. Taking care of you is fine—you work in the scripture library every day, organizing books. You earn thirty wen per day, which includes lodging. I have monastic registration, so I don’t have to pay for food.”

Shi Shu: “Monastic registration?”

“Household registration controls and tracks the population. Monastic registration controls the number of monks and Daoists. Without it, you’re a fake monk; with it, you’re a real one. It’s like household registration, except you don’t have one. Recently, there’s been a rebellion in Huainan, and refugees are migrating in large numbers. The authorities are overwhelmed with registration checks, so you’ve managed to slip through for now.”

Shi Shu slowed down his eating. “Yeah… but what happens if I don’t slip through?”

“They’ll send you to a military settlement on the border, where you’ll farm, build city defenses, pay taxes, and perform corvée labor.”

A thought suddenly flashed through Shi Shu’s mind. “Oh, so you became a secular monk because—”

“Mm. With monastic registration, monks and Daoists are exempt from labor and taxes. A single document allows unrestricted travel across the country without being questioned. Everyone is desperate to squeeze into the Buddhist order. Any family that can’t afford to feed their children or survive often thinks of sending them to the monastery. But the monastery isn’t stupid—it won’t give out free meals.”

“Smart.”

Same starting village, but while Shi Shu was being harassed by men while doing farmwork, handsome-ge had already secured an official position.

The gap between people was wider than that between dogs.

Shi Shu had no choice but to be impressed. He watched as Xie Wuchi tore his bun into pieces with deliberate precision. It was just a simple meal of porridge and vegetables, yet his eating manner was refined, as if he were dining in an upscale restaurant—unhurried and graceful.

In his hands, even a plain steamed bun seemed like a gourmet delicacy. It was obvious that he had received a top-tier education and came from a well-bred family.

Shi Shu was curious and asked, “Before you came here, what kind of family were you from? You seem to understand social structures very well.”

“It was alright,” Xie Wuchi said. “Someone in my family was in politics.”

“Family.” Shi Shu repeated the word, clapping his hands. “Wow, such a foreign concept.”

“I’m done eating.” Shi Shu stood up and placed his bowl into the bucket.

“…I’m done too.”

As he walked side by side with Xie Wuchi out of the dining hall, the weather was clear, and the sunlight was just right.

“You work at the Sutra Repository. Where is it?”

Shi Shu was ready to cling to him like a ghost, but Xie Wuchi did not leave. Instead, he stopped in place.

Following his gaze, Shi Shu saw a young bald boy standing beside the steps. His delicate features were set against a thin frame beneath his monk’s robe. It was unclear who he was waiting for, but when he saw Shi Shu and Xie Wuchi, his gaze clearly faltered.

Especially after seeing Xie Wuchi’s figure, the tips of his ears flushed faintly red, and he shyly turned his head away.

Yet he didn’t fully turn away and would occasionally steal glances at him.

Shi Shu asked, “He’s looking at you?”

Xie Wuchi replied, “Perhaps.”

Shi Shu continued, “What does it mean when his face turns red? I don’t get it. Why does this keep happening? Was male romance in ancient times this open?”

Xie Wuchi was indifferent to being stared at and didn’t think much of someone looking at him with a flushed face. However, the little monk’s hesitation was too obvious. So, Xie Wuchi simply stopped walking, turned around, and met the young monk’s gaze.

The young monk, after a moment of nervousness, let go of his restraint and smiled flirtatiously, speaking in a string of coy tones, “What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?”

Shi Shu: “…” This scene was ridiculous.

Xie Wuchi shook his head and looked away.

Unexpectedly, a tall young monk in pristine robes, of finer quality than the average monk’s, strode over and shouted, “What are you looking at? Move your eyes away!”

His sharp and bold features carried a jealous edge. As if to declare ownership, he wrapped an arm around the young monk’s shoulder, shot Xie Wuchi a hostile glance, and then pushed the boy away with him.

“…”

Shi Shu raised his hand to his forehead and muttered, “I will never forget this heavy day.”

Xie Wuchi asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shi Shu sighed, “I’m breaking down again.”

Xie Wuchi said, “So it’s not okay if they harass you, but it’s also not okay if they harass me?”

“Cut it out,” Shi Shu said. “I really can’t take it anymore—so many gay men.”

Xie Wuchi replied, “This is the Eastern Capital, the imperial city of the Great Jing Dynasty. The atmosphere here is quite open. Many wealthy families keep male concubines. Maybe you just haven’t seen it much before.”

“That little monk has a thing for you? Well, you are quite good-looking.”

Xie Wuchi stepped onto the stone-paved path leading to the Sutra Repository and said, “Maybe. I’ve been organizing scriptures for two months now. Any monk who comes to borrow books can see me. That boy always hides near the window, randomly picks a book without reading it, and just peeks at me from behind the cover.”

Shi Shu asked, “And then?”

Xie Wuchi replied, “At first, he would find excuses to talk to me. But one time, while secretly looking at me again, that furious monk from earlier also showed up. Not only did he take the boy away, but he even spat at me. After that, the boy never came back to the Sutra Repository. I only run into him occasionally in the temple.”

Shi Shu passed by the Buddha Hall and saw the plaque above the door with the four large characters: Six Roots of Purity. “These monks have already renounced the world, and yet they’re still messing around? Six roots not pure—how do they even qualify as monks?”

Xie Wuchi said blandly, “As long as you have silver to buy an ordination certificate and register your name, you’re a monk—real or fake, no one cares.”

The Buddhist tower of the Sutra Repository was now in sight. Monks and a few secular visitors moved in and out.

At the front desk near the entrance stood a monk. Anyone wishing to borrow a book had to register their ordination certificate in the records before they could leave.

Xie Wuchi said, “I do menial work here. If you need anything, come find me anytime.”

Shi Shu asked, “Is it necessary to work?”

“Yes. The temple doesn’t support idle people—unless you have money to grease some palms and hire someone to do the work for you. Right now, I’m just organizing scriptures on someone’s behalf.”

Shi Shu was once again struck by the difference between people. “You’ve built connections in just three months since traveling here.”

“It’s nothing,” Xie Wuchi replied. “Mainly, I’m satisfied with this job. My understanding of this world is still limited, but the knowledge recorded in books is infinite. The Sutra Repository holds not only Buddhist scriptures but also historical records and books on worldly affairs. It’s a convenient way to learn about this dynasty.”

Shi Shu: “………………”

I’m out here digging dirt, and you’re reading books.

Shi Shu was beyond impressed. “Bro, you were destined to go to Tsinghua University. Born with a time-traveling genius constitution—if you didn’t travel through time, who would?”

Xie Wuchi replied coolly, “It’s alright. Are you free this afternoon? Want to read with me?”

The invitation was filled with the energy of a true academic overachiever: Would you like to improve yourself together?

“……”

Shi Shu couldn’t bring himself to refuse. “I’ll think about it.”

At the entrance of the Sutra Repository, towering bookshelves of deep brown wood stretched toward the ceiling, filled with books, bamboo scrolls, and ancient artifacts. Monks dusted the corners with feather dusters.

The interior was well-lit, with snow-white sunlight filtering through the latticed windows, casting soft, hazy shadows on the floor. Dust motes danced in the light, adding to the ancient atmosphere.

Shi Shu casually flipped open a book. Immediately, a page of incomprehensible “&&%#？@%……*&%###……” appeared before his eyes.

Even though the printed calligraphy was neat and elegant, recognizing each character one by one, then stringing them into sentences, then piecing the sentences into paragraphs—it was exhausting to read.

On the surface, Shi Shu looked calm, but internally, he was breaking down once more.

Fine, fine, fine.

If he acted too illiterate, it would be embarrassing. Xie Wuchi seemed to be working hard at life. If he lacked both ability and a good attitude, he might just become a burden to him.

Shi Shu looked up.

Xie Wuchi, clad in simple monk’s robes, sat on the stairs, placing a Buddhist scripture back in its original spot. Sunlight illuminated his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his brows and eyes. He exuded a quiet danger—like a blade sheathed, radiating an almost divine aura, tempered but keen.

“Handsome. Definitely handsome.”

No wonder that little monk kept sneaking glances at him.

Shi Shu’s head suddenly drooped forward—only to be caught by a scalding hot palm.

“Ah? What’s wrong?!”

Xie Wuchi had somehow appeared right in front of him, gazing down. “Are you getting sleepy?”

“…Cough, cough! No, I just lost my balance.” Shi Shu asked, “Can I leave now?”

Xie Wuchi replied, “It hasn’t even been half an hour.”

Damn, I really can’t compete with you!

Shi Shu clutched his face in despair. His forehead, where Xie Wuchi had touched, still burned. Xie Wuchi’s body temperature was unusually high—far hotter than normal. But his gaze was as calm as still water as he stood just a few steps away.

“I’m going to the market,” Shi Shu finally gave up. “It’s nearby, and I wanted to go this morning.”

“Alright.”

Xie Wuchi didn’t object. Instead, he called out, “Hold out your hand.”

“Hm? What for?” Shi Shu extended his hand.

A string of copper coins landed in his palm. The coins were cold, but where Xie Wuchi’s fingertips had brushed, it burned—so much so that Shi Shu felt uneasy.

“Pocket money. You can buy food at the market or get yourself some new clothes.” Xie Wuchi said, “Just have fun. My only request—don’t cause trouble.”