UCTOOT CH9

The courtyard, which had been bustling all day, finally returned to silence.

In the stillness of the night, Shi Shu, who had curled up in the corner of the bed and was burdened with heavy emotions, finally stretched out his limbs after falling asleep. One corner of the quilt rested on his abdomen, and one leg sprawled carelessly.

It seemed he was having a nightmare: “I want to go home… go home…”

Shi Shu had fair skin, and his shirt had been lifted, revealing half of his pale belly. Although he had grown long hair after transmigrating, the youthful and lively aura of a young man remained unchanged.

Xie Wuchi withdrew his gaze and was about to sleep when Shi Shu’s foot kicked his knee.

“Mm…”

Shi Shu murmured in his sleep.

Xie Wuchi’s expression darkened. When no one was around, his face was devoid of any smile. He retreated slightly, but unexpectedly, Shi Shu’s foot, now free, invaded his space even more recklessly.

After stepping back for a moment, Xie Wuchi lowered his gaze and reached out to grab Shi Shu’s right ankle, adjusting his sleeping posture to be more proper.

Xie Wuchi leaned against the pillow, put down the book in his hand, and closed his eyes.

…

The sun was already high in the sky!

Another brand-new day. When Shi Shu woke up, the bed opposite him was empty. He guessed that Xie Wuchi had gone to practice martial arts again. Such a disciplined person. Last night, after Shi Shu went to bed, not only did Xie Wuchi not sleep, but he even read by the dim light.

“Burning the midnight oil and rising at dawn is the true way of a scholar.” Xie Wuchi studied late at night, rose at dawn to train at the martial arts hall, and spent the day organizing scriptures in the Sutra Repository. His diligence left Shi Shu in awe.

“In a few days, when I feel better, should I follow him out? I can’t let him handle everything alone. It’s really tough.”

The sunlight outside the door was just right. Shi Shu patted the head of the dog, Laifu: “Come on, come on, the sun’s already up! Time to get up!”

“What’s for breakfast?”

Shi Shu spotted a figure coming around the path by the courtyard. It was Xie Wuchi, dressed in a sea-green monk’s robe, with his head lowered as if lost in thought.

In his hand, he carried a package wrapped in lotus leaves. When he looked up and saw Shi Shu, he said:

“You’re awake?”

Shi Shu: “You’re back? What’s that?”

“Braised pork liver. I got some steamed buns and porridge from the dining hall. Eat it with this. Be careful not to get caught. No meat is allowed in this area, especially for monks. I had to ask someone for a favor.”

Shi Shu: “Bro, you’re too good to me.”

Xie Wuchi entered the room and picked up a book from the table. “In a couple of days, it’ll be my day off. I’ll take you to see a traditional Chinese doctor and get some medicine.”

While Shi Shu ate the porridge and steamed buns, Xie Wuchi stood by the well, wiping off the sweat from his martial arts training. When dressed, his physique didn’t seem particularly strong, but when he changed into a new monk’s robe, he carried a sense of simple elegance and scholarly air. Just then, the washerwoman from the temple came by, and Xie Wuchi handed her his dirty clothes, paying three copper coins to have them cleaned.

When Shi Shu unwrapped the lotus leaves, he found not only braised pork liver but also a braised chicken leg. As he watched Xie Wuchi change clothes, he thought to himself: “Damn, bro is so cool. He’s like one of those cold-blooded gangsters in a suit, the kind who can kill someone with one punch and still smile with blood on his hands.”

Shi Shu leisurely enjoyed his meal under the bright sunlight.

From afar, a voice called out: “Junior Brother!”

Shi Shu turned his head to see Hui Jue, the monk from the previous day, approaching with a bamboo staff: “Having breakfast?”

Xie Wuchi glanced at Shi Shu, who immediately understood and swiftly wrapped up the meat, hiding it back in the room. With half a steamed bun in his mouth, he looked innocent and pure: “…”

Unknowingly, he and Xie Wuchi had developed this kind of silent understanding.

Xie Wuchi said, “I just returned from the martial arts hall. I’m heading to the Sutra Repository for my shift.”

Hui Jue replied, “There’s something that needs your attention today. See if you can find someone to cover your shift.”

Xie Wuchi: “Do you need my help?”

“Ahhhhh! I can’t take this anymore!”

“I don’t… do that,” Shi Shu’s face flushed red as he earnestly corrected him. “And I don’t want to talk to you anymore!”

With that, Shi Shu clutched his head and dashed forward, his face burning with embarrassment. Under the bright sunlight, the boy’s figure ran toward the ancient temple buildings, his sea-green monk robe slightly oversized, making his shoulders appear even thinner. Xie Wuchi squinted slightly as he watched, unexpectedly finding this scene rather heartwarming.

Shi Shu charged forward for about ten meters before stopping. Ahead of him, he bumped into a procession.

At the front was an elderly monk dressed in an ornate kasaya, wearing a Five-Buddha Crown and holding a ceremonial staff. Surrounded by attendants, he walked swiftly past. Wherever he went, all the monks would stop, bow, and respectfully address him as “Abbot.”

Yet, no matter how luxurious the robe, he was still just an aging old man. His eyes were clouded, his back stiff and rigid, and his hands no longer steady.

“So… this is the head of the temple?”

Before Shi Shu could stare for long, Xie Wuchi had already caught up and calmly explained, “He is the abbot of Xiangnan Temple.”

“The one who owns thousands of properties in the Eastern Capital and thirty thousand acres of farmland?”

Xie Wuchi glanced at him, “You’ve heard about that?”

“I tried to find some work yesterday, but was rejected everywhere.” Shi Shu said bluntly, “To be honest, if all monks are like this, I don’t want to be one. Not even pretending.”

Xie Wuchi: “Given your situation, you still have principles.”

Shi Shu crossed his arms, “I’ve already fallen this far. How much worse can it get? I refuse to stoop any lower.”

…

The air in the Sutra Repository was stuffy, filled with the scent of mothballs and ink. Shi Shu followed Xie Wuchi for over half an hour, but while reading, he nearly nodded off and hit his head on the table. He jerked awake with a start, “Hmm?”

The moment he met Xie Wuchi’s gaze, Shi Shu quickly pressed his hand against his forehead, pretending his eyes just hurt.

Xie Wuchi said flatly, “Are you forcing yourself to stay awake because we’re not close enough yet?”

“…Mind your own business,” Shi Shu muttered.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and wandered outside the main hall.

As expected of a temple, the place was filled with devotees, some seeking blessings, others praying for wealth and prosperity.

In the end, it was all driven by hope for the future.

Shi Shu strolled aimlessly. Unexpectedly, from behind him, a gentle voice called out, “Little monk.”

“?” Who are you calling a monk?

Shi Shu turned around and widened his eyes in surprise. “It’s you?”

Standing there was a girl around fourteen or fifteen, her hair wrapped in a simple cloth, dressed in plain clothes, holding a flower basket in her hand.

“It’s me. I’m Xiaoshu.”

Shi Shu: “Are you here to pray?”

“No,” Xiaoshu walked up to him and lifted the cloth covering the basket. “You helped me yesterday, and I’ve been grateful ever since. My mother made some locust flower cakes, and I brought them for you. I’ve been looking for you in the temple but didn’t know your name.”

The warm locust flower cakes, wrapped in lotus leaves, were handed to him. Shi Shu accepted them. “Thank you, but you really didn’t need to go through the trouble. It’s a basic virtue for us Chinese to stand up for justice.”

Xiaoshu blushed and lowered her head without saying a word.

Suddenly, from behind, a shadow emerged from the doorway.

“Who is she?”

The voice was calm, yet carried an inexplicable tension and possessiveness.

Shi Shu turned around to find Xie Wuchi’s gaze falling directly on Xiaoshu.

Perhaps because there was no trace of a smile on his face, and his tall, imposing figure added pressure, Xiaoshu immediately took a few steps back in fear.

Shi Shu quickly explained, “She’s the girl I helped yesterday. This is… my elder brother.”

Xie Wuchi replied with a simple, “Oh.”

Xiaoshu stole a glance at him, clearly nervous. “I… I’ll head back now.”

Shi Shu: “Alright, be careful on your way.”

“Wait,” Xie Wuchi suddenly spoke again.

“The girl who was harassed by those men last night still dares to wander around a crowded place like this? I’ll walk you home. Stay inside for the next few days and avoid trouble.”

Shi Shu turned to look at Xie Wuchi in surprise.

Xie Wuchi returned the dust whisk to the wooden cabinet and stepped out the door. “I’ll go with you.”

Hui Jue said, “The young prince will visit the bamboo grove at the temple this afternoon. Last time, when you accompanied him to the Canaan Temple and discussed Buddhism, he was quite impressed with you. Since he’s visiting today and lacks company for entertainment, if you’re not busy, why don’t you join him for a walk?”

After speaking, Hui Jue stroked his beard with a pleased expression.

Xie Wuchi replied, “It would be an honor to keep the young prince company, though I am neither talented nor knowledgeable—”

“Stop being so modest. You traveled all the way from Jiming Temple to stay here at Xiangnan Temple, studying diligently day and night, and even mastering both literature and martial arts. I truly admire your talent. In this world, who doesn’t understand the importance of making connections? Haha. Since you have the ambition, I’m simply helping to pave the way for you. Consider it a good deed.”

“Then, thank you, Senior Brother.”

“Enough with the formalities. I only hope that one day, you can bring some clarity to this chaotic world on behalf of the Great Jing Dynasty.”

After reciting, “With bamboo staff and straw shoes, I outpace a horse; who fears the mist and rain of life?” Hui Jue walked away leisurely.

When Xie Wuchi turned around, he saw Shi Shu staring at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Xie Wuchi: “?”

Shi Shu: “What kind of shady deal do you have with that wicked prince? Even someone like him is within your reach?”

“Shady deal?” Xie Wuchi closed the wooden door and headed toward the Sutra Repository.

“Then what did he mean by ‘recommendation’ just now?”

Shi Shu followed closely, blocking his path, forcing Xie Wuchi to stop. “You never read history books?”

Shi Shu: “…Not much. Why?”

Xie Wuchi: “In certain dynasties, those who wished to pass the imperial examination would visit the examiners in advance, claiming to be their disciples and seeking their guidance. From ancient times to now, finding ways to get close to people in power has always been the path to career advancement. Even if you don’t read history, you must have read web novels, right?”

Shi Shu: “That I do.”

“For example, when a cold-blooded assassin concubine plots to kill the male lead, her first step is to get close to him and win his favor—essentially, seducing him. Right?”

Shi Shu: “…Xie Wuchi, exactly how broad is your knowledge?”

Xie Wuchi: “If I had transmigrated into ancient times as a child, I could have tried taking the imperial exam and climbing the ranks. But now that I’ve arrived as an adult, I can’t possibly memorize the Four Books and Five Classics fast enough to compete with those seasoned scholars. So, I can only take a shortcut and seek connections for promotion.”

Shi Shu: “So you’re deliberately getting close to that prince?”

Xie Wuchi: “Of course. For those without power or status, the first step to advancement is to leverage others’ influence.”

Laifu, the dog, barked again. Xie Wuchi headed toward the Sutra Repository, his steps steady and composed, showing no hint of anxiety even when preparing to face a man whose words could decide the fate of tens of thousands.

Shi Shu watched his departing figure, feeling somewhat impressed.

He caught up and walked side by side with him. “If that prince sees me again, will he kill me?”

“No. He only glanced at you that day. He probably didn’t even remember your face.”

“…Alright then.”

Shi Shu felt relieved. As they passed a large bodhi tree, they unexpectedly bumped into a familiar figure.

It was the handsome monk they had seen at noon the previous day—the very same one caught with a lover in the abandoned courtyard that night. The monk was leisurely munching on sunflower seeds, spitting the shells into the lake, revealing a bright, toothy smile.

When he saw the two of them, he greeted them with a flirtatious wink, “Good morning. Where are you headed?”

Shi Shu: “Is he talking to us?”

Xie Wuchi: “Yes.”

“Should we respond?”

“Up to you.”

Shi Shu hesitated for a moment, gave a slight nod, and quickly walked past. Yet, an eerie chill crept up his spine, and he couldn’t help tugging on Xie Wuchi’s sleeve. “This feels so weird. I can’t even look him in the eye.”

Xie Wuchi replied flatly, “Why can’t you?”

Shi Shu: “Don’t you think it’s creepy? Who would’ve thought that someone who looks so proper was doing… that kind of thing in the wild last night?”

Xie Wuchi glanced at him and said, “First, you’re too conservative and have sexual shame. Second, you feel uncomfortable because you witnessed it yourself. But look around—there are so many monks here. Can you guarantee none of them stripped naked and did that kind of thing last night?”

Shi Shu: “……………………”

Xie Wuchi’s expression remained perfectly composed as he spoke, without a trace of emotion.

Shi Shu felt his blood rush to his head. “Bro, some things… don’t need to be said so bluntly, okay?”

Xie Wuchi: “If I don’t spell it out, I’m afraid you won’t understand. Haven’t you ever, you know, relieved yourself at night, and still gone to class the next day as if nothing happened?”

“You, you, you—!”