Chapter Five: The Abbot of the Monastic Discipline Institute

Zongqing observed that Ruchuyi seemed to be wavering, and hurriedly said, "Master, you are also a disciple of this temple, and a person of great compassion. If we delay and fail to save our temple from imminent collapse, you will surely feel deep regret afterward. As your disciple, I cannot bear to see that happen. So... let us move quickly."

This girl is truly ungrateful, her heart is entirely directed towards that "universal love, great love" illusion, yet she claims not to have been moved by them, humph

How boastful! How arrogant! It's simply more fortunate than winning a five million prize. After all, money can be spent, but skills can accompany one for a lifetime. Now she can walk at night with complete peace of mind, and when she sees injustice, she can take action because she possesses the ability. Oh my, the feeling of being strong is truly exceptional.

Therefore, the only course of action left is to break off the engagement

Yae murmured a couple of discontented phrases under her breath, yet she ultimately did not dare to go against the original intention, turning around and returning to the small kitchen

This is a matter that achieves three benefits at once: it guarantees freedom in marriage and love, secures a peaceful future, and fulfills the duty of filial piety. Why not embrace it?

As for martial arts and staff techniques, she had secretly practiced them in her small courtyard and through books. Unexpectedly, the moves she had never encountered before flowed out like a stream, seemingly becoming an instinct. Although she did not know the names or categories of those techniques, when challenged by five secular disciples, she found that they could only defend themselves and had no power to counterattack. Remarkably, she was able to control her strikes, stopping just short and maintaining a fluidity in her movements. Additionally, the various martial skills she had learned in modern times and the moves she had seen in martial arts films could also be integrated with a bit of practice.

As for her, she would first enjoy a few carefree years, taking the time to truly experience the world from six hundred years ago. Then, she would seek out a gentle and refined scholar, from a humble background, who is poor and of no particular standing, to marry into the Hu family. She would spend her life cherishing the company of Hu Dahai, ensuring that his later years are filled with joy and companionship, free from loneliness, while she herself could live freely under his protection.

Certainly, people in ancient times were relatively more trustworthy. While the act of breaking off a marriage may seem easy to discuss, it is likely to present many difficulties in practice. However, once a decision has been made, one should resolutely move towards the goal, facing challenges as they come and overcoming obstacles as they arise.

As she thought in her heart, it indeed aroused her curiosity. What kind of danger could Shaolin Temple present that she could resolve? Seeing these two little monks so anxious and genuine, not resembling a trap set by Xu Hai to harm her, she decided to pay a visit after all

Upon hearing this, Pu became anxious, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead. "Master, that is not what I meant, but... sigh, as disciples of Buddhism, we do not kneel even before the Emperor, yet today, for the sake of Shaolin's reputation... I... I..."

"Indeed, Master. " Pu Congdao said, "Master Xu Hai has requested that you must go, as the head of the Discipline Institute. He said..."

As the conversation reached this point, it was now Ru Chu's turn to break into a cold sweat, as Pu Cong appeared as if he were about to kneel. She hurriedly stepped forward to hold him back. Goodness, no matter how arrogant she was, she would not dare to compare herself to the Buddha. Moreover, her reluctance to go was not out of malice, but rather out of fear of getting too close to that wicked monk. How could someone like him be in charge of the Discipline Institute? He himself was someone who disregarded the precepts. However, when Pu Cong mentioned the "reputation of Shaolin," could it be that Xu Hai had developed an illicit and scandalous romance with a certain female devotee, and the matter had come to light?

"Miss, you have been practicing martial arts for three or four days now, yet the disciples from the other sect flee at the sight of you. How could you possibly be unwell? Brother Xuhai rarely sends anyone to the other courtyard; it must be a significant matter this time. Good Miss, you should go and take a look." Yachong ran over and shook Ruchu's arm.

According to her, this matter is quite feasible. Firstly, the man's family is poor; secondly, her current unadorned appearance cannot be considered charming, and her personality is not gentle; thirdly, she is a female disciple of the Shaolin Temple, which likely does not attract many men. In this case, as long as her father is willing to pay a substantial amount for emotional damages, the other party might be eager to rid themselves of her and instead seek another woman with a large dowry.

What could he possibly want? I am still not fully recovered and cannot go out. "" Like the beginning, I refused outright, as just thinking about that seemingly magical handsome monk made me a bit nervous, fearing that I might be taken advantage of.

In the small kitchen, when Ruchu was cooking lotus seed, lily, and red date porridge, Bajiong suddenly jumped out and hurriedly asked, "What happened, Brother Xuhai? Is everything alright?"

Zongqing is still able to speak, having truly inherited the teachings of Xuhai

He has spent half his life on the battlefield, and by his side, there are no concubines, only this one daughter. It is already great enough for him to endure the pain of marrying her off. Should he also have to worry about the safety of his daughter who might run away from the marriage, while simultaneously facing the disdain of society and the scorn of others? She is not so heartless, nor can she do such a thing.

On that day, she was happily pondering the martial arts that spanned both ancient and modern times in the courtyard, when Zong Qing and Pu suddenly arrived, saying that Master Xu Hai urgently requested the presence of Master Hu.

Only then did I feel at ease, quickly following Zongqing and Puceng to the mountain gate. Upon seeing the temple door tightly shut, I noticed that all the lay disciples were gradually heading to the training ground behind the temple to practice martial arts, as if there were indeed matters within the temple that they did not wish outsiders to know about

Miracle

Then we must go take a look

"Yae, you stay here to keep watch. Do not follow me; otherwise, I will not go." Ru Chu decisively made the decision, fearing that Yae would be a hindrance if she followed him to the temple.

Ah? Using my position to pressure me? Just like in the first year of junior high, I said, "I simply won't go, what can he do to me?"

In the following days, Ru Chu used the excuse of recuperating to stay at the Shaolin Temple's annex, not returning home immediately. In fact, apart from the moment of pain during her crossing, she felt no discomfort at all. Da Ming and Hu Ru Chu from the library were busy due to a serious injury to the chest, which should at least have resulted in a broken rib or some damage to the heart meridian. However, when her soul occupied this body, it seemed as if she had never been injured at all

During her "recovery" period, she did not remain idle; instead, she was busy contemplating her new life and studying her new form. She did not intend to marry casually, nor did she plan to flee from marriage. This was not because, in an era where women had no social status and the prevailing customs were conservative, she could not survive independently, but rather because she felt that since she occupied the body of the ancient Hu Ruchu, while enjoying various favors and benefits, she should also fulfill her obligations and show filial piety, treating Hu Dahai as her true father. She did not intend to marry casually, nor did she plan to flee from marriage. This was not because, in an era where women had no social status and the prevailing customs were conservative, she could not survive independently, but rather because she felt that since she occupied the body of the ancient Hu Ruchu, while enjoying various favors and benefits, she should also fulfill her obligations and show filial piety, treating Hu Dahai as her true father.

Having understood this layer, her initial sense of peace settled down, and she became more actively and enthusiastically engaged in the grand endeavor of studying her own physical form. Now, her curiosity was no longer about the appearance of this shell, but rather about the martial skills it contained. To her astonishment and delight, along with a hint of fear, she discovered that in terms of strength, she resembled Xiao Ying from "Naruto"; although slender and delicate, she possessed immense power. She had secretly tested this; outside the Shaolin Temple, there was a stone cauldron that three lay male disciples could not budge together, yet she could easily lift it.