Chapter 30

In the living quarters of Master Kucheng, Su Yi was bidding farewell to the abbot.

"Amitabha, has Layman Yang finished copying enough Buddhist scriptures? Why not stay a few more days?"

Master Kucheng looked at the young Su Yi before him, his eyes filled with admiration. Over these past ten days, he had been paying close attention to Su Yi's movements. After all, a disciple from another sect staying within the temple, and with the distinction between Daoism and Buddhism, he could not help but be cautious...

But this young man indeed, as he had said, showed no intention of prying into the scripture hall containing the seventy-two ultimate techniques. Instead, he was fully devoted to copying the Buddhist scriptures in his room.

Sigh... It's rare to see such diligent and hardworking young people nowadays. This young man is so outstanding, why isn't he a Shaolin disciple?

Master Kucheng couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

In response to Kucheng's kind invitation to stay, Su Yi smiled bitterly and said, "Although I have copied quite a few scriptures these past few days, it is far from enough. If I could, I would copy all the scriptures in Shaolin and take them home to give to my mother."

"Hehehe..." Kucheng couldn't help but smile and said, "The number of Shaolin Buddhist scriptures is vast. If all the disciples in Shaolin Temple were to help, it would still take several months to copy them all. By then, your mother's birthday would have long passed."

"Yes... Although I haven't finished copying the scriptures, my mother's birthday is approaching. If I don't leave now, I might miss the chance to celebrate it for her personally. Despite my deep reluctance, I must bid farewell. Fortunately, I have already copied the scriptures she likes the most, which should be enough to show her the sincerity of her descendants."

"Indeed..." Kucheng nodded in approval, "If she sees your sincerity, she will surely be very happy. The number of scriptures doesn't matter."

Su Yi bowed deeply and said, "Therefore, I must bid farewell today. These past few days, while copying the scriptures, I have been pondering their profound meanings. Now, I feel like a different person compared to when I first came to Shaolin. Everything seems different, as if my heart has been cleansed by the Dharma. This great opportunity is thanks to the abbot's kindness in opening the door for me a few days ago!"

Although it sounded like flattery, Su Yi spoke with genuine sincerity. However, the great opportunity he referred to was actually the *Nine Yang True Scripture*. He was truly grateful to this old monk.

"Amitabha." Hearing Su Yi's words, Master Kucheng's smile grew wider. He said, "Layman Yang has gained great insights from the scriptures, which is a sign of your good fortune. It shows that you have a connection with the Buddha. Unfortunately, you have already entered the door of Master Changchun. Otherwise, even though I haven't taken a disciple in thirty years, I might have been tempted..."

Absolutely not!!!

Su Yi's face turned pale. Becoming a monk here? He couldn't bear it. He couldn't say any more flattering words. If he continued, the old monk might really be tempted, and he would be forced to stay and become a monk. He had to leave quickly.

He immediately said, "Master, you are joking. I dare not disturb your meditation any longer. Since it's still early today, I will take my leave and go down the mountain."

"Layman, take care. If you have free time in the future, feel free to come back to Shaolin to browse the scriptures. You might gain more insights."

"If I have free time, I will definitely come to chat."

Su Yi bowed deeply and left the abbot's quarters, wiping the sweat from his forehead, which wasn't even there. Phew, he almost didn't make it out... He could tell that the abbot wasn't just being polite; he really wanted to take Su Yi as a disciple.

This place is too dangerous. I'd better leave quickly!

Su Yi walked briskly toward the mountain gate, not wanting to stay a moment longer. He had to leave as soon as possible!

Before he had taken a few steps, a young monk approached. It was the same monk who had been returning the scriptures to him for the past ten days.

The young monk stopped and looked at Su Yi, asking with a hint of reluctance, "Layman, are you leaving?"

Su Yi had a good impression of this young monk. He said, "Yes, that's right. All good things must come to an end. I am leaving. Take care of yourself in the future."

"Um..." The young monk nodded heavily and said, "As a Shaolin disciple, I cannot leave the mountain gate, so I won't see you off far. But I will pray for your safety and wish you a safe journey. I also wish your mother a happy birthday and a long life!"

"Thank you very much..." Su Yi couldn't help but bend down and affectionately patted the young monk's head, smiling widely.

Watching Su Yi's retreating figure, the young monk couldn't help but feel his eyes well up.

"Jueyuan, Master is calling you to recite the scriptures. Why aren't you hurrying?" Another young monk suddenly ran over and shouted at the sad young monk.

The young monk named Jueyuan's sadness quickly turned to panic, "What scriptures does Master want me to recite?"

"The Lankavatara Sutra!"

"But I haven't memorized it yet!" Jueyuan was immediately in a panic.

"What should we do?"

"Wait, I have an idea." Jueyuan suddenly remembered something, his panic subsiding. He smiled and said, "Layman Yang copied the Lankavatara Sutra yesterday, and I haven't returned it to the scripture hall yet! It's the original handwritten by Bodhidharma. I'll go to Layman Yang's room to look at the original and memorize it quickly."

The young monk clapped his hands and laughed, "That's right. Since you have a photographic memory, memorizing a scripture is easy. I'll go and buy you some time. Hurry back!"

"Okay, I'll be back soon."

The young monk skipped away, and Jueyuan sneaked toward Su Yi's room.

At this moment, Su Yi had just left, and his room had not yet been tidied up. Several precious scriptures were scattered on the table, and the ink, brush, and paper were still out. Hmm? Why is the brush broken? It looks like someone deliberately broke it. I wonder who would do such a boring thing.

"Achoo!" Su Yi, who had just left the mountain, couldn't help but sneeze, muttering to himself, "Who's thinking about me?"

"Alas... Layman Yang is good in every way, but he doesn't take good care of the scriptures..." Jueyuan muttered to himself, starting to organize the scriptures one by one.

"Alright! I want to see what's different about this Lankavatara Sutra handwritten by Bodhidharma compared to other versions."

After organizing the scriptures, Jueyuan took out the Lankavatara Sutra and opened it with a solemn expression.

After a long time, after flipping through the last page, Jueyuan put down the Lankavatara Sutra, feeling disappointed, "It's not much different from the usual Lankavatara Sutra. I thought there would be something special!"

Suddenly, he felt as if he had missed something important, but when he thought about it carefully, it seemed like just a feeling. It was probably just his imagination.

"Oh no, Master is still waiting for me to recite the scriptures. I have to hurry."

Jueyuan put away the Lankavatara Sutra and ran out of the room quickly to recite his scriptures.

At this moment, Su Yi was still walking down the mountain, full of spirit, completely unaware that he had inadvertently changed history. Of course, even if he knew, he wouldn't care, or he might even be proud. After all, a穿越者who doesn't like to change the plot isn't a qualified穿越者!

---

*Note: "穿越者" (chuān yuè zhě) means "time traveler" or "穿越" (chuān yuè) means "to travel through time."*