The two warrior monks hurriedly threw away their wooden sticks and pressed their palms together. “Little Shishu!”

Brian Morgan’s eyes widened in surprise—this little novice was actually their shishu.

The little novice floated lightly down from the air, landing beside Brian Morgan, hands clasped behind his back, looking mature and composed as he scolded the two warrior monks: “How dare you treat Senior Brother Zhiyuan’s guest so rudely?”

“We really didn’t know!” the two warrior monks hastily explained.

Brian Morgan added fuel to the fire: “How could you not know? I explained myself until my mouth was dry just now, but you still beat me up without even figuring out what was going on!”

The two monks stammered, “Benefactor… how could you…”

The little novice interrupted them: “Enough! Both of you, go to the ‘Cliff of Reflection’ and meditate facing the wall. You’re not allowed to come down until you’ve recited the Diamond Sutra a thousand times!”

Brian Morgan almost burst out laughing. Serves them right for blocking his way down the mountain—they deserved a lesson.

After scolding them, the little novice turned to Brian Morgan and said, “Benefactor Meng, the abbot asked me to bring you back.”

Brian Morgan smiled and said, “Little master, I don’t think I belong to your Shaolin Temple, so I’m not under your abbot’s jurisdiction.”

The little novice smiled sweetly at Brian Morgan and said, “The abbot specifically instructed me that before the start of ‘Yundu University,’ you are absolutely not allowed to leave Shaolin Temple on your own.”

Brian Morgan took his travel bag from the tree and brushed off the dust. “Little brother, I won’t play with you anymore. Please thank your abbot for his kindness on my behalf.” He turned to leave.

The little novice called out loudly, “Benefactor Meng, if you insist on going down the mountain, don’t blame this humble monk for being rude!”

Brian Morgan turned around, looking at him with interest. “Little brother, I never bully children, so don’t force me to make an exception!”

The little novice gave Brian Morgan an innocent smile, then threw a punch through the air at a nearby pine tree as thick as two people’s arms. The force of the punch swept toward the tree like a raging wave, and the pine tree snapped cleanly at the base.

Brian Morgan’s tongue stuck out in shock and didn’t retract for a long time. Luckily, that punch was aimed at the tree—if it had landed on him, his bones would probably have been shattered into a thousand pieces.

He gave a couple of dry laughs. “Little brother, your martial arts are truly extraordinary. I’m impressed, really.”

The little novice made a gesture of invitation. “It’s almost time for the vegetarian meal. Benefactor Meng, you’d better get going.”

Having witnessed his power, Brian Morgan didn’t dare insist any further and could only follow him helplessly, heading back toward Shaolin Temple.

Although Brian Morgan’s martial arts were no match for his, when it came to wits, even ten little novices together wouldn’t be his opponent.

Brian Morgan deliberately let out a heavy sigh.

“Why do you sigh, benefactor?”

Brian Morgan put on a pained expression. “I’m mourning for that tree…” He glanced at the little novice out of the corner of his eye and continued, “Actually, trees are living beings just like people. You could even say their lives are more admirable than humans’. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, selflessly contributing their strength to nature. But who would have thought its fate would end so tragically… I truly grieve for its destiny…”

The little novice looked back thoughtfully, his eyes glistening with tears. Realizing he had taken the pine tree’s life with his own hands, he was instantly filled with guilt.

He said regretfully, “It’s all my fault for committing too much harm. Thank you, Benefactor Meng, for enlightening me. As soon as I escort you back to the temple, I’ll go meditate and reflect on my actions.”

Brian Morgan nodded proudly. “If that pine tree’s spirit knows, I’m sure it will forgive little master.”

Chapter 3: Escape from Shaolin (Part 1)

When they returned to the temple, it was just in time for the midday meal. The little novice brought Brian Morgan to the kitchen and handed him over to a chubby monk with the dharma name Henry Reed. He served Brian Morgan a big bowl of rice, and the dishes were all green foods: a plate of stir-fried greens and a plate of stir-fried lotus root. Brian Morgan forced himself to swallow the meal, and immediately made up his mind—just for this vegetarian fare, he’d rather die than become a monk.

Brian Morgan habitually placed his empty bowl on the table and stood up, intending to leave.

But Henry Reed called out to Brian Morgan, “Benefactor Meng, please clean up your bowl and chopsticks!”

“What?” Brian Morgan could hardly believe his ears.

Henry Reed pointed at the bowl and chopsticks in front of him. “If you want to fill your stomach here, you have to work for it.” Brian Morgan glared at him fiercely, but then thought better of it—he had no reason to eat and stay here for free, so he might as well clean up his own dishes.

Brian Morgan took his bowl and chopsticks to the sink, washed them, and wiped down the table before preparing to leave.

Unexpectedly, Henry Reed called out to him again, “Benefactor Meng, it seems you didn’t quite understand what I meant.” He waved his chubby hand around the dining hall. “What I mean is, you need to clean up all the bowls and chopsticks here!”

Brian Morgan suppressed his anger—this fat, big-eared guy was clearly messing with him.

Henry Reed didn’t seem to notice Brian Morgan’s expression and continued to order, “After you’ve washed all the bowls and chopsticks, stack every twenty big bowls into a pile and put them in the cupboard. The bamboo chopsticks should be placed in the chopstick holder with the tips facing up.”

Brian Morgan gave a disdainful cold laugh and turned to walk toward the kitchen door.