Martial Arts: Starting from a Seemingly Real System

Master Wuwang called Qiao Rui and gave him three secret books.

Qiao Rui looked at the secret books on the low table in surprise, including "Prajna Vajra Palm", "Shaolin Nine Yang Kung Fu", and "Burning Wood Sword Technique".

"This... doesn't it mean that I can only exchange for two secret manuals, and that the 'Burning Wood Sword Technique' requires a large amount of merit points to redeem it?" Qiao Rui was full of confusion, not knowing what was going on.

"Haha," Wuwang smiled slightly, "This time the situation is special, and Brother Abbot has said that you can take the secret book and learn it first, but there is something you need to do down the mountain."

"Oh?" Qiao Rui suddenly realized that there is really no free lunch in the world. However, he must not miss the secret books he got. He picked up the three secret books, tightly held them in his hands, and then said solemnly: "If there is anything, just follow my instructions, Senior Brothers!"

"Good, good!" Wu Xiang nodded and continued, "In recent years, a group of bandits appeared in Henan. They are all highly skilled in martial arts and are called the Four Heavenly Kings. They have committed many crimes. The local government is powerless and asked us, Shaolin, to help the people get rid of this harm. Therefore, I hope you can help the government to arrest these people."

The Four Heavenly Kings? Zhuo Yifei and the others?

"But the four kings of wine, sex, money and anger?" Qiao Rui had a bad feeling in his heart.

"Yes, since you have heard of them, it would be most appropriate for you to go down the mountain and arrest them." Wuxiang said.

Qiao Rui thought to himself that this was not good, and hurriedly explained: "Please allow me to report this to you, Senior Brothers. These people are all my friends. They are not bad people. We killed corrupt officials and the rich and unkind. I hope you can see clearly."

“Corrupt officials are still officials. Killing officials with civilians is a heinous crime. The government has already filed a case and is seeking their arrest. You should go down the mountain and persuade them to surrender in Shaolin, which may save their lives.” Wuwang said in a gentle voice.

"How to save their lives?" Since it involved the life and death of his friends, Qiao Rui had to ask clearly.

"Join Shaolin and become a disciple of Prajna Hall. We, Shaolin, will protect him well." Wuxiang took over the conversation with a smile. As the leader of the four major sects in the world, he naturally has such confidence.

"But there is a woman among them, how should we accommodate her?" Qiao Rui thought of Cai Ling'er, the King of Wealth. She couldn't possibly join the Prajna Hall and live in the Zen room in the fourth courtyard.

“We can buy a small courtyard in the town at the foot of the mountain, so Zhuo Yifei and others can come down the mountain to meet us when they have time.” Wuxiang said. It was obvious that they had already made a plan.

Qiao Rui now understood that the purpose of Shaolin was to recruit Zhuo Yifei and his men. All the government wanted warrants and going down the mountain to arrest them were excuses. However, Cai Ling'er might not be willing to separate from Zhuo Yifei. In addition, Zhuo Yifei was free and easy by nature. He did things according to his own preferences and was both good and evil. I am afraid he could not stand the various restrictions of Shaolin.

"Brother, have you never sent anyone to recruit a master like Zhuo Yifei before?" Qiao Rui asked.

“We have tried to recruit them several times before, but he rejected us every time. However, the situation has changed. Now they have only two choices. Either join Shaolin and accept its protection, or Shaolin will take action to capture them and hand them over to the government for punishment.” Wuxiang said calmly, with an inexplicable sense of oppression in his tone. It was as if the real purpose had been revealed. It’s up to you to decide whether life or freedom is more important.

Qiao Rui frowned. Since Zhuo Yifei had rejected Shaolin's recruitment many times, what was the point of him going there? Was he going to use the friendship to force them to make an unsatisfactory decision?

He can't go. He can't make things difficult for Zhuo Yifei and the others. He should choose between living in humiliation and restraint, or fighting for freedom. With Zhuo Yifei's character, he will definitely choose the latter. Shaolin will take action if they want to. Zhuo Yifei and the others must not be easily scared.

But, what can I do for them?

Qiao Rui pursed his lips and said in embarrassment: "Junior brother, I am insignificant and my martial arts skills are low. I am afraid that I can't help you, senior brothers. I will disappoint you!"

Wuxiang and Wuwang looked at each other with complicated expressions. They were a little surprised by Qiao Rui's decision, but after thinking about it carefully, it was reasonable.

Wuwang said slowly: "You don't want them to be embarrassed, which is also a preservation of the friendship between you two. However, in this case, it is not easy for my Shaolin to protect them. If you don't want to leave the mountain, we will not force you. You can just choose another expert to leave the mountain."

Qiao Rui was worried but helpless, and said angrily: "They are all adults. When they made the decision to reject Shaolin, they must have been mentally prepared. But I don't understand why they must recruit Zhuo Yifei and others? Can't they just ignore this matter and let them go? Do you have to recruit all the masters in the wild?"

Wu Wang saw that Qiao Rui was very emotional and knew that he was a man who valued friendship and loyalty, so he felt relieved. He explained softly, "There are only so many masters in the world. If we recruit one less, other sects may recruit one more. If one gains, the other loses. How can Shaolin still lead the group?"

"That's true, but aren't you monks? Why are you so competitive?" Qiao Rui also took a risk and said hastily.

Wuwang paused fiddling with his rosary beads and said patiently, "Although Shaolin is a Buddhist sect, it is also a major sect in the martial arts world. Each sect has its own rules of conduct. Only by promoting the major sect first can we better spread Buddhism. Otherwise, the Quanzhen Sect will be a lesson for us."

In the past, the Quanzhen Sect was so prosperous that it was no exaggeration to say that it was the best sect in the world. However, later on, martial arts were no longer important, and people only focused on learning doctrines, which led to its gradual decline. Now, there is no Quanzhen Sect in the martial arts world, only the Quanzhen Sect of Taoism, and its influence is no longer as great as before.

Of course Qiao Rui had also heard about this and was speechless for a moment.

Wu Xiang saw that Qiao Rui stopped talking, but still refused to agree to this matter. He said expressionlessly: "Since you don't want to do this, just return the book "Burning Wood Sword Technique". I will ask Zhiketang to give you some merit points."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Rui glanced at the secret book in his hand and felt extremely reluctant, but he could never betray his friend.

“After you have memorized the other two secret books, you must return them to the Sutra Repository. Before that, you are not allowed to leave the mountain to prevent the secret books from being lost.” Wuxiang said again.

"Yes!" Qiao Rui responded with a bitter face and gently put the secret book of burning wood swordsmanship back on the coffee table.

"Go down!" Wuxiang waved his hand, signaling Qiao Rui to retreat.

Qiao Rui bowed and left silently.

"Qiao Rui," Wuwang suddenly shouted when he saw Qiao Rui leaving in a depressed mood.

Qiao Rui paused, turned around and whispered, "Brother, do you have any other instructions?"

“Qiao Rui, you have to understand that you are already a disciple of Shaolin Prajna Hall, and even more so the last disciple of Master Dingyi, the second generation core disciple of Shaolin today,” Wuwang sighed softly, “Shaolin is no longer a stopover in your life, but your home!”

Qiao Rui's tall and strong body trembled slightly, his expression suddenly changed, and he felt a little guilty in his heart.

Yes, this is my own sect, I have my own master, this will be my second home from now on.

I had a strong purpose in going to Shaolin Temple in the first place. Now that I have become a disciple and learned martial arts, the purpose of going to the mountain has been achieved. Shaolin Temple has not owed me anything. On the contrary, I have never contributed anything to Shaolin Temple.

But, it’s hard to be both loyal and righteous!

However, there are trade-offs in everything. At most, Shaolin has failed to recruit a few masters, but Zhuo Yifei's life will be in danger. It seems that I have to go to Qingtianwei to explain and see if I can get the Henan government to cancel the wanted order.

First he would preserve the brotherhood, then he would repay his master’s kindness. Qiao Rui made up his mind, let out a long breath, and walked out of the Prajna Hall.