Chapter 787

As long as it did not violate her principles,

she could agree to it.

However, Gu Hanyuan's next words put her in a difficult position.

Gu Hanyuan said in a deep voice:

"Does the Abbess intend to continue blocking Sister Yilin?"

Abbess Dingyi had heard from Sister Yilin last night that Gu Hanyuan had returned.

She also knew that if it weren't for her warnings,

Sister Yilin might have already lost her chastity last night.

She had long since thought of turning a blind eye.

Sister Yilin returning to secular life was only a matter of time.

Abbess Dingyi sighed:

"This nun understands Young Master Gu's meaning. I also know that Sister Yilin has deep roots of affection for you, and no matter how I block it, it is meaningless. Therefore, when we return to the Hengshan Sect this time, I will let Sister Yilin return to secular life."

Gu Hanyuan did not show any joy upon hearing this.

Instead, he asked seriously:

"Then does the Abbess know what consequences will arise after Sister Yilin returns to secular life?"

Abbess Dingyi asked suspiciously:

"What does Young Master Gu mean?"

Gu Hanyuan pondered:

"Based on my observations, if Sister Yilin can return to secular life, many other young disciples will surely follow suit. By then, the Hengshan Sect will exist in name only."

This was a fact,

and it was also something Abbess Dingyi had been worrying about.

Now that Gu Hanyuan had pointed it out,

she immediately looked distressed:

"Isn't this the disaster caused by Young Master Gu! But what is the use of forcibly keeping them? The foundation of the Hengshan Sect might end here."

She had sighed more than once over this matter.

If the young disciples of the Hengshan Sect all returned to secular life,

they would inevitably fall into a situation where there was no one to take over.

By then, not to mention the covetous Songshan Sect,

even if time passed,

the Hengshan Sect, having lost its heritage, would inevitably perish.

Gu Hanyuan feigned shame and said:

"The Hengshan Sect is in danger of being destroyed because of me; I feel very guilty, so I have thought of a solution."

Abbess Dingyi said in a daze:

"I would like to hear the details."

Gu Hanyuan said with an inexplicable tone:

"Why doesn't the Abbess take the disciples who want to return to secular life as lay disciples? This way, they are still disciples of the Hengshan Sect, and the sect will not exist in name only."

Abbess Dingyi was shocked upon hearing this.

She instinctively rejected it:

"How can this be!"

Gu Hanyuan did not give up because of Abbess Dingyi's refusal.

He continued to persuade:

"Why not? Although the Hengshan Sect belongs to the Buddhist school, it still considers itself a sword sect. I imagine it doesn't have a deep sense of belonging to the Buddhist school. Now, it's just having a few more lay disciples; in reality, they are still disciples of the Hengshan Sect. Why must the Abbess be so pedantic about form?"

Abbess Dingyi was stunned.

After pondering for a moment,

she actually found that what Gu Hanyuan said made a lot of sense.

The Hengshan Sect only maintained its Buddhist characteristics because its founder was Abbess Xiaofeng.

In reality, it didn't have much to do with the Buddhist school.

Doing exactly what Gu Hanyuan suggested was not impossible...

Abbess Dingyi was somewhat shaken.

She said with a complex expression:

"Sigh, Young Master Gu's words make sense. It's just that I cannot let down the ancestors of the Hengshan Sect."

Seeing her hesitate,

Gu Hanyuan continued to add weight:

"Zuo Lengchan is ambitious and wants to merge the Five Mountain Sword Sects. If the Hengshan Sect's strength is greatly damaged and it is annexed by the Songshan Sect, that would be letting down the ancestors. Moreover, the situation in the Song Guo is chaotic now; if the Abbess opens the door to lay disciples, you can also protect more poor women."

Although Abbess Dingyi had a fiery temperament

and was upright and righteous,

she was clear about right and wrong

and had an open mind;

otherwise, she wouldn't have passed the position of Sect Master to Linghu Chong in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer."

Abbess Dingyi let out a long, faint sigh.

She said helplessly:

"Very well, when I return to Hengshan, I will explain this to the disciples."

Gu Hanyuan smiled lightly and cupped his hands:

"The Abbess is open-minded; I admire you."

Seeing this, Abbess Dingyi said crossly:

"These disciples of mine were all carefully taught, and I treat them like my own daughters. Young Master Gu must treat them well in the future, otherwise, I will never let it go."

By the end, her voice was stern,

clearly meaning it.

Even though she knew she was no match for Gu Hanyuan,

she still spoke up for the future of her disciples.

Gu Hanyuan feigned being moved upon hearing this:

"Abbess, please rest assured."

These cute little nuns still had quite a bit of value.

Gu Hanyuan wouldn't treat them poorly.

He paused,

and said in a deep voice:

"By the way, Sister Yilin is coming to my room tonight; the Abbess has no objections, right?"

Abbess Dingyi was annoyed at first.

Then, she let out a helpless sigh.

She had already agreed to the young disciples returning to secular life;

blocking Sister Yilin now was meaningless.

It was just a matter of sooner or later.

She said crossly:

"What use is it if I have objections? Just treat Sister Yilin well, Young Master Gu."

Gu Hanyuan smiled lightly and said:

"Thank you for your understanding, Abbess."

When the two returned,

the crowd had already dispersed,

and only the Hengshan Sect disciples were still waiting for Abbess Dingyi. ===== CHAPTER 789 =====

Only the disciples of the Hengshan Sect were still waiting for Abbess Dingyi.