She's not a novice, she's in disguise, a wolf hiding among the sheep.
The sudden sound of footsteps outside the door interrupted Yang Xiao's thoughts. There was a knock, and then the wooden door creaked open, revealing two men with bare chests outside. They were dressed like monks, but not entirely. Each of them wore a heavy metal ring on their hands.
Behind the men were a dozen or so villagers. As the crowd parted to both sides, a familiar figure appeared in front of Yang Xiao and the others.
It was the missing Shari. Shari was now wrapped in a tattered garment, looking dirty, with multiple dried mud stains. She had lost one shoe, clearly having spent a rather uncomfortable night.
After bringing the person back, the two men dressed like monks folded their hands in a greeting and then left with the rest of the villagers.
