Immortal after a Hundred Reincarnations

"Please, come in!"

Xu Lei didn’t know why the old matriarch of the Zhao Family was acting this way.

’Perhaps she’s acting this way because she met a True Monk with Magical Power in her youth?’

’Or maybe she feels the Zhao Family has accumulated too much negative karma from generations of military service and bloodshed, so she’s performing good deeds to build up karmic merit and pray for her descendants?’

He wasn’t sure.

But there was no need to dwell on it.

Xu Lei simply wanted to use the old matriarch to get a meeting with Grand Marshal Zhao.

After all, he was a dignified Grand Marshal, a trusted subordinate of the Grand General.

Under normal circumstances, he wasn’t an easy man to see.

"Greetings, Little Zen Master."

Soon, an old woman leaning on a cane came to greet him.

Although her hair was completely white, her face was covered in wrinkles, and her body was even a little hunched over, she still seemed quite robust.

She said, "May I ask which temple you have traveled from?"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said, "Greetings, Benefactress. This humble Monk has come from Tianming Temple..."

「An hour later.」

The vegetarian meal wasn’t ready yet.

Xu Lei took a stroll around the residence.

This wasn’t the main Zhao Mansion.

Grand Marshal Zhao didn’t live here either.

The old matriarch had established this place herself.

It was something like a charity house.

Used specifically for performing good deeds and accumulating merit.

Many beggars came here for congee.

Traveling monks could also find lodging here.

The old matriarch was indeed a devout follower of Buddhism.

Even though Xu Lei just looked like a young Monk, she still held a Buddhist Scripture, sincerely asking Xu Lei for guidance on the texts and Buddhist principles.

Seeing the old matriarch’s sincerity, Xu Lei naturally didn’t refuse her.

After all, he had spent over a hundred years in the Buddhist Sect.

He could naturally speak eloquently and at length on the subject.

And just as Xu Lei was discussing stories and Zen principles from the Buddhist Sect with the old matriarch, a sturdy man with a full beard and salt-and-pepper hair appeared, accompanied by a retinue of personal guards.

It was Grand Marshal Zhao.

This was, in fact, an intentional "chance" encounter that Xu Lei had orchestrated after careful observation.

He had learned that the Grand Marshal almost always came to accompany his mother on this particular day.

That was why Xu Lei had come today.

"Mother!"

Grand Marshal Zhao called out.

"Quiet!"

But the old matriarch raised her hand, signaling for Grand Marshal Zhao not to interrupt her discussion with Xu Lei, this Little Zen Master who was so well-versed in Buddhist principles.

Although Grand Marshal Zhao was high-ranking and powerful, the social custom of the day placed the highest importance on filial piety.

As such, Grand Marshal Zhao was an extremely dutiful son.

Upon hearing her, though he was quite displeased, he still waited off to the side.

Of course, he was a little impatient.

He stood with his hands on his hips, pacing back and forth.

From time to time, he would even raise a hand to scratch his head.

He had long known that his mother disliked being disturbed when speaking with eminent monks.

Usually, if a kind-faced, benevolent-looking old monk had come, he would have waited respectfully.

But now, seeing that it was just a Little Monk, he couldn’t help but feel impatient.

「Half an hour later.」

Xu Lei and the old matriarch finally concluded their conversation.

A servant led Xu Lei away to have his vegetarian meal.

"Mother!"

Grand Marshal Zhao could finally approach his mother. He said, sounding a little wronged, "I finally found some free time to come for a visit. What’s this? Am I less important than a Little Monk?"

"Don’t be rude!"

The old matriarch retorted, "Zen Master Hui Tan may look young, but his understanding of Buddhist principles is a rare sight to behold!"

Grand Marshal Zhao was just venting a little in private.

He didn’t press the matter.

After all, he didn’t understand much about Buddhist principles.

He was merely accompanying his mother to fulfill his filial duties.

「A little over ten minutes later.」

Having finished his vegetarian meal, Xu Lei returned.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said, "Thank you for the meal, Benefactress.

However, this humble Monk has other matters to attend to and will not be staying the night."

The old matriarch naturally tried to persuade Xu Lei to stay.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei continued, "Benefactress, your devotion to Buddhism and your many years of good deeds are truly rare and a sign of great virtue.

This humble Monk cannot simply accept your meal for nothing.

However, you are of advanced age, Benefactress.

And you do not lack for worldly possessions like gold and silver.

This humble Monk has nothing of value to give you.

So, how about this? This humble Monk shall bestow an item upon your son, this Donor Zhao.

As a small token of my appreciation."

The old matriarch had just started to say that she didn’t want anything in return when she heard Xu Lei’s words shift to her son, and she couldn’t help but be taken aback.

"Oh?"

Grand Marshal Zhao laughed. "Little Master, you wish to bestow an item upon me?

With my current status and position, what do you think I could possibly lack?

Something that a Little Master like you would need to bestow?"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said calmly, "As the Grand Marshal, Donor, you naturally do not lack for money or worldly goods either.

However, this humble Monk believes you will like this gift, Donor.

Because earlier, while walking through the streets, this humble Monk overheard some common folk chatting.

They said that you, Donor, are currently troubled by the problem of warhorse attrition.

If that is true, then you will certainly like this gift.

Because this gift can help you solve the problem of warhorse losses.

Of course, those people chatting were just ordinary citizens.

This humble Monk was simply moved by your mother’s deep devotion to Buddhism and her considerable accumulation of merit.

And wished to help in a small way.

Perhaps the common folk were just spouting nonsense?

If you do not face this problem, Donor, then let us forget it.

This humble Monk has important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

With that said,

Xu Lei turned to leave.

"Wait!"

Grand Marshal Zhao lunged forward in a single stride. "Little Zen Master, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.

I was rude just now.

What exactly is this gift you mentioned?

I am indeed facing this problem.

Please, enlighten me!

The matter of warhorse attrition is a critical military supply issue.

The Court invests an unknown but immense amount into it every year.

How can you claim, Zen Master, that you can solve this issue with a single gift?

Could it be that you truly possess great Divine Power? Are you a legendary Living Buddha?"

At this moment, Grand Marshal Zhao was still, naturally, not entirely convinced.

But he figured it was better to entertain the possibility; there was no harm in asking.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said, "Regarding the matter of warhorse attrition, the crux of the problem lies in the wear and tear on the horses’ hooves, does it not?"