Immortal after a Hundred Reincarnations

Later that afternoon.

Xu Lei left the Celestial Zen Temple.

He once again assumed the guise of Hui Tan.

He entered the city to find Young Master Zhao.

Ostensibly, he was there to ask if any trace of Hui Cheng had been found.

In reality, it was to let the Fourteenth Princess Consort know he was in town, giving her an opportunity to seek him out and request Charitable Giving.

Young Master Zhao still hadn’t found any trace of Hui Cheng.

He felt rather apologetic about this and had his servants prepare a rich vegetarian meal to host Xu Lei.

After the meal, Xu Lei had just gone downstairs and was about to leave.

A maidservant of the Fourteenth Princess Consort, who had been waiting downstairs, called out to him.

She said the Fourteenth Princess Consort wished to see him.

However, due to her status, it was inconvenient for her to openly greet him in a place with so much foot traffic.

Xu Lei said nothing. He had expected this, after all, and agreed to board the carriage.

A few minutes later, the carriage brought Xu Lei to a corner at the end of the street.

He then disembarked from that carriage.

And boarded another one.

Inside this new carriage,

the Fourteenth Princess Consort was waiting.

It seemed she had taken special care with her makeup and attire today.

Her figure was exquisite, her beauty bright and enchanting. With sparkling eyes and pearly teeth, her every glance was captivating.

Upon seeing Xu Lei, she immediately offered a graceful bow.

"I am Shi Yi. It is an honor to meet the Hui Tan Living Buddha!"

She said in a delicate voice, "It was inconvenient for us to meet openly today, and I troubled the Living Buddha to board this carriage.

It was truly rude of me, and I feel terribly guilty.

But I am willing to atone with my body.

I won’t beat around the bush.

The truth is, I sought an audience with the Living Buddha today for two reasons.

First, to thank you for exposing that evil demon last time.

And second, I wish to ask the Living Buddha to perform Charitable Giving for me.

I went to the Celestial Zen Temple, as the Living Buddha suggested.

However, I could not bring myself to accept Charitable Giving from a stranger, a Zen Master I do not know.

If I truly must receive this ’giving,’

I thought to myself that if it were you, I could accept it."

As she said this, her face was already flushed with crimson.

"I wonder... would that be possible?"

Her beautiful eyes fluttered, her pupils shimmering as she looked at Xu Lei with a hint of nervousness. "Would you be willing?"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei feigned a troubled expression. "But... this humble monk is not one who practices the ’Charitable Giving’ of the flesh.

This merit of bestowing a child through such means...

This humble monk has never performed it before.

I..."

「Later that night.」

Xu Lei had already parted ways with Shi Yi and returned to the Celestial Zen Temple.

Shi Yi, in turn, came to the temple to request Charitable Giving.

The two became entangled within the temple’s walls.

They had done nothing in the carriage earlier. To have done so then would have been mere fornication.

Here, in the temple, it was an act of meritorious Charitable Giving.

「Four days later.」

It was the eighth day.

Shi Yi was not yet with child.

While Xu Lei was eating during the day,

he saw the signal light hanging once again from a high-floor window of the restaurant run by Young Master Zhao.

’Hm?’

Xu Lei thought to himself, ’Has Young Master Zhao found news of another Spirit Monster?’

「Half an hour later.」

Xu Lei had altered his face, changed into another set of monastic robes, and arrived outside the restaurant.

An attendant was already waiting respectfully on the first floor.

As soon as Xu Lei arrived, the attendant ushered him upstairs.

Of course, when Xu Lei reached the upper floor, Young Master Zhao was not yet there.

The attendant explained that he was busy handling other business matters.

"Living Buddha!"

But it wasn’t long, perhaps ten or so minutes later, that Young Master Zhao arrived, panting for breath.

He reported excitedly, "The traces of that Hui Cheng you were looking for!

We’ve found something!

One of my Zhao Family’s men, stationed in another city, found him.

It’s a very strong match!

The blindness, height, build—it’s all similar!

The only thing is, he doesn’t have a shaven head. He’s wearing a hat.

And his face shows signs of being disguised!

He’s currently living in that city.

Our men have followed your instructions and haven’t made any rash moves.

They’re just keeping an eye on him from the shadows..."

「Two hours later.」

Xu Lei, having once again assumed the identity of Hui Yuan, returned to the Celestial Zen Temple.

Xu Lei was rather surprised that the Zhao Family had managed to find Hui Cheng so quickly.

But since he had been found, and was only two cities away from the Capital City—not very far at all—

Xu Lei naturally wanted to go and see what had become of this Hui Cheng.

If possible, he would find an opportunity to assassinate him directly!

After all, with Xu Lei’s current strength at the Bodhisattva Tree Realm,

he believed that dealing with Hui Cheng shouldn’t be a problem.

It might be a bit of a waste, admittedly,

but a clean kill would solve the problem for good.

Otherwise, Hui Cheng would continue to hide in the shadows,

and there was no telling when he might emerge for revenge.

This was why Xu Lei didn’t dare to casually use his Hui Chi identity.

Of course, before leaving, Xu Lei had to arrange the affairs of the Bu Zhong Hall.

This was relatively simple.

After all, many of the disciples in the Bu Zhong Hall were quite competent at handling its affairs.

As for Shi Yi, Xu Lei had originally planned to leave her a note.

Unexpectedly, however, Shi Yi came to the temple that very day, in broad daylight.

So Xu Lei naturally told her that he would be leaving for a few days.

He told her she didn’t need to come to the temple for the next few days.

He also added that since she had not yet conceived,

he would not abandon the task halfway.

He promised to return in five to seven days.

"Mm-hm."

Shi Yi replied, "The Living Buddha is a man of his word.

I will remember this.

You owe me a son.

When you return, you must continue the Charitable Giving until I have conceived!

If you do not come back, then I will wait for you forever!

I will not seek Charitable Giving from anyone else!

I only want *your* Charitable Giving!"

「Several hours later.」

In his guise as Hui Tan, Xu Lei traveled with Young Master Zhao.

They rode toward the city where Hui Cheng had been found.

Hoofbeats thundered, kicking up a trail of dust.

「The next day.」

Xu Lei and Young Master Zhao boarded a boat that was not particularly large.

Taking the waterway was a faster route to the city where Hui Cheng was located.

There were not many people on board.

Just Xu Lei, Young Master Zhao, and a few guards.

Also present were a couple dressed in fine Brocade Clothing, along with their son, a sleeping boy of about six, held in his mother’s arms.