Immortal after a Hundred Reincarnations

Grand Marshal Zhao was now, of course, deeply grateful to Xu Lei and held him in high esteem.

He even began addressing Xu Lei as a Living Buddha.

He insisted on having Xu Lei over to his residence as an honored guest.

A sumptuous vegetarian meal had been meticulously prepared in the household.

In the presence of the Zhao Family, Xu Lei didn’t mention that he still ate meat and drank wine.

’After all, that would tarnish the image of a Buddhist Disciple. Best to enjoy my meat and wine in secret.’

Xu Lei thanked Grand Marshal Zhao for his hospitality.

He ate the vegetarian meal.

In the midst of it all, they naturally fell into conversation.

Xu Lei pretended to mention casually that he had been away handling some matters.

He had only just returned to the Capital City and was now, in fact, looking for someone.

The problem was, he didn’t know where to find this person.

Upon hearing this, Grand Marshal Zhao naturally and immediately offered to help.

After all, he had just received a great favor from Xu Lei and was still wondering how he could ever thank and repay him.

’For an ordinary person, I could just give some money, arrange for a couple of beauties, or secure them a government post.

But Xu Lei is a man of the cloth; sending money or women seems highly inappropriate.

And he certainly doesn’t want power.

I can’t just hand out a high-ranking position due to regulations.

And a minor post? How could a Living Buddha possibly accept that?

So I truly feel indebted and I’m at a loss for what to do.’

Xu Lei, of course, took the opportunity to provide the relevant information about Hui Cheng.

Grand Marshal Zhao thumped his chest, assuring Xu Lei that he could leave this matter to him.

He explained that while it would be improper to use his official authority as Grand Marshal to help,

many disciples of his Zhao Family were spread across every trade and profession throughout the land.

Finding one person would be absolutely no problem.

Xu Lei, of course, thanked him.

「The next day.」

Grand Marshal Zhao summoned one of his sons.

This son had not gone into politics, but had become a merchant instead.

He was in charge of managing the Zhao Family’s many business ventures.

This role included coordinating with all the Zhao Family members across the land.

Grand Marshal Zhao entrusted the task of finding the man to this son.

Grand Marshal Zhao himself did not continue to accompany Xu Lei.

After all, with his official post, he could not afford to be away from his duties.

Thus, it was his son who would now liaise with Xu Lei.

The son took down all the information Xu Lei provided about Hui Cheng.

For example, he was a former Monk, the Buddhist names he had used, and his approximate apparent age.

He was also blind in one eye, might have disguised his face, and could be living in seclusion in some remote mountains.

Afterward, Grand Marshal Zhao’s son also guaranteed that he would do his utmost in the search.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Once their discussion was more or less complete, Xu Lei said, "Benefactor, this item is called a Telescope. Please accept it as a gift for our first meeting.

If you do find the person we seek, please be as careful as possible not to startle him.

If he is somewhere far away or difficult to observe, you can use this item to watch from a distance.

As soon as you make a discovery, hang out the signal as we previously agreed.

This humble monk will then come and find you.

I must entrust this matter to you."

’There’s a reason I gave him the Telescope. I am, after all, asking him to work for me.

A small gift will encourage him to put his heart into the task.

Besides, this thing might actually be useful for the search itself.’

"Living Buddha, you are too kind!"

The Young Master Zhao hastily replied, "My father told me that you have done our Zhao Family a great service!

Don’t mention a small task like this!

We would not shrink from an even greater one!

In any case, please rest assured, Living Buddha.

I will do everything in my power!

However, I cannot guarantee that we will find him.

After all, as you said, Living Buddha, the target’s movements are erratic.

I can only say that the Zhao Family, from top to bottom, will spare no effort!"

Xu Lei just smiled.

"It sees so far!"

By now, Young Master Zhao had tried using the Telescope. He exclaimed in shock, "This object... it’s so wondrous!

I’ve never seen anything like it!

Living Buddha, could this be one of the legendary Magical Artifacts of the Buddhist Sect?"

Xu Lei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this and had to offer a brief explanation.

After that, Xu Lei didn’t linger any longer.

He said a few more simple words and then departed.

Then, Xu Lei changed back into Hui Yuan and returned to Celestial Zen Temple.

The identity of Hui Tan was created specifically for this task.

Therefore, he couldn’t have Young Master Zhao come to Celestial Zen Temple with news.

Instead, Xu Lei had instructed him that if there was a discovery, he was to hang a special lantern from a window on the top floor of one of the Zhao Family’s restaurants.

When Xu Lei saw it, he would come to find him.

「Another month passed in the blink of an eye.」

Over the past month, Xu Lei would occasionally go down the mountain to drink wine and eat meat.

He kept an eye out for whether the signal lantern had been hung.

But for a full month, he saw no sign of it.

Xu Lei was just thinking that perhaps Hui Cheng was proving difficult to find.

’After all, I really did a number on Hui Cheng back then.

His two sons and his Dao Companion all died tragically at my hands.

It’s only natural for him to be extremely cautious now.’

Therefore, Xu Lei wasn’t too disappointed.

He just went about his days, continuing his daily Cultivation.

However, what Xu Lei hadn’t expected happened a mere three days later.

That day, Xu Lei came down the mountain, about to enter the city for some wine and meat.

But then he saw that Young Master Zhao had already hung out the special signal lantern outside the designated restaurant.

’Have they already found a trace of Hui Cheng?’

Xu Lei was astonished. ’Is the Zhao Family’s network really that formidable?

Or perhaps Hui Cheng isn’t being that secretive as he moves about?

And with his injured eye, he has a rather obvious feature, so maybe that’s how they found him?’

Seeing this, Xu Lei, who had been about to enter the restaurant for wine and meat, turned and left immediately.

「An hour later.」

When Xu Lei arrived outside the Zhao Family’s restaurant once more,

he had already shed his plain clothes and was now bald.

The contours of his face had also reverted to the appearance of Hui Tan.