Immortal after a Hundred Reincarnations

’In this life, I will take Zhi Shan’s place and continue to take good care of you.’

"But, madam... I don’t understand what you mean by this."

Xu Lei directed his last question to the old woman on the bed.

"That’s right."

Xu Yan’er also looked to the old woman on the bed. "Mother, what do you mean? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

"Zen Master, thank you for taking care of my daughter and me all these years."

The old woman, in turn, looked at Xu Lei. "They say time reveals a person’s heart, and I have seen yours.

As a helpless mother and daughter, a life of hardship was to be expected.

But because of you, I’ve been able to live out my later years in peace.

I’ve also earned the respect of many people, an experience I’ve never had before in my life.

Our Xu Family is also highly respected by our neighbors, and that’s all thanks to you.

Moreover, you’ve spoiled Yan’er rotten, treating her like a true young lady, a little princess.

This girl... I’m really worried about her.

With the way she is now, when she marries into another family someday...

I doubt they would continue to indulge her and spoil her like this.

So I was thinking, if possible, you could... make some arrangements.

Let Yan’er be with you, alright?

She could even have a sham marriage, as long as she could be with you in private.

And another thing... Give one of the children you have with Yan’er to the Xu Family.

After all, Yan’er is a girl. Normally, she would marry into another family and carry on their bloodline.

But the Xu Family cannot be left without an heir to carry on our name.

I know that in the eyes of the public, your children with Su Chun have already continued our family line.

But deep down, I still have this one regret.

I’ve always hoped that when Yan’er had a child of her own, that child could be raised as a member of the Xu Family.

That is the only way I wouldn’t feel like I’ve failed our ancestors.

Zen Master, can you promise me this?

Yan’er, are you willing? Can you promise Mother?"

"Huh?"

Xu Lei was taken aback. "Madam, this...?"

"Huh?"

Xu Yan’er was stunned, her face flushing red. "Mother, you... you want me to marry— What are you talking about?

I... I... I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it. This is all so sudden."

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei replied, "Madam, I understand your desire to continue the family line.

And I will support it.

But we don’t need to force Yan’er to do this.

Even if Yan’er doesn’t end up with me and marries someone else she loves...

...we can still arrange for her child to be secretly raised under the Xu Family name.

That would still accomplish your goal.

Please, rest assured.

I was serious when I promised back then that I would take Zhi Shan’s place and look after you.

You don’t have to do this.

And you don’t have to worry that I won’t treat Yan’er with all my heart after you’re gone."

"Thank you."

Tears welled in the old woman’s eyes. "Zen Master, truly, thank you."

Seeing that the old woman was not in any immediate danger, Xu Lei took his leave.

The residence had plenty of servants, so the wealthy Xu Lei didn’t need to attend to her personally.

In a feudal society like this, household servants were indentured and could be beaten or even killed by their masters.

So there was no need to worry about them mistreating the elderly, unlike some caregivers back on Earth.

After all, if a caregiver on Earth was caught mistreating the elderly, the worst that could happen was being fired or having their pay docked.

They didn’t have much to fear.

But here, if they were caught mistreating the elderly, the punishment was death!

Therefore, the servants wouldn’t dare to disrespect their elders.

As Xu Lei was walking out...

Yan’er suddenly ran after him.

"Um..."

She didn’t know what to call Xu Lei now. She just said, "I... I’ll walk you out."

"Why so formal all of a sudden?"

Xu Lei smiled at the young woman and reached out to pat her head. "Don’t worry," he said. "Don’t listen to your mother’s wild talk. I’ll always take care of you like you’re my own little sister."

Xu Yan’er’s face was flushed and the tips of her ears were pink, but she didn’t pull away. She just pursed her lips.

After saying that...

Xu Lei gave her head another affectionate rub, then turned and left.

’’Time to go kill someone! I can’t think about this anymore!’

Xu Lei turned and strode away.

「A few days later」

Xu Lei arrived near Ningle Temple.

Ningle Temple wasn’t far from Ning’an Temple.

Just half a city separated them.

Ning’an Temple was the place where Xu Lei and Hui Ming had once stayed.

However, Hui Ming had since left Ning’an Temple for a new one.

But none of that was important.

The important thing was that Hui Cheng and his son were currently inside Ningle Temple.

But after watching for several days...

Xu Lei found that neither Hui Cheng nor his son ever came down the mountain.

They stayed in the temple, focused on their cultivation, leaving Xu Lei no opportunity to make his move.

So he decided to just kill time in the vicinity, eating, drinking, and wandering around.

But wandering around by himself wasn’t much fun.

So one day, Xu Lei found himself unconsciously wandering near Zhi Jian’s Family home.

Over the past three years, Lady Shen had once again sought to have another child.

But Xu Lei didn’t know if this third child was a boy or a girl.

’The negative karma that clung to my identity as Hui Chi from all the demon hunting should have faded by now.’

’After all these years, it’s unlikely anyone would still think I have an unrefined Demon Core they could try to steal.’

So, Xu Lei decided to appear as Hui Chi and went to Zhi Jian’s Family home.

He announced that he was an itinerant monk who had wandered into their area and was seeking alms.

After a servant went to announce his arrival...

Both Zhi Jian and Lady Shen came rushing out to greet him.

"Martial Uncle, you’ve finally reappeared!"

Zhi Jian was overjoyed, his eyes welling with tears. "This is wonderful!

All these years, I’ve wanted to thank you!

But I never had the chance!

I didn’t know where to find you!

Please, come in! Come in!