Afterward.
Xu Lei was filled with an incomparably sacred and noble state of mind.
As if possessed by the Buddha himself, he formally conducted his Charitable Giving with the beautiful, mature woman.
Another ten-some days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day.
During his daylight hours, Xu Lei was sweeping.
"Divine Monk Wu Tan!" a young girl's voice called out.
Xu Lei looked over and saw it was Zhao Tieniu's daughter—the very same tea-picking girl from before, Zhao Xiaocha.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei said, "What brings you here today, Patron Xiaocha?"
"I'm here to worship the Buddha and fulfill a vow."
Zhao Xiaocha added, "And I'm also here to thank you.
Regarding the corvée labor, it's thanks to your help that my father was spared from the oppressive work.
Afterward, the Lord County Magistrate even assigned Father to a relatively easier position.
Father and I both know it must be your blessed light watching over us.
So today, my father had me bring you some homegrown fruit.
I hope you'll accept them."
Xu Lei gazed at the delicate-featured young girl.
Although her skin wasn't perfectly fair, she was very young, her face full of youthful plumpness and her skin exceptionally smooth.
All in all, she was quite beautiful. Her eyes were especially clear, and her every glance was filled with the vibrant energy of a girl in the bloom of youth.
Her country way of speaking sounded a bit unsophisticated.
Yet it was also strangely charming.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei nodded with a smile. "You and your father are most thoughtful. In that case, it would be rude of this humble monk to refuse."
After presenting the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, Xu Lei had indeed gained some influence with the County Magistrate.
He remembered how he had stolen Zhao Tieniu's clothes when he first arrived in this world.
Although he had already paid him back with some copper plates.
Xu Lei still felt slightly in his debt.
Therefore, before he left this time, Xu Lei had put in a good word with the Lord County Magistrate.
The Lord County Magistrate was naturally willing to do him a favor.
And so he arranged for Zhao Tieniu to be placed in an easier service position.
"Thank you, Divine Monk."
Seeing Xu Lei accept the fruit, Zhao Xiaocha couldn't help but beam. "I was so worried before, worried that you wouldn't think much of these things, Divine Monk.
Let alone your compassionate intervention with the corvée labor.
Just by delivering our family from the Evil Clothing...
And dispelling our family's misfortune.
Our family has no idea how we could ever repay you.
After all, we don't have anything of great value.
All we can offer is some fruit."
"Fresh fruit is lovely."
Xu Lei smiled. "This humble monk is very fond of it."
"Mhm."
Zhao Xiaocha nodded. "Oh, right, Divine Monk, ever since you dealt with that Evil Clothing, our family's good fortune has really started to return.
It's not just that Father was assigned to a good position for the corvée labor.
Since he returned home, good things have been happening one after another.
Father has even found a job in the city now..."
She chattered on endlessly, twittering around Xu Lei as she recounted all the details.
After hearing just a few sentences, Xu Lei understood what was really going on.
It was obviously because of him.
He had asked the County Magistrate to look after Zhao Tieniu.
The County Magistrate, in turn, told others to look after Zhao Tieniu.
That triggered all sorts of chain reactions.
Of course, Xu Lei wouldn't say that out loud.
Letting the Zhao Family father and daughter attribute all this to the fated return of their good fortune also served to validate the nonsense Xu Lei had spouted to absolve himself of the crime of stealing the clothes.
This way, the matter could be considered completely settled.
Xu Lei no longer felt he owed Zhao Tieniu anything.
And he no longer felt any guilt or sin over his prior theft of the clothes.
"Little Divine Monk, I'm sorry, I've talked your ear off."
Zhao Xiaocha then said, a little embarrassed, "Well, I won't disturb you any longer today.
Truly, Divine Monk, our family has no way to repay your immense kindness.
We just don't know how to thank you.
All I can say is, if you ever need anything in the future...
...just let us know. If we have it, we'll surely bring it to you."
'I want you to bear my child. Would you be willing?'
Hearing this, Xu Lei grumbled internally, 'I don't lack anything... except children. Don't repay me with other things, just bear my children.'
Of course.
Xu Lei naturally wouldn't say these words out loud.
After all, it didn't suit his dignified persona as an eminent monk.
The moment he said it, the facade would crumble.
Besides, as Zen Master Bu Zhong, his purview was sleeping with young matrons.
A beautiful young maiden like Zhao Xiaocha was certainly still a virgin.
There was no way she would sleep with Xu Lei.
Even if she agreed to, Xu Lei wouldn't dare.
After all, if he slept with her, he would have to take responsibility.
He'd have to renounce his monastic vows and marry her.
"The Buddha is compassionate."
Therefore, Xu Lei simply said, "There is no need for repayment. Your kind intentions are more than enough, Patron."
Zhao Xiaocha then skipped cheerfully down the mountain.
「Night fell.」
Xu Lei took some of the fruit Zhao Xiaocha had given him.
He once again went to the Almsgiving Room.
"Little Divine Monk!"
Before Xu Lei could even put down the basket of fruit, the lovely silhouette of a voluptuous beauty pounced on him.
In the blink of an eye.
「Another ten-some days passed.」
That evening.
Xu Lei sat alone.
[Current Number of Descendants: 2]
Just then, the text on the page of his Ten Thousand Lives Book changed once more.
The number of descendants, which had been 1, was now 2.
He had been constantly engaged in Charitable Giving before.
Now that it was suddenly complete, Xu Lei felt a bit unaccustomed to the quiet.
Unexpectedly, at that very moment, a voluptuous and graceful silhouette...
...appeared once again in the Almsgiving Room, just as it had on all the nights before.