"Little Divine Monk, these potatoes you mentioned... do they really have such a high yield?"
Feeling the warmth emanating from Xu Lei, Yu Fengying said worriedly, "The Saint is here in person. You can't afford to make any mistakes."
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei replied, "Thank you for your concern, Benefactress. Monks do not tell lies. However... Benefactress, is it not a bit inappropriate for you to come seeking Charitable Giving tonight?"
"It's fine."
But Yu Fengying said, "We agreed long ago that I would come to the temple again to ask for another child.
Whether I receive Charitable Giving sooner or later, what difference does it make?
What? Could it be that you're scared, Little Divine Monk?
The ones staying next door are the Saint and the Lady Consort.
Besides, I'm not the Saint's Consort."
「The next day.」
Xu Lei showed the Saint and the County Magistrate, who had come back up the mountain to join them, how to cook delicious meals with the potatoes.
Lady Consort Li and Yu Fengying were also there, helping out.
Yu Fengying, however, couldn't help but yawn.
Lady Consort Li's lovely eyes darted over, and she gave Yu Fengying a puzzled look but said nothing.
「A few hours later.」
Everyone ate the potato dishes.
There were stir-fried potatoes, stewed potatoes, and even noodles made from potato starch.
They had made a little bit of everything.
The potatoes could be used directly as seed potatoes.
Xu Lei had grown these himself from the original stock after arriving in this world.
He couldn't possibly have brought so many from Earth in one go.
"These potatoes are actually quite delicious."
"And this crop... can it really produce such an astonishing yield?"
"Such a Treasure... why has no one discovered it before?"
"Could it be an otherworldly object?"
After tasting the food, everyone was stunned.
Potatoes weren't the most delectable food...
...but their yield was astonishing!
And on top of that, they were actually quite tasty!
The Saint, an old man himself, was naturally ecstatic about this discovery.
Soon, the garrison he had dispatched arrived.
They carefully transported a large number of the potatoes away.
They were, of course, to be used as seed potatoes and planted in various locations.
"Little Divine Monk, I thank you for your strategies and the potatoes."
Before descending the mountain, the old Saint said, "This is a Dragon's Roar Order. Within the borders of Da Yu, the holder of this Token may travel anywhere under heaven and even enter the Imperial Palace directly.
To offer you other, more common things would be an insult to a Divine Monk.
Therefore, I offer you this.
If you ever have business, wish to see Us, or have a message you wish to convey to Us...
...you may present this Token and command the local Brocade Clothing. They will ensure your message reaches Us directly."
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei nodded and accepted the Token. "Thank you, Benefactor."
"Furthermore, We shall proclaim the Divine Monk's virtuous deeds throughout the realm."
The old man added, "Longyuan Temple will not be denied the glory it is due."
Soon, the Saint and the Lord County Magistrate departed down the mountain, surrounded by their guards.
Xu Lei gazed at the imperial couplet the Saint had left behind outside the temple gates.
He knew that Longyuan Temple was now truly destined for fame throughout the land.
'This time, I've finally made a real name for myself.'
Xu Lei thought, 'It was worth offering up the potatoes and bullshitting for two days.
Now, the "traffic" of people seeking children from all over the realm should start flocking here.
From now on, I can just sit back and wait, performing my Charitable Giving one by one.'
Compared to when he had previously presented the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, presenting strategies and potatoes directly to the Saint was, of course, far more significant.
And since Xu Lei wanted neither gold, silver, nor power, the Saint naturally understood that what the high monk desired was fame.
With the Saint's intent to guide public opinion, Longyuan Temple was bound to prosper.
"Shouldn't you be the one to be Host, Junior Brother?"
Even Qi De joked, "Junior Brother, with a single casual act, you've earned the Saint's admiration. I'm truly impressed."
"Senior Brother, please don't say that."
Xu Lei replied matter-of-factly, "I have no interest in being the Host. I only wish to continue as the Seed Sowing Supervisor Zen Master."
Qi De naturally smiled at this.
He could tell that Xu Lei was being sincere.
No matter how capable a person is, they are more easily accepted if they have a quirk or a weakness.
For example, seeing how passionate Xu Lei was about the "Charitable Giving" of offspring made Qi De feel a sense of camaraderie; he was happy to see it.
"Rest assured, Junior Brother."
Qi De said, "As for the duties of a Zen Master Bu Zhong, you have a free hand to do as you see fit."
Xu Lei was, of course, very satisfied with this.
Just then, Xu Lei realized that Lady Consort Li and Yu Fengying still hadn't left.
"Amitabha Buddha. Greetings, Little Divine Monk." Lady Consort Li approached gracefully.
Xu Lei looked at her and Yu Fengying, who was beside her, and his heart couldn't help but stir.
'It's a pity,' Xu Lei thought. 'The Saint has many heirs and is clearly fertile. There's no way Lady Consort Li would come asking me for a child.'
"Amitabha Buddha." Outwardly, of course, Xu Lei said, "The two male benefactors have already descended the mountain. Why do you two benefactresses remain at the temple?"
Yu Fengying said nothing.
"The Saint still has matters to attend to in the area," Lady Consort Li said.
"As for myself," she continued, "I wish to remain here to continue my worship. I will descend the mountain in a few days.
What? Does the Little Divine Monk not welcome me?
Or do you feel that my staying behind would be an inconvenience to you, Little Divine Monk?"
"Hm?" Hearing this, Yu Fengying froze, shooting a somewhat guilty glance at Lady Consort Li beside her.
Lady Consort Li's expression, however, remained unchanged, her lovely face holding only a faint smile.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei looked at the fair-skinned, beautiful Lady Consort Li with the vermilion mark on her brow and couldn't help but wonder, 'Has she discovered something about me and Yu Fengying?
But what's between me and Yu Fengying is a Charitable Giving of merit, an act of being bathed in the Buddha's light.
It's not some illicit affair or adultery.
I have a clear conscience about it.
So naturally, there's nothing to be ashamed of.'
Besides, as a Divine Monk, Xu Lei naturally wouldn't let anything show on his face.
He simply said, "Benefactress, your heart is inclined toward the Buddha. Excellent, excellent. I, of course, welcome you. You may walk freely about the temple; there will be no restrictions."
"That is wonderful."
Lady Consort Li smiled faintly. "I do indeed wish to take a walk around the temple."
「That night.」
Xu Lei arrived once again at the Almsgiving Room.
He had an appointment with Yu Fengying.
As soon as he entered and looked up, he saw a graceful figure standing by the bed in the dim Almsgiving Room, bathed in the faint moonlight.
Xu Lei didn't make a sound. Just as he always did, he strode over, his hands sliding around her slender, supple waist, caressing her as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
At the same time, his lips found her fair, smooth neck, her cheeks, and then her mouth.
"Wait, you're not..." But in the next moment, Xu Lei froze in shock, the three words escaping his lips.