「More than an hour later.」
Xu Lei, the old Monk, and the others arrived at the foot of a mountain.
A flight of stone steps led up the mountain to a temple called Longyuan Temple.
This was the very temple where the old Monk and his companions lived.
"Junior Brother Wu Tan, we're almost there. Just head up these stairs. Once we're at the temple, in my capacity as Host, I'll arrange a Monk's Certificate for you."
The old Monk said to Xu Lei, "When the time comes, with that Monk's Certificate in hand, the government won't be able to conscript you for labor. You'll also be able to use it to pass through State Mansions and travel the world."
Wu Tan was a Buddhist name Xu Lei had casually made up when someone asked for one.
After all, those who renounce worldly affairs all have their own designated names.
Daoists have Daoist names, and Monks have Buddhist names.
Once you've left home, you can no longer use your secular name.
It signifies that you have severed all ties with the secular world.
From then on, you are known by the name you receive after renouncing your old life.
That was why the old Monk was addressing Xu Lei in this manner.
In the Da Yu Dynasty, a formal Monk had to obtain a Monk's Certificate issued by a temple to be recognized by the Court.
Otherwise, they were just wandering, unaffiliated monks.
Of course, Xu Lei had produced the precious 'Anti-Inflammatory Medicine' and saved the old Monk's junior brother.
He knew Xu Lei was a reclusive monk who had just emerged from the mountain forests after parting with his secluded master.
So naturally, he was willing to offer his help.
"Many thanks, Senior Brother Qi De."
Xu Lei placed his palms together and said, "In that case, I am quite fortunate to have met you, Senior Brother. Otherwise, traveling the world would have been far more inconvenient."
Qi De was the old Monk's Buddhist name.
「Two hours later.」
Xu Lei had already been registered at Longyuan Temple and received his Monk's Certificate.
He had become an official Monk affiliated with Longyuan Temple.
Qi De and the others had already gone off to their own duties.
Xu Lei was left to wander around the temple on his own.
He walked amid the autumn wind and falling leaves, his hands clasped behind his back as he watched the clouds roll across the horizon.
Just then, Xu Lei heard the voices of a man and a woman speaking nearby.
It was a handsome man and a young, married woman, both in their twenties.
They were walking over.
They stood so close that it was clear they were intimate.
And one could tell that their relationship was likely very good.
"My lady, the Child-Giving Guanyin of this Longyuan Temple is said to be very efficacious."
The man was saying, "I've heard that many families who come here to pray for a child have their wishes granted very quickly."
"Are there really Buddhas in this world?"
But the young woman replied, "Can Buddha truly allow a couple who can't have children to conceive?"
"My lady, you mustn't speak like that!"
The man said, "We are in the presence of Buddha; you must not be disrespectful! A sin, a sin. Buddha, please forgive her, forgive her. My lady, apologize to Buddha."
"Buddha, I apologize. This humble woman knows her error."
At her husband's insistence, the young woman could only add, "I did not mean it."
"There, there."
The man said, "Let's go inside and pray."
Xu Lei listened in silence, thinking to himself:
'This couple, the man handsome and the woman beautiful, they look quite well-matched.
Judging by their clothes, they're not poor, which means their family's financial situation is also good.
They should have been able to build a happy family.
But unexpectedly, they can't have children and have no choice but to come here to pray for one.
But is Longyuan Temple really that efficacious for conceiving a child?'
Of course, this had nothing to do with Xu Lei, so he didn't pay it much mind.
「Ten minutes later.」
Xu Lei was walking slowly through the temple.
He was contemplating what path he should take next.
'As a Monk, it's not easy to have children.
If I return to the secular world, there's forced labor everywhere.
Do I have to wait until the conscription ends before I can re-enter society, marry, and have a family?'
Just then, the couple from before had finished praying and were about to leave.
But now, the young woman had become very unhappy.
She even seemed angry, yet her eyes were filled with tears.
She was walking away with quick, small steps.
Her handsome husband was hurrying to catch up behind her.
The man could be heard pleading in a low voice:
"My lady, my lady, please... consider it my fault."
"But I'm begging you."
"We have to have a child. Otherwise, so many people will laugh at us!"
"Besides, without a child of our own, there will be no one to inherit our family's fortune!"
"A child bestowed by Buddha is our child."
"We'll raise the child together in the future."
"And live a good life together."
At this, the young woman finally stopped, looking at the man with tears welling in her eyes.
The man, a hint of guilt on his face, pulled the young woman into his embrace.
Xu Lei was not far away.
So he had an even clearer view than before.
The young woman had a gentle and graceful disposition.
And she was truly quite beautiful.
Her skin was fair and delicate.
Her eyes were also very pretty.
With tears in her eyes, she had a pitiable beauty that could stir anyone's heart.
'Didn't they come to pray for a child?
How did praying lead to crying?
Could they have been arguing in front of Buddha?'
Xu Lei was a bit confused:
'But now they're embracing, and they seem to have a good relationship again?
What's going on with these two?'
「Half an hour later.」
After hugging and talking for a while, the couple had already left the mountain.
Xu Lei, meanwhile, went to see Qi De.
"Senior Brother Qi De, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Xu Lei said in astonishment, "You want me... to go with a female Devotee who's praying for a child... and get her pregnant?"
That's right. Just now, Qi De had suddenly called Xu Lei over.
He had asked whether the cultivation method taught by Xu Lei's mysterious master strictly required abstinence from sex.
Or if he was simply aiming for a pure heart and few desires, observing the precepts and avoiding women.
After learning it was the latter...
...he had made the request for Xu Lei to sleep with the female Devotee who was seeking a child.
"Junior Brother Wu Tan, you've only just arrived. If it weren't absolutely necessary, I wouldn't be asking you!"
Qi De said with a perfectly straight face, "But this time, it has to be you.
The junior brother you treated with 'Anti-Inflammatory Medicine' was originally the Zen Master in our temple in charge of this... business!
But he's injured now, isn't he?
And another couple just came to pray for a child, so now I have no other choice. I can only turn to you.
Don't worry, this female Devotee is from a merchant Noble Family. She's a virtuous woman from a respectable background.
While she might not be a nation-toppling beauty, she is by no means plain. Her figure is graceful, and her skin is as smooth and supple as tofu.
They can't have a child. A physician has examined them, and it's because of the husband.
It has nothing to do with the female Devotee; she's perfectly healthy."
Listening to Qi De's explanation...
...Xu Lei's mind immediately flashed back to the Devotee couple he had encountered earlier.
'Could the female Devotee Senior Brother Qi De is talking about be that young woman with tears in her eyes?' he couldn't help but wonder.
He had seen it for himself at the time; the young woman was indeed very good-looking.
Back then, Xu Lei had also found her rather... appetizing.
But the couple seemed to have a very good relationship.
So naturally, Xu Lei wouldn't have entertained any improper thoughts.
But he never expected Qi De to make such a request now!
Xu Lei had just been wondering how he could have children.
And now, an opportunity like this had just fallen into his lap.
Of course, he felt a little excited inside.
"Our temple... has something like this?"
Xu Lei immediately understood many things. "Oh, no wonder.
No wonder I heard people say that praying for a child at our temple is very efficacious. So that's how it is.
But, Senior Brother Qi De, aren't there other disciples in the temple who are also strong and robust?
Putting others aside, just think back to when we first met.
You had two strong disciples with you at the time.
Neither of them is injured, and they're in the temple right now.
They don't look like they'd have any trouble fathering a child.
Can't they do it?
Why did you say that this time, it had to be me?"