Chapter 62: Chapter 54: Steelmaking in Progress, the Divine Monk’s Command
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei said, "You have great ambition, Benefactor. Excellent, excellent.
By the way, Elder General Qin and I have a history.
Though the Qin Family stubbornly defends the Da Yu Imperial Authority, defying the will of heaven...
...they are, at the end of the day, righteous men loyal to their country.
Benefactor Shang Yin, on the day you lead your army to sweep across the land...
...if the Qin Family bloodline is willing to submit, please just accept their surrender.
If you can avoid slaughtering them all, then do so!"
"Yes, Divine Monk. Shang Yin will remember your words."
Shang Yin said, "If that day truly comes, I will certainly give the Qin Family a chance."
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei said, "Of course, if the Qin Family is stubborn and refuses to see the light...
...then you need not worry about my reputation, Benefactor.
Right now, changing the dynasty and restoring peace...
...is the mandate of heaven, the direction of the Dao.
No matter what, allowing the Mortal World to return to peace and letting the common people live and work in contentment is of the utmost importance."
Half an hour later,
Xu Lei met with Shang Rou.
Shang Rou was now twenty-four years old.
Her aura as a young madam had grown even more pronounced.
In the past six years, she had given birth to two more sons for Xu Lei.
Otherwise, her life was largely free of hardship, so she remained pampered and well-cared-for.
She had recovered well after each birth.
As a result, she didn’t look old at all.
She was still fair-skinned and beautiful, but now carried the alluring charm of a ripe fruit.
With Shang Rou were the four children she had borne—two boys and two girls.
"It’s the Divine Monk!"
"Divine Monk Wu Tan!"
"Greetings, Divine Monk Wu Tan!"
"Greetings, Divine Monk Wu Tan."
The eldest of the four children, a girl, was only eight years old.
They didn’t know that Xu Lei was their biological father.
Nor did they know that Wei Qingning was a woman.
They had always believed their father was Wei Qingning.
Of course, they were still filled with respect for Xu Lei.
After all, even the current supreme ruler of the Anqing region, Shang Yin—their maternal uncle whom they both feared and idolized—held Xu Lei in the highest regard.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei looked at the four children; they were all healthy and quite good-looking. He nodded in approval. "This humble monk greets you four young patrons."
A few minutes later,
Shang Rou sent the four children away and invited Xu Lei into an inner room to explain the Buddhist Scripture to her.
"Divine Monk, I ask for Charitable Giving!"
The moment the door closed, she threw herself into Xu Lei’s arms. "Though it is not yet dark, I am the matriarch of the Wei Family.
No one will come to disturb us.
You may perform your Charitable Giving to your heart’s content."
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei wrapped his arms around Shang Rou’s slender waist and long legs. As he sat himself on the edge of the bed, he pulled her onto his lap and said, "Benefactor Xiaorou, you are truly devoted to the Buddha. Excellent, excellent."
With that, he kissed Shang Rou’s fair, tender neck.
Shang Rou instinctively drew her neck back slightly.
「The next day.」
Wei Qingning and Zhang Xiaomai had also returned from inspecting their businesses.
Over the past six years, the Wei Family’s businesses had naturally continued to operate in the territories under Shang Yin’s rule.
Zhang Xiaomai had now become a capable assistant to Wei Qingning.
"Young Master!"
Seeing Xu Lei, Zhang Xiaomai’s beautiful eyes instantly lit up, rippling with flirtatious charm. "When did you come down from the mountain?"
For a time, she used to enjoy calling Xu Lei "Divine Monk" along with Shang Rou and the others.
But later, after discovering that many people called him Divine Monk...
...she switched back to calling him "Young Master."
This made her seem more special.
It also showed Xu Lei that she hadn’t forgotten her origins.
Although she was now the esteemed Madam Wei, she had never forgotten that she was Xu Lei’s Maid.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei placed his palms together and said, "Greetings to you two benefactors."
By the afternoon,
Xu Lei and Wei Qingning were embracing in the secret room of the study.
"Divine Monk, Qingning will help you with your Cultivation again."
Wei Qingning, wearing only an apron-like bodice that exposed her fair, tender skin, said, "By what method do you wish to cultivate today?"
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei said, "Benefactor Qingning, you are too kind. Guanyin’s Technique will suffice."
"Divine Monk, can Shang Yin truly conquer the world?"
Wei Qingning pressed her body against him and said, "The other factions in the world right now also seem to be quite strong."
"Amitabha Buddha. Rest assured," Xu Lei said. "I have descended the mountain this time precisely to help Benefactor Shang Yin end this chaotic era and unify the land. He will succeed."
"What? Divine Monk, you’re actually getting involved in worldly affairs?"
Wei Qingning was astonished, her tender lips parted. "Aren’t monks supposed to avoid involvement in worldly affairs? Is it because of me, Sister Shang Rou, the others, and the children?"
"Amitabha Buddha. Indeed, it is because you two female benefactors have an affinity with the Buddha that I have chosen to assist Shang Yin."
Xu Lei continued, "But of course, the main reason is that these chaotic times are running rampant, plunging all living things into misery. The Mortal World has suffered for too long, and I cannot bear to watch."
"The Divine Monk is merciful!"
Wei Qingning was filled with solemn respect. "To be able to assist the Divine Monk’s Cultivation and become your woman... Qingning is deeply honored."
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei wrapped his arms around Wei Qingning’s slender waist. "You, Benefactor, will also gain supreme merit."
"Ah, now that you mention it, it’s true! Ever since Qingning received the Divine Monk’s grace, everything has gone smoothly for me these past few years!"
Wei Qingning added, "Even with the arrival of these chaotic times, my luck hasn’t declined—it has risen instead! Divine Monk, is this the result of accumulating merit?"
"Amitabha Buddha. Benefactor Qingning, you have a root of wisdom."
Xu Lei nodded. "Correct. This is the manifestation of accumulated merit!"
Although Xu Lei couldn’t actually see any ethereal merit, he had indeed helped the Wei Family over the years.
If Wei Qingning wanted to think that way, he certainly wasn’t going to stop her.
"Mmhmm."
Wei Qingning blushed and bit her lip. "Then, Divine Monk... your tribulation of carnal desire... how much longer until you overcome it?"
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xu Lei said, "I have already passed through the greater part of it, but my success is not yet complete. I must ask Benefactor Qingning to continue her assistance!"
"It is Qingning’s good fortune."
Wei Qingning replied earnestly, "As long as I can help the Divine Monk with his Crossing the Tribulation, what does it matter if this body of mine is lost to ruin!"
