God's Descent in the Magical City

Chapter 19: Elder Luokong's Passing

Lei Zhengdeng hesitated, saying, "I'm just a clumsy old man, worried that I won't be able to raise this child properly and might ruin his future."

Elder Luokong suggested, "How about we raise him together? You're a teacher, so he can stay with you and get a good education. Who knows, this child might grow up to be successful. We'll both be doing a good deed."

"If you're worried, he can come to the temple to eat, stay, and play as he grows. He can be a lay disciple of the temple. The temple will cover his upbringing expenses."

Hearing this, Lei Zhengdeng felt embarrassed to refuse any further. He also thought about how it would be nice to have someone to take care of him in his old age. Unable to contain his joy, he agreed to take the child in.

Suddenly, there was a soft thud as a leather-wrapped package fell out of the swaddling clothes. Lei Zhengdeng picked it up and opened it, revealing a small jade pendant of a Laughing Buddha.

Lei Zhengdeng said, "Elder, please bless this jade Laughing Buddha and keep it safe for him. When he grows up, it will be returned to him."

Elder Luokong smiled and said, "Why not give the child a name? Since your surname is Lei, the child's surname will be Lei too. But what about the first name?"

"Ka-Ka-Ka... Bang."

Another flash of lightning lit up the sky, followed by a deafening thunderclap.

The baby in the swaddling clothes, instead of being startled, started giggling again.

Lei Zhengdeng blurted out, "This is a match made in heaven. Heaven has granted me this child."

Elder Luokong joked, "You might as well say he fell from the sky. Let's name him Tianlai (Heaven's Gift)." They both smiled knowingly, reaching an agreement.

In the days that followed, Grandpa Lei devoted himself to raising Alai, nurturing and teaching him through every step of his growth. Alai, in turn, spent much of his time at the temple, playing with the young monks. Elder Luokong always offered him the best fruits, taught him meditation techniques, and often meditated with him.

To Alai, Grandpa Lei was a kind and gentle school principal, strict and stern at home, yet often more like a friend. To Grandpa Lei, Alai was his precious gem, the embodiment of his hopes, a gift from the heavens. The two of them had lived this way, relying on each other, until now.

Elder Luokong, looking at the jade pendant in Alai's hands, was lost in thought. He explained, "This jade Laughing Buddha has already been blessed."

He recited, "Amitabha."

Then he asked Alai to bow his head as he placed the jade Laughing Buddha around his neck, feeling sentimental. "You were too young at the time, so I kept this safe for you. Now that you're grown, it's time to return it to its rightful owner. I'll also give you the safe."

With that, he handed Alai the key and taught him how to open the safe and the combination.

Alai was secretly thrilled, thinking, "Great! If I have anything valuable in the future, I can store it in here and sleep soundly."

The elder examined Alai's thin frame and repeatedly urged him to continue meditating in the middle of the night as he had taught him, saying it would greatly benefit his physical and mental health and should not be neglected.

Alai, not daring to find the elder's advice tiresome, nodded repeatedly, like a pecking chicken.

When Alai asked about his origins, Elder Luokong only smiled and replied that this was all he knew.