The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha

Chapter 652 541: Kou the Great Kind Man

The situation reached a standoff, both sides caught in a dilemma, when someone arrived to break the deadlock.

In the broad daylight, a new moon was born, casting its bright moonlight on a mysterious silhouette that appeared. Though invisible, its beauty could be felt — it was the projection of the Deity of the Moon.

Everyone present was captivated by this apparition, and under the cold moonlight, their agitated emotions quickly turned calm — but one person was different.

That person was Zhu Bajie.

Looking at that mysterious silhouette, Zhu Bajie's body trembled, panting heavily, his eyes began to turn red, clearly troubled by a Heart Demon.

He felt he had fallen to such a state pursuing love, transformed into a pig, losing his Mana, and exhausted all his potential; why would she still refuse to look at him?

Bajie thought he'd given too much in pursuit of love, but sadly it was all self-absorbed sentiment — the Deity of the Moon didn't even know who he was; her suitors lined up could circle Taiyin Star three times.

But as one with Great Divine Power, she quickly sensed Zhu Bajie's abnormality, for there were truly too many enamored suitors from ancient times onward, though she had never shown her true face.

Against such people, her experience was rich.

A flash of moonlight from the bright moon entered directly into Zhu Bajie's forehead. Bajie, previously inflamed, felt a cold energy instantly consuming his yang fire, losing its source of desire, and his feverish pig head began to cool down.

The pure Taiyin Spiritual Power didn't harm Bajie; indeed, if Bajie refines and absorbs it, his cultivation will greatly improve. The downside is, until he refines it, he won't be able to lift his pig head.

The Deity of the Moon did all this without glancing at Zhu Bajie — they truly had no connection.

"Yu'er, you've gained quite a lot this time in the Lower Realm, come back with me now."

Yu'er was somewhat reluctant but dared not defy her master's orders, so the King and Queen hurriedly bowed.

"Immortal, Yu'er has been by my side for many years, father-daughter affection as deep as the Four Seas. Now we're advanced in years; we beg you to maintain our father-daughter bond."

Yu'er also knelt swiftly to plead.

Heng E wasn't particularly concerned about Yu'er spending a few days outside; she might only hold once every few thousand years. Saying this now was merely to diffuse the situation.

She neither agreed nor refused but opted for a compromise.

"It's different between immortal and mortal, but I'm not heartless. Every year on August 15th, I'll allow you to descend to fulfill filial duties."

Such compromise is evidently effective in any era; both King and Queen were overjoyed upon hearing and promptly agreed.

Without further word, the Deity of the Moon embraced Yu'er, who transformed back into her true form as the Jade Rabbit, and turned to vanish.

Sun Wukong knew his involvement in this matter was somewhat unjust, so he did not obstruct. By now, the identities of the real and fake princesses were sorted, allowing master and disciples to continue their journey.

Sun Wukong beating the Jade Rabbit caused great dissatisfaction between both parties; the next day, the King quickly stamped his seal, indicating they could leave.

The girl returned to her princess status, but Bajie's dream of becoming a prince consort didn't come true — perhaps Mother Pig hadn't taught him that the prettier the woman, the more deceitful she might be.

Whether the girl would live well in future depended on her own performance.

A forcibly calm Bajie didn't make a fuss but felt very low — in just a few days, he felt he had experienced two heartbreaks, too hurtful.

Sun Wukong felt he'd performed poorly this time, admitting he was lacking too much in understanding interpersonal emotions.

Xuanzang started to counsel his disheartened disciples on the road: "Wukong, why so downcast?"

Sun Wukong was eager to express his feelings this time.

"Master, I thought as long as the King discerned real from fake, the matter would be resolved, but it seems reality doesn't matter to him."

"Amitabha Buddha, reality certainly matters, yet the King's emotions are equally important. If another monk suddenly claimed to be the true Sutra Collector, contrary to my claim, Wukong, how would you respond?"

Sun Wukong responded without hesitation, "Of course, I'd smack him away with a stick... I only recognize you as Master."

Xuanzang's dialogue succeeded, seeing Sun Wukong's spirit restored, he also wanted to comfort Bajie, but after pondering for a long time, he struggled to find the right words.

How to comfort him? Clobbered pigs grow plumper?

The master and disciples had actually reached the foot of Lingshan now, sans encountering any demons.

Passing through Diling County, Tongtai Prefecture, they inquired and learned of a Landlord Kou — Kou the Great Kind Man, hosting visiting monks with a sign saying "Ten thousand monks not turned away".

But the tone of the interrogated person carried a hint of disdain for some reason.

Upon hearing this, an elated Xuanzang took his three disciples there; indeed, luxurious courtyard with the sign present.

The arrival of the master and disciples was warmly welcomed by Landlord Kou — why?

Because Landlord Kou had been providing for monks for over twenty years, now only four more was needed to reach ten thousand. With the arrival of the master and disciples, the count was just fulfilled.

Landlord Kou warmly hosted the master and disciples; however, the next day as they were about to leave, they were detained.

Perhaps due to a compulsion or fondness for ceremony, having reached ten thousand, Landlord Kou was overjoyed and insisted on holding a celebration.

The master and disciples were somewhat central figures; how could it go on without them?

Xuanzang deemed Landlord Kou a genuine good man, having hosted them warmly — now seeking some ceremonial fulfillment was understandable, since everyone desires some degree of perfection these days.

Thus, Xuanzang agreed.

Four or five days later, a grand celebration was held. Xuanzang assumed it was over and wanted to continue on, but Landlord Kou's wife came with a request — wishing to hold a Dharma assembly for perfection as well.

Before Xuanzang could refuse, Landlord Kou's two sons also jumped in, wishing for a Dharma assembly, seeking perfection.

Xuanzang: ???

"You're using me for cumulative merit, right?"

He vaguely understood why the original enquirer spoke with disdain; was altruism with ulterior motives truly good?

Of course, it counts.

If kindness was only shown to monks, ignoring one's neighbors — would he be seen as good by them?

Firmly rejecting the three's request, Xuanzang and disciples left the next day despite Kou the Great Kind Man's strong attempts to retain them.

Shortly after Xuanzang and disciples departed, the Kou family house was raided by robbers — wealth plundered entirely, and Landlord Kou, unwilling to lose his riches, obstructed, only to be kicked to death by the robbers.

Robbers targeted the Kou family due to their lavish Dharma assemblies, revealing their riches, triggering an all-out assault.

With their fortune lost, unable to manage the robbers, a resentful Mrs. Kou reported that Xuanzang and disciples connived with thieves to rob the Kou house.

The county magistrate was utterly bewildered — they treated them like ancestors just days before, now accusing them?

But the case needed processing, thus deploying soldiers to bring them back for trial.