MF-novel #2291 - Who is the person from the West?
#2291 - Who is the person from the West?
After chasing away the housekeeper and the Second Madam, Sun Wukong and his companions came before Tang Seng and addressed both him and Kou the Benevolent.
"Now that the housekeeper and the Second Madam have fled, with us here, they surely won't dare to return."
"Indeed, Benefactor Kou can rest assured for now. We, master and disciples, will certainly clear away any future troubles for you."
Tang Seng then spoke to Kou the Benevolent.
"Venerable Tang and disciples, for clearing away the misfortune from my Kou estate, I will immediately have a feast prepared. I must properly thank you, esteemed elders."
Kou the Benevolent was so happy he could barely close his mouth, and he immediately went to personally prepare the feast.
During the feast, there was naturally much conversation, but Tang Seng and the others could clearly sense a change in Kou the Benevolent.
Before, Kou the Benevolent had appeared meek and honest, but after the housekeeper and the Second Madam left, he clearly showed more indulgence.
"Venerable Tang, you and your disciples have driven away the evil from my Kou estate and have also assisted me in holding the Merit Ceremony. This old man is truly overjoyed."
Kou the Benevolent had a couple more drinks, and there was clearly some intoxication in his words.
But it was also a moment of truth after drinking, causing Tang Seng and the others' expressions to change somewhat.
After the feast, Tang Seng and the others returned to their rooms to discuss the issue.
"This situation seems a bit off. If the housekeeper and the Second Madam were people from the Western Paradise, threatening Kou the Benevolent to help the Western Paradise...
...then holding the Merit Ceremony would be in line with reason, after all, that is a common tactic of the Western Paradise.
But now that the housekeeper and the Second Madam have already been chased away by us, Kou the Benevolent has no threat looming over him. Why does he still insist on holding the Merit Ceremony?"
Tang Seng said to Sun Wukong and the others, the situation here is probably not as they thought.
"Indeed, what the housekeeper said to us before leaving does have some deeper meaning upon reflection."
"Could it be that the housekeeper and the Second Madam are not people from the Western Paradise? Then who could they be?"
"If the housekeeper and the Second Madam are not people from the Western Paradise, then who in the Kou estate could be a person from the Western Paradise?"
Sun Wukong and the others also fell into thought, but the situation in the Kou estate was indeed complex, with various forces mixed in, making it difficult to judge.
"Previously, Immortal Chu Hao said that there were three forces in the Kou estate: Kou the Benevolent and his woman, the housekeeper and the Second Madam, and Kou the Benevolent's son.
If the three forces are mixed together, it is indeed difficult for us to judge, but now the departure of the housekeeper and the Second Madam has caused a change in the Kou family.
We can see some flaws and clues from the changes."
What Tang Seng said was Chu Hao's plan. The departure of the housekeeper and the Second Madam can be considered as opening a path in the fog.
"Also, there's Kou the Benevolent and his son. Which of them could be a person from the Western Paradise?"
"We might as well divide the work. Junior Brother Sha and Master, go probe Kou the Benevolent, and Monkey Bro and I will keep an eye on Kou the Benevolent's son."
"As long as we keep an eye on both sides, they will inevitably move now because of the changes in the Kou estate, and we will definitely be able to discover something."
After the four masters and disciples discussed, they made a decision to divide the work.
At this time, in the Buddhist hall of the Kou family, Kou the Benevolent performed a series of worship and prayers, then stood up and said to the daughter behind him.
"Daughter, our plan is very successful! The housekeeper and the Second Madam were constantly restricting us in the Kou estate, and we had no way to deal with them, which would have ruined our grand plan.
Now, with the help of Tang Seng and his disciples, we have driven away the housekeeper and the Second Madam, so we can guarantee the success of our grand plan. In the future, we will definitely no longer be mortals!"
Kou the Benevolent said with a loud laugh, seemingly somewhat carried away.
"Father, don't be too happy too soon. Don't forget, there's still your son."
Kou the Benevolent's daughter was clearly the most scheming and cunning person, and she reminded Kou the Benevolent.
"Hmph, he's no longer my son. That's just a body that has been taken over."
Kou the Benevolent seemed somewhat angry when he mentioned his son.
"But his existence and the forces behind him are always a great threat to us. We have to find a way to get rid of him.
Only in this way can we ensure that everything goes smoothly, and Tang Seng and the others will completely fall into our trap."
Kou the Benevolent's daughter said to Kou the Benevolent.
"Although the housekeeper and that woman are at odds with us, their existence will reduce some of the pressure on us, which is helpful to us.
Now that the housekeeper and that woman have been chased away by Sun Wukong and the others, in this Kou estate, only we and Kou the Benevolent and the forces behind him are left to fight.
I have taken over a mortal body, and now I am just like a mortal, without any cultivation at all, unable to use any spells.
And you have to keep your identity secret and not show your face publicly, the situation will be very unfavorable to us."
Kou the Benevolent's son said to the black-robed man.
"There is only one day left until the Merit Ceremony. Within this one day, no matter what, we must stabilize Tang Seng and the others and make them work for us.
Only in this way can our grand plan succeed. For this, we can spare no cost, do you understand?"
The black-robed man sternly said to Kou the Benevolent's son.
"Understood, I will do my best."
Although Kou the Benevolent's son was somewhat helpless, he still had to nod in agreement.
Early the next morning, Tang Seng and the others began to act separately. Tomorrow would be the day of the Merit Ceremony.
They had to try their best to find out who was arranged by the Western Paradise before the Merit Ceremony, only in this way could they take the initiative.
Tang Seng took Sha Seng to find Kou the Benevolent and proposed to play chess with him. In fact, it was naturally to discover some information from Kou the Benevolent's words and actions.
"Since Venerable Tang has this interest, I should naturally accompany you."
Kou the Benevolent did not refuse this, but rather agreed very enthusiastically.
During the process of the two playing chess, Tang Seng pretended to be casual, starting with some trivial matters, and then entering the key topic.
"Benefactor Kou, how is your Merit Ceremony arranged? I wonder how you plan to hold it."
Tang Seng asked Kou the Benevolent. From his attitude towards the Merit Ceremony, it could be seen whether Kou the Benevolent was related to the Western Paradise.
"Venerable Tang, about this Merit Ceremony, in fact, Kou is also very hesitant about it."
Kou the Benevolent was not stupid either, and did not directly answer Tang Seng's question, but rather gave an ambiguous answer.
But his words clearly had a sequel, and Tang Seng did not speak, continuing to listen to him.