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Chapter 149 Who is your father?

“Mr. Chen, there’s something I don’t quite understand. As far as I know, the black bear spirit of Black Wind Mountain is usually quite law-abiding and gets along well with his neighbors. You could even say he’s quite honest and upright. How did you expect him to help you?”

Upon hearing Kui Mulang's question, Chen Guangrui, recalling the events that had occurred on Five Elements Mountain, replied meaningfully,

"A mountain demon, neither keen on recruiting soldiers and expanding his power, nor coveting the magical treasures and spiritual objects of others. He simply guards his cave every day, chants Buddhist scriptures, and eats vegetarian meals. Kui Xingguan, if you were in his shoes, would you believe that he is truly a kind and benevolent person content with the status quo?"

Kui Mulang frowned slightly, seemingly pondering whether he would do the same if he were that monster.

Chen Guangrui continued,
"I don't believe it, because I know he's been secretly gathering information and giving gifts to many places, including Guanyin Temple, Gao Village, and Little Sumeru Mountain. He's even secretly bribing the Five Directions Protectors who guard Sun Wukong. Why would a demon from Black Wind Mountain go to all this trouble? I don't have any solid evidence, but I can sense that this Black Bear Demon has big ambitions."

Kui Mulang followed up the conversation and asked, "Oh? He also takes care of these gods around here. I haven't heard of that. What exactly is he planning to do?"

Chen Guangrui said, "Not long after Sun Wukong was imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain, this Black Bear Spirit settled down at Black Wind Mountain not far away. He has lived here for hundreds of years. I guess this Black Bear Spirit must have learned the inside story from somewhere and is waiting here for an opportunity. This opportunity is the Buddhist sect's current pilgrimage plan."

"Zhu Ganglie is a disciple of the Eastern Emperor, with the backing of Penglai. He is also the third prince of the West Sea Dragon King, and the Dragon Palace is also exerting its influence. Sha Wujing of the Flowing Sand River is the Buddhist sect's chosen candidate for the water battle. As a powerless and insignificant demon, he has no chance of squeezing into any of these positions. The only one he dares to think about, and perhaps has a chance to fight for, is the position of Sun Wukong under the Five Elements Mountain."

“But,” Kui Mulang immediately seized the key point, “the six-syllable mantra scroll personally written by Buddha on the Five Elements Mountain cannot be removed by just anyone. With this scroll, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Sun Wukong was appointed by Buddha, would it?”

Chen Guangrui said, "It's not an exaggeration at all. The Black Bear Spirit also understands what this Buddhist scroll represents, so even if he has ideas, he doesn't dare to act rashly. He can only continue to lie low and observe, maintaining his outward honesty. Even if he doesn't get a place in the pilgrimage team, he still has a great chance of getting a job in Buddhism. At that time, he won't be a demon or a monster, but probably the Black Bear Venerable Envoy."

Chen Guangrui added, "His goal has always been to get a job in Buddhism."

"Then why would he help you? Wouldn't it be better to just wait patiently for an opportunity?" Kui Mulang asked, somewhat puzzled.

Chen Guangrui said, "Of course he would. Getting a job in Buddhism is the bare minimum. If he had the opportunity to go further, what do you think he would think?"

Kui Mulang fell silent again, feeling that if taking that next step could potentially reach heights he could never attain in his lifetime, then taking the risk was justified.

"So he was scheming to get the right to replace Sun Wukong on the journey to the West?"

“That’s right,” Chen Guangrui nodded.

"Without the Buddhist scroll being unveiled, nothing is possible. But once it is unveiled, Sun Wukong's position will be vacant. When Buddhism urgently needs someone, who will they look for? With the image of a kind and devout Buddhist that Black Bear Spirit has painstakingly cultivated and cultivated through his connections, coupled with his demonstrated strength, it is not entirely hopeless for him to become a candidate or even be ultimately selected. This has been his long-standing goal."

Kui Mulang pressed, "How did you know?"

"Actually, I don't know either. I was just guessing when I went to him yesterday, but when I told him that I could remove the Buddhist scroll with the six-syllable mantra, he agreed to help me without hesitation. I guess he's been thinking about this for a long time."

"I don't quite understand why he should believe what you say? This is tantamount to going against Buddhism head-on. If you can't get rid of him, wouldn't his situation be extremely dangerous?"

“Of course he’s afraid,” Chen Guangrui replied.

“But I lied to him, saying that Guanyin Bodhisattva wouldn’t be able to come to Five Elements Mountain to check on Sun Wukong for at least a month. He knew this, but I didn’t tell him that Guanyin Bodhisattva had actually already arrived.”

"So I told him, if I can't decipher the Buddhist scroll, you should kill the Five Directions Protectors. Then no one will know what happened here, and you'll still be the kind and devout Black Wind King. If it were you, taking a risk for the best opportunity of your life, wouldn't you do it?"

Kui Mulang nodded. He knew that if it were him, he would also have to take this gamble.

Chen Guangrui said, "He didn't hesitate at all. If this matter succeeds, he might become a Buddha, a Bodhisattva, or even a messenger or an Arhat. If it fails, he can still find a position in Buddhism. Either way, he won't lose anything."

Kui Mulang sighed in admiration, "This demon's cunning and far-sightedness are truly rare. His usual honesty and kindness were all a facade. In that case, it's not surprising at all that he made his move at just the right time when you arrived at Five Elements Mountain."

At that moment, a child's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the silence of the forest.

Kui Mulang looked in the direction of the sound and saw a bald child of about three years old standing on the cloud, right next to Chen Guangrui's legs.

Nine incense scars, marking the ordination points, were clearly visible on the child's head. His round body was wrapped in a little monk's robe. He was looking up, his big, dark eyes fixed on Chen Guangrui, and he softly called out, "Father?"

Not only Kui Mulang, but even Chen Guangrui, who was lost in thought, was caught off guard and looked down. Kui Mulang's refined face was filled with astonishment. His insightful eyes focused on the nine standard ordination scars on the child's head, then swept over the monk's robe, and finally slowly moved to Chen Guangrui's face.

His tone was eerily calm, with the last syllable deliberately drawn out, "Mr. Chen, this child..."

This is not a question; it is clearly an earth-shattering exclamation.

Chen Guangrui felt his face suddenly burn. He hurriedly forced a dry laugh that looked worse than a grimace.
"Star Lord! This is no joke."

His voice trembled as he frantically waved his hands, “I really don’t know, absolutely nothing like that, it has nothing to do with me. Right after the Buddhist scroll was taken down on the mountaintop, this kid suddenly appeared, like he crawled out of the ground. I have no idea where he came from, I really don’t know him, I don’t know him at all!”

As he tried to explain himself, he instinctively tried to pry the child's hand off his robe, his movements somewhat flustered. But the little hand was clenched tightly, as if glued on.

"Father?" The little monk couldn't understand the vehement denial at all, only catching Chen Guangrui's gaze directed at him.

He pouted as if he had been wronged, but immediately started calling out again, trying to rub his bald little head against Chen Guangrui's leg as he called out. His "Daddy" was almost nasal and coquettish.

Kui Mulang glanced at the little monk's affectionate and dependent behavior, then at Chen Guangrui's embarrassed expression. The corners of his mouth curved into a more subtle smile. Although he didn't say anything, his smile indicated that he understood.

“Oh, he had it after the Buddhist scroll was removed.” He nodded slowly, his eyes revealing an undisguised “I understand, we all understand.”

He cleared his throat lightly, a perfectly timed hint of teasing in his voice, "This child calls you father..."

He paused slightly, leaving a blank space that allowed for great imagination, before casually saying, "Then his mother..."

"Star Lord, watch your words!"

Chen Guangrui completely lost his temper, almost jumping up, his voice blaring, his ears burning red.

"Absurd, utterly absurd! I, Chen Guangrui, act with integrity and uprightness. I may have shortcomings, but I am by no means such a dissolute and unruly person. This child, this child has absolutely no relation to me. Someone must have framed him, or it's not impossible that he was born due to some strange phenomenon revealed by the Buddhist scroll. Yes, that must be it!"

He spoke rapidly, his logic was incoherent, he seemed to be swearing to the heavens, his face was flushed red, and sweat was beading on his forehead.

The more he tried to explain, the more pale and powerless it seemed, especially compared to Kui Mulang's understanding expression that said, "Alright, alright, don't get agitated, we're all men, I understand."

The little monk seemed a little startled by Chen Guangrui's raised tone, and shrank back a bit, but his big eyes were full of confusion. He timidly reached out his finger and gently poked the tight corner of Chen Guangrui's robe, muttering softly, "Father, don't be angry."

Looking at the little monk's behavior and then at Chen Guangrui's speechless expression, Kui Mulang finally seemed to have completely understood the "truth" of the incident.

His smile deepened and became more benevolent. He nodded slowly and didn't press further. His expression practically screamed, "Young man, a little flirting is understandable, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. Being a father takes time."

When Chen Guangrui caught that look in Kui Mulang's eyes, it felt as if a million alpacas were stampeding through his mind.

"No, Lord Kui, don't just laugh! Let me explain! What does that look mean? It's really not what you think! My innocence is so tarnished that even jumping into the Milky Way wouldn't clear it up. I can still explain."

However, his inner thoughts were drowned out by the little monk's persistent, soft, childlike voice, "Daddy?"

The child's voice was clear and crisp, filled with complete dependence.

Kui Mulang coughed lightly, then naturally changed the subject: "Enough, this matter is truly strange. I'm afraid only that lord in the Thirty-Three Heavens can unravel the mystery."

His tone shifted, becoming more compassionate and encouraging.
"Mr. Chen has rendered a great service by descending to the mortal realm and overturning the Buddhist design."

Chen Guangrui snapped out of his embarrassment, regaining some composure, and shook his head, saying...
"Star Lord, you flatter me. This task was originally entrusted to the two celestial attendants, Golden Furnace and Silver Furnace, by Laozi."

"I, Chen, merely assisted from the sidelines and awaited your orders. Even if I have made a small contribution, it should all be attributed to the two celestial attendants. How could Guangrui dare to overstep his bounds?"

(End of this chapter)