The Western Spirit Mountain, Great Thunder Monastery.
The Tathagata sat quietly on his own Lotus Platform, eyes lowered with a hint of suffering in his expression.
The most important matter for the Buddhist Sect now is the Journey to the West for Scriptures. This matter is an Imasurable Kalpa and is related to the prosperity of the entire Buddhism. Naturally, as the master of Buddhism, the Tathagata has always been paying attention to everything about the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team.
Of course, when Jiang Liu and his party killed the Emperor Ziwei and Jiang Liu was subsequently captured by the Jade Emperor, the Tathagata was also aware of this.
However, the Tathagata stayed in the Great Thunder Monastery and showed no intention of rescue.
If it were a minor mistake, naturally, he would have to go and offer an apology to the Jade Emperor, similar to the previous death of the Emperor of Longevity.
But killing the Emperor Ziwei is a serious cri. If he were to rescue Xuanzang, the resulting wrath would certainly be directed at him, and he doesn’t even know what kind of compensation would satisfy the Great Jade Emperor.
Thinking over and over, it seems that the Great Jade Emperor would not really dare to kill Xuanzang, so he decided not to rescue him.
As long as Xuanzang is not dead, the Jade Emperor can do as he pleases.
However, while the Tathagata made such a calculation in his heart, the Jade Emperor naturally was not soone easy to take advantage of.
Seeing that the Tathagata showed no intention to rescue, the Jade Emperor dispatched the Immortals of Lingxiao Hall directly to the Great Thunder Monastery, where they t the Tathagata and elaborated on the situation regarding Jiang Liu, explaining all the causes and consequences properly.
"Buddha! The Jade Emperor intends to sentence Master Xuanzang to execution! I was sent specially to inform you, Buddha!" said the immortal from the Lingxiao Hall at last in the Great Thunder Monastery.
"Alright, if it’s execution, then let the Jade Emperor execute Xuanzang!" Upon hearing the immortal’s words, the Tathagata’s response seed to slip out almost unintentionally.
If he really went to Lingxiao Hall, he would not only lose face but also suffer greatly. He had no intention of going at all.
However, since Lingxiao Hall specifically sent soone to inform him, and even dispatched soone to inform him in Xuanzang’s presence, who knows how Xuanzang would feel if he appeared indifferent?
If he disheartens Xuanzang and he lays down his responsibilities, it would be the greatest loss for Buddhism.
"Xuanzang, you really know how to put in a difficult position!" After a long silence, the Tathagata sighed helplessly in his heart and shook his head secretly.
On the surface, however, the Tathagata showed no signs of distress. He simply nodded and said to the immortal before him, "I didn’t expect Xuanzang to do such a thing? I understand, I will go to the Lingxiao Hall for a visit!"
Upon finishing his words, the Tathagata’s figure moved, flying directly towards the direction of Lingxiao Hall.
There was no other choice. Since he decided to go to Lingxiao Hall, he might as well go early to show that he values Xuanzang and to gather Xuanzang’s loyalty.
Jiang Liu, wearing shackles and chains, stood with a look of profound acceptance of life and death in the Lingxiao Hall.
In the hall, none of the deities spoke. The Jade Emperor wore a crown adorned with twelve bands of diadem, gently closing his eyes in a pretense of sleep, making the whole Lingxiao Hall atmosphere extrely tranquil.
Not long after, the Jade Emperor suddenly opened his eyes, and almost simultaneously, a dazzling Buddhist Light appeared in the Lingxiao Hall.
Soon after, the Tathagata’s form directly entered from outside the Lingxiao Hall.
"Amitabha, greetings to the Jade Emperor!" Upon entering the Lingxiao Hall, the Tathagata intoned a Buddhist chant, slightly bowing to the Great Jade Emperor.
"Buddha, I trust you have been well, you finally ca!" The Great Jade Emperor opened his eyes and spoke, though with double entendre.
It was clear he implied, didn’t want to co? So I had soone specifically notify you, let’s see how long you could hide.
Hearing this double entendre from the Jade Emperor, the Tathagata’s expression remained unchanged, saying, "With Xuanzang committing such a monstrous cri, how could I not co?"
"Shaless indeed!" Hearing such brazen words from the Tathagata, the Jade Emperor secretly pursed his lips.
Those who didn’t know might truly believe the Tathagata’s words, but the Jade Emperor knew well what kind of person the Tathagata was, so he didn’t believe a word. Instead, he secretly mocked him for lying so naturally.
"Xuanzang, how could you commit such a monstrous cri?" Without paying attention to what the Great Jade Emperor thought, the Tathagata turned his head, gazed at Jiang Liu, and asked.
"Buddha, I’ve caused you trouble! However, the Emperor Ziwei first hard countless lives in Southern Dipper City and secondly stole the Human Clan’s Supre Treasure, the Kongdong Seal. Although he holds a high position, for the future of the world and the common people, I have no regrets, even if I’ve committed a grave cri!"
In response to the Tathagata’s questioning, Jiang Liu, though outwardly appeared calm and admitted his mistake, showed no signs of regret for killing Emperor Ziwei.
Jiang Liu’s words caused varied expressions among the immortals in the Lingxiao Hall.
So looked angry, feeling that Xuanzang had committed such a grave cri yet remained stubbornly unrepentant.
Others appeared surprised, clearly not expecting that the Kongdong Seal, a supre treasure of the Human Clan, had fallen into the hands of Emperor Ziwei, an artifact of destiny for the entire Human Clan.
Finally, many more admired Jiang Liu’s determination and conviction, even against a multitude. Truly, this deanor is worthy of the core of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, leaving others impressed.
The entire Lingxiao Hall suddenly fell silent, and the gaze of all the immortals shifted back and forth between the Great Jade Emperor, the Tathagata, and Jiang Liu.
The matter has developed to this point, and no one knows how things will proceed next.
"Buddha..."
After a mont of silence, the Jade Emperor spoke, looking at the Tathagata, "Although Xuanzang is one of your Buddhist Sect, the fact that Emperor Ziwei fell at his hands is a grave cri that must be punished on the spot to cleanse his sins! I hope you won’t be partial, Buddha!"
"Amitabha, Your Majesty, although Xuanzang’s cris are severe, there are reasons behind them..." With a sigh, the Tathagata spoke.
He ca here to save Xuanzang, so naturally, he had to plead for leniency. Otherwise, why bother coming at all?
"Even though Emperor Ziwei is at fault first, he is still a mber of my Heavenly Court, and his cri should naturally be judged by !" The Jade Emperor looked at the Tathagata and said.
"Your Majesty, Xuanzang now bears the heavy burden of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, a mission to save all living beings from suffering. I hope Your Majesty can show leniency for the sake of the common people..." The Tathagata’s stance was very humble.
There’s no choice—after all, he is at a disadvantage in this situation.
In the Lingxiao Hall, the immortals did not speak, quietly listening to the dialogue between the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor. This was a conversation between two true powers; who knows what agreent they might reach?
Just as the verbal clash between the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor reached its most intense point, suddenly, another figure entered the Lingxiao Hall—it was the Empress.
Seeing the Empress enter, the Tathagata stopped talking.
The Great Jade Emperor looked at the Empress and asked, "Empress, why have you co here? What is your purpose?"
Ordinarily, both the Empress and the Jade Emperor could sit in the Lingxiao Hall, but ever since the Empress was severely injured in a deadly encounter with a mysterious figure, she had been recuperating for years and had not been to Lingxiao Hall.
No one expected the Empress to suddenly appear in the Lingxiao Hall at this mont.
"Jade Emperor, I ca to the hall today because I have so questions for Xuanzang!" Upon hearing the Jade Emperor’s inquiry, the Empress stated her purpose.
After speaking, the Empress turned her gaze to Jiang Liu. "Xuanzang, let ask you, Emperor Ziwei’s death was initially due to pursuing Long Eyebrow, yet he later fell by your hand. Is that correct?"
"Yes, indeed!" Jiang Liu nodded and answered frankly.
"Then? Was this part of a plan you had with Long Eyebrow from the beginning?" After hearing Jiang Liu’s candid admission, the Empress continued to ask.
"Yes, it was indeed Long Eyebrow who assisted ..." Jiang Liu nodded again and replied.
Jiang Liu had long accepted the mission of Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao, but why did he wait until now to act against Emperor Ziwei and reclaim the Kongdong Seal?
Because the Empress was about to act against Long Eyebrow, Jiang Liu had to strike first, using the event with Emperor Ziwei to draw out the Empress.
Thus, the Empress’ appearance now to inquire about Long Eyebrow was within Jiang Liu’s expectations.
Given the Empress’s determined attitude towards Long Eyebrow, it’s impossible for her to remain indifferent after Jiang Liu and Long Eyebrow conspired against Emperor Ziwei.
"Why? Since when did you and Long Eyebrow have such a good relationship? As far as I know, you didn’t have much interaction with him in the past, did you?"
The Empress’s gaze was fixed on Jiang Liu. After a brief silence, she continued to ask.
"That’s because Long Eyebrow died so ti ago, and afterward, I used supernatural powers to resurrect him. With such a life-saving grace, he naturally wouldn’t refuse my request..." Jiang Liu had long thought of how to respond to the Empress’s inquiry.
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