ca-book #1975 - Tang Seng was also shaken
#1975 - Tang Seng was also shaken
The situation in the Extinguishing Buddha Country, now to be called the Divine Prison Country, has stabilized. The people are busy rebuilding their homes. At the highest point of the Royal Palace under repair, a huge statue has been erected.
It is a statue of Chu Hao, depicting him holding the God-Slaying Spear, saving the common people. This scene is deeply etched in the hearts of all the people.
Tang Sanzang and his disciples have also resumed their journey westward, but during the journey, Tang Sanzang, riding on the White Dragon Horse, seems somewhat absent-minded and not very enthusiastic about traveling.
In the past, Tang Sanzang was wholeheartedly devoted to traveling westward, hoping to reach the Western Paradise as soon as possible and retrieve the precious scriptures to save the people of the Southern Jambudvipa.
"What's wrong with Master?"
Sun Wukong, seeing Tang Sanzang's absent-minded state, said to Zhu Bajie and Sha Seng.
"Master was probably frightened in the Divine Prison Country. Since Master is not in a hurry to travel, we don't need to rush either. Walking slowly is a good opportunity to rest."
Zhu Bajie has a nonchalant attitude. His yearning for the Western Paradise is not as great as his longing for Gao Village.
"I think Master is indeed acting a bit strange."
Although Sha Seng doesn't talk much, he is actually very observant. In the past, as the Curtain-Lifting General beside the Jade Emperor, his ability to read people's expressions was unmatched even by Sun Wukong.
"Master probably has a mental block."
Sun Wukong is quick-witted and seems to have already figured something out, but he can't say it explicitly.
"Disciples, I am a little tired. Let's take a rest in the forest ahead."
Tang Sanzang on the horse seems to have heard the discussion of Sun Wukong and the others, and also seems to have something to say to his disciples.
In fact, it has only been a little over an hour since they started traveling, and Tang Sanzang is riding a horse, so how could he be so tired so quickly?
Stopping in the forest, Sun Wukong wandered around the forest and picked some edible wild fruits to quench Tang Sanzang's thirst.
"Disciples, I wonder what you think about the Divine Prison Country?"
Tang Sanzang asked Sun Wukong and the others, which is also the crux of his problem.
Tang Sanzang was already implanted with demonic energy, and during the battle between Buddhas and demons, Maitreya Buddha used the demonic method of disrupting the Buddha's heart.
This method is very powerful, even Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and the Eighteen Arhats were affected, let alone Tang Sanzang, a mortal with a physical body.
In addition, witnessing the suffering of the people and the disaster of the common people, how could his heart not be shaken? His original belief in wholeheartedly following the Buddha has also begun to waver.
"Master, you don't need to think too much. Even with my old Sun's abilities, I couldn't do anything in the battle between Buddhas and demons. It's useless for Master to think too much."
Sun Wukong advised Tang Sanzang. In fact, Sun Wukong understands in his heart, but he can't be too direct with Tang Sanzang.
"Master, do you think going to the Western Paradise is useless? Actually, I, Old Pig, also think so."
Sun Wukong didn't say it directly, but that doesn't mean Zhu Bajie wouldn't. Zhu Bajie interjected while eating wild fruits.
"Bajie, how can you say that? I wouldn't think that way."
Tang Sanzang's words seemed a little angry, but it was more like using anger to cover up the embarrassment of having his thoughts revealed.
"Master, don't worry. It seems that the Ancient Buddha Dipankara was also temporarily overcome by greed, anger, and ignorance, and recklessly moved the nameless karmic fire. This has no direct relationship with the Buddhist scriptures."
Sha Seng's level of persuasion is obviously several levels higher than Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie. He is very good at finding explanations from concepts.
"Wujing is right, that's what I think too."
Sha Seng's words eased Tang Sanzang's embarrassment and made him feel somewhat relieved.
Of course, this is obviously not enough to eliminate the mental block in Tang Sanzang's heart. On the road ahead, Tang Sanzang still seemed absent-minded and passive.
Chu Hao has been paying attention to Tang Sanzang and his disciples, and he naturally heard their conversation clearly, and couldn't help but smile.
"The actions of the Western Paradise are even unacceptable to Tang Sanzang. I'm going to see how the Tathagata Buddha and Guanyin will deal with this?"
Tang Sanzang's negative attitude will naturally cause unpredictable changes in the Journey to the West, which may disrupt the plans of the Tathagata Buddha and Guanyin.
"Chu Hao's strength is already extraordinary. He can even break my golden body. If this person is not eliminated, he will definitely be a major variable."
The Ancient Buddha Dipankara's golden body was broken by Chu Hao, and he hated Chu Hao so much that he gnashed his teeth, but his injuries could not be recovered in a short time.
Therefore, his words were clearly provoking the Tathagata Buddha, directing all the spearheads at Chu Hao. If the Tathagata personally took action and gathered the power of the Western Paradise to deal with Chu Hao, then Chu Hao would also be difficult to deal with.
"Ancient Buddha is right, but if we in the Western Paradise use all our strength to deal with a mere Chu Hao, wouldn't we lose our reputation and dignity?"
The Tathagata Buddha was not calculated by the Ancient Buddha Dipankara's attempt to use public office for private revenge. The Tathagata Buddha can control the Western Paradise and concoct the Journey to the West, so how could he be brainless?
If he were to fight Chu Hao head-on, there would be no benefits. First, Chu Hao's strength is not weak. If the Tathagata does not come to the scene in person, relying on others alone, he may not be able to gain any advantage from Chu Hao.
Secondly, Chu Hao holds a position in the Heavenly Court and is the Divine Prison God of the Three Realms of the Heavenly Court. If the Tathagata Buddha personally takes action, how can the Heavenly Court stand idly by?
If it triggers a conflict between Buddhism and Taoism between the Heavenly Court and the Western Paradise, then even the Tathagata Buddha will be difficult to deal with the situation.
"Ancient Buddha does not need to worry, when the Journey to the West is completed, our Buddhist world will dominate the overall situation. At that time, Chu Hao will still have to obediently submit to our feet."
As the second most important figure in the Western Paradise, the Tathagata Buddha cannot be too disrespectful to the Ancient Buddha Dipankara, and instead said to him.
"Then what should we do now?"
Although the Ancient Buddha Dipankara was unwilling in his heart, the Tathagata Buddha's words made him feel that it made sense.
"We must try our best to suppress the demons, and for Chu Hao, we only need to stabilize the situation. The best way is to negotiate!"
The Tathagata Buddha made a decision after thinking.
"Negotiate!"
Such a decision surprised everyone!
There is also one person who is particularly happy about the Divine Prison Country, and that is the Jade Emperor in the Heavenly Court.
The Jade Emperor, after receiving the news, couldn't help but drink two more cups, listening to the fairy music and watching the singing and dancing, while saying to Taibai Jinxing.
"How is the Divine Prison God that I, with my discerning eyes, have chosen? I'm afraid the Tathagata is now frowning in the Western Paradise."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Taibai Jinxing is naturally an old flatterer.
"Immediately issue an order to heavily reward the Divine Prison God and give half of the elixir that Lao Jun gave to me to the Divine Prison God."
The Jade Emperor issued an order to Taibai Jinxing.
Every time the Western Paradise suffers a loss at the hands of Chu Hao, the Jade Emperor's decree of heavy reward will be issued soon. The meaning of this contest between the two sides is probably obvious even to fools.