NOVEL NEXT Chapter 577, Li Shimin's Joint Inquiry
Bai Jin asked with great interest, "What did the Jade Emperor say?"
"The Jade Emperor said that he had his doubts about the accusations made by Buddhism and that Emperor Gouchen's reputation for goodness and purity is renowned throughout the Primordial World; he indeed would not commit such acts. He also stated that a Judicial Celestial will soon conduct a rigorous investigation. If it turns out to be Emperor Gouchen's doing, he will certainly give Buddhism an explanation, and then he sent away the Buddhist envoys."
Bai Jin chuckled and said, "His Majesty sure has a masterful way of handling things!"
Shi Ji, somewhat anxious, said, "Junior brother, stop laughing. You should get rid of that Jinlan Kasaya fast! It bears the marks of Calamity and Karma; it's incredibly dangerous."
Bai Jin reassured, "Don't worry! I didn't forcibly snatch the Jinlan Kasaya; it was Tang Sanzang who traded it to the Three Realms Bank, a fair transaction with money paid and goods delivered with no deception, which won't generate any karma."
Shi Ji's expression stiffened, then incredulously he said, "How could Tang Sanzang trade the Jinlan Kasaya?"
"Ha ha~ He owed money on a loan!"
Shi Ji twitched his mouth twice, thinking it hadn't been long since Tang Sanzang started his Westward Journey to obtain the scriptures, and already the Jinlan Kasaya had been traded. But then he relaxed; since it was Tang Sanzang who traded it, there were no problems at all.
Shi Ji's expression suddenly became severe, and he coldly snorted, "How dare Buddhism smear my junior brother's name. I will arrange for someone to publicize the truth and make Buddhism pay."
"Do you believe that Buddhism has already spread their fabricated rumors? By sending an envoy to protest at the Heavenly Court, they are effectively confirming their rumors."
"But we haven't investigated thoroughly yet!"
"The creatures of the Three Realms won't care that much. In their eyes, if Buddhism dares to issue a Dharma Seal and question the Heavenly Court, then they must be justified."
Shi Ji yelled in anger, "Damnable!"
Bai Jin stretched lazily and said with a smile, "Our esteemed eldest apprentice brother is quite clever! The same trick won't work on him twice, and now he has quickly adapted and is using public opinion to deal with me."
"Junior brother, you should stop praising your opponent. With what Buddhism is doing, your reputation could be completely destroyed."
"No worry, isn't it just a protest? We can do that too.
Shi Ji, send an order to Shen Gongbao to pick up the Dharma Decree and go question Buddhism, demanding compensation for spiritual and reputational damages."
"Junior brother, will this really be effective? They surely won't admit to it."
"Junior sister, times have changed. The old ways of spreading rumors by word of mouth are outdated. This time I will show you what it means to instantly become famous in the Three Realms."
Shi Ji looked at the composed Bai Jin, feeling reassured. His junior brother always had a way of instilling a sense of calm. Then he asked, "Junior brother, what are spiritual damages? What are reputational damages?"
"I, Emperor Gouchen Bai Jin, have a lifelong reputation of wisdom and renown across the Primordial World. They have openly insulted my reputation, saying I've stolen Magic Treasures and bullied the weak.
Isn't that a smear on my wisdom? Junior sister, do you think I deserve compensation?"
Shi Ji nodded and said, "Compensation is needed!"
"Their slanderous rumors have caused severe trauma to my spirit, which may well affect my future cultivation. Isn't compensation required for that?"
"Of course! I'll make arrangements right away." Shi Ji turned and flew off.
Bai Jin turned his head towards the West and with a smile, said, "Elder brother, didn't you want to make a big fuss? I will grant your wish. Just don't cry, okay!"
...
Inside the Foreign Affairs Temple, Shi Ji and Shen Gongbao were sitting upright in the main hall.
Shen Gongbao awaited instructions and asked, "Junior sister, do you have orders for me?"
"Buddhism sent a servant to defame Emperor Gouchen, and the emperor is enraged. He has commanded you to go and confront The Buddha, demanding Buddhism to bow and apologize to Emperor Gouchen, and to compensate for the spiritual and reputational damages of the Emperor."
Shen Gongbao asked in confusion, "Junior sister, what are spiritual damages and reputational damages?"
"Di Jun's wisdom resonates through the Primordial World, receiving the reverence of all creatures. Buddhism's slander against Emperor has tarnished the image of his wise and valiant nature, naturally, compensation must be paid for this damage to reputation.
The defamation from Buddhism has deeply saddened Emperor, causing imperfections in his immaculate Dao Heart, naturally, they must also pay a compensatory price."
Shen Gongbao's mouth twitched twice, this obsession with money was clearly Emperor's style, without a doubt, these accusations were cooked up by Emperor himself. But they sounded so reasonable!
"Sister, how much compensation do they need to pay?"
"For each charge, ten million merits, a total of twenty million merits."
That much money? Shen Gongbao's eyes bulged, then hesitatingly said: "Sister, what if Buddhism refuses to compensate?"
One could easily guess that Buddhism certainly wouldn't willingly pay up. Could it mean marching with a great army?
Shi Ji's gaze turned cold as she said icily: "Even my senior brother can be defamed by them? If they do not wish to compensate, then we shall summon the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, and declare war on the Western domain."
Shen Gongbao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, this lady was truly fierce. He hastily added: "Sister, rest assured, Buddhism will surely be glad to make compensation."
"This matter is entrusted to you, junior brother." Shi Ji rose and walked outside.
Shen Gongbao also stood up to see her off.
After Shi Ji departed, Shen Gongbao returned to the main hall pacing back and forth in deep thought, reluctantly chuckling to himself, "Emperor really knows how to make things difficult. Expecting Buddhism to compensate is easier said than done."
Shen Gongbao also exited the Divine Palace. When in doubt, ask the Boss. For his own safety, it would be best to consult Jade Emperor first. It would be ideal to visit accompanied by a delegation to boost the influence.
...
On a small road in the Lower Realm, Tang Sanzang was sitting in a horse carriage, browsing the Three Realms' merchandise display area, incidentally watching videos and live streams. The broadcasts here were quite entertaining too.
Tang Sanzang opened a short video, in which Prince Nezha squatted in front of a palace, with a fluffy dog with horns on its head running circles around Nezha.
Prince Nezha played with the horned dog, then looked up and said: "Look, this fierce beast was just captured by the Judicial Temple for making trouble. Anyone interested? It's for sale privately! I'll offer a friendly price!"
Tang Sanzang couldn't help but raise his head and say: "Wukong, should we also keep a small pet?"
"Keep a pet? You seem to be unaware of where you are heading? Along the way, there are many demons and monsters that would devour it in one bite."
"Wukong is absolutely right. If it were to die because of me, it would truly be a sin! Amitabha Buddha~"
Ding ding~ A sound rang out.
The friends list popped up, an Emperor's avatar was flashing.
Tang Sanzang promptly opened the Emperor avatar, a chat video page sprung up. On the other side was Li Shimin lying in a hot spring, attended to by several palace maids.
Li Shimin leaned at the edge of the hot spring, laughing: "Imperial Brother, have you retrieved the Scriptures yet?"
Tang Sanzang surreptitiously glanced at the sweating maids, quickly bowed his head, and with palms pressed together, said: "Your Majesty, the journey to Western Heaven is long and arduous, your disciple has not yet arrived."
"Take your time, no rush! Eh~ Imperial Brother, what's this carriage you're in? What about the Mechanical Car I gave you?"
"Sigh~" Tang Sanzang sighed and said: "Thank your Majesty for the Mechanical Car, it has saved my life many times, but alas, it was unfortunately destroyed by a Sin Dragon when crossing Yingchou Creek. Now, I can only travel by horse carriage."
Emperor Tang frowned slightly: "What sort of Evil Dragon could destroy the Mechanical Car I gave you?"
"It was the Third Prince of the West Sea."
Emperor Li Shimin's interest was piqued as he straightened up and asked: "Is that the wastrel Third Prince of the Dragon King, rumored to have conspired with Guanyin to break up Wansheng Princess and the Nine-Headed Beast?"
Tang Sanzang nodded.