NOVEL NEXT Chapter 581, The Zen Master's Threat
Zhu Bajie suddenly widened his eyes and angrily exclaimed, "Who dares!"
"Er~ It's the Marshal's Wife."
Zhu Bajie paused, then said with sorrow, "Cui Lan! Then give it to her! The treasures in the cave mansion are enough for her to live a wealthy life." He lifted his head to look at the sky, with a hint of helplessness and sadness in his eyes.
The Deputy General said with his head lowered, "Marshal, what I mean is that the Marshal's Wife has taken over your residence as a place to live, and then she started to cultivate and practice magic spells there."
Marshal Tianpeng suddenly widened his eyes in shock and exclaimed, "Gao Cui Lan is cultivating?" He asked anxiously, "Who gave her the cultivation method?"
"It was Emperor Gouchen, and she is practicing the Great Heavenly Immortal Technique."
Marshal Tianpeng's lips twitched twice. Emperor Gouchen?! Old Pig finally made up his mind to give up, so why did Emperor Gouchen make a move?
"So this time, it was Emperor Gouchen who sent you?"
The Deputy General respectfully said, "Marshal, the Emperor has said that Great Master Xuandu arranged for you to go to the Lower Realm to gain experience, not to avoid calamity. For the sake of your future path, you must go through this emotional trial."
Marshal Tianpeng's eyelids twitched, and even my Master, it looks like I've made my Master and my senior fellow angry this time! A sense of urgency rose in his heart, no, I must do something, or will there be any good for me in the future?
Zhu Bajie hurriedly asked, "What else did the Great Emperor say?"
"The Great Emperor didn't say much else, the Emperor is currently quite busy."
"Busy with what?"
"Buddhism is currently spreading rumors in the Three Realms, saying that Emperor Gouchen has taken the Buddha Treasures, damaging the reputation of the Emperors in the Three Realms, and the Great Emperor is now busy dealing with public opinion."
Zhu Bajie's eyes lit up, Buddhism spreading rumors about Emperor Gouchen, I'm good at this!
He clasped his hands and bowed to the heavens in gratitude, "Despite his busy schedule, the Great Emperor is still concerned about my affairs, and as your disciple, I am truly grateful. Today I heard that Buddhism insulted the Emperor, and I am very infuriated. I will do my utmost to fight for the Emperor and not let down his caring grace. Wang Chuan, heed my command~"
Bang! The Deputy General hurriedly clenched his fist and shouted, "This subordinate is here!"
"I command you to lead the Heavenly Water Army to purge the filth of the Three Realms and to restore the innocence of Emperor Gouchen."
The Deputy General Wang Chuan hesitated for a moment and said, "Marshal, this rumor has spread far and wide, even if it's clarified, no one will believe it, just like what we once did to Buddhism."
Zhu Bajie pondered for a moment, hmphed twice and said, "Then find a new topic to divert the attention of the creatures of the Three Realms, then clarify it."
"Marshal, there hasn't been any major event occurring recently in the Three Realms."
"If there's no major event, then we'll create one. I've heard that the monk Tang Sanzang from the Great Tang is heading to the Western Heaven to seek the True Scripture, by the order of the Tang King. This monk is the reincarnation of the Tathagata's Senior Disciple Jin Chanzi, and it is said that the flesh of Jin Chanzi is highly favored by the Saints. If one offers Tang Sanzang's meat as a sacrifice, one can be blessed by Saints and become immortal."
Wang Chuan widened his eyes in horror and exclaimed, "Marshal, to spread rumors about Saints will incur heavenly punishment."
"Where's the rumor? The Saints really do like Golden Cicada meat. When all the gaze of the creatures of the Three Realms gets fixed on Tang Sanzang, then we will clarify for the Great Emperor, and settle the matter with one stroke."
Wang Chuan spoke with a troubled face, "Marshal, if the Saints decide to punish..."
"Humph humph~ No wonder you've always been a deputy general. You need to understand who we are helping here. We are aiding Emperor Gouchen. With the Emperor's connections, not to mention avoiding punishment, there might even be rewards. Get to it quickly!"
Wang Chuan replied respectfully, "Yes!"
Marshal Tianpeng turned around and walked outside, his eyes filled with anxiety and excitement. Master has also led Cui Lan onto the path of cultivation, which means we still have limitless possibilities ahead. There are both aspirations for the future and some fear of emotional trials. As pure as I am, how could I possibly be subjected to such trials!
Marshal Tianpeng dilly-dallied for a bit before heading back to Futu Mountain, where the scripture lecture had already concluded.
Tang Sanzang stood respectfully, while Sun Wukong lay on his back on a rock, digging earwax with the Jingu Bang.
Zhu Bajie tiptoed over to Sun Wukong, sat down on the rock, and whispered, "Brother, Master didn't look for me, did he?"
Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "No, no, the little monk was utterly engrossed in the scripture."
With a respectful bow, Tang Sanzang said gratefully, "Thank you, Zen Master, for imparting the teachings."
Wu Chao Zen Master spoke solemnly, "I give you one last piece of advice before you leave. The journey Westward is fraught with dangers, but demons, ghosts, or the perilous paths of Heaven and Earth are nothing compared to this. Remember to beware of the Three Realms Bank; never ever take out loans."
Tang Sanzang asked in confusion, "Why can't we take out loans? I request the Zen Master to clarify my doubts."
Wu Chao Zen Master looked up at the sky and lamented, "Taking out loans feels great at the moment, but repaying them brings endless regret.
When the Three Realms Bank was first established, some Buddhist Disciples took out loans. Later on, under the scheming plots of the Three Realms Bank, some Buddhist Disciples accrued huge debts, resulting in friends and family scattered, homes shattered, and no choice but to flee far away."
Tang Sanzang said incredulously, "How could that be? The Celestial Gods I've seen at the Three Realms Bank all seemed very amiable. How could they be such villains?"
"Humph~ They are amiable when you borrow money, but turn into cold-faced Yama when collecting debts. There's a saying in the Three Realms about borrowing leading to family ruin and banking ending in clan extermination.
Remember, never ever associate with the Three Realms Bank, never borrow money, or you won't be able to reach Spiritual Mountain."
Tang Sanzang sobered up inside, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your disciple will heed the Zen Master's teachings."
Wu Chao Zen Master transformed into a beam of Divine Light that shot up to the sky, and even the bird's nests on the cliff disappeared with him.
Zhu Bajie hurriedly went forward, helped Tang Sanzang up, and asked with concern, "Master, are you alright?"
Tang Sanzang waved his hand and said with a smile, "Receiving the Zen Master's scripture is naturally a very good thing."
Sun Wukong sprang up from the rock and urged, "If there's nothing wrong, then let's hit the road! Your brother Wukong here is getting impatient."
Tang Sanzang looked at the ever-pressing Sun Wukong, then at the attentive and caring Zhu Bajie, and a moment of enlightenment rose in his heart. Comparatively, it's Bajie who treats me well! From now on, Bajie will be my favorite.
Zhu Bajie, supporting Tang Sanzang, said indignantly, "Master, that old Zen Master dared to threaten you. If I, old Pig, run into him again, I'll make sure he knows why flowers are so red."
Tang Sanzang was taken aback and said puzzledly, "How did the Zen Master threaten me when he taught me the great magic spell?"
Zhu Bajie uttered in astonishment, "Master, didn't you hear him? He said if you take out loans again, you won't make it to Western Heaven. Isn't that a threat?"
Tang Sanzang thought for a moment. It's true that the Zen Master had said, "Never associate with the Three Realms Bank, never borrow money, or you won't be able to reach Spiritual Mountain."
Before, Tang Sanzang hadn't felt anything wrong, but now Zhu Bajie's reminder seemed to indeed carry a hint of threat. The more he thought about it, the expression of the Zen Master when he said those words seemed a bit dark and gloomy.