NOVEL NEXT Chapter 584, Haotian's Decree
The Tathagata Buddha suddenly furrowed his brows and looked towards the East, followed by many other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who also turned their gaze in that direction, their expressions varied.
In the East, a path paved with auspicious clouds stretched out and approached, resembling a cloud bridge spanning the horizon, leading straight to Spiritual Mountain.
A splendid horse carriage, drawn by Heavenly Horses, raced along the cloud path, accompanied by Yellow Turban Warriors brandishing ceremonial weapons, and guarded by a grand procession of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals.
The Tathagata Buddha spoke, "The Heavenly Court Envoy comes from the East. Aynava, lead three hundred Buddhas and three thousand Arhats to welcome him. Mind the etiquette."
Aynava dutifully responded, "As per the Holy Decree!" and turned to head outside.
Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and asked, "Buddha, why does the Heavenly Court Envoy come?"
Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy laughed heartily and said, "Do you even need to ask? It must surely be to offer an apology and mend relations."
Outside Spiritual Mountain, numerous Golden Lotuses rose up, each with a Buddha standing atop them, Buddha Wheels behind them shining Buddha Light and illuminating Spiritual Mountain, and three thousand Arhats stood behind, each adopting odd and peculiar stances, looking towards the East from afar.
The assembly of Buddhas and Arhats saw Aynava smiling towards the East; it seemed the Heavenly Court was relenting.
Above the auspicious clouds, the delegation from the Heavenly Court was rapidly approaching Spiritual Mountain; Shen Gongbao sat calmly within the carriage, watching ahead.
The delegation soon arrived at Spiritual Mountain and halted atop the auspicious clouds.
With palms together and a bow, Aynava said with a smile, "I am here to warmly welcome the Heavenly Court Envoy on the command of the Buddha. Please, Envoy, come inside."
A deep voice emanated from the luxurious carriage, "There is no need to go inside."
It's being live broadcasted now! His Majesty intends to escalate the situation; the bigger the uproar, the better. Naturally, we should stay outside, in full view of all the eminent observers.
All the Buddhas and Arhats frowned slightly, a thought flashing through their minds: the Heavenly Court Envoy bears ill will!
Anan rushed into the Great Leiyin Temple and respectfully bowed, saying, "Buddha, the Heavenly Court is live broadcasting this envoy mission."
The Tathagata's expression changed, he was aware of live broadcasting; on his days without commitments, he too would often visit live streaming areas. The Heavenly Court was actually live broadcasting this envoy mission; what was their intention? Could it be that the Heavenly Court intended to publicize their apology to the world? To clear Bai Jin's name?!
The other Buddha Bodhisattvas also sensed that something was amiss, their expressions unavoidably solemn.
Guanyin looked up and said, "Buddha, what is the intention behind the Heavenly Court's actions?"
"The Buddha brings goodness to all living beings, and all inaction laws can resolve any calamity," the Tathagata Buddha's grand voice resounded.
All the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the great hall looked outside; the Buddha's words were clear: respond to all changes with constancy, the Buddha regards all living beings with a kind heart, and so should one reciprocate for a lifetime.
Outside Spiritual Mountain, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Shen Gongbao stepped out, arrogantly standing on the carriage shaft, holding high the Holy Decree.
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, the Tathagata Buddha, Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, and others all looked outside, their eyes filled with an inquisitive gaze.
Shen Gongbao, holding high the Holy Decree, called out, "All Buddhas of Buddhism, heed the Jade Emperor's Dharma Decree from the Supreme Venerable of the Heavenly Golden Que, the Natural Miao You Miluo Zhi Zhen Jade Emperor God~"
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, Guanyin Bodhisattva frowned and said, "Dharma Decree!"
The Buddha spoke calmly, "Aynava, accept the decree."
Outside, Aynava's expression shifted, and he respectfully said, "I am all ears for Your Majesty's command!"
Shen Gongbao paid no heed, tossing the decree in his hand; the Jade Emperor's Decree took flight into the sky, unfolding aloft, boom~ the overwhelming Heavenly Might descended upon Spiritual Mountain, majestic and vast as if the heavens themselves were scrutinizing the mortal world.
The Jade Emperor's Decree burned with golden flames, the Dao sound echoed for miles around, with auspicious light flowing and colorful rays, the space above twisted as the silhouette of an Emperor faintly appeared, seated on the throne of Nine Dragons, overlooking the aeons.
Even across the Three Realms Mall, all creatures of the Three Realms could feel the formidable authority emanating from the screen, as reverent as heaven, as kind as a father, difficult to confront directly.
At this moment, within the Three Realms, all beings watching the live broadcast, below the rank of Golden Immortal, bowed in fear, and even the Immortal Golden Immortals changed their expressions, respectfully and fearfully watching the decree on the broadcast. This was the Heavenly Emperor.
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, the countenance of The Buddha changed drastically, his gaze serious as he looked at the decree outside wielding the vast authority. This was not a decree from the Jade Emperor, but rather Haotian's Decree.
Haotian's Decree unfolded in the sky, the Golden Light shone like a Great Sun suspended in the sky, a grand voice echoing between Heaven and Earth, "Jade Emperor's Edict proclaims: The Buddhism of the West Land appears harmonious externally, but they are cunning at heart. With preposterous arguments, they slander Emperor Gouchen of the Nine Heavens. They destroy their own wise reputation, diminish their own virtue, showing envy just after entering the door, not willing to concede; covering their sleeves while crafting slander, the fox's charm bewilders the ruler..."
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy' face turned dark. "Showing envy just after entering the door", who are you subtly referring to?
Guanyin Bodhisattva showed even more anger, "Fox's charm bewilders the ruler", within the whole Great Leiyin Temple, who could be called a tricker? Detestable!
"...The Buddhism is corrupted, some Buddhas have the heart of a snake and scorpion, and the nature of jackals and wolves. They consort with wrong and perverse teachings, harm the kind-hearted, drawing the ire of both human and divine, intolerable by Heaven and Earth.
Emperor Gouchen, for the good of the Three Realms' creatures, has exhausted his thoughts and vigor, dedicated to the bitter end. Now, he has been falsely accused by malevolent people, and Emperor Gouchen is deeply grieved.
I have heard these words and am greatly angered. I thus issue a decree for Buddhism to compensate Emperor Gouchen with one million Merit Coins each for damage to reputation and emotional distress, hereby ordained..."
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, all Buddha Bodhisattvas were in an uproar. What? We have to pay compensation?
The Buddha's face turned dark too. After cunningly taking my Jinlan Kasaya, now you're asking me to pay you? What exhausting thoughts and efforts, what deep grief, all are nonsense – this so-called reputation damage and emotional distress compensation must surely be concocted by Bai Jin.
The Buddha's grand voice rose through Heaven and Earth, "Without proof nor evidence, Your Majesty condemns Buddhism with a single word. This stubborn autocracy, Buddhism regrets its inability to accept the decree."
The law decree, pressuring Heaven and Earth, burned with golden flames and suddenly fell toward the Great Leiyin Temple, as if heaven and earth were collapsing.
Above Spiritual Mountain, a reflection of Buddhist Law emerged, with Eight Hundred Great Dao chains weaving through the air, forming a net that enveloped the Great Leiyin Temple, the unique Eight Hundred Side Paths of Buddhism.
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, all Buddhas looked up at the sky above, the Heavenly Laws carrying the Infinite Power of Heaven and Earth, like a falling Great Sun.
The Great Leiyin Temple's sky echoed with silent Dao tones, Buddhist Eight Hundred Great Dao were severed one after another by the Emperor's Dao of Haotian; dark clouds roiled above Spiritual Mountain, grand Dao thundered, filled with an inexplicable sense of melancholy.
Inside the Great Leiyin Temple, all Buddha Bodhisattvas looked up in horror, a decree that descended, its Divine Light spilling over.
The Great Leiyin Temple fell into eerie silence, hearts filled with shock; one being overpowering an entire faith, was this the might of the Heavenly Emperor?
Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy exclaimed in disbelief, "He is forcefully making us accept the decree!"
The cry of Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy awoke the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas; seeing the dazzling decree above the main hall, all tasted the bittersweet reality, too strong to resist, as powerless as facing a Saint.