Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 105: The Three Sages of the Buddhist Sect Plot Against Wukong

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: The Three Sages of the Buddhist Sect Plot Against Wukong

Subhuti had failed to impact Wukong’s Dao heart and, fearing the Three Pure Ones, dared not make a move. With reluctance, he left and headed towards the Western Heavenly Mountain.

That day, Zhun Ti Taoist was discussing the profound meanings of the Tripitaka with Amitabha Buddha, their eloquence making the air bloom with lotuses, an aura of marvels unfolding around them. As the Dharma bodies of the Eight Divisions of Heavenly Dragons scattered flowers in the sky, golden carp leaped from the pond, a myriad of flowers sprang forth, and a spring breeze wafted by, creating an earthly paradise resplendent with birdsong and fragrant blossoms.

After a while, Zhun Ti Taoist suddenly laughed, "Brother Subhuti is coming."

Indeed, Subhuti arrived riding his Somersault Cloud, his countenance sullen and his brow furrowed.

Amitabha Buddha said with a smile, "Brother Subhuti, our fellow Zhun Ti Taoist had already predicted your return."

With an awkward smile, Subhuti appeared resigned.

Zhun Ti Taoist asked, "What about the wager? Did you win, or did you lose?"

Amitabha Buddha added, "Seeing Brother Subhuti’s expression, I’m afraid you’ve lost, haven’t you?"

Subhuti heaved a sigh, stomping his foot, "Ah! Who could have predicted that monkey would be so formidable? I went to damage his Dao heart, but I didn’t expect he would take the chance to sever his own good nature."

Zhun Ti Taoist and Amitabha Buddha were secretly shocked by this revelation. Could it be that having just achieved the realm of Taiyi Golden Immortal, he had cut down two of his thoughts? What kind of grand destiny and courage would it take to accomplish that?

"Having severed two thoughts, is he still a Taiyi Golden Immortal?" Amitabha Buddha couldn’t help asking.

"Yes, it’s strange! Having severed two thoughts, one would think that his cultivation wouldn’t suffice, and he would have entered the realm of the Primordial Golden Immortal," Subhuti said, pinching his brow, very amazed that Sun Wukong had some mysterious method to evade the calculations of the Heavenly Dao Saint and was somehow imperceptible within the transformations of Heavenly Dao.

Previously, it took the combined effort of the Three Pure Ones to scheme against Wukong. How easy could it be for Subhuti alone to plot against him?

Zhun Ti Taoist said, "It’s strange, having severed two thoughts, he couldn’t even achieve the level of Daluo Golden Immortal, but remains a Taiyi Golden Immortal? This is extraordinary!

With a knit brow and a fluctuating expression, Subhuti said, "Perhaps, using him as a pawn back then was a mistake."

Amitabha Buddha said, "Why would you say that? Sun Wukong is the Intelligent Stone Monkey, the foremost among the four divine monkeys, and blessed with the sharpest spirit and wisdom. Choosing him for the Journey to the West was the right decision. It’s just that Tathagata failed to convince everyone, causing Burning Lamp and Maitreya to disagree with him. The schism that appeared during the scripture-fetching journey allowed that Monkey King to perceive the flaws. Now that the three seek to attain their golden bodies through reincarnation, they realize the power of Taoism and devote themselves single-mindedly."

Subhuti sighed, "This fellow, who was left over from when Goddess Nuwa mended the heavens, carries a great destiny... Who could have expected that even Tathagata’s palm strike would not kill him!"

Zhun Ti Taoist retrieved a Chaos Bead from his hands, a buddha bead shining with golden light.

This Chaos Bead was exceedingly precious, forged from the primordial chaos qi at the dawn of creation, capable of unleashing Chaos Divine Thunder. When the thunder within was depleted, one need only cast the bead into storm clouds for a month to absorb the power of the lightning, recharging its might. This Chaos Divine Thunder was no ordinary lightning; its formidable strength was shocking. One strike could obliterate even a Sect Founder if they were the least bit careless.

Subhuti felt a pang at the loss, but having laid a wager, how could he retract it without losing face? The word of a Saint is gold.

Zhun Ti Taoist said with a smile, "Since Brother Subhuti has lost, this Chaos Bead now belongs to Ancestor Amitabha Buddha."

Subhuti, waving his sleeve, said, "Take it, take it! I don’t care about a mere Chaos Bead."

Amitabha Buddha laughed heartily, "Haha, hahahaha! If that’s the case, then I shall accept it without reserve."

Having said that, he took the buddha bead and the Chaos Bead from Zhun Ti Taoist; holding the white Chaos Bead in his hand, he was quite pleased with it. After scanning it with his divine thought, he found that the bead was swirling with lightning imbued with chaos qi, possessing considerable power – indeed, a formidable magical treasure.

Amitabha Buddha said, "Brother Subhuti’s contribution is considerable; this magical treasure surpasses my own buddha beads by far."

Subhuti explained, "This item, forged from the primordial qi at the dawn of creation, contains chaos qi and can temper and unleash Chaos Divine Thunder."

Amitabha Buddha then pocketed the Chaos Bead and said, "Then I must thank Brother Subhuti."

Subhuti replied, "I lost the bet; Ancestor Amitabha Buddha need not be polite."

After a brief moment, another monk flew up from the foot of Mount Sumeru. Dressed in a plain white robe—against the Buddhist code for pure-color garments, but an exception for him—he wore a Treasure Crown of Five Buddhas and sat upon an Eight-Petal Lotus Platform, forming the Wisdom-Fist Seal with his hands. Whereas others from the Western Heavenly Buddha Land were to ascend Mount Sumeru on foot, even Tathagata included, this monk ascended by flying, indicating his distinguished status.

"Endless eons of incalculable time! I offer my greetings," the monk said with hands pressed together, saluting the others.

"No need for formalities, Buddha Great Sun Tathagata," Amitabha greeted with a raised hand.

It turns out that this person is none other than the head of the Esoteric Buddhism sect, the Great Sun Tathagata!

The Great Sun Tathagata said, "Brother Dao, have you lost a wager to Ancestor Amitabha Buddha?"

Subhuti sighed and said, "Brother Dao’s arrival is timely. That monkey is quite tricky; I will still need Brother Dao to make a decision."

The Great Sun Tathagata smiled and said, "What decision should I make? You and I are one and the same from the original severance, you can easily make the decision yourself."

Subhuti frowned and said, "I find that monkey formidable, his destiny extraordinary. He has easily destroyed two incarnations of a Taiyi Golden Immortal! You know, it took us nearly one hundred thousand years to sever our incarnations successfully! Perhaps we should use the Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips to kill him."

Upon hearing this, several saints fell silent and said nothing more.

After a moment, Amitabha Buddha then said, "Brother Dao, to speak such murderous words on Mount Sumeru doesn’t seem appropriate."

Subhuti replied, "The Buddha Ancestor always says that having Buddha in one’s heart means neither calamity nor bounds; where do all these rules come from? Are you trying to slap your own face?"

Challenged by Subhuti’s retort, Amitabha Buddha fell silent.

The Zhun Ti Taoist said, "We, the Heavenly Dao Saints, where can’t we go? What can’t we say? Amitabha need not be so formal."

The Great Sun Tathagata said, "The Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips is still in the hands of Brother Dao Lu Ya; let’s call him here."

The final technique of the Heavenly Constellation Thirty-six Transformations, the "Seven-Arrow with Fixed Tips," was derived by Subhuti from that very book, completing the Thirty-six Transformations. Initially, he intended to teach these transformations to Wukong, but Wukong, being mischievous and stubborn by nature, thought his own Seventy-Two Transformations were superior.

Suddenly, a Taoist descended from the sky. This middle-aged figure carried a horsetail whisk and wore a gourd by his waist, arriving on a cloud. Who could it be, if not Lu Ya?

Upon seeing everyone, Lu Ya paid his respects and said, "Greetings to my fellow daoist brothers, Lu Ya presents his regards."

"Neither calamity nor bounds!" Everyone paid their respects as well.

Lu Ya asked, "Brother Dao, for what matter have you called me?"

Subhuti said, "Brother Dao, I wish to borrow the Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips."

As it happened, Subhuti and the Great Sun Tathagata were the good and evil incarnations severed by Lu Ya, who himself was Lu Ya, now sainted after severing his three corpses. The Zen Master Wu Chao who had taught the Heart Sutra to the traveling monks in the past was none other than Subhuti in disguise, who had assumed this persona to avoid revealing his true identity.

Lu Ya, however, said, "That book’s malevolent energy is too strong; it’s best used sparingly as it can harm the heavenly harmony."

Subhuti said, "If we don’t kill that monkey, I fear he will eventually become a saint! None of us need to take action. We’ll have Guanyin use the Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips to cast a spell. Should the Three Pure Ones want to hold someone accountable, they can’t trace it back to us. Besides, the fated calamity of meeting the primal chaos is upon us; I doubt the Three Pure Ones would wish to wage a great war."

Lu Ya nodded slightly and said, "From what you have said, this monkey indeed possesses the credentials to become a saint, so easily severing two incarnations... Very well, I will give you the Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips. Go find Guanyin and let him kill the monkey."

Amitabha Buddha, seeing the esoteric sect planning to use the exoteric sect’s weapon to kill, had no objections. If Wukong became a saint, there would be no benefit to their exoteric sect. With the monkey’s explosive temper, it would only be a matter of time before he attacked the Spiritual Mountain.

The Great Sun Tathagata said, "Ancestor Amitabha Buddha, will there be any issue if your disciple Guanyin takes action?"

Amitabha Buddha replied, "Guanyin and Sun Wukong have a deep karmic connection of enmity. Letting her take action is excellent. It would resolve this karma, and it would also be greatly beneficial to her cultivation."

The Zhun Ti Taoist laughed and said, "Guanyin is the reincarnation of Cihang, a disciple under the original seat of Primordial Yuan. Letting her take action can also embarrass Primordial Yuan, leaving the Three Pure Ones with nothing to say. Brother Dao Lu Ya, this strategy of yours is indeed clever, and I, Zhun Ti, must admit my inferiority."

Lu Ya modestly replied, "Brother Dao Zhun Ti is too humble."

This Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips is a fearsome magical treasure that had been lent by Lu Ya to Jiang Ziya along with the Sword that Slaughters Immortals and Slays Gods. Zhao Gongming of Jie Taoist Sect was formidable, yet he was covertly killed by Jiang Ziya using this very book, and ended up on the Deification Platform. After Jiang Ziya’s death, Lu Ya reclaimed both the Sword that Slaughters Immortals and Slays Gods and the Seven-Arrow Book with Fixed Tips.

After a brief deliberation, the three saints dispersed.

In the past, Guanyin was ordered by the Tathagata to oversee the Journey to the West, thereby playing with Wukong as if he were a toy. But now, who could predict that she would become a pawn for others to sacrifice? Indeed, in the obscure workings of fate, karma finds its own retribution.

One wonders what will become of Wukong’s life; listen to the next part for the resolution.