Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 249 - 238: Kong Xuan Takes Action to Resolve the Crisis

Chapter 249: Chapter 238: Kong Xuan Takes Action to Resolve the Crisis

The tale tells us of the Five Elements Buddha, Kong Xuan, and the Glazed Light King, Medicine Buddha, who, obeying the decree of the Victorious Fighting Buddha, traveled toward the Eastern Divine Region. Their purpose was not only to resolve the trials of Xia Qing but also to propagate the scriptures of their newly established Buddhist Sect, thereby enhancing its influence and leading more souls into the Ultimate Bliss World.

The severe disputes between Buddhism and Taoism were primarily due to differences in their doctrines. The Taoist Sect emphasized that one’s body and hair are inherited from one’s parents, whereas the Buddhist Sect insisted on shaving heads, creating numerous contradictions. Now, Sun Wukong had reached Nirvana and become the Victorious Fighting Buddha; seated at the center of the Ultimate Bliss World, his radiance illuminated the Ten Directions Country, abolishing all the stringent Buddhist precepts and promoting the preservation of one’s true mind and kindness, without the burden of numerous rules.

A significant transformation had occurred within the Buddhist Sect; where it once suppressed the true self, it now celebrated its release. Furthermore, it was common knowledge that the Buddhist Sect had been defeated in the war between Buddha and demons, and the Taoist Sects of the Eastern Lands were well aware that the current Buddhist Sect was under the control of Sun Wukong, transformed into the Victorious Fighting Buddha.

Many people from the Taoism faction had visited that part of the Ultimate Bliss World and had nothing but praise, declaring, "This is indeed the true Buddha!"

Now, the Buddhist Sect had gained a somewhat good reputation within the Eastern Lands’ Taoist Sect. However, it still needed to strive harder to not be viewed as an enemy by the Taoist Sect, lest it be hindered in every endeavor. Moreover, the Taoist Sect had also established its own sects and temples in the Western Heavenly Buddha Land, and they dared not overstep, for fear of provoking the wrath of the Victorious Fighting Buddha.

Kong Xuan and Medicine Buddha possessed immense mana and in no time, arrived in the Eastern Divine Region, just in time to see three Taoists attacking Xia Qing.

"Victorious Fighting Buddha, well done, well done!" Kong Xuan and Medicine Buddha chanted as they descended from the clouds.

Xia Qing was struggling against the three and had sustained some injuries. If the two had arrived any later, she might have been captured by the three Taoists.

With a single display of his Five-Colored Divine Light, Kong Xuan sent the three Taoists flying. He simply couldn’t be bothered to capture them; driving them away was enough.

The three Taoists, upon seeing their two adversaries, both garbed in kasayas and wearing treasure crowns with profound cultivation levels, realized they were from the Buddhist Sect.

One Taoist exclaimed, "This is the Eastern Divine Region, governed by the Taoist Sect! Your Buddhism has already been annihilated; how dare you be so brazen!"

Kong Xuan laughed and said, "We are directly from the current Victorious Fighting Buddha’s sect: Five Elements Buddha Kong Xuan and Glazed Light King Medicine Buddha."

The expressions of the three Taoists drastically changed. Initially, they had thought these two were merely remnants of the old Buddhism, unaware that they represented the new Buddhism. Upon learning that Sun Wukong had reached Nirvana as the Victorious Fighting Buddha and had grasped the true essence of Buddhism Taoism, the Taoist people had started referring to the religion in the Ultimate Bliss World as new Buddhism, while Tathagata’s rule was considered old Buddhism.

"Ultimate Bliss World. Five Elements Buddha, Medicine Buddha?" The three Taoists’ faces shifted slightly.

Though the Five Elements Buddha might not yet be well-known, the reputations of Kong Xuan and Medicine Buddha were recognized by them.

Medicine Buddha, the lord of the Eastern Pure Light Glass World and the designated Future Buddha following Maitreya, was a highly revered figure in Buddhism; Kong Xuan, formerly the Peacock Great Bright King Bodhisattva, was honored as Buddha Mother. Now, these two figures had appeared in the Eastern Divine Region—how could these lesser Taoists, not even Golden Immortals, not be shocked?

Kong Xuan asked, "Miss Xia Qing, are you alright?"

Xia Qing shook her head, saying, "It’s just a minor injury, nothing serious. These Taoist bullies are too domineering, they tried to capture me without reason!"

Then a Taoist shouted, "You’re lying; it was you who first hurt our people, prompting us to act!"

Xia Qing snorted coldly, saying, "Just now, that was exactly what happened—the bullies tried to grab me without reason!"

This statement shut up the three Taoists. What Xia Qing said was true; currently, in the Eastern Divine Region, the Taoist factions, in their eagerness to seize Incense Willpower, would kill any demon or spirit they encountered without discrimination, regardless of whether they were good or bad. Bai Suzhen was an example; after the people from Mount Dragon Tiger learned of her serpent essence, they slaughtered her and then captured Xu Xian, destroying a beautiful marriage.

Kong Xuan thought to himself, "Surely aside from Tathagata, the Taoist faction has lost its common foe and has begun aggressively competing for Incense Willpower! Xia Qing is a demon, and these Taoists surely wanted to show off their skills in front of mortals to willingly earn their offerings."

Kong Xuan, having lived for tens of thousands of years, easily saw through the essence of this matter, his wealth of experience clear as the emptiness found in a plucked hair.

Kong Xuan’s expression turned cold as he addressed the three Taoists, "I, too, am a demon! Would you like to test my abilities?"

The three Taoists were struck dumb with fear, and they quickly shook their heads. They weren’t foolishly unaware of the heights and depths of heaven and earth. Kong Xuan’s renown had endured through the ages, and he had established his formidable reputation during the battle to seal the deities. How could they be foolish enough to raise their hands against such a figure? Even if their Sect Leader were here, he would have to act respectfully, not to mention their Sect Leader, even the Heavenly Master Zhang Daoling himself would not dare say much.

"You group of Taoists, so domineering! My sister did nothing harmful, yet you killed her and even captured my brother-in-law Xu Xian and took him to Longhu Mountain!" Xiao Qing gritted her teeth and said, "Today, you must repay this blood debt in blood!"

Kong Xuan immediately cast the Five-Colored Divine Light and caught Xiao Qing, transmitting his voice to her, "Hold on, the Buddhist Sect has just been rebuilt, and the Victorious Fighting Buddha has instructed us to promote the Buddhist Law in the Eastern Divine Region. If you were to kill them, it would be akin to stirring up a dispute between Buddhism and Taoism, which would also hinder our actions in the Eastern Divine Region."

Xiao Qing, still furious, said, "So, should we let them get away with murdering my sister and capturing my brother-in-law?"

Kong Xuan then nodded and said, "I will accompany the Pharmacist Buddha with you to Longhu Mountain to demand those who killed the person and to then release your brother-in-law. Debts must be repaid, and life must be compensated for life. But make sure not to impose your anger upon others."

There was reason in what Kong Xuan said, and Xiao Qing, who was kind-hearted, couldn’t help but feel softened and replied, "Alright, every debt has its debtor, and every grievance its culprit!"

"Are you from Longhu Mountain?" Kong Xuan calculated and quickly figured out the origins of the three.

"Yes," one of them said.

Kong Xuan’s eyes barely opened as he said, "Every grievance has its culprit, every debt its debtor. As I am emerging from the Demon Tribe, you have harmed my fellow demons. This enmity is indeed unforgivable. You better lead the way, we three will follow you to Longhu Mountain to eliminate those who wrongly killed Xiao Qing’s elder sister Bai Suzhen."

The three dared not say more, fearing they might anger Kong Xuan, and simply led the way.

The Pharmacist Buddha said, "By taking such action directly to their door and questioning them, aren’t you afraid of offending the Taoist Sect?"

Kong Xuan replied, "If one does not look out for oneself, heaven and earth will combine to bring destruction! Now, there is no longer a life-and-death feud between the Buddhist and Taoist Sects, no significant doctrinal contradictions, and our power has gradually increased. Will Longhu Mountain risk offending the Buddhist Sect for one murderer? Will the other Taoist Sects risk offending the Buddhist Sect on Longhu Mountain’s behalf? Not to mention the Eastern Lands, even the Taoist lineage left in the Western Heavenly Buddha Land, we could extinguish them effortlessly! How much loss would that bring them? People all have their own interests."

Upon hearing Kong Xuan’s remarks, the Pharmacist Buddha thought deeply, pondering carefully, and indeed found the reasoning sound.

In the past, when Buddhism and Taoism stood against each other in life-and-death struggle, and Buddhism was more powerful, the Taoist Sects united wholeheartedly. Now that there are no longer such significant conflicts between Buddhism and Taoism, the Taoist Sects naturally won’t band together anymore; they care only for the survival of their own incense willpower. Would they oppose the current Buddhist Sect for the sake of one Sect or one person?

With the Buddha and demon wars concluded, the battle among immortals, demons, and Buddhists seemed set to begin anew. The people of the Taoist Sects weren’t fools. Even if they couldn’t see this situation clearly, who would rule this realm in the future? Naturally, it would be the Demon Emperor Sun Wukong. The Victorious Fighting Buddha emerged from the Nirvana of Sun Wukong. Coming from the same source, wouldn’t his actions favor his own side? Those who had offended the Victorious Fighting Buddha could just wait for their doom.

Those with a slightly longer view could understand this situation and would not lightly offend today’s Buddhist Sect.

Wukong’s momentum was strong, and after sufficient recovery, he was bound to counterattack the Heavenly Court. No one wanted to provoke him.

The Victorious Fighting Buddha and Wukong, in their revolution across the realms, hadn’t realized that after taking down the Heavenly Court, using their power to expand the Buddhist Sect’s influence would go against their revolutionary principles. Even if they did consider it, they certainly wouldn’t execute it! Holding power, yet not seeking the well-being of the people across the world but instead facilitating one’s own convenience is contrary to Wukong’s path of revolution.

Thus, the Victorious Fighting Buddha issued a decree for Kong Xuan and the Pharmacist Buddha to come to the Eastern Divine Region, not only to rescue Xiao Qing from peril but also to promote the Buddhist Law. This would make more people aware of the existence of the Ultimate Bliss World. If anyone wished to convert to Buddhism, then Kong Xuan and the Pharmacist Buddha would guide them into the Western Direction’s Ultimate Bliss World among the Ten Directions Country, enjoying equality, peace, and prosperity.

Longhu Mountain was soon in sight.

To find out what happens next, tune in to the next Chapter (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian.com with a recommendation ticket or monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com).