Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 179 - 180: Marshal Tianpeng, Are You Aware of Your Crime?

Chapter 179: Chapter 180: Marshal Tianpeng, Are You Aware of Your Crime?

Alas!

Wang Yang sighed.

Upon seeing the aura of Golden Cicada disappear and once again revert to that of Xuanzang, Wang Yang had realized that it had all been in vain.

Moreover, since Xuanzang was fated to go through several more lifetimes of reincarnation, it was destined that nothing could be changed.

Since nothing could be changed, Wang Yang no longer felt like wasting any more effort.

In fact, after knowing that Xuanzang was the Golden Cicada, Wang Yang had planned to use Buddhist Law to awaken the Golden Cicada so that he could completely change the Golden Cicada’s fate and also benefit from it.

But since he was unable to bring about any true change, it all seemed futile.

Even if he persisted, it would be a waste of effort, so he might as well do nothing at all.

As Xuanzang watched Wang Yang sigh, just when he was about to say something, he saw Wang Yang wave his hand and a powerful force emerged.

Xuanzang immediately felt dizzy and passed out on the spot.

When Xuanzang woke up, he found himself lying in a guest room bed.

"Where is the benefactor? Where am I?"

Xuanzang looked around, seemingly bewildered, not knowing why he was there.

And where had Wang Yang gone?

Although he did not understand where Wang Yang had gone, he regarded Wang Yang as a hermit of the highest order, revering his every move as divine.

He then sat down cross-legged to comprehend his Buddhist Law, waiting for Wang Yang’s return.

Although Wang Yang felt that it was probably impossible to change anything about Xuanzang, Xuanzang had already unknowingly undergone a transformation after these events.

Elsewhere, in the Western Buddhist Sect’s Mount Sumeru Pure Land.

Amitabha Buddha and Saint Zhunti suddenly opened their eyes.

Ordinary matters could never elicit such a reaction from them, but this time was different.

They both sensed a familiar aura.

Although Golden Cicada was a disciple of Tathagata, in fact, he had already been enlightened by Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti into Buddhism, so they were very familiar with the aura of Golden Cicada.

"That aura just now!"

Zhunti looked towards his senior brother.

Amitabha Buddha also glanced at his junior brother and nodded, saying, "You and I should not be mistaken, that aura was indeed Golden Cicada’s, but..."

Amitabha Buddha did not finish speaking, but Saint Zhunti already knew what Amitabha Buddha meant.

After all, Golden Cicada had already taken on a reincarnated form and had now transformed into a mortal; unless guided by a great power, the aura of Golden Cicada would generally remain dormant and unawakened.

But now it had appeared, could it be that there was some kind of unforeseen event?

The key issue was that they had been somewhat unable to observe Golden Cicada’s location, always unable to track his movements.

Although Golden Cicada’s current lifetime was not deemed significant, the sudden appearance of his aura raised concerns about potential consequences.

The two Saints exchanged glances, intending to try and deduce what had just happened.

However, this time they could not even sense the whereabouts of Golden Cicada.

They had been planning this Calamity of Measurement for countless aeons and certainly did not wish for any further complications.

A Sun Wukong was already enough to cause them a headache; they hoped that Golden Cicada would not bring about any additional unforeseen events.

Otherwise, how could the Calamity of Measurement proceed?

A moment later, after another exchange of glances and seeing their deductions fruitless, Amitabha Buddha and Zhunti could not help but sigh.

After their unsuccessful attempt at divination, the two could only sigh.

They could only hope that there would be no further alterations to the Calamity of Measurement.

At the same time, they used telepathy to instruct Sakyamuni Tathagata to dispatch Arhats to check on the situation.

While the Western Buddhist Sect was addressing matters with Sakyamuni Tathagata,

the Eastern celestial Court was also experiencing a major event.

"Isn’t the Jade Emperor going to act against Marshal Tianpeng?"

Sitting beside the Jade Emperor, the dignified Queen Mother slowly spoke.

The Jade Emperor looked at the Queen Mother but remained silent.

Master Xuandu had already sought him out, hoping that the Jade Emperor would take swift action against Marshal Tianpeng.

Initially, Master Xuandu wanted the Old Man of the Moon to use the red string to deal with his disciple, but when that failed,

Even the Old Man of the Moon had failed several times, and if it were not for the intervention of Saints, it was uncertain what troubles would have ensued.

With no other options, Master Xuandu directly handed the matter over to the Jade Emperor.

After all, the Jade Emperor was the Lord of the celestial Court, the Ruler of the Three Realms.

"I have already dispatched celestial King Li Jing to handle it!"

The Jade Emperor couldn’t help sighing, being used as a pawn by the Daoist Sect, he had no other choice.

"It seems Marshal Tianpeng hasn’t committed any mistakes?"

The Queen Mother looked at the Jade Emperor and spoke slowly.

The celestial Court was not a place where one could cover the sky with one hand; currently, there was no justification for the Jade Emperor to act against Marshal Tianpeng.

"If a man will sin, a pretext will be found," the Jade Emperor stated calmly.

...

Outside the celestial River Naval Forces Mansion,

leading the way was celestial King Li Jing, who had cordoned off the premises with his celestial Soldiers and Generals.

"Marshal Tianpeng, are you aware of your crimes?"

Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li Jing looked at the guards outside the celestial River Naval Forces Mansion and bellowed.

Numerous celestial Soldiers and Generals donned their armor, faces stern.

The guards of the celestial River Naval Forces Mansion heard these words and hastily rushed into the mansion.

"Marshal, something terrible has happened!"

Hearing the alarm from his subordinates, Marshal Tianpeng was staggered and abruptly sat up.

Marshal Tianpeng was originally resting on his lounge chair.

He had not expected that someone would suddenly come to arrest him.

For a moment, Marshal Tianpeng was somewhat dumbfounded.

Ever since being influenced by Sun Wukong, he had been extremely careful and cautious in the celestial Court, fearing he might bring upon himself a grave trouble.

Hence, except for his duties, he mostly holed up in his mansion most of the time.

Even if something happened in the celestial Court, he did not intervene.

Yet today, someone had come to call him to account?

"Marshal, Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li has come to question your crimes!"

Thinking that since his marshal had already sat up, he might be prepared to go with him, his subordinate didn’t expect the marshal to be rooted to the spot and quickly reminded him again.

"Let’s go out and see!"

Upon hearing his subordinate’s words, Marshal Tianpeng came to his senses, sat up abruptly, and declared loudly.

He then walked out with his Naval Forces subordinates.

As Marshal Tianpeng emerged from the Naval Forces Mansion, he saw that Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li had already led people to surround his residence.

"What is the meaning of this, celestial King Li? What crime have I committed?"

Marshal Tianpeng’s brows furrowed, a trace of anger in his expression.

He had been so careful, even forsaking Fairy Chang’e, staying in his mansion, never stepping out of his gates - how could he commit any mistake under such circumstances? Yet trouble had come knocking at his door.

"Reliable intelligence indicates that you had a secret rendezvous with Fairy Chang’e from the Lunar Palace. Is it true?"

Li Jing stood before the crowd, looking at Marshal Tianpeng in his military attire, his eyes filled with a mocking sneer.

Upon hearing this, Marshal Tianpeng protested his innocence, "This is an unjust accusation! I have no ties with Fairy Chang’e, celestial King Li; do not falsely accuse me!"

Marshal Tianpeng would not admit to Li Jing’s groundless accusations.

Even if the accusations were true, he would not admit them.

And although Li Jing was known as the Great Demon-slaying Marshal, in charge of a hundred thousand celestial Soldiers and Generals, his celestial River Naval Forces were not under Li Jing’s command. At most, they were peers!

If it really came to a fight, who would win was not a foregone conclusion!

"Whether you are truly innocent or not, you will know once you stand before the Jade Emperor!"

Li Jing was well aware of the stakes involved, and since this task was commissioned by the Jade Emperor himself, he only needed to bring Marshal Tianpeng to him.

As for how the Jade Emperor intended to deal with Marshal Tianpeng, that was not his concern.

Besides, since the Jade Emperor wanted him to bring Marshal Tianpeng, it surely meant that he was planning to deal with him.

Frankly, Li Jing had long held a grudge against Marshal Tianpeng.

He became the Demon-Sweeping Marshal because he propelled the Calamity of Measurement forward, playing a part in it and securing divine enthronement.

However, Marshal Tianpeng was a mere mortal who ascended to Heaven, not through toil but thanks to an elixir that facilitated his smooth rise to the Heaven Realm.

Not only did the Jade Emperor come out to welcome him, but he also gave Marshal Tianpeng command over the celestial River Naval Forces.

Now that the Jade Emperor intended to deal with Marshal Tianpeng, Li Jing could not wish for more.

"If we must go, we must. Am I to be frightened of you?"

Marshal Tianpeng, confident that he had done nothing wrong and that even an audience with the Jade Emperor would pose no problem, was incensed that Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li had surrounded his residence, suggesting he had made some grievous error.

"If that’s the case, come now, tie me up!"

Seeing this, Pagoda-Carrying celestial King Li’s face broke into a smile. With a wave of his hand, he ordered his men to bind Marshal Tianpeng.

"What are you doing!"

Watching this unfold, the celestial River Naval Forces were indignant. To bind their marshal right in front of them?

"Sigh, no need to worry, I don’t believe His Majesty would wrong me!"

Marshal Tianpeng restrained those celestial River Naval Forces trying to defend him.

He believed he had done nothing wrong; the Jade Emperor wouldn’t treat him thusly.

Hearing this, the celestial River Naval Forces naturally held their tongues.

Subsequently, Marshal Tianpeng was bound.

He was led by Li Jing and others to the Ninth celestial Palace!

By this time, the Ninth celestial Palace was already filled with Deities of the celestial Court.

The Jade Emperor still sat majestically upon the Golden Palace.

At this moment, the Jade Emperor looked down impassively at Marshal Tianpeng, who was now bound below.

The Calamity of Measurement involving the Journey to the West was about to begin; Buddhism had already arranged for Sun Wukong and the Golden Cicada. Next would naturally be their side of things.

And the only thing left was for the two Saints, has decreed that Marshal Tianpeng descend to the lower realm to be part of the calamity.

The original plan was to catch Marshal Tianpeng red-handed in an affair with Chang’e, but now they were left with no choice but to forcibly deal with Marshal Tianpeng.

"Marshal Tianpeng, do you acknowledge your guilt?"

The celestial Official standing by the Jade Emperor’s side commanded loudly.