Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 251 - 252: Xuanzang Reproaches, Manjushri Weakens by Three Points

Chapter 251: Chapter 252: Xuanzang Reproaches, Manjushri Weakens by Three Points

Although the Green Fur Lion wished to gather formidable monster energy to flee, it felt Xuanzang’s powerful aura, profound as the abyss and surging with mana, as if it imprisoned the entire world.

At this moment, escaping was not just difficult for him—he could hardly even move.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

Xuanzang gazed at the Green Fur Lion, his eyes seemingly filled with infinite wisdom, adding to the lion’s pressure.

Looking at Xuanzang, the lion pleaded for mercy, "Spare my life. I didn’t seize the throne intentionally. I was only following the Buddha Ancestor’s decree to come to Black Chicken Country. Everything was commanded by the Buddha Ancestor!"

The Green Fur Lion’s voice was frantic.

Over the past few days, it had heard that all demons along the Journey to the West were being converted by Xuanzang, and if not converted, they might be directly uplifted to the afterlife.

It didn’t fear Xuanzang but greatly dreaded the Golden Cicada within him.

After all, the Golden Cicada was the Buddha Ancestor’s disciple and even enlightened by the Two Sages. Its true strength had reached the late stages of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, a level the lion could not contend against.

The power it now emitted was already too much for him to withstand.

Since Xuanzang was acting for the original King of Black Chicken Country, he had no choice but to clarify everything in order to save his own life.

Hearing the Green Fur Lion’s words, Xuanzang’s expression also turned somewhat somber.

He had already guessed that this matter might have been instigated by the Western Buddhist Sect to ensure the perfect completion of the Calamity of Measurement.

But still, hearing it from the Green Fur Lion made him feel very conflicted.

"Tell me everything!"

Hearing Xuanzang’s words, the Green Fur Lion hurriedly spoke, "Originally, this country of Black Chicken was benevolent, offering alms to monks. The Buddha Ancestor sent Manjushri Bodhisattva to convert the king, who would have earlier realized the Golden Arhat, but due to a rule that prohibited them from meeting face to face, he transformed into a common monk!"

"He requested some alms food, and as a result, the King tied up Manjushri Bodhisattva and immersed him in the river for three days and nights, leading to the current situation!"

Xuanzang shook his head, "Being part of Buddhism, because you faced injustice, you negate everything the King has done? To take revenge, you caused harm for three years!"

"Moreover, you let your mount impersonate the King of Black Chicken Country, defiling the Three Palaces Lady, sharing her bed and life, and tarnishing her body, how many moral codes have you broken!"

"I did not defile anyone; I was already enchanted by the Bodhisattva!"

"Moreover, after I became the king, the country was peaceful and the people were safe; I haven’t harmed a single person. The only one I have wronged is that king!"

The Green Fur Lion said helplessly.

At Xuanzang’s words, he hesitated and then sighed deeply, "Amitabha Buddha, you are also a pitiful creature. However, to prevent you from being used by Buddhism again, I must convert you."

After all, the Green Fur Lion, as Manjushri’s mount, possessed extraordinary strength. Having converted him, he could become a powerful ally to Xuanzang.

Xuanzang brought his palms together reverently, enveloped by a majestic aura; his body was surrounded by a fierce Buddha’s light.

Additionally, the sounds of numerous Buddhas began to coalesce and manifest, meditatively sitting in the void, and endless Shami apparitions appeared, with resounding and grand Buddhist chanting filling the void.

Embedded within was the essence of many Daoist principles, along with profound mysteries.

"Xuanzang, I am but Manjushri Bodhisattva’s mount. You, too, are a person of Buddhism. Please give Manjushri Bodhisattva face and let me go!"

The Green Fur Lion could see that Xuanzang clearly intended to convert him.

He became increasingly anxious.

He didn’t choose to enter the Calamity of Measurement.

And now, on top of being converted, he could not predict what kind of unfair treatment he might face in the future.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was immobilized by Xuanzang’s vast Buddha’s light, making even speaking a luxury—

He could only pin his hopes on Xuanzang, hoping that Xuanzang would remember that they were both from Buddhism and spare his life.

"Amitabha Buddha, what you have done, you have done. Being converted is a cause with its effect; today, this poor monk carries out Heaven’s will to prevent you from causing harm in the human world in the future!"

Xuanzang’s voice was vast and ethereal.

It was filled with the profound meaning of Buddhist law, and his mouth emitted Buddhist chants.

...

Meanwhile, Wang Yang and Sun Wukong, who had been watching Xuanzang’s journey from Mount Huaguo, exchanged a glance.

"Elder brother, this master of mine dares to convert a Bodhisattva’s mount; his temperament is quite to my liking!"

Sun Wukong said with a smile.

Had the world not been filled with great dangers, he probably would have acted without any concerns. However, under Wang Yang’s mentorship, he preferred to wait until he had absolute strength before taking action.

Wang Yang, watching this scene, also felt it strange.

The Journey to the West seemed ever more peculiar; it seemed like only Sun Wukong had changed, so why had Xuanzang become so exceptional as well?

He even refused to let go of a Bodhisattva’s mount.

"It seems he has found his own path; otherwise, he would not act this way.

Although it’s unclear why Xuanzang has changed, he clearly has his own plans, and he will not simply conform to the Western Buddhist Sect. This is also a good thing for Wang Yang.

In the future, the four from the Journey to the West might even become major adversaries to the Buddhist order."

"Ding, by changing Xuanzang’s destiny, you have received..."

...

At this time, outside the borders of the Black Chicken Country.

A flight light shot straight from the direction of Mount Wutai towards Black Chicken Country.

If anyone could see the figure within the flight light, they would have discovered that it was none other than Manjushri Bodhisattva.

However, his usually compassionate face was now furrowed with worry, filled with distress.

He could already sense that the Green Fur Lion was being converted by Xuanzang, something he had thought possible, but did not expect to happen so swiftly.

Wasn’t Xuanzang supposed to worship at temples? How dared he attempt conversion knowing this mount was mine?

This was completely different from their initial predictions.

It was a sheer disregard for his dignity, an utter insolence.

...

At this moment, Sun Wukong’s clone and Zhu Bajie, among others, were all inside the Imperial Palace, waiting for their master to handle the Green Fur Lion.

They could already see the Buddha’s shadows that the mortals were unable to see.

There was no shock within him, for he knew the attempt to convert the Green Fur Lion was coming.

What surprised them, however, was the fact that the mount belonged to Manjushri Bodhisattva, and yet Xuanzang did not bother to show any courtesy.

To them, present at the scene, the three didn’t care at all; one loathed immortals and Buddhas to the extreme, another was a Daoist who disliked Buddhism, and as for the third, he was an agent of the Jade Emperor, unbothered even if Buddhism perished.

Thus, all three were delighted to see a mount of Buddhism being converted, strengthening their Journey to the West.

They were only not yet ready to confront the powerful Western Buddhist Sect.

They also didn’t believe that the Buddhists would retaliate due to this, as after all, they were the heaven-appointed quartet destined for the Calamity of Measurement. Without them, how could Buddhism flourish?

"Oh, master is really bold! Brother Monkey, I didn’t expect our master to dare take a Bodhisattva’s mount without giving face. I’m quite impressed too!"

Zhu Bajie, upon witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but express his sentiment, "But, converting Manjushri Bodhisattva’s mount won’t affect the Calamity of Measurement, will it?"

Zhu Bajie was somewhat concerned, not about the Calamity of Measurement itself, but he feared that Manjushri Bodhisattva might make a move against them.

After all, even a dog must regard its master’s face, and now their master had shown no respect to the other party.

Manjushri Bodhisattva might well decide to act against them.

Sha Wujing also felt some tension, worried about Manjushri Bodhisattva causing them trouble, for they were no match.

"What impact could there be, but Manjushri Bodhisattva probably won’t sit still any longer!"

Sun Wukong said with a half-smile. Manjushri had exerted great effort to suppress the Green Fur Lion, and now someone else was converting it. How could Manjushri remain unaffected?

At that moment, Sand Monk, with a changed expression, spoke urgently, "Brother, this is bad, Manjushri Bodhisattva is coming."

Zhu Bajie also looked towards that direction and saw a streak of flight light shooting towards them, approaching rapidly, covering tens of thousands of miles in an instant.

And within that flight light, it was indeed Manjushri Bodhisattva.

"Let’s wait and see what Manjushri Bodhisattva has to say first!"

Sun Wukong replied calmly, knowing that since they were part of the Calamity of Measurement, there was nothing to worry about.

Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing fell silent.

His reassurance eased their minds considerably.

After all, Sun Wukong was the one who had turned the Celestial Court upside down; if he wasn’t worried, what was there for them to fear?

As Sand Monk and Zhu Bajie both relaxed, a voice filled with dignity and grandeur came forth, carrying with it the profound true meaning of the Buddhist Law, unmistakably from a Buddha who had attained enlightenment.

"Cease, Xuanzang!"

The resounding voice spread through the clouds as Manjushri Bodhisattva halted.

He had five hair knots on his head, symbolizing the wisdom of the Five Buddhas, and held the Wisdom Sword in his hand.

With a face of compassion, manifesting many aspects of Buddhist Law, he looked down upon the world with pity.

His gaze was profound, looking at Xuanzang with complexity.

Xuanzang stopped his chanting and looked up at the Buddha above the clouds, slowly saying, "Bodhisattva!"

"Xuanzang, that Green Fur Lion is the steed of this Bodhisattva, there is no need to convert it!"

Manjushri Bodhisattva spoke slowly.

Xuanzang did not immediately release the Green Fur Lion upon learning it was Manjushri Bodhisattva’s steed, instead looking towards the Bodhisattva and saying, "If the Green Fur Lion is indeed the Bodhisattva’s steed, why did it harm the King of Black Chicken Country three years ago, pushing him into a well?"

"Furthermore, after harming the King of Black Chicken Country, the Green Fur Lion took his place as the King, pretending to be him for these past three years while the true king died unjustly in the well, unknown to anyone!"

Xuanzang stared at Manjushri Bodhisattva, his expression turning severe and grim.

Hearing such a rebuke from Xuanzang, under normal circumstances, Manjushri Bodhisattva would neither need to explain much nor feel obliged to, but the Calamity of Measurement was extremely important to Buddhism.

If Xuanzang were to harbor anger towards Buddhism, he might no longer wholeheartedly support the faith.

...