The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 256 - 235: Guanyin of the South Sea Meets the True Buddha

Chapter 256: Chapter 235: Guanyin of the South Sea Meets the True Buddha

Sun Wukong and Daoist Equal to Heaven led Guanyin to the Ruins of the South Sea. The Sea Eye of the South Sea Ruins would not open unless it was the 15th of August, sealed by the Heavenly Dao Laws. However, Daoist Equal to Heaven possessed a Divine Artifact crafted by the Heaven-Hating Clan, with which he used the Sky-Breaking Divine Bow and Sky-Breaking Divine Arrows to pierce through the sea surface.

Guanyin, upon seeing the colossal Divine Copper Gate, was indescribably shocked. Even though she was well-versed in the world’s wonders, she couldn’t help but be astonished.

"Such an enormous gate forged from so much Divine Copper, even Saints might struggle to break through it, don’t you think? And those Talismans on it are unlike anything I’ve ever seen! What exactly is it meant to suppress?" Guanyin, staring at the Divine Copper Gate that stood three thousand zhang high, felt as insignificant as an ant.

Daoist Equal to Heaven thought to himself, "Perhaps only those hidden in the Heaven-Avoiding Coffin know what truly lies behind this Divine Copper."

Usually, gates have keys, but there was no keyhole on the Divine Copper Gate, and it was also engraved with countless mysterious Talismans, possessing terrifying power.

Guanyin said, "You didn’t bring me to the Ruins just to see this gate, did you?"

Wukong, scratching his ears and grinning mischievously, said, "Of course not. Have you seen enough? If you have, then follow me inside."

Guanyin was secretly amazed but did not ask further questions. The shock she felt here was immense, so she suppressed her curiosity and followed Wukong and Daoist Equal to Heaven into the palace.

Upon entering, Guanyin was taken aback again. The hall was filled with Dragon Qi, and there were statues of massive stone people, with their glabella hollowed out as if amber had been placed within, inside which slumbered ancient powerful beings.

"Chi Jiangzi, Ning Fengzi..." The first two individuals Guanyin saw inside were the ancient powers Chi Jiangzi and Ning Fengzi.

"Hou Yi, Kuafu, Queen Mother of the West, Li Mu, Hanba, Fenghou... My heavens!" A chill ran up Guanyin’s spine. These were renowned beings from ancient times, any one of whom could stir up storms and sweep across the lands if they appeared in the Four Great Continents today.

All these renowned beings from ancient times, who she thought had perished in the catastrophic battle of the Middle Ancient Times, had actually survived and were now in deep slumber here in the Ruins. The revelation was extraordinarily shocking! If these figures were to awaken, they could definitely sweep across the Four Seas!

Even the Buddhist sect would tremble before them. In ancient times, creators were beyond count, Secret Realms like clouds, all of them masters among masters. If these beings hadn’t gone to sleep, how would Tathagata dare to challenge the Three Pure Ones? Just a call to arms from the Three Pure Ones would be enough to obliterate Buddhism! After all, the Three Pure Ones are Patriarchs. Emperor Huang was guided by Guang Chengzi, and he also had a connection with the Three Pure Ones’ junior sister, Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens. Many ancient powers were commanded by Human Emperor Xuanyuan, so when the Three Pure Ones ordered Gongsun Xuanyuan to strike against Buddhism, he naturally had no choice but to comply.

Wukong said, "Bodhisattva, don’t be shocked. There are even more astonishing things inside. Come with me deeper."

The three of them moved deeper, only to see Buddha Light flickering and waves of Buddhist chants resonating. The stone people had Buddha and Bodhisattva figures sitting among them.

"My heavens, Buddha of Immeasurable Life, Buddha of Immeasurable Light, Great Carefree Buddha, Shiqi Buddha, Mahavairocana Buddha, Acala, Vajra Yaksha..." Guanyin felt as if the sky were collapsing. There were countless Buddhas here. Then who were those at Mount Meru?

Wukong said, "The real Buddhas have been quietly healing in here since the great battle of the Middle Ancient Times. Those on Mount Meru are nothing but frauds."

Suddenly, Siddhartha Gautama Buddha opened his eyes and looked their way, saying, "It seems Bodhisattva Guanyin is here. Long time no see, have you been well?"

Guanyin recognized the voice as deeply familiar, filled with great compassion for the world, so different from Tathagata’s deception. This was true Great Compassion from the heart, the genuine Supreme Right Enlightenment, the true Respectful Ruler of the World! This was the real Tathagata!

"Disciple Guanyin, pays respects to the Buddha Ancestor!" Guanyin hastily bowed deeply in salute.

Daoist Equal to Heaven and Wukong cupped their hands in respect and said, "We’ve come to disturb the Buddha Ancestor again, and for that, we’re truly sorry."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha replied, "It’s no trouble at all! Bodhisattva Guanyin need not be overly courteous."

Guanyin stood up and inquired, "If Buddha Ancestor is here, then who is the Tathagata on Mount Meru in the Western Heaven?"

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "He’s nothing but a bogus Substitute. I might guess his origin, but it must not be spoken of, seen, or even thought about. Otherwise, someone will sense it, and once they know we’re all hiding in the Ruins, it may destroy the last chance for the Great Dao’s survival."

With just one meeting with Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, Guanyin understood – these were the true Buddhas, those on Mount Meru were frauds! Yet the truth was so inconceivable. Had she not witnessed it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed it, even if the Three Pure Ones themselves had spoken of it. Guanyin’s heart trembled violently – how enormous Buddhism is, yet the Buddhas were replaced so stealthily, the whole of it too unbelievable.

"Bodhisattva Guanyin, do you now understand why I said that helping Tathagata spread scriptures was an unforgivable transgression that you would regret?" said Wukong.

Guanyin nodded and prayed, "Thank you for your reminder, Wukong! If not for you, I would still be kept in the dark."

Wukong replied, "Bodhisattva, you haven’t made a severe mistake, there’s still time to rectify."

Feeling immensely remorseful, Guanyin said, "I can’t believe that all my efforts for the Buddhist sect were actually aiding tyranny. It’s truly shameful! Buddha Ancestor, please guide your disciple on how to atone."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha pointed at Wukong and said, "He is the person whom Celestial Emperor Fuxi has predestined can seize a sliver of opportunity for life, the one destined by heaven’s will. I have long resided in the South Sea without entering the world, and I don’t know what exactly is happening outside, so I am unable to give you guidance. If there is confusion in your heart, you should ask him, and do whatever he tells you to do."

Guanyin’s heart gave a start, not having expected that there was such cause and effect involved, that Sun Wukong was actually someone personally calculated by Emperor Fuxi and a person bearing heaven’s mandate.

"When does Buddha Ancestor plan to come out of seclusion, to cleanse the Buddhist sect, and take control of it again to ferry the masses?" Guanyin asked again.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha shook his head and said, "How can you sweep the world clean if you don’t sweep your own house? Right now, I’m like a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river, also unsure of how long it will take to fully recover. Moreover, a great catastrophe is imminent..."

Guanyin asked, "What exactly happened in the Middle Ancient Times’ battle, why does everyone refrain from mentioning it? I implore Buddha Ancestor for guidance."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "That matter cannot be spoken of, for once it is, people will know, and should they sense our location, the loss will outweigh the gain."

Guanyin felt that this matter was simply too terrifying, to be known just by speaking of it—was that not the means of a Saint? Saints could whimsically sense who and where someone was talking about them. Siddhartha Gautama Buddha’s words unavoidably gave Guanyin a chilling sensation.

"Bodhisattva Guanyin, there is no need to ask further. There is a conclusion set for this matter. When the time comes, we will come out of seclusion and sweep those impersonators out of Mount Meru," Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said calmly.

Guanyin said, "As you command!"

Guanyin asked, "Now, those false Tathagatas on Mount Meru asked me to spread the Tripitaka Scriptures; what are Buddha Ancestor’s plans? What should your disciple do?"

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "Just act according to his wishes, and see what the Three Pure Ones are thinking. Discuss more with them."

Guanyin nodded. Her wisdom was also extraordinary, and she naturally knew that now was not the time to completely tear her face off with that bunch of false Buddhas on Mount Meru. The Daoist Sect was unwilling to have a major conflict with them, evidently in consideration of the next great catastrophe, to avoid excessive loss of combat power. Plus, once the ancient powers within the South Sea Ruins emerged, they would be able to sweep through the Buddhist sect with the momentum of Mount Tai crushing an egg, so there was no need to rush for momentary satisfaction.

"Who in Mount Meru can still be trusted?" Guanyin asked again.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "Most of those who did not participate in the Middle Ancient Times war can be trusted, but within my Buddhist sect, there are not a few who are treacherous. If you must speak of this matter, you need to be very cautious, to avoid exposing our traces and bringing about a great disaster, risking the only chance of survival for the Four Great Continents."

Guanyin said, "Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Manjushri Bodhisattva are trustworthy. We originated from the same sect, and our relations have always been deep."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha nodded and said, "In the past, we all came from the Interpretation and Termination Sects of Taoism, except for a few disloyal people, most can be trusted."

Guanyin said, "After I return, I will naturally select carefully and speak cautiously, so that when Buddha Ancestor comes out, we can cooperate both inside and out."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "Very good, very good!"

Daoist Equal to Heaven laughed and said, "Buddhism’s undertaking of the Journey to the West is an endeavor to compete with Taoism for the fortunes of the world. Southern Toad Continent is the place with the densest fortunes of the world, the one who obtains Southern Toad Continent, obtains the world! Wukong is key in this matter, and if Bodhisattva can provide strategic support from within, cooperating both inside and out, by then we can make the Tathagata face enemies on both sides, unable to defend from front and back."

Guanyin nodded and said, "That is exactly my intention! This matter of the Journey to the West is of utmost importance. I wonder what Wukong has planned?"

Wukong laughed and said, "I’ll blend into the Buddhist sect and play the role of Buddha for a few days, and when the time comes, I’ll give Tathagata a heavy blow, to let him know Old Sun’s might, that I’m not so easy to bully!"

Guanyin smiled and said, "Good! Then let us join forces against the enemy, and deal with Tathagata properly."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "We should not stay here for long. You should leave soon, to prevent anyone from deducing our location through you, which would not be good."

Guanyin bowed and said, "As you command, Buddha Ancestor! Your disciple will leave now. I only hope that Buddha Ancestor will come out of seclusion soon to lead the Buddhist sect."

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha said, "Bodhisattva Guanyin, rest assured."

To find out what happens next, please wait for the following Chapter.

PS: I need to apologize to everyone. I’ve been restless lately, and I feel like I can’t continue writing this book. Also, with the end of the year, it’s hard to stop. These three thousand words, I wrote from the moment I woke up in the morning until now! My writing speed is in the hundreds. Because writing isn’t considered a "proper job," the pressure is not small. Earning just a few hundred a month, it’s hard for me and it’s embarrassing to talk about. My mindset has changed a lot from when I started writing the book, and sometimes I don’t even want to read comments, feeling sorry for those who subscribe and even reward me. I’m not afraid of being scolded, but now I’m particularly afraid of seeing those encouraging reviews, which is why I dare not visit the review section. Seeing them makes me feel ashamed.

Today, there is only one Chapter. I need to carefully sort out my thoughts. My hand can’t be chopped off, so if you want to scold me, go ahead, I accept it. After I finish this book, I will take a break from writing and swear not to write about Journey to the West again. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Starting Point (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile phone users, please read on m.qidian.com.)