The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 304 - 267: Only Laojun Has a Thick Face and a Black Heart

Chapter 304: Chapter 267: Only Laojun Has a Thick Face and a Black Heart

Tathagata led the Buddhas of Mount Meru to press their forces, but Chi Songzi called forth the Three Sovereigns Sword and Five Emperors’ Armor. The will of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors eternally persisted in China, manifesting spirits through endless incense power and wishes. They existed in an alternative way, which startled Tathagata, who felt compelled to withhold the matter.

Ox Demon King, looking at the shattered Chi You Armor, couldn’t help saying, "What a pity, what a pity! I wore the Chi You Armor, yet failed to kill even a single Buddha or Bodhisattva. It really is a pity!"

The aura of the Xuanyuan Sword shook the Chi You Armor continuously, and now it was broken beyond repair.

Chi Songzi then said, "The matter here is concluded, I shall take my leave!"

As he spoke, he transformed into a breeze and departed. Wukong, fearing that Chi Songzi had already left and encountered the harmful hands of the Buddhist sect, hastily followed. Chi Songzi cultivated the orthodox Mystic Sect and dressed in the attire of the Taoist Sect, indeed deserving the address "Poor Dao," but strictly speaking, he was not a person of the Taoist religion.

Princess Iron Fan collected her Banana Leaf Fan and sighed in relief, saying, "I didn’t expect this matter to escalate so greatly, almost beyond control! Elder Chi Songzi really is formidable—possessing the Three Sovereigns Sword and Five Emperors’ Armor, he made the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors manifest their spirits and repelled the Buddhas of Mount Meru."

If Tathagata had made up his mind, he could have completely obliterated the will of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, but it would have resulted in severe repercussions. Moreover, with the menacing Ming River nearby and many Mixed Yuan Golden Immortals among others hidden in the Netherworld Blood Sea since ancient times accumulating unfathomable combat power, the Buddhist sect would suffer significant losses if attacked. When the Taoist Sect intervened, and several Great Emperors pressed down, the Buddhist sect would definitely be severely crippled.

The fire of Flame Mountain was still unextinguished, and the Banana Leaf Fan was not seized. This time, Tathagata had truly been left embarrassed by Chi Songzi alone!

There was no choice, as the trust of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors in him was so profound that they entrusted him with their life-essential spiritual treasures to manifest their spirits through humans’ incense power at this critical moment.

Wukong also discreetly retreated. With the fire of Flame Mountain blazing, they had to detour, which, given Tang Sanzang’s walking speed, would take over two more months.

Ox Demon King, seeing that the place was deserted, exhaled deeply and said, "Although no one was killed, to see Elder Chi Songzi unleash such a massacre and even slay Venerable Maitreya was truly satisfying! Iron Fan, let’s hurry and depart before Tathagata turns his head and seeks us out again."

Princess Iron Fan asked, "Where shall we go?"

Ox Demon King laughed heartily, saying, "Naturally, we go to Patriarch’s place. Would Tathagata dare to fetch people from Doulu Palace?"

Princess Iron Fan said, "Exactly! No matter how strong Tathagata is, he wouldn’t dare to ascend to the Thirty-Three Heavens to fetch people. Let’s go!"

At that moment, Laozi had already descended from the Great Pure Sky and landed in front of the Banana Leaf Cave.

"The Elder is here!" Ox Demon King exclaimed and hurriedly bowed down.

Laozi, riding the Green Ox and waving his hand, took the Banana Leaf Fan and said, "You both, come with me to Mount Meru to apologize to Tathagata."

Upon hearing this, the Ox Demon King’s face fell and he said, "Really? We have to go to Mount Meru to apologize to Tathagata? Those bald heads bully us because they are more numerous, and we still have to apologize to them?"

Princess Iron Fan said, "Exactly, we have the moral high ground. Why should we apologize to Tathagata at Mount Meru?"

Laozi merely smiled faintly. Although Ox Demon King and Princess Iron Fan did not understand, anyone with discerning eyes would have to admire Laozi for his thick-skinned maneuvers—slapping the Buddhist sect and then going to apologize. It was clear: I’m going to hit you, and after hitting you, I’ll apologize! After the apology, Tathagata naturally could no longer seek retribution against Ox Demon King and Princess Iron Fan.

None has a thicker skin or darker heart than Laozi!

"I’d rather not go to Mount Meru!" Ox Demon King snapped.

"If you don’t go, be wary that Tathagata will come after you later! I’ll take you both to apologize to Tathagata, and out of face, he must agree, naturally making it difficult for him to act against you two afterward," Laozi chuckled.

Princess Iron Fan clapped her hands together, realizing, "So that’s it!"

Laozi continued, "Both of you can’t always stay in the Thirty-Three Heavens, right? Sooner or later, you’ll have to descend to the mortal world, correct?"

Upon hearing this, Ox Demon King couldn’t help but think of Tathagata’s tactics and exclaimed, "Oh! So that’s it, the Patriarch is looking out for our best interests! Indeed, we can’t stay in the Thirty-Three Heavens forever, wouldn’t that suffocate us?"

They were not Saints, incapable of achieving the quiet inaction of Saints. If they were to reside in the Thirty-Three Heavens for a few years, or even a decade, they would probably develop serious issues. It was then that Ox Demon King and his wife realized the intention of Laozi. They needed to apologize to Tathagata and then continue their activities in the Four Great Continents, to avoid being isolated and ambushed by the Buddhist sect. After all, the Buddhist sect had many masters; offending them meant no good days ahead.

Ox Demon King burst into hearty laughter and said, "Let’s go, Patriarch, please take us to Mount Meru to apologize to Tathagata!"

Laozi, having a thick face and a black heart, had tricked Tathagata and even caused the death of a future Buddha. Now, he was leading his disciples to Mount Meru to apologize to Tathagata, and then it would all be chalked up.

Laozi rode the Green Ox, with Princess Iron Fan and Ox Demon King following on either side, together they rode the clouds to Mount Meru.

Upon Laozi’s arrival, the bells of Mount Meru tolled loudly. Being a person of Heavenly Venerable Rank, the bells rang in a sequence of ninety-nine for him. If it had been the Great Emperor of Heavenly Court, the number would have been ninety-five; different standards for different statuses.

"Buddha Ancestor, the Taqing Moral Heavenly Venerable is outside!" Vajra informed Tathagata of Laozi’s arrival at Mount Meru, "Ox Demon King and his wife, Princess Iron Fan, are with him."

Tathagata’s face displayed a slight anger, but he calmed down and said, "Please, invite them in!"

Laozi entered the Da Xiong Palace with Ox Demon King and Princess Iron Fan. Tathagata commanded his attendants to place meditation cushions for the three of them to sit, while Vajra led Laozi’s Green Ox to a side hall.

Tathagata said, "As the saying goes, there’s no climbing to the Hall of the Three Treasures without a cause. Although this isn’t the Hall of the Three Treasures, may I know what advice Laozi has for us?"

Laozi, deeply distressed, said, "Alas! Ox Demon King and Rakshasa Woman, ignorant of the consequences, have caused great trouble for the Buddhist sect, and it truly saddens me!"

Tathagata’s expression shifted slightly, but he remained silent.

Laozi, very angry, said, "Sun Wukong was designated by you, Buddha Ancestor, as the Scripture Seeker. If he came to borrow the Banana Leaf Fan, you should have given it to him. Why engage in battle? With the arrival of Lingji Bodhisattva, you could have spoken kindly, why hurt someone’s life? Now the situation has escalated, harming the harmony between Buddhism and Daoism, it really infuriates me!"

Ox Demon King’s body shook continuously, not from fear, but because he wanted to laugh. His own Patriarch was indeed thick-skinned and black-hearted, capable of making such statements right in the Great Hall of Mount Ling!

Laozi, through this ordeal at Flame Mountain, undeniably took great advantage, weakening the Buddhist sect’s primordial energy. A Quasi-Saint was exterminated by Chi Songzi, and a Bodhisattva who had hopes of achieving the creator’s status or even becoming a Quasi-Saint was slain by Enlightenment Dao, even regressing in spirit, greatly diminishing the dignity of the Buddhist sect.

His purpose in coming to apologize to Tathagata now was to act smug after gaining an advantage, not only seeking further gains but also to irritate Tathagata.

Seeing Laozi’s anger, although knowing it was feigned, Tathagata, for the sake of appearance, had to offer some polite remarks, "Laozi, do not be angry. The young ones are foolish and rash, actions can be excused to some extent."

Laozi stamped his foot and said, "Alas! When will you two possess a broad heart like Buddha Ancestor, always ready to bravely fight fiercely? What kind of behavior is this?"

Laozi’s words were toxic- ostensibly educating Ox Demon King and Princess Iron Fan, but subtly mocking the Buddhist sect. The Bodhisattvas and Buddhas present displayed various expressions.

Laozi sighed and said, "I and Venerable Maitreya are good friends, having once discussed the law together. Unexpectedly, because of this matter Venerable Maitreya has answered his karmic retribution, which is lamentable, pitiful! I shall read a scroll from Lingbao Junior Brother’s ’Sutra for Crossing Sentient Beings,’ wishing for Venerable Maitreya’s rebirth in Ultimate Bliss."

Upon hearing this, Tathagata hurriedly said, "No need!"

For Laozi to recite Taoist scriptures in Mount Meru, that would be too shameful for the Buddhist sect. He hurriedly stopped Laozi.

Ox Demon King and Princess Iron Fan’s bodies trembled continuously, the effort to hold back their laughter was excruciating, truly too funny. Yet, they dared not laugh out loud, lest they provoke a deadly disaster. At this moment, they should certainly be serious, especially since they came to apologize!

Laozi, in the presence of the Buddhas of Mount Ling, pointing at Ox Demon King and Princess Iron Fan (to be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Starting Point (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation votes or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com).