Up on the cloud, Yang Jian felt an exhilarating clarity course through him.
But he also knew this was only the start.
The truly fierce battle still lay ahead.
Buddhism.
Sure enough, just as Fahai had said, it was filthy.
If even a "compassionate" Bodhisattva acted like this, then how revolting must the land of Lingshan be?
…
In Heaven.
"Reporting to Your Majesty: Erlang God Yang Jian has appeared at the Tongtian River and clashed with Guanyin Bodhisattva!"
"Hm? If that's the case, let's hear it."
After all, he was his own nephew.
The Jade Emperor's interest was naturally piqued.
Yang Jian belonged to that cold, taciturn sort.
Although he had suppressed his sister,
leaving the other party with a grievance she would never forget,
blood was blood—family was family.
"That's how it is. There is an 'Inspiration King' in the Tongtian River, a carp spirit belonging to Guanshiyin of the South Sea. When the tide ran high, he slipped away.
After arriving at Chenjiazhuang, he occupied the dwelling of the river god and devours a pair of virgins every year…"
After hearing the account, the Jade Emperor let out a cold laugh. "Heh. Such is Lingshan… a nest of men who preach compassion to the world while scheming like traitors behind closed doors."
The official beside him asked, "Your Majesty, is it not unwise for us to do this? After all, we still have an agreement with Lingshan."
"To provoke Lingshan over a few mere mortals would indeed be unwise. Your Majesty, we beg you to restrain Yang Jian!"
"Yes. That Guanyin Bodhisattva is a personal disciple of the Tathagata who sits at his side. If they bring accusations against us, we won't be able to bear them!"
…
One voice after another layered over the next.
No one noticed the Jade Emperor's face darken into charcoal.
At that moment, Wang Lingguan stepped forward (29) and said, "Sirs, have you not put the cart before the horse?
On the contrary, I say Erlang God has done no wrong. The Jade Emperor is the sovereign of the Three Realms. Is not every land beneath Heaven under His Majesty's dominion?
If that is so, then True Lord Erlang, by enforcing the law, elevates our Heavenly prestige, letting those bald-heads see who is truly master of the Three Realms."
The Lingxiao Hall
fell into silence.
The point was sound; yet who truly took it to heart?
The underworld alone housed three powers.
And Lingshan lay outside the Heavenly Court's jurisdiction.
The "Lord of the Three Realms"—to put it bluntly—was a joke.
You listen to the title, then you move on.
Who actually takes it seriously?
Still, Wang Lingguan was His Majesty's lapdog; since these words came from him,
they surely carried the Jade Emperor's intent.
All eyes shifted to the Jade Emperor.
As expected, killing intent flashed in his gaze.
In an instant, the winds changed.
"Though Erlang promotes the prestige of the gods, he must not act willfully. We'll overlook it this time. Taibai Jinxing, go at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
...
In the Wanjie chat group:
Judicial God: "Good evening, everyone. Mind coming out to talk? @PuduZhongsheng, @GeneralYuwen…"
The Fox Who Only Loves Money: "What's with you? Did you drink too much?"
Chu Dashan: "Looks like a drunk's message to me. Men drink too much for two reasons: women and belief."
PuduZhongsheng: "Glory to my God. Yang Jian, I suppose you've now seen the filth of Buddhism, and you must have run into something that shakes you."
Ever since the other party downloaded the Eternal Meditation method,
several days had passed
without a peep.
That was strange. Usually, once downloaded, people used it at once.
Fahai guessed the other party was hesitating.
And now, seeing a message like this, everything clicked into place.
The other side must have encountered a serious problem—or else witnessed Buddhism's hypocrisy firsthand.
Judicial God: "What can I say? In our world, the Journey to the West is underway—Buddhism is traveling east, while Heaven and Lingshan cooperate to purge the world's demons and, incidentally, to advertise their own power.
I watched for a while.
But I really can't stomach it.
At Tongtian River there was an 'Inspiration King' who actually eats children, and Guanyin Bodhisattva merely muttered a curse and was about to take him away…"
The Fox Who Only Loves Money: "Wuhu… look at that, look! This is the cesspit that is Buddhism!"
Tanjiro: "You're laughing? Please be serious."
Ninth Uncle, Slayer of Slayers: "Is that true?"
Ding… group member Judicial God has uploaded a video.
The videos were downloaded.
Only Saruman didn't download.
General Yuwen: "A Bodhisattva like that is as hypocritical as the Nuwa in my world. Though I was furious when you insulted the gods before, Yang Jian, because you still have a kind heart, I'll acknowledge you for now."
People cannot escape making mistakes.
All the more so for a man who has never bathed in the grace of God.
PuduZhongsheng: "Hah. This Guanyin Bodhisattva is just that hypocritical. I advise you to keep watching. There will surely be more vile deeds. She speaks lightly of it—what of the dead children?"
Tosaka University: "Jin Yu is a bald-head—and a Buddhist bald-head at that—and this monster is revolting. Amazing what a backstage patron will get you."
Spirit of the Demon Sword: "Hmph… Yang Jian, do you now understand why we joined the Cult of God at the start? We couldn't stand the hypocrisy of this world!
Your earlier words weren't wrong; if they had been, I'd have scolded you again."
Chu Dashan: "Does this mean we have another chief priest? I can feel you've practiced the meditation—otherwise your divine power wouldn't have broken through, and its fluctuations wouldn't be this obvious."
Judicial God: "I'm sorry. I admit I was reckless before and failed to recognize the greatness of God."
Judicial God: "@God of Eternity, I'm truly ashamed. I hope you can forgive me."
God of Eternity: "All beings are my children. It is normal that you err. I have only been waiting for your repentance. Consider Saruman, who relied on the little demon Sauron and, with aid from Morgoth, thought everything would proceed smoothly. Everyone knows how it ended—it was someone else's calculation all along, and he finally died at the betrayal of the villain Gríma."
The Lord of the Rings world.
Saruman, deep in experiment, stared, startled, at the chat group in his mind.
How could the other party know of Morgoth, Sauron, and his servant Gríma?
Impossible.
How could a mere, craven servant kill me?
Impossible.
Though Saruman refused to believe the Eternal God's words, cold sweat beaded his brow.
God of Eternity: "I have long said that time is a toy in my hand. If you do not change your ending by your own will, regret will claim you at last. As for you, Yang Jian—do you think the sister you protect will always remain safe?"
Judicial God: "!!!"
Midair, Yang Jian froze, breath arrested.
Could Yang Chan be in danger?
His only sister was Yang Jian's taboo. He would never allow anyone to hurt her!
Chu Dashan: "It's said Erlang's younger sister married Liu Yanchang, right? Is there more to it?"
Liu Yanchang?
Who was that?
Among all the immortals he knew, there was no such name.
A mortal then?
Sorrow Comes Knocking: "Yes, I remember. It's Yang Chan, and Chen Xiang suffers for it…"
Judicial God: "Don't slander people. My sister is still in the clouds and shadows, and she would never marry a mortal. She's the Jade Emperor's niece."
Liu Che saw Yang Jian's anxiety
and smiled inwardly.
For your sister's sake, I have my ways.
You won't be convinced otherwise yet.
God of Eternity: "Have you considered Buddhist interference? It may look like you and they are in a honeymoon phase, but once it ends, they'll surely seek advantage in dealing with you. Humans are greedy. All they need do is tug at the red thread of fate in her lot. To make your sister's Hongluan star stir is simplicity itself."
The truth was, as to how Yang Chan fell for Liu Yanchang,
even Liu Che did not know.
A casual stroke of liberty could not possibly make Yang Jian's sister, the Third Sacred Mother, pine to her marrow.
Who did he think he was?
Even the literary star wouldn't catch Yang Chan's eye.
If there weren't ghosts at work, who would believe it?
There had to be trickery.
In any case, hanging the black pot on Buddhism was the safest play.
As expected,
after hearing his words, Yang Jian fell silent for a long while.
Then he sent a message (967).
Judicial God: "Perhaps you're right. Those Buddhist bald-heads are capable of anything. To divide me from Heaven—yes, that would indeed be the best way."
It drives a wedge with the Jade Emperor,
and severs ties at the same time.
A perfect plan.
PuduZhongsheng: "My child, go prepare a sacrifice—offer it to God! While there's still time. Otherwise when Lingshan hears and moves against you, there will be no way out!"
He knew that gang of bald donkeys in Lingshan all too well.
To provoke Guanyin this time
was to invite endless reprisals.
Offer sacrifice directly to God, obtain the power to crush all beneath your heel.
This is the true and perfect law.
Spirit of the Demon Sword: "Don't coddle him. He'll understand when he loses his sister. I used to hesitate and hesitate, and only understood regret when my own brother was killed."
Tanjiro: "Uh… Nightshade's turned pitch-black again!"
The Fox Who Only Loves Money: "There's no medicine for regret. Anyway, since God has come out today to answer questions for the two newcomers, let's hold our horses for now—God won't respond again~"
Li Er: "In any case, I'm preparing to enter Heaven with the gods and kill our way through! Talk later…"
Tanjiro: "I'm in."
Chu Dashan: "+1."
PuduZhongsheng: "I wish you all a smooth journey."
…
Journey to the West world.
Yang Jian returned to the Erlang Temple at Guanjiangkou.
"Brother, why were you out so long this time? Did you find someone to spar with?"
Yang Chan ran over, up and down the steps, her obedient sweetness
warming Yang Jian's cold heart with a small glow.
But then he recalled the God's words.
If they could do everything under the sun just to deal with a monkey, what would they do to him?
And the divine method he practiced—
from the perspective of ordinary beings, it amounted to taking refuge in an extraterrestrial, "evil" god.
Yang Jian drew a deep breath and smiled at his sister. "Chan'er, where is your Baolian Lantern? I want to borrow it. I'll send you to a safe place as well. The world is about to fall into chaos."
Yang Chan: "???"