Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage-Chapter 59 - Zhang Bairan Conspires with Gou Chen

Tathagata angrily said, “How preposterous!”

Burning Lamp Buddha said with a smile, “Buddha Ancestor need not be angry, for we have had disciples operating within Southern Ridge Demon Mountain for many years.”

Tathagata said happily, “Oh? What insight does the Buddha Ancestor Burning Lamp have?”

Burning Lamp Buddha said, “The Demon Tribe is accustomed to disarray and stubbornness, making them easily prone to conflict. I have a disciple, Ju Liusun, who has operated among the Demon Tribe for many years, capable of inciting disputes among them. Although the Golden Crow and Dragon Clans back them, Buddha Ancestor should not forget that the Demon Tribe contains many more fearsome races.”

This Ju Liusun was one of the Twelve Golden Immortals from the Jade Void Palace under Lord of Primordial Beginning, but later joined Buddhism and was titled Buddha Ju Liusun. Later, as part of the Buddhist Sect’s grand plan, Burning Lamp ordered Ju Liusun to infiltrate Southern Ridge Demon Mountain.

Tathagata nodded slightly, saying, “The Demon Tribe’s Green Emperor Ling Weiyang has been in seclusion for many years, and now they are about to have another Green Emperor — why would the Demon Tribe be willing? This ploy of sowing discord is just perfect, very good!”

Tathagata repeated the word ‘good’ twice, clearly satisfied with the plan.

“Where is the Great Might Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva!” called the Tathagata.

“Your disciple is here,” the Great Might Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva stepped forward from among the countless bodhisattvas, paying tribute to the Buddha Ancestor.

Tathagata said with a smile, “You will go to Southern Ridge Demon Mountain with Buddha Ju Liusun, the disciple of Buddha Ancestor Burning Lamp. You have attained the true fruit of the elephantine dragon and have great use! At that time, you should follow Buddha Ju Liusun’s intentions, as this is a major plan of our Buddhist Sect, do not act on your own.”

Great Might Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva clasped his hands together and said, “Your disciple understands.”

This Great Might Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva belonged to the dragon-elephant clan within the Demon Tribe, naturally gifted with divine strength, later converted by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, attaining enlightenment. It was said he was the most powerful bodhisattva in Western Heaven, able to move Mount Sumeru! Doesn’t it take immeasurable strength to do so? A poem about him goes, “In kasaya robe like the crimson sun, with features serene and scholarly in poise. In ashes and mist through jest and fun, with both hands he can prop up Mount Sumeru.” Anyone would struggle to comprehend how someone of such refined demeanor could move Mount Sumeru.

Burning Lamp then led Great Might Heavenly Dragon Bodhisattva away to find Ju Liusun at Southern Ridge Demon Mountain.

The Buddhist Sect’s actions were indeed necessary as they had long coveted Southern Ridge Demon Mountain, but since those ancient powers had not died, they dared not overtly take over, and instead had to act covertly, gradually weakening the Demon Tribe’s strength. And now, the emergence of the Heaven-Defying Taoist rallying the four corners of the Demon Tribe’s forces was surely spoiling their careful plans.

As for Heavenly Court, Jade Emperor was also greatly surprised upon hearing this news.

He then ordered the spirit officials to summon Emperor Gou Chen.

Emperor Gou Chen bowed from afar to the Jade Emperor, saying, “Emperor Gou Chen of Western Extremity, Indra pays his respects to the Most High Jade Emperor, Your Majesty!”

But Jade Emperor waved his hand and said, “There is no need for such formalities, Emperor Gou Chen.”

Then Emperor Gou Chen said, “Thank Your Majesty.”

No matter what, the Jade Emperor was the ruler of ten thousand heavens, the Supreme of High Heaven. A few bows wouldn’t hurt, and it would only add to his reputation as one who knew proper courtesy.

“Emperor Gou Chen, please take a seat,” said the Jade Emperor with a smile.

Thereupon, Emperor Gou Chen found a chair and sat down, ready to see why the Jade Emperor had summoned him today.

The Jade Emperor said, “Since your eminence has arrived, I won’t beat around the bush. Emperor Gou Chen Di Jun is the Supreme God of the Western Extremity, ruling over all demons. Do you know that a major event is unfolding on Southern Ridge Demon Mountain right now?”

Emperor Gou Chen asked, “Oh? What event?”

He actually already knew about it but pretended to be ignorant to see what the Jade Emperor’s arrangements would be. Although Emperor Gou Chen ruled over all demons, he didn’t wish to stand out, and no matter how urgent, he would have to wait for the Jade Emperor to issue an imperial edict. After all, the Jade Emperor was the ruler of the myriad heavens.

The Jade Emperor cursed inwardly at Gou Chen’s cunning but said, “That Heaven-Defying demon recently stirred up trouble again, rumored to have received Di Jun’s legacy. Moreover, he has lately gained the approval of Ling Weiyang, the Green Emperor, and is now gaining momentum among the Demon Tribe, with both the Dragon Clan and the Golden Crow Clan having pledged allegiance. The forces of Water Curtain Cave are growing increasingly powerful and look to become another Great Sage Equalling Heaven, yet far more formidable than that macaque!”

Feigning surprise, Emperor Gou Chen said, “Oh! Such a thing is happening? That demon is quite impressive, to have received the ancestral inheritance.”

The Jade Emperor continued, “Not only that, but he has also won over Ling Weiyang, the Green Emperor. He is currently recruiting followers everywhere with the Green Lotus in hand.”

Emperor Gou Chen exclaimed, “We must act at once! Quickly dispatch troops to eradicate Water Curtain Cave!”

The Jade Emperor was annoyed and thought to himself, “With the current chaos in the clash between Buddhism and Taoism, and the Demon Abyss of the Northern Region showing signs of unrest, would it not greatly harm my primordial Qi to dispatch troops to Water Curtain Cave now? You, Gou Chen, really have the audacity to make me beg you! Once this crisis is over, I must make you four great emperors bow down!” Though that was his thought, all he could verbally express was, “Ah, do you not know, your eminence? The critical moment of the Buddhist-Taoist conflict is at hand. How can my Heavenly Court act rashly? As a standout among the Golden Crow Clan of yore, surely you have a solution.”

After pondering for a moment, Emperor Gou Chen said, “The Emperor of the Purple Microcosm has the great powers of the Heavenly Court at his disposal and commands numerous troops and generals. He is the one who should be in charge of this matter.”

The Jade Emperor thought, “You’re all still struggling for power at a time like this!”

The Jade Emperor then said, “The Emperor of the Purple Microcosm is currently traveling outside, engrossed in comprehending the Great Dao, so I had no choice but to seek out Emperor Gou Chen.”

Following another moment of silence, Emperor Gou Chen laughed and said, “Back in the day, the three teachings signed the Investiture of the Gods, but our Demon Tribe also had a list called Emperor’s Path Ranking. It was used to elect the Green Emperor of our tribe; but since the Green Emperor has yet to perish, it has remained unused. I will now distribute this Emperor’s Path Ranking. I will list the distinguished figures of the Demon Tribe in it, and surely someone will be dissatisfied. Soon, we won’t lack a conflict. Your Majesty, what do you think?”

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor could not contain his joy, saying, “Emperor Gou Chen really is ingenious. Such a brilliant plan! Such a brilliant plan!”

With a faint smile, Emperor Gou Chen said, “Then, I ask Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree. Since Your Majesty is the ruler of the myriad heavens, even Southern Ridge Demon Mountain falls under your jurisdiction. Your decree to circulate the Emperor’s Path Ranking will allow those worthy to occupy it, possibly becoming the Green Emperor of the Demon Tribe. Then, I will personally descend to the Lower Realm to contend for it!”

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor was slightly startled but did not show it. Instead, he said, “Very well! As Emperor Gou Chen suggests, summon the scribes to draft the imperial decree.”

So the Jade Emperor drafted a decree which Emperor Gou Chen took with him to the Western Extremity Palace. He summoned his subordinates and then began to scheme.

“Hmph!”

After Emperor Gou Chen had left, the Jade Emperor flicked his sleeves heavily and said in annoyance, “That Indra really thinks too highly of himself!”

The Queen Mother appeared in the grand hall at some point, poised and beautiful, not at all plump and matronly as the legends suggest. She smiled at the Jade Emperor and said, “Your Majesty, that Gou Chen is arrogant, but after all, he is a spawn of the Demon Tribe. Nonetheless, he is the only one who can resolve this Southern Ridge Demon Mountain affair. The Emperor’s Path Ranking was originally established by the Green Emperor to guard against his sudden demise. To think that it ended up in Gou Chen’s hands, and he has kept it hidden for so long, shows his ambition and wild aspirations.”

The Jade Emperor scoffed, “Which of the four great emperors doesn’t wish to replace me?!”

The Queen Mother handed a white flag to the Jade Emperor and said, “One must strike at Gou Chen like lightning and then swiftly use the main army to gather his followers to prevent them from rebelling or pledging loyalty to the other three great emperors. With this Plain Cloud Boundary Flag, we need not worry that Gou Chen won’t perish. In some days, I will hold a Peach Banquet to win people’s hearts and ease Your Majesty’s path to unifying all under Heaven.”

The Jade Emperor grasped the Queen Mother’s hand and said, “Queen Mother truly is my wise consort!”

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

The Queen Mother smiled and said, “It’s just a pity that I will lose quite a few peaches.”

The Queen Mother’s Peach Garden had three thousand six hundred peach trees. The first twelve hundred bore small flowers and fruits that ripened every three thousand years; whoever ate them would become immortal and achieve the Way. The middle twelve hundred ripened every six thousand years; whoever ate them would ascend in a haze and gain eternal life. The last twelve hundred had purple stripes and fine pits, ripening every nine thousand years; whoever ate them would live as long as Heaven and Earth, their lifespan equaling that of the sun and the moon. Wukong once ate who knows how many peaches. However, being mischievous by nature and unaware of the marvelous benefits of the peaches, he did not refine them after consuming them. Over time, the essence of the peaches dissipated, and while his lifespan increased greatly, his mana not at all.

If only he had been wise enough to refine the essence of the peaches he consumed, perhaps he wouldn’t have suffered such a dismal defeat.

The Queen Mother’s peaches and the Pharmacist’s Ginseng Fruit were things coveted by everyone in the Three Realms.

Had it not been for the Queen Mother controlling the Jade Pool Peach Garden, using it to win over the hearts of many immortals, it’s possible that the one sitting atop the Hall of Brightness today wouldn’t be Jade Emperor Zhang Bairan.

Well, speaking of which, the name Zhang Bairan really is interesting—it means ‘has endured a hundred or so times,’ having been bullied to the extent of tenacity. Thankfully, he has indeed endured, otherwise, he might well not be the Jade Emperor now!