Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 362 Shocked Yang Jian

"You sure take it lightly." A disciple of Buddhism glanced at his companion, "That’s not why I’m here."

"Then why?"

"The Tathagata Buddha is preparing for the Journey to the West, you should know this, right?"

"Of course, I know." His companion nodded, "And didn’t they bring a monkey here before? It seems he was also called Sun Wukong."

As his companion spoke, he paused for a moment, remembering something, "I heard that there wasn’t just one monkey seeking discipleship under Patriarch Bodhi, could it be?"

"Right, you still remember that." Seeing his companion had some knowledge about the matter, the Buddhist disciple felt relieved; it wouldn’t be difficult to explain.

"In fact, it was Sun Wukong who first became the disciple at Patriarch Bodhi’s place, but later he disappeared for some reason. So, the Buddha Ancestor brought in another monkey, the Six-Eared Macaque, thinking of replacing him."

"Then just replace him." His companion shrugged, "This monkey is no longer studying under a master, and the Six-Eared Macaque didn’t acquire his knowledge at Patriarch Bodhi’s for nothing. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone? How come we’ve gone from discussing fears back to the Six-Eared Macaque?"

"I’m about to explain that to you." The disciple of Buddhism looked at his companion with exasperation, "Why are you so impatient?"

"Ah, that’s just my nature, come on, spit it out." The companion poured a cup of tea for the Buddhist disciple as a peace offering.

"All right, let me explain it to you carefully." The Buddhist disciple began to explain to his companion.

In the end, a substitute is never as good as the original. Even though the Six-Eared Macaque had learned quite a bit from Patriarch Bodhi, when it came to natural talent, he was far behind Sun Wukong. Eventually, the Tathagata Buddha decided to switch back to the original Sun Wukong.

Just like his companion mentioned before, Sun Wukong’s ambition was no longer in this affair; he seemed to have no lofty aspirations, as if nothing was more important to him than cooking.

This Buddhist Law banquet, called a banquet, was actually a trap.

It wasn’t for any other reason but to persuade Sun Wukong to undertake the Journey to the West.

If he agreed, all would be well; if he didn’t, then they would have to resort to force.

His companion was shocked, "So there’s so much to it, that’s why you just now... "

"Right." The Buddhist disciple nodded, "I’m not really afraid of him, it’s just that if I start a conflict with him now, and Sun Wukong gets enraged over such a trifling matter causing the banquet to not proceed smoothly, then I’d be in big trouble. I couldn’t withstand that."

"I see." His companion nodded and thought deeply for a moment, showing agreement with the Buddhist disciple’s words, "You’re really thinking of the bigger picture. Look at my wooden head, I nearly made a big mistake."

"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!" Inside the Imperial Kitchen, Sun Wukong vigorously rubbed his nose, "Who’s that scoundrel talking behind my back? If I catch the bastard, I’ll chop him into pieces and feed him to the dogs!"

The dishes were mostly served, and the banquet had reached its climax.

Many Immortals had drunk quite a bit of Peach Blossom Wine. Although the wine was tasty, it was still intoxicating if drunk in excess.

The Buddhists didn’t drink, but they couldn’t withstand the enthusiasm of those old drunkards. Both sides had already started mingling and exchanging pleasantries.

Master Zhenyuan had also drunk a lot and talked nonstop to Erlang Shen, Yang Jian.

Yang Jian had some self-control and was mindful of his alcohol limit, having not drunk excessively.

Even though he genuinely wanted to drink more, considering how drinking could lead to trouble—if he didn’t get drunk and act foolishly, he might accidentally say something regrettable—it wasn’t a good idea.

As Master Zhenyuan kept chattering away, Yang Jian felt his head ache and was just about to stand up when he saw someone from the side of the Buddhists approaching.

"Well, if it isn’t Erlang Shen, Yang Jian. Everyone’s enjoying themselves, where are you off to?"

The person who came was Maitreya Buddha; he strode over with a big belly, laughing cheerily.

Yang Jian was unwilling to chat much with people from Buddhism, especially Maitreya Buddha. Although he seemed amiable and approachable at first glance, upon closer examination, one would realize he was a smiley-faced tiger.

He was also a formidable figure who would never be soft-hearted when it came to matters that needed to be done.

"There’s nothing much, just had a bit too much to drink and needed a stroll."

"You don’t look like someone who’s drunk to me," Maitreya Buddha said, pressing down Yang Jian who was about to stand up, "Come on, come on, opportunities like this are rare; let’s have a couple of drinks."

Although Yang Jian was somewhat reluctant, there was a saying among the people that one does not slap a smiling face. Even if unwilling, the Buddha before him was smiling and had offered, so if he refused, he would appear to be at fault. Thus, he could only pick up the cup in front of him.

"Here."

Peach Blossom Wine was fragrant and bracing, cool at first and then sweet upon the palate. After a cup, his mood considerably improved.

Yang Jian’s brows, which had been tightly furrowed, relaxed somewhat, but then he suddenly sensed something amiss, "You, you this!"

"What?" Maitreya Buddha didn’t understand his meaning.

"You are a man of Buddhism, how can you drink alcohol?" Yang Jian’s brows furrowed once again, "Isn’t this breaking precepts?"

"Hehehe." Maitreya Buddha chuckled, "I thought it was something serious; it’s just this."

Yang Jian looked at Maitreya Buddha with puzzlement. He hadn’t interacted much with Maitreya, and apart from the matter with his mother, his impression of Maitreya had been okay. He hadn’t expected such a prominent figure to break precepts.

"I, a drinker, don’t mind it, so why does Erlang Shen seem to care even more than I do?"

"Isn’t breaking precepts a serious matter for people of your Buddhist faith? How can it be of no concern?"

Yang Jian stared intently at Maitreya Buddha, even wondering if he had been possessed by some demon, or was simply an imposter, because even ordinary Buddhist disciples, faced with great temptations, would think to uphold the precepts, and yet he...

Maitreya Buddha laughed and swirled his wine cup, cheerfully repeating the phrase he often kept on his lips, "The wine and meat pass through, but the Buddha stays in the heart."

The wine and meat pass through, but the Buddha stays in the heart.

Yang Jian contemplated this saying meticulously; at first listen it seemed to hold some truth, but from his perspective, it also felt somewhat off.

What was Maitreya Buddha’s cultivation level, and what were the cultivation levels of the other Buddhist disciples?

For Maitreya Buddha, he indeed had the right to say these words, and indeed, they carried some convincing power when spoken by him.

But for those cultivators with lower cultivation levels and newer to the Buddhist path, uttering such words would be merely an excuse for their behavior.

Yang Jian looked at Maitreya Buddha’s wine-flushed face, "Is this your reason for breaking the precept?"

"No, for me, this doesn’t count as breaking precepts," Maitreya Buddha denied Yang Jian’s words.

"Then what do you mean?"

"As long as I have Buddha in my heart, no matter what I do, it’s all wholeheartedly towards my Buddha." With that, Maitreya Buddha raised his cup and took another sip of wine, the Peach Blossom Wine eliciting an involuntary sound of appreciation from him, "This is truly a good drink."

"Your words are just a cover-up for your action of breaking precepts," Yang Jian said sternly, "I originally thought you were a Buddha who would comply with the rules, but now it seems you are no different from the rest."