Primordial World: Big shots are all my friends-Chapter 900 - 823: Shen Gongbao’s Sophistry
Shen Gongbao saw that all the gods had laid down their weapons and said with a chuckle, "That’s more like it! Zhunti Buddha Mother once said that Golden Core Relic embodies righteousness and benevolence, and Buddhism and Taoism were originally one family. If we face each other with swords drawn, it looks as if we are bullying our own family." He appeared as if to mediate and make peace.
Sun Wukong whispered, "Has the Diplomacy God been bought off by Buddhism? Shouldn’t we conduct a thorough investigation?"
Ao Bing sneered, "It’s not that I look down on Buddhism, but with their humble appearance, could they have possibly bought off the Diplomacy God?"
Even though they spoke quietly, all the Immortal Gods in the hall could hear.
Shen Gongbao twitched the corner of his mouth, "So you’re the Great Sage Sun Wukong, huh? I’ll remember you."
Guanyin Bodhisattva’s smile gradually disappeared from her face. Although Buddhism is now quite influential, its poverty is an indescribable pain for Buddhism. Taoists humbly refer to themselves as "poor Taoist" while Buddhists truly are "poor monks." Ksitigarbha once led Buddhism into a disastrous situation, leaving it financially drained, even relinquishing many medicinal gardens and palaces to the Three Realms Bank. Poor, indeed so poor.
Shen Gongbao feigned ignorance and asked, "Crown Prince, as I passed by, I heard a commotion inside. What on earth is happening? 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺
Please be sure not to damage the friendship between our Heavenly Court and Buddhism."
Sun Wukong mumbled softly, "I knew from the start he was up to no good! Now he’s been exposed! He must have been bought off by Buddhism. I suggest checking his bank account."
Nezha murmured, "Do we even have any friendship with Buddhism?"
Sun Wukong thought for a moment and then fell silent, as if there truly was no relationship.
Yang Jiao gravely said, "The Dragon Slayer Arhat, after getting drunk, caused chaos in the Palace of the Polestar, injuring Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. According to the Heavenly Law Order, this should result in a century of imprisonment, but Guanyin Bodhisattva intervened to plead for leniency, resisting Heavenly Punishment."
Shen Gongbao, immediately becoming annoyed, said, "Divine Monarch, it’s not that I’m blaming you all, but for such a trivial matter, must you be so serious? Who is the Dragon Slayer Arhat? A Golden Arhat from Spiritual Mountain, even if drunk, what does it matter if he urinates in the Palace of the Polestar?"
The Dragon Slayer Arhat couldn’t help but shout, "I didn’t urinate!"
Shen Gongbao turned to look at the Dragon, smiling broadly, "It’s a metaphor, just a metaphor. Even if it happened, it doesn’t matter."
The Dragon Slayer Arhat twitched his mouth twice, "I truly didn’t urinate."
Shen Gongbao then turned to Yang Jiao, instantly becoming serious, "The Dragon Slayer Arhat is a renowned virtuous Arhat in the Three Realms. So he had a few too many drinks—are you really going to keep at it?
Even Guanyin Bodhisattva has stepped in now. Even if you don’t give face to the Dragon Slayer, you must pay respect to Guanyin Bodhisattva. Listen to me, let it go!"
The Dragon Slayer Arhat beamed, "The Diplomacy God is truly remarkable."
Yang Jian immediately displeased, sternly said, "Diplomacy God, this is the Palace of the Polestar."
"Has anyone ever caused a drunken commotion at the Palace of the Polestar? Among the heavenly laws, is there a specific punishment for drunkenly disturbing the Palace of the Polestar?"
Yang Jian hesitated for a moment and said, "Well... that’s true, there isn’t. The law only specifies imprisonment from one month to a century for drunken disorderly conduct. Dragon Slayer Arhat’s chaos at the Palace of the Polestar was particularly severe, thus leading to the century-long sentence."
Shen Gongbao immediately said, "That’s wrong. The Dragon Slayer Arhat is a guest from afar and just happened to drink a bit too much in the Heavenly Court. How does wandering off wrongfully constitute severe misconduct? Did he kill gods or set fires? Did he harass any Goddess?"
Yang Jian shook his head and said, "No!"
"Since none of that happened, it’s deemed a minor drunken misconduct. At most, a one-month labor reform is sufficient. And considering Guanyin Bodhisattva’s face, let’s waive this month, shall we?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva stood nearby, somewhat bewildered looking at Shen Gongbao. "What is going on? Is he intentionally aiding me? Or has he truly been bought off by a Buddhist Buddha?"
Nezha couldn’t hold back and shouted, "Uncle Shen Gong, this is the Palace of the Polestar."
"As there’s no stipulation for drunken behavior in the Palace of the Polestar, we handle it as ordinary drunken conduct. There’s no issue."
Ao Bing, dissatisfied, whispered, "Sun Wukong, I think you’re right, the Diplomacy God is definitely bought off by Buddhism."
Shen Gongbao turned to Guanyin Bodhisattva, smiling, "Ci Hang, don’t you think I’m right?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva hesitated for a moment. Although she didn’t understand Shen Gongbao’s intentions, it was clearly in her favor for now. As for the future, she would just have to remain vigilant. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Diplomacy God, for speaking out righteously, sparing the Dragon Slayer Arhat from a century-long sentence. I shall take him back to Spiritual Mountain for strict supervision."
Shen Gongbao laughed heartily and said, "It’s only right. As a Diplomacy God, maintaining good external relations on behalf of the Heavenly Court is my duty."
Guanyin Bodhisattva waved her hand, and the power of the Demon-Suppressing Treasure Staff on the Dragon Slayer Arhat was temporarily subdued by her, restoring his freedom.
The Dragon Slayer Arhat breathed a sigh of relief, quickly put his hands together in gratitude and said, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva, thank you, Diplomacy God."
He felt immense gratitude towards Shen Gongbao. Had Shen Gongbao not resolved the situation today, the trouble he caused would have been hard to settle. He also felt a tinge of admiration; with just a few words, Shen Gongbao easily dissolved the colossal disaster he had caused. Indeed, he was truly worthy of being the Great Shang National Master back in the day. This skill is indeed impressive!
Shen Gongbao laughed heartily and said, "No need to be courteous. Go back and rest well, ensure you do not harm your foundation."
The Dragon Slayer Arhat looked deeply at Shen Gongbao with gratitude, feeling indebted for today’s kindness which he promised to repay one day.
Yang Jian frowned and said, "Big Brother!"
Yang Jiao quietly said, "Don’t rush~ just watch."
The friendlier Shen Gongbao acted, the more uneasy Guanyin Bodhisattva felt. Sensing it unsuitable to stay any longer, she immediately said, "Diplomacy God, Dragon Slayer Arhat is seriously injured. As a humble monk, I must take him back for treatment. Buddhism welcomes you to visit anytime."
"Bodhisattva, please wait~"
Shen Gongbao suddenly exclaimed.
"Diplomacy God, is there anything else to order?"
Shen Gongbao said urgently, "Bodhisattva, not good, it seems like there’s a big problem.
The Dragon Slayer Arhat got drunk in the Palace of the Polestar, a minor issue that His Majesty’s generosity wouldn’t care about, but it seems he caused trouble."
The Dragon Slayer Arhat was utterly confused. Causing the biggest trouble wasn’t just the drunken chaos in the Palace of the Polestar? What other trouble could there be?
Shen Gongbao ran up, picking up a few shards from the hall, called out in distress, "This is His Majesty’s favorite Cloud Pattern Purple Jade Cup. How could it have been broken?"
A nearby Heavenly Soldier had a peculiar expression. "Isn’t this the teacup I made myself? How did it turn into His Majesty’s? I didn’t even give it any name. Where did the ’Cloud Pattern Purple Jade Cup’ come from?"
This was accidentally broken during the earlier fight with the Dragon Slayer Arhat, and there was no time to clean up. But as an insightful Heavenly Soldier, he said wisely nothing.
Shen Gongbao examined the shards in his hand repeatedly, fretfully like an ant on a hot pan, drops of sweat trickling down his forehead, anxiously said, "What to do, what to do!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva frowned and said, "Diplomacy God, are you mistaken? From my observation, these shards are just ordinary materials, clumsily crafted—not something His Majesty Hao Tian would use."
