The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 48 - 0 Guanyin Mediates

Shemoteng and Zhufalan immediately guessed that these two were likely there to prevent the spread of Buddhism to the East.

The fame of True Lord Erlang was known both within and beyond the Three Realms, making the two of them particularly nervous, especially given their vulnerable state of their Primordial Spirits being detached.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven could not help but laugh derisively, “You clearly know our purpose; why ask such a foolish question?”

Zhufalan inquired, “Have you come to prevent the propagation of our Buddhist Sect’s teachings to the Eastern Land?”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven scoffed, “What if we have?”

Shemoteng boldly stated, “The spread of Buddhism to the East aligns with the Heavenly Dao. You, having become immortals, still seek to act against heaven, which will inevitably entangle you in karma. How will you face the consequences then?”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven declared, “I do not believe your claim that Buddhism’s spread is aligned with the Heavenly Dao. Even if it were so, I would still choose to defy heaven!”

Both Shemoteng and Zhufalan’s expressions grew solemn as they simultaneously said, “Very well! Please, proceed as you wish. When the time comes, we shall resolve this matter.”

Yang Jian’s face also turned cold, “Very well, very well! It won’t be long before we meet again. Then we shall see whether your Buddhist Law is superior or if my Taoist Arts reign supreme!”

Shemoteng laughed, “Naturally, it will be Buddhism that reigns. Haven’t you seen that during the Ancient Era of Deification, Western Buddhism gained the greatest benefits?”

This was indeed true: Western Buddhism had significantly benefited and, whereas Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, who thought he had emerged victorious, had lost four disciples—Judliusun, Cihang, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra. In contrast, Western Religion not only avoided any losses but also gained a group of disciples from the Interpretation and Termination Sects.

“You can only bring up the affairs of the Divine Enthronement to make your point. Do you dare to engage in a Magic Combat to see which is stronger?” Yang Jian, being a legitimate follower of the Chan teaching, naturally felt displeased hearing them belittle Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch.

Recognizing their inferior mana, Shemoteng and Zhufalan declined, “Enough, Magic Combat is not our strength. However, if we were to discuss principles, that might still be plausible.”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven and True Lord Yang Jian had indeed been listening to the two men expounding on Buddhism amidst the clouds for the past several days. They understood that the two possessed exceptional eloquence and formidable debating skills, plus the followers of Buddhism often used sophisticated arguments, while the Taoists advocated simplicity. Convinced they were no match for the duo, they simply laughed it off, seeing no reason to embarrass themselves.

True Lord Yang Jian chuckled and said, “Mr. Yang made his name with the Three-point Double-edged Spear, yet you two speak to me of reason.”

Shemoteng replied, “This poor monk made his name with just his words, yet True Lord Erlang insists on resorting to violence, which really isn’t ideal.”

Having received words from Bodhidharma, Shemoteng and Zhufalan knew they were surely protected by some master in secret, therefore they feared not these two adversaries. However, aware that they were not a match in a magical duel, they could only resort to reasoning. Although the Daoist Equal to Heaven was versed in the doctrines, he also deemed himself no match for the pair.

True Lord Yang Jian said, “Heh, as eloquent as expected. I, the Daoist Master, am loath to waste words with you. If we are to compare our abilities, we might as well present our weapons straight away.”

At that moment, a flicker of Buddha Light appeared and suddenly, a person with a gentle countenance, holding the Pure Vase, a willow branch inserted within, and dressed in white appeared beside them — manifesting a deep empathy for all beings. The Daoist Equal to Heaven recognized this person as none other than Guanyin of the South Sea, who had granted Tang Sanzang the tight hoop!

Upon seeing Guanyin, True Lord Yang Jian also paused, then bowed respectfully and said, “I pay my respects to the Bodhisattva.”

Shemoteng and Zhufalan also said, “We pay our respects to the Bodhisattva.”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven, recalling how in a former life he was able to match the Daluo Golden Immortal Six-Eared Macaque blow for blow thanks to Guanyin secretly lending her mana, suspected that Guanyin might not necessarily ally herself with the Tathagata. Grateful for her significant favor, he said, “The poor Daoist, Daoist Equal to Heaven, pays his respects to the great Bodhisattva Guanyin.”

Guanyin, holding her Pure Vase calmly, said, “These two, Shemoteng and Zhufalan, are disciples of our Western Buddhism. I kindly ask you two Daoists not to make things difficult for them. If indeed you wish to determine the superiority between the Taoist Teachings and the Buddhist Law, I ask that you wait until Shemoteng and Zhufalan have reached the Eastern Land to discuss this.”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven and True Lord Yang Jian contemplated internally, “Indeed, these two have a powerful protector in the shadows; otherwise, why would they dare to let their Primordial Spirits leave their bodies?”

Guanyin, too, had seen Shemoteng and Zhufalan’s Primordial Spirits leave their bodies and had felt compelled to intervene. The Primordial Spirit is extremely fragile. If Yang Jian and the Daoist Equal to Heaven had launched a sudden attack, she wouldn’t have been able to stop them in time, and had something happened, the Buddha Ancestor might have blamed her. She was also secretly irritated with Shemoteng and Zhufalan for recklessly using their Primordial Spirits to meet with the Daoist Equal to Heaven and Yang Jian, which was nearly as foolish as a calf not fearing a tiger. What use their cultivation of Buddhist principles if lacking mana, they would just as easily be pulverized? Does not one see that even Minister Jiang Ziya, despite some cultivation, still required substance? Tang Sanzang, although profound in Buddhist Law, was yet captured by demons along the Journey to the West, illustrating that without strength, all endeavors halve their effectiveness.

“Since the Bodhisattva has thus spoken, we naturally owe it to her,” said True Lord Yang Jian.

Being a reincarnation of the Cihang Daoist, and in fact a generation senior to True Lord Yang Jian, it was only right to offer her this courtesy. Moreover, the relationship between Guanyin and the Taoist Sect was quite amiable, and they certainly were not a match against her; it was better to acknowledge her status openly.

Shemoteng and Zhufalan said, “Thank you, Bodhisattva, for your intervention.”

Guanyin nodded and said, “You may return now. You will soon cross to the Eastern Land to spread the Buddhist Law. It is best that you recuperate and save your strength.”

The two nodded repeatedly, their Primordial Spirits descended from the cloud and returned to their bodies, only then realizing how reckless they had been. Had the Bodhisattva not arrived in time, a dire outcome might have ensued.

As they looked at each other, they could not hide their lingering fear.

After Shemoteng and Zhufalan had left, Guanyin then addressed True Lord Yang Jian and Daoist Equal to Heaven, “I thank you both for this favor. We shall settle your disputes when you arrive in the Eastern Land.”

The Daoist Equal to Heaven replied, “Indeed, since the Bodhisattva has decreed it so, let it be.”

Guanyin seemed on the verge of speaking, then shook her head and turned to leave.

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