The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 69 - 0 Human Plans Are Hardly a Match for

Fu Yi quickly said, “Your Majesty! Dreaming of a golden man flying in the palace hall is an auspicious sign. Now that the Daoist sect stands unchallenged, introducing Buddhism to create a balance would be wise. Otherwise, why would these Daoist masters appear in the mortal world?”

Liu Zhuang also saw some reason in this; the emperor’s strategy is all about balance. Daoist masters rarely appeared, but now they did because he wanted to introduce Buddhism, and they even demonstrated their divine skills to compete with Buddhist Law. The best way, naturally, is to introduce Buddhism, balance the Daoists, and then let the two contend. In promoting their respective Paths, they will undoubtedly strive to do good deeds, which will benefit the Great Han Dynasty.

When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits! Such is the emperor’s way of balance.

Liu Zhuang felt uneasy about what Daoist Equal to Heaven had said, yet he also thought it was overly assured. Now, how could a religion shake the unparalleled Great Han Dynasty? However, every dynasty naturally has its flaws—land monopolies, eunuch dominance, ministerial factionalism, all key factors in a dynasty’s downfall. Hence from ancient times to now, no dynasty has ever lasted forever, usually perishing after a hundred or several hundred years, before a new regime emerges.

Ancestor Chen Tuan stroked his beard, “This Bodhidharma indeed has some attainment in Taoist practice; even if I were to make a move, I probably wouldn’t fare any better.”

Unibrow Daoist was quite shocked as well; he always thought Zhang Junshi’s Tai Chi Fist was the best in the world, but it turned out that it still couldn’t defeat Bodhidharma.

Zhang Junshi said quietly, “Patriarch Bodhidharma truly lives up to his reputation, possessing great wisdom in the art of martial arts! I’ve learned a lot!”

Patriarch Bodhidharma said, “Without experiencing Tai Chi Fist, I wouldn’t have realized how many great masters there are in the world. I too have learned a lot.”

Both were geniuses of their era with comparable attainments in martial arts; this bout had exhausted them, and yet they ended in a draw, which was truly astonishing.

Daoist Equal to Heaven asked, “How should this bout be counted?”

Zhang Junshi shook his head helplessly, took a swig of wine, and said, “It must be considered a draw. Our martial arts skills are equal; it’s hard to determine a winner.”

However, managing a draw with Patriarch Bodhidharma, universally acknowledged as the world’s foremost martial arts master, was truly a matter of pride for Zhang Junshi! After all, Bodhidharma was the top martial arts master, and Zhang Junshi, this unkempt Taoist who took a shortcut, managed to draw with him. After this battle, his name was destined to be known throughout the world.

“Tai Chi Fist is indeed miraculous, subtly aligning with the universal Heavenly Dao, truly astonishing! In terms of individual martial arts techniques, none can match him,” Bodhidharma thought to himself, but he would never utter such discouraging words aloud.

Shemoteng and Zhufalan were the most shocked; their master’s martial arts were considered the best in the world, yet now he had drawn with someone else, something they had never seen before. They could hardly believe that there was such a formidable martial arts master within the Daoist circles.

Patriarch Bodhidharma was indeed among the top masters of the Buddhist Sect; drawing with him was actually good for the Daoist Sect. Now, Patriarch Bodhidharma could not fight anymore, it should be either Unibrow Daoist or Ancestor Chen Tuan facing Monk She De.

Unibrow Daoist’s mana was weaker by one level than Zhang Junshi, being a Daluo Golden Immortal of First Heaven, but as many sect leaders of Taoism of the Heavenly Masters were of the Daluo Golden Immortal standard, who else could propagate their Dao and maintain order?

The Eastern Taoist Sects still had many masters, such as those of the Shushan Sword Sect lineage, all of whom cultivated a sword artifact, possessing astonishing power, allowing one man with a sword to dominate a region.

Bodhidharma clasped his hands together and said, “Namo Amitabha Buddha, Daoist Zhang Junshi’s fist technique is profound; I have certainly learned from it. This bout, with no clear winner, must be considered a draw. Now, is it Unibrow Daoist who will take the next match?”

Unibrow Daoist naturally said, “Of course, I will take the next match.”

Unibrow Taoist was the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect lineage, and naturally, the Maoshan Sect was most famous for its Talismans, employing their power to dominate the Four Seas. In the Taoism of the Heavenly Masters, the Orthodox Unity Sect was also extremely formidable, specializing in Thunder Magic, which had the greatest power!

The Orthodox Unity Sect could be considered a representative of the Taoism of the Heavenly Masters, producing many capable people. Within the Taoism of the Heavenly Masters, there was also the lineage of the Dragon and Tiger Sect, which was also extremely formidable.

The influence of the Taoism of the Heavenly Masters in the mortal world was vast, producing many masters, venerating Zhang Daoling as the Patriarch and worshipping the Three Pure Ones.

Bodhidharma thought to himself, “The Maoshan Sect lineage is also extremely formidable. This Unibrow Taoist has an extraordinary talent, rumored to be an Innate Daoist constitution, born with white hair and a youthful face, distinguished by a single white eyebrow. I wonder if Monk She De can match this Unibrow Taoist?”

Equal to Heaven Taoist Priest slightly furrowed his brows, saying to Yang Jian, “There are still many masters in our Daoist sects who have yet to arrive, and surely there are masters in the Buddhist sect as well. The competition will become even more exciting. It’s just that I wonder how Tathagata and the Three Pure Ones plan to conclude this event?”

Yang Jian nodded; there were already many masters who had come this time, including even Ancestor Chen Tuan showing himself.

“Hold on, hold on! One-Brow Daoist Friend, we must at least speak of priority. For this round, it would be best if I were to take over,” laughed Chen Tuan.

If Chen Tuan were to face Monk She De, it would naturally be almost a certain victory, definitely capable of winning this match. However, surely the Buddhist sect also understood this logic, so how could they allow Chen Tuan to face Monk She De?

“Why must True Person Master Fuyao bully the weaker? I, Shan Wuwei, would actually like to experience the True Person’s Daoist arts,” said another Buddhist sect high master who had come forth, it was the Esoteric Sect’s Master Shan Wuwei.

Equal to Heaven Taoist Priest was still shocked in his heart, it was another master of the Second Layer of Heaven of Da Luo Golden Immortal level! Indeed, the waters of the Buddhist Sect ran deep.

The Buddhist sect was divided into the Esoteric Sect and the Prominent Sect. The Prominent Sect acknowledged Tathagata as the Buddhist Ancestor, while the Esoteric Sect recognized Tathagata’s incarnations, the Five Great Wisdom Kings and Mahavairocana as the Buddhist ancestor; in reality, both were controlled by Tathagata alone, but due to differing doctrines, they were divided into two sects.

The address of the Esoteric Sect was on the Vedha Continent at the remote edges of West Cow He State; the people there consumed raw flesh and drank blood, and technology was extremely backward, but they worshipped the Esoteric Sect fervently. Their incense power and wishes were the purest. Although the Vedha Continent was not large, the incense power and wish power it provided to the Esoteric Sect were substantial. The locals had come to treat the worship of the Esoteric Buddhism Patriarch as a daily routine, visiting the Patriarch regardless of whether there was a need, even giving thanks to the Patriarch before meals for the food bestowed upon them.

In West Cow He State and the Southern Toad Continent, however, people’s thoughts were more complex, praying for this and that, resulting in less pure incense power and wish power. Thus, the Buddhist Ancestors, Bodhisattvas, and Immortals had to refine out the mixed thoughts when absorbing these, making it far inferior to the pure incense power and wish power of the Vedha Continent’s Esoteric Sect, and much more troublesome.

Master Fuyao nodded in agreement, “So it is Master Shan Wuwei! I was just looking forward to experiencing profound Buddhist teachings, your arrival is timely.”

Shan Wuwei appeared somewhat corpulent but looked even more amiable and benevolent, clasping his hands together, “Then I ask for guidance from True Person Master Fuyao.”

This series of magic combats were drawing close, and it was nearly dark. Although the court officials greatly enjoyed watching, having watched from morning until now, they were also hungry, and even the Emperor was somewhat unable to hold on.

“All Elders and True Persons, listen to me,” suddenly said Liu Zhuang.

Both the Buddhist and Daoist parties immediately turned their attention to Liu Zhuang to hear what he had to say.

Liu Zhuang then said, “Due to the Golden Man entering my dreams, leading Buddhism to spread The Way of the Dao in our Eastern Land is surely a heavenly ordination. As the chosen son of Heaven, I must naturally comply with this heavenly decree. My Elders and True Persons, let’s not continue this combat. My will is set, allowing the Buddhist Sect’s teachings to be spread in the Eastern Land and a temple to be erected. The subsequent matters will depend on the situation.”

Upon hearing this, those from the Daoist side immediately changed their expression, wanting to advise against it, but Liu Zhuang waved his hand, saying, “True gold fears no fire. If the Buddhist Sect’s teachings truly aren’t suitable for spreading in the Great Han, I will naturally expel them from the Eastern Land. Once the temple is erected, all True Persons whether you wish to challenge the Buddhist teachings or the Daoist arts, just go ahead. If you can surpass the Buddhist teachings, I will naturally expel them. The day has grown dark; let us stop here!”

He then ordered a banquet to be prepared, inviting both the Buddhist Elders and Daoist True Persons to drink together.

Daoist Equal to Heaven sighed deeply, thinking to himself, “Man’s calculations are no match for Heaven’s, no wonder Tathagata was so confident. He must have foreseen the Emperor’s thoughts!”

The Emperor of Southern Toad Continent was one who complied with the heavenly decree to inherit the imperial title, possessed great luck, and with the energy of the Dragon Vein suppressing the Eight Desolates. Even divine beings couldn’t harm them without attracting a great heavenly karma. It wasn’t about whether they could kill them, but being settled by Heavenly Dao was a certainty. Thus, regardless of who it was, respect towards the reigning Human Emperor was paramount. Otherwise, during the Divine Enthronement battle, why didn’t those masters from the Interpretation Sect directly infiltrate Chaoge and assassinate King Zhou?

Daoist Equal to Heaven felt desolate in his heart, not expecting things to turn out this unfavorably. It seemed he could only plan slowly, and if worse came to worst, embark on another Journey to the West!

Wukong sighed in Flower-Fruit Mountain, “Heaven’s will!”

Ox Demon King and others eagerly inquired about the outcome, all stamping their feet in sighs.

To find out what happens next, please listen to the following breakdown.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

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