Chapter 701
An expression that seemed to encompass everything
For example, could the three Bodhisattvas' mounts be used to pull Lin Zhu's cart? Or as his mounts? Or even... something else entirely?
Over at the Nine-Story Heavenly Prison, demon kings like the Golden Tortoise of the Abyss and the Primordial Eagle, along with some imaginative heavenly soldiers and generals, couldn't help but conjure up some "exciting" images in their minds. Some of them couldn't hold back and their noses started bleeding profusely! They quickly lowered their heads to cover it up.
Meanwhile, some Arhats in the Western Paradise camp, whose willpower was slightly weaker, couldn't help but blush and their eyes darted around.
"presumptuous!!!"
"Lin Zhu! You lecherous scoundrel! How dare you insult me like this?!"
Two angry shouts rang out almost simultaneously, belonging to Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva! At this moment, the two Bodhisattvas had lost all their usual solemn and dignified appearance. Both of them were furious, their hair standing on end, their bodies radiating intense Buddhist light. They glared at Lin Zhu, their eyes almost spitting fire! Manjushri Bodhisattva was so angry that he placed his hand on his sword.
Although Guanyin Bodhisattva did not roar in anger like Manjushri and Samantabhadra, her holy face was covered with frost, and she snorted coldly, her voice as clear and cold as ice.
"Lin Yushen, please have some self-respect. Don't make such an impudent request again!"
Her gaze toward Lin Zhu was filled with disdain and a hint of barely perceptible... annoyance? Manjushri and Samantabhadra noticed that Guanyin's reaction seemed even more intense than theirs, and a sense of doubt flashed through their minds.
Even the Jade Emperor, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, couldn't help but sit up straight, looking intently at Lin Zhu, stroking his beard, and muttering to himself.
"This Minister Lin... has rather unique tastes."
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the Buddha's face turned ashen, and the Buddha's aura around him became somewhat disordered due to his rage. He pointed at Lin Zhu, his voice trembling with extreme anger.
"Lin Zhu! You...you are utterly shameless! How dare you covet the mounts of the Three Great Bodhisattvas?! What do you take the Three Great Bodhisattvas for? What do you take the Western Paradise for?!"
You expect the three Bodhisattvas' mounts to serve you as slaves, pulling carts and carrying goods, and even... even to perform those indecent dances and feed you grapes for amusement?! The Western Paradise absolutely cannot allow this! This is utterly impossible!
He was clearly confused with anger, and blurted out all sorts of random images about "rich young masters and beautiful maids" that flashed through his mind in an instant, images he had absorbed from folk beliefs and incense.
Lin Zhu was waiting for the Western Paradise's reaction and preparing to bargain, but when he heard what Buddha said, he was stunned.
He blinked, looking blankly at the enraged Buddha, then at the three Bodhisattvas who were equally furious and seemed deeply insulted, and at the dragons and celestial beings around him with strange expressions, wanting to laugh but daring not to...
"and many more!"
Lin Zhu abruptly interrupted Tathagata's angry rebuke, his face displaying an extremely absurd and frantic expression. He raised his voice, which became somewhat distorted.
"Buddha! Tathagata! What... what kind of nonsense are you thinking about?!"
He pointed to Manjushri and Samantabhadra, then to Avalokiteshvara, his tone filled with disbelief and helplessness.
"What I want are mounts! Mounts! Blue-maned lions! Six-tusked white elephants! And that one under Guanyin Bodhisattva's lotus throne... uh, anyway, their means of transportation! Beasts! Monsters! What kind of nonsense are you all imagining, with your faces red and necks thick with anger?!"
The more he talked, the more outrageous it seemed, and he couldn't help but facepalm.
"Am I, Lin Zhu, that kind of person?! I have a wife, okay! I want the mounts of the three great masters because they have extraordinary bloodlines and great potential, and they have indeed caused trouble in the lower realm. Taking them over will not only strengthen the Heavenly Prison, but also help you in the Western Paradise to clean up the mess of those 'wicked beasts' that you haven't disciplined properly!"
Who the hell wants the three great Bodhisattvas to serve me?! Dancing and feeding me grapes... Tathagata! How can your thoughts be so filthy, you Buddha?! What kind of Buddhist teachings are you even studying?!
Lin Zhu's barrage of "clarifications" and "rhetorical questions" was like ice water poured over someone's head, instantly plunging the entire room into another kind of deathly silence.
You could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's expression froze.
The Buddha's ashen face turned red at a visible speed, then purple, and finally deathly pale.
He opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't utter a single word. Fine beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, and his eyes darted around. He didn't dare to look directly at Lin Zhu, nor did he dare to look at anyone around him, especially the gazes from the three great warriors and the dragon clan, which were filled with astonishment, realization, and deep mockery.
Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva were also frozen in place, unsure whether to put down their raised swords or not. Their angry expressions were replaced by extreme embarrassment, and their ears turned red.
On Guanyin Bodhisattva's usually cold and beautiful face, two barely perceptible blushes appeared, which quickly turned into deeper embarrassment and anger. She glared at Lin Zhu fiercely before quickly looking away.
On the dragon side, the Purple Gold Dragon Emperor, the Platinum Dragon Emperor, and others all had twitching lips, wanting to laugh but feeling that the occasion was inappropriate, and they were struggling to hold it in, their dragon whiskers trembling slightly.
All three thousand Buddhas and the celestial beings of the Heavenly Court were now covered in sweat, their smiles stiff.
They suddenly realized that they had all... unwittingly thought the wrong thing? And it seemed like they were thinking something similar to the Buddha?
An indescribable, extremely awkward atmosphere permeated the entire Lingshan battlefield, making everyone wish they could disappear into the ground.
Looking at the group of immortals and Buddhas in front of him who were collectively in the late stage of embarrassment due to "overthinking," Lin Zhu felt both annoyed and amused. In the end, he let out a long sigh, scratched his hair, and said helplessly.
"Gentlemen... can we talk business normally? I just want a few powerful demonic beasts to be my henchmen and mounts, how did it become so... complicated with you guys?"
Just as the awkward atmosphere, almost frozen solid, continued to fester, and no one knew how to break the deadlock, a peaceful and long Buddhist chant, like a clear spring flowing over stones, slowly rang out.
"Amitabha--"
Amitabha Buddha clasped his hands together, his eyelids lowered, the gloom on his face from the previous extortion gone, replaced by a compassionate and serene expression that seemed to encompass everything. He appeared completely oblivious to the storm that had just been stirred up by his "imagination," his gentle yet clear voice reaching the ears of everyone present.
"Fellow Daoists, it seems there was some misunderstanding just now, and you misinterpreted Benefactor Lin's good intentions. Although Benefactor Lin's actions are... unconventional and his words may be unorthodox, his true intention is to resolve grievances and strengthen the power of the Heavenly Court's law enforcement."
Demanding a mount is also based on the beast's abilities and past sins, intending to discipline and subdue it. We Buddhist disciples should constantly examine ourselves with a virtuous heart and not judge others with delusional thoughts. This humble monk believes that Benefactor Lin would never utter such rude and presumptuous words.
His words were spoken in a very grand and dignified manner, with perfect composure.
He casually characterized the awkward moment of collective "misinterpretation" as a "misunderstanding" and "misinterpretation," subtly praised Lin Zhu, cleverly shifted the blame to everyone for "lacking firm faith" and "speculating wildly," and finally used "believing in Benefactor Lin" to forcefully bring the topic back "on track."
The Buddha finally recovered slightly from his extreme embarrassment and shame. Upon hearing Amitabha's words, he immediately grasped at a lifeline and hurriedly replied, though his voice was still somewhat unnatural, he tried his best to maintain the dignity of a Buddha.
“Amitabha Buddha is absolutely right! Just now... just now it was merely a misunderstanding, please don’t take it to heart. The most important thing now is to discuss the important matters. Let all that have happened be as it was.”
He wished he could erase those few minutes from everyone's memory immediately.
With these two highest-ranking figures from the Western Paradise stepping in to "set the tone" and "smooth things over," the suffocatingly awkward atmosphere in the room finally eased somewhat. However, many people still looked at Lin Zhu with a strange and residual unease in their eyes.
Lin Zhu glanced disdainfully at the three thousand Buddhas, especially those who had been jumping around the most and criticizing him the most. Now, their eyes were darting around, and their faces still had a faint blush and... a hint of disappointment? As if some secret expectation had been dashed.
Lin Zhu cursed inwardly.
'Pah! A bunch of hypocritical old scoundrels! It seems the way we're experiencing the Western Paradise is even more illogical than I expected!'
When Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva heard the words of Amitabha Buddha and Tathagata, their expressions softened slightly, and their anger subsided considerably, but the dissatisfaction and resistance in their eyes were still evident.
For some reason, Guanyin Bodhisattva still had a slight frown and her red lips were pursed, as if she was still immersed in the complex emotions of sudden "loss" and shame, which were even more intense than those of Manjushri and Samantabhadra.
Manjushri Bodhisattva composed himself, gave a cold snort, and looked at Lin Zhu, his tone still icy.
"Lin Yushen, even if what you ask for is not... is not something impolite. However, Qiu Shou Xian has accompanied me in my cultivation for over ten thousand years. Although it has made mistakes, it has long since converted to Buddhism, sincerely repented, and helped me subdue demons and monsters, and do good deeds. It is my mount, and more importantly, my fellow Daoist. Why should I hand it over to you?"
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also retorted angrily, raising his voice several decibels.
"That's absolutely right! A gentleman doesn't take what others cherish! This applies to both Lingya Immortal and me! Lin Yushen, you used pills to blackmail others and forcibly demand their mounts. Is this the behavior of a gentleman? You've gone too far!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva seemed to break free from her thoughts at this moment, raised her eyelids, and glanced at Lin Zhu. Her gaze was complex and unfathomable, containing coldness, scrutiny, and a trace of lingering annoyance. However, she did not object as vehemently as Manjushri and Samantabhadra, but remained silent, as if weighing something.
Faced with the objections of the three monks, Lin Zhu waved his hand indifferently, his face showing an expression that said, "Why can't you guys see things clearly?" and asked in a relaxed tone.
“Three Bodhisattvas, why be so attached? It’s just a mount, you can just change it. Look, even the Buddha’s Golden Lotus of Merit was taken by me, wasn’t it? And the Buddha has come to terms with it. Compared to that, what are a few mounts? Think more positively, and everyone will feel better.”
The innocent Buddha was caught in the crossfire.
"..."
He felt as if he had been stabbed in the chest again, and his face darkened even more. Unable to refute it, he could only groan and turn his head away.
Lin Zhu's desire for the three great masters' mounts was certainly not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
He possessed a system and had a past connection with the Tongtian Sect Leader. Deep down, he always felt a sense of incense and regret for the Jie Sect, which collapsed during the Investiture of the Gods War, especially for the Wudang Holy Mother who had given him guidance and gifts, as well as the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao, who were fierce in nature and met tragic ends.
He needs the remaining power of the Jie Sect to bolster his future team, but he has no intention of reviving the Jie Sect.
Because he could see clearly that the fortune of the Jie Sect had already been completely dissipated at the time of the Investiture of the Gods. Some of its disciples had died, some had betrayed it, and some had been converted. Even if they were forcibly gathered together, they would only be a group of defeated soldiers with empty names, and might even become a burden and a target.
It would be better to take these "remnants" who still have potential and strength into his own power base, integrating them into Lin Zhu's own forces—the Nine-Layer Heavenly Prison—and the team he might control if he were to truly ascend to the position of Emperor Gouchen in the future.
This can be seen as both a form of "care" and "rescue" for the former members of the Jie Sect, and it can also genuinely enhance one's own strength.
The three great bodhisattvas' mounts—the blue-haired lion, the six-tusked white elephant, and the golden-haired lion beneath Guanyin Bodhisattva's lotus throne—were none other than three of the seven immortal attendants of the former Tongtian Sect Master of the Jie Sect!
After the Investiture of the Gods, they were defeated and captured. Instead of being listed on the Investiture of the Gods, they were converted by the Western Paradise, their ferocity was erased, and they were placed under restrictions. They became the mounts of the three Bodhisattvas, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Avalokiteshvara. They served as punishment, guards, and "trophies" and "symbols" for the Western Paradise to demonstrate the boundless power of Buddhism and subdue heretics!
These three demon immortals were once at the level of Great Luo Golden Immortals. Even though they were sealed and converted for many years, and their cultivation was somewhat stagnant or suppressed, their foundation remained. Once the restrictions were lifted and they were given the right resources and guidance, the possibility of them recovering or even advancing further was extremely high!
The temptation of having three ready-made Grand Luo Golden Immortals is too great for Lin Zhu, who is about to advance to Quasi-Saint but still lacks top-notch combat power under his command!
Looking at the three Bodhisattvas with grim faces and the silent Amitabha Buddha and Tathagata, Lin Zhu's tone became more formal as he counted on his fingers.
"Three Bodhisattvas, let's settle this score. I'll use a Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill that can save Jin Chanzi's life and ensure the Journey to the West continues uninterrupted, plus the 'release' of the troublesome White Lotus Boy, in exchange for your three mounts that once caused trouble and are now considered guilty. And these three mounts are essentially 'prisoners' and 'sinful demons' under your control in the Western Paradise."
Trading three 'prisoners' under your control for the life of a newly ascended quasi-saint and a pilgrim on the journey to the West… This deal is a steal for you in the Western Paradise! What more could you ask for?
As Amitabha Buddha listened to Lin Zhu's "scheme," the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, and he sighed inwardly.
"A huge profit? If it weren't for the fact that White Lotus Boy and Golden Cicada were 'important assets' that they absolutely had to protect, who would be willing to make this 'deal'? Three controlled Great Luo Golden Immortal mounts in exchange for an unknown quasi-saint's favor and Golden Cicada... Thinking about it carefully, if we disregard the 'family' factor, it seems... not too bad? It even has a bit of a high-risk, high-reward aspect?"
This made him even more frustrated, because the stupidity and importance of his "own people" forced him to accept this seemingly "profitable" but actually humiliating deal. (End of Chapter)