Chapter 748
Tathagata Forced to Protect the Forest Bamboo Grove
Thinking of this, Lin Zhu's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He suddenly took a step forward, faced the huge golden Buddha image in the sky, and showed a smile that could be described as "kind" and even a bit "positive". He said loudly.
"Buddha, you are mistaken! Persuading Wukong to support the Journey to the West is a great deed of immeasurable merit! As the law enforcement deity of the Three Realms, it is my duty to maintain the stability and harmony of the Three Realms! Since Wukong has said that he is willing to cooperate with the journey to the West for my sake, why don't I perform this 'small' ceremony of wearing the headband? It can be considered as my humble contribution to the great cause of the Journey to the West, and help to create a beautiful story!"
He paused, adopted a "wise and righteous" demeanor, and continued.
"The Journey to the West is a grand undertaking jointly promoted by various sages and forces, a matter of vital importance concerning the flow of fortune in the Three Realms! How can such a good thing be delayed or ruined by a small 'misunderstanding'? Although I have had occasional friction with the Western Paradise, I also know the principle of 'a gentleman helps others achieve their goals.' Today, let me act as a peacemaker and help Buddha resolve this matter, shall I?"
These words were spoken in such a grand and righteous manner that he practically portrayed himself as a model deity who put the greater good before personal grievances and was always ready to help others.
In the sky, the enormous Buddha image was clearly stunned, and even the golden light froze for a moment.
He looked at Lin Zhu with suspicion, his Buddha-like eyes filled with disbelief and deep wariness. He'd rather believe in ghosts and pigs climbing trees than believe that Lin Zhu, this scoundrel, plague god, and troublemaker, would suddenly change his ways and genuinely cooperate with the Western Paradise to help put the golden headband on Sun Wukong! If there wasn't a trap here, he'd change his mind and write the name of Buddha backwards!
However, before Buddha could carefully ponder the deeper meaning behind Lin Zhu's words, Sun Wukong on the ground suddenly moved!
Sun Wukong suddenly looked up, his eyes fixed intently on Lin Zhu, and with a loud and resolute voice, he made a request.
"Immortal Lord! I, Old Sun, am willing to wear this headband! Please... put it on me personally! As long as you nod, I, Old Sun, will immediately protect my master and set off on my journey westward, and I will never go back on my word!"
The unwavering determination in his eyes, even tinged with a hint of "devoutness," deepened the Buddha's doubts.
This monkey was so defiant just now, how come its attitude changed so quickly after Lin Zhu spoke? These two... could they have reached some secret agreement? Or is there really something wrong with the headband in Lin Zhu's hand? But I clearly checked it just now and there was nothing unusual!
The Buddha's mind raced. He felt that Lin Zhu's sudden "cooperation" was too strange, completely inconsistent with his usual style of extortion and blackmail, where he considered it a loss if he didn't take advantage of others. He also felt that Sun Wukong's change in attitude was too abrupt, as if he was in a hurry to complete the "wearing the headband" step.
He tried to probe, asking in a deep voice.
“Sun Wukong, are you really sure? Once you put on this headband, you must strictly abide by the precepts, protect the Dharma on your journey to the west, and there is no room for regret.”
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong scoffed, glanced at Buddha, and spoke with undisguised sarcasm.
"You old bald monk, stop pretending! I, Old Sun, have said it's for the Immortal Lord's journey west! If the Immortal Lord allows me to wear it, I will! If the Immortal Lord doesn't respond even slightly, then..."
His tone suddenly turned fierce, a glint of malice flashed in his eyes, and with a sudden movement, he appeared beside the still unconscious Tang Sanzang in an instant. One of his hands, like an iron clamp, directly gripped Tang Sanzang's slender neck!
"Or what if something happens to the Immortal Lord, or he suffers even the slightest injustice..."
Sun Wukong exerted a little force with his five fingers, and Tang Sanzang's pale face immediately showed pain, and his breathing became difficult.
"Then this journey to the west shall be abandoned immediately! Without the Immortal Lord, I, Old Sun, will not take a single step! Moreover..."
He grinned maliciously as he looked at the Buddha in the sky.
"Whether this pilgrim is dead or alive is hard to say!"
"Sun Wukong! How dare you!!"
Upon seeing this, the Buddha was suddenly alarmed, and even the enormous Buddha image trembled violently! He never expected Sun Wukong to pull such a stunt! Threatening him with Tang Sanzang's life to protect Lin Zhu?!
Who is Tang Sanzang? He is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, the most crucial figure in Journey to the West! If he were to perish here now, not only would Journey to the West collapse immediately, but the overwhelming karma and karmic backlash would be unbearable even for a Buddha like him!
More importantly, the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill that can revive Tang Sanzang is almost extinct in the Three Realms now. The only one who is sure that there is still stock and may even know the method of refining it is probably... this plague god Lin Zhu in front of us!
In other words, Lin Zhu cannot die now! At least not until the Journey to the West can continue or an alternative is found! This monkey, by sheer luck, has found his greatest weakness!
Buddha was both anxious and furious. The reinforcements he had secretly summoned had not yet arrived. He had planned to wait for them to arrive so that he could join forces with Guanyin to launch a surprise attack, ideally capturing or even eliminating Lin Zhu, this scourge, in one fell swoop. But now, with Sun Wukong's intervention, the situation had instantly spiraled out of control! He was hesitant to act rashly against Lin Zhu, fearing the consequences.
Just as the Buddha was struggling with his thoughts and caught in a dilemma, a sudden change occurred!
Just as Lin Zhu had sensed the threat earlier, deep within the seemingly peaceful clouds of Buddha's light in the distant sky.
A strange light, turbid yet dazzling, seemingly capable of turning everything into glass and annihilating all life, suddenly erupted without warning, tearing through the void and shooting straight into the field at a bizarre speed that transcended the concept of time and space—the target was none other than Lin Zhu, who was standing near Sun Wukong and seemed completely unprepared!
The Illusory Light of Crystal! The Medicine Buddha's signature killing move! He had been lying in ambush all along, waiting for his chance to strike!
The Buddha was greatly alarmed. The reinforcements he had originally summoned were not the Medicine Buddha! The Medicine Buddha's appearance at this moment, and his direct use of a deadly move to ambush Lin Zhu, completely disrupted his plans and even put him in an extremely awkward and dangerous situation!
"Lin Yushen, watch out!"
Almost instinctively, or perhaps after weighing the pros and cons in a flash, the enormous golden Buddha figure of Tathagata made a move that left everyone present dumbfounded—he suddenly lunged forward, instantly blocking Lin Zhu from the incoming shimmering light!
At the same time, he quickly waved his sleeves, and a treasure shimmering with seven-colored light, shaped like a necklace and canopy, was summoned. It swelled in the wind and transformed into a light screen, firmly blocking his way!
"Medicine Buddha! Calm down! Do not attack!"
While activating his magical treasures to defend himself, Tathagata shouted urgently in the direction from which the illusory light was coming, his voice filled with unprecedented urgency.
"Lin Yushen is... is a distinguished guest of our Western Paradise! He is the benefactor who helped our Western Paradise restart the Journey to the West and saved the Western Paradise from dire straits! He is a good person! We must not harm him!"
His words, sincere and earnest, echoed throughout the surrounding area. The Medicine Buddha, hidden in the distant clouds and about to witness Lin Zhu being transformed into a glass sculpture by the shimmering light, was utterly stunned upon hearing this! What was going on?! Hadn't they agreed to find an opportunity to join forces and eliminate this plague god who had repeatedly extorted money from the Western Paradise and ruined its plans?
Why did Buddha suddenly jump out to take the bullet, and utter such... nauseatingly sycophantic words? Distinguished guest? Benefactor? Good person? Buddha, have you been cursed by this plague god?!
However, once the illusory light of glazed glass was released, even with the cultivation level of the Medicine Buddha, it was difficult to completely retract it in a hurry. He could only watch helplessly as the life-annihilating light heavily struck the acquired treasure that Tathagata had offered up!
"boom--!!!"
A piercing cracking sound rang out! Under the impact of the shimmering light, that precious acquired treasure could only withstand it for less than a breath before it shattered and dissipated into countless points of light!
"Ah! My Seven-Jeweled Tree Necklace!"
The Buddha was so heartbroken he almost spat out a mouthful of blood; that was no ordinary magic weapon! But at this moment he couldn't care less about the heartache, because the residual power of the Glazed Illusionary Light still penetrated the fragments of the magic weapon and spread towards him and Lin Zhu behind him!
On the other side, Sun Wukong was even more furious when he saw Liuli Huanguang sneak attack Lin Zhu! He tightened his grip on Tang Sanzang's neck and roared at the sky.
"You old bald monk! How dare you plot against the Immortal Lord?! If anything happens to the Immortal Lord, I, Old Sun, will crush this monk's neck right now, annihilating his true spirit so he can never be reincarnated! Let's see what your pilgrimage will be like then!!"
These words were like adding fuel to the fire, making Buddha even more furious! Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
Should they take the opportunity to withstand Sun Wukong's threat, cooperate with the Medicine Buddha to kill Lin Zhu, and then try to revive Tang Sanzang with the last possible Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill? Or... should they first protect Lin Zhu and Tang Sanzang to ensure the journey to the West can continue?
In a flash, Tathagata saw that although Lin Zhu was behind him, he did not show much panic on his face. Instead, he had a hint of...amusing amusement? It seemed...he had something to rely on? Recalling Lin Zhu's unpredictable methods before, Tathagata felt a chill in his heart. In the end, the overall situation of the Journey to the West and the possible unknown risks prevailed.
"Medicine Buddha! Stop! Stop immediately!"
While shouting anxiously, Tathagata hurriedly pulled out a new magic weapon from his sleeve—this time a bronze mirror—and used it again to block the remaining illusory light of the crystal, while continuing to "earnestly" persuade Tathagata.
"Assassinating Lin Yushen is a grave mistake! Lin Yushen has been kind to our Western Heaven, a pillar of the Three Realms, and an embodiment of justice! How can you commit such an unjust act for your own personal grudge?! Stop immediately and apologize to Lin Yushen!"
He shouted these words with such righteous indignation, as if he wasn't the one who had secretly called for help and prepared to ambush Lin Zhu. On the surface, he was advising the Medicine Buddha, but in reality, he was speaking to Lin Zhu behind him and Sun Wukong beside him, trying to distance himself from the situation and stabilize the situation.
The Medicine Buddha, who was far away, almost went berserk upon hearing this. He was so angry that his body trembled violently, and he urgently transmitted his voice over.
"Buddha! Have you gone mad?! Get out of the way! The Illusory Light of Lapis Lazuli has been unleashed, and even I am struggling to fully control it! If you continue to block my way, even this avatar of yours will be damaged!"
"For justice! For the great cause of Journey to the West! To express my gratitude for Lin Yushen's selfless help! Even if my avatar is damaged, I will never allow you to harm Lin Yushen in the slightest!"
The Buddha, with a "tragic" expression, gritted his teeth and placed another protective magic weapon on top, his heart bleeding, feeling so aggrieved he wanted to roar to the heavens! What kind of mess was this! The person he wanted to kill, he now had to risk sacrificing his avatar and precious magic weapon to protect! And he had to lie and call him a good person, a benefactor, a pillar of the state! Was there anything more humiliating in the world?!
"Click!"
Another magical artifact shattered under the shimmering light!
The Buddha's lips twitched with heartache. Although his clone was powerful, it mainly relied on magic treasures and Buddhist teachings. Now, with the continuous loss of precious magic treasures, the clone's power was also rapidly depleting.
What infuriated him even more was that all of this could have been avoided! It was all because of his previous scheming that he had attracted the Medicine Buddha's uncontrollable sneak attack, and in the end, he had shot himself in the foot!
At this moment, Lin Zhu, standing calmly behind the enormous Buddha's shadow, watched this absurd and comical scene unfold before him—Buddha frantically pulling out all sorts of magical treasures, one by one shattered by the shimmering light, while he had to shout himself hoarse, praising himself as a "good person," "benefactor," and "embodiment of justice," a smile of extreme pleasure spreading across his face.
He even leisurely reached out and gently patted the Buddha's trembling "shoulder," which was formed from Buddha's light, and said slowly in an encouraging tone.
"Hmm, well said, continue. I enjoy listening. Louder, more emotionally charged, ideally so that the entire Three Realms can hear."
"you……!"
Upon hearing this, Buddha felt a surge of blood rushing to the top of his head, his mind violently shaken, and his breath became disordered!
In that brief moment of mental turmoil, a faint aftershock of shimmering light finally pierced through the layers of magical artifacts, striking one of the Buddha's "eyes" silently, like a venomous snake!
"laugh--!"
Like the sound of a branding iron hitting water, the golden body of the Buddha, which was formed from pure Buddhist light, instantly became cloudy and stiff when struck by the illusory light of the crystal. Like inferior crystal, fine cracks appeared, and these cracks were rapidly spreading and expanding!
The Buddha's emanations began to crumble!
However, even so, under the continuous and indiscriminate annihilation impact of that shimmering light, the Tathagata's already collapsing avatar could only hold back his tears, suppressing his humiliation and heartache, and stand firmly in front of Lin Zhu, using his constantly dissipating Buddhist light and his last few treasured magic weapons to shield Lin Zhu from most of the damage.
No matter how you look at it, this scene exudes an indescribable sense of tragic grandeur and... absurdity.
Sun Wukong kept his fiery eyes wide open the whole time, taking in the absurd, thrilling, and somewhat comical scene before him.
He looked at Lin Zhu, whose cultivation level seemed to be only half a step quasi-saint, similar to his own, yet under the oppressive force of the Western Paradise composed of the Tathagata's avatar, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and even the Medicine Buddha who was secretly attacking, he always maintained an almost infuriating composure and calmness.
What shocked Sun Wukong even more was that the Buddha Tathagata, who was high above, in charge of Mount Ling, and who could decide his life and death with a single thought, was now being forced into such a sorry state!
Not only did it fail to harm Lin Zhu in the slightest, but it also acted as a dutiful human shield and a sucker, risking the collapse of its own clone and the successive destruction of its precious magic treasures, it still stood firmly in front of Lin Zhu, and even had to praise Lin Zhu as a "good person", "benefactor" and "embodiment of justice" against its own will!
This stark contrast, this seemingly impossible reversal of fortune, was like a blazing lightning bolt, cleaving through the despair that had gripped Sun Wukong's heart due to the absolute disparity in power! (End of Chapter)