The Jade Emperor was momentarily stunned, then turned to Bai Jin with a friendly nod and smiled, "If it’s about this matter, I am indeed quite aware of it.
Because Jiang Ziya was acting on my orders."
The Jade Emperor looked worried, and with a sigh said, "When the Lord appointed me as the Great Venerable of the Three Realms, granting me the authority over them, ever since I became the Three Realms Great Venerable, I have been diligent and hardworking, not daring to be negligent in the least.
In Nan Zhanbu Continent and East Victory Divine Continent, under the governance of the Heavenly Court, all beings live in peace, and harmony reigns, with myriad spirits and races each finding their dwelling.
However, in the Western Continent, demons caused chaos, poisoning countless lives, trampling the sacred land of Spiritual Mountain.
As the Heavenly Emperor, seeing this situation, I felt deeply unsettled, thus I summoned the world-renowned Demon Suppressing Master, Kunlun Sect Leader Jiang Ziya.
With his help, we planned to eliminate the Great Demon King in the Western Continent who was doing evil and entangling spirits with bloodshed, but there were many demons, and Sect Leader Jiang, alone and unsupported, could only resort to certain strategies.
Yet, for the sake of all beings, whether despicable or shameless, any worldly slander, Sect Leader Jiang was willing to bear it all by himself."
The Jade Emperor looked towards the Primordial Venerable and exclaimed, "Brother, you truly taught a good disciple!"
The Primordial Venerable spoke calmly, "All this is what he ought to do."
All Saints realized that the Jade Emperor had lied, all the talk of being earnest and diligent, it was all false.
But the key information was true, so the Saints did not mind the personal embellishments he added.
The Buddha felt dizzy, his head spinning, how had Jiang Ziya suddenly become a man of the Jade Emperor, so confusing, everything was too chaotic.
Bai Jin looked helplessly at the Buddha, "I have done many things in the past, but this time I truly did nothing, this is really a misunderstanding."
The Tongtian Sect Master suddenly exuded a sharp aura, speaking righteously, "My disciple Bai Jin acts openly and honorably, a role model for cultivators between Heaven and Earth.
Jieyin, Zhunti, by slandering my disciple, do you think the Slaying Immortal Sword has lost its sharpness?"
Jieyin was speechless; before, you did not speak so highly, and said quickly, "Brother, calm your anger, it’s just a misunderstanding."
"As cultivators, we value our reputation the most. How can such defamation be dismissed by simply calling it a misunderstanding? Lesser talk, within Chaos a battle was fought, today the missing moon cannot be restored."
Taishang chuckled as he stroked the Tai Chi Diagram embroidered on his robe.
The Primordial Venerable touched the Ruyi Jade Pendant hanging at his waist.
Nuwa held a red thread in her hands.
Ping Xin was rotating six black spheres in her palm, playing with them.
Both the Jade Emperor and the Ming He Sect Master took two steps back; when Saints clash, it’s best not to get involved. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ nοvelfire.net
Zhunti could only smile bitterly; if they had the moral high ground, everything would be easy to discuss. The Three Pure Ones were not unreasonable Saints, but why did it seem like we were in the wrong in the midst of our argument? Duo Bao, didn’t you say you had it all figured out?
Zhunti put his hands together in prayer and bowed his head sincerely, saying, "My nephew Bai Jin, this time the Buddha Sect has been rash, coming to inquire without proper investigation, almost causing you to suffer an injustice.
As your uncle, my heart is also uneasy, and here I apologize to you."
Bai Jin quickly stepped to the side, bowed at a ninety-degree angle, and said anxiously, "Uncle, you are too flattering, how can your disciple receive such respect from you."
Zhunti, a Saintly figure, bowed his head, which indeed gave Bai Jin an immense honor. Even Taishang Yuanshi Tongtian had nothing to say against it, and the tense atmosphere suddenly eased.
Zhunti said with a smile, "You deserve it, you deserve it! This is what you, as my nephew, are entitled to."
Taishang Saint smiled and said, "Now, the matter has been clarified. From beginning to end, it has nothing to do with Bai Jin. If there is nothing else, let’s all disperse!"
The Buddha was unwilling to let it go and said, "Disciple has one more question to ask Bai Jin."
Bai Jin smiled and said, "Please speak, Buddha! After all, I haven’t done anything; all plots and schemes are unrelated to me."
"The Buddha Sect and the Blood Sea had a great battle, during which someone went to Spiritual Mountain and stole the Great Leiyin Temple, Purple Bamboo, a Spirit Pond, a precious Medicine Field, countless Spirit Fish, the Ore Vein Temple, and innumerable beasts and birds," the Buddha scrutinized Bai Jin with stern eyes, "Could it have been Emperor’s doing?" The Buddha was certain there was no mistake in this matter.
Bai Jin’s expression stiffened - damn, these deeds were indeed my doing.
Taishang Saint, Primordial Venerable, and Tongtian Sect Master all twitched slightly; these items sounded all too familiar.
Taishang Saint immediately shouted, "Nonsense! Bai Jin is the Heavenly Emperor; how could he commit theft? Now, let’s all disperse!"
Tongtian Sect Master expressed dissatisfaction and said, "Duobao, since you left Jie Sect for the Buddha Sect, what have you learned? Have you now learned to lie?"
Duo Bao Tathagata hurriedly said, "Sect Master, I have known Bai Jin for eons and am very familiar with him. There is no doubt this was his doing."
Primordial Venerable spoke authoritatively, "Since Bai Jin entered the Mysterious Sect, he has grown under my watchful eye. His conduct has always been proper; he would never stoop to theft. Enough of this! I pity the Buddha Sect for its misfortune and will not further quarrel with you. Go back now!"
Saint Zhunti smiled and said, "Do not be hasty, my three elder brothers. Why not listen to what Bai Jin has to say?"
All Saints turned their gaze towards Bai Jin, some scrutinizing, others anxious.
Bai Jin looked up at a forty-five-degree angle and sighed, "If I say it wasn’t me, I guess you wouldn’t believe it either."
The Buddha looked at Bai Jin and said, "Besides you, I cannot think of anyone else."
Bai Jin stretched out a hand, pointing upwards with a ’sword finger’ and said solemnly, "I, Bai Jin, hereby swear that the Great Leiyin Temple is not in my possession. If I speak falsely, may I be struck by the Thunderbolt of Heaven and judged by the Heavenly Dao!"
There was no sound in the space.
Bai Jin looked towards The Buddha and said, "Do you believe me now?"
The Buddha’s eyes widened suddenly - how could it not be in his possession.
"I, Bai Jin, hereby swear that the Buddha Sect’s Medicine Field is not in my possession. If I speak falsely, may I be struck by the Thunderbolt of Heaven and judged by the Heavenly Dao!"
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad twitched his eyelids - the Buddha Sect’s Medicine Field? Should be those wild vegetables!
Bai Jin took a deep breath, his expression one of grievance, "Buddha, do you believe the judgment of the Heavenly Dao?"
The Buddha did not utter a word, his hands trembled slightly - could I be wrong again?
"I, Bai Jin, hereby swear that the Buddha Sect’s captive birds and beasts are not in my possession. If I speak falsely, may I be struck by the Thunderbolt of Heaven and judged by the Heavenly Dao!"
Tongtian Sect Master coughed, looking up to the sky - not in your possession, it seems they’re with me.
The Buddha’s lips trembled slightly, his eyes filled with confusion.
"I, Bai Jin, hereby swear that the Divine Mine of Spiritual Mountain is not in my possession. If I speak falsely, may I be struck by the Thunderbolt of Heaven and judged by the Heavenly Dao!"
Primordial Venerable turned his head to the side, fiddling with the Jade Pendant in his hand even faster.
"I, Bai Jin, hereby swear..."
Bai Jin looked at The Buddha with eyes full of grievance, as if begrudging a great injustice upon him.
Suddenly, Saint Zhunti spoke up, "Enough, Nephew Bai Jin, let’s stop here!"