Emperor Ziwei reached out a hand and maintained his authority as he said, "You may rise!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva stood up with anticipation and said, "Emperor, have you agreed?"
"Indeed, it is my duty to overthrow the foolish Jade Emperor and the tyrannical Gouchen, to cleanse the Heavenly Court of its corruption.
However, this matter is of great consequence and requires careful planning. Emperor Gouchen has absolute power within the Heavenly Court, having established the Judicial Temple to oppressively control the gods. Over the years, countless innocent deities have suffered under his tyranny, not less than ten thousand, maybe eight thousand, and the Heavenly Court gods are all living in fear." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovєlFіre.net
Emperor Ziwei shook his head slightly and lamented, "Although the gods in the Heavenly Court all suffer under the oppression of Emperor Gouchen and the Jade Emperor, uniting them to resist is incredibly difficult!"
"Because of fear! They have become accustomed to the oppression, and uniting them is not an overnight task, just like slaves in the lower realm would not dare to rebel against officials." Emperor Ziwei shook his head slightly, with a look of great disappointment.
Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Emperor, there’s no need to worry, we already have a plan."
"Oh! I would like to hear it in detail~"
"The Emperor only needs to spread the news of Princess Yang Chan’s violation of the Heavenly Rules, and immediately use it to rebuke the Jade Emperor and Emperor Gouchen, issuing a declaration to summon the Buddha Sect’s forces to cleanse the universe and uphold the Heavenly Rules."
Emperor Ziwei was somewhat surprised and said, "You are willing to send troops to help me?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded slightly, smiling, "Our Buddha Sect’s doctrine is to save all living beings. Now that the Heavenly Court has lost the way, with the people suffering, helping the Great Emperor is also helping all creatures of the Three Realms."
"So what do you seek? Since it is cooperation, it is natural to be open and honest."
Guanyin Bodhisattva said respectfully, "Buddhism is outside the realm, seeking no profits, only hoping that after you become the Heavenly Emperor, you will permit our Buddha Sect to preach in the Eastern land."
"Haha~ Good, I agree. Even while I sit high above the Nine Heavens, I had heard of when Tang Sanzang from the Great Tang traveled across mountains and rivers to the West Land to obtain the True Scripture, illustrating how Buddhism wins people’s hearts. Such a compassionate teaching should indeed be widely spread to save all beings."
Guanyin Bodhisattva quickly and joyfully said, "Thank you, Emperor!"
Emperor Ziwei stood up, pacing back and forth before the table, clenched his fist and hit his palm, somewhat excitedly saying, "With the assistance of Buddhism’s army, I have confidence in overthrowing the Jade Emperor and Emperor Gouchen. I will rule the Three Realms with fairness and justice, uniting the Three Realms as one."
Guanyin Bodhisattva put her hands together, bowed, and said with respect, "This humble monk, along with all creatures of the Three Realms, thank the Great Emperor."
"Haha~ It’s what I should do, luckily for the Three Realms, there are compassionate Buddha Bodhisattvas like you all, making the possibility for setting things right. I also represent all beings of the Three Realms to thank you." Emperor Ziwei’s excitement was difficult to conceal, breaking into hearty laughter.
"This is what we should do."
"Guanyin Bodhisattva, go count the Buddha Soldiers and have the Western Buddha await my decree. Once orders are given, let him lead the army eastward to the Heavenly Court."
"I obey the Dharma Decree of the Emperor!" Guanyin Bodhisattva responded respectfully.
Just as Emperor Ziwei returned to the Heavenly Court, intending to act when the time was ripe, Thus-Creator Merit Buddha also returned to Spiritual Mountain.
In the Ksitigarbha Palace of Spiritual Mountain, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sat serenely atop a lotus platform, with Thus-Creator Merit Buddha seated on another lotus below.
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha admiringly said, "Bodhisattva’s achievements in creation, sitting serenely on the Yin Mountain, you foresee the changes of the Three Realms; everything in this world is within your expectations."
"Is the Buddha really scheming against the Heavenly Court?" Ksitigarbha asked with some surprise.
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha cautiously said, "I kindly request the Bodhisattva to activate the Protecting Palace Array!"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva waved a hand, and the door of the palace closed with a rumble, with lines of Sanskrit prohibitions flashing over the hall.
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha cautiously said, "This time Buddhism acts very secretly, I have only heard a little.
After returning to Spiritual Mountain, I quietly inquired with many Buddha Bodhisattvas, none of them knew.
But when I inquired with Mu Zha Venerable, he quietly told me that Guanyin Bodhisattva is planning a big action, seemingly related to the Heavenly Court."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva quickly asked, "What exactly is this action?"
"Mu Zha Venerable said he doesn’t know the specifics, only occasionally heard two words, he heard Yang Chan’s name."
"Are you sure it’s not false? If it’s truly important information, why would he tell you?"
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha boastfully said, "Bodhisattva, Mu Zha has also invested his money with the Eastern Earth Buddha. I told him that the Buddha intends to join forces with the Heavenly Court to act against the heavens and ruin the Eastern Earth Ling Mountain plan.
Then he quickly told me everything, but he doesn’t know much, he assured me to carefully investigate when he returns."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva smiled and said, "That’s enough, thank you, Buddha.!"
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha laughed heartily and said, "We are all family, why should you be polite, Bodhisattva?"
Slightly embarrassed said, "Bodhisattva, regarding the Eastern Earth Buddha’s matter, what did you find out?"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva calmly, smiling said, "Rest assured! I’ve already spoken with Tang Sanzang, in the future, you will be the Future Buddha of Eastern Earth Buddhism, whereas I am the Past Buddha Ancestor."
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha’s eyes widened suddenly with joy, "Really?"
He hurriedly waved his hand modestly saying, "Inappropriate, inappropriate, with Bodhisattva before me, how can I be the Future Buddha? I’ll be satisfied as a Past Buddha Ancestor."
"Buddha, no need to be modest, although I am presiding over the construction of Eastern Earth Ling Mountain, it is you who is raising funds and building connections, in terms of toil and achievements, you far surpass me. I would truly be uneasy if I were to be the Future Buddha."
"Haha~ Bodhisattva is too modest!"
"It is the Future Buddha who is modest!"
"Bodhisattva, I truly cannot be the Future Buddha."
"If not you, then who?!"
"If Bodhisattva insists, this humble monk accepts it with guilt."
"This humble monk pays respect to the Future Buddha!"
"Haha~ This humble monk pays respect to the Past Buddha!"
Thus-Creator Merit Buddha, overjoyed, left Yin Mountain.
Diting twisted his little body and came out from behind, lying on the ground weakly said, "Bodhisattva, I want to go home."
"Do you have a home?"
"The world is vast, the Four Seas are home!"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva glanced at Diting, and said irritably, "Are you thinking of running away?"
"Bodhisattva, you should quickly withdraw, things will really get out of hand if this continues."
"Do you think I don’t want to? Now I can’t back out, they are pulling me in, not letting me withdraw.
I refunded them their money, they were furious, threatening to report me to the Buddha. Only when I was forced to accept their money, did they feel at ease!"
"I kept telling you, don’t accept the money, don’t accept the money, but you didn’t listen. See what happened now, it’s too late to regret."
"You haven’t eaten any less Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow during this period."
Diting licked his lips, indeed he had been living well lately.
A manifestation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva walked out from within him, heading outside.