Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Chapter 823 -823: Three Realms Tremble!

Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva!

Though they are only at the level of Bodhisattva, as disciples of Saints, part of the Twelve Golden Immortals of Yuxu Palace during the Era of Deification, their status and position are naturally very high.

In terms of cultivation level, they are already in the late stage of Great Luo Golden Immortal.

With the fall of Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, the entire Buddhist Sect, even the three realms and six paths, were shocked!

Although many other experts of the Buddhist Sect had fallen, like Baosheng Buddha and the previous Maitreya Buddha,

Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva were different because they truly fell during the Journey to the West for Scriptures.

In other words, they fell during the Immeasurable Kalpa.

The entire Buddhist Sect became very solemn because of the two Bodhisattvas’ fall.

Even these two Bodhisattvas fell? The terror of the Immeasurable Kalpa remains constant!

After being released from the Five-Colored Divine Light by Kong Xuan, Tathagata did not return to the Great Thunder Monastery but went directly to the Netherworld, arriving at Ksitigarbha Cave.

“Greetings, Tathagata!”

Knowing of Tathagata’s arrival, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva personally welcomed him outside Ksitigarbha Cave, greeting him respectfully.

“Hmm, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, it has been a while!” Tathagata, bathed in golden Buddhist light, looked at the respectful Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in front of him, unchanged in expression, and nodded slightly.

Tathagata knew very well that although Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appeared quite respectful on the surface, he did not truly regard him, the Tathagata, as superior.

Naturally, he would not be deceived by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s outward appearance.

Hearing Tathagata’s words, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva lowered his head, silent, waiting respectfully for Tathagata’s inquiry.

Having come to Ksitigarbha Cave, Tathagata had no intention of small talk.

More importantly, there was nothing worth discussing between himself and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

So, he got straight to the point: “Bodhisattva, you should know why I have come to Ksitigarbha Cave, right?”

“I understand! Tathagata has come for the lost souls of Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, correct?” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva nodded, without any evasiveness.

“It’s good that you know! I will take the lost souls of Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva away!” Nodding, Tathagata directly stated the purpose of his visit.

“This…” Hearing Tathagata’s words, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s face showed a difficult expression.

Seeing his expression, Tathagata remained unchanged, having clearly understood Ksitigarbha’s thoughts long ago, and said, “Speak, what price must be paid for me to take their lost souls away?”

“Tathagata, it is not that I am unwilling to follow your decree, but the lost souls of the two Bodhisattvas entered Ksitigarbha Cave and immediately reincarnated!” Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva replied.

“So fast!?” Hearing this, Tathagata’s expression changed slightly.

Looking at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, his gaze became very stern: “Why the rush!?”

“Tathagata, though the reincarnation of the two Bodhisattvas was arranged by me, I merely followed the will of heaven!” Facing Tathagata’s stern gaze, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s posture lowered, his mouth argued.

“Following the will of heaven?” Tathagata’s brow furrowed as he stared at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

“Yes! The two Bodhisattvas’ lost souls reached Ksitigarbha Cave and coerced me to release them. Perhaps this behavior offended the will of heaven, so…”

With his head lowered, no one could see Ksitigarbha’s expression, but his voice conveyed a sense of fearful obedience as he answered.

…

Tathagata returned to the Great Thunder Monastery, his expression unpleasant.

With the fall of the two Bodhisattvas, he hurried to Ksitigarbha Cave, intending to retrieve their lost souls, but Ksitigarbha’s quick action ensured their immediate reincarnation, making him late.

With an unpleasant expression, Tathagata arrived at the Great Thunder Monastery and found that many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas had gathered there, evidently awaiting his return!

“Greetings, Tathagata!”

With Tathagata’s arrival, the gathered Buddhas and Bodhisattvas greeted in unison.

His expression returned to calm, neither happy nor sad, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Tathagata moved to sit on his lotus platform throne.

“Tathagata…”

As Tathagata sat on the lotus platform, one Buddha took two steps forward and said, “Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva have fallen, and it was at the hands of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team! What should be done about this matter?”

“Indeed! Bodhisattva! How should this matter be decided?” The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas echoed in unison.

With Manjushri Bodhisattva dead, and at the hands of the same sect, this matter naturally greatly shocked the Buddhist Sect!

“Amitabha, I came here specifically because of this matter!” Chanting a Buddhist mantra, Tathagata spoke.

Without intending to hide anything, Tathagata began recounting in detail the events leading to the slaying of Manjushri and Samantabhadra by Jiang Liu and his group.

“I see!”

Once Tathagata finished speaking, the Medicine Buddha was the first to respond, saying, “Though Manjushri and Samantabhadra fell at the hands of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, Xuanzang and his followers had valid reasons! They were wrong but committed no sin!”

Pausing briefly, the Medicine Buddha then looked at Tathagata and bowed, “Tathagata, since Kong Xuan has already taken Xuanzang’s Green Lotus Treasured Flag, this punishment should suffice as retribution for their errors!”

“Indeed! Xuanzang was wrong but committed no sin! Since Lord Kong Xuan has intervened, there is no need for us to pursue this further!” Following the Medicine Buddha’s words, many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas nodded in agreement.

Evidently, Tathagata’s silent return implied acceptance of this resolution.

As followers of Tathagata, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas naturally stood by his decision!

“No!” However, amidst this agreement, a dissenting voice arose.

Joyous Buddha spoke, “Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva were pillars of our Buddhist Sect! Their deaths, and at the hands of our own, demand resolution! How can we speak of love and harmony within our sect if this matter ends here?”

“Indeed! That’s right!” Following Joyous Buddha’s words, a few other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas nodded in agreement.

Joyous Buddha’s words caught Tathagata’s eye for a brief glance.

Tathagata could understand clearly the reasons behind Joyous Buddha’s stance.

Manjushri and Samantabhadra were once disciples of Yuxu Palace, just as Joyous Buddha was, thus his reluctance to let this go was understandable.

However, despite being within the Buddhist Sect, Tathagata chose not to use his authority to suppress others, and instead, nodded and said, “True, what Joyous Buddha says makes some sense!”

Pausing briefly, Tathagata continued, “Since Joyous Buddha believes this matter must be pursued to the end, I entrust this task to him! How to punish, Joyous Buddha, you may decide, and I will not hold you accountable!”

“This…” Joyous Buddha hesitated at Tathagata’s words, to seek trouble with the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team?

Joyous Buddha hunched over, intimidated!

Seeing that Manjushri and Samantabhadra fell at the hands of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team showed that the team was capable of killing Great Luo Golden Immortals!

And with the team at the center of the Immeasurable Kalpa, would he meet a similar fate if he sought trouble?

Considering normal circumstances, this seemed unlikely.

But the Immeasurable Kalpa defied logic, making the unlikely possible!

“In that case, I will follow Tathagata’s decision!” Withdrawing, Joyous Buddha quickly changed his stance.

This response made Tathagata subtly curl his lips in disdain.

Many other Buddhas at the Great Thunder Monastery also shook their heads subtly.

Though many within the Buddhist Sect were hypocrites, they at least maintained appearances, but Joyous Buddha’s blatant lack of shame was truly contemptible!

“Does anyone else have differing opinions?” After seeing Joyous Buddha back down, Tathagata glanced at the others and asked.

Initially, some who disagreed remained silent.

Though the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team were members of the Buddhist Sect, the fall of Manjushri and Samantabhadra showed that even within the sect, the Immeasurable Kalpa could claim lives.

Thus, they chose to distance themselves if possible,

preferring to address the team’s wrongs after the Journey to the West, after the Immeasurable Kalpa concluded!

“Amitabha, since no one else objects, we will resolve this matter according to Kong Xuan’s decision! The Green Lotus Treasured Flag will serve as punishment!”

Surveying the room and seeing no further objections, Tathagata concluded the matter.

…

Shock!

The three realms and six paths were shocked!

Manjushri Bodhisattva! Samantabhadra Bodhisattva! Great Luo Golden Immortal late stages! Disciples of Saints!

They had fallen!? And at the hands of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team!?

The horror of the Immeasurable Kalpa remains constant!