Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System-Chapter 215: Arguing with Ran Deng

Sun Wukong had never seen these two monks before, but just from their appearance and attire, he could tell that their standing in the Buddhist order was not low, possibly akin to that of a Bodhisattva or a Supreme One.

However, with his current strength and status, he was not inclined to show them any courtesy.

Just now, when the three Demon Kings and the three Asura Kings attacked him with the might of the Blood River Great Formation, these two monks did not step in to intervene.

Now, witnessing the enemy’s defeat and sensing an unfavorable turn of events, they finally stepped forward to preach about Heaven’s virtue of valuing all life.

Clearly there was an issue!

He had previously suspected that the Jing River Dragon King’s soul was hidden here, a sign that the Buddha Sect’s influence had already extended into the Asura clan.

Today, it seemed that these two monks were indeed part of that reaching hand.

At this moment, the three Demon Kings and three Asura Kings, along with many strong members of the Asura clan, and others like the King of Hell retreating to the edge of the underworld, were all watching Sun Wukong, as well as Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.

Sun Wukong’s eyes flashed with fierce light as he stared coldly at the two, "And who might you monks be? Such lack of propriety — even Sakyamuni Tathagata would have to call me Ziwei Great Emperor when he sees me."

Manjusri Bodhisattva said with a smile, "I am Manjusri. In Buddhism, it is said that all sentient beings are equal."

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, with one hand in a gesture of respect, said, "I am Samantabhadra. The benefactor here is a donor, a person of great respect in our Buddhist sect."

Sun Wukong glared at them, "All sentient beings are equal? A person of respect in the Buddhist sect? Would you dare to call the Jade Emperor ’Hao Tian benefactor’ to his face? Would you dare to call a Saint ’benefactor’?"

The smiles on the faces of the two Bodhisattvas faltered. They were already dissatisfied with Sun Wukong holding a high position, which was why they did not address him by his divine title, but they did not expect Sun Wukong to be so particular about it.

However, both were well-versed and widely experienced, and they did not dwell on this matter further.

Manjusri Bodhisattva continued, "The Ziwei Great Emperor is magnanimous. The Asura clan is also part of the six realms of existence. It would not be right to kill or injure countless beings over a trifling matter,"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also said, "As one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly Court, if such actions were taken by the Great Emperor, wouldn’t it lead to criticism and scorn from the people?"

Sun Wukong heard their implied message; they were playing good cop, bad cop. If he continued to act against the Asura clan, they would broadcast today’s events far and wide, perhaps even distorting the truth.

But since when has the Great Sage Equalling Heaven ever succumbed to threats?

"You treat the death of the Jing River Dragon King as a trivial matter?" Sun Wukong sneered, "The Jing River Dragon King was an imperial-ordained Great Dragon God of Rain; to kill him is akin to rebellion.

Since the Asura clan detained his soul and obstructed my investigation, how could it be considered a small matter?

Or perhaps, it was you two who instigated them to do this, and now that you fear your actions being exposed, you’re stepping forward to mediate?"

Manjusri and Samantabhadra both had a slight change in expression.

"Without evidence, how could the Ziwei Great Emperor make such unfounded accusations," said Manjusri with a serious tone.

"You too know not to make unfounded accusations," Sun Wukong glared at them, "So until the matter is thoroughly investigated, I suggest you both keep silent."

Manjusri and Samantabhadra looked uneasy, having been confronted with Sun Wukong’s sharp words and finding themselves unable to refute any further.

Seeing the two Bodhisattvas fall silent, Sun Wukong no longer paid them any heed, the Ruyi Jingu Bang pointing towards the many strong figures of the Asura Realm, "Will you come with me to the Heavenly Court of your own accord, or shall I, Old Sun, have to escort you there?"

Po Xun, Brahma, and Mara, along with the kings Yuan, Zhan, and Ku, all had changing expressions.

Manjusri and Samantabhadra exchanged a look, realizing that Sun Wukong intended to forcibly take the many strong figures of the Asura Realm to the Heavenly Court. The fate of the Asura Realm would then be decided by the Heavenly Court.

As for Ancestor Ming He who created the Asura tribe, this ancient power would never court trouble with the Heavenly Court for the sake of the Asuras, even if he would allow the Buddha Sect to recruit strong warriors from the Asura tribe.

Although the two Bodhisattvas understood this, they could only watch as Sun Wukong wreaked havoc.

The three Great Demon Kings and three Great Asura Kings, these six Quasi-Saints joining hands with a million Asura warriors in the Blood River Great Formation, had not been able to withstand Sun Wukong, let alone just the two of them.

Looking into the distance, Earth Store was still engaged in a Dharma battle with the Mosquito Daoist, with no sign of coming to their aid.

Just as the two Bodhisattvas were worried, a Gold Winged Great Peng from the west broke through the vast void and entered the Asura Realm, its massive wings flapping gently, crossing ninety thousand li with a single beat.

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw the great bird arrive in an instant, with a withered old monk sitting cross-legged on its back.

This old monk appeared as if his oil was exhausted and his lamp was dry, yet he had an eerily endless vitality.

"Greetings to Buddha Dipankara," Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva respectfully saluted, and shared the current situation with him.

The numerous powerful beings of the Asura Realm, including King Yama and others, were all shocked; it was Ancient Buddha Dipankara.

Sun Wukong, however, had the look of an arrow in his eyes and showed no intention of greeting, for with his strength and status, he was long past the need for insincere formalities with an old Quasi-Saint like Dipankara.

At that moment, it was Ancient Buddha Dipankara who took the initiative to speak to Sun Wukong. After listening to Manjusri and Samantabhadra, he brought his hands together and said, "Old Monk Dipankara, has met the Ziwei Great Emperor."

Sun Wukong directly asked, "Old man, are you here to plead for the strong ones of the Asura Realm too?"

Dipankara smiled and said, "Not at all, not at all. I am here to help the Great Emperor Zi Wei investigate the truth."

"Oh?" Sun Wukong’s expression didn’t change, but his vigilance increased.

This Ancient Buddha Dipankara was formerly the Vice Sect Hierarch of the Chan Teaching, and after the Divine Enthronement, led many of his followers to the west, becoming a Buddha Master who presided over the Buddha Sect.

However, he was eventually defeated by Duo Bao, who transformed into Sakyamuni Tathagata, using Mahayana Buddhist Law and had to relinquish the position of Buddha of the Spirit Mountain, becoming a past Buddha Master instead.

But this did not mean Dipankara was any less capable, for he was one of the ancient powers who became a Quasi-Saint during the Witch and Demon Calamity, well before the Vast Wilderness.

He did not hide from karma, yet he survived many great calamities without falling, a testament to his great abilities.

Now that Dipankara said he wanted to help investigate the truth, it was obviously a tactical retreat to protect the Asura tribe.

This also meant that it was the Buddha Sect led by Dipankara, the line of the past Buddhas, that was reaching into the Asura Realm.

Yet were not Jia Ye and Ananda the disciples of Sakyamuni Tathagata? How could they persuade the warriors of the Asura tribe to help hide the soul of the Jing River Dragon King?

Could it be that there is no conflict between the present Buddha and past Buddhas of the Buddha Sect?

Sun Wukong was full of doubts.

Seeing that Sun Wukong did not say much, Dipankara smiled and nodded, then turned to the three Great Demon Kings and three Great Asura Kings, asking, "Was it you who ordered the imprisonment of the Jing River Dragon King’s soul?"

The three Great Demon Kings exchanged glances, and Po Xun spoke in a deep voice, "We have no knowledge of this matter."

The three Great Asura Kings frowned, anger brewing within them, but due to circumstances, it was King Luo who explained, "We don’t know what’s going on, nor have we given any such orders!"

At this point, the young white-haired General You Yu stepped forward and saluted Dipankara, "Greetings to Buddha Dipankara, it was your esteemed winged Supreme One who asked me to help guard the soul of that Dragon King."

Upon hearing this, everyone’s gaze turned towards the Gold Winged Great Peng carrying Dipankara.