Chapter 1301: Chapter 1299: Medicine Buddha: He Truly Is the Reincarnation of Master Golden Cicada
“Amitabha…”
Facing the words of the Medicine Buddha, Jiang Liu chanted a Buddhist hymn and said to the Medicine Buddha, “Thank you for your kind intentions, Buddha. Since even you know that the death of the Dragon King of Jing River has some suspicious aspects, there surely must be some deceit involved here!”
“Little White Dragon has just asked me to seek justice, and I have already agreed. I dare not trouble you, Buddha!”
Jiang Liu’s words made the Medicine Buddha’s expression somewhat unpleasant.
He meant to invoke the name of the Tathagata to make him obedient, not to confirm the suspicions surrounding the Dragon King of Jing River’s death, leading him to investigate on his own.
“Merit Buddha, do you not believe in me or in the Buddha?” With a slight frown, the Medicine Buddha continued, addressing Jiang Liu.
“How could I not believe you, nor the Buddha?” Jiang Liu hurriedly argued. “It’s just that matters we can resolve ourselves should not trouble the Buddha. As the leader of the Buddhist sect, the Buddha surely has many tasks to manage daily!”
“Though indeed the Buddha manages many affairs daily, your Journey to the West for Scriptures involves the fate of all beings. You should complete this great endeavor quickly!”
The Medicine Buddha replied, his words impassioned, standing from a lofty position.
“If I cannot even guide my own people, what right do I have to guide all people?” With palms pressed together, Jiang Liu replied, also speaking from a lofty position.
“This…” With Jiang Liu’s words, the Medicine Buddha hesitated, truly unsure how to respond.
Although his words had reason, Jiang Liu’s words were equally justified. If one cannot guide their own, what right has one to guide all others?
“Just as expected from the reincarnation of Master Golden Cicada; truly articulate…” Amidst his hesitation, Medicine Buddha inwardly sighed.
Cicadas have a nature that sings, and Master Golden Cicada was known for his eloquence when he was in the Buddhist sect.
“Master is impressive!”
Though accompanying Jiang Liu across the Journey to the West, Sun Wukong and the others were already aware of Jiang Liu’s abilities, but witnessing him render the Medicine Buddha speechless amazed Sun Wukong and the others internally.
After all, it’s a known fact that the people of the Buddhist sect are all eloquent.
Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, upon introspection, acknowledged that in verbal confrontations, they wouldn’t be able to match these Buddhist figures.
Especially Sun Wukong, who remembered the reason he was trapped under the Five-Finger Mountain for five hundred years.
Wasn’t it because he was foolishly tricked into the Tathagata’s palm and got trapped there?
“Medicine Buddha…”
Not mentioning Sun Wukong’s thoughts, at this moment, Sun Wukong pulled out the Jingu Bang from his ear, exuding a menacing aura, directly aiming it at the Medicine Buddha.
“There must be suspicions surrounding the death of Xiaobai’s uncle. Why are you so eager to take his soul away? Could it be that you played an unsavory role in this?”
One playing the strict, one playing the gentle; this was the strategy initially devised by the disciples together.
Now, Jiang Liu’s verbal exchange had already silenced the Medicine Buddha, and Sun Wukong knew it was time for him to play the strict role.
With hostility emanating from his entire being, he appeared ready to act at any moment.
With Sun Wukong pointing the Jingu Bang, the Medicine Buddha’s heart sank, feeling the terrifying hostility approaching, causing him to tremble somewhat.
Though in terms of level, Medicine Buddha was at level 90, Sun Wukong at level 88, just barely inferior.
However, Medicine Buddha’s expertise was in elixir art, lacking true combat prowess.
And Sun Wukong’s skills were already famous; in a real fight, could he defeat Sun Wukong? Medicine Buddha truly lacked confidence.
Moreover, in a real battle, Xuanzang and the others present, whom would they support?
The Lapis Lazuli King Buddha’s death at Xuanzang’s hand was a lesson learned.
“Wukong, don’t be impulsive. How could this matter be related to Medicine Buddha? I have a good personal relationship with him, and I trust his character!” The gentle role-playing Jiang Liu comforted Sun Wukong with a few words.
Despite Jiang Liu’s comforting words, nearby Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and Little White Dragon all directed their eyes at Medicine Buddha, their gazes clearly full of skepticism.
Listening to Jiang Liu’s words, Medicine Buddha felt slightly reassured. At least Xuanzang seemed without murderous intent, and as a master, he could indeed restrain Sun Wukong and the others.
“Great Sage Sun, you are mistaken. This matter truly has nothing to do with me. Since the Merit Buddha wishes to conduct the investigation yourselves, then, by all means, proceed with your own inquiry!”
At this point, continuing to insist would only heighten Sun Wukong and the others’ suspicions about himself. The Medicine Buddha felt helpless and had no choice but to express his relinquishment.
“In that case, thank you, King Buddha. We hope that when you meet the Buddha, you can help explain for us! It’s not that the humble monk doesn’t trust the Buddha, but this matter is indeed our own, and we dare not disturb the Buddha!”
Jiang Liu, playing the amiable role, naturally knew what to say. Appearing very agreeable, he spoke humbly and courteously to the Medicine Buddha.
“Hmm, that’s a given!” Responding to Jiang Liu’s words, the Medicine Buddha nodded.
However, just when the Medicine Buddha was about to leave, his figure paused slightly. He then asked: “By the way, you mentioned that you feel there’s something odd about the death of the Dragon King of Jing River. How did you come to know this?”
“The Dragon King of Jing River once approached a man named Yuan Shoucheng in Chang’an City to calculate the points for rain; his calculations were even more accurate and ahead of the Jade Emperor’s decree. This incident is quite peculiar!”
“Back when I was in Chang’an City, I also chatted with Taoist Yuan Tiangang. He mentioned that Yuan Shoucheng is his master and does not possess any calculation skills! He just often engages in deceitful activities in Chang’an City!”
Jiang Liu understood that the Medicine Buddha wanted to see how much their team had uncovered during the Journey to the West for Scriptures, so he had no intention to hide any information.
The Medicine Buddha departed, heading back to report the specifics of this meeting with Jiang Liu and his team to the Tathagata.
“Alright, everyone played their roles well in this little drama. We’ve succeeded in informing the Tathagata about our intentions to vindicate the Dragon King of Jing River. Now, whatever happens, the Tathagata will be forewarned!”
Watching the Medicine Buddha leave, Jiang Liu clapped his hands and spoke, affirming everyone’s performance in the act just now.
“Hehehe, Little White’s acting was genuinely impressive, especially the way he knelt down, the head bowing with an audible thud!” Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled and praised Little White Dragon’s performance.
“No, no, the master’s and senior brother’s acting were excellent!” Responding, Little White Dragon humbly stated.
To Little White Dragon, he believed he merely laid the groundwork, while the real stars were his master playing the amiable role and senior brother playing the stern role.
“Of course, the master displayed the best acting skills; besides acting, his eloquence was impeccable, leaving the Medicine Buddha speechless!” As an enthusiastic supporter, Zhu Bajie naturally stepped forward to express his support for Jiang Liu.
“Actually, I also felt Little White’s acting was quite good!” After thinking for a moment, Sha Wujing also spoke up, sharing his viewpoint.
The Dragon King of Jing River watched the camaraderie between Jiang Liu and his disciples, coupled with what he witnessed just now, feeling somewhat astonished.
These disciples managed to manipulate the Medicine Buddha, perhaps even the Tathagata as well, to achieve their goals?
“The Sect Hierarch’s abilities are indeed remarkable!” Witnessing Jiang Liu and his team’s tactics firsthand, the Dragon King of Jing River couldn’t help but secretly marvel.
“Alright, you guys can stop complimenting each other now. Are you aiming for the Oscars here? Even if that’s the case, you should wait till the entire matter is truly completed!”
Listening to Sun Wukong’s gang exchanging compliments endlessly, Jiang Liu couldn’t help but interrupt, halting their cycle of mutual praise.
Well then, since it was the master who intervened, Sun Wukong and the others naturally stopped their idle chatter. All eyes were now on Jiang Liu, evidently waiting for him to elaborate on the next step of the plan.
“Next, Wukong, head to Chang’an City, find Yuan Shoucheng, and secretly observe for a few days!” Jiang Liu spoke, outlining the next phase of their strategy.
“Alright, master!” Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong nodded, expressing his understanding.
Now, the Buddhist Sect already knows that we’ve identified Yuan Shoucheng as a breakthrough point. The question is, will the Buddhist Sect or the Heavenly Court attempt anything against Yuan Shoucheng?
We should use him as bait, casting a line to see if we can lure out a big fish among the Immortals and Buddhas.
Of course, catching one would be ideal.
But if we don’t successfully lure one out, that’s fine too. When the time comes, we will proceed by using Yuan Shoucheng as the breakthrough point to thoroughly investigate.
If the Immortals and Buddhas indeed plan to act against Yuan Shoucheng, time will be of the essence, so Sun Wukong won’t have to wait long, just a few days of observation will suffice.
“As for you guys, follow the plan and begin your actions! Find Spirit Official Li!” Watching Sun Wukong turn to leave, Jiang Liu then turned his attention to Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, instructing them.
Spirit Official Li was the one who announced the Jade Emperor’s decree when the Dragon King of Jing River was ordered to bring rain.
To overturn this matter naturally places Spirit Official Li in a critical role.
After some thought, Jiang Liu even took out the God-Beating Whip, handing it to Zhu Bajie, saying: “Regarding this matter, there is no need for your teacher to elaborate. You once served as Marshal Tianpeng, so you naturally know what must be done!”