Capítulo 1313: Chapter 1311: Tathagata’s Sabotage (Part 2)
Originally, Xuanzang was forcing the Jade Emperor to issue an Edict of Self-Accusation, but after they hid and discussed for a while, what kind of agreement did they reach?
Why did Xuanzang and his party leave so easily?
Moreover, why after that did the Jade Emperor act as if nothing had happened, everything was as before?
If there was no Edict of Self-Accusation issued, and the resurrection of the Dragon King of Jing River wasn’t even mentioned again? What is the truth behind all this?
And most importantly, after leaving, Jiang Liu was actually trying to resurrect the Dragon King of Jing River himself? He didn’t even intend for the Jade Emperor to intervene?
“Could it be? Is there some secret deal between Xuanzang and the Jade Emperor?” Reflecting on the unusual development, the Tathagata whispered to himself.
If this is truly the case, then the situation isn’t very favorable! Xuanzang is someone under my command; he must not be swayed by the Jade Emperor.
“The death of the Dragon King of Jing River is related to the starting point of the Journey to the West for Scriptures. If he were resurrected, wouldn’t it mean telling everyone that the Journey to the West for Scriptures was a scam from the beginning? This would be a stain on the Buddhist Sect’s reputation, so he must not be resurrected!”
Given that the situation with the Jade Emperor has developed unexpectedly, the Tathagata felt he should intervene in all this himself.
It’s just that, for this intervention, how should I proceed? The Tathagata felt it was a difficult decision.
Given the current power of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, unless the Tathagata or Randeng Buddha personally steps in, there’s little chance of contending with the Journey to the West team.
Otherwise, even if Maitreya Buddha intervenes, the scenario would be one of more defeats than victories.
“Huh? Wait, sometimes you don’t need to personally intervene…” As the Tathagata was pondering internally, suddenly, his heart stirred slightly.
With an idea in mind, he raised his hand, and a Treasure Book appeared in his hand.
Then, the Tathagata slowly opened the Treasure Book, which recorded various names.
The Heavenly Court has an Immortal Register; anyone whose name is recorded on it is considered a member of the Heavenly Court Forces, from the Four Great Heavenly Guardians to the Heavenly Soldiers, without exception!
And the Buddhist Sect? They also have a similar Treasure Book, from the Three King Buddhas to the Dharma Protector Vajra and Golden Arhats, anyone whose name is on it is considered a member of the Buddhist Forces.
Once a member whose name is recorded dies, their soul will fall into the hands of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, who is responsible for reincarnation.
Previously, Xuanzang and his party passed by the Pansi Spider Cave, and quietly, Maitreya Buddha had a Spider Demoness’s name recorded in the Treasure Book, then caused her death, so her soul returned to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s hands, right?
Then? Can I now emulate this tactic?
Originally, the Dragon King of Jing River was a Dragon King affiliated with the Heavenly Court Forces; upon death, his soul should fall under the jurisdiction of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Yet in the end, he became a wandering ghost, which the Tathagata has never understood.
To this day, due to the Dragon King of Jing River’s matter, there seems to be an unknown deal between the Jade Emperor and Xuanzang? This made the Tathagata harbor private suspicions…
Could it be that the reason the Dragon King of Jing River’s soul became a wandering ghost is that the Jade Emperor secretly removed his name from the Immortal Register?
The issue concerning the Dragon King of Jing River is something the Tathagata has never fathomed. But now, after this idea formed in his mind, it seemed to him that it could perfectly explain why the Dragon King of Jing River became a wandering ghost?
Otherwise, what other explanation is there?
Could it be that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva intentionally refused to collect the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River?
That’s impossible!
It seems that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has never shown leniency to any deceased Immortals or Buddhas before.
“Since the Dragon King of Jing River’s soul was removed from the Immortal Register, causing him to become a wandering ghost, then I shall write his name in the Buddhist Sect’s Treasure Book…”
Having this idea in mind, the Tathagata wasted no time, directly taking out his pen and wrote the Dragon King of Jing River’s name into the Treasure Book, even granting him the title of Dharma Protector Golden King Dragon.
With the Tathagata writing the Dragon King of Jing River’s name into the Treasure Book and even bestowing upon him a Buddhist fruit position, from the perspective of the Journey to the West team, suddenly from the body of White Dragon Horse, a bracelet flew out directly.
This was the Dragon Soul Bracelet that housed the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River.
At this moment, the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River flew straight out from the Dragon Soul Bracelet, completely beyond control, and immediately, the soul left the confines of the Dragon Soul Bracelet, drifting into the Underworld, finally arriving in the Ksitigarbha Cave of Ksitigarbha…
“This is terrible, how could this happen!?” Seeing his uncle’s soul suddenly vanish like this, White Dragon Horse’s face turned sharply.
Immediately, he hurriedly opened the dialogue box and reported the situation to Jiang Liu.
At this time, Jiang Liu, having obtained Suiren’s blood, had just arrived in Chang’an City, preparing to reconnect the corpse of the Dragon King of Jing River, when he suddenly received a message from Little White Dragon, saying that the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River had disappeared directly? Entered the Netherworld Underworld?
“What’s going on? Wasn’t the soul always in the Dragon Soul Bracelet?” Upon receiving the report from Little White Dragon, Jiang Liu’s expression also turned serious, as he muttered quietly to himself.
However, now is not the time to ponder this. Since the incident has already occurred, finding the cause is a secondary matter. The first step is to retrieve the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River as the urgent task!
With this thought, Jiang Liu sent a message to comfort White Dragon Horse, saying he would personally check the Underworld, then descended directly into the Netherworld.
Thinking about it, since the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River was forcibly drawn to the Underworld, it either went to Ksitigarbha’s hands or to one of the Ten Yama’s domains.
It can’t truly have become a wandering soul; nor could it have continued sinking into the Netherworld Blood Sea and ended up in the hands of Ancestor Minghe, could it?
After entering the Netherworld, Jiang Liu pondered for a moment, then opened the dialogue box and sent a message to Ksitigarbha, inquiring whether the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River was in his hands.
At the same time, he secretly resolved that if it wasn’t in Ksitigarbha’s hands, he would have to pay a visit to the Ten Yama Courts.
“Indeed, the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River is in my hands, and this is the second time it has fallen into my hands!” Ksitigarbha quickly sent a message back, confirming the current whereabouts of the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River.
However, upon seeing Ksitigarbha’s response, Jiang Liu frowned deeply.
The soul of the Dragon King of Jing River suddenly left the Dragon Soul Bracelet and fell into Ksitigarbha’s hands? What exactly is going on?
“Has this really been the second time that the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River has fallen into Ksitigarbha’s hands?” Noting Ksitigarbha’s words, Jiang Liu muttered silently to himself.
If that’s the case, is the reason the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River previously existed as a wandering ghost because Ksitigarbha intentionally released it?
That makes sense. From the very beginning when I transmigrated to this world, Ksitigarbha has been paying attention to me. Hence, he must have known that keeping the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River would be more useful to me, right?
No wonder the Dragon King of Jing River, although being an immortal, died, and his soul became a wandering ghost instead of being arranged for reincarnation by Ksitigarbha.
“Bodhisattva, why did the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River fall into your hands again this time?” Jiang Liu asked Ksitigarbha again after realizing the previous situation, inquiring further about the specific reason.
“This time, it’s because the name of the Dragon King of Jing River was written in the Buddhist Sect’s Treasure Book, being conferred the title of Dharma Protector Golden King Dragon! He counts as an existence within the Buddhist Sect, thus his soul has once again fallen into my hands!”
With Jiang Liu’s inquiry, Ksitigarbha quickly replied again, explaining the reason behind it.
“So that’s it! The people of the Buddhist Sect wrote the name of the Dragon King of Jing River in the Treasure Book?” Jiang Liu nodded in understanding, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Originally, I had taken Sun Wukong and the others to Lingxiao Hall to seek justice from the Jade Emperor. Yet, after my matters at Lingxiao Hall are over, is there someone from the Buddhist Sect plotting against me again?
Although I don’t know who made the move, anyone capable of adding a name to the Buddhist Sect’s Treasure Book must have the knowledge of Tathagata. Not knowing is impossible!
“So, does Tathagata not want the Dragon King of Jing River to be resurrected? In that case, should we take action against Tathagata through this matter?”
As the Journey to the West continues, Jiang Liu has long formulated a plan to counter-attack the Immortals and Buddhas. Thus, Jiang Liu has become as fearless as a honey badger, reflexively considering if there is room to escalate matters and take down the adversaries whenever provoked.
Of course, wanting to take down Tathagata is still just a fleeting thought.
After all, I currently hold a position within the Buddhist Sect, and if it came to the point of breaking ties with Tathagata, the consequences could be far more severe than falling out with the Great Jade Emperor.
With a silent shake of his head, Jiang Liu temporarily dismissed the notion of confronting Tathagata and turned his attention back to Ksitigarbha. He began discussing with Ksitigarbha how to stage a scenario that could retrieve the soul of the Dragon King of Jing River from his hands.
This time, the eyes of Tathagata are undoubtedly fixed on Ksitigarbha’s Cave…
(PS: This is the second update. The next chapter will be updated at 6 AM!)