114: Chapter 114 Ziwei’s Methods 114: Chapter 114 Ziwei’s Methods But, would Amitabha Buddha really choose to intervene given his nature?

Lu Dongbin wasn’t sure.

“The matter is settled, then.

Let us visit the Purple Forbidden Enclosure first.”

Having made a decision, Sun Wukong was not inclined to wait.

The later he took control of the Netherworld, the more advantageous it would be for Tathagata.

If his guess was correct, by now, quite a few souls that had been converted were likely already reborn in the Eastern Continent.

Given Tathagata a little more time, even if the Netherworld was taken, even more souls would be reborn in the Eastern Continent.

Sun Wukong immediately grabbed Lu Dongbin and, riding his Somersault Cloud, flew towards the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

“No, ugh…”

Lu Dongbin’s scream came through, utterly pitiful.

Outside the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, Lu Dongbin’s face was ashen; he retched, and his entire being was in disarray.

No matter how many times he rode Sun Wukong’s Somersault Cloud, he couldn’t handle it.

The gatekeeping Heavenly General wanted to stop Sun Wukong and have him wait to be announced.

“Old Sun has no time to wait for your announcement.

Stand aside.”

Sun Wukong burst in directly.

The gatekeeping Heavenly General, left with no choice, stepped aside.

This was someone who didn’t play by the rules, and if provoked, he would answer with a beating.

The Great Emperor Ziwei was discussing matters with his ministers.

Suddenly, Sun Wukong barged in.

He glanced at the civil and military officials around him and said, “Apart from Venus and Tianpeng, everyone else leave.”

All the deities were stunned.

Li Jing, dissatisfied, spoke up, “Great Saint, what is the meaning of this?”

“Scram, say one more word, and Old Sun will make you eat my staff.”

A fierce light shimmered in Sun Wukong’s eyes.

Mu Zha stepped forward, his voice filled with rage, “Rascal Monkey, how dare you disrespect my father?”

Sun Wukong pulled out his staff and struck him; after blocking a few blows, Mu Zha could not withstand it any longer and was sent flying out with a single hit.

“Disciple Hui An, you traitor, Bodhisattva Guanyin taught you for so many years, the Bodhisattva has encountered many troubles recently, and you’ve been indifferent.

If it weren’t for the fact that you’re now under the Great Emperor Ziwei’s command, Old Sun would have killed you with one blow, you beast.”

Mu Zha’s face flushed red.

He felt the danger to the Bodhisattva, which was why he returned to the Heavenly Court to be by his father’s side, not wanting to find himself in peril.

The word “traitor” truly did not wrong him at all.

The hall was in total chaos.

Li Jing, with an angry expression, knelt before the Great Emperor Ziwei and said indignantly, “Your Majesty, Sun Wukong has committed violence in the hall, injured my sons, and shown no respect for your Majesty.

I implore you to demonstrate heavenly might and punish this rascal monkey.”

“Are you asking for a beating too?”

Sun Wukong’s gaze turned icy.

“Enough,” said the Great Emperor Ziwei, silencing the room immediately.

“Apart from Venus and Tianpeng, the rest of you may leave.

Today’s court session is adjourned.”

Everyone was dumbfounded; no one had expected the Great Emperor Ziwei to show no intention of reprimanding Sun Wukong.

Li Jing was extremely furious.

This was no longer just a matter of falling out of favor with the Great Emperor Ziwei; it was clear the Great Emperor didn’t regard them, father and son, at all.

Feeling disheartened, he left with Jin Zha and Mu Zha.

The other civil and military Immortal Officials also took their leave.

Only when everyone had disappeared did Venus finally say, “Your Majesty, I know you don’t like Li Jing, but your actions just now could chill the hearts of your ministers.”

However, the Great Emperor Ziwei seemed indifferent.

He spoke lightly, “The gods of the Heavenly Court have lived in peace for too long.

Figures like Li Jing merely warm their seats and live like parasites.

If he wishes to leave, he is free to do so.

I would rather promote some new Immortal Gods, so the Heavenly Court can have a fresh look in the future and not follow in the footsteps of the Jade Emperor.”

Gold Star Taibai appeared contemplative, with a hint of admiration lingering upon his face.

Great Emperor Ziwei harbored ambitions to become the Great Heavenly Venerate and indeed possessed the spirit fit for such a stature.

He had already begun laying the groundwork for his ascent to the role of the Great Heavenly Venerate,

“It was my shortsightedness, please forgive me, Your Majesty,”

Gold Star Taibai said, bowing with folded hands.

Great Emperor Ziwei offered a faint smile, without a word of reproach for Gold Star Taibai.

Right after the Jade Emperor’s demise, he had promptly taken Gold Star Taibai under his wing, valuing his capabilities.

Gold Star Taibai was one of the few in the Heavenly Court who could get things done.

“Wukong, what brings you here in such a rush?”

Great Emperor Ziwei asked with a smile.

Zhu Bajie too was puzzled; it was rare to see Monkey in such a hurry.

With a rather solemn expression, Sun Wukong said, “I have come to realize what Tathagata is up to.”

Great Emperor Ziwei’s expression grew stern, and he gestured for Sun Wukong to continue.

As Sun Wukong shared his speculations, everyone present was visibly shaken.

Gold Star Taibai’s face went pale as he exclaimed in shock, “If things continue this way, all newly born beings will be potential Buddhist disciples.

In time, people from the Buddhist Realm will dominate the Three Realms while the Daoist Sect will weaken and perhaps even perish.

We must reclaim the Netherworld to stop Tathagata.”

Zhu Bajie scoffed even more bluntly, “That old coin, Tathagata, is truly venomous.

Your Majesty, give the order.

I am willing to lead an assault into the Netherworld.

I swear not to relent until we reclaim it.”

“I shall try to enlist Amitabha Buddha.

If we join forces with Amitabha Buddha to seize the Netherworld, even he would not wish to see Tathagata gain too much power,”

Sun Wukong stated with a grave voice.

Great Emperor Ziwei’s demeanor turned peculiar, and he suddenly laughed.

“Why do you laugh, Great Emperor?”

Sun Wukong asked in surprise.

How could Great Emperor Ziwei laugh at such a critical moment?

If Tathagata was not stopped, once he gathered momentum, he would become much harder to deal with.

“Wukong, you seem to have forgotten my identity,”

Great Emperor Ziwei said with a smile.

A thought struck Sun Wukong, and his eyes lit up with excitement as he asked, “Great Emperor Ziwei has a way to nullify the effects of conversion or ordination?”

Great Emperor Ziwei nodded slightly; smiling, he said, “Emperor Fengdu is indeed my incarnation.

I hold a considerable degree of authority over the Netherworld.

I can employ measures to affect reincarnation, covertly restoring those reincarnating souls to their original essence, with just a few simple tricks.”

Sun Wukong’s eyes gleamed slightly.

Great Emperor Ziwei continued, “Moreover, I can influence those souls to subtly detest the Buddhist Realm, and the people of the Buddhist Realm will remain oblivious.

Twenty years from now, when Tathagata takes action, he will be caught completely off guard.”

“Won’t it be troublesome?”

Sun Wukong inquired.

After all, it was a monumental task.

In twenty years, countless souls would have been reincarnated.

It was doubtful whether Great Emperor Ziwei could handle it all by himself.

“It’s just a minor privilege.

Tathagata thinks he understands it all, aiming to seize the Netherworld to control the Three Realms.

However, he hasn’t considered that the Heavenly Court has mastered the inner workings of the Netherworld over so many years; we know it far better than he does.”

Sun Wukong was reassured and broke into a laugh.

“Old Sun shall await the spectacle,”

Sun Wukong declared with a chuckle.

“Great Saint, shall we still seek out Amitabha Buddha?”

Lu Dongbin inquired.

“To hell with that.

Let Amitabha Buddha eat shit.

Just the thought of his old face makes me nauseous,”

Sun Wukong retorted with a grimace.

The crowd: “…”