Chapter 1049: Chapter 1049: Holding Ksitigarbha Accountable

Heavenly Court, Glycyrrhiza Garden.

The Empress’s complexion appeared quite good as she strolled through the Glycyrrhiza Garden, admiring the garden’s various exotic flowers and plants.

To speak of it, she had been seeing these flowers and plants for countless years, so logically, she should have been tired of them by now.

Yet, for some unknown reason, today they still seemed extraordinarily different to her.

The Empress knew this was due to her state of mind having changed compared to before.

Firstly, she had recovered significantly from the injury inflicted by that mysterious stranger.

Secondly, and most importantly, even though Long Eyebrow obtained Xuanzang’s essence blood to prolong his life, she successfully killed him.

“Long Eyebrow Immortal? You originally didn’t have many years left to live. If I let you die a natural death, wouldn’t that be best? Yet, you still planned for Xuanzang’s flesh and blood, and even succeeded!” Thinking of Long Eyebrow’s matters, the Empress’s lips curved slightly, murmuring to herself in her heart.

Because of her daughter’s incident with the Cowherd, both sides had already torn apart their relationship long ago.

A Great Luo Golden Immortal Late Stage existence posed some threat, and by conspiring to murder him at this time, the Empress felt her heart become much lighter.

“Empress, you seem to be looking quite well recently! You’re even more radiant!” The Fairy beside her seemed to notice the Empress’s good mood recently and spoke up.

“Yes, yes, the Empress does indeed look even better these days!” Naturally, flattering words would not be left behind, so the few other Fairies present also chimed in, eager to join the praise.

“Hahaha, you all have such sweet little mouths!” Hearing these compliments, the Empress felt quite pleased and said with a smile.

Speaking, she paused slightly, then followed by rewarding these Fairies with some items, which greatly delighted them, prompting them to thank her hastily.

For the Empress, when in a good mood, hearing these praises made her even happier, casually rewarding them with something was naturally harmless.

“Empress…”

But just as the atmosphere among the Empress and a few Fairies in the Glycyrrhiza Garden was quite pleasant, suddenly, a close-attendant Maiden approached her, whispered something in her ear.

The Fairies in the Glycyrrhiza Garden lowered their heads, not daring to look.

Though only a Maiden, the Empress’s close-attendant was of the Great Luo Golden Immortal cultivation level, and being the Empress’s right-hand, her status was indeed extraordinary.

“Are you certain!?” Whatever the close-attendant whispered into the Empress’s ear, it caused her previously smiling face to change subtly, turning her head to glance at the Maiden with a grave expression, she asked.

“Certain, I would never be mistaken!” The Maiden nodded, a solemn expression on her face too.

“Alright, you all may leave for now!” Clearly having some important matters to discuss, the Empress waved her hand, dismissing the Fairies present.

“Didn’t you say you successfully dealt with it when descending? Why is Long Eyebrow still alive and joined the Ming Sect?” After the Fairies had left, the Empress turned her head, looking at her side’s Maiden, frowning as she asked.

“Empress, I indeed succeeded at that time, I am very sure Long Eyebrow had already perished, but why he’s alive again, I truly do not know!”

This Maiden’s face was also filled with bewilderment, clearly unable to comprehend how she had succeeded at that time.

“So you mean, for some unknown reason, Long Eyebrow has been resurrected?” Hearing the Maiden’s words, the Empress murmured softly to herself.

Naturally, the Empress trusted her close-attendant’s words and believed that Long Eyebrow had indeed died.

As for him still being alive now? In the Empress’s opinion, he must have used some unknown method to resurrect.

But how could an Immortal like Long Eyebrow be resurrected? What is going on?

For Immortals and Buddhas, resurrection is a hundredfold more difficult than for ordinary people.

“It seems I should take a trip to the Underworld!” After pondering for a long time, the Empress’s brows furrowed slightly, and she said.

By rights, after Long Eyebrow Immortal died, his lost soul would fall into the hands of Ksitigarbha, who is responsible for arranging reincarnation.

Though not knowing exactly what method Long Eyebrow used to resurrect, the Empress understood that since he resurrected, Ksitigarbha should know something about it.

With these thoughts quietly brewing in her heart for a moment, the Empress said no more unnecessary words, found two Fairies, and briefly instructed them.

Shortly after, the Empress, who was a Quasi-Saint, along with her personal maid, entered the Netherworld directly and flew towards the Ksitigarbha Cave.

At the Ksitigarbha Cave, the Novice Monk under Ksitigarbha was, as usual, stationed at the entrance.

A brilliant and magnificent immortal light blossomed, and upon seeing the Empress’s arrival, the Novice Monk’s expression slightly changed, as he rushed forward to pay respects: “Greetings, Empress!”

“Bodhisattva, I have come. May I have an audience?” Standing in front of the Ksitigarbha Cave, the Empress spoke with a voice majestically dignified.

“Amitabha, since the Empress has arrived personally, this humble monk naturally comes to greet you!”

With the Empress’s words, Ksitigarbha directly walked out from his abode and spoke, his demeanor giving the Empress ample respect.

Seeing Ksitigarbha coming out to greet her personally, the Empress’s expression remained calm, without much joy.

If it were anyone else, the Empress would sense his respect, but as for Ksitigarbha? His respect was merely superficial.

If someone died and she wanted to retrieve a soul, he wouldn’t grant her any favor.

So, his respect was useless when it really mattered, being respectful in ordinary times was just in vain.

“Bodhisattva, you’ve been busy lately, haven’t you?” Once Ksitigarbha came out to greet her, the Empress spoke.

Indeed, thinking about it can be shocking.

Ordinarily, the fall of Immortals and Buddhas is rare, yet recently, they have been falling one after another.

Setting aside the likes of Envoy Muzha, the Buddha of the South Baosheng, Bodhisattva of Vast Power, even Maitreya Buddha have all fallen.

Moreover, many deities from the Heavenly Court have perished, especially Empress Qinghua and the Emperor of Longevity, both of whom hold extraordinary status!

However, except for Maitreya Buddha’s soul, which was retrieved from the Soul-Cleansing Pool and barely reincarnated, everyone else was arranged by Maitreya Buddha to reincarnate, leaving no chance for Tathagata and the Great Jade Emperor to retrieve souls.

Being this impartial makes one completely unamenable to reason.

“Amitabha, my work is assigned by the Heavenly Dao, and I naturally perform my duties diligently and conscientiously without slack…” Listening to the Empress’s words, Ksitigarbha seemed not to notice the hidden implication in her words, and answered calmly.

“Yes, the Bodhisattva’s work attitude over the years is evident to all beings in the three realms and six paths, indeed admirable, but…” With a slight nod, the Empress spoke in a way that neither confirmed whether it was praise or sarcasm.

Then paused abruptly.

Ksitigarbha slightly bowed his head; if it were an ordinary person, perhaps he would follow up on the Empress’s words and ask: But what?

However, Ksitigarbha merely kept his head bowed, neither playing along nor acting as if he awaited the Empress to continue, opting not to cooperate.

Seeing Ksitigarbha bowing slightly without uttering a word, the Empress’s lips tightened slightly, and she spoke on her own: “But I hope your work truly achieves impartiality without the slightest bias!”

“Is the Empress implying that there’s something I’m not doing right?” Ksitigarbha wasn’t dull; he instantly caught on to the meaning within the Empress’s words.

Yet, Ksitigarbha did not intend to continue down this line of conversation, instead, he feigned ignorance, nodding in agreement, saying: “This humble monk heeds the Empress’s admonition, and shall surely remain unbiased!”

“Is this an admonition, or am I questioning you?” The Empress was slightly taken aback by Ksitigarbha’s response, secretly grumbling in her heart.

It’s like in school when a teacher calls on a student to answer a question, yet the student’s response is:

“Teacher, you don’t even know the answer? Why ask me? How can you be a teacher?”

Answering off-topic and not following conventional rules?

With open mouth, realizing such implicit speech was unsuitable, the Empress could only be candid, and said, “Recently, I learned that a Superior Immortal of my Immortal Realm, Long Eyebrow, perished. Originally, his soul ought to have come before you, Bodhisattva, to be arranged for reincarnation, right? However, I suddenly got news that Long Eyebrow was resurrected. Does Bodhisattva have anything to say about this?”

“Ahem, Empress, forgive my inadequate hospitality, keeping you at the cave entrance for so long…”

After a couple of dry coughs, Ksitigarbha changed the subject, saying: “Empress, please do come inside the cave for a chat!”

“Hmm, in that case, I shall go in for a sit then!” Nodding, the Empress, with her maid, under Ksitigarbha’s invitation, entered the Ksitigarbha Cave…