But just as Sun Kong was about to go berserk and kill someone, several Sages immediately sent telepathic messages to console him!
It was none other than Nuwa Niangniang, Yuanshi Tianzun, Jieyin Daoren, and Zhunti Daoren, the four of them!
"Kong'er, do not act rashly!"
"Although Tathagata's Nirvana was tragic, it was bound to be caused by some heavenly secrets manifesting. As his adopted son, the eldest disciple of the Journey to the West, and the acting Vice Buddha of Spirit Mountain."
"You may be sad."
"You may be upset."
"But you must not incur the wrath of Heaven, nor defy the will of Heaven!"
As expected, the one who cared most for her son was always his mother. Although Nuwa Niangniang and Sun Kong's relationship was not by birth, but rather a result of Sun Kong's previous gifts and efforts to please her.
However, this Nuwa Niangniang was quite supportive.
She sent her consolations immediately, which instantly halved Sun Kong's anger. He had to return to reality and admit the correctness of her words.
"Dear mother, I know what I'm doing. This matter is not anyone else's fault, but the rise of the demon race has brought about more unpredictable heavenly changes."
"In the future, if there is an opportunity, I, Old Sun, will find a way to save Tathagata."
"I must say, I used to look down on the past Tathagata. Although his cultivation was extremely high, he had no demeanor of a Buddha. Now, however, he is truly impressive."
"If such a day comes, I hope my dear mother will not stop me, but support me in saving him. This position of Buddha... hehe, it truly is most suitable for him."
Half of Sun Kong's words were in response to Nuwa Niangniang's concerns, assuring her that his own son would not act too recklessly.
The other half was because he had genuinely developed some feelings for Tathagata.
Putting aside other matters.
Just based on Tathagata's willingness to self-immolate for Spirit Mountain, for the Hinayana Buddhism, and for the future of Sun Kong and others, this spirit was something that none of the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain could match.
Whether it was the current Burning Lamp Buddha, who was secretly rejoicing.
Or the Eight Great Bodhisattvas and Three Thousand Arhats, who were all secretly pleased at Tathagata's demise, they all gave Sun Kong the feeling of being superficial and merely holding their positions for naught.
They were simply not worthy of being Buddhist disciples of Spirit Mountain.
However.
Previously, Sun Kong had not bothered with them as he sought to court death repeatedly, to shock the world repeatedly, and to change the karma of the Journey to the West to gain rewards.
But now.
Even with Tathagata's sacrifice, Burning Lamp Buddha and the others still showed no specific reaction, merely expressing a few lukewarm shocks, and then acting as if it was all over?
It was simply outrageous.
It was simply ungrateful!
"Without Tathagata, how could there have been the conversion of barbarians to Buddhism in the past?"
"Without Tathagata, how could Tathagata have taken the opportunity to establish Hinayana Buddhism later, taking away thirty percent of the luck of the Western Teachings, and striving endlessly for greater expansion in the future and the creation of the Pure Land of Saha?"
"Without Tathagata, how could this little Burning Lamp, Sister Guanyin, Sister Manjushri, Sister Samantabhadra, and that ugly brother Julusun, have the glory of being the foremost power below the Sages today, even though they are not Sages?"
"No matter how many faults Tathagata may have, he sacrificed greatly for Hinayana Buddhism, with a hundred merits outweighing one sin."
"The Buddhas of Spirit Mountain, however, showed no sign of emotion, nor shed any tears, as if they were celebrating the departure of a plague god. Such Buddhas of Spirit Mountain... are better off without."
"When the ninety-nine eighty-one tribulations of the Journey to the West are completed, I, Old Sun, will surely make them pay."
"Even if not waiting until the tribulation is completed, if anyone during this period truly has the shamelessness to take too much of the merits of the Journey to the West, I, Old Sun, will not let them off easily!"
Thinking thus in his heart, Sun Kong, however, spoke very well with Nuwa Niangniang, saying that he would not be angry with others, nor with the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain because of this.
Nor would it affect the Great Tribulation of the Journey to the West.
Later.
After Nuwa Niangniang was reassured, the other three Sages also consoled Sun Kong one after another. When facing Yuanshi Tianzun, Jieyin Daoren, and Zhunti Daoren, Sun Kong was not as frank as he was with Nuwa Niangniang. He spoke pleasantries, saying that he would not be too sad about Tathagata's death and would only redouble his efforts to push forward the Great Tribulation of the Journey to the West.
In summary, it was one sentence.
Little Tathagata could die.
But the merits of the Journey to the West, the tribulations of the Journey to the West, and the Great Tribulation of the Journey to the West, he dared not delay any of them, and would continue to do good work for these three Sages!
"Fellow Daoist Sun, if you can think this way, this humble Taoist is extremely satisfied. Guangchengzi has already entered the capital city of the Great Tang Empire, Chang'an, to wait. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask, Fellow Daoist Sun."
"I dare not say more, but my Chan Sect will not be lenient with those who do not know their place and those who are ignorant demons and ghosts."
Yuanshi Tianzun smiled confidently, completely unaware that Sun Kong had other intentions.
"Yes, Wukong, Tathagata's Nirvana this time was truly beyond our expectations, but with such a major event at hand, we must prioritize the overall situation."
"After Tathagata leaves, my brother and I will diligently search for his reincarnation and inform you at any time. You, on your side, must continue to cooperate well with Burning Lamp Buddha and do not let minor matters lead to major losses."
On the other side, Jieyin Daoren, with his usual sorrowful expression, remained silent. Zhunti Daoren, on the other hand, was full of flowery words, truly believing that Sun Kong would be fooled by them!
"Sages, please rest assured, I, Old Sun, know what I am doing and will not act impulsively."
After uttering these words that no one believed, Sun Kong ended his conversation with the four Sages.
As soon as he turned around.
He saw that the Emperor of the Great Tang Empire in the Immortal Realm, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, also understood the heavenly secrets to some extent. He was conforming to the will of Heaven by bestowing marriage and holding a banquet.
The entire second tribulation, after the "minor" interlude of Tathagata, seemed to have suffered no obstruction and was proceeding as usual!
...
The Immortal Realm.
South of the center of Nanzhanbuzhou.
The Great Tang Empire.
The current Emperor, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, at this moment, was maintaining the smile of a king, a monarch who would not show any unusual emotions to anyone.
At the same time, after Prime Minister Yin Kaishan had kowtowed ten thousand times and expressed gratitude for the imperial favor, he decisively exerted his power, activating his cultivation, which, though not strong, was still passable.
Great Perfection of the Immortal Realm.
He then shouted out words of joyous congratulation that could be heard throughout the entire city of Chang'an, spanning hundreds of thousands of miles!
"Congratulations to the daughter of our Great Tang's Prime Minister Yin Kaishan, Yin Wenjiao, for marrying Chen Guangrui, the first Zhuangyuan of our Great Tang. I, on behalf of the Human Emperor, wish them a hundred years of harmony and a thousand years of happiness."
"From today onwards, Chen Guangrui is promoted to the position of Prefect of Jiangzhou, and Yin Wenjiao is bestowed the title of a Lady of the Third Rank. They are rewarded with gold and silver, and with land and residences."
"Since these two are the first newlyweds of our Great Tang, I have specially permitted their names to be recorded in our Great Tang's 'List of Virtuous Wives and Good Husbands' for eternal legacy and everlasting fame!"
As Li Shimin spoke these words, the wedding, which was already attended by officials and participated in by the masses, immediately became even more lively and solemn.
...
Almost at the same time.
Hearing that Chen Guangrui was indeed about to head to Jiangzhou as Prefect, some others, whether happy, secretly pleased, or proud.
They were also preparing to stage the subsequent drama at this moment!