"Kongkong, you're here?"
"Kongkong, you've endured so many tribulations, what's this mere twelfth tribulation? Could it be that you, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Handsome Monkey King, have encountered a mystery you cannot fathom?"
"Kongkong, look at this flower. They say 'one flower, one world,' but I say, 'one soil, one娑婆.'"
"Your question has an answer, even before you opened your mouth."
"No need to ask me."
"And the 娑婆 world that you and I spoke of back then, it seems, is not far off!"
"Thus, what worries can this humble monk have? And what anxieties do you possess? Go back and play your role as Sun Xingzhe. All past events, and future karma, have their predetermined course."
"In the 娑婆, as I hear it, as I think it, as I am, so, you are too!"
As expected, since his reincarnation and transmigration, Siddhartha Gautama was no longer the same Tathagata who once worried about worldly affairs.
He was now Siddhartha Gautama, who could turn into a riddle-spouting enigma at any moment.
And so it was.
Just as Sun Kong, with good intentions, came to chat with him, and had just confirmed that because of Sun Kong, the beginning and end of the first Journey to the West tribulation in the Earthly Immortal Realm had changed.
He had intended to humbly seek profound Buddhist teachings from Siddhartha Gautama.
But unexpectedly.
Before Sun Kong could even open his mouth, he was rendered speechless by Siddhartha Gautama's increasingly detached and esoteric riddles.
Although, Sun Kong held no small amount of respect for Siddhartha Gautama in his heart. Otherwise, why would he have risked saving him back then and not revealed it to anyone until now?
This was done not just for their shared endeavor in establishing the Pure Land of 娑婆 and achieving a more comfortable status as the Victorious Fighting Buddha.
It was also to support his ideals.
But Sun Kong never imagined that after only meeting for more than a decade, Siddhartha Gautama's habit of not speaking plainly, and instead rambling like the riddle-makers of the Blue Star era, had become so much worse.
Seeing this.
Sun Kong did not become anxious, nor did he rush to coerce Siddhartha Gautama into speaking with force. Instead, he deliberately waited for him to finish his riddle-spouting.
And then he made a decisive counter-move!
"Sacred Water Soup is on limited supply recently!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the Siddhartha Gautama, who a moment before was maintaining his riddle-maker persona, immediately changed.
He quickly put on a fawning smile.
And served Sun Kong like a subordinate!
"This is not right, Kongkong. How can you say it's limited supply when we are partners? I've helped you attract a lot of trouble, and I've helped you ascend step by step to Vice Buddha. How can you just limit the supply?"
"You know very well that I, this humble monk, comprehend the Great Dao of 娑婆, and what I need most is Sacred Water Soup..."
"Let's talk it out properly. Me being a riddle-maker was my fault, I apologize to you!"
Indeed.
Some people are indeed despicable.
And some Buddhas are equally despicable.
If not for a little provocation, they feel uncomfortable!
If Sun Kong were not so familiar with Siddhartha Gautama's true nature, perhaps others would never have figured out that this tactic could make him reveal himself immediately.
"Do you know now that you shouldn't be a riddle-maker with me, but speak plainly?"
"Alright then, let's talk properly. I've supplied you with Sacred Water Soup for years, why haven't you established the Pure Land of 娑婆 sooner?"
"Don't let my investment go to waste!"
"You know my temper very well. While I'm usually easygoing, if you really anger me, I won't recognize even the King of Heaven himself."
Seeing that his tactic had indeed made Siddhartha Gautama revert to his true nature in an instant, apologizing to him and proactively discussing related matters.
Sun Kong's mood improved. He stopped wasting time and began discussing serious matters with Siddhartha Gautama. Under his coercion, the latter dared not continue to put on a riddle-maker's facade.
He had to answer honestly!
For the next few tens of minutes.
Sun Kong and Siddhartha Gautama discussed important matters that were difficult to consult outsiders about, such as Rahu's sudden change of heart, Xing Tian's appearance at Black Wind Mountain's Bottomless Cave, and Zhen Yuanzi's suspected dispatch by the Heavenly Dao and Ancestor Hong Jun to investigate Xing Tian.
Finally.
Siddhartha Gautama lived up to his former identity as the Tathagata Buddha. Even though his cultivation had not been restored after his reincarnation, and the Pure Land of 娑婆 was still a distant prospect.
He still provided Sun Kong with many ideas from his professional perspective, allowing Sun Kong to gain significant insights.
First.
Siddhartha Gautama agreed with Sun Kong's suspicion that the Heavenly Dao and the various Sages might rewrite the history of the ancient Witch-Demon War, and consequently, use Xing Tian for future schemes.
He strongly advised Sun Kong to always pay attention to Xing Tian in the future.
He might prove to be of great use someday!
Second.
Regarding Rahu's change of heart, although Siddhartha Gautama had not witnessed it firsthand, nor did he understand why the Pangu bloodline disappeared after the creation of heaven and earth, its reappearance was indeed a cause for concern.
However, his predecessor, the Tathagata Buddha, had come through the Investiture of the Gods tribulation. He had seen how the various Sages, for their own destiny and future, would do anything.
Therefore, he repeatedly reminded Sun Kong to be cautious when facing the Heavenly Dao and the various Sages, and even more so when facing this Senior Disciple of the Demonic Path.
But for now.
Using the fact that both of them possessed the Pangu bloodline to temporarily placate Rahu, so that he would not be too ruthless in future tribulations, was a good option.
At worst.
When a critical tribulation comparable to the Eighth Tribulation arrived, and if Rahu discovered that Sun Kong was merely feigning cooperation and intended to betray him, they could settle accounts then.
Third.
This was regarding Zhen Yuanzi's trip to Black Wind Mountain's Bottomless Cave.
From Sun Kong's perspective as an elder ancestor, this matter was difficult to explain. However, he had also sent people to probe Zhen Yuanzi, and the latter showed no signs of suspicion.
Therefore, he could only temporarily believe Siddhartha Gautama's explanation, which was simple:
Ever since the second war between Dao and Demon began, the various Sages had their own allegiances. As a result, the Heavenly Dao and Ancestor Hong Jun, whom they could once command at will, had to find others.
Zhen Yuanzi was merely one of many choices and could not achieve anything significant. Otherwise, he would have already rescued Xing Tian at that time!
"Listening to your words is better than reading ten years of books."
"As expected of my 'Little Lai Lai' whom I admired back then."
"Since that's the case, so be it. The Sacred Water Soup I supply you will not be reduced. Continue to comprehend your Great Dao of 娑婆 with peace of mind."
"This old Sun must continue on his journey."
"Since they could create so many tricks in the previous tribulations, perhaps there will be many obstacles in subduing my second brother, Wu Zhiqi, this time."
"This old Sun doesn't mind letting my Chaos Golden Cudgel and Journey to the West Gatling have a taste of battle!"
After listening to Siddhartha Gautama's words, Sun Kong gained immensely.
He no longer troubled the pitiable monk.
He returned to Jin Chanzi's side. The next morning, after the master and disciples had finished their buns and congee, they continued their journey towards Mount Fuling!