Chapter 445: Chapter 402, Heavenly River Navy
Gu Liang tilted her head, giggling as she said: "Master brother, I feel like I performed really well! I’ve rehearsed so many times now."
Bai Jin responded unenthusiastically: "Who acts all smiley after a betrayal? You almost made me laugh in anger."
Gu Liang put her hands on her hips and pouted, "Master brother, that’s because you don’t understand the true essence of acting.
Master sister said it’s called contrast effect, which can create a strong impact."
Bai Jin flicked Gu Liang’s head dismissively, "I didn’t see any contrast effect, just saw a silly girl."
Gu Liang pouted and glared at Bai Jin with her golden needle mushroom eyes, annoyed, "You flicked me again."
Bai Jin looked at the numerous Magic Treasures overhead, talking to himself: "It seems I have collected so many Magic Treasures without realizing!"
Seeing Bai Jin ignoring her, Gu Liang couldn’t help but ask again: "Master brother, will Maitreya Buddha believe what we said?"
"He will believe! Because he has no other choice, even if he has doubts, he will deceive himself."
Gu Liang said in surprise: "Isn’t that foolish of him?"
"Heh, that’s what is called wisdom in ignorance.
Gu Liang, we can rent out these Magic Treasures here to the Heavenly Court Gods in the future. As for outsiders, there’s no need to rent to them to avoid troubles."
Gu Liang nodded and replied: "Yes!"
...
After leaving the bank, Bai Jin did not return to the Bird’s Nest but headed in a different direction.
The Heavenly River runs through the Thirty-Three Heavens; the waters of the Heavenly River are weak and even the Immortal Gods cannot cross it.
A majestic dike was built over the Heavenly River, responsible for managing and grooming the river to prevent flooding that might affect the Mortal World.
One by one, the lively and alert Heavenly Soldiers stood on the dike, their gazes firm as they looked into the distance.
Boom~ A huge whirlpool formed within the Heavenly River, and two snorting sounds emitted from the river’s depth, echoing across the skies.
Bang~ Bang~ Bang~ Water pillars from the Heavenly River shot into the sky one after another, turning into azure water dragons that spiraled above the river surface, stirring up the waves of the weak waters.
Boom~ A figure suddenly burst from the whirlpool, standing atop the head of a water dragon, clad in silver armor with a black cape fluttering behind, exuding a mighty aura.
All of the Heavenly Water Army on the dike shouted in unison with fists cupped in salute: "Marshal mighty!"
Marshal Tianpeng laughed heartily, appeared on the dike in a flash, the dancing dragons of weak water shooting back into the river, immediately followed by splashes of huge waves.
Clap Clap Clap~
A round of applause came, "Brilliant, truly brilliant!"
Someone’s here? Marshal Tianpeng felt a chill in his heart and quickly turned his head to see Bai Jin standing by the side, smiling at him.
Marshal Tianpeng hurriedly bowed in respect, saying deferentially: "Greetings, Emperor!"
The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals also quickly bowed in unison, shouting, "Greetings, Emperor!"
Bai Jin raised his hand and smiled, "Rise, all of you!"
The Heavenly Soldiers and Generals then stood up.
Marshal Tianpeng stepped forward with a goofy smile, asking, "Is there something you needed, Emperor?"
Bai Jin smiled and said, "Don’t call me Emperor, just call me Master uncle."
Marshal Tianpeng scratched his head, laughing, "I suppose I should call you Master!"
"Aren’t you inviting me to sit?"
Quickly gesturing invitations, Marshal Tianpeng said: "My apologies for the oversight, Master, please follow this disciple inside."
Marshal Tianpeng led Bai Jin towards the Marshal Mansion next door, entering a grand hall within.
Bai Jin looked around everywhere as they walked, hearing rumors that it was as dirty as a pigsty, which were clearly slanderous; Marshal Tianpeng’s mansion was indeed very clean.
Once inside the grand hall, Marshal Tianpeng sat down with him, and a servant served up some tea.
Bai Jin took a sip of tea and smiled, saying, "Dragon Phoenix Tea, very nice~"
Tianpeng, somewhat proud, said, "Hehe~ this was bestowed by Master, just a little bit for me."
Bai Jin smiled and replied, "If you like it, you can come to my place to take some, I still have several hundred kilograms of Dragon Phoenix Tea from the Eight Sceneries Palace."
Marshal Tianpeng’s smile stiffened, and he suddenly felt a pang of heartache, thinking to himself, I also serve loyally, yet Master only gave me a little tea, but you have hundreds of kilograms?!
Marshal Tianpeng immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Master!"
Bai Jin put down the tea cup and asked, "Tianpeng, yesterday some news about Ksitigarbha suddenly spread throughout the Three Realms, does it have anything to do with you?"
Tianpeng, his eyes shifting, feigned confusion and replied, "Master, what rumors are you talking about? Disciple really has no idea.
As you know, Master, Three Realms has many matters, and the disciple is busy training the Water Army every day, hoping to serve the Heavenly Court in the future, really have no time to pay attention to those rumors."
Bai Jin pointed at Tianpeng and said with a chuckle, "Not honest, Shi Ji has already investigated you."
Marshal Tianpeng immediately grimaced and said, "Dear Master, disciple just casually said a few words, never thought it would spread throughout the Three Realms by the soldiers, disciple really didn’t mean it!
Master, recently disciple has been scared to death, please I beg you to keep it a secret for me!"
Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "Tianpeng, your tricks are too naive, but then again, you don’t seem like a disciple of Xuandu at all."
Marshal Tianpeng whispered, "Master, I learned these from you, just picked up a little bit."
Bai Jin immediately turned solemn and rebuked, "Nonsense, as your Master, I have always been upright and just, honorable under heaven and earth, with a reputation pure and untarnished throughout the Primordial World."
Marshal Tianpeng nodded repeatedly, admiring Bai Jin, thinking, this indeed is what we should aspire to!
Bai Jin coughed and said, "Now, I have a task for you!"
Tianpeng patted his chest and said, "Please command, Master, if it’s within my power, disciple will not delay."
Bai Jin spoke earnestly, "Tianpeng, our Heavenly Court is most fair and just, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva indeed has remarkable merits, but Maitreya Buddha is not lacking either! He has also made outstanding contributions to Buddhism.
How can our Heavenly Court favor one and neglect the other, only praising Ksitigarbha and forgetting Maitreya Buddha? We should also inform the public about the contributions of Maitreya Buddha!"
Marshal Tianpeng nodded continuously, agreeing, "Master speaks well," he quickly said, "Master, disciple will definitely do my best."
Bai Jin nodded in satisfaction, "Very good! Tianpeng, remember, plain good or evil has no meaning, it’s only through comparison that the virtues and vices can be highlighted. Even if praising one side, there needs to be a contrasting side to emphasize it, don’t you agree?"
Marshal Tianpeng blankly stared at Bai Jin, saying, "Master, you understand this too?"
Bai Jin humbly replied, "A little, a little~"
Marshal Tianpeng suddenly stood up, excitedly saying, "Master, your words are so wise, I always felt something was wrong before but couldn’t figure it out.
Now, Master, you have truly enlightened your disciple! Yes, the contrast was missing."
He deeply bowed, "Please, Master, do not hesitate to teach me!"
Bai Jin thought for a moment and said, "Well! Since you earnestly seek guidance, I will give you some pointers on managing the Water Army.
The Heavenly Water Army guards the Heavenly Court, directing the mighty current of the Heavenly River. When the Heavenly River is calm, the Water Army should stir the waves, and when the Heavenly River is turbulent, the Water Army should stabilize the currents.
Using minimal force to move a great weight, with the strength of the Water Army guide the Heavenly River..."
Beside, Marshal Tianpeng nodded continuously, thinking, Master is so impressive, what he said makes so much sense.
...
Meanwhile, after Maitreya returned to Buddhism, not long after, Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy came knocking, unable to defeat Ksitigarbha, they planned to subdue Maitreya first to prevent further disturbances.
Maitreya Buddha deployed the leased Magic Treasure, the Six Roots Pure Flute, and the Buddhas such as Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy were defeated and had to retreat, while Maitreya Buddha’s prestige greatly increased.