Chapter 463: Chapter 418: Demanding Payment
Shen Gongbao said with a smile, "It’s hilarious that you, Buddha Bodhisattvas, would bring that up. If anyone is poor, it is our Heavenly Court, which was established without a shred of Merit descending. How can it compare to the boundless Merit of Buddhism, with the Merit Gold Cloud shrouding Spiritual Mountain?
Could it be that under the witness of the Primordial Ten Thousand Clans, you Buddha Bodhisattvas intend to renege on the debt?"
Reneging on the debt? If possible, they indeed wish they could. How could they have been so muddled as to dare to borrow so much Merit?
Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, and the other Buddha Bodhisattvas simultaneously thought of a naïve young man with an innocent and good-natured smile – Emperor Bai Jin.
Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, and other Bodhisattvas all looked towards the main seat at The Buddha, their eyes filled with pleading, "You are the Buddha, please help us pay back some money!"
The Buddha rolled his eyes lightly, looked towards the heavens, and pretended as if he had come yet hadn’t. If he could not hear or see it, then it simply did not exist.
Maitreya and the others had no choice but to turn their heads back with resignation.
Maitreya forced a smile and said, "I currently have some Merit. May I repay some of it first? For the rest, I ask for Divine Monarch’s understanding."
Shen Gongbao nodded and said cheerfully, "That’s alright, that’s alright. Our sister has said, please all Buddha Bodhisattvas do as much as you can."
Above Maitreya Buddha’s head emerged a Qingyun, and from within that Qingyun, a Merit Gold Cloud flew toward Shen Gongbao, being absorbed into an unfolded scroll that immediately shone with Jing Guang.
Then, Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva, Mahasthamaprapta, and Great Sun Tathagata also released Merit Gold Clouds, all being absorbed into the scrolls, each shining with golden light.
Shen Gongbao cupped his fist in gratitude and said with a smile, "Thank you for trusting us, Buddha Bodhisattvas. I will take these Merits back to the Heaven and Earth Human Bank for currency quantification. After deducting your debts, I won’t charge any handling fees. Consider this a small gesture of goodwill from our bank."
Ksitigarbha, Maitreya, and other Buddha Bodhisattvas all nodded slightly, revealing smiles that seemed rather forced. Inside, they felt almost on the verge of tears. My Merit! It disappeared before even warming up, all thanks to that damned Bi Yan for flaunting his Merit!
All the Immortal Gods had strange expressions on their faces. This congratulatory gift really slapped them in the face. Just moments ago, everyone was praising the establishment of Buddhism, saying that the descent of great Merit was a sign of prosperity. And now, in the blink of an eye, Buddhism has lost a full five percent of its Merit, and possibly even more.
The Buddha’s face and smile disappeared, its founding Merit lacking, the Qi Fortune of Buddhism would also suffer.
Shen Gongbao stretched out his hand and the scrolls in the air rolled up and landed back in his hand. He cupped his fist and made a bow with a smile, "The Buddha, since the congratulatory gifts have been delivered, I shall take my leave!
Your Majesty has said to convey the Heavenly Court’s wishes for the prosperity and flourishing of Buddhism on his behalf."
The Buddha lowered his eyes, and with a profound voice, responded, "Many thanks to Your Majesty!"
Shen Gongbao stood up and drifted away.
Other powers’ representatives also took their leave one after another. What they thought was just a plain banquet turned out to hold so many interesting events. It seemed like the Demon Clan had colluded with Buddhism to suddenly make things difficult for the Heavenly Court Envoy, and the Heavenly Court God outmaneuvered them, seizing half of Buddhism’s Merit. This indeed was full of twists and turns! They would certainly have a lot to talk about when they returned.
Ordinary Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats all departed, though their faces were now not looking very good; Buddhism had suffered a great embarrassment this time.
As many Immortal Gods left, the space inside the Great Leiyin Temple began to shrink and eventually returned to its normal size. Only The Buddha, Randeng Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Joyful Buddha, and many other great powers of Buddhism remained, as well as Bi Yan from the Demon Clan.
The Buddha looked towards Maitreya and the others, sighed inwardly. He wanted to reprimand them, but these were all significant figures, ancient Buddhas, and main pillars of Buddhism; it was not proper to scold them.
The Buddha was momentarily speechless and choked up, "I have tried every possible way to lead Buddhism to prosperity and flourishing, but there are always those who drag their feet, my task is so difficult!"
Ksitigarbha coughed and put his palms together in a bow, his expression peaceful as he said, "Your Holiness, it has been a long time since I left the Underworld, now I need to return."
The resounding voice of The Buddha rose, "Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, there is an urgent need for you to return. As Buddhism has just been established, your efforts are still needed."
"Summoned by the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva, Your Disciple dares not delay his return." Ksitigarbha bowed with palms together and disappeared in a flash of Buddha Light.
The Buddha then turned to Maitreya.
Maitreya, with his palms together, said, "Your Holiness, I have just broken through to the Quasi-Saint Realm and need to return and comprehend the mysteries of the Realm."
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Medicine Buddha, all bowed with palms together and said, "The same goes for us."
Several Buddha Bodhisattvas disappeared in the Buddha Light, evidently reluctant to assist The Buddha.
Great Sun Tathagata also spoke, "Your Holiness, I need to go to the Demon Court in the Northern Continent to discuss an alliance."
The Buddha’s expression changed slightly. Now, with the great power of the Heavenly Court, the assistance from the Demon Court is needed to achieve a position of dominance. His solemn and resounding voice echoed in the great hall, "The Demon Clan is permitted to roam Western Continent!"
Bi Yan bowed with joy, "Thank you, Your Holiness~"
Although the Demon Clan proliferates in the Northern Continent, it is barren, and with Zhenwu watching them like a tiger hunting its prey, life is quite uneasy. If they could claim territories and live freely in Western Continent, it would not be a wasted life for the Clan!
As for Nan Zhanbu Continent and Eastern Continent, the Demon Clan dares not even think about it. With the Heavenly Court in control and Judicial Celestial patrolling Heaven and Earth, which Evil Spirit would dare seek death? Perhaps not even the Demon Saints dare!
A light as bright as the Great Sun shone down, and Great Sun Tathagata, carrying Bi Yan, rushed out of Great Leiyin Temple toward the Northern Continent.
Randeng Ancient Buddha also disappeared quietly.
Inside Great Leiyin Temple, only Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy, Ma Yuan Venerate King Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Universal Virtue Bodhisattva, and others remained.
The Buddha looked at Guanyin, his mind flickering with thoughts. Amidst the unavailability of Maitreya, Ksitigarbha, and others, Ci Hang and their fellow former Chan Sect Disciples, approved by the Primordial Venerable, possessed high comprehension and qualifications. If they could be won over, the future would surely be no weaker than that of Ksitigarbha and Maitreya.
The resonant voice of The Buddha rose, "I have heard that during the Sealing God Battle, the three Bodhisattvas were deceived by Jiang Ziya. Today, I will bestow upon each of you treasures for protection. Take them and let them never leave your side."
Ci Hang and the others immediately bowed, "Thank you, Your Holiness!"
Now that Randeng Buddha has fallen, Duo Bao Tathagata is acknowledged as the Ancestor of Ten Thousand Buddhas. If one wishes to achieve something in Buddhism in the future, one must switch to a new protector. Now that Duo Bao Tathagata extends a friendly hand, it is just what they desired, and the three of them eagerly accepted.
The vast voice of the Tathagata Buddha rang out, "I have a treasure named Purple Gold Bell. When the bell rings, it gathers the force of wind, smoke, and fire; its power is extraordinary. Today, it is bestowed upon Guanyin Bodhisattva to aid in the salvation of beings in all directions."
With a wave of his hand, a string of Purple Gold Bells flew slowly down.
Guanyin Bodhisattva raised her hands to receive them and respectfully said, "Thank you, Your Holiness!" holding the treasure as she stepped back.