Chapter 496: Chapter 439, Knocking on the Door to Collect Debts
A servant hurried in from outside, bowed respectfully and said, "My Lord Buddha, Maitreya Buddha requests an audience outside!"
Great Sun Tathagata’s brow creased slightly, a thought unconsciously flashing through his mind: what does he want?
In the past, the competition for the position of Buddha had led Great Sun Tathagata and Maitreya Buddha to trade blows and pit their Magic Treasures against each other; their relationship could definitely not be described as amicable. Without prior friendly interaction, why would he suddenly show up now?
The grand voice of Great Sun Tathagata echoed within the hall: "Invite Maitreya Buddha in!"
The servant respectfully acknowledged, "Yes!" and turned to walk outside.
Moments later, Maitreya Buddha entered slowly from outside. His plump figure appeared especially tiny compared to the spacious hall, but the Buddha Wheel behind illuminated the hall, making his presence imposing and extraordinary.
Maitreya Buddha arrived at the center of the hall, stepping on a golden cloud that rose beneath his feet, elevating him to the same height as Great Sun Tathagata.
Maitreya Buddha sat cross-legged on the golden cloud, chuckling as he looked at Great Sun Tathagata.
Great Sun Tathagata spoke calmly, "With the Buddha’s divine presence gracing our Great Sun Temple, what brings you here?"
Maitreya Buddha replied with a chuckle, "I have come here this time to seek a favor."
Great Sun Tathagata unconsciously straightened up, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, thinking the chess piece has indeed been played correctly. The Buddhist and the Demon Clan are cooperating with each other while remaining wary; being a mediator, the trust of both Buddhism and the Demon Clan is tied to me. I can harness the power of both for my use, strengthening myself.
Now that Maitreya Buddha has come to seek my help, with proper management and guidance, ten thousand years from now, even The Buddha will have to bow down to me, and I will become the true Co-Emperor of both Buddhism and the Demon Clan.
Great Sun Tathagata glanced at Maitreya, thinking you’ve come seeking my help now; it’s a bit late, but if you perform well, I might be willing to give you another chance. It’s up to you to take the hint.
The grand voice of Great Sun Tathagata resonated, "May I ask what you seek? If it is within my power, I am willing to lend a hand."
Maitreya Buddha, with a face full of smiles, nodded repeatedly in joy, "Yes, yes, with your vast Divine Skills, this little favor is nothing more than a flick of your finger to you."
Great Sun Tathagata chuckled inwardly, you’re right, Maitreya Buddha, today you’ve finally come to this.
The grand voice of Great Sun Tathagata sounded, "Please speak, Buddha!"
Maitreya Buddha raised his hand, and a scroll flew out, unfurling with a whoosh in the air, suspended and glittering with characters.
Great Sun Tathagata’s eyes widened in shock, a Divine Beast stormed through his heart, his whole body stiffened uncontrollably, exclaiming in astonishment, "How did this contract end up with you?"
Then he immediately shut his mouth, forcing a smile, saying, "Great Buddha, why have you brought a gift? Since you’ve brought it, I won’t refuse your kind gesture. Whatever you seek, I will make sure it’s done." Great Sun Tathagata reached for the hovering scroll.
The scroll immediately moved and whizzed into the hands of Maitreya Buddha.
Maitreya Buddha chuckled and said, "What I seek is for The Buddha to repay the debt owed!"
Great Sun Tathagata’s hand slowly retracted, his expression becoming increasingly stern, he spoke coldly, "Is the revered Buddha intending to be Bai Jin’s henchman now?"
Maitreya Buddha expressed surprise and confusion, saying, "What do you mean, Buddha? Have I done something wrong?"
Through gritted teeth, Great Sun Tathagata said, "To aid an outsider in oppressing your fellow disciples, isn’t that a mistake?! To think you are the Future Buddha, dare you accompany me to see the Buddha Mother?"
Maitreya Buddha replied with a chuckle, "What’s there to fear! Lord Buddha, Bai Jin said it well: repaying debts is just and right, even if we go before Buddha Mother, it is you who are without reason."
Great Sun Tathagata stood there, completely taken aback, his face very troubled. Before going to the Buddha Mother, isn’t my reputation going to be ruined? How will I be able to hold my head high in Buddhism after this?
Maitreya Buddha spoke earnestly, "Junior brother, I know you are not willing, but this contract carries a Heavenly Dao Oath, you should know it cannot be denied."
Great Sun Tathagata pondered for a moment before speaking in a calmer tone, "Buddha, I don’t have much money on hand; may I have some time to arrange for it?"
Maitreya Buddha chuckled and said, "Fair enough. You can pay back however much you have for now."
Great Sun Tathagata felt a pang of pain in his heart. This Maitreya Buddha really had no sympathy at all, even more detestable than Bai Jin.
Great Sun Tathagata waved his hand, and two piles of coins appeared in the great hall: one small pile of glittering Merit Coins, and one large pile of white coins edged with gold threads, the Xuanhuang Coins. He said coldly, "This is all there is. Please grant me a two-day extension, Buddha."
Maitreya Buddha pushed the scroll forward, and the two piles of coins transformed into two golden dragons heading towards the scroll. Ripples appeared on the surface of the scroll, and the two dragons entered into the scroll through the ripples.
Two small columns of coins formed on the surface of the scroll, as though countless tiny coins were stacked up. However, the two columns only reached half the height of the scroll.
Maitreya Buddha continued to chuckle, "You’re still halfway short!"
"There’s no money left on hand now!"
"I’ve heard that The Buddha has lent out many high-interest loans."
Great Sun Tathagata pondered for a moment, then sneered coldly, "Junior Brother truly shows no amount of sentimentality, does he!"
Maitreya Buddha responded helplessly, "Life is tough! It’s all for survival."
"I will collect the loans now."
Maitreya Buddha brought his hands together in prayer, smiling, "Thank you, Lord Buddha."
Great Sun Tathagata said coldly, "Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!" completely ungracious.
Maitreya Buddha stood up, utterly indifferent to Great Sun Tathagata’s demeanor, and gracefully made his way out.
Great Sun Tathagata clenched his fists tight and said angrily, "Maitreya, for today’s humiliation, I will make you pay back a thousand, no, a millionfold."
A servant ran in from outside, bowed respectfully, and said, "Lord Buddha, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva seeks an audience."
Great Sun Tathagata opened his hand, took a deep breath to regain composure, and said, "Let him in."
"Yes!" The servant hurried back outside.
Mahasthamaprapta walked into the great hall, brought his hands together in a prayerful bow, and said smiling, "Greetings, Great Sun Tathagata."
Great Sun Tathagata replied amiably, "Bodhisattva, what brings you here?"
Mahasthamaprapta stretched out his hand, and a scroll materialized above his palm. He said with a smile, "I would like to kindly remind The Buddha to repay the loan."
Great Sun Tathagata’s expression froze, and he roared in his heart, "Bai Jin!"
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva advised, "Great Sun Tathagata, it’s the righteous duty under Heaven to repay debts. Please settle your dues without making it difficult for me."
Great Sun Tathagata retorted sarcastically, "Being Bai Jin’s lapdog, you’re surely doing a thorough job!"
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva replied with a smile, "Lord Buddha jests. Brother Bai Jin and I have a partnership. To tell you the truth, any debt that I collect allows me a ten percent commission. If such an opportunity fell into The Buddha’s hands, would you take it?"
Great Sun Tathagata remained silent for a while, then sneered, "To target me, Bai Jin really is willing to invest. He must be hurting quite a bit right now!"