Chapter 497: Chapter 440, Lu Ya Borrows Money
Mahasthamaprapta sighed and said, "This amount of money is a lot for us, but for Brother Bai Jin, he really doesn’t care about it. Brother Bai Jin is not short of money, nor does he care about it."
The Great Sun Tathagata choked for a moment, feeling aggravated by the statement. How vexing! I, the noble Crown Prince of the Demon Clan and the Buddhist Great Sun Tathagata, am actually stumped by a mere sum of money, now completely losing face.
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva again persuaded, "Buddha, please repay the money first! Do not make it difficult for me and damage your reputation by becoming the laughingstock of others."
The Great Sun Tathagata, suppressing his anger, managed a strained smile and said, "Bodhisattva, could you grant me a few days’ grace? At the moment, I have no spare money on hand."
Mahasthamaprapta expressed surprise, "How could the Buddha not have money? As far as I know, the Buddha has made quite a sum from lending money over the years."
The Great Sun Tathagata said dismally, "Bodhisattva, you’ve come too late. Maitreya Buddha has already been here, and all my money has gone to him."
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva frowned slightly and asked, "Did Maitreya Buddha also receive a debt contract from the Buddha?"
The Great Sun Tathagata calmly replied, "I have borrowed money three times in total."
Thinking of the huge amount of the loans and the interest, his heart felt dead. Why did he let his temper flare in the first place?
Truly blinded by greed, one day’s loan is a lifetime’s burden!
A thought flashed through Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva’s mind, "He borrowed three times, which means there is another contract. Is it in the hands of Medicine Buddha or the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva? No, I must act first to secure my share."
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, with a change of thought, cheerfully said, "Buddha, you might not have money, but the Demon Clan does! Aren’t you the Crown Prince of the Demon Clan? Wouldn’t it be easy to borrow some money from them?"
The Great Sun Tathagata’s heart stirred, correct, my status is different now, I am the intermediary of the Buddhist and Demon Clan alliance, backed not only by the Demon Clan but also The Buddha. Today, even if it costs me my pride, I will not bear Bai Jin’s scorn any longer.
With this thought, the Great Sun Tathagata regained his dignity, and an authoritative voice resounded, "Bodhisattva, please wait a moment, I will return the money shortly."
Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva smiled broadly as he saw the Great Sun Tathagata off.
...
On a secluded Spiritual Mountain in Buddhism, Devil God Heavenly Dog and Devil God Chongming Bird, along with some younger generation of the Demon Clan, temporarily resided as representatives of the Demon Clan in Buddhism.
Halfway up the mountain in a courtyard, Devil God Heavenly Dog and Devil God Chongming Bird sat under a tree.
Devil God Heavenly Dog asked, "Chongming, what do you think of Buddhism?"
Chongming Bird calmly replied, "The Devil Master said that Buddhism is prospering. Our Demon Clan needs to deepen cooperation with Buddhism, and this Tathagata is not simple."
Devil God Heavenly Dog grinned and said, "The Demon Saints also think so. Now some descendants of our Demon Clan are already in the Western Continent. Although Western Continent is not as strong as Nan Zhanbu Continent and Eastern Continent, it is much better than our Northern Continent."
...
Suddenly, a Buddha Light unfolded in front of them, and Lu Ya, dressed in a yellow imperial robe, with distinguished brows and eyes, stepped out proudly.
Devil God Heavenly Dog and Devil God Chongming Bird quickly stood up, a look of surprise flashing in their eyes. Isn’t the Crown Prince usually appearing in the form of Buddha? Why has he reverted to his princely attire this time?!
The two Devil Gods hurriedly bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings to Your Highness!"
Lu Ya raised his hand, supporting the two Devil Gods with a powerful force as he smiled broadly, "No need for such formalities, please rise."
The two Devil Gods got up.
Chongming Bird Devil God asked, "May I know the reason for Your Highness’s visit?"
Lu Ya slightly furrowed his brow and sighed, "This time, for the future of our Demon Clan, I schemed about the affairs of the Human World Demon Country. Although it was disrupted by the Heavenly Court, it also demonstrated our strength.
Now I am bridging Buddhism and the Demon Clan to promote an alliance. The Heavenly Court is afraid and has now instigated figures like Maitreya and other Buddha Bodhisattvas as despicable tactics against me, aiming to destroy the alliance."
Heavenly Dog said solemnly, "Your Highness, did the Heavenly Court secretly harm you?"
Demon God Chongming Bird also looked at Lu Ya solemnly. If the Heavenly Court really harmed the Crown Prince, this matter cannot be easily settled.
Lu Ya coughed and said indifferently, "The Heavenly Court doesn’t dare to harm people in secret yet. It’s just that during the contest for the position of the Buddha, I was deceived by the Heavenly Court and took a lot of loans from the Heaven and Earth Human Bank. Now the Heavenly Court is pressuring me for repayment, but I am short on funds.
Therefore, I would like to borrow some Merit Coins from you two Demon Gods, if you have some to spare!"
Heavenly Dog and Demon God Chongming Bird looked at each other.
Heavenly Dog blinked, "He’s here to borrow money, what should we do?"
Demon God Chongming Bird also blinked, "How should I know?"
Lu Ya said discontentedly, "Is there something wrong with your eyes?"
Heavenly Dog hesitated for a moment then asked, "Your Highness, how much money do you need?"
"All of it!"
Heavenly Dog and Demon God Chongming Bird were stunned. All of it? Are you planning to rob us? Even if you are the Crown Prince of the Demon Clan, you can’t just forcefully take our money. There’s even a slogan inside the Heaven and Earth Human Bank stating "Personal property is sacred and inviolable."
Seeing that the two Demon Gods made no move, Lu Ya frowned slightly and, with a thud, a formidable aura of a Quasi-Saint descended, instantly pressuring Heavenly Dog and Demon God Chongming Bird to lower their heads.
Demon God Chongming Bird hurriedly said, "I have it! I will give it to you now."
Lu Ya revealed a smile and said, "This is much better, summon all the brave sons of our Demon Clan over here."
A moment later, Demon God Chongming Bird, Heavenly Dog, and numerous young members of the Demon Clan, all stood on the Spiritual Mountain with faces wanting to cry but unable to shed tears.
The young generation of the Demon Clan all looked eagerly at Heavenly Dog and Demon God Chongming Bird, wondering why you summoned us back?! Our money was exchanged at the bank with Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures! It’s our family wealth accumulated over tens or hundreds of thousands of years! Now it’s all gone.
Heavenly Dog whispered, "Chongming, what do we do now?"
Demon God Chongming Bird said sternly, "Let’s go, back to the Northern Continent."
Saying that, Heavenly Dog and Demon God Chongming Bird immediately took the young generation of the Demon Clan and fled toward the Northern Continent.
After returning, Lu Ya repaid the borrowed money to Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, temporarily dealing with Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.
Then Pharmacist Buddha immediately went to the Great Sun Temple, and Lu Ya, having no choice, went to seek help from some friends in Buddhism and borrowed some money, appeasing Pharmacist Buddha.
...
Inside the Sumeru Hall on Spiritual Mountain, Maitreya Buddha sat on the Lotus Platform, preaching to his disciples.
Suddenly, a young novice monk with yellow hair peeked in, his skinny body looking malnourished.
Maitreya Buddha’s voice stopped, and he chuckled, "Today’s sermon is finished, everyone disperse! After going back, reflect well."
All Arhat Bodhisattvas stood up, bowed together respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Buddha!" and walked outside one by one.
After all the Arhat Bodhisattvas had left, the young novice monk with yellow hair ran inside excitedly and shouted, "Master, I’ve discovered something important."