Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"I heard that it was the Mahasattva who first knew about this, so I came to investigate. After all, Patriarch of the Nether River is the master of the Sea of Blood, a renowned cultivator in all three realms," Maitreya said with a smile.

"This incident was caused by my Child Servant Sudhana visiting his relatives, and that's how I came to know that the Nether River had long controlled the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven from the Demon Race. He had been planning for a long time, and it's unknown where he hid the Rules of Water. I wonder if the Buddha Ancestor has any news."

"The Nether River is always cautious. Since he is preparing to obtain the Rules of Water to perfect himself, he naturally has made thorough preparations. However, he seems to have had some bad luck recently; there must have been a change to the rules that made it difficult for him to retrieve them, and that's how we came to know about it. Although I don't know where he hid the rules, just keeping an eye on him will suffice."

"Oh! It seems the Buddha Ancestor is prepared to take action himself this time?" Maitreya, having been quiet for many years, seldom made a move, so Bodhisattva Guanyin asked with some surprise.

"I heard that the true body of the Nether River did not appear but only controlled a puppet. If I were to take action personally, it would seem somewhat like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Therefore, Precious Moonlight Buddha will take the Monk Soldiers when the time comes. If the true body of the Nether River takes action, naturally I will deal with him." After all, this time it was Maitreya's turn to demonstrate the power of Buddhism to the world, and it wouldn't be effective if he acted alone.

Upon hearing these words, Guanyin understood Maitreya's plan and spoke softly, "If that is the case, I will ask for a favor from the Buddha Ancestor."

"Oh! What kind of favor that even requires a Bodhisattva to speak out?" Maitreya asked with some surprise, since Guanyin was one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas, far superior in strength and status to an ordinary Buddha, truly a mighty figure in the three realms. He had always hoped for the support of these individuals.

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However, those individuals clearly were devoted to cultivation, always somewhat aloof and detached. Now that Guanyin had spoken in person, it was undoubtedly a godsend for Maitreya.

"The Bull Demon King and his wife, Princess Iron Fan, are the parents of my Child Servant Sudhana. Though controlled by the Nether River, their True Spirits are unextinguished. I hope the Buddha Ancestor will spare their lives when the time comes."

"Why consider it an issue? Such a small matter, you can rest assured, Bodhisattva. Since they are the parents of your Child Servant, they are people of our Buddhism. I will naturally uphold justice for them," Maitreya assured without hesitation.

Yet, he was conceiving a different plan in his mind. He had heard of the Bull Demon King's strength, a rare master among the Demon Race. If he could use this opportunity to recruit him, not only would he gain a capable general, but he would also indirectly connect with Bodhisattva Guanyin, achieving two goals with one action.

The Bodhisattva glanced at Maitreya, a smile appearing on her face before she stood up to take her leave. Maitreya, smiling, escorted her to the entrance of Mount Ling.

Meanwhile, Precious Moonlight Buddha, who had been waiting for some time, approached eagerly and asked, "Does Guanyin know the whereabouts of the rules?"

The smile disappeared from Maitreya's face, and he turned his head and said gravely, "Your mind is disturbed!"

At these words, Precious Moonlight Buddha was greatly startled, his face turning very ugly. After a long while, he softly chanted a Buddhist mantra and said, "Thank you, Buddha Ancestor, for the timely warning. I just carelessly encountered a demonic barrier and nearly corrupted my moral heart."

At this moment, his demeanor was calm, free from the earlier impatience and impulsiveness.

Only then did a smile return to Maitreya's face as he said, "Our Buddhism particularly values the nature of the heart. Precisely because of this, if one cannot constantly see the heart and understand the nature, it's very easy to fall into the Demonic Path, which is also why the Demon Lord persistently troubles our Buddhism. In a sense, we are the cultivators closest to him."

"During this period, under my guidance, Buddhism expanded so much that it included both good and bad practitioners, which also adversely affected your states of mind. This is my fault," Maitreya said in a low voice.

"Buddha Ancestor should not say such things. It is our lack of cultivation and weak nature that we cannot see the true nature of the mind. What does this have to do with Buddha Ancestor? Moreover, transcendance is imminent for All Saints, and once we are without their protection, we can only strive on our own. The expansion was a necessary action," Precious Moonlight Buddha consoled.

"Alas! After all, our Buddhism is a new religion with many factions and complex doctrines, each with its own path. It makes the vast Buddhism like a plate of loose sand. Now, with Buddha Ancestor and the two Sect Hierarchs maintaining order, all is well for now. But if they transcend and leave, I fear Buddhism will become fragmented," he continued.

"As the Future Buddha who will inherit the position of Buddha Ancestor and command Buddhism, how can I bear to watch it decline? Thus, I can only use this time to strengthen my own power and avert disaster," Maitreya sighed.

"As for that rule, given the nature of the Patriarch of the Nether River, how could he let you know it easily? Even Bodhisattva Guanyin couldn't find out, but since the Patriarch of the Nether River is plotting this, why would he let the duck that's come to his mouth fly away? By keeping an eye on him, you will naturally find out where the rule is. You go first with the Buddhist Soldiers to besiege the Bull Demon King, and if the Patriarch of the Nether River takes action personally, I will be there. But you must not harm the life of the Bull Demon King," Maitreya instructed.

Precious Moonlight Buddha immediately asked with some confusion, "He's just a demon, why should we spare his life?"

"Bodhisattva Guanyin just asked me for a favor. The Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan are the parents of her attendant, Sudhana. It is because of this that after the Patriarch of the Nether River manipulated them, the Child Servant discovered it, resulting in the trip of the Mahasattva to Mount Ling," he explained.

Precious Moonlight Buddha clasped his hands and said in a low voice, "Amitabha, I understand and will ensure their couple's safety."

"Good, you go and organize the Buddhist Soldiers and head to Green Screen Mountain to aid the Great Sage Equalling Heaven!" Maitreya Buddha formally issued the command.

Precious Moonlight Buddha accepted the command and soon gathered his troops, leading the Buddhist Soldiers, Bhikkhus, Arhats, and Vajras in a grand march toward Green Screen Mountain.

Before they reached the territory of Green Screen Mountain, a wave of air pressure, produced by the clash of experts, reached them.

Precious Moonlight Buddha stopped in his tracks and carefully sensed for a moment before saying, "It seems that the Monkey has already started fighting with the Bull Demon King, and it is just the right time for us to go."

Continuing forward, before reaching the battlefield, he saw a large troop coming from the east. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Devaraja Li Jing leading Third Prince Nezha and commanding the Heavenly Soldiers and Heavenly Generals.

Although puzzled, he still approached with a smile and asked, "I wonder what wind has blown you, Commander Li and your son, from the Heavenly Court here."

Li Tianwang looked at the smiling Precious Glowing Moon Buddha and his vast troop and slightly frowned unnoticeably before putting on a smile and saying, "To be honest, Tang Monk and his disciples were blocked at Flame Mountain, and the Jade Emperor specially commanded us to come help. What brings Precious Moonlight Buddha here?"

Regarding what Li Jing said, Precious Moonlight Buddha did not believe it at all. That supreme being is a man who wouldn't lift a finger without seeing a benefit—Li Jing might deceive others, but not me. It's most likely for the Rules of Water that he has come.