Chapter 879

"Solved?"

Nezha saw Tang Luo withdraw his hand, and a monkey hair had appeared on his palm.

"Well, that Qin Guangwang is dead." Tang Luo nodded, "The new heavenly court looks prosperous; it seems there's also a new Great Strength God and Erlang Shen—I mean the Manifest Sage True Lord—I don't know if there's a new Central Altar Marshal."

"Hmph, who cares." Nezha snorted, "Will they come back to kill us?"

"I don't know." Tang Luo said, "Just wait."

He didn't mind at all if the heavenly court retaliated and came back to kill them; in fact, he even looked forward to it.

Over there in the heavenly court, there was actually no movement; the Supreme August Heavenly God Emperor had decreed a minor matter, and had also decreed that the enemy of the heavenly court would be a whetstone for the Manifest Sage True Lord.

Naturally, no one would rush over to avenge Qin Guangwang.

Even if Qin Guangwang had close friends, they would not act this way.

Besides the Jade Emperor's vague attitude, there was also the fact that the opposing side's strength was indeed somewhat strong.

To avenge Qin Guangwang, one must first weigh one's own abilities.

And after this incident, Tang Luo thoroughly became the true enemy of the heavenly court.

He was no longer an enemy that a single god or a few gods of the heavenly court could handle on their own.

The Jade Emperor also did not withdraw the title "enemy of the heavenly court" from Tang Luo and the others.

The reputation of Tang Luo and his few companions began to spread across the thirteen and a half million worlds governed by the heavenly court, and they became known as "enemies of the world."

And, with some people deliberately spreading it, it extended to even more worlds, even into the territories governed by other powers.

For example, the Great Thunderclap Temple on Spirit Mountain.

Mount Sumeru, named after the mountain, looks like a heavenly pillar, as if it supports the heaven and earth that do not exist within the chaotic void.

From top to bottom, there are three thousand great worlds, three middle worlds, and three thousand small worlds.

Altogether nine thousand worlds, which at first hearing seems far fewer than the thirteen and a half million worlds governed by the heavenly court.

Actually, Mount Sumeru has more than nine thousand worlds.

The worlds governed by the Great Thunderclap Temple are completely merged into Mount Sumeru, blending with other worlds to become part of the great, medium, and small "three thousand worlds."

The nine thousand worlds actually number no less than those of the heavenly court.

It's just that the method is somewhat different.

At the summit of Mount Sumeru there is a majestic mountain named Spirit Mountain; atop Spirit Mountain stands the Great Thunderclap Temple.

The abbot of the Great Thunderclap Temple is naturally the Buddha, Tathagata.

But at this time, the host seat in the Mahavira Hall of the Great Thunderclap Temple is empty; the Buddha Tathagata is not present.

Actually, after the Mountain-Sea Realm shattered, the Great Thunderclap Temple was rebuilt, many former arhats, bodhisattvas, buddhas, and monastics were recovered, and the temple's Buddha light was renewed to illuminate and save humanity—but the one who did this was not the Tathagata.

Rather, it was the Future Buddha Maitreya.

As the former leader of Buddhism and Daoism in the Mountain-Sea Realm, the Great Thunderclap Temple has the Three Buddhas and the Three Pure Ones standing side by side.

At that time, actually among the Three Buddhas only the Tathagata could be called "radiant and magnificent"; the other two Buddhas, though not missing as long as Yuanshi and Lingbao Tianzun, also "lived in seclusion and refrained from action," being even more tranquil and non‑acting than the Supreme Elder Lord.

The Ancient Buddha Dipamkara, the Future Buddha Maitreya, and the "present" Tathagata—these three Buddhas.

During the Mountain-Sea Realm era, the age of the Ancient Buddha Dipamkara had already passed; he sat in meditation, detached from worldly affairs.

The era of the Future Buddha Maitreya had not yet arrived; wandering among humans, at most they would call Tang Luo a demonic monk, and when traveling west they would send a little novice monk just to go through the motions.

In the present post‑Mountain‑Sea era, it seems the age of Maitreya has truly arrived.

Now, he is indeed the master of Mount Sumeru and the actual lord of Spirit Mountain's Great Thunderclap Temple.

In the Mahavira Hall, many arhats, bodhisattvas, and buddhas sit together; Buddha light shines in all directions, and Buddha's voice echoes.

If anyone comes to this place, within a moment they will be converted, awakened completely, and thoroughly take refuge in the Buddha.

Its effect is comparable to Tang Luo's soul‑saving degree.

The seat of the chief Tathagata is vacant, but beside it there is an extra meditation mat.

That is Maitreya Buddha's seat; normally there should also be an extra mat on the other side for the Ancient Buddha Dipamkara.

But just like the Tathagata, after the Mountain‑Sea Realm shattered, the Ancient Buddha Dipamkara never appeared again, and the new Great Thunderclap Temple has nothing to do with him.

Moreover, being an "Ancient Buddha," despite the fact that the Great Thunderclap Temple still has halls belonging to him from ages past,

yet inside the Mahavira Hall, unnoticed, his position has disappeared—even the symbolic meditation mat is gone.

On the meditation mat belonging to Maitreya, Buddha light shines, outlining a golden‑bodied Buddha.

Clad in golden monk's robes, baring a large belly, smiling, his belly can contain all the intolerable things of the world, and the Buddha's visage constantly laughs at the laughable people of the world.

Future Buddha Maitreya!

"Victorious Fighting Buddha Xuanzang." Maitreya looked around, then spoke slowly, "A few days ago you caused a great uproar in the heavenly court, karmic obstacles entwined you, inner demons proliferated, you have already committed boundless slaughter, fallen into the demonic path, and become an enemy of the heavenly court."

"Our Great Thunderclap Temple also decides to strip him of the title Victorious Fighting Buddha and expel him from the temple. Effective today, the heavenly demon Tang Xuanzang is an enemy of the Buddha!"

"We obey the decree!"

Inside the Mahavira Hall, the voices of the arhats, bodhisattvas, and buddhas resounded.

After a moment, the shadows of the monastics gradually faded; most were not their true bodies present here.

The manifestation of Guanyin was about to disappear; Maitreya looked over and signaled him to stay.

The monks soon left, leaving only two people in the Mahavira Hall.

"Venerable Buddha, please speak."

Guanyin held one hand upright before her body, the other hand clutching a jade purity vase, and after everyone had left she spoke.

She looks much like the common folk image, except her visage is blurred, only vaguely revealing a great beauty that transcends gender boundaries.

Maitreya looked at Guanyin and said, "Bodhisattva, the enemy of the heavenly court is not just the heavenly demon Tang Xuanzang alone."

Theoretically, since Tang Luo was expelled from the Great Thunderclap Temple and is no longer a Buddhist disciple, his dharma name "Xuanzang" is naturally also stripped away.

However, from the very beginning he has called himself "Tang Xuanzang," and over time this has become his secular name.

Speaking honestly, basically no one knows the name Tang Luo.

Knowing the name allows one to use a magic treasure to entrap people; the Mountain Sea Realm isn't lacking such things, and at that time Tang Luo was very careful.

"Besides Tang Xuanzang, there is also the Heavenly Court's former Manifest Sage True Lord, Erlang Shen Yang Jian, and Tang Xuanzang's disciple." Maitreya Buddha said in a calm voice, "That demon monkey is also here."

"Is it the Sandalwood Merit Buddha?" When saying this, Guanyin's voice seemed to have become slightly different.

Maitreya Buddha also seemed a bit uncomfortable.

The two of them simultaneously recalled that, when the Journey to the West had just begun, each member of the scripture-seeking team already had their destination decided.

At that time, it had been ordained that the reincarnated Golden Cicada scripture-seeker would be a Merit Buddha, but who would have thought the situation would take a turn, straying eighty thousand li off course.

In the end, the Tathagata's golden words jade speech resulted in Tang Luo becoming the Victorious Fighting Buddha and Sun Wukong becoming the Merit Buddha.

How did this Merit Buddha come about? Privately, there are rumors among the Great Thunder Sound Monastery monks that Sun Wukong often pulls Xuanzang aside, saving many lives, his merit boundless.

It leaves people unsure how to answer.

It's become a sort of laughingstock of the Great Thunder Sound Temple, yet Tang Luo still likes to call himself the Great Thunder Sound Temple's Fighting Victory Buddha.

"Yes. That demon monkey is stubborn, but unlike Tang Xuanzang he is not beyond cure." Maitreya said, "Back then the Buddha gave you three hoops; are they still with you?"

The gold, tight, and constricting hoops: the gold hoop was given to Red Boy, later removed. After the Mountain Sea Realm shattered, Guanyin again used it to imprison the two great anomalous beasts, Red Hog and Harmony; it finally fell into Tang Luo's hands and was offered to the Gods and Demons Game.

The constricting hoop was used to subdue the black bear spirit; it was never removed and was lost when the Mountain Sea Realm shattered.

The tight hoop given to Tang Luo for subduing Sun Wukong actually had no effect.

Later the two even devised a physical tight hoop spell, basically a pearl covered in dust. After the Journey to the West, the tight hoop was taken back by Guanyin.

After Guanyin took back the tight hoop, she never used it again, and it remains in her hand to this day.

Seeing Guanyin nod, Maitreya said, "In that case, let the Bodhisattva bring that stubborn monkey back, imprison him in the Demon-Subduing Pagoda, cleanse his murderous aura, and then have him take refuge in the Buddha."

"I will obey the edict." Guanyin nodded, "But where are they now?"

"You needn't worry about this; I will handle it naturally. I only hope that when the time comes the Bodhisattva won't be soft-hearted. With a Bodhisattva's heart, employ thunderbolt methods." Maitreya reminded.

"Rest assured, Honored Buddha." Guanyin's face remained calm, "That demon monkey will certainly not escape."

Maitreya nodded and gradually faded away.

Guanyin looked at the spot where Maitreya had disappeared for a moment, then also gradually faded.

Meanwhile, Tang Luo naturally didn't realize that after becoming an enemy of the Heavenly Court he had also acquired the title of "Buddha's Enemy".

He had already used the Summoning Heart to reconnect with Sun Wukong, telling them the matter had been settled.

Regarding Sun Wutian's final choice, Sun Wukong didn't say much, only uttering "Not bad for my child."

He took revenge on himself and carried it out on the spot—very good.

He also showed no intention of stirring up Heaven again; for Sun Wukong, the Qin Guang King and others caused trouble, ultimately dying, and the matter ends here, which can be considered concluded.

It's not the case that upon meeting Heavenly Court personnel one must shout to fight; normal treatment suffices.

However, even with normal treatment, there's a high chance they'll start fighting on the spot.

Heavenly Court personnel rely on the great mountain, accustomed to domineering; Tang Luo and his ilk likewise follow their own inclinations, obeying their hearts, free and unrestrained.

When the two forces meet, it's basically like a comet striking Earth.

Moreover, if the Heavenly Court therefore launches a full-scale cry to attack them, everyone would certainly not mind stirring up Heaven's Palace once again.

Yang Jian and Ne Zha felt no pressure, and moreover said, "Count me in."

"I have cultivated a divine ability, the Buddha's Kingdom in the Palm; I will take you in and later bring you to see Yang Jian." Tang Luo said to Ne Zha.

Ne Zha had no objection; he had originally been summoned by Tang Luo simply to facilitate healing his wounds.

He feels no attachment to this world either.

Whether it's the Buddha's Kingdom in the Palm or the Eight Trigrams Furnace, the healing effect in any place is not inferior to that of this world.

Tang Luo also used the Merit Jade Lotus to heal Ne Zha partially, so he wouldn't be that badly injured.

Thus his recovery is fairly swift, but unfortunately he lacks the encounters of Yang Jian and Sun Wukong, so he can only return to his former level.

However, the Gods and Demons Game, shuttling among worlds, might bring some adventure, possibly making him stronger than before.

Upon arriving at a suitable world, one can actually toss the Eight Trigrams Furnace to Ne Zha.

Let the two wounded, and even Sun Wukong and company, wander on their own, fully exercising their subjective initiative.

It's not impossible that they might suddenly become stronger.

Tang Luo did not intervene in this world; after the Qin Guang King-established Underworld Six Paths Reincarnation force collapsed, the scramble of warlords ensued.

He stayed peacefully for about half a year, and the notice of the mission began the day after he received it.

He incorporated Ne Zha into the Buddha's Kingdom in the Palm, letting him contract a pond, and Tang Luo awaited the opening of the twenty-eighth mission.

He didn't know how this mission would differ.