Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

Each of his appearances was often accompanied by the "quiet passing away" or "long-term retreat" of certain Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The more benevolent his smile, the more awe-inspiring the Buddhas became.

At this moment, this wicked star actually came to Mount Ling in person, just when the Western Paradise had suffered an unprecedented defeat and was in a desperate situation with no way out!

The White Lotus Child's gaze swept over the respectfully bowing Buddhas below, finally settling on the Tathagata Buddha, who sat serenely on the blue stone platform, his expression still not quite pleasant. His smile brightened, and his voice was clear and melodious, like jade beads falling onto a plate.

"World Honored One, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, there is no need for such formalities. I have come here on the orders of the Master."

"Master!" He addressed the Sage Who Guides as "Master!" This intimate address, which conveyed an absolute sense of subordination, made all the Buddhas' hearts tighten once again.

"The master knows about the recent events at Mount Ling, and also knows that the pilgrim Jin Chanzi suffered a physical calamity and needs the 'Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill' to recover completely."

The White Lotus Child spoke calmly, as if recounting a trivial matter.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope arose in everyone's hearts. Could it be that the Sage already knew of this matter and was about to bestow the elixir? Or perhaps he would point out its location?
However, the White Lotus Child's next words instantly froze that glimmer of hope, turning it into an even deeper chill.

"The master said that due to the previous incident, the alchemy furnace at Laozi's place was overturned, and the elixir is indeed no longer there. However..."

He paused, his clear eyes looking at Buddha, his smile unchanged.

"According to the master's calculations, there is only one place in the Three Realms where the 'Nine Revolutions Great Rejuvenation Pill' still exists."

"where?"

The Buddha couldn't help but press on, his voice slightly hoarse.

The White Lotus Child uttered four words softly, yet the temperature in the entire Great Thunderclap Temple seemed to drop several degrees.

"The law enforces the Three Realms, the hand of the Prison God Lin Zhu."

"..."

It was as if an invisible thunderbolt had exploded in the consciousness of all the Buddhas, making them dizzy and their hands and feet cold.

Lin Zhu! It's Lin Zhu again! How come it's him again?!

He was the one who defeated the Buddhist soldiers, he was the one who killed the Immovable King, he was the one who took Sun Wukong away, and now... the only thing that can save Jin Chanzi and restart the Journey to the West, the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill, is actually in his hands?!

The Buddha felt a surge of anger rising to his throat, and his vision went black again, almost causing him to vomit blood once more.

He suddenly remembered a similar scene from many years ago! Back then, in exchange for some crucial information, the Western Paradise was forced to hand over the extremely precious "Tai Chi Pill"... That time, the beneficiary of the pill seemed to have some connection with Lin Zhu! Was history about to repeat itself? No, this time it would be even worse! Last time it was a transaction; this time, it was probably blatant extortion and crushing!
"How...how could he possess the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill? This pill is the highest alchemical technique in Taoism, unique to Laozi..."

Manjushri Bodhisattva murmured in disbelief, his face filled with disbelief.

The White Lotus Boy smiled slightly, his tone still relaxed.

"This is a secret of heaven, which the master has not revealed. Perhaps it was obtained by the God of Hell by chance; perhaps... he himself has this ability to refine pills? Who can say for sure?"

His casual remark stirred up a storm in the hearts of all the Buddhas.

Lin Zhu... his alchemy skills might surpass those of Laozi? This is even more terrifying and disheartening than knowing his formidable strength!

Seeing the Buddha's face turn ashen and seem to age even more, the White Lotus Boy's expression of "sympathy" deepened. He took two steps forward and softened his voice.

“Buddha, I know that you are in a difficult situation and your great journey to the West is being hindered. You must be very anxious. Therefore, I have specially ordered you to come here to assist you in dealing with this matter.”

Assistance? The Buddhas felt a chill run down their spines. The "assistance" of a sage often meant more direct and unquestionable intervention, or even... the power to decide life and death on behalf of the Buddha!

The White Lotus Boy calmly took something out of his wide, moon-white sleeves.

It was a small flag, no more than a foot square. The flagpole was neither gold nor jade, but a warm, bluish-white color. The flag itself was pure blue, without any patterns, yet it seemed to embody the most primordial vitality of the wood element and an indescribable sense of peace and tranquility.

The moment the small flag appeared, the negative emotions of anxiety, fear, and despondency that permeated the entire Great Thunderclap Temple seemed to melt away a bit, like thin ice being brushed by a spring breeze, and people's minds calmed down involuntarily.

"This is the 'Azure Lotus Banner' that you have temporarily lent to me, sir."

The white lotus boy, holding a small flag, introduced the item with a respectful tone, as if he were displaying an ordinary gift.

"This flag has the wonderful effects of calming the mind, warding off all evil, and protecting against all magic. Of course, it also has another, not insignificant, use..."

He raised his eyes and looked at Buddha, his smile pure and flawless.

"Those who carry this flag, if they kill ordinary living beings, or even those who are burdened with karma and whose causes and effects are complicated, can... be free from karma."

Avoid karmic debts!

Four words, like four cold awls, pierced the hearts of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! They looked at the seemingly peaceful and serene blue lotus flag, their eyes filled with unprecedented fear and chill!

Calm the mind and spirit? Repel all evil? Be impervious to all laws? These are indeed precious and powerful treasures, but the guiding sage specifically pointed out the "not being tainted by karma" aspect and lent it out, his intention... is simply obvious!
This is handing the Western Paradise and Buddha a "butcher's knife" that allows them to "do whatever they want" without worrying about the backlash from Heaven's karmic forces! The sage's meaning is very clear.

For the sake of the Journey to the West and the eastward expansion of Buddhism, some "necessary" means and sacrifices were permitted, and even encouraged!
This is hardly assistance or sharing of burdens; it's tacit approval, even an implication, that could unleash a bloodbath!
The temperature inside the hall plummeted, and many Bodhisattvas and Arhats felt a chill run down their spines, as if they could already see mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and vengeful spirits soaring into the sky.

The White Lotus Child seemed oblivious to the sudden change in the Buddhas' expressions, maintaining his respectful demeanor as he gently presented the Azure Lotus Banner to the Tathagata, smiling slightly.

"My master said that this flag should be temporarily handed over to the World Honored One, which may help him relieve his worries and advance his great cause. I wonder what the World Honored One's plans are at present? Since I have come here on my master's orders, I will naturally obey the World Honored One's instructions."

His tone was humble, his posture extremely low, repeatedly saying "I will obey your orders," but the glimmer in the depths of his clear eyes, and the blue lotus banner that floated quietly, exuding a peaceful aura yet chilling to the bone, constantly reminded everyone—the Sage was watching.

The will of a sage needs to be carried out. And in the process of carrying it out, some "obstacles" can be cleared away.

The word "kill" was not mentioned, but the intent to kill filled the palace.

The Buddha's gaze was fixed intently on the azure lotus banner, as if trying to see right through it. The pure azure color of the banner, reflected in his bloodshot eyes, appeared particularly eerie.

In his mind, the roar of Li Jing, which he had considered "idiotic" not long ago, echoed uncontrollably—pressuring the Heavenly Court and shaking the foundations of the Southern Continent… He knew what terrifying carnage it would trigger, what profound karma it would create. But… the Sage's bestowal of the banner meant more than could be. For Sun Wukong's return, for Tang Sanzang's resurrection, for the Journey to the West to continue… some sacrifices seemed worthwhile.

A struggle, a violent struggle, played out in his heart. After a long while, as if he had exhausted all his strength, he slowly and hesitantly raised his hand. He did not take the blue lotus flag, but looked at the white lotus boy and made a seemingly "gentle" suggestion in a hoarse voice.

"The Sage is merciful and has bestowed this precious banner upon me, for which I am deeply grateful. However, rashly resorting to force is not the best course of action. It would be better to... first try diplomacy and then resort to force. I intend to send an envoy to the Heavenly Court to communicate and plead our position and demands as a Buddhist sect."

They demanded that the Heavenly Court release the demon monkey Sun Wukong and... hand over the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill from the prison god Lin Zhu to save Jin Chanzi. A peaceful resolution would be best.

His words sounded high-sounding, glorifying the "snatching of people and pills" as "communication and petitioning" and "peaceful resolution." But everyone present knew that with the Jade Emperor already furious, Lin Zhu's ferocity at its peak, and the Western Paradise having just suffered a crushing defeat, making such a request to the Heavenly Court was tantamount to a direct slap in the face and a voluntary suicide mission!
This so-called "preliminary courtesy" is essentially a test, a way to exert pressure, and may even be an excuse for subsequent "military action"!

Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the three thousand Buddhas became incredibly varied, ranging from absurdity and fear to shirking responsibility and gloating. Who would go? Who dared to go?
After a brief silence, hypocritical smiles once again crept onto the faces of the Buddhas.

A dignified Buddha stepped forward first, joining his palms in prayer.

"Buddha is wise! This plan is excellent! It can both demonstrate the compassion of our Buddhist sect and test the attitude of the Heavenly Court. However... this mission carries a heavy responsibility, and only those with great wisdom, great supernatural powers, and great perseverance can be competent!"

After saying that, he stepped back, looking down at his nose and inward, as if he hadn't been the one who had just spoken.

Another Bodhisattva immediately chimed in, his tone "sincere".

“Indeed! This important task concerns the success or failure of the Journey to the West, and it requires a venerable person of high moral character, profound cultivation, and skill in negotiation to undertake it. In my opinion, it should be selected from among the ancient Buddhas or the Buddha’s direct disciples.”

They cleverly passed the buck to someone higher up.

"Alas, that's wrong."

Another Arhat spoke out for justice.

“Our Buddhist community also needs to give younger generations the opportunity to gain experience. Why not send some energetic and ambitious Bodhisattvas to go? They can complete the mission and accumulate merit.”

They directly named and sent the "hothead" to his death.

"It's still better to be familiar with the internal workings of the Heavenly Court and to have connections with various parties to get things done..."

Some people have started looking for "connections".

The voices of shirking responsibility rose and fell, with all sorts of reasons, but the core meaning was the same.

This job is too hot to handle. Let whoever wants to go go, go. I'm not going! The Jade Emperor is furious. Lin Zhu, that evil star, is in the Heavenly Court. Going to the South Heavenly Gate is no different from venturing into a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, or going to the execution platform.
The Buddha looked around and saw that the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who were usually eloquent and profound in Buddhist teachings were now silently taking a half step back as if avoiding a plague god, or turning their gaze elsewhere, or lowering their heads to study the texture of the floor. His heart was cold, and an indescribable sorrow and anger welled up in him.

Are these the three thousand Buddhas under his command? When disaster strikes, not one of them dares to take responsibility?
Just as his gaze swept across the corner, he suddenly stopped.

There, Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, had straightened his back again, his face regaining its "worried" and "indignant" expression. Because he was standing in a relatively forward position, and with all the Buddhas around him taking a half step back in unison, he appeared particularly "prominent" and "spirited," like a crane standing among chickens.

Li Jing seemed oblivious to the subtle atmosphere, or perhaps he was aware but thought his impassioned speech had worked. Seeing the Buddha's gaze upon him, he became even more spirited, standing tall and ready to once again give a passionate speech for the great cause of Buddhism, ready to sacrifice his life.

Looking at his face, which was filled with "positivity" and "foolishness," and then at the Buddhas around him who were avoiding eye contact and trying to make their presence known, a thought suddenly arose in his mind, and a cold, extremely icy smile appeared on his lips.

He raised his hand, pointing at Li Jing, who seemed to be glowing, his voice regaining the majesty and loudness of the Buddha, yet carrying an unquestionable designation.

"Li Jing, the Heavenly King".

Li Jing was taken aback and quickly bowed.

"The disciple is here!"

"Just now I observed the recommendations of the Buddhas, and what they said made sense. This mission to the Heavenly Court certainly requires someone who is familiar with the affairs of the Heavenly Court, and who is courageous, knowledgeable, and willing to take on responsibilities."

The Buddha spoke calmly, his gaze fixed on Li Jing.

"Your Majesty, you previously suggested that we should 'put pressure on the Heavenly Court' and 'shake its foundation,' which shows that you have thought deeply about this matter and are also responsible. Moreover, you were once an important minister of the Heavenly Court and you are very familiar with the internal situation of the Heavenly Court and the relationships between the parties. It is most appropriate for you to be the envoy."

He paused for a moment, then made the decision without giving Li Jing time to react.

"I hereby command you, as my Western Envoy, to depart immediately for the Heavenly Court, meet with the Jade Emperor, and present the demands of our Buddhist sect! You must ensure that this matter is accomplished!"

"..."

The "spiritedness" and "positivity" on Li Jing's face froze instantly, like a statue frozen in ice.

His eyes widened suddenly, his mouth slightly agape, as if he had heard something unbelievable. He instinctively pointed to his nose and stammered.

"I...I? Buddha...disciple...disciple just now only...only..."

"Ok?"

The Buddha frowned, and his voice turned cold.

"Heavenly King Li Jing, do you think my appointment is inappropriate? Or are your generous words about contributing to the great cause of Buddhism just empty talk? Now that the time has come for you to exert your strength, you want to back down?"

These words, like invisible shackles, instantly bound Li Jing's head.

His face flushed red and then turned pale. He wanted to explain, but he realized that he had jumped too high and made too many promises. Now he was speechless!

Meanwhile, the Buddhas who had been desperately trying to shirk responsibility now seemed to have found the perfect outlet and scapegoat, and they all "came to life," their faces plastered with extremely hypocritical smiles, and they began to "urge" him to take the throne.

"King Li! This important task is best left to you!"

"Indeed! The Heavenly King is familiar with the Heavenly Court and enjoys the Buddha's deep trust; he will surely fulfill his mission!"

"Your Majesty was just filled with boundless pride; now is the time to display your true abilities. Do not be modest!" (End of Chapter)