Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 626 Betraying Jin Chanzi

Southern Jambudvipa.

Beside Wangchao Village.

Ma Shan and Huang Mei debated the Dharma and the Dao here.

Upon hearing Ma Shan's words, the Yellow-Eyebrowed King's gaze sharpened, and he said decisively:
"That's right, I'm here to prove evil!"

"I will use this bloody 'fruit' to prove the false 'cause' in Jin Chanzi's mouth!"

"Human nature is inherently evil; this is the way of Heaven."

"This is a world where the strong prey on the weak; the weak die and the strong live."

"Ordinary people are born like greedy eagles and ferocious beasts, their hearts are clouded, and they only know how to pursue profit!"

Speaking of this...

The Yellow-Eyebrowed King's expression was impassioned, and his voice suddenly rose, as if he wanted to roar out the "Dao" in his heart:
“We gods and Buddhas should follow the way of Heaven and divide the beings in the Three Realms into different classes, using both incentives and threats to entice and intimidate them.”

"In this way, the three realms will be at peace and in good order."

"To clearly define the hierarchy of the three realms is the right path to governing the world!"

"Mortals are inherently inferior to gods and Buddhas; they are the lowest of beings, only worthy of kowtowing and burning incense at the feet of gods and Buddhas to express their piety."

"As for Jin Chanzi's methods?"

The Yellow-Eyebrowed King, his face full of disdain, spat out a mouthful of blood and said viciously:

"Jin Chanzi insisted on saying that all living beings have the potential for wisdom, that all living beings are equal, and that he wanted to save all living beings."

"Isn't this utter nonsense?"

"Jin Chanzi's approach is nothing more than constructing an 'ideal world' that can never be realized."

"A complete scam."

"Then, Jin Chanzi and his accomplices would use this 'ideal world' as bait to deceive the world, bewitch people, and swindle them out of their incense offerings and faith."

"How can such empty talk compare to my master's pragmatic approach?"

……

As King Yellow Eyebrows was speaking...

Ma Shan suddenly became serious, as if sensing something. He looked up at the sky and saw a faint Buddhist light in the western sky, with a pure and clean atmosphere, which seemed to be an auspicious omen.

He let out a soft cry:
"Huh? A Buddha's light is coming from the west, and a pure aura is spreading... It's that scoundrel Jin Chanzi who's arrived!"

"This place is no place to linger. You argue with him yourself, brother. I'm making my escape!"

After saying this, Ma Shan's figure flickered, transforming into a wisp of ghostly fire, and with a "whoosh," he disappeared into the blood-stained sand, leaving no trace.

On the beach, the setting sun bleeds like blood.

The sea breeze howled, carrying with it the stench of blood and salt.

As the western clouds were tinged with golden light, a figure draped in a brocade cassock, holding a nine-ringed staff, and gracefully arrived, stepping on the clear waves.

The newcomer was none other than Jin Chanzi!

Jin Chanzi's gaze swept across the scattered jewels, congealed blood, and fallen corpses in the ruins, finally settling on Huang Mei, who lay on the reef, barely breathing yet wearing a ferocious smile. He clasped his hands together and chanted a Buddhist mantra:
"Amitabha! Good, good!"

"Huang Mei, we have discussed the law many times, how could you commit such a heinous crime?"

Immediately, Jin Chanzi sat cross-legged, placed his nine-ringed staff horizontally in front of his knees, formed a Buddhist mudra with his hands in front of his chest, and chanted mantras.

"Amitabha... Om Hahaha Wum Samadhi Svaha..."

"Om ha ha ha hum samadhi so ha..."

Jin Chanzi performed a ritual to help these departed souls find peace in their next life.

The chanting of Buddhist hymns was heard, offering solace to the departed souls, while golden light sprinkled across the scorched earth.

As Jin Chanzi chanted, a soft golden Buddhist light emanated from his body, gently falling upon the twisted corpses, attempting to dispel the lingering resentment and unwillingness.

The Buddha's light flowed, and faint wisps of pure energy, representing the souls of the deceased, could be seen struggling to rise from their impure bodies, slowly drifting towards the underworld under the guidance of the golden light.

Jin Chanzi, the second disciple of the Buddha, chanted sutras and prayed for his salvation.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva of the underworld will naturally arrange a good place for these lost souls out of respect for Jin Chanzi.

That's the relationship.

"Jin-chan-zi!"

"I won again this time!"

Huang Mei's voice carried a hint of arrogance and smugness:

“In the past, the Buddha cut off his own flesh to feed an eagle.”

"Today, I, Huang Mei, will emulate the Buddha and offer my flesh as a gift of wealth."

"Open your eyes and see for yourself, is this the kind of person you call 'inherently good' and 'possessing Buddha-nature'?"

"Under the temptation of wealth and the torment of desire, how hideous and ugly the human heart becomes! How fragile and vulnerable it is!"

"You wish to transmit the Mahayana scriptures to save these stubborn, foolish, and greedy people? Isn't that just a fool's dream, or trying to catch the moon's reflection in the water?"

"In this round, I have won! Can you concede defeat today, my Buddhist principles?"

Jin Chanzi's chanting abruptly stopped. He stared at Huang Mei, his expression solemn, and sighed with his palms together:

"Amitabha! Senior brother, you are clearly confusing people's minds and confusing cause and effect!"

"The human heart is like a clear mirror, reflecting the true nature of things."

"If you guide them with good causes, like a spring breeze and gentle rain, they will bear good fruit."

"If you lure someone with evil intentions, it is like throwing poison into a well, and then the evil will be revealed."

"This is not because people are inherently evil, but because your 'bad karma' has given rise to your 'evil appearance'!"

"You use illusory wealth as bait to set a trap, deliberately stirring up the deepest poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance in people's hearts, and then use the 'evil consequences' induced by this to forcefully prove the 'cause' of the inherent evil of human nature."

"This is designing questions with answers in mind, creating a cycle of self-verification; how can this reveal the true path?"

Jin Chanzi, with piercing eyes, stared directly at Huang Mei and admonished him:

“Brother Huangmei, you are fixated on the illusion of winning and losing, trapped by the shadows of human nature, generalizing from a single instance, and obscuring good with evil.”

"Senior brother's actions, in order to prove his own obsession, are willing to treat countless lives as straw dogs, committing this boundless atrocity!"

"This is not enlightenment, but demonic possession! How pathetic and laughable!"

The mangled body of the man with yellow eyebrows trembled slightly, then emitted a low, obsessive laugh, the question echoing across the desolate beach:
"Hahaha! Ridiculous? Pathetic? Jin Chanzi! Stop spouting flowery words and trying to argue your way out of this mess!"

"A win is a win, and a loss is a loss!"

"Your empty talk about 'everyone having Buddha-nature' is nothing but a mirage, a self-deceiving dream!"

Jin Chanzi looked at the Yellow-Eyebrowed King, who was already trapped in a paranoid obsession and unable to extricate himself, and said no more.

After he silently performed the ritual to guide the departed souls to the afterlife, three pairs of golden cicada wings suddenly unfurled behind him.

These golden cicada wings are as thin as golden gauze, yet incredibly sharp.

The golden cicada's wings fluttered gently.

In an instant, Jin Chanzi transformed into a golden ray of light, like a rainbow piercing the sun, and vanished into the twilight sky.

……

"Jin Chanzi...you have finally lost! You have lost to this bloody reality!"

The Yellow-Eyebrowed King stared at Jin Chanzi's figure, his eyes flashing with an almost crazed light:
"You want to cross over? Then you need proof!"

"I will prove it to Mount Ling, and to the Three Realms and Six Paths!"

"Who else but me can be the one to spread the scriptures in the East?"

"Only I can wield the power of education, to take the scriptures from the East, and establish laws for all ages!"

……

After catching his breath, suppressing the surging blood and intense pain, King Yellow Eyebrows' mind raced.

at the moment.

Although Jin Chanzi "fled in defeat," the fierce competition for the mantle of the sutra was far from over.

He knew that if he wanted to completely overpower Jin Chanzi in the competition for the transmission of the scriptures, he had to keep a firm grip on Jin Chanzi's movements and understand his next plan.

“Ananda, Kasyapa…”

At that moment, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he remembered the two rather "unique" and wonderful people before the Buddha on Mount Ling—Ananda and Venerable Kasyapa.

These two people usually accompany the Buddha and are well-informed; they might be able to provide crucial clues.

Having made up his mind, Huang Mei mustered his strength, made a hand seal, and transformed into a dim yellow light, enveloping his mangled body, and sped off towards the Western Heavenly Spirit Mountain.

……

On the sacred mountain, precious pavilions and towers are scattered in an orderly fashion, surrounded by thousands of auspicious clouds and shining with countless rays of light, creating a solemn and dignified scene.

Despite his pain, Huang Mei searched everywhere and finally found the two Venerable Ones who often served the Buddha – Kasyapa and Ananda.

……

Speaking of Kasyapa and Ananda, they are the two disciples of Buddha in "Journey to the West" who demanded money from Tang Sanzang and his disciples at Mount Ling. After Tang Sanzang and his disciples went through many hardships to reach Mount Ling...

Within the sacred mountain.

Kasyapa and Ananda looked at Tang Sanzang with greedy expressions and said:
"Holy monk, what gifts have you brought us from the East? Quickly take them out so that we can pass on the scriptures to you."

Seeing that Tang Sanzang looked troubled and had no money to give them, Kasyapa and Ananda added sarcastically:
"Good, good, good! If we pass on our knowledge from scratch, our descendants will starve!"

Later, even after being criticized by the Buddha, they still wouldn't let it go.

When Kasyapa and Ananda led Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the foot of the Treasure Pavilion, they still pestered Tang Sanzang for some favors.

Having no other choice, Tang Sanzang had to offer them his golden alms bowl.

After receiving the money.

Ananda clung to the golden alms bowl and refused to let go, so Kasyapa went into the pavilion to retrieve the scriptures.

……

Just as in the temple of Guan Yu, Guan Yu is attended by Guan Ping and Zhou Cang; and in the temple of Guanyin, Guanyin Bodhisattva is attended by Sudhana, the Dragon Girl, and Sudhana the Boy.

Kasyapa and Ananda were the two great disciples who served the Buddha, and they enjoyed the incense offerings in the temple with the Buddha.

In "Journey to the West", these two appear very frequently. Wherever the Buddha is, you can almost always see them.

When the Buddha subdued Sun Wukong, he summoned the Venerable Ananda and Kasyapa to accompany him; when he subdued the Golden-Winged Roc, Kasyapa and Ananda were also by his side.

At the An Tian Assembly, the Buddha instructed Ananda and Kasyapa to collect all the offerings they had made.

When transmitting the scriptures, the Buddha even directly named the recipients:
“Ananda and Kasyapa, you two lead the four assemblies to…”

……

The Buddha once attained a "sixteen-foot golden body" on the summit of a snowy mountain.

This sixteen-foot-tall golden body is indestructible, impervious to water and fire, and can withstand weapons and lightning; its power is boundless.

But even a giant golden statue has things it fears.

First, they are afraid of unclean things.

Just like when the Buddha was swallowed by the peacock, he wanted to get out through the peacock's anus, but fearing that it would defile his true body, he had no choice but to cut open the peacock's back to get out.

Secondly, they fear things that are insidious or poisonous.

For example, the Buddha's golden body, which was sixteen feet tall, could be pierced by the scorpion demon's "poisonous stump."

Kasyapa and Ananda, as the two great disciples who served the Buddha, also cultivated a "golden body" in accordance with the Buddha's teachings.

That is, "a seven-foot golden body".

However, their "seven-foot golden body" is naturally slightly weaker than the Buddha's "sixteen-foot golden body," but it is still a top-level protective supernatural power.

The "Seven-Foot Golden Body" is a metal-based supernatural power, and cultivating this power requires the power of true gold.

Specifically, Kasyapa and Ananda's "seven-foot golden bodies" require their followers to cast "golden Buddha statues" for them, and then absorb the spiritual power of sentient beings on these "Buddha statues" to cultivate into "seven-foot golden bodies".

In the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha, the Western Paradise, there are the "Seven Treasures of Buddhism".

The first "treasure" is gold.

Gold is the foremost of the seven treasures in Buddhism and is deeply loved by the Buddha.

Although monks often say they do not love money, they value gold, the foremost of the seven treasures, in particular.

……

Lingshan, with its precious pavilions and towers.

The air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, the light of Buddha shone brightly, and the aura of precious energy flowed freely.

Venerable Kasyapa had a slender face and a calm demeanor. He was carefully wiping a small, exquisite, and radiant golden Buddha statue with a piece of soft brocade.

The Venerable Ananda was handsome, with a touch of worldliness in his brows. He was watching with great interest several golden lotus koi swimming around a clear spring, their breath emanating Buddhist light and spiritual energy.

Suddenly, a beam of yellow light, carrying the stench of blood and the smell of the sea, descended outside the pavilion.

Huang Mei walked in looking rather disheveled.

At Lingshan.

Jin Chanzi was the second disciple of the Buddha.

Kasyapa and Ananda, as disciples who served the Buddha, had always had a close relationship with Jin Chanzi.

Kasyapa, Ananda, and Jin Chanzi often discussed Zen and the Dao together, and their friendship was deep.

however.

Huangmei was well aware of the evil in human nature and knew the temperaments of Kasyapa and Ananda like the back of his hand.

Venerable Kasyapa was intently polishing a golden Buddha statue when suddenly Yellow Eyebrows burst in, looking disheveled. His brow furrowed slightly, and he asked in a somewhat distant tone:
"Huang Mei? Didn't you go to the Southern Continent to spread the scriptures and undergo trials, following the Buddha's decree, along with your senior brother Jin Chanzi?"

"Why have you returned looking like this? What brings you here?"

Huang Mei, having caught his breath, knew time was of the essence and, without beating around the bush, went straight to the point:

“Venerable Kasyapa, Venerable Ananda, let’s not beat around the bush. I have come here to inquire about something from you two.”

Hearing this from the side, Anan immediately asked curiously:
"What's the matter?"

With a firm gaze, Huang Mei looked directly at Kasyapa and Ananda and said:

"Jin Chanzi, has he... made any new plans or moves recently?"

Upon hearing this, Venerable Kasyapa suddenly raised his voice, his expression turned solemn, and his countenance became dignified, as if he had been greatly offended.
"Junior Brother Huangmei! What do you mean by that?"

"Don't you know that Jin Chanzi is my dearest friend and my most beloved senior brother?"

"We are like brothers."

"Now, you and the other two are here to compete fairly for the position of transmitting the scriptures and attaining enlightenment, each displaying your supernatural abilities in accordance with the Buddha's decree."

"This is a matter of great importance to Mount Ling! How could I, Kasyapa, engage in such despicable acts as leaking secrets of my fellow disciples and stabbing them in the back? How could I possibly reveal Senior Brother Jin Chanzi's secrets to you?"

"Stop mentioning it again, and leave immediately, lest you defile this peaceful place!"

"Hehehe..."

Huang Mei looked at Jia Ye's sanctimonious and seemingly wronged appearance and sneered a few times, as if he were watching a clumsy performance.

He slowly and deliberately patted the seemingly empty but actually well-hidden bag at his waist, making a clinking sound of gold and silver.

"Clang, clang, clang."

"Clang, clang, clang."

……

The crisp, melodious sound of gold and jade clashing emanated clearly from the small cloth bag, carrying a strange magic.

That was the allure of gold.

Huang Mei said slowly:
"Oh? Is that so? Junior Brother Kasyapa is of noble character and integrity. I, Huangmei, admire him."

"but……"

Huang Mei abruptly changed the subject, his eyes sharpening, and asked Kasyapa in return:

"Someone as 'extraordinary' as you, junior brother, would you care about such empty fame?"

"Why bother with brotherly affection?"

Yellow-browed man leaned forward slightly, approaching Kasyapa, and said:

"Just tell me directly, how many personnel do you need this time?"

We're all sensible people, so we won't pretend anymore.

Maitreya Buddha is skilled in spatial supernatural powers, and his magical treasures "Golden Jade" and "Human Race Bag" are both spatial control type treasures.

Legend has it that the Laughing Buddha was one of the incarnations of Maitreya Buddha.

Its cloth bag, though seemingly small, can actually hold a lot.

With the Yellow-Eyebrowed King patting the cloth bag.

The gold inside kept making a clanging sound.
"Dang, Dang, Dang..."

"Dang, Dang, Dang..."

Venerable Kasyapa paused almost imperceptibly as he wiped the golden statue.

He raised his head, his eyes involuntarily glancing at the cloth bag at Huang Mei's waist, as if he could see through the fabric to the mountain of yellow and white things inside.

"Huang Mei, you've misunderstood."

Kasyapa's voice became smooth and affectionate, as if the rebuke from before had never happened.

He put down the golden Buddha, clasped his hands together, and solemnly said to Huang Mei:
"What I mean is, it's precisely because Jin Chanzi is my senior brother, and we are like brothers."

"so……"

"Huang Mei, you..."

Kasyapa paused, his eyes gleaming with greed, and he lowered his voice, yet uttered three words with unparalleled clarity:
"You have to pay more!"

(End of this chapter)