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Chapter 142 What is a Good God? The City God's Grievance! (Please Subscribe)

Sha Wujing spoke carefully, but in his heart he was thinking about Niu Yan's intention in handing the case over to Tang Sanzang for trial.

He didn't want to believe that Niu Yan's passing the case to Tang Seng was a coincidence or an unintentional act.

Instead, I felt there must be a deeper meaning behind this matter.

The only unknown is whether this son of the Heavenly Venerable of Ten Thousand Laws truly has designs on the lineage of the Empress Houtu, or whether he intends to use the City God case to mock the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Mount Ling.

After all, the City God, as a deity of the Houtu Emperor's Didi lineage, not only enjoys the incense offerings of the mortals, but also protects the land and its people from demonic disturbances.

But what about the gilded and jade-inlaid Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the temple?
Thinking of this, Sha Wujing shook his head.

Those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are the ones who only eat incense offerings and do nothing, and even the monks in the temples are fat and healthy. Compared to them, the City God is definitely a first-rate god of conscience.

Therefore, Sha Wujing had reason to suspect that Niu Yan's actions were intended to satirize the Buddhas of Mount Ling.

the most important is.

Regardless of the intentions of the Fire Cloud Kingdom's ruler, he could not ignore the subsequent impact of mortal officials judging deities.

After all, to the gods and immortals of the Three Realms, mortals are just mortals, how could they be qualified to judge the gods?
Weak and powerless mortals, even officials among mortals, are judged and protected by righteous gods.

What is the Fire Cloud Kingdom trying to do?
Are you rebelling against Tiangang?
It is conceivable that if such a thing were to happen in the Fire Cloud Kingdom, even if Niu Yan is the son of the Heavenly Venerable of Ten Thousand Laws, his future fate would still not be good, and he would be destined to become a kingdom hated by the gods.

Unfortunately, the King of the Fire Cloud Kingdom handed the case over to Tang Sanzang for trial.

This is definitely not a good thing for Tang Sanzang.

Although Tang Sanzang was a pilgrim on a pilgrimage and was the second disciple of the Buddha in his previous life, he was still a mortal at this moment and had no right to judge the gods of the underworld.

Therefore, once Tang Sanzang presided over a case of "mortals suing the City God Temple priest and the City God God".

Regardless of the final outcome, it will be a blow to the overall prestige of the gods and will shake the foundation of their faith among humans.

This is clearly something that no god can tolerate.

in other words.

The case in the Kingdom of Fire Clouds was a trap for Tang Sanzang.

As long as he takes on the case, no matter how he judges it, he will offend the City God, and even the gods of the underworld and the gods of heaven, shaking the foundation of the gods' faith in the human world.

Honestly.

Sha Wujing did not want to get involved in this matter.

The problem is that he is now Tang Sanzang's disciple, and once Tang Sanzang tries this case, he, as the disciple, will inevitably be implicated.

Therefore, the best solution is to remove the City God from this case, define the nature of the case as a dispute between mortals, and remove the City God Temple Keeper to quell public anger.

Of course, it would be even better if we could find a reason to push this case away.

However, considering the identity and attitude of the Fire Cloud Kingdom Lord, Sha Wujing knew that this matter would be difficult.

That's why he suggested to Tang Sanzang that he put forward the City God Temple Keeper as a scapegoat to quell the controversy among the people of Yanhuo City over the case.

“My two junior brothers, there’s no need to argue. Whether this case is related to the City God or not, I, Old Sun, will just summon the City God and ask him a few questions, and then we’ll know for sure.”

Seeing that Pigsy and Sandy had different opinions, Sun Wukong immediately laughed and said...

It can only be said that he would not let go of any opportunity to trick Tang Sanzang.

Things that Sha Wujing could understand.

Sun Wukong could certainly understand it too.

It was precisely because they understood that they spoke directly, wanting to summon the City God for questioning.

As long as the City God is summoned to answer the question.

Tang Sanzang fell completely into the pit and couldn't climb out, which means that he, as a mortal, was judging the gods and placing the gods in a position equal to, or even below, mortals.

This is the cause and effect of shaking the foundation of religious belief.

Let alone the Tang Sanzang of today.

Even the Golden Cicada, personally taught by the World Honored One, probably couldn't carry it.

After all, the phrases "officials protecting each other" and "officials concealing each other's wrongdoings" are not only found in mortal dynasties, but also exist in various pantheons, and are even more prevalent there.

After Sun Wukong finished speaking.

Before Tang Sanzang could even speak, it transformed into a golden light and flew towards the City God Temple of Flamefire City.

……

The Huoyun Kingdom's palace is only a few miles away from the City God Temple in the capital.

With Sun Wukong's abilities, he didn't need to fly there at all; he could have summoned the City God simply by beckoning.

However, he still went to the City God Temple in person.

Because he didn't believe that the hidden deities such as the Six Ding and Six Jia Gods, the Four Duty Officers, the Five Directions Protector, and the Guardian Deities of the Faith would not see the huge pitfall that Red Boy had left in this difficult problem.

Unless they're stupid, they won't just watch Tang Sanzang jump into the pit.

Otherwise, no matter how much merit and fortune is accumulated in Journey to the West, it cannot offset the causal factors that shake the foundation of the entire pantheon of deities.

Of course, Red Boy didn't go too far, otherwise this case wouldn't have been about a mortal suing the City God Temple Master and the City God himself, and it would have given Tang Sanzang and his disciples a day to react.

"Great Sage, please wait!"

Just as Sun Wukong had predicted, a figure blocked his way as soon as he left the Fire Cloud Kingdom's palace and before he even reached the City God Temple.

"Hey, Golden-Headed Jiedi, what do you want with me, Old Sun?"

Sun Wukong saw the Golden-Headed Jiedi and asked the question knowingly.

The Golden-Headed Immortal bowed to Sun Wukong in a Buddhist salute, then asked with a smile, "I see that the Great Sage is in such a hurry, is something wrong?"

“Golden Head Jiedi, you may not know this, but the King of Fire Cloud has given my master three difficult questions. The first question is related to the City God of Flame Fire City. I, Old Sun, am here on my master’s orders to invite the City God to come and ask about the situation.”

Sun Wukong spoke with a mix of truth and falsehood.

"Is it related to the City God?"

Upon hearing this, the Golden-Headed Jiedi's face lit up with joy, and he laughed, "What a coincidence! I have some connection with the City God of Yanhuo City, and I have come to Huoyun Kingdom today to visit an old friend."

“Since the Great Sage is going to the City God Temple, why don’t we go together? If there’s any misunderstanding, we can clear things up.”

The Golden-Headed Jiedi, like a kind-hearted old man, said with a smile.

Sun Wukong was speechless inside, but he cooperated perfectly on the surface and said, "I didn't expect that the Golden-Headed Jiedi knew this City God. This is perfect. With the Jiedi's introduction, it is obviously the best thing."

As the saying goes: If you see through something but don't say it, you can still be good friends.

Sun Wukong would never believe the nonsense that the Golden-Headed Jiedi and the City God of Yanhuo City were old friends.

After all, the city god of Yanhuo City is at most a Yin god of the Xuanxian level, belonging to the lineage of Houtu Huangdi of the Underworld, and has nothing to do with Buddhism.

It would be strange if he had any connection with the Golden-Headed Jiedi, one of the Five Directions Jiedi of the Lingshan Buddhist sect.

If there really was such a relationship, how could he have become a local ghost god?
They probably would have already joined the Buddhist order and enjoyed a life of luxury.

However, Sun Wukong was not stupid. He knew the purpose of the Golden-Headed Jiedi's visit, but he did not refuse.

Because he knew very well that Red Boy's purpose was never to make Tang Sanzang bear the karmic burden of shaking the foundation of the faith of all the gods and Buddhas, but to shake Tang Sanzang's own beliefs.

Of course, you can also interpret it as a test.

This tests Tang Sanzang's faith in Buddhism and examines his inner self.

They asked him, "You've been praying to Buddha for years, burning incense at every temple, worshipping Buddha at every monastery, and sweeping every pagoda you see. Aren't you afraid of ending up like that mortal Zhang Xiaofan, with nothing left but scars?" This is also why the Buddhist sect allowed Red Boy to set such a difficult question.

Instead of using this incident to shake the foundations of religious faith, as Sha Wujing feared.

After all, Red Boy isn't stupid.

If Tang Sanzang couldn't bear the karmic consequences that shook the foundation of the faith of all the gods and Buddhas, how could Red Boy possibly bear it?

Everyone knows what they can and cannot do; there's no need for anyone to teach them.

Therefore, even if Sun Wukong invites the City God back, he can only let Tang Sanzang hear the City God's story; it is impossible for him to be judged in public.

No one can bear such consequences.

Sun Wukong and Jin Tou Jie Di exchanged a smile, and then went together to the City God Temple in Yan Huo City.

This City God Temple is located in the northern district of Flamefire City. The temple is not very large, but the incense is extremely popular. Believers come and go to pray to the gods, making it a very lively place.

However, this is not surprising.

After all, the Journey to the West universe is a true universe of gods and demons, and the realm of immortals is teeming with demons and monsters.

Even though the Fire Cloud Kingdom was protected by Red Boy, it was rarely disturbed by demons.

However, strange and supernatural events still occur from time to time and are difficult to avoid.

Therefore, not only is the City God Temple extremely popular, but other temples, and even major Buddhist and Taoist temples, are also extremely popular.

"This humble deity greets the Great Sage and the Jiedi!"

When Sun Wukong and the Golden-Headed Jiedi arrived at the sacred area of ​​the City God Temple, they were immediately greeted by the City God.

Compared to the Five Directions Protectors, the Six Ding and Six Jia Gods, deities like the City God, who belong to the Houtu Huangdi lineage, are the true local tyrants.

Therefore, before Sun Wukong and Jin Tou Jie Di could reveal their identities, the City God of Yan Huo City already knew who they were and bowed respectfully in greeting.

"This humble monk has met the City God."

The Golden-Headed Jiedi bowed to the City God and then said with a kind smile, "City God, there is no need for such formalities. The reason why we two monks have come today is because Tang Sanzang and his disciples passed through the Fire Cloud Kingdom. The Fire Cloud Kingdom's ruler gave them a difficult problem that seems to be related to the City God."

"We two naturally trust the City God."

"However, since this concerns the people of Huoyun Kingdom, we two had no choice but to come and inquire about the situation. We hope the City God will not mind."

Although the Golden-Headed Jiedi's cultivation level far surpassed that of the City God, he adopted a very humble attitude at this moment.

no way.

No matter what, the City God is a righteous god of the Heavenly Court, backed by the Empress Houtu.

They have official positions and rank, and they have powerful connections.

No matter how strong Jin Tou Jie Di's cultivation level is, can he really challenge the entire lineage of gods of Hou Tu Huang Di Di, challenge Hou Tu Huang Di Di Di, or even the billions of immortals and gods of the Heavenly Court?
Furthermore, since he needed someone's help, Tang Sanzang's ordeal also required the cooperation of the City God.

Therefore, Jin Tou Jie Di had no choice but to lower his stance.

Sun Wukong, watching the scene unfold, smiled without saying a word and did not interrupt or cause any trouble.

He didn't believe that the problem set up by Red Boy would be so easy to solve, and that causing trouble at this time would probably backfire and give the Buddhist community of Mount Ling a reason to make trouble.

"Great Sage and Jiedi have come because of the mortal's accusation against this temple priest and this deity?"

The City God's face was filled with helplessness.

This helplessness is half feigned and half genuine.

If he could, he really didn't want to get involved in this mess.

What can be done?

The Fire Cloud Kingdom Lord gave too much, and his status was extraordinary.

So he could only agree with tears in his eyes and cooperate with the other party in putting on a show.

"indeed so!"

The Golden-Headed Immortal nodded, his expression calm, and said, "In fact, this humble monk does not believe that this matter is the fault of the City God. I just wonder if there is any misunderstanding here?"

Upon hearing this, the City God frowned and sighed, "How should we explain this?"

"If we look at it from the perspective of mortals, then I am indeed at fault. After all, as a local deity, I have failed to protect the people and believers under my rule, which is certainly a dereliction of duty."

"but."

The City God changed his tone and said in a deep voice, "Yin and Yang are in order, and life and death are determined by Heaven. Not to mention that I cannot tamper with the lifespan of mortals, even if I could, I would not take action."

"It is true that Zhang Xiaofan's family believes in me, but the incense offerings of the three of them over thirty years, if they fall into my hands, can at most condense a wisp of divine power."

"With a single divine power, I wish to bless that family of three with good health, peace, happiness, and a long life of a hundred years."

"There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world!"

"If we really do that, will the unequal wishes of other believers also be fulfilled? If they are all to be fulfilled, I'm afraid that in less than a moment, my divine power will be exhausted, my divine body will disintegrate, and I will completely vanish into nothingness."

Even so, it is estimated that it would be difficult to fulfill even a moment's wish of all believers.

"So although from a mortal's perspective, Zhang Xiaofan was at a loss and I was at fault, in my opinion, I did not do anything wrong."

The City God acknowledged that incense offerings and faith are very important to the deities.

But it's impossible for a deity to grant the wishes of a hundred billion believers for a single penny of incense offerings. If they were to do that, they would probably have to sell all the deities and still not be able to fulfill even a moment's wish of the believers.

Human nature is greedy, and desires are insatiable.

You can't expect gods to do a losing business and pay out of their own pockets to protect and fulfill mortals' wishes, can you?

That's unrealistic.

Therefore, the City God did not feel that it was his fault for not taking care of Zhang Xiaofan's family.

After the City God finished speaking, without waiting for the Golden-Headed Protector to speak, he continued:

"Moreover, this deity protects Flamefire City from demons and evil spirits, and is also a great deity who guides the dead and judges their sins in life. Is this not worth the incense and faith of mortals?"

"Can a good god really risk violating the laws of the underworld and give away divine power to satisfy the wishes of mortals?"

The City God is the highest-ranking Yin deity in a city.

His greatest duty is not to fulfill the prayers of believers or take care of a particular believer, but to protect the city from demons and monsters, regulate the earth's energy, eliminate evil spirits, and even connect the yin and yang realms, guide the souls of the dead, and judge the yin and yang realms.

The city god of Yanhuo City felt that he had done his duty in these matters.

Therefore, he did not feel that he was enjoying the incense offerings from believers for nothing, and that his efforts and actions were entirely worthy of the believers' offerings.

Does a good god have to sacrifice himself for others, risk being beheaded for violating the laws of the underworld, and even use his divine power to subsidize and help believers?
If any god could do this.

The City God felt that he could also become a believer.

Because that is no longer a deity, but a benevolent father, a holy mother. Even the positions of the Buddha, the World Honored One, and the Tathagata of the Buddhist sect on Mount Ling must be given to him in order to gain the trust of all beings in the Three Realms.

After listening to the City God's story.

The Golden-Headed Jiedi fell silent instantly.

"Amitabha!"

Only after a long while did the Golden-Headed Guardian chant a Buddhist prayer, then look at Sun Wukong and ask, "What does the Great Sage think?"

(End of this chapter)