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Chapter 247 The Great Celestial Venerable's Abnormal Behavior
"broken!"

"I originally thought that betraying Laozi, stirring up trouble, and extricating myself was the only way out. Now it seems that this may have fallen into Laozi's trap."

Chen Guangrui's expression was not good. His thoughts were churning like a tide, instantly engulfing his previous actions.

“I hinted to the Great Celestial Venerable in the Lingxiao Palace, passing on a message to him. If Laozi truly didn’t want me to cause trouble, he only needed to voice his opposition at that moment, and I wouldn’t have been able to leave the Lingxiao Palace at all. But he didn’t.”

“When I descended to the mortal realm to subdue demons, I uncovered the connection between Pilanpo and the Spider Cave and the Yellow Flower Temple, drawing the attention of the three realms to this. This was tantamount to cutting off an important ally of Laozi in Buddhism. With Laozi’s abilities, he could have easily made it impossible for me to move an inch by simply sending a servant or creating some obstacles. But he did not.”

"He was like a clay or wooden statue, just watching quietly as I broke through the deadlock, stirred up the waters, and attracted everyone's attention..."

“He doesn’t care at all about Pilamba being exposed, or even about my betrayal. What he needs is a pawn like me to stir things up, to attract the attention of both Buddhism and the Heavenly Court in the open, and to create chaos and focus.”

"While everyone's attention was drawn to me, focusing on the Spider Cave, the Yellow Flower Temple, the Kingdom of Women, and the downfall of Pilanpo, the gap that had been hidden for three hundred years on the other side of Dipankara Buddha was perhaps quietly widening, continuously drawing upon the sealed incense and vows."

This thought sent a chill down Chen Guangrui's spine. His meticulously planned self-rescue operation might, in the end, be doing all the work for someone else, becoming a cover for Laozi's deeper scheme.

He even began to suspect,
"Was it really just a coincidence that Laozi sent me to Xiaoleiyin Temple to investigate Maitreya? Did he foresee that I would inevitably choose to cause trouble in order to protect myself? Did he calculate that I would definitely betray him, and thus make good use of me as a pawn?"

This thought, like a cold needle, pierced Chen Guangrui's defenses. He had always thought he had found a way out of a desperate situation, but he never expected that this way out might have been paved by someone else from the very beginning, leading to a deeper and more dangerous game.

"Dad," Tang Sheng's weak voice sounded, filled with deep weariness, "I'm so sleepy..."

Chen Guangrui took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and looked down at his son, his eyes softening instantly. He gently patted Tang Sheng's back: "Okay, go to sleep. Dad's here." His voice was deep and steady, revealing no sign of anything amiss.

Since the incident at Wuxing Mountain, Xiao Tangsheng had been by his side, and Chen Guangrui had long regarded him as his own child.

As night deepened, the chill of Poisonous Enemy Mountain almost solidified. The temporary camp was completely silent, save for the howling wind.

Tang Sheng fell into a deep sleep in Chen Guangrui's arms, her little face still showing a hint of tired paleness. Sun Wukong sat cross-legged to the side, his golden cudgel resting on his lap, his fiery eyes shining brightly in the darkness, never leaving Chen Guangrui.

He watched Chen Guangrui comfort Tang Sheng, watched him fall into a long silence, and finally couldn't help but speak. His voice was low, with his usual impatience, but also revealed a hint of concern for his apprentice.
“I, Old Sun, am a straightforward person and don’t understand your convoluted ways. But my apprentice’s matter, and what the scorpion demon said, and what Tang Sheng saw, all this nonsense, makes my head spin. You didn’t look quite right just now, did you figure something out? What do we do next? We can’t just stay here on this broken mountain and starve, can we? I don’t feel at ease with Tang Sheng’s condition either.”

Chen Guangrui raised her head, shifting her gaze from her sleeping son's face to Sun Wukong. In the moonlight, the monkey's expression was unusually serious. The chill that had surged within Chen Guangrui upon discovering the truth subsided slightly.

He sighed softly, his voice low and clear.
“Great Sage, things are much more complicated than I thought. I originally thought that the two greatest forces in the world, the Jade Emperor and Buddha on one side, and Laozi and Maitreya on the other, were like two mountains facing each other, neither daring to make the first move. Their mutual restraint actually gave us a glimmer of hope.”

Sun Wukong scratched his cheek, somewhat puzzled. "Two mountains? What does that have to do with us? I just want to take Tang Sheng back to Flower Fruit Mountain to live a peaceful life."

“It’s related.” Chen Guangrui’s voice carried a profound understanding of the world. “The journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is the key to surviving the great calamity of heaven and earth. Regardless of who has the upper hand, both sides must ultimately ensure the completion of the journey so that the calamity can pass and the world can be at peace. Otherwise, we will all perish together. This is our opportunity.”

He paused, his gaze fixed on the deep night sky.

"My original plan was that when the two sides were locked in a stalemate and neither could gain the upper hand, we would guide Xuanzang's pilgrimage team to Mount Sumeru. At that time, would there still be any calamities on Mount Sumeru? If not, then Xuanzang would continue westward. Presumably, there would be no demons along the way, and he would arrive in the Western Paradise smoothly. Would that count as having survived a great calamity?"

Chen Guangrui had always had this question: if there were no eighty-one tribulations, could the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures have overcome countless eons?
"I'm not sure, but I know they all plan to settle scores with each other here at Xiaoleiyin Temple. So when Xuanzang's side arrives, the two sides will have no choice but to fight. Only one side can dominate the Great Tribulation."

"By then, when the journey to the West is complete and the great calamity has passed, regardless of which side has the upper hand, during the period of recuperation after the dust has settled, we, the pawns, will have a chance to catch our breath and find a real way to survive."

Sun Wukong understood the gist of it, his monkey eyes darting around. "So what now? Judging from your 'it's broken' just now, this plan must be falling apart?"

“Yes, a variable has appeared.” Chen Guangrui’s tone became serious. “It’s the gap that Tang Sheng saw. The gap that was secretly opened by Dipankara Buddha to draw in the incense from the Tathagata’s seal.”

He looked at Sun Wukong and said, "When Tathagata seized power, the first thing he did was to seal off the incense offerings belonging to Dipankara Buddha. Dipankara Buddha lost his foundation and was forced to lie dormant for three hundred years."

"But now, Ran Deng has secretly dug a hole and has been stealing the incense that should have been completely sealed off. For three hundred years, how much has he stolen? How much power has he accumulated? Nobody knows."

Chen Guangrui's voice carried a hint of coldness, "It's like Dipankara digging a tunnel under the treasure vault guarded by Buddha, moving things out day and night. Buddha probably still thinks the treasure vault is impregnable."

Sun Wukong suddenly realized, and grinned, "Good heavens, that old monk is cunning enough. He's been pretending to be a grandson for three hundred years, secretly stealing from our homes?"

“Exactly,” Chen Guangrui nodded. “Now the problem arises. When we reach Mount Sumeru, if the two sides confront each other, originally it would have been the Jade Emperor and Buddha facing Laozi and Maitreya Buddha. The two sides might have been evenly matched, wary of each other, and dared not easily break the balance. But now, the variable of Dipankara Buddha has joined Laozi’s side.” He held up two fingers. “Laozi, Maitreya, plus Dipankara Buddha who has secretly accumulated power for three hundred years and is full of hatred for Buddha. With these three forces combined, against the Jade Emperor and Buddha… Great Sage, do you think this battle can still break out, or rather, how much of a chance do the Jade Emperor and Buddha have to win?”

Sun Wukong scratched the hair on his head. Although he didn't like to scheme, his fighting instincts made him instantly realize the disparity in strength. "Hiss... then the Jade Emperor and Buddha are going to suffer a great loss, aren't they? They definitely can't stop him."

“That’s right,” Chen Guangrui affirmed. “Once they are locked in a stalemate at Mount Sumeru, Laozi’s side will have an absolute advantage. They are likely to resolve the battle swiftly and decisively, completely taking control of the situation. By then, the Great Tribulation may be over, but the entire Three Realms will be very different from what it is now.”

His gaze sharpened with worry: "And when that time comes, do you think those of us who betrayed Laozi and tried to disrupt things to protect ourselves, like me and Tang Sheng whom you are protecting, will still have a way out? When it comes to reckoning, we will be the first to be punished."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he gripped his golden cudgel tightly. He didn't care about the Heavenly Court or Buddhism, but anyone who wanted to harm his disciple would have to ask the cudgel in his hand for permission first.

A fierce glint flashed in Sun Wukong's eyes as he gripped the golden cudgel on his lap.
"I, Old Sun, learned my lesson from that old Buddha back in the day; I can't let Tang Shengwa fall into the same trap. Chen Guangrui, you're full of clever ideas, hurry up and think of a solution!"

Chen Guangrui gazed at the deep night sky, his brows furrowed. He let out a long sigh, tinged with helplessness.

"Xuanzang's team is probably already on their way to Mount Sumeru, and time is running out. If we set up obstacles on the way and disrupt the pilgrimage, not to mention whether we can succeed, this action will immediately make us enemies of the three realms, and we will die even faster."

He remained silent for a moment, his eyes gradually hardening with determination. "The only option now is to take a risk. Go to the Heavenly Court and tell the Jade Emperor this news directly."

"Tell the Jade Emperor?" Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised. "Would the old Jade Emperor believe that? If he finds out that the other party is too strong, won't he just back down and run away? If Laozi and the others take power, won't we still be doomed?"

"If the Jade Emperor knew that the enemy's strength had increased dramatically, he might indeed choose to endure and back down to avoid a decisive battle. But if that happened, Laozi would unify the Three Realms, and we would indeed be unable to escape retribution."

Chen Guangrui analyzed, "But if we don't speak up, the Jade Emperor, unaware of our strength, might be crushed by the enemy's overwhelming advantage at Mount Sumeru, and we'd all be buried alive anyway. Speaking up, at least there's a glimmer of hope. The Jade Emperor might try to find a way to balance things out, or perhaps we can make some preparations in advance. In any case, it's better than sitting and waiting to die. Besides..."

He glanced at Tang Sheng, who was the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. If this were revealed to the Jade Emperor, it might become a bargaining chip. However, after thinking for a long time, he didn't say those words.

No matter what, we cannot admit that Tang Sheng is Jin Chanzi, or that Tang Sheng is Tang Sheng, or that Jin Chanzi's reincarnation is Xuanzang. No matter who asks, we cannot admit it.

Sun Wukong scratched his head in frustration, twirling his golden cudgel on his lap. "Fine! Fine! I'll listen to you! It's better than just waiting. Let's go to Heaven and report this."

Without delay, Chen Guangrui carefully handed the sleeping Tang Sheng to Sun Wukong to hold. Seeing their actions, Nezha and the Pleiades Constellation immediately followed. Nezha asked, "Marshal, what's the matter in such a hurry?"

"Return to the Heavenly Court and meet with the Great Heavenly Venerable. I have an extremely urgent matter to report," Chen Guangrui said succinctly.

Without further delay, the group immediately took flight and sped towards the South Gate of Heaven.

The South Heavenly Gate remained majestic and solemn, shrouded in rosy clouds and auspicious mists. However, the Four Heavenly Kings guarding the gate today appeared even more solemn than usual. The Heavenly King of Growth, Mo Liqing, stood at the forefront, holding a gleaming azure sword, his gaze sweeping across the area below like lightning.

Chen Guangrui descended from the clouds, bringing with him Sun Wukong, Nezha, and the Pleiades Star Lord, who were carrying Tang Sheng, to the white jade steps outside the South Heavenly Gate. He cupped his hands and said, "Marshal Chen Guangrui of Tianpeng has an extremely urgent military matter that requires an immediate audience with the Great Heavenly Venerable. I humbly request the Heavenly King to grant me passage!"

Mo Liqing, the Heavenly King of Growth, stepped forward. His tall figure stood like an iron wall. He did not move aside, his gaze sweeping over Chen Guangrui and the others, lingering for a moment longer on Sun Wukong and the unconscious Tang Sheng in his arms. His voice was loud but carried a cold, businesslike tone.
"Marshal Tianpeng, it is my duty. The Great Heavenly Venerable has decreed that the heavenly secrets have been chaotic recently, and the Three Realms are in turmoil. The defense of the Southern Heavenly Gate has been doubled. Without a special decree from the Great Heavenly Venerable or a notification from the Lingxiao Palace, no one may enter without permission. Does the Marshal have a jade talisman for communication or a handwritten order from the Great Heavenly Venerable?"

Chen Guangrui's heart sank. He had left in a hurry and had no time to ask for any imperial edict. He could only emphasize again, "Heavenly King, I was sent down to the mortal realm by the Great Heavenly Venerable. I have returned to report. The situation is urgent and cannot be delayed for even a moment. I beg the Heavenly King to be lenient and quickly inform him or let us in."

The Heavenly King of Growth frowned, his azure sword held slightly askew as he blocked the crowd's path, his tone unwavering.
"Marshal, it is not that I am unreasonable. The Heavenly Rules are strict, and I dare not show favoritism! Moreover, this was specifically ordered by the Great Heavenly Venerable. Without proof, please forgive me for not being able to let you pass. If you truly have urgent business, you may wait here. I will immediately send someone to the Tongming Hall to inform you. Once the Great Heavenly Venerable's decree is issued, I will then invite you inside."

"Wait?" Sun Wukong, holding Tang Sheng, was already impatient. Hearing that he had to wait for an announcement, his temper flared up.
"By the time that messenger makes his round trip, it'll be too late! I, Old Sun, think you're deliberately making things difficult for me! Get out of my way!"

He made a move to rush forward, but the Heavenly King of Growth gritted his teeth and stepped forward to block him. It seemed he had no intention of giving way, and the atmosphere at the South Heavenly Gate instantly became tense. The heavenly soldiers and generals guarding the gate also gripped their weapons tightly.

Seeing this, Nezha quickly tried to smooth things over, "Your Majesty, please calm down! Marshal, Great Sage, don't be impatient. The Heavenly King of Growth is simply doing his duty. Why don't you send someone to inform him as soon as possible, and we will wait here for his decree?"

The Heavenly King of Growth's expression softened slightly, but he still insisted on his principles: "What the Third Prince said is very true. This humble general will now..." He was about to give instructions to his subordinates.

At this moment, Chen Guangrui waved his hand and said, "No need."

He looked at the Heavenly King of Growth, who was clad in armor, and said, "If I'm not mistaken, this decree sealing the Southern Heavenly Gate was sent by the Great Heavenly Venerable to specifically stop me, wasn't it?"

(End of this chapter)