On the Dragon-Slaying Platform, I was executed and became Yang Jian's brother-in-law.

Underworld.

A chilling wind blew, and an eerie atmosphere filled the air.

Yang Jian and Taibai Jinxing escorted Su Bai across the Naihe Bridge and arrived at the Yama's Palace.

Before the hall, the Ten Kings of Hell had been waiting for a long time. King Qin Guang, who was in charge, saw the newcomer and hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.

"Erlang Zhenjun, Taibai Jinxing, I, the humble king, pay my respects."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind," Venus said with a smile. "I have come here on His Majesty's orders to bring this Flood Dragon King, Su Bai, to the Underworld to investigate his past and present lives, his merits and demerits."

"I understand," King Qin Guang nodded. "Please follow me."

The group entered the Yama's Palace.

In the center of the main hall, there was a thick ancient book, the Book of Life and Death!

This book records the birth and death cycle of all beings in the three realms, including past and present lives, cause and effect, and karma—nothing is left out!

Venus's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward: "Please, King Yama, quickly investigate this demon's past life!"

"This..." King Qin Guang hesitated, "Venus, according to the rules, the Book of Life and Death cannot be consulted at will..."

"This is an imperial decree from the Heavenly Emperor!" Venus produced the edict. "Does the King of Hell intend to disobey?"

King Qin Guang's expression changed, and he quickly waved his hands, saying, "No, no! I will investigate immediately!"

He walked to the Book of Life and Death, opened the ancient book, and began to search for Su Bai's records.

The Lingxiao Palace.

The Jade Emperor sat upright on his throne, his gaze fixed on the movements in the underworld through the water mirror.

The Book of Life and Death records the reincarnation of all beings. If this dragon is truly a pawn planted by the West, it will surely leave behind clues!

As long as we have a handle on them, the West will have to give us something in return!

At the very least, it will give us the upper hand in the upcoming game!

The Jade Emperor pondered this in his heart, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Buddhism has become far too arrogant in recent years!

On the surface, the Journey to the West was supposed to be helping the Heavenly Court, but in reality, it was all about seizing credit and taking advantage at every turn!

If we can catch them red-handed this time, we'll definitely squeeze them for a good amount of money!

The Buddha sat cross-legged on a lotus throne, with a smile on his face.

But he was secretly pondering something in his heart.

I thought it was just a casual act of converting a vicious dragon with a lot of malevolent energy, but I never expected it would lead to so many things...

Yang Chan... Nuwa Palace...

And then there's that inexplicable cause and effect...

This is getting more and more interesting...

A glint of light flashed in Tathagata's eyes.

He was a master strategist, most adept at planning and scheming.

This dragon was originally just a casual move he made, but now it seems that the value of this move far exceeds his expectations!

Since that's the case, let's add a little more...

With a thought, the Buddha secretly transmitted a message to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

"Ksitigarbha."

Deep within the underworld, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was chanting sutras when he suddenly heard the voice of the Tathagata. He immediately clasped his hands in prayer: "World Honored One."

"That Flood Dragon King Su Bai is a person with a karmic connection," Buddha said calmly. "Take care of him, use some tricks to cleanse him of his malevolent aura, and let him be reborn into the Buddhist order in his next life."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva hesitated for a moment, but still replied, "Your disciple obeys."

The Buddha nodded in satisfaction and then transmitted a message to Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"Guanyin."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva opened her eyes and transmitted her voice, "What are your instructions, World Honored One?"

"Regarding the journey to the West, you should redistribute the merits," Buddha said in a deep voice. "Assign that Flood Dragon Demon King a role and share some of the merits with him."

Guanyin was greatly surprised: "World Honored One! The merits of the journey to the West have already been distributed! Now you want to change it..."

"I know what I'm doing," Buddha interrupted her. "Just do as I say."

"Disciple...yes." Guanyin sighed.

She knew that since Buddha had said so, he was determined to protect this dragon.

But the merits of the journey to the West are a coveted prize coveted by all sides!

If we were to redistribute the resources now, it would probably cause a huge uproar...

as predicted.

When Guanyin Bodhisattva began to adjust the distribution of the merits of the journey to the West, the entire Vulture Peak was shaken!

Inside the Great Thunderclap Temple, the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats were originally watching the joke unfolding in the Heavenly Court with great interest.

"Hahaha, the Jade Emperor has really lost face this time!"

"Exactly! In front of all living beings in the three realms, they've aired their dirty laundry!"

"The funniest one is Tianpeng, who took the blame for the Jade Emperor and was even banished to the mortal realm!"

The Buddhas were laughing happily when suddenly—

"Huh?" Manjushri Bodhisattva's expression changed.

"What's wrong?" asked Samantabhadra Bodhisattva beside him.

"It seems some of my opportunities have slipped away?" Manjushri frowned, did some calculations with his fingers, and his expression immediately turned ugly.

"Me too!" exclaimed Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. "The merit I received during my journey to the West was reduced by a full ten percent!"

"What?!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the room!

The Buddhas all began to investigate, and then their expressions all changed!

"Mine are less too!"

"Damn it! Who stole our merits?"

Investigate! Investigate now!

Before long, the Buddhas discovered the source—Guanyin Bodhisattva!

"Guanyin! What do you mean?!" Manjushri Bodhisattva angrily transmitted his voice.

"Manjushri, don't worry." Guanyin smiled wryly, "This wasn't my idea..."

"Not you? Then who is it?" Puxian pressed.

"It's... the World-Honored One's will," Guanyin said helplessly. "The World-Honored One instructed me to redistribute the merits of the journey to the West, to assign a role to that Flood Dragon Demon King Su Bai, and to share some of the merits with him."

"What?!"

The Buddhas were completely enraged!

"Why should I?!"

"What merit or ability does that Flood Dragon Demon King possess?"

"We painstakingly planned this westward journey, and the merit we finally earned is not enough; why should we share it with him?"

"Who would willingly hand over a duck they've already got their hands on?"

There were many complaints, and the entire Ling Mountain was filled with resentment!

Among them, the one who reacted most strongly was Maitreya, the future Buddha!

Maitreya Buddha was already somewhat dissatisfied with Tathagata.

According to Buddhist rules, Tathagata is the present Buddha, Dipankara is the past Buddha, and Maitreya is the future Buddha.

In theory, when the time is right, Buddha should abdicate and let him take over the Buddhist order!

But so many years have passed, and Buddha has shown no intention of relinquishing power!

Instead, they are becoming increasingly keen on cultivating their own power!

Now you're suddenly going to assign merit to an outsider?

Isn't this obviously cultivating cronies?

"Heh..." Maitreya sneered, saying sarcastically, "The World Honored One is truly compassionate! Could this wicked dragon be related to the World Honored One in some way?"

"Why are you taking such good care of me?"

"You're even giving away a share of the merit from your journey to the West?"

Upon hearing this, all the Buddhas turned their heads in surprise.

Maitreya's words were too sarcastic!

However, it cannot be denied that many Buddhas had the same doubts in their hearts.

"Right, just who exactly is this Flood Dragon Demon King?"

"Even if you want to convert him, does it really require such a large-scale operation?"

"Could it be that the World-Honored One was acting out of selfishness?"

Whispers rose and fell.

Manjushri and Samantabhadra exchanged a glance and couldn't help but ask, "World Honored One, isn't this matter unfair?"

"Although that Flood Dragon Demon King has some abilities, merit is a matter of great importance; how can it be distributed arbitrarily?"

"If this precedent is set, won't everyone want a piece of the pie in the future?"

The more the Buddhas spoke, the more agitated they became, and the resentment throughout Mount Ling grew stronger and stronger!

At the Jade Pool.

The Buddha was eating melons when he suddenly sensed the overwhelming resentment emanating from Mount Ling, and was momentarily stunned.

What happened?

He quickly calculated and immediately understood the cause and effect.

Then...

Buddha was completely distraught!

I...

When did I say I wanted to separate from your merits?

I simply asked Guanyin to assign that dragon a role and share some of his merits!

With so much merit, why not just spare a little bit?

What are you guys thinking?

The more Buddha thought about it, the more aggrieved he felt.

He originally valued Su Bai's potential and wanted to take the opportunity to subdue him and strengthen the Buddhist sect's influence.

At the same time, it was also to weaken the authority of the Heavenly Court—after all, the Heavenly Court wanted to kill them, and if the Buddhist sect protected them, wouldn't the Buddhist sect seem more influential?

This is clearly a win-win situation!

But now, the Buddhas of the West not only don't appreciate it, but they also think he is cultivating his own private power and wants to delay handing over power.

And that Maitreya, talking in a sarcastic tone about "related relatives"?

What the hell do I have to do with that dragon!

I just saw that he was useful and wanted to convert him!

The Buddha took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

But the more I think about it, the angrier I get!

The person is sitting at the table, and a pot falls from the sky!

I had good intentions in planning for Buddhism, but you all tried to pin this huge blame on me.

The Buddha's face was gloomy as he looked towards Mount Ling, feeling extremely frustrated.

Forget it, let's deal with this first...

We need to give these guys a good talking-to later!

One by one, you think you've grown wings, huh?

They haven't even gotten their share of the good deeds yet, and they've already started fighting amongst themselves?

Do you really think Buddhism is a monolithic entity?

The Buddha sneered inwardly, but outwardly maintained a compassionate smile.

But that smile looked somewhat stiff...