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

As Lao Tzu's water mirror deduced the scene, the images shifted, and the moment that everyone was eagerly anticipating had arrived.

Before the Crystal Palace of Beihai, auspicious clouds swirled and celestial music filled the air. Li Jing, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, with a dark expression, presented Su Bai with the purple-gold crown and golden chainmail armor, symbolizing the Grand Marshal of the Three Realms' armies. Although he was extremely unwilling, he still had to bow and present these garments to Su Bai.

Su Bai stared at the dazzling cloak before him, his lips twitching slightly. This look was strangely familiar, a spitting image of the Monkey King proclaiming himself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven on Flower Fruit Mountain.

"well……"

Su Bai sighed, letting Yang Chan happily drape the armor over him, while he said with a smug look on his face, "Chan'er, and all you sisters, you've really put me in a terrible situation this time! I just wanted to be a carefree immortal, drinking wine whenever I wanted, but now you've put me on the hot seat of this world, making me the eye of the storm in the Three Realms."

Yang Chan fastened his cloak, took a step back, her beautiful eyes filled with amazement and admiration, and smiled, "Husband, what are you saying? With great power comes great responsibility. Besides, if you didn't take this position, would you really just stand by and watch that monkey become a puppet of Buddhism?"

Upon hearing the mention of monkeys, Su Bai's previously languid expression instantly vanished, replaced by a deep and sharp look.

"That's enough!"

Su Bai abruptly waved his crimson cloak behind him, the phoenix wings on his purple-gold crown trembling slightly, an aura of fierce handsomeness soaring to the heavens. "Since there's no escaping it, then let's fight! I'll take the position of Grand Marshal of the Three Realms!"

He strode onto the command platform, looking down at the dark mass of aquatic creatures and the Heavenly River Navy that followed, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Since we have decided to compete for the Western holy position, and since we have decided to save the monkey, we must change everything from the root.

Su Bai's mind raced as he analyzed the situation.

The inevitable course of Heaven is irreversible, which means that the "Journey to the West" must take place, and the final result must be the "great prosperity of the West." These two points are like the riverbed and the sea, unchangeable.

However, it is possible to determine whose water flows in the river and whether it is a clear or turbid stream that eventually flows into the sea!

"The rise of the West does not necessarily mean the rise of Buddhism."

Su Bai sneered inwardly, "Similarly, the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures doesn't necessarily mean it has to be about obtaining Mahayana Buddhism, nor does it mean it has to be a group of monks who go to obtain them!"

His gaze deepened, as if piercing through layers of mist, and locked onto a crucial figure—Jin Chanzi.

The Buddha's second disciple, that virtuous man who cultivated for ten lifetimes, the future Tang Sanzang.

"This Jin Chanzi is the one chosen by Buddhism to retrieve the scriptures, and he is also the core of the Journey to the West eon." Su Bai thought to himself, "His obsession with Buddhism is to the point of being possessed by demons. It can even be said that his adherence to Buddhist doctrines is purer and more stubborn than that of the Buddha."

"As long as Jin Chanzi remains the core of the pilgrimage, the merits of this journey to the West will most likely flow to Buddhism in the end. Because his heart is with Mount Ling."

To steal the prize and substitute it for something else, we must start with Jin Chanzi!

"Jin Chanzi is currently undergoing reincarnation, washing away all his cultivation and memories, leaving only a trace of his true spirit to remain, and he will experience ten lifetimes in the mortal world."

A glint flashed in Su Bai's eyes. "Ten lifetimes of reincarnation... that's the biggest flaw! If we can tamper with his reincarnation system, or even... change his 'core,' wouldn't the nature of this Journey to the West be completely altered?"

With that thought in mind, Su Bai no longer hesitated.

"Li Jing, heed my command!"

With a roar, Su Bai unleashed a dazzling divine light from the commander's seal in his hand.

Li Jing stiffened. Although he felt aggrieved, he had no choice but to step forward, clasp his hands in greeting, and say, "Your subordinate is here!" due to the heavenly law and the imposing military orders.

"Gather 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals, and immediately march with me into battle!"

Su Bai waved his hand, pointing towards the Netherworld, his killing intent palpable.

Li Jing was taken aback: "Grand Marshal, where are we going? Which demon king are we going to defeat?"

"The Underworld!"

Su Bai grinned, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth. "This general senses a peerless demon who, to escape the wrath of Heaven, has fled into the Netherworld! This demon is of great importance and may endanger the safety of the Three Realms. Today, we are going to the Netherworld—to capture this demon!"

Li Jing's eyelids twitched as he listened.

A powerful demon? What kind of powerful demon could make you, the Grand Marshal, personally lead 100,000 heavenly soldiers to capture it? This is clearly just an excuse to cause trouble in the underworld!

But did he dare to ask? He didn't.

……

A moment later, in the underworld, at the Gates of Hell.

A chilling wind howled, and ghosts wailed. The once orderly underworld was now shrouded in a golden, auspicious cloud.

One hundred thousand heavenly soldiers and generals lined up in the void, their golden armor dazzling, their war drums thundering. The terrifying pure yang energy pressed down on the underworld's ghostly soldiers and messengers, making them tremble and not even dare to breathe.

"What...what's going on?!"

King Yama, accompanied by his judges, the Black and White Impermanence, and other underworld officials, scrambled to the Gates of Hell. Seeing the massive, dark mass of heavenly soldiers in the sky, they were terrified.

"Is the Heavenly Court going to attack the Underworld?!" King Yama exclaimed in terror, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

The clouds parted, revealing Su Bai in full military attire, standing imposingly with his hand on his sword, followed by a helpless-looking Li Jing and a mischievous Nezha.

Where is Yama, the King of Hell?

Su Bai's voice was like thunder, shaking even the Gates of Hell.

"Your humble servant is here! Your humble servant is here!" King Yama hurriedly knelt and bowed. "I was unaware of the Grand Marshal's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me! But may I ask what brings the Grand Marshal here with such a large force?"

"snort!"

Su Bai snorted coldly and said with an air of seriousness, "This general has been ordered to subdue demons and monsters. That cunning demon has actually infiltrated your Netherworld! To prevent that demon from disrupting the order of reincarnation, this general has led his troops here to assist you in capturing it!"

"Why aren't you opening the Gates of Hell yet, so my army can search inside? If this demon escapes, can you afford the consequences?!"

King Yama cursed inwardly upon hearing this.

That's a terrible excuse! With Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva guarding the underworld, what kind of demon would dare to come here? Besides, do you really need 100,000 heavenly soldiers to catch a demon? They're clearly here to cause trouble!

However, looking at Su Bai's murderous eyes, and thinking about how this person is now a favorite of all forces in the Three Realms, someone even the Jade Emperor has to appease, how could Yama dare to say "no"?

"Since the Grand Marshal is on official business, I'll open the door right away!"

King Yama gritted his teeth and waved his hand, signaling the ghost soldiers to open the gates of the underworld.

"Enter!"

With a wave of his hand, Su Bai summoned 100,000 heavenly soldiers, who surged into the Netherworld like wolves and tigers.

In an instant, the Bridge of Helplessness, the Hall of Yama, the Terrace of Longing for Home... all the major thoroughfares and key points of the underworld were taken over by heavenly soldiers and generals. The originally gloomy and terrifying underworld was suddenly illuminated as bright as day.

King Yama, seeing his territory change hands in the blink of an eye, approached Su Bai with a look of despair: "Grand Marshal, the gate is open, and the soldiers have entered. What kind of demon is that? What does it look like? I'll have the Book of Life and Death check it out for you, Grand Marshal."

Su Bai strode into the Yama Palace with an air of superiority and unceremoniously plopped down in the main seat that originally belonged to King Yama.

He crossed his legs and looked down at the bewildered King Yama and the judge with a half-smile.

"A prodigy, huh? No rush."

Su Bai tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze falling on the booklet in the judge's hand that emitted a faint black aura. "I have heard that there is a supreme treasure in the underworld called the 'Book of Life and Death,' which records the lifespan, death, fortune, and misfortune of all beings in the three realms. It is extremely mysterious."

At this point, Su Bai leaned forward slightly, and a terrifying pressure instantly locked onto the judge, his tone becoming unquestionable:

"That fiend is extremely adept at transformation. I suspect he has changed his name and identity and hidden himself in the list of reincarnations."

"Bring up the Book of Life and Death, let this general... take a good look!"