"It was that Intelligent Stone Monkey who did it!" Six Ears said through gritted teeth, seething with anger.
Intelligent Stone Monkey!
Guanyin suddenly stood up and looked at Six Ears, saying, "Did you say Intelligent Stone Monkey?"
"Yes, that Intelligent Stone Monkey has learned some ability from who knows where, and I am no match for him," said Six Ears, channeling mana to heal his injuries.
Guanyin promptly closed her eyes to calculate and when she opened them again, her eyes gradually filled with joy.
The Intelligent Stone Monkey had appeared again.
"Bodhisattva, please take action to eliminate that monkey, so we can continue with the plan of Journey to the West!" Six Ears said with a clasped hand, making a request.
Guanyin looked at Six Ears indifferently, her heart filled with disdain. A monkey abandoned by the Three Realms, yet it dares to compare itself to the Intelligent Stone Monkey, who holds Heaven-Mending Merits?
How laughable!
Both are on the Journey to the West, but the Intelligent Stone Monkey brings Buddhism several times more Merit Points in one trip than you. If it hadn't been for the fact that the Intelligent Stone Monkey was truly missing before, do you think we would have chosen you?
"At this moment, you need not concern yourself. Now I shall cultivate here and you are not to leave. I still have to inform my Buddha of some matters!"
The voice of Guanyin was very soft, but it carried a cold and firm undertone.
Six Ears bowed his head heavily, his face unclear.
"Understood," replied Six Ears.
He did not tell Guanyin about Sun Wukong's origins.
Seeing that Six Ears had agreed, Guanyin boarded her Treasure Lotus and flew towards Spirit Mountain.
"Intelligent Stone Monkey, Intelligent Stone Monkey!" Six Ears roared fiercely, his heart filled with desolation.
Having drifted through The Primordial World and accustomed to the fickleness of human nature, he naturally knew what was in Guanyin's heart: the real deal had reappeared, and it was time for this counterfeit to retire.
"Buddhism!" Six Ears murmured to himself, then all his anger transformed into bitterness.
So cold and merciless, and now he even recalled Sun Wukong who had just beaten him like this, he shook his head; the Journey to the West was an opportunity for him to turn his fate around, but for Sun Wukong himself, perhaps it was merely a shackle.
Six Ears didn't resent the Intelligent Stone Monkey, only hated the injustice of this world!
If they had a choice, who would want to abandon their true self and live as someone else?
At Spirit Mountain, Tathagata, after listening to Guanyin's report and doing some calculations, found that the Intelligent Stone Monkey had indeed reappeared.
After pondering for a moment, Tathagata slowly said, "Since the chosen one of destiny has appeared again, let nature take its course, and let everything continue according to the original trajectory."
"I shall adhere to the Buddhist Law of the Buddha," Guanyin nodded.
Having received the Dharma from Tathagata, Guanyin quickly returned to her preparations, leaving only Tathagata's face enigmatic.
Although the monkey had emerged, Tathagata did not share Guanyin's joy. Disappearing for ten years, and upon reappearing, it managed to injure Six Ears.
If there was no guidance from a highly skilled figure, Tathagata would absolutely not believe it. Whatever great calamity was descending to obscure the fate, it was clearly someone's deliberate doing.
Only a Saint could deceive a Saint, and Tathagata wondered which Saint it could be.
However, the thought was extinguished as soon as it arose. The might of a Saint is such that even mentioning their name would alert them.
One step at a time then. Six Ears could not be completely abandoned yet.
At the South Heavenly Gate, which, as the facade of the Heavenly Court, was always guarded by a strong force.
If not for the Jade Emperor's decree, ordinary Immortals are not allowed to freely enter or leave, but a very tall man wearing precious armor sneaked over stealthily.
"Marshal Tian Peng, where are you going?" a sharp-eyed Guardian General immediately spotted Tian Peng's figure.
Realizing that he had been seen, Marshal Tian Peng flashed a bright smile and then arrogantly, with his head held high and chest puffed out, said, "I am acting on the Jade Emperor's decree to take care of matters in the Lower Realm. What, do you intend to stop me?"
"This is a confidential matter. If there is any delay in important affairs, beware that the Jade Emperor will take you to task!"
These words left the Heavenly Generals guarding the gate feeling as if chilled to the bone.
"We wouldn't dare, Marshal. Whatever could you mean?" said the Heavenly General quickly, shaking his head and stifling the request to inspect the decree of the Jade Emperor.
He quickly made way.
"That's more like it!"
With a cold snort, Tian Peng strutted through the South Heavenly Gate to descend to the mortal realm.
But Tian Peng was lazy and devious—why would the Jade Emperor entrust him with any secrets?
Flying through the clouds, Tian Peng's face was full of excitement as he headed straight for the Mountain of Mind and Heart.
As a third-generation pupil of the Human Sect, he naturally knew what this place was, and he also knew that once Sun Wukong had completed his training, Buddhism would withdraw. That was the heritage of a Quasi-Saint!
Tian Peng narrowed his eyes, thinking that even a tiny fraction of that legacy would be enough to last him a lifetime.
It was all up to luck, but even if he found nothing, he could still enjoy a trip to the Lower Realm, couldn't he?
He had deliberately chosen a day when the Four Heavenly Kings were absent, as those fellows were tough nuts to crack, both soft and hard to chew on.
Chaos Residence.
Chen Nuo, mistaken by Tathagata to be a saint but merely a Heavenly Immortal, sat at a table, looking at the braised pork he had just made with a somewhat diminished appetite.
Without the chatter of the monkey, he really did feel a bit unaccustomed, and he wondered how Buddhism would deal with Sun Wukong now exposed to the eyes of the Three Realms.
However, Chen Nuo felt that before the Havoc in Heaven that Sun Wukong was guided to cause, there should be nothing to worry about. Compared to the original Sun Wukong, Chen Nuo believed that his would be stronger, not weaker!
"Buddhism really is stingy!" After searching the mountain for a long time, Tian Peng found nothing.
Not a trace of a cave abode, everything was so natural, clearly deliberately erased.
Full of anticipation, yet all his efforts were in vain.
"What bad luck!"
Spitting out a mouthful of saliva in frustration, Tian Peng searched around once more but found nothing.
Just as he was about to give up, Tian Peng caught a glimpse of a house in the woods from the corner of his eye.
He made his way through the forest and discovered a restaurant upon closer look.
Hey! What an idea! Setting up a shop deep in the wilderness, this restaurateur is either crazy or rich!
"Chaos Residence?" Examining the flamboyant characters on the signboard, Tian Peng commented critically.
Chaos? That seemed unlikely, and Tian Peng couldn't help but chuckle.
How many in the world could know about Chaos, let alone think up such a name? This place must be something special!
But if it's special, the food must be extraordinary as well. If it doesn't live up to the name, then he, Tian Peng, wouldn't feel bad about dining and dashing!
Tian Peng chuckled, patting his belly as he walked inside.
"Do we have a guest?"
Just as Chen Nuo was about to eat his braised pork, he put down his chopsticks and saw Tian Peng swaggering in. Chen Nuo smiled slightly, "What would you like to eat, sir?"
That belly, definitely a sign of a wealthy client!
Tian Peng didn't immediately speak but sniffed the air carefully, the aroma of meat wafting through the air, and finally, his eyes settled on the braised pork on Chen Nuo's table.
He quickly rushed forward, craning his neck to peek into the dish.
The pork was fatty and thick, ruddy and translucent, gleaming brightly. Tian Peng's soul was utterly seduced by the braised pork.
He naturally reached for the chopsticks that Chen Nuo had just put down, intending to dive in.
Smack!
The chopsticks hadn't even made contact before they were slapped away by Chen Nuo.
"Sir, you need to pay before eating here. That's the rule of this establishment," Chen Nuo said indifferently.
The slap stung his hand, and Tian Peng snapped back to reality, recalling the embarrassing moment just past. Tian Peng sullenly retracted his hand.
Pretending to be casual, he asked, "What kind of dishes do you have here?"