Fahai wanted to step forward to speak in defense of Sun Wukong.
But Sun Wukong gave him a look, signaling him not to act rashly.
It was then that Fahai clasped his hands together and stood still, although his eyes were already filled with fury.
Bodhisattvas should be subduing demons and eliminating devils, not seeking revenge for those that harm living beings. What difference is there between such Bodhisattvas and demons?
When compared, Sun Wukong's image, in Fahai's eyes, grew all the more towering.
Sun Wukong smiled faintly, casting a sideways glance at the three Bodhisattvas.
"I am right here," he said. "If you want to avenge those three beasts, feel free to strike. Old Sun will take it all on. I'm just afraid you don't have the power to kill Old Sun."
Zhu Bajie snorted coldly, his mana coursing through him, ready to take action.
Thousands of years ago, he had chosen to turn a blind eye.
Now, he would no longer endure in silence.
Fahai clasped his hands together, his gaze intense as he stared at the three great Bodhisattvas, a fighting spirit surging within him, eager for the challenge.
If the Bodhisattvas were to protect demons, no different from the demons themselves, then he would slay demons and eliminate devils.
The formidable aura of the Six Daos faced off, ready to erupt at any moment.
Just then, an old servant emerged from the clouds.
He had a kindly, smiling face that seemed exceptionally genial.
"By the decree of the Great Emperor Ziwei, the Great Sage Equalling Heaven is invited to the Purple Forbidden Enclosure to discuss the Tao," he announced.
Instantly, the attention of the Six Daos converged on Gold Star Taibai.
A smile formed at the corners of Wukong's mouth.
Ziwei, the rascal, was somewhat clever after all.
Paying close attention here, the timely appearance of Taibai was most likely to provide him with a way out.
Against the siege of three great Bodhisattvas, even with Sun Wukong's formidable strength, it would still be dangerous.
As for Zhu Bajie and Fahai, if they could hold off one great Bodhisattva, that would be their limit.
Samantabhadra and Manjusri, the two great Bodhisattvas did not speak, but it was clear they were unwilling to let matters rest.
Yet, they held considerable dread for the Great Emperor Ziwei.
The Four Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly Court, each with vast magical powers, are appropriately described as possessing boundless mana.
And more importantly, under their command are countless mighty experts.
"What if I refuse to release them?" the peacock asked coldly.
Among the three, he was the most defiant, a fierce creature who dared to swallow even Buddha. How could he fear the Great Emperor Ziwei?
Taibai's smile faded as he spoke evenly, "If the three great Bodhisattvas refuse to let the Great Saint go, then Taibai too must offend."
Rarely did he display murderous intent, yet in no time that intent became horrifically chilling.
Even the mighty peacock couldn't help but slightly constrict its pupils.
Only then did they remember that this foremost of the Heavenly Court's civil officials was by no means adverse to conflict.
Taibai, charged with executions, was also a War God.
The Three Realms always regarded Taibai as non-threatening because he presented himself as a civil official, an image too deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people.
Boom.
At that moment, heaven and earth shattered.
Immortal Master Erlang, leading one thousand two hundred rough-hewn Erlang's infantry, arrived, with his barks-at-heaven dog close by. Nezha and the Plum Mountain Brothers followed suit.
Sun Wukong pursed his lips. He had already sensed Erlang's arrival; it was just that Erlang had remained hidden until now.
Upon seeing Erlang appear, Taibai reined in his killing intent and resumed his gentle old man demeanor.
"Why are you here, True Lord?" Taibai asked with a smiling face.
Erlang spoke gravely, "I, the True Lord, heard that demons were committing atrocities and plaguing the common people. By the decree of Lady Houtu, I lead the Great God of the Three Altars of the Ocean alongside my brothers to exterminate the demon fiends. Are you here to assist us in this endeavor?"
Zhu Bajie scoffed coldly, "The True Lord is mistaken. Wukong, the little monk and I are indeed here to eliminate demons. As for the three great Bodhisattvas, they've come to avenge the demons."
Erlang's brow furrowed as he questioned, "Are the three great Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist Sect actually connected to the demons here?"
His gaze sharpened as he stared at Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and the others.
Zhu Bajie sneered sarcastically, revealing the identities of the three old demons.
"Here are three Demon Kings. The Great Demon King is Manjushri's mount, the Green Lion Spirit. The second is the White Elephant, Samantabhadra's mount. The third is a Golden Winged Great Roc, the maternal uncle of Buddha, the very brother of Buddha Mother."
Master Erlang's expression darkened as he turned to the three Bodhisattvas and asked in a deep voice, "Is this true?"
Manjusri sighed and said, "The words of Altar Cleanser are correct, it is indeed so. These evil creatures took advantage of our unpreparedness, descending to the Lower Realm to cause havoc, and naturally, they have erred. But even so, it should be up to us to deal with them, not for them to be casually slaughtered by others."
"Bullshit."
Before Manjusri Bodhisattva could finish speaking, Nezha interrupted him.
He sneered, "Any demon that brings harm to the common people should be executed by all—this is the divine rule. Could it be that you, Manjusri Bodhisattva, think you stand above the divine rule?"
Naturally, Manjusri did not dare to make such a claim.
The Great Heavenly Venerate may have perished, but the Heavenly Court still had the Three Pure Ones and Four Heavenly Masters and Five Elders.
If he dared to dispute the divine rule, he feared that he would be immediately met with deadly retribution.
Manjusri dared not say it, but that did not mean others dared not.
The Peacock sneered, his handsome face full of disdain.
"Even the Jade Emperor has died, now the Heavenly Court is split and in disarray. What divine rule is there to speak of?"
Master Erlang's eyes turned fierce.
He glared at the Peacock, his tone becoming somewhat chilling.
"You dare to scorn the divine rule?"
"So what if I do?"
The Peacock stood up directly against him.
He was naturally unyielding and rustically prideful, and as the Son of the Phoenix, coupled with the recent murder of his brother for which he could not avenge, he naturally had no temper to speak of.
Even when facing Master Erlang, he confronted him head-on.
"How audacious, those who scorn the divine rule shall be killed without mercy," proclaimed Master Erlang.
He bowed to Sun Wukong and said, "Please, Great Sage, lend a hand in subduing this Demon Fiend."
"Since my elder brother has requested, it is naturally my bounden duty to comply," said Sun Wukong.
Master Erlang smiled.
Joined by Nezha and Sun Wukong, the three of them surrounded the Peacock.
In the Three Realms, the top three forces combined could sweep across all corners.
Even as haughty as the Peacock was, he knew he was no match for them on his own.
He called out to Manjusri and Samantabhadra, "What are you looking at? Why aren't you helping?"
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's body moved slightly, ready to take action.
But then a hand held him back.
Manjushri Bodhisattva shook his head, signaling him not to act.
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva had no choice but to suppress his anger and watch the scene unfold.
"Damn it, you two spineless cowards," the Peacock's complexion turned violently.
How could he possibly stand against the three great war gods alone?
Without any hesitation, he transformed into his true form and turned to flee.
"Hmph."
With a cold snort, a vertical eye from Master Erlang erupted with a stunning Divine Rainbow that pierced through heaven and earth, enveloping the Peacock and immobilizing him for a moment.
The Peacock broke free quickly; he too was a top-notch powerhouse between heaven and earth.
But even that slight delay cost him the chance to escape as Sun Wukong and Nezha caught up to him.
Neither of them showed the slightest mercy in their attack.
One wielded the Qiankun Ring and the other the Golden Hoop Staff, both striking down fiercely.