Wukong crushed the Bodhi Seed left behind by Tang Sanzang, naturally alerting the Buddhist Sect.
"Was it this person who killed the Scripture-Seeking Emissary?" Guanyin frowned and murmured.
To one side, Hong Hai'er watched the Mirror Technique displayed by Guanyin, only to see a Taoist utilizing the Primordial Spirit Out-of-Body technique. Then, he entered Li Shimin's mind, found the Bodhi Seed planted by Tang Sanzang, and crushed it! This scene made Hong Hai'er feel immensely satisfied.
Hong Hai'er had been forced by Guanyin to wear the Tightening Crown and had become her Sudhana.
Who was Hong Hai'er, really?
His father was the Bull Demon King, who once became sworn brothers with Wukong, also known as the Great Sage equaling the Heavens, famous in the borderland between Southern Ridge Demon Mountain and Eastern Divine Region; his mother, a Rakshasi, also called Iron Fan Princess, wielded an iron fan that even Wukong dared not provoke lightly; as for whom Hong Hai'er studied under, it remained to be further explained to enrich the story.
Guanyin said, "Sudhana, do you know who this person is?"
Hong Hai'er replied, "If the Bodhisattva does not know, how can I know? With the Bodhisattva's skills reaching the heavens, a slight calculation would surely reveal it."
His words carried a hint of sarcasm, for he knew Guanyin couldn't discern the origin of that man, thus he said such a thing.
Guanyin snorted coldly, "It seems you wish to suffer the 'Tightening-Crown Spell' again, do you not?"
Hong Hai'er quickly begged for mercy, "Disciple dares not."
With a cold expression, Guanyin said, "You wait here; I will go to the Western Heaven to see the Buddha Ancestor."
With that, she mounted a cloud, riding the Golden Light Immortal, and brought along the Mountain Guardian Deity, Black Bear Spirit, for her protection, as her mana was strong. Ever since she was injured by the Six-Eared Macaque, she never went anywhere without a protector. Guanyin pondered, still uncertain of the Taoist's origins, who dared to openly challenge Buddhism, and she herself could not calculate his identity, suspecting that this person was probably the one who had killed the Scripture-Seeking Emissary.
Upon reaching Western Heaven, Guanyin met Tathagata and relayed the matter to him.
Tathagata then said, "I will take a trip to Tushita Palace to see what the Supreme Revered Taoist has to say about this!"
No sooner said than done, Tathagata formed a Dharma Seal, and his Sixteen-Foot Golden Body instantly disappeared without a trace.
Upon arriving at the gate of Tushita Palace, a Daoist Boy was already there to greet him early.
"The Buddha Ancestor's arrival has been long anticipated by the master," the Daoist Boy with Golden Horn bowed and said.
"Buddha Ancestor, please enter," urged the Daoist Boy with Silver Horn as he pushed open the large doors.
As Tathagata stepped inside, he entered the grand hall and saw Laozi engaged in alchemy.
With hands joined, the Buddha Ancestor said, "I pay my respects to the Supreme Revered Taoist."
However, Laozi responded, "No need for such formalities, Buddha Ancestor, please take a seat."
Despite the chaos between Taoism and Buddhism in the lower realm, these two titans met quite amiably, not letting their disputes mar each other's reputation.
Tathagata nodded, then sat down.
"What brings the Buddha Ancestor here?" Laozi asked.
"Since the Revered Taoist's divine calculations predicted my arrival, you must surely know the purpose of my visit," Tathagata replied.
"I do not know," Laozi set aside his fan and gently sipped from a cup of tea.
Without further ado, Tathagata pointed a finger and deployed the Mirror Spells, showing Wukong impersonating a Taoist. While enacting the spell, he watched Laozi's expression, but Laozi remained as immovable as a rock.
Tathagata inquired, "This is the person who ambushed my Western emissary; does the Revered Taoist know him?"
Laozi shook his head, "I do not."
Yet Tathagata responded, "The Revered Taoist oversees Taoism, and this man is a Taoist; how can you not know?"
Laozi slightly smiled and said, "In the past, Buddha Ancestor was a disciple of Tong Tian, known as Duo Bao Taoist. By that account, you also hail from Taoism, and though you have now become a Buddha, surely your memory isn't that faded. Don't you know who this person is?"
Hearing this, Tathagata's face slightly changed, feeling displeased.
During the reconstruction of the Celestial Realm, Jiang Shang established the Investiture of the Gods. He was the eldest disciple under Tong Tian Sect Master and laid the Slaying Immortals Sword Formation to ambush the Chan Taoist followers. Later caught by Laozi, who brought him to the Western Heavenly Buddha Land through Hangu Pass, he then entered Amitabha Buddha's school, took command of the Western Heavenly Buddha Land, and became Tathagata Buddha. It was then that the saying "Laozi Converts to Buddhism" originated.
But times had changed, the clash between Buddhism and Taoism was inevitable, and Laozi was decidedly unyielding. With a Demon King now emerging from nowhere, killing Tang Sanzang and crushing the Buddha seed in Li Shimin's mind, killing many Buddhas' followers... his actions had indeed exhilarated many cultivators!
It is said that Buddha originally came from Tao, and though Buddhism and Taoism share the same origin, who doesn't want their own sect to flourish? Who wants their sect to be suppressed? Humans share a common origin, yet strife among people is ceaseless, all the more so among sects!
The Buddha Ancestor slightly relaxed, offering a smile as he said, "The Revered Taoist jests."
Laozi smiled and said, "Duobao, remember, if you are here to accuse, it should be Amitabha and Zhun Ti you seek, not me—you are not yet qualified."
This statement turned Tathagata Buddha's face bright red. The merciful Buddha narrowed his eyes as he desperately wanted to lash out in anger but had to forcefully suppress it. The recent actions of the Buddhist Sect had indeed been excessive, irritating the leader of the Three Pure Ones. If he were to confront him now, it would only result in losing face. Tathagata was particularly irritated by Laozi's use of the name "Duobao," a dishonorable past he wished to keep buried, now that he was a Buddha Ancestor, reluctant to let others point out his flaws.
Laozi was right; Tathagata's attempt to accuse was unwise. Even though he was honored as a Buddha Ancestor, he was not on par with Laozi, who was the first grand disciple under Hong Jun and the Primordial Spirit of Pangu after the deity's death, having achieved enlightenment tens of thousands of years ago, whereas Tathagata had yet to prove his enlightenment, yet he came to confront a Saint—was he not seeking trouble?
"I thank the Revered Taoist for his reprimand, waking this humble monk's heart," Tathagata said, with his palms pressed together.
Recently, the Buddhist Sect's power had expanded, and Tathagata had become complacently proud, blinding his Buddha heart.
Laozi said, "If you came here for tea, I would naturally welcome you with open arms. But if you came for an accusation..."
He hadn't finished his sentence, but the threatening intent was already apparent.
Just then, the Golden Horn Daoist Boy ran in, saying, "Master, Past Buddha and Future Buddha have both arrived."
Past Buddha was Burning Lamp Buddha, and Future Buddha was Maitreya Buddha, while Tathagata was the Present Buddha.
Laozi said, "Let them in!"
He didn't use the word "please," showing his extremely poor mood. Had he been too "non-active" that these juniors dared to bully him?
After a moment, the two Buddhas entered Tushita Palace and offered their respects to Laozi.
Laozi also performed a respectful bow and said, "I wonder what brings the two Buddha Ancestors here?"
Burning Lamp smiled lightly, "Nothing serious, only ordered to escort the Present Buddha back to the Western Heavenly Buddha Land."
Upon hearing the word "ordered," Laozi understood clearly that the two Buddhas must have been sent by Amitabha and Zhun Ti. Being naturally humble, Laozi did not wish to trouble Tathagata further and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright." He then called the two apprentices, "Golden Horn, Silver Horn, escort the three Buddha Ancestors out."
"Yes, Master," they replied.
Golden Horn and Silver Horn, having received their orders, escorted the three Buddha Ancestors out of Tushita Palace.
Once they had left the Celestial Realm, the three Buddhas finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Burning Lamp Buddha said, "Present Buddha, has your mind been clouded by fat? How dare you accuse the Supreme Taoist here?"
Tathagata sighed and said, "Past Buddha... I saw our Buddhist disciples being continuously attacked and slain by that ferocious Taoist, who also killed Golden Cicada. I could tell this Taoist's mana was not high, but he still had such means. I thought these were probably instigated by the Supreme Taoist..."
Maitreya Buddha said, "You used tricks... alas! Even if you suspected him, you shouldn't have rashly come to accuse him. Even Amitabha would be courteous to the Supreme when meeting him."
Tathagata could only sigh, his mind apparently clouded, carrying out such a reckless act. He now felt like that yapping Sun Wukong! "Hmm? I personally killed that Sun Wukong, why would I suddenly think of him out of nowhere? Ah, it must be because my mind is bewildered today... "
Tathagata said, "That sinister Taoist has been causing trouble in the Eastern Divine Region, and with our divine skills, we still can't counter him! We need to quickly figure out a way to capture this person, otherwise, troubles will be endless in the future."
Maitreya Buddha said, "Let the Four Great Bodhisattvas descend to the Eastern Divine Region. With their combined strength, surely they can capture the sinister Taoist."
Burning Lamp Buddha said, "If we do that, and the Taoist Sect misunderstands, it would not be good. Our Buddhist sect's Bodhisattvas, Buddhas, Vajras, and Arhats should not appear in the Eastern Divine Region just yet. It's better to send some Buddha's disciples."
Tathagata, angered, said, "If we don't capture this Taoist, I cannot quell the fury in my heart! The matter of Journey to the West was settled in agreement with the Three Pure Ones, allowing our Buddhist Sect to peacefully enter the Eastern Lands, yet this sinister Taoist ruined it... "
Maitreya Buddha pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha! Don't let your temper provoke the Revered Taoist or the other two. The Taoist already disapproves of your actions... As for the Tong Tian Sect Master, he would rather kill you right away."
Tathagata sneered and said, "Let's return to the Western Heavenly Buddha Land and discuss this further!"
Burning Lamp Buddha couldn't help but glance at Maitreya Buddha, thinking, "This smiling fat man should be cautious. Present Buddha already hates being reminded of his past, yet you still mention the Tong Tian Sect Master in front of him, inviting trouble."
Upon arriving in the Western Heavenly Buddha Land, Tathagata quietly summoned Guanyin.
"Today, you are to head to the Eastern Divine Region to capture that sinister Taoist, but remember, do not reveal your true form." After commanding thus, Guanyin nodded and left to fulfill her mission.
Tathagata sat on the lotus throne, closed his eyes, and began to preach.
Soon, the Buddhas, Holy Monks, and Bodhisattvas gathered below in the great hall to listen to Tathagata preach.
Since Guanyin had been severely injured by the Six-Eared Macaque last time, Tathagata had given her a Bodhi Seed from beneath Mount Sumeru which healed her injuries entirely and significantly increased her mana. This task was most suitable for Guanyin, with her ability of the Thousand Hands and Thousand Faces, far surpassing Manjushri and Guang Hui among several other Bodhisattvas in versatility.
The crucial moment of conflict between Buddha and Tao was at hand, and Tathagata, too, had to be careful and cautious.