Chapter 201 — Freeloading
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
" Tian Zhenjun sneered: "Old Tathagata, with us joined to your Great Thunderclap Temple, would destroying this fiend really be so hard? Do you think that by letting this chance pass, your Great Thunderclap Temple will be spared? Once Imperial Teacher Jingping destroys us, he is certain to destroy Buddhism!
Why not strike now, and show us your arts of quelling demons? " The Old Tathagata laughed: "However Imperial Teacher Jingping may treat our Buddhist order, there will always be in this world people who believe in and revere the Buddha. Whether gods and Buddhas still exist in this world or not, faith remains. It will not perish because Imperial Teacher Jingping destroys the Buddhist order, nor will it shine brighter because he exalts it.
If you are willing to set down enmities and arms, then come with me. If not, this old monk can only say that our affinities were lacking, and take his leave. " Suddenly, figures dropped sharply from the sky, landing behind Imperial Teacher Jingping—a hundred or more armor-clad generals of the Jingping Kingdom, drenched in blood, their battle intent surging to the heavens. Duke Weiguo boomed: "What's this? The Tathagata has come to join the ruckus too? Sponging off us, is he?
Imperial Teacher Jingping, let's make an end of this white-browed monk and all these bald-headed. . .
" Imperial Teacher Jingping raised a hand to stop him and said in a low voice: "We must not end in mutual ruin. The Old Tathagata has come to make peace—this is a good thing. " Duke Weiguo was suspicious, puzzled by his meaning: "They're just here to sponge!
They seize this chance to take these rebel leaders into his Great Thunderclap Temple and swell its strength. These rebel leaders are formidable figures, every one of them.
Let them go, and it's releasing tigers back to the mountains—endless trouble to follow! Imperial Teacher Jingping, think twice! " Imperial Teacher Jingping smiled: "The Old Tathagata has said that once they take refuge in Buddhism, they will no longer meddle in worldly affairs. I trust the Old Tathagata. " "You truly trust him?
" Duke Weiguo stared wide-eyed: "Hairless heads, shoddy deeds. .
.
" He was about to say more, but Imperial Teacher Jingping raised his hand and said calmly: "The Old Tathagata is the foremost leader of the Buddhist faith.
For him to come resolve grievances, end a conflict, and return peace under heaven—this is a deed of immense benevolence. Besides, I too have been wounded. " On Sumeru Mountain, the bodhisattvas and arhats, hearing this, turned their heads to look.
The Old Tathagata chanted a Buddha's name to bring them to attention, and laughed: "Imperial Teacher Jingping is willing to resolve the grievance.
Qiong Fuzi—what of you all? " Qiong Fuzi and the others exchanged a glance and nodded silently.
If they refused to take refuge in Buddhism, the Old Tathagata would stand by and watch them die, leading the many powerhouses of the Great Thunderclap Temple away; they would surely die at Imperial Teacher Jingping's hands.
The Old Tathagata had brought nearly all of the Great Thunderclap Temple's powerhouses this time, making clear his determination to succeed, and if they agreed to take refuge, even Imperial Teacher Jingping would not dare pursue the matter. The Old Tathagata laughed: "Elder brothers and sisters, set down your grudges and karma, take refuge in Buddhism, and with the four elements all empty, you shall surely attain the Way.
Imperial Teacher Jingping. .
. " Imperial Teacher Jingping raised his hand and pointed at the bronze-masked man: "Tathagata, he must stay.
" The bronze-masked man felt a chill in his heart.
The Old Tathagata frowned slightly, and the bodhisattvas, arhats, and venerable ones upon the phantom of Sumeru Mountain chanted the Buddha's name in unison. Imperial Teacher Jingping smiled: "He must stay.
" Though his voice was light, there was in his tone an air that brooked neither doubt nor bargaining.