Chapter 255 — The Source of Calamity
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 4 of 4
The Old Tathagata was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said: "I underestimated him. I had thought that a dignified Demon Cult Hierarch would disdain to learn the arts of bewitchment; I never expected he had kept a trick in reserve. Since I have not suppressed and refined him, then let the Dark Demon Cult Hierarch descend the mountain."
The Crown Prince of Jingping said in surprise: "The Dark Demon Cult Hierarch is at Great Thunderclap Temple? Is he not Shen Mu, the Court Counselor of my own court?"
The Old Tathagata nodded and said: "It is indeed him."
The Crown Prince of Jingping was overjoyed and said: "My Buddha, this man is the Dark Demon Cult Hierarch, steeped in wickedness. He must never be allowed to leave; better to rid the world of a root of calamity right here on the mountain!"
The Old Tathagata shook his head and said: "He came up the mountain to seek something of me, and so I kept him here. Now that I have failed to accomplish what he sought, then I permit him to descend the mountain, and none shall obstruct him. Our Great Thunderclap Temple cannot do things like a demon."
The Crown Prince of Jingping was about to speak further when the Monk's Heart, the Buddha-Son, rose hurriedly and said: "World-Honored One, I will go see Cult Hierarch Shen down the mountain."
The Old Tathagata nodded, looked at the Crown Prince of Jingping, and said: "Crown Prince, this old monk knows your purpose in coming, and knows what you seek. It is precisely because it concerns the common people of the world that this old monk hurried to meet you, and so was taken advantage of by Fan Xuanshu. The Poor Scholar and the others should have met you already, have they not?"
The Crown Prince of Jingping nodded and said: "They are powerless against my Imperial Father, and so they earnestly beg my Buddha to act."
The Old Tathagata laughed and said: "His Majesty's Nine Dragons Emperor Art has been cultivated to its utmost limit. Indeed there are few in the world who can do anything about His Majesty. This old monk counts as one."
And at that moment, the Monk's Heart, the Buddha-Son, came to see Shen Mu, his gaze flickering, and said: "Cult Hierarch Shen, the World-Honored One has commanded me to see you down the mountain."