Chapter 628 — The Divine Eye Between the Brows Opens
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
He did not seem like one of the Heavenly Court. Had he been of the Heavenly Court, he would surely not have shown Shen Mu and the others a kind face; yet Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, seemed rather well-disposed toward them, and had named that someone would help them. Just then, from the ruined temple ahead, a young bhikshu came out and said, "Which of you is the brother who debated his way from the Heaven of King Yama all the way to Great Brahma Heaven?
" Xuanliao the Demon Ape Zhankong strode out, his voice like thunder: "I am! " The bhikshu looked up. Xuanliao the Demon Ape was like a black pagoda, awe-inspiring, and he said in a fluster, "Brother, the Old Buddha says you have passed the trial.
Please come in.
Follow me. " Xuanliao the Demon Ape Zhankong looked back at Shen Mu and Chenghuai. Shen Mu smiled and said, "Go in first.
I will come find you presently. " "Good!
" Xuanliao the Demon Ape followed the bhikshu and strode into the ruined temple.
After a moment the bhikshu came out of the temple again and looked around.
The Buddha-sons of the many heavens of the Buddhist realm numbered in the hundreds; the place was a sea of people, and beside them followed great Buddhas one after another — all of them, plainly, come to contend for the Dharma and the arts that Brahma, the Heavenly Buddha King, would transmit. The bhikshu said, troubled, "The Old Buddha says too many of you have come. At most two more may enter. Discuss it among yourselves and decide who goes in.
" The Heavenly Buddha King of Great Eloquence said hurriedly, "Did the Old Buddha say what test one must pass to enter the temple and hear the teaching? " The bhikshu shook his head. "The Old Buddha did not say.
Work it out yourselves; do as you please. " The Buddhas from the various heavens each pondered, and gathered together to discuss.
Shen Mu glanced at Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, beside him and said, "Buddha King, you said just now that you too come from Datingming Temple. May I ask how many years you have been in the Buddhist realm?
" Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, smiled.
"You are fishing for words. I will not say. What is that golden willow leaf on your forehead?
An ornament? It is rather pretty.
" Shen Mu was about to explain when Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, had already plucked the golden willow leaf away, without the slightest sign of how. Shen Mu was startled and reached out to snatch it back. How the Heavenly Buddha King had made his move, he had not seen at all — but the golden willow leaf was of the utmost importance; it must not be lost!
Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, smiled. "So it is a seal.
This vertical eye of yours is very strong. Why seal it?
" Shen Mu held out his hand, his face dark. "This vertical eye of mine is too strong. The moment I stir my arts, terrible things happen.
I feared I might harm someone, and so I sealed it.
Give me back the golden willow leaf! " "No. " Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, smiled. "I want to see your full strength.
If I give it back and you stick it on your eye, that will be no fun. Besides, who told you that sticking this willow leaf on your eye can seal you? Have you ever tried it?
" Shen Mu reached out to seize it; Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, hastily dodged. The two tussled for a while, and Shen Mu said angrily, "If trouble comes of this, it will all be on you!
If there is a chamber pot to be emptied, it will all go on your bald head!
" Chenghuai shuddered and said, quavering, "Brother Shen, there are several ways to write the character for death. Let me teach you how. I guarantee you will learn quickly. .
. " Shen Mu could not snatch back the golden willow leaf, and had no choice but to let it be.
He looked toward the Buddhas. Those Buddha Lords were still deliberating, and the several hundred Buddha-sons were waiting quietly.