8mi #2331 - Performance of Tang Monk and his disciples
#2331 - Performance of Tang Monk and his disciples
Besides Tang Sanzang and his disciples, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva naturally knew that Chu Hao was also in the Kou mansion, as Chu Hao hadn't deliberately concealed himself.
"Chu Hao, come out and meet me at once!"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, seeing that he had essentially subdued Tang Sanzang and his group, called out to Chu Hao.
In reality, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's purpose in coming here was more focused on Chu Hao than on Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, it's been a long time."
Chu Hao didn't appear but spoke to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva from a distance.
Hearing Chu Hao's voice, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's attendant,谛听 (Dìtīng), and the six great messengers were immediately stunned.
They still vividly remembered the scene of Chu Hao breaking into the world of Five Turbidities and Evil, and they hated Chu Hao to the core.
"Chu Hao, the dignified Prison God, is also trapped in this Diling County. Times have truly changed.
I do have a way to grant you freedom, but everything depends on your performance. Otherwise, you, the Prison God of the Three Realms, will become a turtle in a jar, a laughingstock of the Three Realms."
You must have come here on the orders of the Tathagata. You do whatever the Tathagata tells you to do. With your status, you are not even worth a second glance from me."
Chu Hao's words infuriated Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
"Chu Hao, I won't argue with you, but you better participate in and cooperate with the Merit Law Assembly tomorrow, or you can forget about ever leaving Diling County."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva threatened Chu Hao.
The reason Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva wanted Chu Hao to participate and cooperate was naturally the Tathagata Buddha's intention, but even if Chu Hao really participated and cooperated, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva would still take revenge on Chu Hao after the Merit Law Assembly.
"Rest assured, I will definitely be there!"
Chu Hao answered decisively, without any hesitation.
Because he was indeed going to be there, but when he would be there and what he would do after he got there was not up to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
"Tang Sanzang, I'll give you one day to prepare. Tomorrow, complete the Merit Law Assembly in front of me. I don't have much patience."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva then said to Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
The arrival of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva naturally caught the attention of all the forces in Diling County.
However, the smaller forces were no match for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's army, so they didn't dare to act rashly. As for the demons and monsters, they also didn't make any moves for the time being.
Because they were waiting for Maitreya Buddha and the Qilin Lord to send messages, and all of this was proceeding according to Chu Hao's plan.
The next day, the Merit Law Assembly was still held in the square of Diling County.
The difference was that this time, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva came in person, so there was no need for the golden body of the Buddha. He was the representative of the Buddha and the Western Paradise.
Likewise, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva also gathered many common people to watch, but this time, the attitude of the people of Diling County was different from before.
Previously, because of Kou Shanren and the instigation of the Western Paradise's spies, the Buddhas, the people of Diling County were very enthusiastic about the Western Paradise.
But this time, the people were not very interested in the Merit Law Assembly, and not many people came.
"After this Merit Law Assembly, I will personally eliminate the demons and monsters outside the city and restore peace to Diling County."
Seeing that the people were uninterested, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva immediately spoke as if making a promise.
But even so, the people didn't have much gratitude towards Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
The reason was obvious. When the demons and monsters were wreaking havoc and killing people, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva wasn't present. Now that the demons and monsters were obedient, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's words didn't mean much to the people anymore.
"Tang Sanzang, hurry up and start. Just treat me as the golden body of the Buddha, worship and chant sutras, and complete the assembly."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sat in the main seat and ordered Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
"We will naturally obey the orders of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and the Merit Law Assembly will definitely be completed, but we cannot kneel and worship you?"
Tang Sanzang shook his head and said to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
"Why is that? Don't you think I'm worthy of your worship?"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva couldn't help but feel angry and questioned Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
"It's not like that, but this Merit Law Assembly should be particular. The previous Merit Law Assembly was held by Kou Hong, and it was a Dharma Assembly to pay respects to the Buddha and pray for blessings.
Now, this assembly is being held by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Since you are holding the assembly, what is the point of us four disciples worshiping you?"
Tang Sanzang explained and asked Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
"This…!"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was really stumped by Tang Sanzang's question. This assembly was indeed being held by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
Since he was the host of the assembly, how could there be any reason to worship him at the assembly? This was indeed not in accordance with the rules.
"You don't need to say so much. I am also a Buddha, and I have the final say in this assembly. If I say it's okay, then it's okay!"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva could only forcefully explain.
"If that's the case, we disciples naturally dare not have any objections, but I don't know what the people will say.
This assembly is neither for praying for blessings for Diling County nor for paying respects to the Buddha. Wouldn't that become a joke?"
Tang Sanzang said, looking at the people of Diling County.
What Tang Sanzang said was naturally reasonable, and the people's discussions would naturally lean towards him.
"Yes, what kind of assembly is this? Is this an assembly directed and acted by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?"
"Putting on such a farce is clearly using power to oppress people."
"What Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva? Could it be a demon in disguise, messing around here!"
Hearing the people's discussions, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva couldn't help but frown. He thought for a moment and seemed to have an idea.
"This can be considered a Dharma Assembly to save the dead, and the matter of saving the dead is under my jurisdiction, so it is only natural for you to worship me.
This can be considered praying for blessings for the dead of Diling County and eliminating disasters and misfortunes for the people of Diling County."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva said to Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
"So Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is holding an assembly for Kou Hong. As far as we know, the people of Diling County are united and immortal. So far, only Kou Hong has died."
"Holding an assembly for Kou Hong, I wonder what is the relationship between Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Kou Hong?"
"Only descendants would hold a salvation assembly for their elders. Does Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva have kinship with Kou Hong?"
Sun Wukong and the others asked Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva with a smile.
"Nonsense, what qualifications does Kou Hong have to be related to me? Is he worthy?
You four don't need to be so verbose. Hurry up and kneel and worship me and complete the assembly, or don't blame me for using force."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva obviously didn't have much patience anymore and threatened Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
"Since Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva demands so, then we disciples should naturally obey. We disciples possess great merit, and with this worship, all the merit will belong to the Bodhisattva. Bodhisattva, don't make things difficult for us."
Tang Sanzang deliberately raised his voice and said to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.