Chapter Twenty-Four: The Great Joyous Method

  "Heavenly Demon Strategy!"

  Cháng ěr Dìng Guāng Huān Xǐ Fó chě chū yī zhāng huà juǎn, huà juǎn shàng huà zhe shí èr gè yī zhuō bào lù, qián tū hòu qiáo de miào líng nǚ xī xī rú shēng, tā jiāng huà juǎn cháo tiān kōng yī zhèn, huà zhōng rén xú xú cóng huà lǐ zǒu chū lái, **miào màn, zī tài liàng rén.

  At the same time, a wave of soul-stirring and enchanting music rose, and twelve young women began to dance gracefully.

  "Demon Dance!"

  "That's right, it's the Heavenly Demon Dance. How is it? Before you die, I'll let you experience the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. I'm still being quite kind to you, Jade Emperor."

  Zhang Youren heard the sound, and a flame began to burn in his heart. He felt some inexplicable heat, and the Huantian Mirror trembled uncontrollably, unable to block even a little of that gentle sound that pierced his eardrums.

  He let out a low growl, forcing himself to calm down, and said: "Cháng ěr dìng guāng fó, I still want to ask you one last thing, why did you secretly plot against me, what are you trying to achieve?"

  Anyway, can't escape fate, might as well be reckless and get things clear, at least not a confused ghost in the underworld, oh no, it's truly scattered soul, can't even become a ghost.

  Cháng ěr dìng guāng huān xǐ fó yǎn kàn shèng lì zài wàng, xīng fèn de yǒu xiē zhàn dòu, tā kuáng xiào zhe shuō: "Fó dù yǒu yuán, wǒ xī fāng jiào lái dù huà nǐ, dāng rán shì yǔ nǐ yǒu yuán."

  Translation:

  Long Ear fixed light joyful Buddha's eyes see victory in sight, excited to some trembling, he laughed wildly and said: "Buddha has fate, I Western teaching come to transform you, of course is with you have fate."

  He said with a gentle smile, "The Buddha wants to spread the teachings to the East, but unfortunately, the Taoist sect has been obstructing in every way, and Your Majesty is also pushing the waves, making it impossible for the Western teachings to cross over. In the past, when the saints were present, the two saints of the West were no match for the three saints of the Taoist sect, so they couldn't succeed. Now that the saints are not present, and the Mahayana is not revealed, who can block the Buddha's path back East?"

  "My Buddha, you've really forgotten that you were once a disciple of the Tianxian Sect's master after entering the Buddhist family."

  Zhang Youren sneered and said, with a tone of disdain that made Chang Er Ding Guang furious.

  "Hmph, if you take refuge in my Buddha, you can enter the Pure Land and cut off cause and effect. Otherwise, this foul skin bag will ultimately return to dust, earth returns to earth. Although you are the master of the three realms, what do you understand about the Heavenly Way? How dare you rashly discuss my Buddha!"

  "Bullshit!"

  Zhang Youren didn't need to pretend anymore, his true feelings burst out as he loudly cursed: "Karma, is this the karma of your Buddhism? As long as it's profitable, it's a good omen. The causes sown by the hardworking faithful believers will eventually yield fruits that only you Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at the top of the pyramid get to enjoy! Those who believe in you are blessed with good fortune, while those who don't are demons and monsters. Bah!"

  Zhang Youren finally somewhat understood why he had some resentment towards Buddhism.

  Logically speaking, he had just entered the Heavenly Court and had nothing to do with Buddhism except for the matter of the Six Soul Flags. But in this instant, he thought of the Buddhist monks in the mortal world who were like locusts passing through a territory. They wore the outer garments of Buddha, deceiving and cheating people, using the concept of cause and effect to threaten some ordinary mortals, collecting incense and offerings from their followers, with some behaviors that made one's hair stand on end.

  There are high-ranking monks in the temple who have affairs with young female donors, and middle-aged nuns who get pregnant go to find the husband of a married woman to "seek roots and sources"... Those who believe in me will attain eternal life, those who do not believe in me will fall into hell, and they tyrannically declare the Buddha's false compassion.

  Entering Buddhism, one can directly enter the Pure Land and receive the Buddha's protection. Regardless of whether they were butchers who killed people in their past lives or corrupt officials, they become a group of hypocrites, generation after generation, with each individual wearing human skin like a wolf in sheep's clothing, becoming a great virtuous person. This causes an entire generation to gradually lose their most sincere faith and the ancient values that they hold dear in their hearts.

  Love, what are you doing here? I have Buddha.

  Parents, no need to be filial, because I have Buddha.

  Children, live and die on your own, I have Buddha.

  Morality and rules are nothing compared to cause and effect. Anyway, I believe in Buddhism, after reincarnation, I will be a great virtuous monk;

  Work, what's the point of coming if I have Buddha!

  Poor mortals, they don't understand, just like a pyramid scheme, no matter how many times they recite "Amitabha" with their mouths, the Buddha's light shining behind their heads is only enjoyed by the few people at the top of the golden pyramid who receive the incense from the world.

  Zhang Youren suddenly became absent-minded and thought of many things all at once.

  "Stop struggling, today you should die here, this is the outcome of going against me, Buddha." Chang Er Ding Guang Huan Xi looked at Zhang You Ren's bloodshot eyes with a joyful expression, chanting Buddhist scriptures, calm and composed.

  "No, I refuse to obey!"

  Zhang Youren made an effort to shake his head, barely maintaining a clear mind, and struggled to tightly grasp the last straw of the Huatian Mirror.

  "Hmm, looks like I'll have to give you another strong dose."

  Cháng ěr Dìng Guāng Huān Xǐ Fó Yǎn Lǐ Yī Lěng, Cháng Méi Liáo Dòng, Kàn Le Yī Yǎn Bèi Zhāng Yǒu Rén Zhuā Zài Shǒu Lǐ De Xiǎo Qīng, Yǎn Lǐ Lù Chū Yī Sī Xié Huì Zhī Guāng, Tā Kǒu Lǐ Niàn Niàn Yǒu Cí, Tái Shǒu Cháo Xiǎo Qīng Dǎ Chū Yī Dào Fěn Hóng Sè De Qì Xī.

  No!

  Zhang Youren let out a furious roar, desperately trying to think of a way to block the pink magical force. However, the law chains surrounding him made it difficult for him to move, and he could barely maintain his consciousness in this state, which was already his limit, let alone make any further movements.

  As soon as the pink air entered Xiao Qing's body, Xiao Qing's slightly stiff body due to severe injury suddenly softened and had a breath of life.

  "This..."

  Zhang Youren furrowed his brow, unsure whether this sudden change was good or bad.

  "Humming..."

  Xiao Qing let out a soft "oh", her beautiful eyes lightly opened, and she suddenly became wide awake.

  "What kind of technique is this."

  "This is the Great Joy Dharma of a poor monk, Your Majesty. The Buddha pities you, the master of the three realms, for suffering too much. Before your death, let you experience great joy once. Ah, originally I was going to make this little girl my cauldron, together with me to participate in the joyful karma, but unexpectedly she would be sacrificed here. However, being able to transform and transcend the highest and supreme Emperor of the Three Realms is also her good fortune. Scold, little snake demon, why haven't you woken up yet!"

  As she heard the Buddha's mantra, Qing opened her eyes to see Zhang Youren embracing her with one arm, his strong masculine scent making her heart beat faster and her face flush red.

  "Your Majesty, have we been saved?"

  At this moment, in Xiao Qing's eyes, there was nothing else but Zhang Youren!

  Zhang Youren felt a pang of heartache for this little girl's desperate struggle. He couldn't believe that the lively and energetic girl who could get lost in Tianbao Pavilion just because of a few rare treasures was now unable to even stand up, and yet she didn't complain at all despite her exhausted body almost breaking apart as she tried to break through the seal. And when she woke up, her first words were "Have we been saved?"

  How can this not make him feel apprehensive?

  He gently patted Xiao Qing's head, his nose slightly sour, and said in a low tone: "Don't talk, close your eyes, it's fine to sleep for a while."

  "No, I want to look at it like this, just like this..." Xiao Qing's voice was a bit ethereal, her consciousness somewhat dazed.

  At this moment, a sinister laugh sounded, and Chang'er Ding Guang welcomed the Buddha: "Now the meal has arrived, you two enjoy it well, I don't have much time, gotta hurry up, hahaha..."