I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

He paused, his tone becoming even more fervent, "Once Jin Chanzi returns to his position and the Tripitaka Sutra is transmitted eastward, our Western teachings will surely shine upon the four continents and awe the three realms!"

Jiang Wang lowered his head, seemingly listening attentively to the teachings, but the smile on his lips grew even deeper, as if it held a secret that no one could decipher.

Just then, a beam of white light came from the south, piercing through the sea of ​​clouds and landing outside the Sumeru Boundless Array.

As the white light dissipated, Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared, dressed in flowing white robes, holding a vase, with a worried expression on her face.

She bowed towards the formation, her voice clear and urgent: "Master, Jin Chanzi is in trouble, and I have come to ask for your help!"

Bodhi frowned slightly, waved his hand to disperse a corner of the formation, and let Guanyin step into the formation.

He said in a deep voice, "Guanyin, what's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

Wasn't the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi already arranged?

He should now be at Jinshan Temple in Jiangzhou, awaiting the opportunity to travel to the West to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures.

Guanyin sighed and shook her head, saying, "Master, you may not know this, but although the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi was born in Jiangzhou of the Tang Dynasty, he was taken away by a mysterious Taoist priest!"

The disciple searched through the secrets of heaven but could not fathom the origins of the Taoist priest, and Jin Chanzi could not be found anywhere in Jiangzhou.

The secrets of heaven are obscured, and this disciple is at a loss; therefore, I have come to seek guidance from the Patriarch.

Upon hearing this, Bodhi's expression changed slightly. He turned his gaze to Jiang Wang in the formation and said in a deep voice, "Jin Chanzi was intercepted by the Taoist priest?"
Hmph, it must be that Jiang Wang's doing!

This child is cunning and shrewd, far removed from the naive monkey he once was.

He paused, then sneered, "However, since he has been in my Sumeru Immeasurable Array for over a year, he has already been converted by Buddhism and his heart is with my sect."

"Guanyin, use your divine eye to see if he knows the whereabouts of Jin Chanzi."

Guanyin obeyed, slowly opening her third eye between her brows, and golden light shot towards Jiang Wang in the formation.

As if sensing something, Jiang Wang slowly raised his head and smiled slightly at Guanyin.

That smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet it sent a shiver down Guanyin's spine.

In her divine eye, Jiang Wang's figure gradually blurred, eventually turning into a stubborn rock, standing quietly on the bluestone platform, lifeless.

"not good!"

Guanyin exclaimed in surprise, her voice filled with disbelief, "Ancestor, this... this is actually Jiang Wang's clone!"

Bodhi's expression changed drastically, and his hair and beard almost stood on end.

He stepped forward and reached out to touch the stubborn rock. Sure enough, it had no spiritual energy and was just an ordinary rock.

He roared, "Jiang Wang!"
What a cunning monkey!
I spent a whole year, day and night, using Buddhist teachings to guide and enlighten people, only to be toyed with by this clone of yours!

With a flick of his sleeve, the stubborn rock turned to dust and scattered across the formation. He was furious. "This boy's cunning and treacherous methods are simply appalling!"

Guanyin frowned and said in a low voice, "Master, please calm down."

Since Jiang Wang used a clone to deceive everyone, his real body must have already left.

The fact that Jin Chanzi was intercepted is most likely related to him.

The best course of action now is to find his true whereabouts as soon as possible, otherwise Jin Chanzi may face a great calamity.

Bodhi suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "Hmph, no matter how cunning Jiang Wang is, he can't escape my grasp!"

"Come with me to Jiangzhou, I have a brilliant plan to find him!"

Having said that, he waved his hand to dispel the great formation and led Guanyin straight to Jambudvipa.

Outside Jiangzhou City, in a dense forest, Bodhi, Guanyin, Dipankara Buddha, Erlang Shen Yang Jian, and Xiaotian Dog gathered together.

The Buddha Dipankara had an ancient and simple face with profound eyes. He slowly said, "This Jiang Wang once subdued Yang Jian. His methods are extraordinary."

Now that he has intercepted Jin Chanzi, he may have even bigger schemes up his sleeve.

"Yang Jian, you have an old grudge against Jiang Wang. Would you be willing to help us find him?"

Erlang Shen snorted coldly, his third eye between his brows flickering slightly, his tone icy: "That monkey Jiang Wang, relying on his skills, humiliated me at Guanjiang Estuary. I, Yang Jian, will remember this grudge!"

If I find him, I'll make him pay!

Beside him, the Celestial Hound barked softly, as if echoing its master.

Bodhi nodded slightly, took out the stubborn stone that Jiang Wang's clone had transformed from from his sleeve, and handed it to Xiaotian Dog: "This stone was transformed from Jiang Wang's clone, and its aura has not yet dissipated."

"Smell it, and find his true form!"

The Celestial Hound approached, sniffed, and a fierce glint flashed in its eyes.

It raised its head and barked loudly, then charged off in one direction, with the crowd following closely behind.

After a while, the Celestial Hound stopped and barked softly at an ancient temple in the distance.

Yang Jian squinted and sneered, "Jinshan Temple?"

"Hmph, that monkey Jiang Wang was indeed hiding here!"

Guanyin frowned and said, "Jinshan Temple is a pure Buddhist place. Why is Jiang Wang hiding here?"
Could it be... that he has already taken control of Jin Chanzi?

Dipankara Buddha said in a deep voice, "We must not be careless."

Jiang Wang is cunning and treacherous; he must have some ulterior motive.

"Bodhi, can your immeasurable Sumeru formation seal this place and prevent him from escaping again?"

Bodhi snorted coldly, made hand seals, and the Sumeru Boundless Array instantly rose up, covering the area of ​​Jinshan Temple within dozens of miles.

Golden light swirled, and chanting arose once more. The array, like a net covering the sky and the earth, blocked all escape routes.

He sneered, "Jiang Wang, this time, don't even think about escaping!"

At this moment, the morning bell of Jinshan Temple rang out softly.

Abbot Faming sat upright in the main hall, holding prayer beads in his hand, leading the monks in chanting scriptures.

Strangely, the "scriptures" he recited...

It is obscure and difficult to understand, seemingly Buddhist yet not Buddhist, seemingly Taoist yet not Taoist, carrying an eerie aura.

Faming chanted the Buddha's name in a loud voice: "This is the Mahayana Buddhist Dharma, which universally saves all sentient beings and liberates them from the sea of ​​suffering."

You should all cultivate yourselves devoutly and refrain from having any distracting thoughts!

The monks bowed their heads and responded in unison, the incense smoke rising in the hall, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Faming seemed to sense something, and suddenly looked up, his gaze like lightning, shooting towards the sky outside the temple.

He frowned and whispered, "This is... a grand formation?"
Who dares to be so audacious as to blockade my Jinshan Temple?

He rose, walked slowly out of the main hall, and his gaze pierced through the thick clouds and mist, landing on the magnificent Sumeru Array with its flowing golden light.

Faming squinted and murmured, "Bodhi Patriarch?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva?

"Hmph, everyone's here."

He paused, a cold smile appearing on his lips. "Jiang Wang, you little monkey, you've really gotten yourself into big trouble."

Outside the temple, Bodhi and his group had already approached.

Yang Jian held a three-pointed double-edged sword, his eyes flashing with cold light: "Jiang Wang, come out and face your death!"

Today, I, Yang Jian, will avenge this humiliation!

The celestial hound barked incessantly and charged into the temple, seemingly having already locked onto Jiang Wang's aura.

Guanyin raised her hand to stop her, frowning as she said, "Don't be reckless."

Jiang Wang is cunning and treacherous. The situation inside the temple is unclear; rushing in could lead to an ambush. Bodhi sneered, "Guanyin, you are overthinking it."

My immeasurable array seals the heavens and the earth; even if Jiang Wang had wings, he would have no chance to escape!
"Faming is just an ordinary monk. If he dares to protect Jiang Wang, I have my own ways of making him talk!"

Dipankara Buddha said in a deep voice, "There seems to be something strange about the scriptures that Faming is reciting."

If Jiang Wangruo is indeed hiding in the temple, he has probably already laid out a backup plan.

"Bodhi, you and I should first enter the temple to investigate, while Guanyin and Yang Jian provide backup outside, in case of any unforeseen circumstances."

Bodhi nodded, waved his sleeve, and stepped into Jinshan Temple with Randeng.

The temple was shrouded in morning mist, and the bell tolled as it did, yet with an eerie quality.

Faming was already standing in front of the main hall, his hands clasped together, looking calmly at the newcomers: "We are sorry for not welcoming you properly, two eminent monks, to our humble temple."

What is the purpose of your visit?

Bodhi snorted coldly, his gaze like a knife, piercing straight at Faming: "Monk Faming, Jinshan Temple is a pure Buddhist place, yet you are protecting the demon Jiang Wang and reciting strange scriptures. What is your intention?"

Faming smiled slightly, showing no fear whatsoever: "Master Bodhi, you flatter me."

What this humble monk is reciting is Mahayana Buddhism. Jiang Wang was merely a passerby who has long since departed.

If the patriarch does not believe, he may enter the temple and search it.

Dipankara Buddha squinted at Faming and said in a deep voice, "Jiang Wang is cunning and will not easily reveal his whereabouts."

Your scripture seems neither Buddhist nor Taoist; where does it come from?

Faming remained calm and said indifferently, "The Buddha's teachings are boundless and encompass all things."

What this humble monk recites is the method of self-realization, and has nothing to do with Jiang Wang.

"If you two wish to search the temple, please do so, but do not disturb its tranquility."

Bodhi sneered, and with a wave of his hand, a golden light swept across the hall, attempting to probe Jiang Wang's aura.

However, when the golden light swept over, the temple was empty and there was nothing unusual.

He frowned and muttered, "Strange, Jiang Wang's aura is clearly here, how come he's completely gone?"

Just then, a light laugh came from the back of the hall, clear and playful: "Old Bodhi, you've been looking for me for over a year, haven't you had enough yet?"
Why bother?

Before the words had even faded, a golden light shot up from behind the hall, shattering the immeasurable Sumeru Array.

In the golden light, Jiang Wang appeared, holding the golden cudgel, smiling broadly, but his eyes flashed with a cold light.

Bodhi roared angrily: "Jiang Wang!"
You really are here!
"Don't even think about escaping today!"

Jiang Wang laughed loudly, swung his golden cudgel, and countless cudgel shadows crashed down on the great formation: "Escape?"
When have I, Old Sun, ever escaped?

"Bodhi, your shabby formation, can it trap my clone, or my true form?"

With a flicker, he transformed into countless clones, scattering in all directions, his laughter shaking the heavens: "Come, come, play with me, Old Sun!"

Guanyin, watching from outside the temple, was alarmed and cried out urgently, "Yang Jian, quickly help Bodhi!"

Jiang Wang has countless clones; we must not let him escape!

Yang Jian snorted coldly, his third eye opening wide to lock onto Jiang Wang's true form. The three-pointed double-edged sword in his hand transformed into a streak of cold light, thrusting straight forward: "Jiang Wang, today we will settle our old and new grudges!"

The celestial hound barked wildly as it pounced on Jiang Wang's clone, while the Buddha Dipankara clasped his hands together and chanted mantras, attempting to suppress Jiang Wang with his Buddhist light.

Faming stood before the main hall, watching this scene with a complex expression, and whispered, "Jiang Wang, you monkey, you're indeed not simple..."

Inside and outside the temple, shouts of battle shook the heavens, golden light and Buddhist light intertwined, and the immeasurable Sumeru Array trembled precariously.

Jiang Wang laughed incessantly, his figure moving like lightning, darting freely through the formation and toying with everyone.

Above the misty mountaintop, the wind howled, carrying a hint of menace.

Jiang Wang sat upright on a blue stone, with majestic mountains behind him and a vast, open cliff in front of him, the air faintly rippled with the energy of an array.

He was dressed in a long black robe, with a hint of mockery in his eyes. He gently toyed with a jade pendant in his hand, but his gaze kept sweeping towards the distant horizon.

The clouds there were churning, as if countless figures were breaking through the sky.

"Yang Jian, Xiaotian Dog, you've arrived quite quickly."

Jiang Wang chuckled softly, his gaze falling on the two figures below the cliff.

Yang Jian stood there expressionless, clad in silver armor and wielding a three-pointed double-edged sword. Beside him, the Howling Celestial Dog growled softly, its nostrils flaring as if sniffing something.

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face: "It seems those old bald monks from the Buddhist sect found their way here by borrowing your nose?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian frowned slightly and said coldly, "Jiang Wang, don't talk nonsense."

I was merely following orders; what business is it of mine with Buddhist affairs?

"Following orders?"

Jiang Wang sneered, stood up, and with a flick of his sleeve, the wind on the cliff suddenly stopped. "When did the Heavenly Court's great judicial god become a lackey of Buddhism?"

Yang Jian, you're really having a tough time being the Erlang God.

"presumptuous!"

Yang Jian's celestial hound suddenly stepped forward, baring its teeth and flashing a fierce light in its eyes, "Jiang Wang, don't think that just because you have some tricks up your sleeve, you can run wild here!"
The great masters of Buddhism have arrived. If you know what's good for you, you'd better hand over Jin Chanzi obediently, lest you bring trouble upon yourself!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang's smile deepened. He slowly raised his hand, the jade pendant twirling between his fingers, reflecting a few points of cold light. "Howling Celestial Dog, your nose is quite sharp, but unfortunately, no matter how accurate your smell is, you're still just a beast that someone leads around."

Jin Chanzi?
"Ha, don't you Buddhist monks know where he is better than I do?"

Before the words were finished, the clouds in the sky suddenly exploded, and a golden light shot out from the sea of ​​clouds, carrying boundless pressure, pressing down on the cliff.

Jiang Wang looked up and saw a golden, radiant Dharma body slowly descending from the clouds. The Bodhi Patriarch was dressed in a white robe, with white hair and beard, and held a Zen staff in his hand. His eyes were like lightning, fixed directly on Jiang Wang.

"Jiang Wang."

The Bodhi Patriarch's voice was deep and majestic, like rolling thunder, "Jin Chanzi is the lifeblood of our Buddhist sect. Since you took him away without authorization, do you know what a grave crime you have committed?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang lazily stretched, stood up, dusted off the corner of his robe, and said slowly, "Old Bodhi, you've really nailed that big label to yourself."

Jin Chanzi?
He's doing very well here with me, eating and drinking well, living a much better life than those bald guys in Lingshan.

If you really cared about him, why didn't you come looking for him sooner?

Why wait until now, bringing such a large group of people, and adopting this posture of ready to fight and kill?

Around the cliff, the Buddha's light gradually intensified, and dozens of figures emerged from the clouds and mist.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, dressed in white, held a vase and had a solemn expression; Dipankara Buddha sat cross-legged on a lotus platform with deep eyes; and there were many Buddhist disciples, some holding ritual implements and others forming hand seals, each with an unfathomable aura, subtly surrounding Jiang Wang in the center.

Bodhi Patriarch narrowed his eyes slightly, slowly took a step forward, and gently tapped his staff on the ground, causing the ground to tremble slightly. "Jiang Wang, don't try to flatter me with your clever words."

Jin Chanzi was chosen by Buddha to be the pilgrim on the journey to the West, and you have detained him without authorization, which is already going against the will of Heaven.

Today, I have come in person to ask you only one question: Are you willing to come with me to Mount Ling, take refuge in the Buddha, and attain enlightenment?

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere on the cliff suddenly became tense.

Yang Jian raised an eyebrow slightly, and Xiaotian Dog growled softly, as if sensing the murderous intent in the air.

Jiang Wang laughed heartily, his laughter tinged with disdain, "Old Bodhi, you've got quite the scheme."

You want me to convert to Buddhism?

Go dream!

"I am the supreme judicial deity of Heaven, in charge of punishments and upholding justice. Don't even mention a mere Jin Chanzi from Buddhism; even if the Buddha himself were here, if someone violates the heavenly rules, I will investigate without exception!" (End of Chapter)