On the Thirty-Fifth Heaven, outside Cosmos Hall, Master Taiyi paced back and forth, occasionally glancing at the unsmiling Daoist attendant nearby, looking somewhat anxious.
Soon, the massive doors of Cosmos Hall thundered open.
A white-robed Daoist attendant emerged from within, cupped his hands, and said, "Master Taiyi, the master summons you."
Master Taiyi opened his mouth as if to speak, hesitated slightly, then nodded and said, "Please, lead the way."
Entering Cosmos Hall, the two walked along the spacious corridor. Along the way, Master Taiyi encountered only two or three passing Daoist attendants. The vast palace felt empty and deserted.
Halfway through, the attendant suddenly turned a corner.
With this abrupt turn, both men paused, momentarily surprised.
The attendant quickly said, "This way, Senior Brother."
"Why?" Master Taiyi asked softly. "Aren't we going to the main hall?"
The attendant replied respectfully, "The master will receive you in the back garden."
"The back garden, huh..." Master Taiyi couldn't help but furrow his brow.
"Yes, in the back garden. Lord Skygate is also present."
Master Taiyi nodded, asking no further questions.
They wound their way around the corridors and past the lotus pond, arriving at a lush, verdant back garden.
From afar, they could see Lord Genesis and Lord Skygate in the pavilion, sipping tea and chatting amiably, both looking relaxed and content.
Approaching, the attendant knelt on both knees and announced in a clear voice, "Master, Uncle, Senior Brother Taiyi has arrived."
Master Taiyi hurried forward, knelt, and bowed deeply. "Disciple Taiyi greets Master, greets Uncle."
Seated high in the courtyard, Lord Genesis glanced down at Master Taiyi, then said to the attendant, "You may go now."
"As you command, Master."
Once the attendant had left, Lord Genesis gestured to the seat behind Master Taiyi and said calmly, "Sit."
Turning his face slightly, Master Taiyi now noticed a simple chair had already been prepared behind him.
He pressed his hands to the ground and slowly rose, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Master," then turned and sat down on the chair.
As soon as he sat, all three fell silent.
Lord Skygate glanced at Master Taiyi, then at Lord Genesis, paused briefly, and laughed, "It seems you two have private matters to discuss. In that case, I'll take my leave."
With that, Lord Skygate made to stand up.
Lord Genesis gently tapped the table, signaling Lord Skygate to remain seated, then tilted his head slightly toward Master Taiyi and said, "Go ahead, it's fine."
Master Taiyi nodded, glanced at Lord Skygate, and said respectfully, "Master, Tripitaka's location has been found."
Again, the three fell silent, each with a different expression.
Master Taiyi maintained his cupped-hands posture, cautiously raising his eyes to his master.
Lord Skygate turned and gazed meaningfully at Lord Genesis, while Lord Genesis merely stroked his long beard and looked up at the sky.
After a long while, Lord Genesis asked softly, "Why are you seeking him?"
"Master," Master Taiyi cautiously countered, "Do you truly mean to let him be?"
At this, Lord Genesis couldn't help but laugh, "Then what do you propose? Can you afford to provoke the Buddhist Order, or the demon monkey?"
"Well..." Master Taiyi was momentarily speechless, his brows furrowing tightly.
"Tripitaka?" Lord Skygate turned and asked, "You mean the reincarnation of Saint Cicada, right?"
Lord Genesis nodded, then casually asked, "You know as well?"
"Of course I do." Lord Skygate took a deep breath and sighed, "The Emperor has sent me several letters, saying that the demon monkey has appeared again, not causing trouble, but escorting Saint Cicada's reincarnation west to debate the Dharma with Lord Buddha."
Lord Genesis smiled faintly, picked up the teapot, refilled Lord Skygate's cup, and poured another, pushing it forward.
Master Taiyi understood, bowed forward to receive the tea, then retreated to his seat.
Lord Genesis sighed deeply, "What is your view on this matter, brother?"
"If you want my view..." Lord Skygate stroked his long beard, closed his eyes, and said slowly, "We all know the Dao Saint Cicada seeks. It's just surprising that, after centuries and ten lifetimes, he still clings to it. If he succeeds, first, the Buddhist Order will abandon its old insular ways and become a true threat to Daoism. Second, without Lord Buddha's restraint, the demon monkey will become uncontrollable. In short, this westward journey brings Daoism nothing but harm."
Master Taiyi quickly agreed, "Uncle is right."
Before he finished, Lord Skygate sipped his tea and continued, "However, Master Sage Subhuti has promised me the demon monkey won't cause trouble again. If anything happens, he'll personally step in to subdue him."
At this, Master Taiyi's expression grew even darker, but Lord Genesis chuckled and said, "Before the demon monkey touched Heaven's Way, neither of us could handle him. Your Immortal-Slaying Sword Array was smashed in his hands. Do you really think Master Sage Subhuti alone can subdue him?"
"It's just a diplomatic fig leaf." Lord Skygate sighed softly. "After all, he's the demon monkey's teacher. The demon monkey may be reckless, but he's not so brazen as to truly fight his own master. And if open war breaks out, how could the Three Realms remain unharmed? Saint Cicada seeks universal salvation, yet would personally create a calamity—a demon king who brings disaster to the Three Realms. How could that Way be proven?"
"That, only he knows." Lord Genesis sighed, picked up his teacup, and savored his tea, looking as if he had no stake in the matter.
Master Taiyi said, "Master, do you recall how the demon monkey first rose to power? In the end, it was because no one in Heaven or Earth wanted to manage him—they let him be. Now, with Tripitaka... If we let things go again, it will surely become a great calamity."
Lord Genesis slowly raised his eyes, "Is that so? Then tell me, what calamity will come?"
"If Tripitaka's path of universal salvation succeeds, the Buddhist Order will surely spread, and then..."
(This chapter is not finished yet. Please click next page to continue reading!)