Lifting his leg, Monkey slowly stepped over the threshold. His Golden Staff was held horizontally in both hands, eyes locked on the man seated upon the throne—a posture ready for battle.
Behind him, Marshal Silver gripped his Nine-Toothed Rake with casual ease, his gaze slowly sweeping every corner of the hall.
Witnessing this display, the generals and ministers lining both sides of the hall felt a flicker of fear, yet forced themselves to stand firm, unmoving.
Seated on the throne was a portly, bearded middle-aged man.
He had thick, arched brows that gave him an air of benevolence, as if he were trying to draw them together to project authority. Yet his slightly trembling hands betrayed his true feelings.
"Who... who goes there? State your name!"
With this weak shout, every gaze in the hall turned to Tripitaka.
Pointing at Tripitaka, the king drew a deep breath and called out, "Speak! What is your name, where are you from, and why have you come to my Kingdom of the Faith-Destroyers?"
Monkey scanned the surroundings, and only after confirming there was no danger did he nod to Tripitaka and step aside, handing over the right to speak.
Stepping forward, Tripitaka pressed his palms together and bowed. "This humble monk is called Tripitaka, hailing from the Great Tang Empire in the East. We are passing through your kingdom, bound for Spirit Mountain's Great Thunderclap Temple to seek the true scriptures."
Outside the hall, a guard slipped away furtively.
...
At this moment, on Spirit Mountain, at the Great Thunderclap Temple.
Amidst a sea of blooming flowers and the chanting of Dharma, Earth-Store King, clad in black robes, ascended the temple steps with Saint Raymond at his side.
Every Buddha in the hall turned to look.
Among them were the Ten-Directions Tathāgatas, the Eight-Directions Worthy Ones, countless Right-Omniscient Buddhas, the Tamer of Beings saints, eighteen supreme golden-bodied Arhats, and five hundred universal Arhats.
Even Saint Samuel and Manjusri, renowned among the Western Four Great Worthy Buddhas alongside Saint Raymond and Earth-Store King, were present. With the recent arrival of Saint Raymond and Earth-Store King, all the Western Buddhas had gathered within this vast hall.
At the center of the hall, Lord Buddha's golden body bowed its head slightly, his gaze on Earth-Store King—utterly devoid of emotion.
All the Buddhas watched in silence, their eyes following Earth-Store King as he moved.
Slowly approaching Lord Buddha, Earth-Store King pressed his palms together, bowing in unison with Saint Raymond.
“Venerable One, the party led by Tripitaka who set out years ago from the Great Tang in the East has now crossed the Southern Lands and reached the Kingdom of the Faith-Destroyers.”
“Is this the same Faith-Destroyers Kingdom that once sought Dharma from the Western Isle and, failing to obtain it, turned instead to destroying Dharma?” A deep, resonant voice echoed through the hall, and with that long sigh, the entire chamber seemed to tremble.
“Exactly so,” replied the Earth-Store King slowly. “In that Dharma-Quest Kingdom, the people were wholeheartedly devoted to Buddhism. Temples flourished, incense burned everywhere, yet for all these years, not a single high monk arose, much less anyone attaining Buddhahood. Instead, from king to commoner, all were trapped in the suffering of 'seeking but never obtaining.' Now, misled by slander, the king has, in a single fatal thought, turned to destroying Dharma. It is truly lamentable.”
Lord Buddha slowly closed his eyes and spoke no further.
All around, the Buddhas maintained their expressionless gaze, silently watching the two figures at the center of the hall. No one uttered a word.
Earth-Store King lifted his head slightly, cast one last glance at Lord Buddha, then silently bowed and withdrew, joining Saint Raymond among the assembled Buddhas.
In that moment, the chanting of the Buddhas ceased. The grand hall, resplendent in gold and jade, fell silent as if into a void.
Within this silent hall, the Ten-Directions Tathāgatas, the Eight-Directions Worthy Ones, countless Right-Omniscient Buddhas, the saints who tame all beings, the eighteen supreme golden-bodied Arhats, and five hundred universal Arhats—all, knowingly or unknowingly, fixed their gaze on those two.
The true ‘doctrinal debate’ had already begun, wordlessly and unseen.
At this moment, every Buddha present knew: after eight centuries apart, Golden Cicada had finally returned. His path of ‘Universal Salvation’ would once again face off against Shakyamuni’s ‘No-Self’ doctrine, to determine which would prevail.
...
Atop the tower of South Heaven Gate, General Lee’s hand trembled as he gripped the Jade Tablet, hesitating as he said, “What did you say? There’s unrest in Lionback Kingdom?”
“Yes, unrest has broken out,” came King Northmore’s urgent reply from the other end of the Jade Tablet. “It’s no small matter—the entire Lionback Kingdom is on high alert. We don’t know the exact cause, and we dare not investigate rashly. If we’re discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
“Hold steady for now. Don’t let them discover you.”
“Understood!”
Setting down the Jade Tablet, General Lee gazed helplessly at the map spread across his desk, a dull ache throbbing in his temples.
Lionback Kingdom and the Kingdom of the Faith-Destroyers are less than a thousand li apart. Could there be some connection between them?
The court herald standing across the desk bowed and said respectfully, “Heavenly King, His Majesty requests your presence…”
“Now is not the right time.” General Lee waved a hand and spoke softly, “The situation is still unclear. Please return and inform His Majesty that I cannot leave my post yet. As soon as matters are confirmed, I will proceed at once to the High Sky Throne Hall to present myself.”
“Understood. Thank you, Lord General Lee.” The herald bowed silently and withdrew.