Guanyin, Samantabhadra, and Manjushri Bodhisattvas were all aware that this matter involved significant entanglements.
They had Mozha recite the "Demon Sutra" in full, and he complied.
After listening, Manjushri said, "This sutra does originate from Maitreya's teachings, but it is rather shallow and lacks profundity. Maitreya Bodhisattva, who knows the future extensively and has profound Buddhist attainments, would not compose such inferior scripture."
Manjushri bluntly declared the scripture inferior, denying it was Maitreya's work.
Samantabhadra remarked, "However, this sutra draws from multiple Maitreya teachings, indicating the compiler has deep understanding of Maitreya's doctrine. Moreover, even the World Honored One cannot discern the compiler's identity..."
Samantabhadra stopped there, not elaborating further.
Given Maitreya's exalted status and unique role, he chose his words carefully.
Guanyin proposed, "Let us leave this to the World Honored One's judgment."
Manjushri and Samantabhadra clasped their hands in reverence.
"Proceed," they agreed.
The three bodhisattvas sought Shakyamuni Buddha, informing him of the matter and reciting the "Demon Sutra" in full.
After a moment's contemplation, Shakyamuni said, "I shall converse with him."
The three bowed and departed.
Involving the Present Buddha and Future Buddha, they dared not intervene further.
Only time would tell.
...
Jiang Liu'er was unaware his every action had stirred the Western Heavens.
He had refined all negative emotions from his broken precepts—anger, gloom, restlessness—into fuel for his cultivation.
In recent days, he had slain 135 demons.
This mass killing had become the foundation for his breakthrough!
Dark vapors surged from Jiang Liu'er's skin, neither demon nor demonic energy, yet radiating endless malevolence, tempting humanity's basest desires.
Hu Yuyu, startled, tried to rouse him.
"Sir?" she called, but a surge of qi forced her back several paces.
Jiang Liu'er opened his eyes.
"Today I've achieved the third stage of Refining Essence into Qi and the Desire Realm Meditation!" he exclaimed. "That Bear Captain helped my cultivation!"
The dark mist dissipated. Unharmed, Jiang Liu'er's cultivation had advanced, his qi surged, his dantian expanded, and his physical strength strengthened.
"Sir has broken through?"
Hu Yuyu realized the strange phenomenon was a breakthrough.
"Sir's talent rivals a celestial being," she cheered. "You'll surely explore the path to immortality!"
"I'm more than a celestial," Jiang Liu'er chuckled.
He shifted the topic: "Though distant from Langjian Cave, we should leave."
"Sir, perhaps we should check the body?" Hu Yuyu suggested.
"Check the corpse?" Jiang Liu'er looked at the Bear Captain's remains.
The armor was valuable, the bronze hammers could fetch coins, along with the leather belt, silver token, and blood-stained silk lining...
The two exchanged glances.
Jiang Liu'er began stripping the armor while Hu Yuyu took the belt. They found a heavy pouch.
Though small for the Bear Captain, it was large for them. Opening it, they found several strings of coins!
"Sir, haven't we broken the precept against theft?" Hu Yuyu asked.
"He's dead, so it's not theft," Jiang Liu'er reasoned. "Left here, these would aid demons. We're preventing harm—this is saving lives!"
Hu Yuyu nodded.
Carrying their spoils, they headed to the nearest market.
The pawnshop owner refused the armor and hammers, pleading, "Please, I'm a small businessman! Possessing armor is treason!"
Jiang Liu'er sighed, "The laws are unfair. Armor and weapons shouldn't be treason. If I become brother to Emperor Li Shimin, I'll change this law!"
Hu Yuyu counted the coins: "Five guan!"
"Five guan!" Jiang Liu'er grinned, "Bind it tightly!"
He hoisted the pouch: "We can stay at an inn tonight!"
Excited, he added, "We can even buy chicken!"
Hu Yuyu drooled, her tail twitching.
[Ding! "Monkey King Sun Wukong" sent a grab-luck red envelope!]
[Ding! "Monkey King Sun Wukong" sent an exclusive red envelope!]
Jiang Liu'er grabbed the red envelope.
He received a Needle Ring from the grab-luck envelope and a sword from the exclusive one.
[Altar Purifier]: "Monkey Uncle sent red envelopes? I got a Dragon Scale Robe! What'd you get, Jiang?"
[Monkey King Sun Wukong]: "Visited the Dragon King. He gave treasures willingly. The ring is a Needle Ring, storing weapons. The sword is from the South Sea Dragon King—matches your sword practice."
[Huang Mei Elder]: "Poor Dragon Kings..."
Jiang Liu'er thanked Sun Wukong, then Sun asked, "How's your progress with the first three transformations?"
"Mastered them all!" Jiang Liu'er replied.
Sun Wukong was stunned. This disciple's talent is absurd...
...
...
