Thunder rumbled as rainbow clouds drifted by.
Before Fang Zheng, a white crane led the way. The clouds behind it slowly parted, revealing an old man seated atop a Kowloon Agarwood Carriage, his white robes fluttering as he held a whisk. At his side sat two yellow-faced men, each six zhang tall, cross-legged upon lotus seats with their palms pressed together.
"Primordial Lord of Heaven, Jieyin, and Zhunti. You really came."
Fang Zheng sneered at the three before him.
"Why isn't Laozi here... Looks like compared to you lot, Laozi still has a bit of a conscience."
"Fellow Daoist, that is not quite right."
Primordial Lord of Heaven shook his head slightly.
"We had long since shut our doors and ceased involving ourselves in mortal affairs. However, young friend, your killing intent is too heavy, so we had no choice but to descend from the mountain once again. Besides..."
At this point, Primordial Lord of Heaven glanced at the golden-faced man beside him and coughed awkwardly.
"Fellow Daoist Zhunti has long secluded himself from the world. This one is Sakyamuni Buddha..."
"...Fine. To me, all bald heads look the same."
Having mistaken him for someone else, Fang Zheng was somewhat embarrassed, but he could only shrug helplessly.
"But it is good that Tathagata came. It saves me the trouble of going to Western Heaven to find you. Perfect—I'll kill you first, then wipe out Western Paradise!"
"Amitabha..."
Tathagata Buddha sighed softly.
"I have no grievances or enmity with you. Why must you oppose the followers of Western Teachings?"
"I truly have no grievances or enmity with you, but I've disliked Buddhism for a very long time."
Fang Zheng snorted coldly and stared at Tathagata.
"Buddhism bewitches the masses, teaching people to cultivate for the next life rather than this one,