Sophistry

"Sophistry!"

Bodhisattva Manjushri rebuked him angrily.

"Qiu Shou Xian is my fellow Daoist. How can he be treated as merchandise for trade?!"

"Outrageous!"

Even Bodhisattva Samantabhadra's Buddha Light wavered with anger.

At that moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva quietly sent Tathagata a voice transmission, her tone tinged with concern.

"Buddha Ancestor, Azure Lion, White Elephant, and Golden Haired Hou still have four trials assigned to them in the Journey to the West tribulation. If they are given to Lin Zhu now, it may disrupt the arrangements for Journey to the West. Karmic Bonds may become tangled, and unforeseen changes could arise."

Tathagata's heart jolted at her words. Only then did he remember! That was right! These three demon immortals were important "actors" in the Journey to the West script! Without them, many scenes could not be played out! He hurriedly sent Amitabha a private voice transmission, explaining the stakes.

Yet Amitabha merely cast him a faint glance. His gaze was calm, but it sent a chill through Tathagata's heart.

Amitabha ignored Tathagata's voice transmission. Instead, he faced Lin Zhu, and that gentle, compassionate smile returned to his face as he spoke clearly.

"Benefactor Lin's words are not without reason. The great undertaking of Journey to the West concerns the welfare of all living beings in the Three Realms, and Golden Cicada Child's life is of utmost importance. Though the mounts of the three Bodhisattvas have accompanied them for a long time, they are ultimately beings bearing guilt. If exchanging them can ensure the Scripture Seeker's safety and continue the great undertaking, that too would be a Meritorious deed."

He paused, then turned toward Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin, whose expressions had changed drastically. His tone carried an unquestionable resolve.

"Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Guanyin, comply with Benefactor Lin's request and hand your mounts over to