Ch. 781Foolish and Greedy
Chapter Summary: “Foolish and Greedy”
Key Plot Points and Events
- The gods pressure Liu Chengfeng to reveal how to make the monk corpses propel their Buddha boats across the Sea of Suffering. Their anger is intensified because they had been forced to drink Thunder Mother’s foot-washing water.
- Liu Chengfeng mocks them, claiming that moving the monk corpses requires nothing more than “the lift of a hand.” The gods threaten to cut off one of his hands if he fails.
- Before Liu Shisan can finish counting to three, Liu Chengfeng produces an old Buddhist Dharma Edict. Its authority awakens several monk corpses, who rise, bow, and prepare to serve.
- Liu Chengfeng explains that monks obey Buddha and that a Dharma Edict representing Buddhist authority can command them. The gods realize that Nine-Crown Emperor must have crossed the Sea of Suffering using the same method.
- Embarrassed and furious at having overlooked such a simple solution, the gods rush into abandoned temples to search for Dharma Edicts.
- Liu Chengfeng demands Liu Shisan honor his mortgage contract. Liu Shisan reluctantly hands over the contract, effectively surrendering the Dark Market, though he privately vows to reclaim it after becoming a God King.
- Yang Yanxuan struggles over whether to enter the Pure Land. His followers and the Star Mansion Clan factions both insist on pursuing the opportunity, leaving him little real choice.
- Liu Chengfeng lends Yang Yanxuan the Dharma Edict and urges him to be cautious, but refuses to cross with them. Qingshan stays behind to assist Liu Chengfeng.
- Thunder Mother, Liu Shisan, Yang Yanxuan, Dai Fairy, and countless other gods obtain Dharma Edicts and begin crossing the Sea of Suffering in a frantic race toward the Pure Land.
- Liu Chengfeng dismisses them as people rushing to their deaths. The chapter ends with Qingshan explaining that she stayed behind to help him, while Liu Chengfeng questions whether she is capable of doing so.
Character Developments
- Liu Chengfeng demonstrates his confidence, cleverness, and contempt for the gods’ lack of basic knowledge. He turns their anger and greed against them, successfully securing Liu Shisan’s mortgage contract.
- Liu Shisan shifts from threatening Liu Chengfeng to being forced to honor their wager. Although humiliated and enraged, he preserves his merchant-family integrity by paying his debt. His desire for revenge remains strong.
- Yang Yanxuan reveals his weakness as a leader caught between loyal followers and the powerful Star Mansion Clan faction, particularly Dai Fairy. He recognizes the danger but cannot prevent his followers from pursuing the Pure Land.
- Qingshan shows loyalty and clear judgment by staying behind rather than blindly following the crowd into a potentially deadly situation.
- The gods are portrayed as impulsive, proud, and greedy. Their rage turns into frantic competition once they discover the Dharma Edict solution.
Significant Themes
- Pride and foolishness: The gods’ elaborate attempts fail because they overlook a simple answer. Their arrogance prevents them from recognizing basic Buddhist authority.
- Greed and desperation: Their desire to enter the Pure Land drives them to endure humiliation, threaten Liu Chengfeng, and rush into danger without proper consideration.
- Knowledge versus brute force: Liu Chengfeng succeeds through understanding the nature of the monk corpses and Dharma Edicts, while the gods rely on overwhelming power and complicated techniques.
- Debts and consequences: Liu Shisan’s mortgage contract emphasizes that reckless bargains have lasting costs. Even powerful figures must honor agreements.
- Factional conflict and leadership: Yang Yanxuan’s inability to control competing factions shows the political difficulties of leadership and the danger of followers pursuing their own interests.
- Foreshadowing of danger: Liu Chengfeng’s repeated warning that the gods are “going to their deaths” suggests that crossing into the Pure Land may be far more dangerous than they realize.
Character Interactions
- Liu Chengfeng repeatedly provokes Liu Shisan, Thunder Mother, and the gods, using their anger to expose their foolishness.
- Thunder Mother and Liu Shisan both threaten Liu Chengfeng, but their confidence collapses when he successfully commands the monk corpses.
- Liu Chengfeng and Liu Shisan’s relationship is defined by their business wager: Liu Shisan must surrender the Dark Market despite his resentment.
- Yang Yanxuan consults Liu Chengfeng about whether to proceed, while Liu Chengfeng offers practical advice but refuses responsibility for the gods’ decision.
- Qingshan chooses to remain with Liu Chengfeng at Yang Yanxuan’s request, establishing a tentative alliance between them.
- Dai Fairy and the Star Mansion Clan pressure Yang Yanxuan to continue toward the Pure Land, highlighting their growing independence from him.