Uchiha Shin and the monkey went to see Tathagata and told him that the two of them were returning.
Tathagata nodded. "Very well. After you return, give my regards to your master."
"Yes."
Uchiha Shin and the monkey left Spirit Mountain. They had thought Tathagata would not agree so readily, but he had unexpectedly accepted with such ease. Both of them were somewhat surprised.
After the two departed, Maitreya Buddha appeared before Tathagata.
"Venerable One, why do this? It was not easy for those two to come to Spirit Mountain. If we let them go like this, then we..."
Tathagata smiled faintly. "Venerable Maitreya, do not worry. Uchiha Shin will return."
"What about the monkey?"
"There is no need to concern ourselves with the monkey. Uchiha Shin is all we need. He is the most crucial one." Tathagata revealed a mysterious smile.
Maitreya Buddha said, "There is one more matter. The Peacock Great Bright King has left Spirit Mountain. She said that since you were unwilling to do this, she would do it herself."
"Although the Peacock Great Bright King is not especially powerful, her status is extremely high. If she develops her influence outside and establishes another Buddhist sect, could that have an impact?"
Tathagata remained calm, his heart as still as water. "It does not matter. The Buddhist Mother has her own destiny. We cannot stop her."
"It seems the Carefree Great Emperor has sent people to Spirit Mountain to sow discord among us. We must proceed carefully," Maitreya Buddha added.
"Yes, I understand." Tathagata did not seem to take it to heart.
"By the way, has there been any movement from Queen Mother of the West recently?" Tathagata suddenly asked.
Maitreya Buddha replied, "There has not been any major movement lately. She has merely been secretly contacting