Bullying a Single Ox

"Ksitigarbha..."

Tathagata murmured softly.

Guanyin pressed her palms together and said, "Venerable Ksitigarbha entered hell several times and witnessed its terrifying sights, as well as the countless suffering evil ghosts and wronged souls within.

Before leaving Spirit Mountain, Venerable Ksitigarbha said he had already seen his future path: to deliver the beings of hell from suffering. Now that he was departing Spirit Mountain, he would not return, and he hoped Buddha would take care!"

"Universal deliverance... of hell? Venerable Ksitigarbha truly has great resolve. Very well, then let him go!"

There was a note of admiration in Tathagata's voice. In Ksitigarbha's previous life, he had been a woman born to a bitter fate, yet with a pure and kind heart. Later, in order to save his mother, he had entered the Underworld several times.

From Guanyin's account, it was also what he had seen and heard in the Underworld that had stirred his heart, making him choose to deliver the evil ghosts and wronged souls of hell. Though Ksitigarbha's departure would leave Spirit Mountain short one expert, since Ksitigarbha wished to leave, he could not stop him.

"Buddha, you are injured."

Suddenly, Guanyin cried out in alarm. She saw that the middle finger of Tathagata's left hand was red and swollen, puffed up high, and there was also a black spot seeping black blood.

One had to know that Tathagata was one of the few in the Buddhist Sect who had cultivated the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body. His fleshly body was like a Vajra Ape—indestructible and undying through ten thousand kalpas. Yet today, she had actually seen Tathagata wounded.

Tathagata nodded, showing a trace of pain, then raised his eyes toward the great hall and said, "Mahakasyapa, Jin Chanzi!"

"World Honored One, your disciples are here!"

In the hall, two young,