Ancient Buddha Randeng had barely finished speaking.
Manjushri Bodhisattva's expression shifted slightly. The monkey would pull strings at the Heavenly Court to get the Three Demons released?
Never mind that the Victorious Fighting Buddha now spent his days roaming the mountains and enjoying the waters of Flower-Fruit Mountain, never returning to Spirit Mountain. Back during the Journey to the West, the Three Demons had ambushed that monkey at Lion Camel Ridge, nearly reducing him to a puddle of pus inside the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle.
Old grudges piled atop fresh grievances, all that resentment bottled up in his bones.
And now they wanted the monkey to fish those demons out of the Heavenly Court?
The monkey would probably run faster than anyone, but certainly not to plead for mercy. He would charge straight into the Heavenly Court's camp, personally hand the Holy Manifestation True Lord a whetstone for his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Halberd, then stand beside him clapping and cheering.
Expecting the monkey to obediently rescue the demons?
A fool's dream.
Tathagata's discerning eyes burned like torches, so naturally, he understood the stakes. Rather than agree to the ancient Buddha's proposal, he called out a name.
"Xuanzang."
His meaning was perfectly clear: the monkey was your disciple, so it was only reasonable for you, his master, to persuade him.
At the summons, Xuanzang rose from his meditation cushion.
First, he straightened his spotless Brocade Kasaya and brushed away dust that did not exist. Only then did he walk to the center of the hall and bow.
"In answer to the Buddha and the ancient Buddha."
"Though Wukong has received Buddhahood and resides in the west, his temperament remains restless and unrestrained. This humble monk cannot bind him fast. Whether he goes or not depends upon karmic affinity. The Heavenly Court is