"Yes, this disciple understands." Many-Hearers Heavenly King and Broad-Gazing Heavenly King pressed their palms together and accepted the Buddha decree. After paying their respects, they each withdrew.
"Namo Great Practice Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, remain. The others may withdraw..." Rāgaratna Tathagata said.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha, Namo Amitabha Buddha..." The chanting of ten thousand buddhas gradually faded into the void, leaving Thunder Sound Temple once more filled only with Buddha light and lotus shadows.
After the Buddha light slowly receded, Namo Great Practice Samantabhadra Bodhisattva bowed and said, "World Honored One, why have you kept this disciple behind?"
"This Seat asks you: what is Jie Chi's background?" Rāgaratna Tathagata opened his eyes and asked blandly. "When Chun Zang and his four disciples ascended Great Snow Mountain, he did not yet have this disciple. Yet once they descended, there was an additional demon. At that time, only you and Namo Maitreya Buddha World Honored One were on Great Snow Mountain. I fear only you know where this Jie Chi came from."
Namo Great Practice Samantabhadra Bodhisattva gave a bitter smile. "World Honored One, this disciple indeed knows of this matter. However, it concerns Namo Maitreya Buddha World Honored One. World Honored One, perhaps you should ask Namo Maitreya Buddha World Honored One instead?"
Having said that, Namo Great Practice Samantabhadra Bodhisattva considered for a moment before adding, "However, as far as this disciple knows, Jie Chi's respect for Chun Zang comes from the depths of his heart. He is absolutely an exceedingly devout disciple of our Buddha sect. Likewise, he absolutely will not create any obstruction for Seeking Scriptures in the Pure Land."
"Alas, Samantabhadra, Seeking Scriptures in the Pure Land has reached this point, and it truly gives people something to gossip about." Rāgaratna Tathagata sighed. "A demon of Origin Energy Eighth Rank