Slaying Demons at Lion Camel Ridge (23)

Meanwhile, Guanyin Bodhisattva easily borrowed the Southern Earth-Leaving Flame-Light Banner from Lord Lao.

This caused Guanyin Bodhisattva to become confused and uneasy.

Even after leaving the Tushita Palace, Guanyin Bodhisattva still frowned.

What is the meaning of "Sage of Taiqing"?

If the Taiqing Sage also leans towards the Western Heaven, then of the six Sage, the Western Heaven has already gained three, placing it in an invincible position.

In that case, what about the overall situation of Heaven and Earth?

Carrying the Treasure Banner, Guanyin Bodhisattva returned to Spirit Mountain. When she arrived at the Mountain Gate the Great Thunderclap Temple, she encountered the old Bhikshu Monk again.

The old Bhikshu Monk, "What is the Bodhisattva pondering?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "The Path ahead is dark and unclear, hence your worries."

The old Bhikshu Monk, "May I have a word?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "I hope you will give me your guidance."

The old Bhikshu Monk, "Having lived on Spirit Mountain for so long, I have seen too many Arhat, Bodhisattva, and Buddha, so I dare to say a few words."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Please speak."

The old Bhikshu Monk, "The Arhat Bodhisattva, and Buddha have attained extraordinary Buddhahood enlightenment, yet many of them are mediocre and unproductive. Bodhisattva rarely transcend their own the Path, so why worry about them?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva seemed to understand something upon hearing this, but she couldn't fully comprehend it.

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly; the attitude of the Taiqing Sage at this moment is truly unfathomable.

Guanyin Bodhisattva clasped her hands in thanks and entered the temple.

Upon seeing Guanyin Bodhisattva return, Great Brahma King eagerly stepped forward and asked, "Bodhisattva, have you borrowed the Treasure Banner?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "It's borrowed."

Upon hearing this, the Great Brahma King was overjoyed, thinking that with Amitabha Buddha backing him and now the assistance of the Sage of Taiqing, how could he possibly fail? He hurriedly said:

"In that case, Bodhisattva, quickly give me the flag so that I and the the Monks can slay the Demon Dragon, uphold the prestige of our great Western Heaven Great Sect, and bring prosperity to our nation!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva thought for a moment, then, without taking out the flag, said:

"That Demon Dragon is quite powerful; I fear even Great Brahma King cannot subdue it. I shall go with Great Brahma King!"

Upon hearing this, the Great Brahma King thought to himself, "This is the true meaning of 'those who follow the Way receive much help, while those who stray from the Way receive little help.' Now, the tide is on his side, and even Guanyin Bodhisattva is on his side." So he agreed and no longer asked for the Treasure Banner.

Seeing that the Monks Great Brahma King position, many of the monks who had been wavering changed their minds and chose to go down the mountain with Brahma to slay the Demon Dragon.

This is truly a time of Great Calamity, when the secrets of Heavenly Secrets are obscured.

Those who lack Wisdom will not realize that their death is imminent.

Great Brahma King, feeling smug, looked around and saw Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva still sitting and chanting scriptures. He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, what are you chanting scriptures for at this time? Come down the mountain with us!"

The Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva said, "I observe that the Demon Dragon is powerful; we should not fight it. We should follow the Heavenly Dao and Eastern Migration eastward as soon as possible."

The Great Brahma King Earthly Way incredulously:

"Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, how could you say such a thing? You are also a deity of the Western Heaven, how can you abandon the Western Heaven lands and go to the Eastern Lands? Have you forgotten that Amitabha Buddha rescued you from the clutches of the Demon Dragon?"

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta his hands together in front of his chest and remained silent.

Compared to others, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva knew the whole story better. He had personally asked Amitabha Buddha about the reasons behind the matter and knew that even Amitabha Buddha acknowledged that the Eastern Migration of Buddhism was an inevitable trend.

However, when Amitabha Buddha answered him earlier, he deliberately avoided mentioning the other the Monks, clearly intending not to let all the the Monks know.

Therefore, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva could not say much at this time, and could only keep silent and recite Scripture to help Great Brahma King and others to be liberated in advance.

Great Brahma King questioned Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva a few times, but seeing that Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva remained silent, he could only snort coldly and lead the the Monks away in anger.

After a long journey through the clouds, the the Monks arrived Lion Camel City.

A Crow Spirit was patrolling outside the city when it saw the the Monks arriving. It flew into the city to deliver the message.

The Great Brahma King wanted to kill him.

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "The crow is an auspicious sign; let it go."

When Great Brahma King heard Guanyin Bodhisattva's words, he could no longer harbor any murderous intent and let the Crow Spirit go.

The Crow Spirit flew back into the city and reported to Ao Tu that the the Monks had arrived.

Ao Tu asked, "Tathagata Monk arrived yet?"

The Crow Spirit said, "They didn't come."

Ao Tu said, "That's fine, just close the city gates and ignore it."

Upon hearing the order, the demons closed the city gates.

Seeing the city gates closed, the Great Brahma King outside laughed and said, "The Demon Dragon fears us and has closed the city gates!"

All the the Monks agreed and said so.

The Great Brahma King, "Who will be the Vanguard to step forward and challenge us?"

Upon hearing this, the Monks took a step back, not daring to step forward.

The Monks were willing to follow Great Brahma King to this place to Subduing Demons because they believed that Amitabha Buddha backing him and the support of the Great Brahma King Supreme Dao Ancestor. They would never dare to actually take action.

Have we never seen the fate of Mahakala Bodhisattva and others?

Those who truly dared to act had already perished back at Pansi Ridge; how could they possibly be alive today?

Seeing the the Monks' fear, the Great Brahma King was very displeased. He wanted to step forward himself, but he was also somewhat afraid. So he circled the city a few more times, trying to see if there were any flaws, but he found none. Instead, he saw that the Blood Fiend in the city was becoming increasingly deep and massive, and the demonic light was so dazzling that no one dared to look directly at it.

The Great Brahma King then said, "You are all utterly cowardly! You said you would come out with me to vanquish the demon, yet not one of you dares to be the Vanguard!"

The Monks were ashamed and dared not speak.

Guanyin Bodhisattva saw that Great Brahma King was also afraid, so she spoke up:

"I've heard that there are two more Demon in that city. The greater Demon Heads is called the Blood Sea Old Monster, the second Demon Heads is dead, Three Demons is the Demon Dragon. The people of Chu say, 'I will challenge the king to a duel to determine the victor, so as not to cause unnecessary suffering to the people of the world.' From this, it is understandable that the the Monks dare not act rashly. Since the Great Brahma King wants to achieve merit, why not declare that he will fight the Blood Sea Old Monster to the death? If we capture the old demon, will we still be afraid of defeating the enemy?"

The Great Brahma King declined, saying, "I have long had this intention, but I fear that the Demon Dragon will break its promise and attack together with the Blood Sea Old Monster. If I fight two of them alone, I am afraid I will be at a disadvantage."

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Great Brahma King, rest assured, if that Demon Dragon comes out, I will stop him."

Upon hearing this, the Great Brahma King hesitated. What he had just said was merely a refusal; he did not truly intend to fight the Blood Sea Old Monster alone. However, he had not expected Guanyin Bodhisattva to offer to hold off the Demon Dragon for him, which made it difficult for him to refuse in front of the the Monks.

The Great Brahma King, "How can the Bodhisattva stop the Demon Dragon?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "If that Demon Dragon comes out, I will use the Southern Earth-Leaving Flame-Light Banner to separate him and keep him outside."

The Great Brahma King thought that this would be acceptable. Although the Demon Dragon was one of the Three Demons, he had heard that its strength was even greater than that of the Blood Sea Old Monster. Fighting the Blood Sea Old Monster would be better than fighting the Demon Dragon.

However, the Great Brahma King had never fought against the Blood Sea Old Monster, and he lacked confidence, fearing defeat and capture. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Bodhisattva's plan is indeed feasible. However, I have heard that those Demon are notoriously wicked, and I fear they may have other insidious methods. I have heard that Bodhisattva possess a Willow Branch that can pierce through the void; could you please wrap the Willow Branch around my waist? If I win, I will capture the old demon; if something goes wrong, Bodhisattva rescue me in time."