Interesting Journey to the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom (25)

Meanwhile, Ao Tu handed over the combined Scripture Book of the three of the Five Directional Banners of Heaven and Earth to Wukong.

On those Five Directional Banners, Ao Tu's own the Path is written.

Wukong took the Scripture, left the Blood Sea, went to the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom, and presented the Scripture Book to the King the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom.

When the King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom examined the Precious Scriptures, he found that the scriptures were incomplete; there were three chapters, but the first and last chapters were missing.

Start reading from the second chapter on the King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom.

The second passage describes a divine ruler whose followers are equal, and who teach people to restrain their desires and uphold justice.

After reading it, the King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom thought that this scripture suited his mind, that it promoted equality among its followers and would not affect worldly affairs; and that restraining desires and upholding justice would allow him to better govern his people.

The King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom continued reading.

The third passage describes how, under the rule of a divine being, his followers should restrain prejudice and arrogance, focus on self-improvement, refrain from deceiving others, and avoid breaking the Law.

The King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom, after reading it, greatly approved.

Let's continue to the fourth article.

The fourth chapter states that the lives of believers are a divine gift, and no believer should harm themselves. Those who do good will enter an endless Good Realm and enjoy eternal blessings; those who do evil will fall into an endless Evil Realm and suffer the most severe punishment.

After reading it, the King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom was not actually convinced by the doctrine, but he thought that the Scripture was at least better than the Buddhist scriptures.

Regardless, this Scripture does not teach young men to become monks, practice vegetarianism, chant Buddhist scriptures, refrain from production, or prohibit procreation.

The King the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom looked at Wukong and asked, "Holy Monk, this Scripture doesn't seem to be Buddhist scriptures, does it?"

Wukong said, "It's not Buddhist scriptures, it's the teachings of another Immortal. He was able to subdue Hua Yunlong!"

The King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom nodded and said, "In that case, order the entire nation to copy this Precious Scriptures and have every household worship it."

Under the king's decree, within two or three months, the entire nation of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom was devoted to the study of scriptures.

Initially, few people believed in the deity, since no one had ever seen a real Immortal; they simply followed the king's orders to make offerings.

Even so, Ao Tu still gained a lot of Faith.

Every moment, he could hear countless believers pleading in his ear.

Ao Tu ignored all the pleading voices, but the daily noise still bothered him.

Guanyin Bodhisattva laughed and said, "How can someone like you teach believers to Faith, yet have no Linggan whatsoever, neither invoking gods nor bestowing saints? In time, who will still believe in you?"

Ao Tu said, "There are millions of believers in the world. A few sporadic miracles each year, causing other believers to kneel and offer incense, how is this any different from fraud? I have long ago written in my doctrines that believers should focus on self-improvement and uphold the righteous path. If you seek wealth, do business honestly; if you seek children, seek medical treatment and marry young women; if you want to become an official, study diligently and seek a path to advancement. Those who are unambitious, holding a plaque, offering a few sticks of incense, and only knowing how to pray to me every day—I will never grant them miracles."

Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but say, "You're just too lazy to perform miracles every year, so you're writing down these scriptures, aren't you?"

Ao Tu's eyes remained calm as he shook his head and said, "Miaoshan, how could you possibly understand my the Path?"

Time passed, and another two months went by.

Hua Yunlong did not attack during this period.

But the Buddhist Soldiers in the city couldn't resist any longer.

These Scripture, of unknown origin, are used to lead people to Faith in such things; is this the right path?

They were supposed to have an attack two months ago.

It was only because the Eight Great Vajras said they would go to Spirit Mountain to consult the Buddha that they did not act immediately, but waited for the Buddha's instructions.

Two months have passed, and there has been no news from the Eight Great Vajras. They can no longer bear the daily worship of those heretical Scripture by the people of the city.

So a group of Buddhist Soldiers began to spread Buddhist Dharma in the city, stirring up religious disputes and burning the Scripture of the Ao Tu.

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu laughed and said, "Now is the time to manifest your divine power."

In the city, Buddhist chants echoed, and a group of the Monks piled up the stolen "heretical scriptures" on the street and burned them.

Ao Tu stepped out of his house and instantly erected Dharma Body 99,999,990,000 zhang, standing outside Luo Tian in the Chaos. He bent down, revealing half of his face through the clouds, and appeared in the Western Ox Continent. He blew a breath, stirring up a boundless wind. The Grass and Wood, bamboo and stones in the city were all unharmed, but the monks were all blown up and landed outside the city.

Upon seeing this, the people all knelt down and proclaimed, "A divine manifestation! A divine manifestation!"

Ao Tu didn't issue any divine decree; he simply dispersed his Dharma Body.

From then on, the number of believers in the city increased day by day.

Similarly, the number of people burning incense and making prayers is increasing, causing Ao Tu to be annoyed every day.

Ao Tu couldn't help but sigh, "These believers don't even understand the doctrines."

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Most of those who believe in Buddhism do not understand Buddhist Dharma."

Ao Tu said, "In that case, I should choose a messenger from the past Future to preach the doctrines and guide the believers."

Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, "Has anyone been chosen?"

Ao Tu shook his head and said, "Not yet. Now only I can personally manifest my divine power."

On this day, the believers in the city were worshipping before the Scripture.

Ao Tu used his Supernatural Ability to manifest himself in everyone's heart.

Upon seeing this, the followers were overjoyed and repeatedly knelt down, saying:

"God! My sincerity moved you, have you granted my wish?"

Ao Tu asked, "What sincerity do you have?"

The believer said, "I offer the most beautiful flowers, the freshest wild fruits, the best pastries, and the finest Incense and Candles, and I pray every day without fail. Isn't this sincerity?"

Ao Tu said, "You are mistaken. If you use these to worship Buddha, the monks in the temple will praise you, but I do not have a temple. I do not need any material offerings. This Heaven and Earth is my creation, so how can you offer me my things? If someone in your family is sick, give them the clearest water to drink, do not use it to offer to me; if you have the freshest fruit, offer it to the elderly and children in your family, or to your loved ones, do not offer it to me. I will not fulfill your desires; all I can give is Wisdom, and Wisdom can help you overcome difficulties."

Upon hearing this, the believers repeatedly knelt and worshipped.

One Human Way, "God! In that case, please tell me how to deal with Hua Yunlong outside the city? He robs us merchants of our property, making it impossible for us to trade and causing us great hardship."

Ao Tu said, "Let me tell you. If you encounter difficulties, you must use your Wisdom to find a solution. Hua Yunlong is plundering outside the city; you must gather those who have been harmed as a result, use your banners as a command, and in the name of the gods, eliminate this scourge."

Upon hearing this, the merchants couldn't help but ask, "God, can we get rid of Hua Yunlong?"

Ao Tu said, "I will bestow upon you a banner to protect you!"

After speaking, Ao Tu showed the array flags of the Zhou Tian Star Array. The flags had two sides, each a different color, representing merit and misfortune.

Ao Tu said, "If you want to eliminate scourges, then uphold the black side; if you want to help the weak, then uphold the green side."

Upon hearing this, the followers knelt down in worship.

The next day, a merchant made a Black Flag based on the design of the Teaching Flag that Ao Tu had taken, and erected it in the city.

Upon seeing this, the other merchants responded enthusiastically, each contributing money and manpower, gathering local militia, purchasing weapons, carrying the sacred banner, and heading out of the city to attack Hua Yunlong.

The group was large and impressive, numbering five or six thousand people.

The soldiers guarding the city dared not stop them and quickly opened the city gates.