Chapter 23

The Peacock King offered another salute. Seeing Spirit Tea and Mountain Peaches set on the table, she cupped her hands and reported, "The treasured blade Mountain Lord requires should arrive in two or three days."

Zhuang Yan waved a hand with a smile. "No need to trouble yourself with preparing a treasured blade. I already have my eye on a fine one."

The Peacock King raised a brow. "May I ask which treasured blade Mountain Lord has taken a liking to?"

"The Heavenly Sin Blade," Zhuang Yan answered.

The Peacock King's expression shifted slightly. "The Heavenly Sin Blade?!" She forced herself to remain composed, but waves rose in her heart. How did the Mountain God of Lingtai know of that blade?

Though the Heavenly Sin Blade had appeared in the world a thousand years ago, it had always remained sealed within the Asura Tribe's treasury. The Asura Tribe dwelled deep within the sacred realm of Spirit Mountain and rarely interacted with the outside world. Aside from the Buddhas of Spirit Mountain, few outsiders knew of the blade.

Zhuang Yan looked at her with great interest. "Fairy recognizes this blade?"

The Peacock King smiled faintly and nodded. "I know a little about it. I heard Buddhist friends mention it in years past." Her tone shifted. "But this blade is a supreme treasure of the Asura Tribe. I fear..."

Before she could finish, Zhuang Yan and Lan Caihe exchanged glances and laughed. The Peacock King was puzzled. "Why are you two laughing?"

Lan Caihe stroked his beard. "Golden Sparrow, you do not know this, but the Heavenly Sin Blade has long since left the Asura Tribe."

"That is impossible!" The Peacock King's pupils contracted sharply. "Who could steal an Immortal Artifact from Spirit Mountain?"

"It was indeed not stolen by an outsider," Lan Caihe said. "It was personally given away by Jie Hanli, the fifteenth prince of the Asura Tribe."

The Peacock King's face hardened. "Jie Hanli?" She was secretly alarmed. If the prince who oversaw the treasury had truly done such a thing...

"Where did True Person Lan learn this?" she pressed.

Lan Caihe explained at length. "Ao Kun, the ninth prince of the Dragon King of the West Sea, died at the hands of the Great Black Yaksha. The Dragon King led his troops to punish him, only to suffer defeat instead. The Dragon Palace has now fallen into the Great Black Yaksha's hands. Relying on the Heavenly Sin Blade's vicious might, that demon has even proclaimed himself the Great Black Yaksha king."

"The Dragon King of the West Sea fled to the Heavenly Court and is currently asking the Jade Emperor to send troops to eliminate the demon."

The Peacock King frowned. "What does this have to do with Jie Hanli?"

Lan Caihe gave a meaningful smile. "This matter also involves Mahamayuri Bodhisattva."

Seeing the Peacock King's astonishment, he continued, "I heard that the Bodhisattva sent her mount, the Golden Peacock King Kong Ling, to the Asura Tribe to retrieve the blade. Since Jie Hanli had privately lent the Heavenly Sin Blade to the Great Black Yaksha, he feared the truth would be exposed and has already fled to the mortal realm with his clansmen."

After hearing Lan Caihe's account, the Peacock King suddenly understood. Anger surged in her chest. So it was her own mount's greed that had caused this great disaster.

Yet Zhuang Yan sneered, "The dignified Western Mother Buddha Bodhisattva cannot even restrain her own mount and followers, allowing such a calamity to occur. Her title may be undeserved after all."

The Peacock King abruptly looked up, her sharp gaze stabbing directly at Zhuang Yan.

"More than that," Lan Caihe added. "She gained that title through opportunism in the first place, not through true cultivation and realization."

Zhuang Yan was intrigued. "I would like to hear the details."

Lan Caihe explained at length. "This peacock possessed Phoenix blood and was arrogant by nature. When Tathagata traveled the world in those days, she actually swallowed the Buddha's golden body whole. The Buddha broke free from her belly and wished to execute her, but the Bodhisattvas persuaded him otherwise. They feared angering the Phoenix, and they argued that since the Buddha had emerged from her belly, he ought to treat her as a mother. Thus, the Buddha had no choice but to confer upon her the title of Western Mother Buddha Bodhisattva."

Zhuang Yan burst into laughter. "Those Bodhisattvas were truly absurd. They actually used such crooked reasoning to coerce the Buddha. If it had been me, I would have boiled and roasted this peacock, then shared her with everyone. Let us see how arrogant she could still be!"

As he spoke, he turned to the Peacock King. "What do you think, Golden Sparrow? Eh? Why does your complexion look so terrible?"

"I..." The Peacock King's face was as cold as iron. After forcing out a single word through clenched teeth, she could no longer speak.

She suddenly rose and saluted him. "Please forgive me, Mountain Lord. I went astray while practicing yesterday and need to take my leave first."

Zhuang Yan said solemnly, "A mishap in cultivation is no small matter. You should return quickly and recuperate."

After the Peacock King transformed into immortal light and fled, Lan Caihe fell into thought. "This fellow cultivator has an extraordinary bearing."

Zhuang Yan smiled. "She truly is peerlessly elegant."

Lan Caihe pondered aloud, "What is even stranger is that she carries a familiar aura."

Zhuang Yan changed the subject. "As for suppressing the demons in the West Sea, I hope True Person Lan can mediate on my behalf."

Lan Caihe set aside his thoughts and smiled. "Rest assured, Mountain Lord. Leave it to me."

The Peacock King returned to her cultivation grounds. Suppressing her rage, she was about to question Kong Ling when she suddenly sensed something and immediately entered meditation.

Buddhist light appeared before her, revealing Zhunti Bodhisattva's Dharma form. "Fellow cultivator, return to Spirit Mountain at once. The Asura Tribe has suffered a change. Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva has already gone to the Heavenly Court to handle it."

The Peacock King asked, "Has it alarmed the Buddhas and World-Honored Ones?"

Zhunti replied, "Since Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva has stepped forward, that is the stance of the Buddhas."

The Peacock King was somewhat reassured, but then said, "I still have urgent business at present and cannot return to the mountain for now."

Zhunti was surprised. "What is stopping you?"

The Peacock King looked slightly embarrassed. After hesitating briefly, she told Zhunti Bodhisattva about the contract of sale.

Upon hearing this, Zhunti Bodhisattva could not help bursting into hearty laughter. The Peacock King said softly, "I ask that Venerable One not mock me."

"You have developed mortal thoughts," Zhunti Bodhisattva said with a smile.

So-called mortal thoughts did not refer solely to romantic feelings. They meant that transcendent gods and Buddhas had developed the deluded thoughts of worldly people; the seven emotions and six desires were all mortal attachments.

"I have developed mortal thoughts?" The Peacock King was stunned.

Zhunti Bodhisattva nodded slightly. "The Mountain God of Lingtai was not unusual in any way, yet you insisted on investigating his background. That was an attachment. This incident involving the Asura Tribe occurred because mortal thoughts had already arisen in your heart, preventing you from foreseeing the heavenly secrets."

The Peacock King suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, cold sweat streaming down her body as realization dawned upon her. If the Mountain God of Lingtai had not demanded the blade, how could Kong Ling have become greedy because of her decree? And how could she have discovered that the Heavenly Sin Blade had already been given to the Great Black Yaksha by Jie Hanli?

Without Zhuang Yan's demand for the blade, the Great Black Yaksha would still have invaded the West Sea, but the matter of the Heavenly Sin Blade would not have been exposed. At that time, neither Spirit Mountain nor the Heavenly Court would have cared much about it. Heavenly soldiers would naturally have gone to suppress him.

But if the Heavenly Court destroyed the Great Black Yaksha then and uncovered the Heavenly Sin Blade's origins, she would have been placed in a passive position and might even have provoked a Dharma tribulation. Though the matter had broken early now, it gave Spirit Mountain an opportunity to respond. As long as it was handled properly, the ultimate consequences would instead be limited.

Zhunti Bodhisattva continued, "I have a conjecture."

"I wish to hear it," the Peacock King said, wiping the cold sweat from her brow.

"I suspect that the Mountain God of Lingtai has already seen through your true identity. Otherwise, why would a mere independent cultivator make things so difficult for you?"

"This..." The Peacock King hesitated. "How could he have seen through my identity? Even if he knew, how would he dare act so brazenly?"

Zhunti Bodhisattva shook his head with a wry smile. "Do you think he would restrain himself after learning your identity? In the matter of Garuda, did he give Akashagarbha any face? Even I... have been teased to my face by him."

The Peacock King recalled what had happened at the Eight Immortals Pavilion. The fury in her heart completely faded, replaced by a measure of understanding. A moment later, enlightenment struck her like a thunderclap. She pressed her palms together and bowed. "Thank you, Venerable One, for your guidance. I nearly became trapped by mortal thoughts and fell into tribulation."

Zhunti Bodhisattva smiled. "You should still return quickly to Spirit Mountain to deal with the Asura Tribe's affairs."

At this moment, the Peacock King had understood her own nature and cleared away her mortal thoughts, restoring her solemn Dharma form. Her heart was as still as water.

"After I bid farewell to the Mountain God of Lingtai, I will return to Spirit Mountain at once," the Peacock King replied.

Zhunti Bodhisattva nodded, and his Dharma form immediately dispersed.

The Peacock King left her retreat and once more went to the Eight Immortals Pavilion on Danchi Ridge to meet Zhuang Yan.

Seeing that she had returned, Zhuang Yan smiled and asked, "Golden Sparrow, are you feeling better?"

The Peacock King sat down directly, gave Zhuang Yan a calm smile, and formed a Dharma seal with her hands. Pure, sacred immortal light rose around her body.

As the immortal light flickered, the life force of "Golden Sparrow Fairy" rapidly drained away. Her once-radiant face turned pale as paper in an instant.

When the final trace of life vanished, the immortal radiance surrounding the fairy faded as well. With her head lowered, she remained where she stood, her fragrant life already extinguished.

Zhuang Yan was not surprised in the slightest. As he rose calmly, dazzling Buddhist light suddenly appeared above the Eight Immortals Pavilion. Golden light poured down, revealing a Bodhisattva dressed in a light white silk robe, wearing a five-colored jeweled crown, with necklaces and ornaments chiming around her body and a solemn Buddhist wheel behind her head.

Zhuang Yan glanced at Golden Sparrow Fairy's discarded shell, then cupped his hands toward the Bodhisattva and smiled. "Bodhisattva, you have finally been willing to reveal your true appearance."

The Peacock King said flatly, "You recognized my identity long ago."

"A Bodhisattva incarnation infiltrated Lingtai. What business brings you here?"

"I merely wished to meet the fabled Mountain God of Lingtai." The Peacock King's eyes shifted. "As expected of your reputation. You set traps without leaving a trace; even I fell for one."

Zhuang Yan clapped his hands and chuckled. "Does Bodhisattva mean that Dharma-seal Jade Slip? Since we have already made an agreement, I hope Bodhisattva will keep her word."

"You may as well take out the Jade Slip and have a look."

The moment Zhuang Yan took out the Jade Slip, it and Golden Sparrow Fairy's corpse transformed into green smoke and vanished together.

"Ha ha!" The Peacock King laughed aloud. "I severed my own Dharma body. Naturally, the Dharma seal was destroyed along with it."

"Bodhisattva's divine powers are truly admirable."

"A mere trick like this could never trap me." The Peacock King spoke proudly. "I cannot return the treasured blade. Let us put today's teasing behind us for now. I am returning to Spirit Mountain. Farewell."

Seeing that the Bodhisattva intended to leave, Zhuang Yan suddenly called out, "If you hold a grudge, direct it at me. Do not implicate the innocent True Person Lan Caihe."

The Peacock King turned back and laughed. "Would I quibble with a junior? But since this cause has been formed, there will naturally be retribution in the future. You toyed with me today; do not blame me when I return it to you someday!"

With a light flick of her cloud sleeve, Buddhist light flashed and vanished. The Bodhisattva's figure had already disappeared without a trace.

Zhuang Yan rubbed his chin as he watched the receding Buddhist light. "She suffered a loss and still acted so arrogantly. I will definitely scheme against her again another day."

※※※

Within the Heavenly River Water Mansion, stars flowed and sun and moon shone together. The heavens above glittered with countless stars, while the four walls displayed the vast Heavenly River. It was truly a scenic wonder of the celestial realm.

Zhu Lie wore the Golden Crow Divine Robe and rode a Dark Brocade Heavenly Steed as he led his men on patrol of the Heavenly River. Suddenly, immortal music drifted over. "Marshal Tianpeng, wait."

Reining in his horse and looking back, Zhu Lie saw Lan Caihe. He promptly dismounted and saluted him. "True Person, you honor us with your presence. May I ask what guidance you have for me?"

Lan Caihe glanced at the accompanying immortal officials, smiled, and cupped his hands. "Let us speak somewhere private."

Zhu Lie smiled faintly. "Why go to such trouble?" Before his words had even faded, he casually waved a hand.

Seeing this, the immortal officials of the Water Mansion immediately bowed. "We take our leave." In the blink of an eye, they transformed into streams of light and fled hundreds of li away.

Zhu Lie turned to Lan Caihe. "Daoist, please speak freely."

Lan Caihe took a roll of Jade Silk from his sleeve. "Does Marshal Tianpeng recognize this item?"

Zhu Lie initially looked confused, but his expression abruptly changed. He strode forward and grabbed the Jade Silk. "How did this end up in Daoist's hands?"

Lan Caihe answered with a smile, "Among the Eight Immortals, only the Immortal Maiden shares a deep friendship with Lord Taiyin."

Zhu Lie suddenly understood. Embarrassment appeared on his face as he stammered, "This... this is a love letter I wrote to Fairy Nishang..."

Lan Caihe shook his head with a smile. "Marshal, that is not correct. This is plainly evidence of your crime."

"Evidence of a crime?" Zhu Lie was puzzled. "What crime could there be in a mere letter?"

Lan Caihe said sternly, "Marshal has long served before the throne. Do you not know Fairy Nishang's identity?"

"Is she not Chang'e's Immortal Attendant?" Zhu Lie asked in return.

"She is indeed an immortal attendant," Lan Caihe explained, "but she is also a Seventh-Rank Immortal Official of the Heavenly Court and a reserve attendant of Taiwei Yuqing Palace. In other words, she is destined to serve the Jade Emperor Great Celestial Venerable in the future."