"Since that's the case, and I now understand the whole story, how about we discuss 'good and evil' today?"
In the Underworld of the Great Emperor Fengdu, Xu Xiao and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva sat facing each other, discussing the Dao.
Beside him stood a somewhat dazed Xuanzang and a dignified Emperor of the Son of Heaven of the Underworld, Great Emperor Fengdu, as referees.
As long as a fight didn't break out on the spot, the Great Emperor Fengdu was quite satisfied, especially after learning why Xu Xiao had come to the Underworld; He himself didn't blame him at all.
All living beings in the world are either good or evil; good people have their own karma, and evil people have their own punishment.
If evildoers are left unchecked, that is true evil. The Great Emperor Fengdu also scoffed at the Buddhist theory of laying down the butcher's knife.
"Good and evil? This topic is too abstract. Besides, whether it's Buddhist Sect or Daoism, many wise predecessors have offered their insights. Discussing this is actually useless for us."
Xu Xiao shook his head. Although verbal sparring was a way to save face, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was still extremely stubborn and insisted on finishing the argument.
Unfortunately, Xu Xiao only saw it as a way out and had no intention of engaging in a verbal battle.
What good are your words, no matter how well you speak?
This world is never decided by reasoning or verbal battles; in fact, this applies to all worlds.
Xu Xiao himself has killed countless people, but he will still execute thugs or villains when he sees them, and he will still kill so-called good people when there is a conflict of interest.
To be fair, Xu Xiao stopped worrying about good and evil long ago after he learned the true nature of power.
My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror; all my deeds are righteous!
An individual's actions need to be supported by a set of principles, but if one blindly pursues those principles, one will be limited.
For Xu Xiao, all he needs is power to ensure his freedom of action; he doesn't care about good or evil.
"Useless?" Ksitigarbha took a sip of tea, his expression calm.
"I think it's useless, but if the Bodhisattva thinks it's useful, then it can be useful."
Whether something is useful or useless has never depended on the other party, but on oneself.
"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Xu is even better at witty banter than I am, a member of the Buddhist Sect. It's a pity that he seems to have too deep a misunderstanding with my sect," said Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
Xu Xiao knew about the conflicts between himself and the Western Sect, as well as with Guanyin, but as the saying goes, it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester.
Although he was reluctant to get involved in these matters, he still did not want to see a direct conflict between the other party and the Western Sect, especially now that a great calamity was approaching.
Whether there is a misunderstanding or not, I know the answer in my heart without needing the Bodhisattva to say more.
Xu acts according to his own set of principles; he intervenes in what he dislikes and kills those with whom he has conflicts, pursuing nothing more than the freedom to do as he pleases in this world.
If this offends some people and brings about karmic retribution, then Xu will have to bear the consequences.
Xu Xiao didn't want to say much to Ksitigarbha and directly stated his attitude.
Initially, he stepped forward as a vanguard of the Daoist Sect because of the promise made by the Great Emperor Zhenwu and for the benefits. However, after witnessing the true colors of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Western Sect, he became genuinely interested.
I just want to try, I just want to see how I can break free from your so-called cause and effect, destiny!
I'm not only going to change the monkey's fate and destiny, but I'm also going to interfere with you all and see if this so-called destiny is really so immutable!
I want change, I want change!
With this Power of Variables, I have truly ascended to the pinnacle of the Great Dao!
The combination of profit and interest is the main reason why Xu Xiao was willing to take the risk of disrupting the Western Sect's Journey to the West journey.
"Alright, since Fellow Daoist Xu won't listen, then this humble monk will say no more. I hope you will act wisely and not bring trouble upon yourself."
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva drank the tea in his cup in one gulp, then got up and left.
He saw Xu Xiao's determination and knew that the other party did not intend to say anything more to him, so he simply left.
Since we've already made a way out and saved face, there's no need to take further risks.
As for having a conflict with Xu Xiao over important Buddhist matters? Haha, that's impossible!
Although Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva went deep into Hell because of the great vow of Buddhism, it does not mean that he condoned the petty self-interest within the Buddhist Sect.
' Zhengyi Golden Immortal anyway, let him cause trouble. Maybe he can wake those people up.'
In Ksitigarbha's eyes, Xu Xiao was nothing more than a Golden Immortal, a scapegoat for the Daoist Sect.
Even if such a person has some abilities and methods, at most he can only delay the sect's plans and cause those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who are immersed in their calculations to suffer a small loss.
As for more, that's not possible.
The Western Sect is no pushover. Not to mention its millions of Buddhas, thousands of Arhat, and hundreds of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, just those two gentlemen alone are enough to ensure that the Western Sect has someone to back it up no matter what storms it faces.
Apart from the Humanity Sect Jie Sect, which was chosen as the scapegoat by the Heavenly Dao, all other sects with the support of Sage are indestructible.
What can a mere tribulation in the Journey to the Journey to the West do to a Heavenly Court Golden Immortal?
After Ksitigarbha got up and left, Xu Xiao also bid farewell to the Great Emperor Fengdu.
"Brother Fengdu, I apologize for bothering you this time, and hope you won't take offense."
"You... you, I know you have different ambitions, but you shouldn't be in such a hurry."
"This journey to the Journey to the West has only just begun, and the Pilgrim's Buddhist heart has already been shattered. The Western Sect will absolutely not give up so easily."
The Great Emperor Fengdu glanced speechlessly at Xuanzang, who stood to the side with a dazed and blank look in his eyes, and said with a mixture of anger and amusement.
I'm angry at Xu Xiao's audacity. The journey to the Journey to the West has just begun, and this Buddhist Sect Pilgrim's heart has already broken. How can the Journey to the West continue?
The Buddhist Sect will definitely retaliate, and they'll retaliate fiercely. This kid is really audacious.
Those who laughed were impressed by the young man's decisive and efficient actions; his courage in daring to confront such a behemoth as the Western Sect single-handedly was commendable.
"We'll make them keep at it!"
"Brother Fengdu, since I've embarked on this journey to the Journey to the West, I'm destined to be dealt with and settled by them. Rather than waiting for someone to make the first move, I'd rather strike first."
" Xuanzang's broken Buddhist heart is both an excuse and an opportunity to get those who want me dead to step forward."
"Besides, Xuanzang's broken Buddhist heart was due to his lack of faith, and has nothing to do with me. It's all because his Buddhist Sect theories couldn't withstand the test of reality, which is why he ended up like this."
Xu Xiao finished speaking dismissively, since he hadn't personally attacked Xuanzang, so he hadn't broken the rules.
As for those with ulterior motives, this is a perfect opportunity for them to fight each other, soldier against soldier, general against general.
As long as Sage does not appear, even if it is the Western Mahavairocana, Xu Xiao may still have a chance to fight.
"Alright, brother, then you should reassure me that the Western Sect is quite powerful and uses despicable methods. Be careful they don't team up to bully you."
"Let's go, brother. I know what I'm doing. At worst, we'll fight our way up to Spirit Mountain."