Within a secret chamber, Merit Buddha and Da Guangming Buddha sat facing each other.

Da Guangming Buddha, puzzled, spoke, "Merit Buddha, what matter requires such secrecy?"

Merit Buddha, excitedly responded, "Creation! Great creation! I've brought you a grand opportunity."

"Oh~ What opportunity might that be?"

Merit Buddha said mysteriously, "You might not know this, but the Westward Journey for obtaining the scriptures is a Calamity."

Da Guangming Buddha expressed surprise, "You know of this, too?"

"Also? Did you know about it beforehand?" Merit Buddha was somewhat astonished.

Da Guangming Buddha, with a smile, explained, "I am on good terms with Ancient Buddha Ju Liusun, who once advised me not to leave these days.

But there's no need to worry, the Calamity will end after the journey Westward."

Truly, as the Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva said, without a second to spare, Bodhisattva did not deceive me. With Da Guangming Buddha's corroboration, Merit Buddha grew even more convinced of Womb of the Earth Bodhisattva's words, and the last thread of faint worry also vanished like smoke. A lie requires a mix of truth and falsehood to be indistinguishable.

Merit Buddha spoke enigmatically, "You only know one aspect, but not another. Actually..."

Merit Buddha, taking what Ksitigarbha had told him, after elaborating and refining the tale, hoodwinked Da Guangming Buddha once again, finally adding mysteriously, "I am only sharing this with you because you are a friend, willing to let you earn this merit with me. Give me a straight answer, will you join? It's a sure win. In a few decades, you will become the new rich of Buddhism."

Da Guangming Buddha's heart was swayed, but he still harbored some doubts and asked, "Is the Eastern Earth Ling Mountain really to be built?"

"Of course, it's true. Would Ksitigarbha lie to us? If you are unwilling, then I will look for someone else!"

Da Guangming Buddha hastily exclaimed, "No, wait! I am willing, truly willing!"

With a smile, he negotiated, "Fellow brother, let's strike a deal. May I join in the recruiting effort? I might not have much else, but I do have some friends."

Merit Buddha contemplated the suggestion, thinking it better to have one more participant, and cheerfully responded, "Well then, for the contributors junior brother brings in, half of their funding shall count towards your share."

Da Guangming Buddha, overjoyed, said, "Thank you, senior brother!" He hurriedly carried out a transfer through the Three Realms Mall.

Spiritual Mountain remained tranquil and serene as ever, with the chanting of Sanskrit and Buddha Light shining brightly every day.

Even The Buddha had not anticipated that beneath this serene façade, an inconspicuous undercurrent was brewing, and interactions between Buddha Bodhisattvas had become considerably more intimate.

Within the Underworld, Ksitigarbha busily collected vast amounts of wealth, joyously content. Ksitigarbha held in high regard Bai Jin, who had impressed him greatly. Emperor Gouchen was truly formidable, worthy of being hailed as the wealthiest in the Three Realms!

...

On the other side, Tang Sanzang and his disciples smoothly passed by Black Wind Mountain. Having experienced five hundred years of scripture transcription, Sun Wukong had grown much steadier. This time, he did not flaunt his kasaya; however, Tang Sanzang accidentally tipped over their luggage, and the kasaya fell out, catching everyone's eye, and the inevitable occurred.

The Black Bear Spirit stole the kasaya. This time, Guanyin did not wait for Sun Wukong to ask for help but took the initiative to subdue the Black Bear Spirit herself, and this difficulty was thus overcome. Throughout this, Bai Jin did not lift a finger.

Firstly, since the Black Bear Spirit lived close to Guanyin Monastery, it had long been influenced by Buddhist Law and had karmic ties with the monastery.

Secondly, with Heavenly Court brimming with talent—Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, Nezha, Ao Bing, each a renowned new generation war god of the Three Realms—a mere Black Bear Spirit truly did not catch Bai Jin's eye. Thus, the ordeal was ignored, to avoid stirring the fragile nerves of Buddhism further.

...

In the Heavenly Court, by the Heavenly River, Bai Jin was leisurely fishing when Shi Ji approached from a distance.

Shi Ji came up behind Bai Jin and said, "Brother, Shen Gongbao just mentioned that in Buddhism, a Buddha has invited him to invest in some Eastern Earth Buddhism construction project."

Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "It seems Shen Gongbao is really doing well within Buddhism! He even knows about such secretive matters."

"Many Buddhas in Buddhism were originally comrades of the Jie Sect. They're his old friends, so it's not difficult for him to blend in."

"That Diplomacy God really lives up to his name. How's he managing it?"

"To gain their trust, Shen Gongbao has also put in a share of money."

"Go and give that money back to Shen Gongbao."

"Why?"

Bai Jin said with a smile, "Because this is simply a scam, a fraudulent scheme to conjure money out of thin air."

Shi Ji exclaimed in shock, "A scam? According to Shen Gongbao, thousands of Buddha Bodhisattva Arhats Vajra have already contributed funds. How could it be possible to deceive so many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas? Could they really be that foolish?"

"It's because they're poor! They are so desperate for a great opportunity to arrive that both Immortal Gods and Buddhas tend to follow the crowd. One person might feel apprehensive about investing, two might feel uneasy, but when thousands of people invest, they can hardly wait, fearing they'll miss out. The more people aware of the lie, the truer it becomes until all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas utterly believe in it."

With shining eyes, Shi Ji looked at Bai Jin and sighed, "Brother, you really have a profound understanding of human nature. But aren't you afraid of The Buddha's interference?"

Bai Jin chuckled and said, "Right now, investing is like making money for the Buddhist Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, at least that's how they feel. The more they invest, the more they think they will earn. Besides, I've told Ksitigarbha to keep a low profile and not to alert The Buddha.

Even if The Buddha finds out, what can he do? Can he stand against the thousands of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of Buddhism by himself?

Whether he can or cannot, he'll be the loser. Doesn't Buddhism often claim to be humble monks? This time, I'll make sure they truly become humble monks."

"Brother, if that's the case, how will Ksitigarbha extricate himself? Won't he be loathed to death by the numerous Buddhas and Arhats?"

"Just have him stay in the Underworld. You think Buddhism dares to storm into the Underworld?"

"But if that's the case, won't Ksitigarbha have no standing within Buddhism?"

Bai Jin said with a smile, "That's even better. The Mysterious Sect will be his only way out then."

Suddenly, Bai Jin yanked up his fishing rod, pulling up a black, elongated strange fish from the Heavenly River, which was still struggling vigorously.

"Eh— Brother, you are truly frightening!"

"You're wrong about that. As everyone knows, I am the kindest and purest. What's truly frightening is the greed of Buddhism; the more they covet, the more they will lose.

By the way, where are Tang Sanzang and his party now?"

"They've just passed Black Wind Mountain. Considering the hour, they should be nearing Gao Village soon."

Bai Jin removed the black fish, "Gao Village, Marshal Tianpeng!"

"Brother, Marshal Tianpeng helped us a lot before. Shouldn't we also lend him a hand? Give him a Golden Core to help restore his strength."

"Is Xuandu short of Golden Cores? This lifetime is meant for Tianpeng to temper his mind and nature. Cultivation level isn't important.

However, you're right; we should provide the help that's due, but not in terms of cultivation."

The fishing rod in Bai Jin's hand disappeared abruptly as he stood up and stretched, "I'll take a trip to the Marriage Hall on Taiyin Star."

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