Shen Gongbao's mind raced with thoughts. No wonder Buddhism could be called the second largest force after the Heavenly Court with such decisive decision-making. There must be great sages within Buddhism, probably only Emperor Gouchen could put Buddhism in such a tight spot.

Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy suppressed his anger and calmly said, "Diplomacy God, are you satisfied with these two million Merit?"

Shen Gongbao raised an eyebrow, casually saying, "Just two million Merit, do you think Emperor Gouchen would really care?

Your Buddhism has slandered the Emperor, and the Jade Emperor is furious. He intended to lead the entire Heavenly Court's army to flatten Spiritual Mountain. However, Emperor Gouchen, out of compassion, did not wish to start a slaughter and has given Buddhism a chance to redeem itself. These two million Merit are your lesson.

I see resentment and unwillingness in your heart. Are you perhaps thinking it's the Emperor who is extorting you?"

Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy's eyelid twitched uncontrollably. If you don't care, then give it back to me. If you can, don't take it! Outwardly with respect, he said, "Thank you for Emperor Gouchen's kindness. Our Buddhism will certainly rectify, and we will strictly discipline Universal Virtue Bodhisattva."

Universal Virtue Bodhisattva's face darkened yet again, with raging fury in his eyes, thinking to himself, damn you Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy, this isn't over between us.

Shen Gongbao nodded, satisfied, and said, "Very well! Joyful Buddha, bring the Merit Money."

Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy sighed helplessly in his heart, two million Merit! A golden orb rose within him, slowly flying towards Shen Gongbao.

Shen Gongbao reached out his hand and the orb landed in his palm, then disappeared without a trace, revealing a satisfied smile. Two million Merit, not one less.

Buddha of Tranquil Light and Joy coldly said, "The apology has been made, the compensation has been given too. Hearing how busy the Diplomacy God is, this poor monk shall not see you out."

Shen Gongbao waved his sleeve, vanishing in an instant. The next moment, he was seated in the Chariot, shouting, "Return to the Heavenly Court!"

All the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals shouted in unison, "Acknowledged!"

The delegation turned towards the Eastern direction.

The live broadcast camera switched, and Yu Sha appeared on screen, smiling, "Today's broadcast here comes to an end. Right and wrong have been made clear.

Emperor Gouchen's Master once said, do not commit evils because they are small, nor should you avoid doing good because it is minor. If you want none to know, you must do nothing at all. I hope the creatures of the Three Realms will take this to heart, and we'll meet again in the next broadcast."

The broadcast room suddenly went dark.

Although the live broadcast had ended, the repercussions of this incident were just beginning. Countless creatures within the Three Realms were abuzz with discussion. Buddhism's reputation had been thoroughly spread throughout the Three Realms, the impact of the live broadcast far outweighed the effects of rumors. Not a single Buddhist disciple in the Three Realms Mall dared to speak out.

...

Under the big tree on the Journey to the West, Tang Sanzang was caught in a strange silence, staring with wide eyes at the now darkened live broadcast room.

Sun Wukong, laughing heartily and smugly said, "Little Monk, you see, it's Buddhism that's slandering Emperor Gouchen."

Tang Sanzang came back to his senses, hastily turned off the Three Realms Mall broadcast and prayed with hands clasped, "Amitabha Buddha~ Namo Amitabha Buddha~"

His mind unable to find peace, under the scrutiny of the Heavenly Dao, there could be no mistake. The transaction with platinum was fair and just, no deceit involved. A strong feeling of emptiness and panic surged within his heart. For the first time, his devout faith was shaken—why would Buddhism do this?! How could they do this?

"Little Monk, in my view, you might as well not take the Scriptures! If you talk about saving the world and aiding people, Taoism's scriptures can do the same. Suppose we disband. I'll be the Judicial Celestial, Bajie can return to Gao Village to be his son-in-law, and you can go back to being the Imperial Brother to the Tang King.

I Sun Wukong could also impart the Scriptures to you so that you could save and aid the world."

Tang Sanzang's mind wandered for a moment, but in the next instant, his determination to follow the path of Buddha regained the upper hand, and he seriously said, "Wukong, do not overgeneralize. Even if there is a mistake in this matter, it is the fault of Universal Virtude Bodhisattva, what does it have to do with Buddhism? What does it have to do with Buddha?"

Sun Wukong's eyes widened in astonishment, "Little Monk, you can't seriously believe that such a major incident could be caused by just a minor Bodhisattva, can you?"

Tang Sanzang put his palms together and bowed his head, saying, "Monastics do not speak falsely; the Buddha said so, it must indeed be so."

Putting away the Three Realms Mall, he stood up and said, "Wukong, it's time for us to hit the road."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and ears, leaped onto the horse carriage, sat with his legs crossed and lay back, his eyes brimming with excitement. Emperor Gouchen is truly formidable! Without even showing up, he has pressured Buddhism to a point where they can't even raise their heads. If only I, Old Sun, could have such a day... I have long been fed up with those baldies.

Zhu Bajie drove the horse carriage, creaking and squeaking as he rushed forward.

...

On the other side, behind the Heavenly Court Bird Nest, Gu Liang excitedly shouted, "Wow~ We won, we won, two million Merit! We've won!" She hopped and jumped with excitement.

Shi Ji asked in confusion, "Brother, there's something I don't understand!"

"Is it that you want to ask why the Heavenly Dao judged two thousand Merit to be worth more than the Jinlan Kasaya?"

Shi Ji nodded, the value of the Jinlan Kasaya should be more than two thousand Merit, but why did the Heavenly Dao come to such a verdict.

Bai Jin looked up at the sky and said with a smile, "Because the Heavenly Dao is on our side!"

The prohibition on the Jinlan Kasaya was broken by the Heavenly Dao itself, who then handed the Jinlan Kasaya to me personally; of course, he would acknowledge that the Jinlan Kasaya is mine.

Shi Ji was utterly baffled, "The Heavenly Dao is on our side? What do you mean? Could it be that brother has clung onto the coattails of the Taoist Ancestor? When did this happen? Brother, you truly are inscrutable!"

Gu Liang ran up to Bai Jin, her face full of expectation as she said, "Brother, how do you plan to spend these two million?"

Bai Jin chuckled and responded, "What do you think?"

Gu Liang excitedly counted on her fingers, "First, buy a limited edition Immortal-level Mechanism Car, then two Immortal Dresses produced by Guanghan Palace, and a few Iron-eating Beasts from the Underworld, add a few Netherworld Divine Flowers, and some fruit like Peach-shaped Ginseng Fruit..."

Gu Liang tallied up one by one, naming dozens of items.

"Anything else?"

After pondering for a moment, Gu Liang shook her head and said, "That's all I can think of for now, but let me think it over when I get back, I might add some more."

Eagerly she asked, "Brother, when shall we go and buy them?"

"Buy what?"

"Buy the limited edition Immortal-level Mechanism Car, buy Immortal Dresses produced by Guanghan Palace, buy Iron-eating Beasts from the Underworld, buy Peach-shaped Ginseng Fruit!"

"Not buying!"

Gu Liang's smile stiffened on her face.

Bai Jin lazily lay on his lounge chair and said, "Although two million might seem like a lot, one must learn to live frugally; no amount of money is enough if wasted, so these two million will be saved in the bank to earn interest."

Gu Liang wailed in sorrow, "Brother, don't be like this!"

"I, little God Taibai, request to see Emperor Gouchen!" A voice suddenly came from outside.

Bai Jin's expression shifted, and he sat up to say, "Please come in~"

Gold Star Taibai walked in from the outside, a beaming smile on his face, a horsetail whisk over his arm. He came before Bai Jin and, with a bow, respectfully said, "Little God Taibai pays his respects to the Emperor!"

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