Chapter 243: Entering the Animal Realm
“Great Heavenly Venerable, the incident of the human pill was indeed caused by me, but it was definitely not my original intention. I just mentioned it casually to the disciples around me at that time, but I never thought that the evil beast would remember it in his heart and was so bold that he secretly escaped to the mortal world…”
When Li Anran was checking Kunpeng's life in the Heavenly Prison, Guanyin also followed Taibai Jinxing to the Lingxiao Palace.
Also coming was Ananda, who was beside the Tathagata.
Ananda nominally represented Tathagata to express apologies to the Jade Emperor, but in reality he came to support Guanyin.
Guanyin is one of the three great masters of Lingshan, with the cultivation level of a Daluo Golden Immortal, and a close confidant of Tathagata.
Many of Tathagata's plans over the years, such as the monkey's rampage in Heaven, the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, and the future bet with Wu Tian, were all implemented by Guanyin herself.
Not to mention that Guanyin has now found a reason to argue. She only admitted that the method of refining the human elixir came from her own hands and that she had a momentary evil thought to save all the aquatic creatures in Tongtian River. She pushed all the rest of the things onto the King of Inspiration.
Even if she is caught red-handed, Lingshan will definitely protect her.
The most he would do is drink three glasses of wine as punishment, and that would be enough to make it look okay on the surface.
In fact, from the very beginning, many gods felt that Yang Jian was making a big deal out of nothing, and were puzzled and dissatisfied with the fact that Yang Jian insisted on using Guanyin to correct the rules of heaven.
However, due to the fact that Yang Jian was in a high position and had just made great contributions, and the victim Zhen Yuanzi was still nearby, they could not openly ignore the laws of heaven, so they buried all of this in their hearts.
Now, Guanyin came to the Lingxiao Palace, apologized to the Jade Emperor and Zhen Yuanzi, and then pushed most of the fault onto the King of Inspiration.
These gods immediately stood up and began to plead for Guanyin.
As the Great Marshal of Subduing Demons, Li Jing was the person with the highest status in Lingshan in the Heavenly Palace, and he was the first to speak.
"Your Majesty, the incident with the human pill was not intentional on the part of the Bodhisattva. It was the greed of the fish monster that caused this disaster. Moreover, the Great Immortal Zhenyuan has forgiven the Bodhisattva Guanyin. It would be inappropriate to pursue this matter further. It is better to severely punish the fish monster to serve as a warning to others."
The Four Heavenly Kings followed closely behind.
"What Li Tianwang said makes sense. Guanyin Bodhisattva has always been compassionate. Although he accidentally broke the precept of killing this time, he was also concerned about the reputation of the gods and Buddhas of the Three Realms, so it is understandable. If Guanyin Bodhisattva is severely punished just for this incident, I am afraid it will chill the hearts of the gods and Buddhas of the Three Realms."
"I second the motion."
"Xiaoxian seconded the motion."
…
For a moment, in the Lingxiao Palace, voices pleading for Guanyin rose and fell one after another.
Guanyin just clasped her hands together and stood quietly by the side, acting as if she was willing to be punished and let anyone deal with her.
But, in Zhen Yuanzi's eyes, it all seems more like the four words "What can you do to me?"
Zhen Yuanzi's face remained calm and peaceful, but he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
This scene was actually something he had expected.
Although they could use the incident at the Demon Master's Mansion to force the Jade Emperor to promise to investigate the matter of the human elixir strictly in accordance with the Heavenly Laws and Regulations, it was a bit unrealistic to think of using this to deal with Guanyin!
In this world, the strong are always respected!
It is difficult for the weak to confuse right and wrong.
It is so easy for the strong to confuse right and wrong!
Guanyin and the Lingshan Mountain behind Guanyin are undoubtedly powerful beings.
In other words, this matter involved him, and Yang Jian insisted. If it were someone else, Guanyin would never have made this trip.
But even if they came, they couldn't do anything to Guanyin!
Just like now, Guanyin has already admitted her mistake and apologized to him, what else can he do except choose to forgive?
Is it really possible to hold Guanyin hostage and force her to admit that she was the one who coveted the ginseng fruit and instructed the King of Inspiration to refine the human pill?
Not to mention that they have no conclusive evidence, even if they did, what could they do?
Kunpeng’s previous experience is right before our eyes.
If they really fell out, he wouldn't gain any benefit even if he was the ancestor of earthly immortals.
Ancestor Hongyun also saw all of this.
If it were in the past, he would have stood up to expose Guanyin's lies and demanded an explanation for Zhen Yuanzi. However, after experiencing so many things over the years, he is no longer as naive as he was back then. He has also learned to weigh the pros and cons and to endure and compromise.
Patriarch Hongyun raised his eyes and looked at Yang Jian, only to find that Yang Jian had a calm expression and said nothing.
A hint of disappointment flashed across the eyes of Patriarch Hongyun, but he also felt that it was natural.
No matter how passionately and righteously Yang Jian spoke in Wuzhuang Temple, he had to stay under someone's roof. What could he do in the face of such a situation?
At this time, the Jade Emperor spoke up: "Yang Jian, as the God of Justice, you have been in charge of the laws of heaven for many years. What do you think we should do about this matter?"
Everyone's eyes suddenly turned to Yang Jian.
Yang Jian was the one who insisted on this matter from the beginning to the end. As long as Yang Jian could be solved, this matter would be solved.
Yang Jian said calmly, "Your Majesty, since the Bodhisattva said that it was the fish demon under her seat who secretly came down to earth and used the souls of boys and girls to refine human pills, it has nothing to do with her. Why don't you catch the fish demon and ask him about it?"
The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, turned his head and looked at Guanyin and said, "Bodhisattva, since the God of Justice still has doubts about this matter, then I would like to trouble you to send someone to capture the fish monster and hand it over to him for interrogation, so as to clear your name."
Guanyin looked at Yang Jian in surprise, not understanding why a smart man like Yang Jian would make such a request? Why would he do such a useless thing?
Guanyin said, "Great Heavenly Venerable, after I learned about this in Lingshan, I hurried to the Heavenly Palace. The evil beast should still be in Chaoyin Cave in Luojia Mountain."
Taibai Jinxing next to her nodded, indicating that Guanyin was right. She came directly to the Heaven from Lingshan without any delay in between.
"Please send someone to do this. This matter involves me, so I don't want to get involved, lest people misunderstand me and think I colluded with that evil creature to give my confession."
These words were a direct hit on Yang Jian's head.
Yang Jian pretended not to hear and stood there quietly.
The Jade Emperor said, "Bodhisattva is joking. How the Bodhisattva behaves is known to all the gods and Buddhas in the three realms. Who would misunderstand the Bodhisattva?"
Guanyin insisted, "Please ask the Great Heavenly Venerable to send someone there."
"Okay." The Jade Emperor did not say any more and immediately ordered Li Laosi, one of the Meishan brothers, to lead his troops to Luojia Mountain in the South China Sea to capture the King of Inspiration and bring him to justice.
After Yang Jian asked the six Meishan brothers about their ambitions at Guanjiangkou, he made arrangements for them respectively.
Li Laosi is no longer affiliated with the Temple of Justice, but serves the outer hall of Lingxiao Palace.
This position is somewhat similar to the commander of the imperial guards on earth, and is even higher than Sha Seng's former position as the Curtain-Pulling General.
The Jade Emperor sent Li Laosi to arrest people in order to show his fairness and justice and to appease Yang Jian.
"I obey your order." Li Laosi received the order and led a group of heavenly soldiers and generals out of the South Heaven Gate and flew straight to Luojia Mountain in the South China Sea.
Soon, he hurried back to the Lingxiao Palace, carrying a big carp that was bright red and shining with golden light.
However, the koi in his hand was already a dead fish.
"Your Majesty, this fish monster knew it had committed a serious crime. When I led the troops to capture it, it committed suicide in front of me out of fear of punishment." Li Laosi reported.
There was an uproar in the Lingxiao Palace.
A look of surprise appeared on Guanyin's face at the right moment. She then let out a long sigh, clasped her hands together, and chanted "Namo Amitabha".
Afterwards, she chanted a secret of rebirth, demonstrating compassion to the fullest.
The civil and military officials did not dare to think in a big way. They either sighed at the compassion of Guanyin Bodhisattva or said that it was a good opportunity for that evil creature.
But people like Yang Jian, Taishang Laojun, Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun Laozu all know it well.
After receiving the imperial edict, Guanyin did rush to heaven immediately.
But, Tathagata did not!
This King of Inspiration was most likely silenced by Tathagata, and he even committed suicide out of fear of punishment in front of Li Laosi!
If nothing unexpected happens, his suicide out of fear of punishment should be the kind that causes his soul to be torn apart!
Sure enough, when the Jade Emperor asked Taibai Jinxing to go to the underworld to escort the soul of the King of Inspiration to heaven, he learned from King Yama that the soul of the King of Inspiration did not appear in the underworld at all, but had completely dissipated.
The Jade Emperor said: "This fish monster has now been shattered, and it is what he deserves. This matter ends here..."
"His Majesty."
Yang Jian stepped forward and interrupted the Jade Emperor: "The fish monster is only related to the human elixir. The death of thousands of lives in Tongtian River was caused by Guanyin Bodhisattva herself, and she has admitted it. This matter has not yet been concluded!"
"Yang Jian."
Without waiting for the Jade Emperor to speak, Li Jing took the initiative to step forward and said, "Although the Bodhisattva killed those mortals in a fit of impulse, he also saved them from reincarnation. Their next life will surely be better than this one. They probably don't have time to thank the Bodhisattva, so why do you have to hold on to this matter?"
All the civil and military officials nodded in agreement.
If one is reborn as aquatic creatures such as fish or shrimp, it must be because he did evil in his previous life and was reborn as an animal.
It may not be a bad thing if they are reincarnated earlier or are sent to reincarnation by Guanyin Bodhisattva herself!
Yang Jian snorted coldly and said, "As the God of Justice, I must act according to the laws of heaven. What happens to them in their next life, whether they are grateful or not, is none of my business."
Then he turned to the Jade Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, according to the Heavenly Law, Guanyin Bodhisattva has committed such a great sin of killing that she should be abolished and sent to the animal realm until she has paid for all her sins before she can be reborn as a human."
Jade Emperor: “!!!”
Guanyin: “!!!”
Zhen Yuanzi: “!!!”
All the civil and military officials: "!!!"
The Lingxiao Palace suddenly became quiet, and one could hear a pin drop.
Everyone, including Taishang Laojun Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun Patriarch, looked at Yang Jian in shock, wondering if they had heard it wrong.
Guanyin could no longer maintain her expression of shame and self-blame. She opened her eyes wide and looked at Yang Jian in disbelief.
When she came to her senses, the anger in her heart suddenly bubbled up, and she wanted to smash the jade bottle in her hand on Yang Jian's head.
"You evil creature, how dare you humiliate me like this!" Guanyin cursed in her heart with gritted teeth.
Just saying this from Yang Jian was a great humiliation to her, trampling on her dignity!
The Jade Emperor was stunned for a long time before he came to his senses. For a moment he didn't know what to say.
Yang Jian simply ignored everyone's reactions and continued, "The rules of heaven are related to the majesty of heaven. I beg your majesty to issue an order to immediately send Guanyin to the animal realm and reincarnate for a hundred lifetimes before she can be freed."
The Jade Emperor opened his mouth, but no words came out.
The gods in the main hall who had been pleading for Guanyin were now at a loss.
Yang Jian's firepower was so strong that it frightened them.
It was Taibai Jinxing who reacted the fastest and said quickly, "God of Justice, I remember that the Heavenly Laws not only have punishments, but also rewards. Bodhisattva Guanyin has saved all living beings over the years and has performed countless merits, which should be able to offset these karmas."
"Right, right, right!" The Jade Emperor quickly followed Taibai Jinxing's lead and said, "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has done so many good deeds, so his merits and demerits should be equal!"
As soon as he spoke, all the gods came back to their senses and shouted, "Your Majesty is wise."
Only Guanyin's face turned black and her eyes were full of anger.
This anger is not only directed at Yang Jian, but also at Li Jing and the Four Heavenly Kings!
Yang Jian's statement about being "reborn as an animal" is obviously alarmist, just to "seek the best and get the middle."
But, Li Jing and his group of idiots were obviously frightened and were fooled by Yang Jian!
What they had said before was that the King of Inspiration should be severely punished and she should not be implicated.
Now, she has to offset her merits and demerits!
The merits of heaven are not as invisible and intangible as those of the mortal world. It is not only related to humanitarian merits, but also affects one’s fortune!
This phrase "merits and demerits offset each other" is equivalent to making all her hard work over the years come to nothing!
It is no longer a punishment, but a real severe punishment!
It’s a severe punishment on the same level as being sent to the animal realm!
Guanyin really wanted to enlighten them, but given her current status and situation, it was difficult for her to speak, so she could only hold back her anger.
Yang Jian was waiting for this sentence, and he immediately said, "Your Majesty and the Star Lord are right. It was Yang Jian who was not thoughtful enough."
The gods were stunned at first, not understanding why Yang Jian, who had been so tough just now, suddenly gave in and surrendered?
Afterwards, they figured out the hidden reasons and noticed Guanyin's gloomy face.
But at this point, it was too late for them to change their words. They could only look at each other, not daring to even look at Guanyin again.
The Jade Emperor seemed to be completely unaware of this and said, "Since all the ministers think so, then it is settled."
"His Majesty."
Yang Jian spoke again, "Although the merits and demerits are equal, it would be unreasonable to not punish him at all. It would be better to confine the Bodhisattva in the Heavenly Prison for ten days, which would be an explanation to all sentient beings in the Three Realms."
The Jade Emperor nodded slightly and asked, "What do you think, my dear ministers?"
Being locked up in the Heavenly Prison for ten days is just a blink of an eye for a god, and is not even considered a punishment.
Naturally, the gods had no objections and all nodded in approval.
The Jade Emperor looked at Ananda and Guanyin again: "Where are the Bodhisattva and Ananda? Do you have anything to say?"
Ananda said nothing and looked at Guanyin.
Before coming, Tathagata told him that everything should be based on Guanyin.
"I am willing to be punished ."
Even though Guanyin was extremely angry, she couldn't say anything at this time and could only agree with a pinch of her nose.
However, when his eyes swept over Yang Jian, the hatred and murderous intent in his eyes seemed tangible.
