The Night Watchman of Siheyuan

Tianpeng Rebirth: The Battle of Buddhism and Taoism

Chapter 7: Lobbying in Heaven and Undercurrents

Bajie, Yang Jian and Ao Bing, with the activated "Reverse Wheel of Reincarnation" and enhanced magic power, headed towards the Heavenly Palace with full confidence. They knew that in order to fully compete with Buddhism, they must rely on the huge power of the Heavenly Palace.

When they arrived at the South Heaven Gate, the Heavenly Palace guards were stunned to see Bajie, after all, everyone knew that he was demoted to the mortal world. But seeing that Yang Jian and Ao Bing were traveling together, they did not dare to stop him.

"We have important matters to discuss with the Jade Emperor. Please pass on the message." Yang Jian stepped forward and said.

After hesitating for a moment, the guard went in to report. Not long after, the guard came out and summoned them to see the emperor.

The three of them entered the Lingxiao Palace, where they saw the Jade Emperor sitting high on the dragon throne, with heavenly soldiers and generals and various gods standing on both sides.

"Tian Peng, Yang Jian, Ao Bing, why are you here?" the Jade Emperor asked majestically.

Bajie took a step forward and told the Jade Emperor in detail about his rebirth and the Buddhist conspiracy to control the world and destroy the balance. At the end, he showed the activated "Reverse Disk of Reincarnation".

"Your Majesty, Buddhism is very ambitious. If we don't stop it, the Heavenly Court will suffer greatly. I hope Your Majesty can unite all forces and fight against Buddhism with us." Bajie said earnestly.

After hearing this, the Jade Emperor fell into deep thought. Taibai Jinxing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. The power of Buddhism cannot be underestimated. However, if we rashly go to war with Buddhism, it may cause great suffering to the people. We need to make long-term plans."

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li also stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think what Tianpeng said makes sense. The Buddhist sect has been expanding in recent years and has become a threat to the Heavenly Court. If we don't take the initiative, I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to deal with it in the future."

The immortals in the hall discussed the matter and split into two groups. One group supported the confrontation with Buddhism and believed that they could not sit idly by and watch Buddhism grow stronger; the other group was worried about the consequences of war and advocated acting with caution.

The Jade Emperor thought for a long time and then said, "This matter is of great importance. Let me consider it again. You will stay in the Heavenly Palace first and wait for my order."

Bajie and the other two had no choice but to retreat. They were arranged to live in a fairy palace. Although the Jade Emperor did not agree immediately, they also saw a glimmer of hope.

However, what they didn't know was that after they left the Lingxiao Palace, a conspiracy against them was quietly unfolding.

The Buddhist sect also had spies in the Heavenly Palace. After learning that Bajie and the other two were lobbying against the Buddhist sect in the Heavenly Palace, they quickly passed the news back to the West. After the Buddha Tathagata learned about it, he decided to secretly destroy their plan.

He used his great magical powers to control some weak-willed gods and made them spread rumors in Heaven, saying that Bajie and the other two were acting out of selfish interests and attempting to start a war between Heaven and Buddhism so that he could profit from it.

These rumors spread quickly in the Heavenly Palace. The gods who originally supported Bajie and the other two began to waver, and some gods who were originally neutral also began to doubt them.

While in the fairy palace, Bajie and the other two noticed that the atmosphere in the Heavenly Palace was strange, and when they went out, they could always feel the strange looks from other immortals.

"It seems that the Buddhist sect is behind this. These rumors must have been spread by them." Yang Jian said with a frown.

Ao Bing said angrily: "These Buddhist monks actually used such despicable means!"

Bajie was not panicked. He said, "We can't let them succeed like this. We have to find a way to clarify this matter and make the Jade Emperor and the immortals believe us."

After discussion, the three decided to start with the gods who had a good relationship with them and had higher prestige, to win their support, and then let these gods help to speak well of them in front of the Jade Emperor, while exposing the Buddhist conspiracy at the same time.

They first found Taishang Laojun, who held a highly respected position in heaven and was always fair.

The three of them came to the Tushita Palace and explained the whole story to Taishang Laojun in detail. After listening, Taishang Laojun nodded slightly.

"Based on my understanding of Buddhism, they have indeed acted somewhat radically in recent years. I believe what you said. But now rumors are spreading everywhere. If you want to convince the Jade Emperor and the immortals, you need to produce more evidence." Taishang Laojun said.

Bajie asked, "Laojun, what do you think?"

After thinking for a moment, Taishang Laojun said: "Buddhism's spies in the Heavenly Palace will definitely take action. You can keep an eye on them secretly, catch them, and make them reveal Buddhism's conspiracy in public. In this way, the rumors will be dispelled."

Bajie and the other two thought this plan was feasible, so they thanked Taishang Laojun and returned to the Celestial Palace. They began to arrange their personnel and secretly investigate the gods who were controlled by the Buddhist sect. They were ready to use the Buddhist sect’s trick against them and launch a desperate counterattack to break the Buddhist sect’s conspiracy in the Heavenly Palace and regain support against the Buddhist sect...