Just as the Jade Emperor was lost in thought, someone outside suddenly announced, "Your Majesty, Maitreya Buddha from the West has come to seek an audience!"
The Jade Emperor raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and said, "Announce him!"
Soon, Maitreya entered. Upon seeing the Jade Emperor, he immediately bowed and said, "This humble monk Maitreya greets Your Majesty the Jade Emperor!"
The Jade Emperor nodded and asked, "Emissary from the West, for what purpose have you come?"
After all, the two Sages of the West had acted quite decisively back then. It was a pity that Lao Tzu, the Grand Pure One, was not a Sage of the Heavenly Way. Otherwise, the Jade Emperor felt his own spring should have arrived by then!
"Your Majesty, Buddhism is now flourishing and wishes to spread its dharma in the Eastern Lands. We hope for Your Majesty's cooperation!" Maitreya immediately said!
The Jade Emperor rolled his eyes. Buddhism flourishing in the West again? Truly, heaven was blind!
However, the Jade Emperor was currently cornered, as it seemed no one in the Heavenly Court listened to him. Therefore, he desperately needed allies. Moreover, the West was not weak now. He heard they had six quasi-sages. If he could form an alliance with the West, could he perhaps salvage some dignity?
Yet, the West could be quite unreliable at times. But he had no other options!
"Oh, Maitreya, how do you expect me to cooperate? And why should I cooperate with you!" the Jade Emperor said with a smile!
Maitreya also smiled and said, "Your Majesty has returned from your tribulation. Now that the Heavenly Court is dominated by the Three Religions, Your Majesty stands alone. Though we in the West are not as capable, we are willing to acknowledge Your Majesty. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
The Jade Emperor laughed heartily. Good, this Maitreya was quite sensible!
Maitreya continued, "Your Majesty, the matter of our Buddhist sect spreading dharma in the Eastern Lands has already been arranged. As long as Your Majesty gives your approval and expands our Buddhist influence, there will be generous rewards!"
"Good!" The Jade Emperor agreed. After all, there was nothing he couldn't agree to!
Maitreya was even happier. He hadn't expected to gain the Jade Emperor's approval so quickly!
However, soon the Jade Emperor asked, "Currently, in the imperial court, all the immortal officials are from the Three Religions. Will they agree?"
Maitreya's smile froze on his face. He supposed so. If the Jade Emperor had absolute authority, why would they bother with him? It was precisely because he was only the nominal Heavenly Emperor that he sought cooperation.
"Your Majesty, tomorrow I will personally appear in court. Your Majesty only needs to agree," Maitreya said!
The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "Alright!"
The next day, in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the Jade Emperor sat in the main seat and looked down. After the immortals paid their respects, they lined up on both sides, with their eyes on their noses and their noses on their mouths, as if nothing was amiss!
The Jade Emperor was not in a hurry. As expected, someone soon announced, "Maitreya of the West seeks an audience with His Majesty!"
The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "Announce him!"
Soon, Maitreya was led in. After exchanging greetings with the Jade Emperor, Maitreya said, "Now that my Western sect is flourishing and wishes to spread dharma in the Eastern Lands, I hope for Your Majesty's approval!"
The Jade Emperor looked to his left and right. On the left was Emperor Ziwei, also known as Di Xin. He asked, "Emperor Ziwei, what is your opinion?"
Di Xin smiled and said, "I agree!"
The Jade Emperor expected Di Xin to refuse. After all, how could the Three Religions agree to such a matter? So he casually said, "I do not agree with Emperor Ziwei's opinion. I..."
Before he could finish, the Jade Emperor froze. What did you just say? You agree? How can you agree? Why aren't you following the script?
Maitreya's face had already turned dark. What was this Jade Emperor's deal? They had discussed it yesterday, and today he turns his back on them?
Di Xin said with a playful expression, "Oh? Your Majesty disagrees? May I know why?"
The Jade Emperor was speechless. Why the hell not, I misspoke!
"Cough, cough, I..." Just as the Jade Emperor was about to say something, Di Xin interrupted, "A word spoken from the golden mouth is irrevocable. Since Your Majesty disagrees with my opinion, you must have profound insights. Please elaborate!"
The Jade Emperor's face darkened. He looked at Maitreya, whose face was even darker. He had no choice but to brace himself and say, "The Eastern Lands are the foundation of our Xuanmen. How can the dharma be spread from the West!"
Maitreya glared at the Jade Emperor with red eyes. You grandson, you didn't say this yesterday, and today you pull this stunt on me?
"Your Majesty, although the Eastern Lands are the foundation of our Xuanmen, the flourishing of our West is the great trend of the Heavenly Way. Does Your Majesty intend to defy heaven!" Maitreya said loudly, emphasizing the words "defy heaven" with gritted teeth!
The Jade Emperor's head immediately throbbed. Defy heaven my ass!
"Indeed, Your Majesty. The flourishing of the West is a great trend of the Heavenly Way, and we cannot defy heaven!" Di Xin also said!
The Jade Emperor immediately felt as if he had eaten excrement. Why did things turn out this way? Was this the wrong script?
He looked at Maitreya again, who was still staring intently at him!
Now the Jade Emperor was collapsing. Didn't he have any pride? A word spoken from the golden mouth. You are making me contradict myself so quickly. Is this really appropriate?
"Then it is approved!" The Jade Emperor closed his eyes and said, feeling utterly exhausted. Contradicting himself felt so sad and blue.
Maitreya then retracted his gaze. Approval was enough.
"Your Majesty's words also hold some truth. The Eastern Lands are the foundation of our Xuanmen, and the dharma cannot be easily transmitted. There must be many hardships," Di Xin said again at this moment!
This time, even the Jade Emperor's eyes turned red. You son of a bitch, you're still at it? Are you addicted?
Maitreya also looked displeased. They hadn't planned for so many complications. What if something unexpected happened? Their plan was to select the pilgrimage team. First, they had their eye on a monkey and wanted to build momentum for the monkey. This would involve the Heavenly Court. Once the monkey's momentum was built, the Tathagata would intervene and suppress the monkey. Then, the monkey would be made a member of the pilgrimage team, and a few trials would be arranged. After all, the great trend was already established, and the minor details were less important. The most important thing was to expand the influence of Buddhism.
But now, the Heavenly Court was causing trouble. If the trials were made incredibly difficult, wouldn't it all be ruined?
"Your Majesty, don't you think so?" Di Xin said again!
Don't think so my ass. The Jade Emperor complained endlessly. His composure was already on the verge of collapse. He had no choice. He felt he hadn't slept well last night, which led to his lack of focus today. He had been passive from the beginning!
"Mm," the Jade Emperor grudgingly agreed!
Maitreya rolled his eyes. Busted. It serves you right for being sidelined. If you had any brains, you wouldn't be in this situation. Serves you right!
"What does Emperor Ziwei mean?" Maitreya asked!
"The path to retrieve the scriptures should be fraught with many trials. Without experiencing hardships, how can one obtain the true scriptures? Back then, when the Ancestor of Dao lectured in the Purple Firmament Palace, he emphasized that only those with destiny could hear the dharma, and there were even chaotic winds blocking the path! Now that the West is meant to flourish, it should naturally have this awareness. Nine is an extreme number, so..." At this point, Di Xin stopped speaking and looked at the Jade Emperor!
The Jade Emperor was stunned. Look at me, look at me! But he still said, "Nine tribulations, perhaps that's acceptable..."
Di Xin was directly speechless. "Ninety-nine and eighty-one tribulations, only then can the true scriptures be obtained!"
The Jade Emperor's face darkened. You son of a bitch, why didn't you say it all at once? You were waiting for me to make a fool of myself, weren't you? Fine, you grandson, I'll remember you. Don't leave after school, let's have a one-on-one!