Chapter 200 - 195: Sowing Karma for the Future
It’s said that in order to extradite Guan Yu, even saints of Confucianism and militarists from the Human Path had come. And that’s not all, the Buddhist sect seemed unwilling to show weakness and had even summoned the Eastern Coming Buddha Ancestor!
The Maitreya Buddha, the Future Buddha of the Three Worlds, now personally intervening for Guan Yu, was simply unimaginable to Enlightenment Dao.
However, Guan Yu indeed had such credentials. Later emperors, to promote loyalty and righteousness in Guan Yu, had enshrined him and even declared him the Great Emperor Who Subdues Demons of the Three Realms, a title so esteemed it was terrifying, on par with Confucius. Old Master Kong was the Literary Sage, while Guan Yu had been crowned the Martial Sage!
In truth, Guan Yu was not so formidable; he definitely couldn’t compare with these figures. But the later emperors needed to strengthen their rule and naturally promoted "loyalty and righteousness" so people, seeing the eternally honored and incense-blessed Lord Guan the Second, would understand to serve the Imperial Court honestly with both loyalty and righteousness, deterring rebellion. The result was not very effective; those who would rebel did so anyway, while the jianghu community placed greater value on loyalty and righteousness, erecting statues of Lord Guan. Whether they took to the hills or retired from the underworld, they had to vow before Lord Guan.
Guan Yu, it could be said, was one of the most influential Immortals in later generations. How could the Eastern Coming Buddha Ancestor not contend for him?
Enlightenment Dao thought to himself, "This will be interesting to watch, the Human Sages against the Eastern Coming Buddha Ancestor – which one will be stronger, which one weaker?"
Xun Kuang and Sun Wu, a Confucian and a militarist sage respectively. Although Confucianism is modest, it holds the Magnificent Righteous Qi, while militarists excel in uncanny strategies and ruthless slaughter. Although the Eastern Coming Buddha Maitreya is one of the Three Worlds Buddhas, facing Xun Kuang and Sun Wu, he was too unsure.
This time, Old Master Kong had not come himself, having his disciples attend instead. He is now the leader of the Hundred Schools of Thought, with the greatest reputation and knowledge, also enlightened by Laozi, and his sect included several sage disciples. Like Tathagata and the Three Pure Ones, he could not personally intervene, avoiding giving rise to gossip and the trouble of wrangling later on.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha! Poor monk Wisdom humbly greets the Eastern Coming Buddha." Upon seeing the arrival of their great savior, Wisdom Bodhisattva promptly went forward to welcome him.
"Poor monk Virudhaka, greets the Eastern Coming Buddha; I beg forgiveness for not being able to give proper respects due to injuries," said Virudhaka Bodhisattva, struggling to sit up cross-legged from the ground and placing his hands together in prayer.
"There is no need for formalities, no need for formalities!" the Tathagata said with a smile, his plump face exuding kindness and compassion.