The Battle in Journey to the West

Laozi, using the "Huahu Scripture" as a launching point, challenged Tathagata, and his question immediately altered the expressions of those in the Buddhist sect present.

If it were a commoner who had spoken these words, they would have been met with immediate curses and arguments, but since the speaker was none other than Laozi, the leader of the Three Pure, who would dare to scold him? Would that not be akin to an old man seeking death by eating poison? Thus, the Buddhists present were rendered speechless, waiting for Tathagata to respond.

Tathagata pondered and then said, "There seems to be such a matter, perhaps it’s just that Laojun’s name is so revered that it spawned rumors among the people! Or maybe it’s because the people in The Eastern Land feel a closeness to Buddhism, thus holding it in such high regard."

Laozi, hearing Tathagata play it off, directly asked, "But I have heard others say that the scripture was written by Buddha Ancestor himself."

Tathagata shook his head and said, "Monks do not speak lies, there is absolutely no such thing. There has always been strife between Buddhism and Daoism, perhaps it was fabricated by the common folk."

Tathagata’s denial was adamant, and Laozi found himself without recourse, as after all, Tathagata was the Respectful Ruler of the Western Heaven. He couldn’t exactly storm the table to force a confession from Tathagata.

After hearing this, Laozi spoke no further, but then Great Emperor Zhenwu stepped forward and addressed the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, "Boundless Heavenly Immortal! The last time I met with the Buddha of Immeasurable Life at Mount Meru, it has been a long time since we saw each other. That magic combat was put on hold, and who knows how long it will be until we meet again? Why not today, for the Buddha of Immeasurable Life to spar with me a little, to see if my Taoist Arts are more refined or if the Buddhist Law of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life is more profound?"

The Buddha of Immeasurable Life, put on the spot by Great Emperor Zhenwu, naturally would not show weakness, stood up, brought his palms together and smiled, "What Great Emperor Zhenwu said is true. I too have been contemplating this, to settle our karma with the Emperor! However, since this is the opening ceremony of Louguan, if we were to combat too fiercely, it might not be appropriate, right?"

Great Emperor Zhenwu, however, laughed and said, "There’s no harm, let’s just engage in a literary duel this time, which too, can distinguish the superior from the inferior."

The Buddha of Immeasurable Life asked, "How does one engage in a literary duel?"

Great Emperor Zhenwu stood up, pushed the table to the center of the plaza, and then with a movement, ten teacups flew from one side, clattering down onto the table, arranged into two sides, five a side. Great Emperor Zhenwu then said, "We shall use these ten teacups for our duel, and we will compete in Thunder Magic, what do you think?"