Chapter 99
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Once a thought arose in his mind, it became impossible to rein it in. The middle-aged Daoist, clad in black robes, sat atop a Taiji diagram, resting his chin on one hand.
“But if I do this, will that fellow in Fuli Heaven lecture me again?”
“Ah, that guy is too rigid.”
“He always insists on setting an example for the Dao in all things. I really dislike meeting him.”
As he dazed off, his fingers absentmindedly traced circles in the void. The shattered fragments of Glazed Buddha Light, which he had casually crushed earlier, now rose and swirled under his influence. The handsome and refined Daoist murmured to himself: “If that fellow Yu Xu encountered this situation, he would most certainly ignore it. He might even say something like…”
“Hmph, our disciples must be the foremost exemplars of all Dao traditions, walking the highest and most arduous path. If they cannot even overcome this tribulation—”
“Hmph, they are unworthy to be my disciples.”
The middle-aged Daoist mimicked his senior brother’s tone, speaking a few lines before falling into thought.
And if it were that old man instead? How would he handle it?
After pondering for a moment, he figured the old man probably wouldn’t care either.
The Supreme One was the most effortless and at ease—seeing all things as neither fortune nor misfortune. Calamity begets fortune, and fortune harbors calamity.
All the matters of the world must be observed with composure.
Taking things as they come is not necessarily a bad thing.
“One follows the Eternal Dao, the other abides by the Supreme Non-Action, truly dull.”
“As for me, I cultivate nothing but spontaneity and seek nothing but carefree freedom.”
Having made up his mind, the refined Daoist clapped his hands and laughed. “A cultivator—should they not act as their heart desires? How absurd to think otherwise!”
“How could one be raised up by the title of ‘Great Heavenly Venerable’, only to be shackled in conduct and forced to conform to some grand image of a Venerable?”
“Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.”
With an unrestrained laugh, he rose to his feet, casually pointing toward Fuli Heaven Palace. “Yu Qing, you are truly dull.”
Then, lowering his gaze toward the vast mortal realm, he shook his head.
“Tai Shang, you are truly insipid.”
“I wish to go—so today, I shall go.”
Now then, before the Buddha had emerged, it is said that the myriad saints of the Buddhist sect meditated beneath the Western Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment, giving rise to thirteen lineages of Buddhist Dharma. Among them, thirty-three Buddhas achieved true awakening. Between them and the Daoist Heavenly Court in the East lay countless worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, unfathomably vast. Only those of supreme divine power could set foot there. Within this realm, all was pure and tranquil—there was no discrimination, no realms of suffering, nor any sounds of anguish. It was in no way inferior to the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss.
The ground was of colored glass, the paths marked by golden ropes. The city walls, palace halls, windows, and canopies were all formed of the Seven Treasures.
[TL_Note: The Seven Treasures is a Buddhist term referring to seven sacred materials: 1-Gold/2-Silver/3-Colored Glass/4-Crystal/5-Agate/6-Red Pearl/7-Emerald]
Thus, it was called—the Eastern Pure Glazed Buddha Kingdom.
Yet at this moment, this Pure Glazed Buddha Kingdom was in utter disarray—
And behold—the colored glass lay shattered, and the grand city of Seven Treasures was scarred with massive cracks from the impact. The Twelve Divine Generals could only offer bitter smiles, while under their command stood seven thousand Medicine Yakshas, each possessing formidable strength no weaker than ordinary Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. Yet at this moment, even they could do nothing but watch helplessly.
The leading general let out a long sigh.
“That ox, what terrifying might!”
“It actually smashed through this land by sheer force—and then ran off again!”
“Hah, truly rare, truly rare indeed. But what a ferocious ox.”
Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva could only shake his head helplessly. That yellow ox had suddenly gone mad, charging straight through everything in its path. Its power was so overwhelming that it rivaled a Daoist True Lord. If it were to descend into the mortal realm, with its strength and extensive connections, it would long since have been hailed as a [Great Sage]. Yet, upon sensing the faintest trace of Buddhist aura, even these eminent figures could do nothing to restrain it.
How pitiful—Garuḍa had just arrived, bringing flowers in curiosity, when the chaos began.
That old yellow ox, who knew what was wrong with it?
Its eyes, clear and full of compassion, radiated nothing but peace.
The ox lowered its head, hooves stomping forward. Gathering all its strength, its two massive horns—sharp enough to split mountains and cleave rivers—almost pierced straight through Garuda’s lungs. Then, with a casual toss of its thick, muscular neck, it flung the golden-winged Garuḍa straight into the ground. A single stomp of its hoof—heavy as a descending mountain—pressed Garuda firmly beneath it. Lowering its head, it opened its mouth, and bit down on Garuḍa’s feathers.
Then, with an air of solemn compassion—
It suddenly jerked its head upward.
With that motion, the ox ripped out the most precious feathers in one go.
Yet, as if they were worthless, it scattered them along its path, uninterested.
Only a single feather remained—the one that held Garuda’s deepest essence of vitality and spirit.
What a pitiful sight, truly pitiful.
The onlookers cast glances at the golden-winged Garuda, both pitying and amused, struggling to stifle their laughter.
But there was no time to dwell on it—the real headache was how to repair the devastation left in the wake of the ox’s rampage. Just as they were pondering this dilemma, an old monk arrived. At once, everyone bowed in unison, voices rising in reverence, faces full of respect as they chanted: “Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata.”
The old monk lifted his gaze, surveying the scene with a gentle smile, and asked: “Why do you all look so troubled?”
Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva spoke: “My Buddha, that ox rampages with overwhelming might, yet you do not seize it—why?”
The old monk shook his head. “What I seek is for him to one day turn back and enter my Buddhist path. Seizing him—would only capture his body.”
“It is difficult to seize his heart and mind.”
“In that case, I would have merely converted a puppet. It would be better to find someone to carve a wooden ox instead—what benefit would it bring me?”
The Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva said: “My Buddha is merciful.”
“But why is this ox so extraordinarily powerful?”
The old monk smiled and replied: “You do not know. Though it appears to be an ordinary yellow ox, its origins are far from mundane. Oxen are known for their steadfastness, but there are also those among them with great power. In the present world, among the divine and demonic beings of the ox lineage, many possess extraordinary abilities. As for its bloodline and origins, it ranks among the top four. Moreover, it once served as my mount, and there is some karmic connection between us.”
Pausing for a moment, he then added teasingly:
“Though, one could say it is a forced karmic connection—like a melon twisted off the vine before it ripens.”
“Though he has left, I have still left my mark upon him…”
The old monk lowered his gaze and said: “I have placed a Glazed Buddha Light upon him.”
The Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva asked in confusion: “Why? Is it to subtly guide him into accepting the power of my Buddha?”
The old monk sighed and said: “People always speak of ‘stubborn as an ox’—well, his temper truly befits an old ox.”
“However, this time, I did not do this for him, but for my Buddhist sect.”
“For the Buddhist sect?”
“Indeed…” The old monk said. “The Earth Deity lineage has Houtu, the Heavenly Court has the Four Emperors, the Daoist sects have the Three Pure Ones…”
“Even the demon race has already chosen their Emperor among the Great Saints.”
“The opportunity for the Buddhist sect perhaps lies with that old ox, or perhaps with those whom the old ox will come into contact with. That is why I acted.”
“Perhaps it is that little girl named Yun Qin…”
The Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva asked curiously: “Is she from the constellation of Weaver Girl and Oxherd?”
The old monk nodded. “Yes.”
“Her mother is the Weaver Girl Star Sovereign, who is the granddaughter of the North Pole Purple Subtly Emperor of the Central Heaven. That means Yun Qin is actually the great-granddaughter of one of the Four Emperors of the Heavenly Court. However, such ties mean little at the level of the Heavenly Emperors. What truly matters is that the girl herself has a naturally pure and romantic disposition—her innate purity surpasses even that of her mother.”
“I once met her, asked for a cup of water, and let her touch my Buddhist prayer beads. At that moment, they shone with the colors of the Seven-Treasured Glazed Light.”
“I heard that the Northern Emperor once saw her and praised her for possessing a Dao Heart. Later, he remarked to others that if she failed to cultivate, she might simply live as an ordinary mortal and even enter reincarnation.”
“But if she truly has a destined Dao fate and possesses a heart devoted to the Great Dao, she may achieve extraordinary success.”
“Heh, I suppose I am being greedy—hoping to guide her into my Buddhist sect. At the very least, she should be able to cultivate to the level of a Bodhisattva.”
“And perhaps even beyond.”
“With such a pure Dao Heart and a seed of the Great Dao, she might even become the Master of the Pure Glazed Kingdom someday.”
The Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva said: “That yellow ox is also…”
“Mm. If that child enters my Buddhist sect and attains the supreme position as the Master of the Eastern Pure Glazed Kingdom, then this yellow ox may become the Great Strength Ox King Bodhisattva, serving as her mount and also as a Dharma Protector.”
“In the beginning, he was born into an ordinary farming household. After the old man of the family passed away, his son was greedy for wealth. He nearly slaughtered the yellow ox one night after losing all his money to gambling, for their family had nothing left. Under the moonlight, he sharpened his knife 3,600 times, yet he could not bring himself to do it. After all, he was uncertain whether he could conceal the crime of slaughtering an ox from the imperial authorities of the mortal world.”
“Later, the yellow ox escaped and, by chance, embarked on the path of cultivation.”
“However, he developed an obsession with wealth, one that he could never let go of.”
The old monk squatted down, gently straightening a lotus flower, and said:
“Rather than saying he is attached to wealth—”
“It would be more accurate to say he is attached to life and death. Thus, he seeks immortality. The Eight Hardships cannot hinder him, nor can countless tribulations destroy him.”
“I am merely helping him overcome this heart’s obstruction.”
“You say his strength is formidable, but unfortunately, he has always been trapped within his own [heart].” With these soft words, the lotus flower bloomed, and a radiant light spread outward. In an instant, the entire Pure Glazed Buddha Kingdom underwent a transformation—the once-shattered roads and ruined cities were restored to their original state.
Cracks sealed, celestial clouds revived.
Within the boundless lotus pond, the azure lotuses, white lotuses, and red lotuses all regained their former splendor.
The Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata spoke gently: “Fate is shaped by oneself; all things are but transformations. When the heart is unmoved, all things remain unmoved.”
“When the heart does not change, all things remain unchanged.”
“The essence of all Buddhas’ hearts, the guidance for all Bodhisattvas’ paths, all stem from this one truth.”
“What just transpired was nothing more than a single fleeting thought within his own heart. What trapped him was not my Buddha Dharma, but his own mind; what he destroyed, what he galloped through—was merely his own heart.”
Countless Yakṣa Guardians, celestial generals, and Bodhisattvas were all astonished. Just moments ago, that ox had shaken its body and expanded into an immeasurable form, towering over the heavens. With a single stride, it had shattered the gates of the Buddhist realm, galloping wildly through the stars. Even the mighty Golden-Winged Garuḍa had been suppressed beneath its hooves—what an awe-inspiring, domineering display of power! Yet now, in this moment, they realized—it was all merely a world conjured from a single thought of this old monk.
What you call divine powers are but conditioned phenomena.
And if they are conditioned—
They can never escape a single flower, a single leaf, or a single thought.
What an unparalleled, supreme divine power!
Magnificent is our Buddha, the World-Honored One!
Boundless is the Dharma of Buddhism!
Many Bodhisattvas and celestial generals pressed their palms together and respectfully declared:
“World-Honored One, we have now witnessed your great and mighty power. Having heard the name of the Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata, we shall no longer fear the suffering of the evil paths.”
“With one heart and mind, we pledge our very bodies, our very souls, our utmost devotion—wholly to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha!”
The old monk gave a slight nod. At that moment, however, something felt amiss. His gaze lowered slightly, and he saw the lotus flower that had trapped the yellow ox suddenly shatter. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, and then—
It was as if all things fell into silence.
The world grew still, like a secluded mountain path.
Then, the sound of calm, measured footsteps rang out.
Between heaven and earth, an immeasurable, terrifying presence silently surged.
In the next instant, countless monks, Bodhisattvas, and Yakshas were momentarily blinded by a dazzling white light that pierced their eyes.
Even the Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva trembled. Looking up, his pupils abruptly contracted—
The vast Eastern Pure Glazed Kingdom, said to be boundless and as vast as billions of miles, was suddenly split apart—cleaved cleanly in two!
This world represented the Twelve Great Vows of the Medicine Buddha.
How could it possibly shatter?
The boundlessness of the Buddhist Dharma—
Had been broken in a single step.
He saw the collapse of infinite Buddha light, the severance of the great Buddha vows, the shattering of the Glazed World, its radiant splendor falling away like fragments of crystal.
Somewhere in the void, footsteps slowly approached. It was the sound of sleeves brushing against the wind. A voice, calm and indifferent, resounded:
“From the Ancestral Tribulation was born the Nine Hundred Ninety-Nine Thousand Brahmic Essences. From the Radiance of the Red Scripture shine the Six Hundred Sixty-Eight True Words.”
“The Heavens form the sutras, the Earth weaves the latitudes—lofty is the foundation of creation.”
“The Axis rules the Yin, the Mechanism stirs the Yang—foremost ancestor of Thunder.”
The Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva could no longer see—A vast and unfathomable presence bore down upon his very essence, his spirit, his divine nature. His Primordial Soul recoiled instinctively. His face changed dramatically as he gasped: “The Shangqing Lingbao Great Heavenly Venerable?!!”
No wonder the Eastern Pure Glazed Buddhist Kingdom could be shattered in an instant, no wonder the freshly restored Glazed World was now riddled with cracks once more.
And yet, he was not surprised by this outcome.
The Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata sighed and said: “No.”
“This is but one of the Seventy-two Transformations of the Shangqing Lingbao Great Heavenly Venerable—”
“The Yuchen(Jade Pivot) Great Dao Sovereign.”
Just one of seventy-two manifestations…
The Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva turned pale.
In the next moment, only the old monk could truly ‘see’. That this figure, who had merely walked forward lightly, had already caused his heart to tremble, his Dharma to waver, his Path to shake, and his Buddhist Kingdom to crumble. What manner of being was this? Just standing there, he subdued the infinite Buddha light. The Glazed Pure Land transformed. Each ray of light split into countless millions and billions of rays. Each ray of light manifested a seated Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata, and in unison, they all recited the Supreme Glazed Marvelous Dharma.
Each Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata chanted the Twelve Great Vows.
Yet, before that Daoist, they all shattered.
The Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata slightly raised his eyes, sighed softly, and said gently: “Dao Sovereign…”
“May this humble monk ask a question?”
“I do not know—where have I, this poor monk, offended Great Dao Sovereign?”
Heh, what a fine monk.
What a fine tongue.
The black-haired Daoist slightly lifted his gaze and answered plainly: “Nothing.”
Boundless, supreme sword light erupted, instantly drowning every Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata in immeasurable brilliance. The scattered divine radiance tore apart and reduced the entire Pure Glazed Buddha Kingdom to nothingness. In the void, one could hear the flow of sword qi and the shattering of Buddha’s light—yet, no lives were taken.
This was the Pure Glazed Buddha Kingdom, serene and untainted, akin to the Western Paradise. The entire land was made of glazed glass, gold, and jade, stretching for billions of miles, attesting to the boundlessness of the Buddha Dharma.
Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva heard the Daoist’s calm voice respond—
“Merely testing my sword.”
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