Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 199: Preaching the Dharma Early and the Jinghe Dragon King

Chapter 199: Chapter 199: Preaching the Dharma Early and the Jinghe Dragon King

Buddhist Law had not yet begun to spread eastward when so many variables had already emerged; should it still continue?

The Buddha said again, "After this incident, the Heavenly Court should step up military training and temporarily have no time to attend to the lower realms; this is our opportunity."

Jia Ye immediately understood but frowned and said, "Does the Buddha wish to propagate the Dharma ahead of schedule?"

The Buddha nodded gently.

Jia Ye then said, "But our plans in the human realm have not yet unfolded, and the Heavenly Emperor has not yet agreed to the eastward spread of Buddhist Law.

If we propagate the Dharma prematurely, it would be illegitimate and forced. If the Heavenly Court decides to challenge us later on, they could destroy everything immediately and take the opportunity to strike against our Buddha Sect."

The Buddha smiled and said, "Propagating the Dharma early is merely for sowing seeds, and once the seeds take root and sprout in the Human Race, they can never be erased; they are not something that can be destroyed if one wishes to.

When the time comes, the seeds will sprout and grow into towering trees."

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva Guanyin praised, "The Buddha’s plan is ingenious. Besides, with heaven’s predestined rise of Buddhism, as long as we do not vigorously promote Buddhist Law in the Southern Jambudvipa, the Heavenly Emperor won’t say anything."

Jia Ye came to a clear understanding and spoke no further.

Ananda said in a hurry, "Buddha, your disciple is willing to go to the human realm to sow seeds."

"Good," the Buddha replied with a smile and a nod, then looked at Jia Ye: "Then both of you, as teacher and disciple, go to the Southern Jambudvipa together, and remember, our Buddhist Law is righteous and open, so our propagation of the Dharma must also be righteous and open."

Both Jia Ye and Ananda saluted: "Disciple respectfully obeys the Dharma decree."

The Bodhisattva Guanyin silently watched from the side, saying nothing, although it was initially decided that she would specifically oversee the eastward propagation of the Dharma.

...

When the edicts of the Heavenly Court were transmitted to all parts of the Three Realms, those sects and loose cultivators sent their disciples of the Heavenly Immortal realm and above to Heaven.

After the destruction of the Peachtrees’ Garden, clearly, no one would want to miss the opportunity to distinguish themselves.

As the Ziwei Great Emperor, Sun Wukong had authority over the Four Saints of the North Pole.

Aside from the earthly forces of the Martial Emperor, which belonged to the Lord of Righteous Protection, he also commanded the Heavenly Canopy Marshal’s Celestial River Navy, Marshal Tianyou’s North Dark Sea Palace, and the Black Marshal’s Black Fiend Celestial Army. Now all had to heed his command.

As the Heavenly Court expanded its forces, the celestial soldiers and generals under his command also grew in number.

However, he became even more leisurely; he only needed to inspect each department from time to time.

The rest of his time was spent practicing cultivation and looking for opportunities to complete the paths of Earth and Humanity.

It was not that he was meddling in affairs beyond his concern, but the Luo Tian Seal was a matter of survival for the Three Realms, and he couldn’t just play the high and indifferent sage, living his days in carefree comfort.

Additionally, this was also advice from his internet friend Zhihu, which, upon completion, would earn him a number of rewards.

As time flew by, Sun Wukong still hadn’t found any good opportunities.

For instance, the Human Race kingdoms of Southern Jambudvipa were in their dynasty’s final stages, so attempting to upgrade agricultural civilization now would obviously not be appropriate.

One day, upon returning from his inspection of the Northern region of the Heavenly Court, Wukong found that Ao Lie had been waiting at the Great Sage Equalling Heaven’s abode for quite a while, his expression hardly concealing his anxiety.

In recent years, this disciple of his had been somewhat downcast ever since the Peach Banquet, after the Princess of All Saints, who had helped the demonic sect set up the Four-Element Extending Realm Array, was sentenced by the Jade Emperor to a punishment of eternal damnation, never to be reborn.

Fortunately, though Ao Lie was despondent, he did not neglect his cultivation and was now a complete Golden Immortal, soon to become a Daluo Golden Immortal.

So as his teacher, he hadn’t inquired further, considering it a tempering of his disciple’s heart.

Seeing Ao Lie in such a state now, Wukong became curious. With Ao Lie’s strength, plus having him as a master to rely on, what trouble could have possibly made him so anxious?

As these thoughts flashed by, Ao Lie had already come forward respectfully to salute: "Disciple pays respect to master."

Wukong asked, "Disciple, have you encountered some trouble?"

Ao Lie hurriedly said, "Master, my uncle, the Dragon King of the Jingle River, has disappeared."

"Oh?" Sun Wukong’s eyes flashed with a divine light, he had heard about the Jinghe Dragon King before from his friends at the forum; it seemed this old dragon had some connection with the journey to the west.

Ao Lie continued, "Disciple has searched every possible place and still couldn’t find any trace of him, with no other choice, I had to disturb Master."

Sun Wukong pressed further, "The Jinghe Dragon King is the Great Dragon God of Rain, bestowed by His Majesty. Why didn’t you ask His Majesty?"

Ao Lie didn’t dare to hide anything, "According to my investigation, my uncle went to make rain as decreed but seemed to have miscalculated the timing and amount, causing a disaster in the human world.

Disciple... Disciple thought to find out the truth first, then report to His Majesty."

Sun Wukong understood, this was a violation of the heavenly laws; the lightest punishment would be immediate execution.

"Master, the disciple harbors no thoughts of favoritism, I only wish to uncover the truth," Ao Lie added solemnly, "because my uncle has always taken his duties very seriously and has been extra cautious, never daring to defy heavenly laws."

"Whether you’re biased is not for you to say," Sun Wukong shook his head.

"This..." Ao Lie’s expression changed; he had always been worried about his uncle’s safety and in his anxiety, had not considered these issues.

His uncle, the Jinghe Dragon King, was the Great Dragon God of Rain, the overseer of the rivers in the Southern Province, controlling the rain and clouds over the human dynasty.

His official rank wasn’t high, but his power was not small.

This mistake in making the rain had brought disaster to the human dynasty, and His Majesty must already be aware!

"Let’s go with me to see His Majesty and explain the situation," Sun Wukong said.

"Thank you, Master!" Ao Lie gave a respectful bow.

He understood that once his master intervened, there was no need to worry about his uncle being wrongfully accused.

Soon, the master and disciple arrived at the Tongming Hall.

After the heavenly soldiers made the announcement, they entered the hall, only to find someone was already reporting on affairs.

"Wude Star Lord?" Sun Wukong recognized this person; they had had a few interactions over the years.

This person was not the Beidou Wuche Star Lord, but a minor deity somewhat similar to the Deities of Thousand Mile Eye and Favorable Wind Ear, yet his power was not insignificant.

Under the Jade Emperor, there was also an imperial guard, which used to be under the command of Lord Tianyou, but after Lord Tianyou was dispatched to the far north to guard the Eye of the North Sea, this imperial guard was handed over to the Wude Star Lord.

Seeing Sun Wukong, Wude Star Lord quickly paid his respects, "Your humble deity greets the Ziwei Great Emperor."

Sun Wukong waved his hand dismissively, "No need for formalities, no need."

The Jade Emperor then asked, "Tell me, what’s the matter?"

Sun Wukong asked with a smile, "Is Your Majesty aware that the Jinghe Dragon King is missing?"

The Jade Emperor pointed at the Wude Star Lord, "The Jinghe Dragon King altered the timing and amount on his own, violating the heavenly laws, and has since fled from fear of punishment. I was just about to send Wude Star Lord to capture him so he could face punishment on the Dragon-Slicing Stage."

Hearing this, Ao Lie hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, there must be some hidden details, further investigation is needed!"

Sun Wukong gently shook his head.

Asking for further investigation? Isn’t that implying the Jade Emperor didn’t investigate thoroughly and acted unjustly?

It seemed it was time for Ao Lie to be moved to a different position.

His disciple had always stayed in the Peach Garden, and although his cultivation had improved quite a bit, he lacked understanding of the intricacies of the officialdom and world affairs.

As expected, the Jade Emperor’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Taibai Jinxing gripped his beard tighter.

Wude Star Lord kept silent on the side.