Chapter 1289: Chapter 1289: Buddha and the Dao

“Buddhism and Taoism have been contending endlessly, and to this day, the superior cannot be determined.”

“Then today, shall we stop at a touch? Decades of contention have never settled a victor.”

West Sea.

Temple of the Gods and Buddhas.

A white-haired man stood in the center of the great hall, facing a black-haired man, sharing a smile.

Their joined hands slowly parted.

“Why do I not see your Golden Boy and Jade Girl?” The black-haired man asked with a smile, hands clasped behind his back. “Every time I visit the West Sea, it is them who are responsible for reception. Yet today, I did not encounter them.”

“Demon, you grieve me.” The West Sea God and Buddha touched his chest, sighing with helplessness. “The past is past, and yet you insist on reopening my wounds, and pressing on them.”

The Golden Boy and Jade Girl were his most favored disciples.

Living together day and night, the West Sea God and Buddha had all but emptied his knowledge upon them, treating them as his own children.

But now…

Things have changed, people are not the same.

“Oh? It’s rare for something to upset you, God and Buddha. Don’t you always say, to not rejoice over possessions, nor grieve for personal sorrow? They are dead, just gone to the Western Pure Land, it’s a good thing.” The black-haired man spoke with a smile.

“Western Pure Land?”

The West Sea God and Buddha shook his head: “Do you believe?”

“I don’t,” the black-haired man shook his head as well.

In the vast Temple of the Gods and Buddhas, there were only two people talking.

“Demon, do you know of the North Sea Imperial Court?”

The West Sea God and Buddha turned and stepped out!

Sitting on the Lotus Throne.

“I have heard some.”

The black-haired man sat cross-legged, nodding: “I heard the North Sea Imperial Court is intent on restoring its nation, its momentum surging.”

Saying this, he looked at the West Sea God and Buddha with a peculiar gaze: “God and Buddha, why the sudden interest in worldly affairs?”

If anyone else were here, they would surely shiver in fear.

Because in this world, very few dare speak to the West Sea God and Buddha in this manner.

It’s tantamount to seeking death.

Yet hearing the black-haired man’s words, the West Sea God and Buddha was not angered. Instead, he lifted his head to look outside the hall.

“The Golden Boy and Jade Girl were killed at the Shadow Gate, but when I finished my seclusion, the murderer was already dead.” He leaned forward slightly, and spoke: “Someone dares touch a foe of the West Sea God and Buddha; shouldn’t I take his life?”

“It is right to do so.”

The black-haired man sitting on the ground nodded: “You, the West Sea God and Buddha, do not reason, for you are the reason itself. With your disposition, you would surely send your followers to kill the one who avenged you. Haven’t I guessed right?”

“East Sea Demon!” The West Sea God and Buddha laughed loudly, pointing at the man seated on the ground: “But what you didn’t guess is that my Arhat of Homicide, the one I sent out, was also killed!”

On his face, there was no trace of sadness or anger.

Only joy remained.

“Arhat of Homicide? I’ve met him, quite capable.” The East Sea Demon was also surprised. “Killed by the North Sea?”

He was dressed in a black and white robe, with a Tai Chi symbol on his back.

His entire demeanor appeared somewhat enigmatic, and yet inexplicably odd.

“Indeed!” The West Sea God and Buddha abruptly stood from the Lotus Throne, hands clasped behind his back, he walked step by step towards the entrance of the great hall: “It is said that the North Sea has enlisted a new son-in-law who first killed the Mad Dragon that made the underworld tremble, and then disposed of my Arhat of Homicide!”

“Interesting.”

The East Sea Demon sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed: “Do you plan to avenge personally?”

“A mere mortal, would I act personally?” The West Sea God and Buddha flicked his sleeves, and in his palm appeared Longsword: “Continue?”

“No more fighting.”

The East Sea Demon slowly stood up, holding a horsetail whisk in his hand: “I wish to convert the worldly, no time to engage in your dispute over Buddhism and Taoism.”

“No, I say we fight, then we must fight!”

The Longsword in the West Sea God and Buddha’s hand trembled slightly, issuing a mournful cry.

“Bullshit God and Buddha, I see you more as a King of Hell.” The East Sea Demon frowned slightly, his ears beginning to twitch.

“A man and a woman, here to visit you.”

He said with a light laugh: “I shall step aside!”

Whoosh!

No sooner had he spoken, the East Sea Demon vanished.

“Report!”

He disappeared just a second ago.

The next moment.

Outside the Divine Buddha Hall.

A monk ran over and said aloud: “Divine Buddha, someone is seeking an audience outside.”

“A man and a woman?”

The West Sea Divine Buddha held Longsword, squinting his eyes.

“Divine Buddha, your foresight precedes you.”

Admiration filled the monk’s eyes.

“Bring them up!”

The West Sea Divine Buddha spoke, then turned and sat back down on the lotus throne.

“It’s been many days since, the sorcerer’s prowess has grown more remarkable.”

He stabbed Longsword into the ground, talking to himself.

Before long.

Led by a monk, a man and a woman walked in from outside.

“Bead Pulse, Devlin!”

“Bead Pulse, Granny Xihua of the Thunderpeak Hall!”

“We pay our respects to the Divine Buddha!”

Devlin and Granny Xihua knelt on one knee, bowing their heads as they called out.

“Stand up!”

The West Sea Divine Buddha narrowed his eyes, looking down at the man and woman below: “What brings you to my West Sea?”

“Divine Buddha.”

Devlin stood up and began to speak: “The day the Arhat of Homicide was slain, we were present.”

“Go on.”

Suddenly, the Divine Buddha Hall was permeated with a murderous aura.

Granny Xihua shivered, hastily giving Devlin a warning look.

But it was as if Devlin hadn’t seen it, and he continued to speak: “It is well-known that the West Sea is domineering, I thought surely the Divine Buddha would seek revenge.”

“Do you have a grudge with the North Sea?”

The West Sea Divine Buddha asked.

“Indeed!”

As Devlin spoke these words, Granny Xihua inwardly cried out in alarm.

“You wish to use me as a pawn?”

The West Sea Divine Buddha suddenly lifted Longsword, lightly twirling it!

Whoosh!

Devlin, standing in the center of the great hall, seemed to be drawn by a powerful force, instantly appearing in front of the West Sea Divine Buddha!

The tip of the sword was less than a centimeter from his throat!

“Huh…”

Devlin took a deep breath, calming his wildly beating heart.

“Divine Buddha’s might is unparalleled; Devlin does not dare to use you. It just so happens, I know the whereabouts of the North Sea’s consort, and I have come to seek the Divine Buddha’s assistance.”

After saying this, Devlin’s face was already covered with sweat.

“Bead Pulse.”

The West Sea Divine Buddha’s finger twitched, and Longsword disappeared into thin air.

“I have heard of the Seven Veins legend.”

He leaned back on the lotus throne, and the omnipresent murderous aura in the Divine Buddha Hall vanished instantly.

“I, the West Sea Divine Buddha, never worry about being used. The strong, they have their own principles. My actions are not to be interfered with by anyone.”

“Divine Buddha’s might is without equal, truly the foremost among men.” Devlin’s throat moved, the pressure lightening considerably.

“Speak, I am listening.” The West Sea Divine Buddha supported his head with one hand, speaking indifferently.

“The underworld organization Deep Cold, headed by the Boss, has offended the North Sea and now faces utter destruction. As far as I know, the chief commander behind this operation is the consort of the North Sea,” Devlin said.

“Very well.”

The West Sea Divine Buddha nodded, smiling: “Do you think I would kill you?”

“Devlin has come here without any intention of returning alive,” Devlin said calmly.

As soon as these words fell, Granny Xihua broke into a cold sweat.

Is this… seeking death?

“You’re set on dying, yet I refuse to kill you!” The West Sea Divine Buddha stood up, his voice cold: “Arhat Lift the Heavens, accompany these two, and bring back the head of the North Sea’s consort!”