Chapter 628 — The Divine Eye Between the Brows Opens

Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, finally understood. With a half-smile he said, "Nonsense! The Wasteland is a savage place; this is the Buddhist realm.

How could the Buddhas tolerate you unleashing a great slaughter?

" Xuanliao the Demon Ape looked disappointed. He had opened his spirit-intelligence; he was a son of the Buddha, praised as one whose attainments in the Dharma were unfathomable, renowned for an eloquence nothing could obstruct — and yet he was, after all, a creature of the Wasteland. Many of the Wasteland's creatures were like Shen Mu: wild by nature and untamable, with a fierce, unbridled ardor in their breasts.

Even Shen Mu, after living so long in Jingping, still yearned for the days of no restraint — how much more so Xuanliao the Demon Ape? Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, blinked and said with a smile, "It is true that a great slaughter is not permitted. But if another should try to kill you, and you kill him in return by mischance — well, that cannot be helped, and it is worthy of understanding. Even if it comes to an inquiry, there will be those to back you.

" Shen Mu blinked and asked curiously, "I wonder who this person is who will back us? " The Buddha-light behind Sakra's head suddenly went out, and he grew dim. Blinking, he said, "There will naturally be someone to back you. So do not be afraid.

Besides, I too wish to see the arts of Brahma, the Heavenly Buddha King. This chance is rare; I mean to slip in among the Buddha-sons as well — who knows, I may get to see Great Brahma.

I have taken no disciples, so I must go into the field myself. " This Buddha wore a yellow robe. His frame was well-proportioned, so the robe hung loose upon him, trailing to the tops of his feet, and he was fond of going barefoot. Now that his Buddha-light was extinguished, standing among Shen Mu and the others he seemed himself a Buddha-son, hardly like the figure in the Buddhist realm second only to Brahma, the Heavenly Buddha King. "Even the Buddha King wants to compete? " The monk Chenghuai was astonished, and inwardly he grumbled, "If you come to compete, who could possibly outdo you?

" Shen Mu was doubtful. He looked this well-proportioned Buddha up and down and thought, "A Buddha this mischievous — this is the first I have seen. Every other Buddha is imperturbably grave; why is he so flighty? A temper just like mine. .

.

" Shen Mu said quietly, "Chenghuai, what is this Buddha's background? " The monk Chenghuai shook his head.

"I have read nearly all the scriptures of Datingming Temple, but there is little record of this Buddha. " Shen Mu blinked and said with a smile, "Buddha King, you said just now that someone would back us. Could that someone be you? " Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, blinked.

"I said no such thing.

" Shen Mu blinked. "One who has left the household does not lie!

" Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, blinked. "I am a Buddha.

I have not left home.

Wherever I go is my home — why should I leave it?

" The two stared at each other, blinking. After a moment each turned his head away and would not look at the other.

The monk Chenghuai was uneasy at heart.

"Brother Shen stared down the Buddha King — what nerve. When we are back, I must teach him how many ways there are to write the character for death. .

.

" "Sore? " Xuanliao the Demon Ape Zhankong asked Shen Mu in a low voice.

Shen Mu nodded. He had blinked the tears out of his eyes just now, and still Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, had not let slip the least hint; his lips were sealed tight.

Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, was rubbing his eyes too; no doubt he had blinked too many times and was feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Shen Mu was doubtful at heart. Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, did not behave like a Buddha. He had a powerful curiosity, and there was something human in the way he handled matters — and yet he was the Buddha of Sakra's Heaven in the Buddhist realm, a being second only to Brahma, the Heavenly Buddha King.

He did not seem like one of the Heavenly Court. Had he been of the Heavenly Court, he would surely not have shown Shen Mu and the others a kind face; yet Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, seemed rather well-disposed toward them, and had named that someone would help them. Just then, from the ruined temple ahead, a young bhikshu came out and said, "Which of you is the brother who debated his way from the Heaven of King Yama all the way to Great Brahma Heaven?

" Xuanliao the Demon Ape Zhankong strode out, his voice like thunder: "I am! " The bhikshu looked up. Xuanliao the Demon Ape was like a black pagoda, awe-inspiring, and he said in a fluster, "Brother, the Old Buddha says you have passed the trial.

Please come in.

Follow me. " Xuanliao the Demon Ape Zhankong looked back at Shen Mu and Chenghuai. Shen Mu smiled and said, "Go in first.

I will come find you presently. " "Good!

" Xuanliao the Demon Ape followed the bhikshu and strode into the ruined temple.

After a moment the bhikshu came out of the temple again and looked around.

The Buddha-sons of the many heavens of the Buddhist realm numbered in the hundreds; the place was a sea of people, and beside them followed great Buddhas one after another — all of them, plainly, come to contend for the Dharma and the arts that Brahma, the Heavenly Buddha King, would transmit. The bhikshu said, troubled, "The Old Buddha says too many of you have come. At most two more may enter. Discuss it among yourselves and decide who goes in.

" The Heavenly Buddha King of Great Eloquence said hurriedly, "Did the Old Buddha say what test one must pass to enter the temple and hear the teaching? " The bhikshu shook his head. "The Old Buddha did not say.

Work it out yourselves; do as you please. " The Buddhas from the various heavens each pondered, and gathered together to discuss.

Shen Mu glanced at Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, beside him and said, "Buddha King, you said just now that you too come from Datingming Temple. May I ask how many years you have been in the Buddhist realm?

" Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, smiled.

"You are fishing for words. I will not say. What is that golden willow leaf on your forehead?

An ornament? It is rather pretty.

" Shen Mu was about to explain when Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, had already plucked the golden willow leaf away, without the slightest sign of how. Shen Mu was startled and reached out to snatch it back. How the Heavenly Buddha King had made his move, he had not seen at all — but the golden willow leaf was of the utmost importance; it must not be lost!

Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, smiled. "So it is a seal.

This vertical eye of yours is very strong. Why seal it?

" Shen Mu held out his hand, his face dark. "This vertical eye of mine is too strong. The moment I stir my arts, terrible things happen.

I feared I might harm someone, and so I sealed it.

Give me back the golden willow leaf! " "No. " Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, smiled. "I want to see your full strength.

If I give it back and you stick it on your eye, that will be no fun. Besides, who told you that sticking this willow leaf on your eye can seal you? Have you ever tried it?

" Shen Mu reached out to seize it; Sakra, the Heavenly Buddha King, hastily dodged. The two tussled for a while, and Shen Mu said angrily, "If trouble comes of this, it will all be on you!

If there is a chamber pot to be emptied, it will all go on your bald head!

" Chenghuai shuddered and said, quavering, "Brother Shen, there are several ways to write the character for death. Let me teach you how. I guarantee you will learn quickly. .

. " Shen Mu could not snatch back the golden willow leaf, and had no choice but to let it be.

He looked toward the Buddhas. Those Buddha Lords were still deliberating, and the several hundred Buddha-sons were waiting quietly.