Journey to the West: Man in heaven, working nine to five

#2253 - The bottom line of Tathagata Buddha

Looking at Chu Hao, the Buddha Tathagata sensed something bad from Chu Hao's somewhat mischievous eyes.

Chu Hao said to the Buddha Tathagata:

"If you want me to let this matter drop, you must agree to three conditions.

Firstly, the Western Paradise must relinquish all territories that have broken away from its control, including Jinping Prefecture, and allow them to be governed by the Heavenly Court."

As expected, Chu Hao's first condition was difficult for the Buddha Tathagata to accept.

If he agreed to Chu Hao, then vast areas such as Jinping Prefecture and Yuhua City, including the Western Paradise's base of operations, the Tianzhu Kingdom, would have to be abandoned.

Although these places had already opposed Buddhism and the Western Paradise no longer had control over them, for the Buddha Tathagata, it was only temporary.

The Western Paradise would eventually take these places back and make them its territory again.

"Secondly, you must compensate me personally with 200,000 elixirs and 100,000 treasures to make up for my losses."

Chu Hao then stated the second condition to the Buddha Tathagata, which was also unacceptable to him.

The Western Paradise's territory had been shrinking recently, and it had been exploited by the Heavenly Court and Chu Hao, so its situation was already one of deficit.

Chu Hao's exorbitant demands were something that the Buddha Tathagata would not agree to, and even if he did, he would not be able to provide it.

"Thirdly, my Heavenly Court will henceforth have the right to supervise your Western Paradise. If your Western Paradise ever oppresses the people or acts recklessly, my Heavenly Court has the right to intervene."

This third condition of Chu Hao's was the most unacceptable to the Buddha Tathagata.

The Western Paradise and the Heavenly Court belonged to the Three Realms' officialdom and the Buddhist system, respectively. As major forces, they were independent and equal to each other.

If he agreed to this condition, it would mean that the Western Paradise accepted the Heavenly Court's management and became a subordinate of the Heavenly Court.

This was something that the Buddha Tathagata would never agree to, as it touched his psychological bottom line.

"Chu Hao, you are really going too far! Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

The Buddha Tathagata's eyes revealed great anger as he listened to Chu Hao's three conditions.

"Since that's the case, then I cannot agree to let you leave."

Chu Hao replied in an equally angry and firm tone.

"Then even if I lose the Spirit Mountain, I will kill you here."

The Buddha Tathagata was clearly going to fight to the death. His eyes were already red, filled with intense killing intent.

Even Dipankara Buddha, who was beside him, couldn't help but take two steps back at this state.

However, before Chu Hao could reply, a voice came from afar.

"Buddha Tathagata, what great killing intent you possess!"

"You want to kill the Three Realms Prison God of my Heavenly Court, but have you asked if I agree, if the gods of my Heavenly Court agree?"

Along with this voice, the Nine-Dragon Chariot quickly approached, with the Jade Emperor sitting upright in the chariot, looking majestic and domineering.

"Buddha Tathagata, you dare to intercept and kill the Three Realms Prison God of our Heavenly Court, what audacity!"

"Do you really think your Western Paradise is invincible? How can our Heavenly Court be afraid of you?"

"You have humiliated our Heavenly Court so much, you must give us an explanation today!"

Behind the Jade Emperor, there were also hundreds of gods from the Heavenly Court, each with an angry expression, questioning the Buddha Tathagata.

"Your arrival is truly timely!"

Chu Hao couldn't help but smile inwardly when he saw the arrival of the Jade Emperor and the gods of the Heavenly Court.

In fact, Chu Hao also knew that these three conditions were somewhat touching the Buddha Tathagata's bottom line, but with such a great opportunity, how could he not maximize his benefits?

But this could also push the Buddha Tathagata to the brink, making him fight himself at all costs. The Buddha Tathagata's reaction just now belonged to the latter.