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

#1976 - Negotiations of Tathagata

At this moment, Chu Hao was in the Law Enforcement Hall, drinking wine and embracing his newly acquired Earth Surge Madam, appearing carefree and happy.

"Report, Prison God, Taibai Jinxing has arrived!"

Chu Hao was not surprised by this report, as he had calculated that Taibai Jinxing should be coming.

"Let him in."

Chu Hao took a sip of wine and waved his hand.

A moment later, Taibai Jinxing trotted into the Law Enforcement Hall, shouting as he entered.

"Congratulations, Prison God, congratulations, Prison God! His Majesty has another great reward for you."

"I wonder what the reward is this time?"

Although the Jade Emperor was the chairman of the Heavenly Court, Chu Hao now possessed countless treasures and was beginning to look down on the Heavenly Court's peaches and immortal pills.

"His Majesty bestows upon the Prison God ten jars of immortal pills!"

Taibai Jinxing announced the Jade Emperor's decree to Chu Hao.

"Why immortal pills again? I have so many immortal pills here that they're almost growing mold."

Chu Hao indeed had a considerable number of immortal pills, probably more than even Taishang Laojun's entire stock.

"Prison God, don't say that. These immortal pills are different from the past."

Taibai Jinxing's ability to observe people's expressions was the best in the Heavenly Court, and he immediately said to Chu Hao.

Then, he stepped forward and approached Chu Hao's ear.

"These are the Nine Yang Great Replenishment Pills that Laojun refined for His Majesty, strengthening the body and increasing cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Chu Hao's face revealed a smile.

"Hmm, not bad, I'll accept them."

Although Taibai Jinxing's voice was very soft, Earth Surge Madam's hearing was excellent, and she naturally heard it, her face turning red as she hurriedly lowered her head to hide her embarrassment.

Taibai Jinxing had just left when another report came.

"Prison God, the Western Paradise's Kasyapa Envoy has arrived."

"First the Heavenly Court, then the Western Paradise, it seems I won't have a moment of peace today."

Chu Hao had wanted a day of peace, but it seemed impossible today.

"Let him in."

A moment later, the Kasyapa Envoy entered, came before Chu Hao, put his palms together, and chanted a Buddhist prayer.

"Amitabha, greetings, Prison God."

"What brings the Kasyapa Envoy here?"

Chu Hao knew that Kasyapa had come because of his conflict with the Western Paradise, but he didn't know what calculations the Tathagata Buddha had this time.

"My Buddha Tathagata has specially prepared a banquet in the Western Paradise, inviting the Prison God to attend."

As Kasyapa Envoy spoke, he took out the Tathagata Buddha's invitation and handed it to Chu Hao.

"That's strange. The Buddha hosting a feast is unheard of. Does your Western Paradise offer vegetarian meals with no wine or meat?"

Seeing the Tathagata Buddha's invitation, he couldn't help but chuckle.

This Tathagata Buddha was indeed interesting. He probably wanted to find him for negotiations but couldn't say it directly, as that would damage the Western Paradise's reputation, so he came up with the pretext of inviting him to a meal.

"The Buddha is sincere. Please come with me, Prison God. The Buddha said he will surely satisfy the Prison God!"

This satisfaction naturally had a different meaning. It wasn't about being satisfied with food and drink, but being satisfied with the conditions and bargaining chips.

"Since the Buddha is so gracious, then I should go. Lead the way."

Since the Tathagata Buddha wanted to act as a generous benefactor, how could Chu Hao not give him the opportunity?

Following Kasyapa, they arrived at the Western Paradise. Within the Leiyin Temple, there was a place called the Treasure Pavilion Mansion, where the Tathagata usually relaxed and entertained himself.

The reception for Chu Hao was also chosen in the Treasure Pavilion Mansion. The entire Treasure Pavilion Mansion was a three-story palace, located on extremely high ground, offering a view of the beautiful scenery of Mount Sumeru.

On the terrace on the third floor of the Treasure Pavilion Mansion, the Tathagata Buddha was already waiting there. Seeing Chu Hao arrive, he naturally appeared very enthusiastic.

"Prison God's presence brings glory to Mount Sumeru. Please, have a seat!"

The Tathagata Buddha wouldn't be so brainless as to entertain guests with wine and meat here, but eating and drinking weren't important.

After a few words of insincere greetings, the Tathagata Buddha first cut to the chase.

"Prison God has no conflict of interest with my Western Paradise, so why do you repeatedly obstruct my Western Paradise's actions? You must know that the Journey to the West is the will of Heaven, and one must not act against Heaven."

"What a 'will of Heaven.' I wonder if this 'will of Heaven' refers to your Buddhist Western Paradise or my Heavenly Court's Eastern Paradise?

As the Prison God of the Three Realms of the Heavenly Court, if it is the will of the Eastern Paradise, I naturally cannot disobey. If it is the will of the Western Paradise, it seems to have nothing to do with me!"

Chu Hao's response immediately left the Tathagata Buddha speechless, and his face appeared somewhat awkward.

"Unspeakable, unspeakable."

"Whether it is the Eastern Paradise or the Western Paradise, Heaven is originally one and the same. What the Eastern Paradise can give the Prison God, the Western Paradise can also give, as long as the Prison God does not violate the will of Heaven!"

The Tathagata Buddha's words were already very clear, meaning that as long as Chu Hao didn't obstruct the Western Paradise's actions in the future, he could make any requests.

"Since that's the will of Heaven, then I won't be polite. One hundred thousand pills, ten thousand Buddhist light pearls, a thousand magical artifacts, a hundred divine weapons, and I heard that your lotus platform throne is not bad, and..."

Chu Hao began to list them, the treasures of Mount Sumeru being much more numerous than those of the Heavenly Court. He was opening his mouth wide.

"Pfft!"

Hearing what Chu Hao said, the Tathagata Buddha spat out a mouthful of old blood.

"Prison God, are you trying to empty my Leiyin Temple? If I give you all of these, my Leiyin Temple will probably be left with only monks and scriptures!"

The Tathagata Buddha couldn't bear it any longer and shouted angrily at Chu Hao.

If he gave him everything Chu Hao asked for, he and his subordinates would have to sincerely call themselves 'poor monks' in the future.

"We can negotiate. I didn't say we couldn't bargain."

Chu Hao didn't expect the Tathagata Buddha to react so strongly. It seemed he had really pushed the Tathagata Buddha to the edge.

"I can only give you one-tenth of what you asked for!"

Hearing that they could still bargain, the Tathagata Buddha barely sat down again.

"At least seventy percent!"

"At most twenty percent!"

"At least sixty percent!"

...

After a round of bargaining, they agreed on a deal of thirty percent. Of course, Chu Hao added a condition, which was that he had to carry away the Tathagata's golden lotus throne.

Even with thirty percent, the Tathagata Buddha's heart was bleeding, wishing he could devour Chu Hao alive.

"When my grand plan succeeds, everything will be taken back."

The Tathagata Buddha could only comfort himself like this as he watched Chu Hao leave satisfied, lest he faint from anger.

However, the next day, while lecturing and preaching in the main hall, the monks were shocked to discover that the throne under the Tathagata Buddha had been replaced with a chair.

"Why did the Buddha change the golden lotus futon throne?"

Guanyin asked the Tathagata Buddha in confusion.

"Amitabha, I have a leg ailment recently, so I changed it. Let's talk about the situation of the Tang Sanzang and his disciples. Are they almost at the designated location?"