Chương 169: Ksitigarbha's Request

Fang Yang waited for two years. Two years later, the four disciples of the Chan Sect, Taiyi Zhenren, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, Xiao Zhen, and Deng Hua, finally appeared before him.

As soon as the four left Kunlun, they headed straight for the Netherworld Blood Sea, preparing to enter the Netherworld through the Netherworld entrance of the Netherworld Blood Sea.

The four were halfway through their journey when they saw a group of ghost messengers escorting newly deceased souls into the Gates of Hell. As if waking from a dream, they realized there was a shortcut. So they stepped into the Gates of Hell.

When Taiyi Zhenren and the others saw that Fang Yang and his group were already seated, they immediately felt extremely embarrassed.

The distance between Jin'ao Island and the Blood Sea is much farther than that between Kunlun Mountain and the Blood Sea. Fang Yang and his group were able to arrive before them, so they must not have taken the route through the Netherworld Blood Sea.

They took the wrong turn as soon as they left the house, which is already a disgrace to the Chan Sect.

However, the greatest strength of the disciples of the Chan Sect is their strong mental fortitude. No matter what happened in the past, the disciples of the Chan Sect can treat it as if it never happened.

After paying their respects to the Earth Goddess, Taiyi Zhenren and the others sat on the right side of the main hall. Taiyi Zhenren, as the leader, sat opposite Fang Yang.

As soon as Taiyi Zhenren arrived, Houtu Niangniang, as was customary, began interviewing him.

Taiyi Zhenren was clearly well-prepared. As soon as Houtu Niangniang asked the question, he answered in fluent Chanjiao language.

"Your Majesty, the troubles of the underworld are all due to the fact that many ghosts do not know the numbers of the earth or the times of the earth, and thus defy the way of heaven. The way to govern the world lies in establishing rules, clarifying laws and regulations, and following the great way."

"This junior wishes to create ten avatars in the underworld to establish ten ghost kingdoms in the netherworld, to teach the ghosts, to help them understand the numbers of the earth, the times of the earth, and to abide by the laws of the earth."

Master Taiyi spoke in a clear and resonant voice, and with a light flick of his whisk, he displayed the demeanor of a highly accomplished person.

"At that time, all the ghosts will be able to find their place, the cycle of reincarnation will be stable, and the calamity will be dispelled."

Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, Xiao Zhen, and Deng Hua all nodded in unison, clearly indicating that the three of them had already discussed this plan with Taiyi Zhenren.

Houtu Niangniang nodded slightly: "As expected of a top disciple of the Chan Sect, this plan is excellent. In that case, I will trouble you, young friend."

There is no distinction between good and bad plans; as long as they are effective and beneficial to the underworld, they are good plans.

After all, the various sects of the Xuanmen (Taoist sects) are here to help the Underworld clean up its mess. Their willingness to lend a helping hand in the Underworld's most perilous moment is truly commendable.

If the sages of the heavens were ruthless enough, they could have waited until a great calamity erupted in the underworld and the situation spiraled out of control before stepping in to clean up the mess. At that time, the sages would have had enough power to suppress the Goddess Houtu and even divide up the underworld.

But the sages did not do that. Considering the overall situation of the Three Realms, they sent their disciples over before the situation completely collapsed.

Houtu Niangniang deeply admires the righteousness of the saints, and she will not forget their kindness to the underworld.

Master Taiyi was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "This junior will certainly not fail in my mission!"

Just then, two more auras appeared outside the Six Paths of Reincarnation Hall, heading towards the main hall. Everyone looked up and saw two groups of people, led by the female ghost, entering the hall.

Fang Yang's guess was correct; the one representing the Human Sect was the Azure Ox Venerable, the mount of the Sage Taiqing.

On the Western Sect's side, they dispatched a group of disciples including Ksitigarbha, Pilanpo, Gandharva, and Taliva, totaling nearly a hundred people. Apart from Ksitigarbha and Pilanpo, the two Great Luo Dao Lords, the others were all outer disciples of the Western Sect, with magical powers ranging from Xuanxian to Jinxian.

The Azure Ox Venerable bowed to the Earth Goddess Houtu: "Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but since Master Xuandu is preaching among humans, our sect can only send me, the humble ox. With Master's approval, I am willing to serve as the Ox-Headed Messenger in the Underworld, leading the herd and guiding them to complete the great task of collecting souls in the netherworld!"

Houtu Niangniang's eyes flickered slightly.

He sighed softly, "With the help of my young friend Qingniu, the matter of seizing souls will surely be foolproof."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and said: "Our Western Sect is willing to sit in the eighteen levels of hell and use the wonderful methods of the West to deliver the souls in the eighteen levels of hell, helping them to be liberated as soon as possible and be reborn in the next life."

His Western followers behind him chanted scriptures simultaneously, and a pure and peaceful sound rippled outwards. All who heard it felt their anger vanish, and their souls seemed to enter a paradise.

The Western Sect disciples briefly demonstrated their methods, which prompted Houtu Niangniang to nod repeatedly.

The Western religion does have its own unique approach to the salvation of souls, but just now, the Goddess Houtu had already handed over the eighteen levels of hell to Fang Yang.

"Young friend Ksitigarbha, you are very kind. The Western religion is known for its compassion in saving the world and is praised by everyone in the West. However, I have already entrusted all matters concerning the eighteen levels of hell to young friend Fangyang. Since your religion has a compassionate heart, why not go to the Plain of the Wrongfully Dead to deliver the souls of those who died violent deaths?"

Houtu Niangniang's attitude towards various religions is to treat them according to their order of arrival, without favoring anyone or offending anyone.

If any religion is dissatisfied with the matters it is dealing with, it can argue with other religions; in short, it has nothing to do with Houtu.

The Goddess Houtu would never allow herself to get involved in the power struggles between the great religions of the sages. The Wu tribe had been severely weakened in the war between the Wu and the demons and could not withstand any further turmoil.

Upon hearing this, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva hesitated, his face bearing a striking resemblance to Tang Sanzang. He did not immediately reply to Houtu Niangniang, but instead looked in the direction of Fang Yang.

He first cupped his hands in greeting to Fang Yang before speaking: "Fellow Daoist Fang Yang, I have a wish, which is to save all living beings and deliver the evil spirits in the eighteen levels of hell. I hope you will open the door of convenience and fulfill this small wish of mine."

Ksitigarbha Daojun's tone was extremely polite, but the more polite he was, the more Fang Yang could sense Ksitigarbha Daojun's determination to win.

Fang Yang chuckled and returned the greeting: "Of course, since you are so fond of transcending evil spirits, I will certainly do my best."

Taiyi Zhenren and Qingxu Daode Zhenjun frowned slightly; they had never liked the Western Sect. The fact that the disciples of the Jie Sect were so close to the disciples of the Western Sect made them very uncomfortable.

Ksitigarbha Daojun was overjoyed upon hearing this, as he had not expected Fang Yang to be so easy to talk to.

"Thank you for your help, fellow Daoist."

Fang Yang has always been happy to help others. It's a good thing that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva wants to transcend evil spirits, and he is determined to fulfill Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's wish.

He waved his hand, indicating that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva should not stand on ceremony:

"Once I take over the eighteen levels of hell, I will select six hundred trillion evil ghosts from them and send them to you for salvation."

"W-what?"

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's expression froze; Fang Yang's reaction was completely unexpected. Fang Yang's intention wasn't to exchange locations with the Western Sect, but rather to send the evil spirits to the Plain of the Unjustly Dead so that he could perform rituals to help them find peace?

Taiyi Zhenren and Qingxu Daode Zhenjun exchanged a glance and then smiled.

They were startled by Fang Yang; they thought he was really going to agree to Ksitigarbha Daojun's request.

Taiyi Zhenren smiled and cupped his hands towards Fang Yang: "Junior Brother Fang Yang is quite right. In that case, I will also select three hundred trillion evil ghosts from the Netherworld Ghost Kingdom and send them to Fellow Daoist Ksitigarbha for salvation."

After saying that, he looked at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and said, "Fellow Daoist Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva really likes to help evil spirits pass on. Look, you are so happy that you can't speak."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva forced a smile onto his stiff face, a smile that almost hurt his cheeks. But he had no other choice but to put on a brave face.