Destroying Morale

Wukong naturally harbored a bit of resentment in his heart; Chu Xingchen's promises back then seemed as substantial as mist.

However, seeing him arrive in person now brought a sense of stability to his heart. At the very least, the situation was bound to be better than the worst-case scenario he had feared.

Wukong breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "How many reinforcements have arrived? And where have the Buddhas of the Great Thunder Temple retreated to now?"

Chu Xingchen casually levitated a pebble with his spiritual energy, aimed at the struggling Donggua, and tossed it. It struck the bobbing head of Donggua with unerring accuracy.

The damage from this strike was negligible, but the insult was clearly extreme.

Donggua, who had originally run out of strength to wiggle, began twisting her body once more.

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly and took two steps back before replying:

"Just me. As for those Buddhas, they are still scouring all of West Niu Hezhou."

Wukong looked suspicious. "Are you unaware of the current situation? You dare to come here alone?"

"Do you not know who I am?" A smile appeared on Chu Xingchen's face. "If the Buddhist Sect seeks to trouble you, no one might stand up for you. But if they seek to trouble me, there are people who will stand up for me."

"The Buddhist Sect isn't foolish. With my background, even if Runan were here, he would have to address me as 'Little Friend,' wouldn't he?"

The remark plunged the scene into a momentary silence.

Wukong fell silent. Perhaps having fled so many times, with the enemy always striking to kill, he had momentarily forgotten this fact.

Only... these words sounded a bit familiar.

Recalling something, Wukong cast his gaze toward Donggua.

In the past, he seemed to have said something similar to Donggua. No wonder Donggua had looked so furious back then; hearing such words was indeed deserving of a beating.

Bright Buddha looked slightly delighted, pressing his palms together in a greeting.

"Fellow Daoist Cui, it has been a long time. Since we last parted, I have not yet had the chance to properly thank you."

A look of apology appeared on Chu Xingchen's face, and his tone turned serious.

"This incident happened suddenly, causing both Fellow Daoists to suffer much hardship. Please do not take offense."

Wukong sighed. "Then surely you bring some good news?"

"Naturally, I do," Chu Xingchen said calmly. "Previously, Runan agreed with my master that only a few Karma Buddhas would be allowed into West Niu Hezhou. But with this sudden turn of events, Runan took the opportunity to intrude. Never mind Karma Buddhas; a large batch of Worldly Buddhas has arrived."

"Since he was the one to break the agreement first, it is only natural that we change our stance."

Wukong understood. "So, the Three Great Sects intend to shelter us?"

"'Shelter' isn't quite the right word." Chu Xingchen casually picked up another pebble with spiritual energy and continued, "If we use the word 'shelter,' the Buddhist Sect might act like a cornered dog jumping a wall. Furthermore, the Eighteen Immortal Sects are one big family. If a group of Tribulation Transcenders start fighting all over West Niu Hezhou, what if they get carried away and start a real war?"

"So, we have to talk. And we have to talk well, sitting down to negotiate carefully."

"If Bright Buddha truly committed a wrong in the past, can admitting the mistake resolve it?"

"Or perhaps there was a misunderstanding regarding the events of that year."

"As for you, Wukong, you are the Buddhist Sect's Buddha Child. Back then, Bright Buddha even bewitched other Buddhas, so isn't it only logical that you, a mere Buddha Child, were also bewitched?"

"They say 'put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.' You merely went astray once; surely it isn't impossible for you to take refuge in the embrace of Buddhism again?"

"In private, the Buddhist Sect can do whatever they want without evidence, but on the public stage, things cannot look too ugly."

"Especially refusing a Buddha Child who sincerely wishes to return. Of course, it's fine if you aren't sincere, as long as you say you are."

Having finished speaking, Chu Xingchen held the pebble in his hand, his gaze naturally drifting toward Donggua.

Donggua's small head shook even more diligently.

Wukong understood in his heart: indeed, when it came to having a black heart, no one compared to this Chu Xingchen.

Bright Buddha pressed his palms together, his face full of admiration.

"Fellow Daoist Cui's plan is certainly excellent. However, given the current situation, the Buddhist Sect may not truly be willing to negotiate—at least not while we have yet to escape our predicament."

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly. The pebble in his hand remained still as he looked at Donggua, who was still shaking her head.

"That is the reason I have come here: to find a way to get you out of the Buddhist Sect's encirclement first."

"Whatever comes after that is my concern."

Wukong looked hesitant. Despite the words, Chu Xingchen had a prior record. The speech was pretty, but if the Buddhist Sect were truly willing to pay a massive price, could Chu Xingchen really withstand the pressure and temptation? Would he not hand him and Bright Buddha over?

His desire to save the common people was real.

But would such a selfish man truly keep the common people in his heart?

While he was still hesitating, Bright Buddha beside him spoke up in agreement.

"In that case, we shall trouble Fellow Daoist Cui with what follows."

Hearing this, Wukong looked sideways. He was about to speak when he saw Bright Buddha's gentle smile; there was not a trace of suspicion in his eyes.

Clearly, in this escape, Bright Buddha had paid the greatest price.

He also knew of Chu Xingchen's original promise.

So why did he believe him after just a few words?

Wukong held his breath slightly. The admiration he had unconsciously developed for Bright Buddha earlier was now hard to suppress against the complaints rising in his heart—no wonder this Honored Buddha had been suppressed under the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery for so long.

To be this trusting of people...

However, no matter how much he complained internally, saying anything now was useless.

After all, the core of this event was still Bright Buddha. As long as he consented, any further words were wasted breath.

Donggua watched as Cui Hao persuaded the two monks with just a few words, and her dissatisfaction grew.

No one understood Cui Hao's darkness, venom, black-hearted betrayal, and ruthlessness better than she did.

The nicer his words sounded now, the harder the backstabbing would be in the future!

Especially that pebble strike just now, and the pebble Cui Hao was still holding, clearly aimed at her but not thrown!

He was plainly trying to disgust her!

This man was simply! Simply! Simply worse than a pig!

Donggua glared, shaking her body vigorously as she tried to speak.

Chu Xingchen's expression was calm as he walked slowly up to Donggua.

"Do you have something to say?"

Donggua nodded vigorously, casting a pleading look at Bright Buddha.

Chu Xingchen nodded gently. "Let her speak. Let's hear her brilliant opinion. By the way, why have you kept her alive in this state?"

Wukong responded with a tone slightly laced with complaint:

"The Buddha thought you sent her with some deeper meaning, so he protected her life many times and refused to leave her behind."

Bright Buddha gave an apologetic smile, then raised his hand to release the seal on Donggua.

"He is a pure liar! He will only squeeze every bit of use out of you, then throw you back to the Buddhist Sect and sell you out completely!" Donggua screamed at the top of her lungs.

"This man is a pest, a pig greedy to the extreme! Trusting him is no different from throwing your lives away!"

"Do not believe a word he says! Do you two idiots understand?! Do not believe his words!"

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly. His right hand still held the pebble, only this time the distance was much closer; he only needed to lift his hand to practically press the pebble against Donggua's forehead.

He asked softly, "Are you finished? Demon?"

Donggua looked up, her gaze filled with rage.

The next moment, the unavoidable pebble struck her forehead with precision.

Chu Xingchen gazed coldly at Donggua:

"I, Cui Hao, only deceive demons. I never deceive humans."

"With an intellect like yours, it is no surprise you were sold out by Xu Linglong without even realizing it. Nor is it a surprise that Xu Linglong does not care about you in the slightest."

The events in the Central Province back then had been bizarre in the extreme. During this recent period, aside from cursing Cui Hao, she had spent all her time trying to make sense of the situation.

Consequently, upon hearing these words, Donggua's defenses utterly collapsed.

Her face turned pale and wan once more, and her lips quivered; she had lost even the strength to respond.

To kill a demon, one must break their spirit.