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Chapter 208 Helping Hand
Inside a side hall of the Lingxiao Palace, auspicious clouds swirled and thousands of wisps of auspicious mist lingered. The Great Celestial Venerable sat behind his imperial desk, flanked by the Four Celestial Masters, with Venus and Guanyin also present. A strange wind, carrying both scorching heat and bone-chilling cold, pierced through the celestial barrier and swept in.

"Hmm?" The Great Celestial Venerable frowned slightly.

Venus reacted swiftly, flicking his wide sleeves to release a gentle, serene force that silently dissipated the strange wind. He stepped forward, bowed, and said...
"Reporting to the Great Heavenly Venerable, this wind originates from Lion Camel Ridge in the lower realm. The Samadhi True Fire mixed with the Samadhi Divine Wind is stirring up the universe, creating quite a stir. It seems that a battle has already broken out over there."

Upon hearing this, the Great Celestial Venerable showed no displeasure, but rather a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face. He leaned forward slightly.
"Oh, a battle has broken out at Lion Camel Ridge? Such a commotion. How is the battle going in the lower realms?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva's gaze fell upon Venus, carrying a subtle, profound meaning. Venus, however, seemed oblivious, continuing to address the Great Celestial Venerable with a calm tone.

"According to preliminary investigations, it was Chen Guangrui who gathered the Three Altars Sea God Nezha and two demons of considerable skill from the lower realm, and headed straight for Lion Camel Ridge. In terms of strength alone, they are indeed insufficient compared to the three demons who have been entrenched for many years and their 100,000 demon soldiers. However, judging from the aftermath of their battle, it seems that they are evenly matched and the fight is extremely deadlocked."

"Good, very good!" The Great Celestial Venerable clapped his hands, his smile deepening.

"To fight against overwhelming odds, to be so brave and tenacious, and to create such a spectacle, has certainly brought honor to the Heavenly Court. Compared to some people..." He paused subtly, his gaze sweeping across the hall, "...the situation on Golden Gourd Mountain, where even leading heavenly soldiers and generals, they still struggled to advance. This Chen Guangrui is a talent."

He then abruptly changed the subject, his tone carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"However, the Heavenly Court's task of subduing demons and monsters by sending only Chen Guangrui is ultimately beneath its dignity and authority. Issue an order to send reinforcements!"

Venus asked at the opportune moment, "Does the Great Celestial Venerable intend to mobilize 100,000 heavenly soldiers...?"

"No need," the Grand Celestial Venerable waved his hand to interrupt. "Lion Camel Ridge has become a quagmire; sending more generals is worse than sending more soldiers. Four Celestial Masters, who do you think would be the most appropriate person to send to assist?"

Master Xu pondered for a moment, then stepped forward.
"Reporting to the Great Heavenly Venerable, may we send a message to that one in Beiju Luzhou? He governs the north, and his generals, the Turtle and the Snake, along with the five great dragons, are all fierce generals who subdue demons and monsters, enough to intimidate the Lion Camel demon."

"Good." The Great Celestial Venerable nodded, then pondered for a moment.
"Order Emperor Zhenwu to personally lead his troops to Lion Camel Ridge to assist in the battle, without fail."

"As you command." Venus bowed and accepted the order.

……

After leaving the side hall of the Lingxiao Palace, Guanyin Bodhisattva turned around and prepared to leave on a cloud, seemingly in a hurry.

Today, the Jade Emperor's decree was clearly aimed at Buddhism, and he seemed to be somewhat dissatisfied with some of the Buddhist sect's actions. She needed to return to Mount Ling as soon as possible to inform Buddha of the situation.

"Bodhisattva, please wait." Venus's voice came from behind, carrying his usual gentle and melodious tone, as he caught up.

Guanyin Bodhisattva stopped her lotus platform, turned to look at him, her gaze calm and unwavering. "Does Venus have any further instructions?"

Venus stroked his beard, smiling amiably. "I dare not give orders. But judging from the battle reports from the lower realms, the battle at Lion Camel Ridge has already begun, and it seems the Buddhist sect... has no intention of offering assistance?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva's tone was indifferent, revealing no emotion.

“Why do you say such things, Venus? The decree of the Great Heavenly Venerable is revered throughout the Three Realms. Now that the Great Heavenly Venerable has clearly ordered the elimination of the demonic scourge of Lion Camel Ridge, our Western Sect should naturally obey. How could we possibly disobey? Moreover…” She paused, her voice becoming even softer, “The three demons of Lion Camel Ridge, especially the Golden-Winged Roc, have a special status and a deep connection with the World Honored One. To avoid suspicion, the World Honored One should observe quietly.”

"What the Bodhisattva says is quite right; avoiding suspicion is indeed necessary." Venus nodded, his smile unchanged, but his tone subtly shifted.
"However, avoiding suspicion is the Buddha's realm. Bodhisattvas are the representatives of compassion in Buddhism. Now that demons are rampant and living beings are suffering, even if the Buddha is unable to take action, Bodhisattvas should share the Buddha's burdens."

After he finished speaking, without waiting for Guanyin's response, he cupped his hands and said, "The Great Heavenly Venerable's decree still needs to be conveyed, so this old man will take his leave first." With that, he rode on auspicious clouds and drifted away.

Guanyin Bodhisattva stood on a cloud, gazing in the direction where Venus had departed, her gaze deep and unwavering for a long time. She naturally understood the unspoken meaning in Venus's words; the Buddha could "avoid suspicion."

However, since Buddha avoided suspicion, couldn't Guanyin share Buddha's burdens?

……

The peach orchard in front of the Water Curtain Cave at Huaguo Mountain remains lush and verdant.

As usual, Mu Zha arrived riding on a cloud, carrying several spiritual fruits in his hands.

Lately, whenever he enters the territory of Flower Fruit Mountain, two old apes block his way, refusing to let him in no matter what. He takes it easy, though; he simply greets them at the outer edge of Flower Fruit Mountain and then turns and leaves, not bothering them any further.

Today, he had just landed on the mountaintop when a golden light, accompanied by angry curses, crashed down upon him.
"Hey! It's you again, you blind fool! How many times have I told you, Flower Fruit Mountain doesn't welcome Buddhist spies, get out!"

Sun Wukong's figure shot out from the Water Curtain Cave like lightning. Although he did not strike down with full force with his golden cudgel, the strong wind he generated made Muzha's robes flutter loudly.

This blow, though impressive in its force, wasn't actually aimed at Muzha; it was merely meant to scare him away.
Muzha was already used to it, and he couldn't be bothered to maintain the pitiful smile on his face. He simply dodged to the side and said helplessly, "Great Sage, please calm down. I was just following the Bodhisattva's orders to deliver some fruit to the monkeys in the mountains..."

"Don't try to intimidate me with your Buddha-like charm. I, Old Sun, have no fruit! What are you thinking, coming all the way to Flower Fruit Mountain to deliver fruit?"

Sun Wukong angrily interrupted, casually picking a half-ripe peach and throwing it at Muzha with a "whoosh."
"Take it back and offer it to your Buddha! Don't let it get in the way here!"

Mu Zha dodged the flying peach and was about to speak again when suddenly, a vast, tranquil yet imbued with boundless majesty aura enveloped the entire Flower Fruit Mountain without warning.
The peach grove fell silent instantly, even the wind seemed to freeze. The monkeys felt an instinctive awe, stopped playing, huddled together, and looked up at the sky in fear.

Sun Wukong suddenly looked up, his golden eyes shooting out blinding light, aimed directly at the source of the aura.

In mid-air, a colossal nine-tiered lotus platform floated silently. Upon it, Guanyin Bodhisattva, dressed in pristine white, held a vase and willow branch, her countenance dignified and solemn. The radiant Buddhist light emanating from her was almost tangible, dimming the sunlight of Flower Fruit Mountain. Her gaze, calmly fixed on Sun Wukong, made him feel an invisible, heavy pressure.

Muzha quickly bowed and said, "Disciple greets the Bodhisattva."

Guanyin Bodhisattva ignored Muzha; her voice was clear and ethereal, yet possessed an undeniable penetrating power, resounding throughout every corner of Flower Fruit Mountain.
"You monkey, don't be so insolent."

(End of this chapter)