Wukong still harbored some quiet resentment, of course—Chu Xingchen's earlier promises had amounted to practically nothing.
But seeing him arrive in person now naturally brought a sense of reassurance. At the very least, the situation surely wouldn't be as dire as it had been at the start.
Wukong exhaled and asked:
"How many reinforcements arrived? And where have the Buddhas from Great Thunder Temple retreated to now?"
Chu Xingchen casually used spiritual power to lift a pebble, aimed it at the struggling Donggua, and flicked it without hesitation—hitting the head-shaking Donggua dead on.
The strike dealt negligible damage, but its insult value was obviously extremely high.
Donggua's body, which had been too exhausted to twist, started writhing again.
Chu Xingchen's eyes narrowed slightly. He stepped back two paces before answering:
"Just me. As for those Buddhas, they're still searching all across the Western Niu Continent."
Wukong's expression turned suspicious. "You don't even know the current situation? You dare come here alone?"
"You don't know who I am?" Chu Xingchen smiled. "When the Buddhist sect goes after you, no one speaks up for you. But when they go after me, someone does."
"With my background, even Ru Nan would have to call me 'little friend' if trouble came, wouldn't he?"
At these words, the scene fell silent for a moment.
Wukong paused. Perhaps after fleeing so many times, with the other side fighting to kill, he had momentarily forgotten even this.
It was just… the words sounded familiar.
Wukong recalled something and looked toward Donggua.
He seemed to have said something just like this to Donggua back in the day. No wonder she had looked so furious then—these words really did invite a beating.
The Radiant Buddha's expression brightened slightly. He pressed his palms together in greeting and said:
"Daoist Cui, it has been a long time. Since we last parted, I have not yet had the chance to properly express my gratitude."
Chu Xingchen's face took on a hint of apology, and his tone grew serious:
"This matter arose suddenly. I ask that you both forgive the hardships you have endured."
Wukong sighed. "Then you must have brought some good news, at least?"
"Naturally." Chu Xingchen's expression was calm. "Previously, Ru Nan agreed with my master to allow only a few Karma Buddhas into the Western Niu Continent. This situation arose suddenly, so Ru Nan took the opportunity to push further in. Forget Karma Buddhas—a large contingent of Worldly Affairs Buddhas has arrived as well."
"No matter how you look at it, he broke faith first. It is only reasonable that we change our stance now."
Wukong caught on. "So… the three great sects plan to shelter us?"
"'Shelter' isn't quite the right word." Chu Xingchen casually used spiritual power to pick up another pebble and continued. "If we use the word 'shelter,' the Buddhist sect will be pushed into a desperate corner. Besides, the eighteen immortal sects are one family. If a bunch of Tribulation Transcendence experts start fighting across the Western Niu Continent and things truly ignite, what then?"
"So we need to negotiate. And we need to negotiate properly—sit down and talk it through carefully."
"If the Radiant Buddha truly made mistakes in the past, can acknowledging them resolve the matter?"
"Or perhaps there were misunderstandings about what happened back then."
"As for you, Wukong—you are the Buddha Son of the Buddhist sect. The Radiant Buddha managed to corrupt actual Buddhas. Is it not only natural that a mere Buddha Son like you would fall under that influence as well?"
"They say put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot. You merely strayed from the path once. Can you not be welcomed back into the Buddhist fold?"
"Privately, the Buddhist sect can do whatever they want without evidence. But when it comes to public matters, they cannot act too shamelessly."
"Especially when rejecting a Buddha Son who sincerely wishes to return. Naturally, you don't even need to be sincere—as long as your mouth says so, that is enough."
After finishing, Chu Xingchen held the pebble between his fingers and his gaze naturally drifted toward Donggua once more.
Donggua's small head shook even more vigorously.
Wukong understood now. As expected, when it came to darkness of heart, Chu Xingchen was unmatched.
The Radiant Buddha pressed his palms together, admiration evident on his face:
"Daoist Cui's plan is certainly sound. But given the current situation, the Buddhist sect may not truly be willing to negotiate—at least not while we remain trapped."
Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly. His hand still held the pebble, unmoving, as his gaze fixed on Donggua who continued shaking her head:
"That is precisely why I came here—to find a way to get you out of the Buddhist sect's encirclement first."
"Everything after that will be my concern."
Wukong hesitated. The words sounded fine, but given Chu Xingchen's track record, what if the Buddhist sect truly offered substantial benefits? Would Chu Xingchen really withstand the pressure and temptation, or would he hand them and the Radiant Buddha over?
His desire to save the common people was genuine, no doubt.
But would someone so selfish truly keep the common people in mind?
Before he could voice his doubts, the Radiant Buddha beside him spoke up and agreed:
"In that case, we will trouble you, Daoist Cui, for what comes next."
Wukong turned at the words, about to speak, but caught the Radiant Buddha's gentle smile—there was not a trace of suspicion in his eyes.
The Radiant Buddha had paid the heaviest price during this escape.
He also knew about Chu Xingchen's broken promises from before.
So why would a few words from Chu Xingchen be enough to earn his trust?
Wukong held his breath slightly. The admiration he had unconsciously felt toward the Radiant Buddha earlier now gave way to private frustration—no wonder this Venerable Buddha had been suppressed beneath the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple for so long.
Such blind trust in others…
But no matter how much he doubted internally, speaking now would be pointless.
The Radiant Buddha remained the core of this incident. Once he agreed, any further words would be useless.
Donggua watched as Cui Hao convinced both monks with just a few words, and her dissatisfaction only deepened.
No one knew better than she did about Cui Hao's darkness and ruthlessness, his black-hearted betrayal and coldness.
Every sweet word he spoke now was only preparation for a vicious backstab later!
Especially that pebble strike from earlier and the one he still held in his hand—clearly still aimed at her, and he still wouldn't flick it!
He was deliberately tormenting her!
This person was simply… simply… simply worse than a pig!
Donggua glared, her body straining as she struggled to speak.
Chu Xingchen's expression remained calm. He walked slowly to Donggua:
"You have something to say?"
Donggua nodded frantically, her eyes pleading as they turned toward the Radiant Buddha.
Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod. "Let her speak. Let's hear her brilliant insights. By the way, you're still keeping her around in this state?"
Wukong responded with a hint of complaint in his voice:
"The Buddha believed you sent her here with deeper intentions, so he has protected her life multiple times and refused to abandon her."
The Radiant Buddha offered an apologetic smile, then raised his hand and released Donggua's seal.
"He's nothing but a pure liar! He'll drain every last bit of usefulness from you, then throw you back to the Buddhist sect and sell you out completely!" Donggua cried out hoarsely.
"This man is a parasite, a greed-filled pig—trusting him is no different than throwing away your life!"
"Don't believe a word he says! Do you two fools understand?! Don't believe a word he says!"
Chu Xingchen's eyebrow lifted slightly. His right hand still gripped the pebble, but now he was close enough that he only needed to raise his hand to press it almost directly against Donggua's forehead.
He asked quietly: "Finished speaking? Demon?"
Donggua met his gaze with fury.
In the next instant, the unavoidable pebble struck her forehead with precision.
Chu Xingchen's expression turned cold as he looked down at Donggua:
"I, Cui Hao, only deceive demons—not humans."
"With intelligence like that, no wonder you didn't even realize Xu Linglong sold you out. No wonder she never cared about you at all."
During the bizarre events in Central Province, aside from cursing Cui Hao, she had been piecing together the situation.
Now hearing these words, Donggua's defenses shattered completely.
Her face went pale and weak once more, lips trembling, without even the strength to respond.
To kill a demon, strike at the heart.
[
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