Rebirth in Journey to the West: Sun Wukong-Chapter 661 - 662 Persuading Piluopo to Surrender (3rd

Within the Buddhist Sect, there indeed existed strict hierarchical distinctions. Although she was a Bodhisattva, her status as one originating from the Demon Clan could not match up to those Bodhisattvas born from the Human Race.

Sun Wukong’s words had precisely hit Bodhisattva Piluopo’s sore spot. It was because she was underused and even ostracized that she had chosen to seclude herself in the Thousand Flowers Cave of Purple Cloud Mountain and detach from worldly affairs.

“Piluopo, you must have heard about Guanyin leaving the Buddhist Sect and joining our Demon Cult?”

Seeing the expression on Bodhisattva Piluopo’s face affirmed his guess, Sun Wukong pressed on while the iron was hot.

“I heard!”

Bodhisattva Piluopo nodded, “Within the Buddhist Sect, Guanyin is labeled a traitor and widely proclaimed as such throughout the Three Realms, but I didn’t know the true reason why?”

“The real situation is that Guanyin accidentally discovered Buddha and the Jade Emperor’s conspiracy to exploit the Journey to the West to seek Scriptures for Heavenly Merit and Destiny. Fearing assassination, she decided to seek refuge with our Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult. Samantabhadra was a bit slower and ended up killed by Buddha’s hands!”

“Samantabhadra was killed by the Ancestral Buddha?”

Bodhisattva Piluopo’s face showed shock. The news from Western Heaven Spiritual Mountain stated that Bodhisattva Samantabhadra had entered Demonic Possession and died during cultivation. She hadn’t realized there was such a hidden story behind it!

Just learning of the conspiracy was enough to lose his life, Buddha was indeed exceedingly cruel and ruthless!

“There are still many things you don’t know!”

Sun Wukong sneered, “Didn’t the Buddhist Sect announce to the outside that this old Sun had allowed the evil thoughts of Amitābha to escape at Spiritual Mountain? In fact, that was Amitābha himself! Back when there was a great upheaval in the Buddhist Sect, and it was usurped, Amitābha was plotted against by that bald Buddha and imprisoned in the Sukhavati Realm. It was this old Sun who rescued him. Now Amitābha has also left the Buddhist Sect, reclaiming his title of Guiding Daoist, becoming one of the Supreme Elders of our Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult!”

Bodhisattva Piluopo’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had not even heard, let alone dared to think, of the many scandals within the Buddhist Sect that Sun Wukong spoke of—it was indeed shocking!

“Great Saint, by revealing these secrets to an old soul like me, have you resolved to draw me into the Demon Cult?” she asked.

After taking a deep breath and suppressing the shock in her heart, Bodhisattva Piluopo looked up at Sun Wukong, revealing a bitter smile.

By disclosing so many secrets to her, Sun Wukong had effectively blocked her retreat. If she still refused, Sun Wukong would likely resort to lethal measures to prevent the secrets from being leaked.

“Indeed, I, Old Sun, wish to draw you, Piluopo, into our Demon Cult. You are originally from the Demon Clan; instead of languishing unfulfilled within the Buddhist Sect, why not join our Demon Cult and strive for great achievements? Now is the era of great contention, with myriad races returning one after another. The opportunity for our Demon Clan to rise again has arrived; why should you continue to live at others’ mercy?”

Sun Wukong’s face was filled with pride, he paused, then continued, “Of course, Old Sun won’t force you against your will. If you truly do not wish to join, I won’t compel you, nor will I be as ruthless as you might think! I am not like that bald Tathagata; such deeds are not in my nature!”

“Aren’t you afraid that I will spread the words you told me?”

It seemed surprising to Bodhisattva Piluopo that Sun Wukong would so magnanimously let her go.

“What is there to be afraid of? These are Buddha’s and Jade Emperor’s scandals; if spread, it is they who would be embarrassed, not I, Old Sun! Moreover, I believe you, Piluopo, are not one to wag tongues unless Old Sun is mistaken!”

Sun Wukong shrugged, his expression unconcerned.

Bodhisattva Piluopo fell silent. Sun Wukong’s words had sincerely conveyed his intentions. She was no fool and could clearly discern whether it was better to continue in the Buddhist Sect or to join the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult. After a moment’s hesitation and struggle, Bodhisattva Piluopo made her decision.

“Great Saint, your kind intentions would be too ungrateful for me to refuse! Honored by your high regard, I hereby dedicate my old bones to you!”

“Good, haha, very good!”

Sun Wukong was overjoyed, “Piluopo, you truly are wise. Now that you have joined our Demon Cult, it is inappropriate to still use the title of Bodhisattva. Henceforth, like Guanyin, you shall be addressed as Venerable!”

“I shall heed the Great Saint’s commands!”

Venerable Piluopo nodded, paused, then spoke, “My son, the Star Official of the Roasting Sun, still holds a post in the Heavenly Court. I worry that joining the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult might implicate him. Great Saint, what do you think if I delay announcing my joining the Demon Cult until I have persuaded my son to resign his commission in the Heavenly Court and join the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult with me?”

“That would naturally be ideal; Old Sun could not ask for more!”

Sun Wukong was thrilled because he had seen the skills of the Star Official of the Roasting Sun firsthand. His sonic wave attack was nearly unmatched among his peers. Although there were natural rivals, one could not deny that the Star Official was highly capable. Having him join the Flower-Fruit Mountain Demon Cult would certainly be a tremendous asset!

Thereupon, Venerable Piluopo and Sun Wukong agreed to meet in three days and travel together with the Star Official of the Roasting Sun to the Northern Continent of Cattle-grazing, Flower-Fruit Mountain. Sun Wukong also gave Venerable Piluopo a token, so even in his absence from Flower-Fruit Mountain, Leng Xuan and others would understand the situation through the token and arrange for proper accommodation of Bodhisattva Piluopo and the Star Official.

After leaving the Thousand Flowers Cave on Purple Cloud Mountain, Sun Wukong followed the westward path of Jiang Liu’er, but he did not reveal himself and continued to follow them stealthily.

In the blink of an eye, several months passed, and Jiang Liu’er’s group reached Lion Camel Ridge, where they encountered an old man who advised them to be cautious. He warned that fierce demons inhabited the mountain and, without care, they would all end up as food in the demons’ bellies.