The Rotting Buddhas of Journey to the West - chapter 2

We didn’t dare linger for long. Master immediately made arrangements.

Master and Sand Senior Brother went to the South Sea to invite Guanyin Bodhisattva, while Second Senior Brother and I headed to the Heavenly Court to seek out the Jade Emperor.

In truth, we all understood in our hearts: if even the Buddha was powerless, inviting the Bodhisattva or the Jade Emperor might not help either.

We arrived at the Southern Heavenly Gate. The Giant Spirit God stood guard at the entrance. Seeing us fly over, he clasped his hands and greeted us:

“Tianpeng, Third Prince, are you here to see the Jade Emperor?”

“That’s right. Something terrible has happened. Let us in quickly!”

Second Senior Brother huffed and puffed as he spoke, immediately trying to force his way inside.

“Hey, hey, Tianpeng, the Jade Emperor has said he’s in seclusion now. He won’t see anyone.”

“If we’re any later, my Eldest Senior Brother will become a dead monkey!”

Second Senior Brother pointed angrily at the Giant Spirit God.

The towering Giant Spirit God looked around, making sure no one else was nearby, then lowered his head and whispered:

“Actually, we all know about what happened at Vulture Peak. The Jade Emperor is in seclusion to avoid disaster. The Heavenly Court can’t handle this at all-we’re scared too!”

“So many gods, and you’re all this cowardly?”

I couldn’t help but question him.

The Giant Spirit God shook his head helplessly. “Anyway, you can’t go in today. Even if you did, you wouldn’t be able to meet anyone.”

He added, “Why not… go to the Ninth Heaven and seek out Taishang Laojun? Laojun is as old as heaven and earth-maybe he has a way.”

Seeing that the Jade Emperor was hiding, this suggestion from the Giant Spirit God made Second Senior Brother and me brighten up. We immediately rode the clouds to the Ninth Heaven.

On the Ninth Heaven, Laojun stood alone at the entrance of the grand hall.

We were just about to speak when Laojun waved his hand, his voice somewhat heavy:

“I already know why you’ve come. Do you know what destroyed Vulture Peak?”

“Please enlighten us, Laojun!”

“Everyone knows about Pangu’s Creation of Heaven and Earth, but there is something that existed before Pangu.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know its name, nor its appearance. But it has appeared throughout the long history, transforming into all things.”

Second Senior Brother and I fell silent. Laojun’s words were too mysterious.

“Look up.”

Laojun extended a finger, pointing above the Ninth Heaven.

“Perhaps, it comes from there. What lies above the Ninth Heaven? No one has ever been.”

“Then, Laojun, is there any way to save my Eldest Senior Brother?”

Laojun turned and walked into the hall:

“There is no way. In the eyes of mortals, we are powerful and omnipotent. But in the eyes of that thing, we are no different from mortals, because it does not belong to this world at all…”