They could hardly imagine how outrageous these villains were to dare kidnap a Bodhisattva and even extort money from the Buddhist community.
At this moment, everyone felt insecure.
They felt as if their own safety was not guaranteed, and what was even more serious was that if this matter were to get out, Buddhism would become a laughing stock in the entire Three Realms.
"Muzha, is everything you said true? Is there no falsehood in your words?"
After listening quietly to everyone's speeches, the Buddha, seated at the head of the table, finally spoke and asked Muzha a question.
“Every word I have said is true, without the slightest falsehood!”
Muzha kowtowed in response, though he was extremely anxious about Guanyin's danger, he dared not urge the Buddha.
"How dare you!"
The Buddha's expression changed drastically; his eyebrows rose and his eyes widened in anger.
"We beseech the World Honored One to use swift and decisive means to eliminate this enemy of the Buddha!"
The Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and others below spoke up in request.
"Please, Buddha, save the Bodhisattva!"
Muzha kept kowtowing and pleading.
"I'll be right back!"
The Buddha's body, along with its lotus throne, floated up from the spot and flew into the sky.
………………
The Emperor stepped atop the peak.
Xiao Ning leisurely sipped his tea, gazing at the scenery in all directions, while Wang Mang was restless, hesitant to speak.
"Alright, just say what you have to say. Doesn't it make you feel bad to keep it inside?"
Upon catching a glimpse of Wang Mang's constipated expression, Xiao Ning couldn't help but chuckle.
"Master Xiao, now that we've captured Guanyin, shouldn't we at least interrogate her? We could at least see her and try to get some information about the Western Paradise out of her!"
Wang Mang asked anxiously.
"Why torture her? We captured her only to demand compensation from Buddha, not as kidnappers. Don't get me wrong!"
"It was Guanyin who was disrespectful first, attacking your descendant Wang Mang, the emperor of my Great Xin Empire, that is why we captured her!"
"We are in the right in this matter. If we interrogate Guanyin, wouldn't it make us seem impatient? It should be Tathagata who is impatient!"
Xiao Ning said slowly and deliberately.
What he said was eloquent and self-evident, as if it were a matter of course.
As for entrapment and related enforcement tactics?
Why are you speaking such blunt truths? Do you think I, Xiao, am such a tasteless person?
It's like two people playing chess; he's already made the first move and is just waiting to see how the other person will respond.
After all, Guanyin is the head of the four great Bodhisattvas of Mount Ling. In terms of cultivation and methods, she can be ranked among the top three among all Bodhisattvas and Arhats.
As the leader of a powerful force, Buddha had to come to Guanyin's rescue; he couldn't simply ignore it.
Otherwise, if morale is low, the team will be difficult to lead.
It was precisely because Xiao Ning was certain of this that he was so confident that even if Tathagata had to swallow his pride and come to him, or forcibly rescue Guanyin, he would definitely come.
Xiao Ning sat calmly on the fishing platform, waiting for the Buddha to take the bait.
If we can reach an agreement, that would be even better. We can part ways amicably, you pay compensation, and I'll release the person.
If the negotiations fail, Guanyin will have to reluctantly contribute all her strength to the development of that small world.
At worst, we'll fight Buddha himself; we won't back down!
"It's good that Master Xiao knows, it's good that he knows!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Mang chuckled awkwardly.
...
At this moment, a wisp of auspicious cloud drifted in from the horizon. After hovering in the air for a while, it seemed to have found its direction and descended straight towards the summit of Emperor's Peak.
Xiao Ning seemed to sense something and looked up, only to see this familiar scene, which gave rise to an absurd feeling in his heart.
Same outfit, same appearance, same way of making an entrance.
Could it be that Venus has come to bestow a title upon him?
Last time, in the world of Green Snake, he was inexplicably appointed by the Jade Emperor as the Heavenly Lord of Cave Truth and Calamity, receiving a salary for many years without ever going to the Heavenly Court.
This time, Venus arrived again, riding on a cloud.
"Tsk tsk tsk!"
Xiao Ning stood up, put his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
"I am Venus, the Heavenly Star of the Celestial Court. Greetings, sirs!"