The Ghost-Mourning Blade howled through the air, its edge wreathed in the vengeful spirits of those Xu Fang had slain. Its killing intent soared to the heavens as it slashed toward the Five Directions' Protectors!

  The Five Directions' Protectors were no match for Xu Fang in the first place, and now that they had lost their magical tools, they were even more helpless. Against the oncoming Ghost-Mourning Blade, they had no chance to fight back!

  Ssshh—

  The Maha Protector looked down at the gaping hole in his chest and collapsed to the ground. The Ghost-Mourning Blade had claimed another soul!

  "General Xu, please wait—"

  Just as Xu Fang was about to continue slaying the remaining Protectors, a clear voice urgently called out!

  In a flash of golden light, a six-winged golden cicada, over ten feet long, suddenly appeared. With another flash of light, it transformed into a handsome young monk, standing between Xu Fang and the Ghost-Mourning Blade!

  Boom!

  As soon as the monk appeared, he waved his sleeve to block the Ghost-Mourning Blade. However, it was clear that he was struggling to hold it back. His body was forced to retreat under the blade's pressure, and cold sweat dripped down his face.

  "General Xu, we mean no harm. Please, withdraw your power!"

  The monk spoke with difficulty, but Xu Fang, filled with killing intent, had no intention of stopping just because the monk asked.

  Xu Fang had no goodwill toward the Buddhist Sect to begin with, and now that Sun Wukong had just been suppressed by the Tathagata, even though it was all part of Master Bodhi's plan, Xu Fang was still furious!

  "Your true form is a six-winged golden cicada. Are you the Tathagata's second disciple, Golden Cicada?"

  Xu Fang sneered. "I'm not even afraid of the Tathagata. Today, I said I would kill them, and no one can stop me!"

  "General, you—"

  Golden Cicada was shocked, but Xu Fang waved his sleeve, and the Ghost-Mourning Blade instantly transformed into thousands of phantom blades!

  The sky was filled with the shadows of the Ghost-Mourning Blade, almost blotting out the heavens. With a wave of Xu Fang's hand, the blades slashed toward the remaining four Protectors!

  "You!"

  Golden Cicada was both shocked and furious. He hadn't expected Xu Fang to be so decisive, leaving no room for negotiation!

  Under the onslaught of the countless blade shadows, the four Protectors didn't even have time to scream before they were reduced to mincemeat!

  Xu Fang let out a faint sigh of relief.

  The frustration in his heart eased slightly after the slaughter.

  "Golden Cicada, this matter has nothing to do with you. Considering that, like Sun Wukong, you are also a pawn of the Buddhist Sect, I won't hold it against you today. Leave now."

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  Xu Fang glanced at Golden Cicada, then sheathed the Ghost-Mourning Blade.

  Golden Cicada was momentarily stunned, then said, "The Buddha once said that General Xu is eloquent. Today, I see that his words were true."

  "Haha, do you think I'm just spouting nonsense?"

  Xu Fang sneered. "After the Tathagata suppressed Sun Wukong, you must have learned about the eastward spread of Buddhism, right?"

  "That's correct."

  Golden Cicada nodded. This matter was now common knowledge, so he didn't deny it.

  Xu Fang continued, "Then do you know who else will be involved in the eastward spread of Buddhism?"

  "Amitabha. All beings are equal. Whoever follows the Buddha's will shall receive great fortune. This is an unparalleled opportunity."

  Golden Cicada clasped his hands and said, "Moreover, even if General Xu knows about these matters, it is no reason to kill indiscriminately."

  "Innocent? Let me ask you, what crime has Sun Wukong committed?"

  Xu Fang laughed coldly. "For the sake of your Buddhist Sect's so-called eastward spread of Buddhism, Sun Wukong must be sacrificed. Is this the equality of all beings that your Buddhist Sect preaches? To take it a step further, today I killed the Five Directions' Protectors, but your Tathagata will not pursue me for their deaths. Tell me, did the Five Directions' Protectors die in vain? Is this equality?"

  "This..."

  Golden Cicada was momentarily at a loss for words. Xu Fang, however, had no interest in changing Golden Cicada's Buddhist beliefs. He stepped past Golden Cicada and said, "All beings have their own destinies. If you are willing to be a pawn for your Buddhist Sect, then go ahead and be a pawn. Today, I don't want to kill you. Take care."

  With that, Xu Fang ignored Golden Cicada and walked straight toward Sun Wukong at the base of the mountain.

  Golden Cicada, however, was lost in thought. He murmured something to himself, sighed, and recited a sutra for the Five Directions' Protectors before riding a cloud to the West.

  ...

  As for killing the Five Directions' Protectors, Xu Fang felt no guilt whatsoever. After all, he had already fallen out with the Buddhist Sect. Rather than tolerating them, it was better to cut through the mess with a swift blade.

  "Wukong, how are you feeling now?"

  Xu Fang crouched down at the base of the mountain.

  Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "Not too bad. My magic power is just sealed. That old bald monk has some skills. This mountain feels like it's rooted in the earth. No matter how hard I try, I can't break free."

  "This is a divine ability of the Tathagata, not mere mana. With his Quasi-Sage power, you naturally can't break free."

  Xu Fang sighed. "Master might be able to save you, but he is also constrained. Getting you five hundred years to control your own fate is already the best he could do."

  "I understand."

  Sun Wukong lowered his head and said, "I caused this trouble, and I should bear the consequences alone. It's just a pity that I've dragged you into this, Senior Brother..."

  "Don't talk nonsense."

  Xu Fang smiled and comforted Sun Wukong. "Since we studied under Master Bodhi together on Mount Fangcun, we've been like brothers. I only regret that I can't completely save you from your fate. But don't worry, during these five hundred years, you can rest here. When the time comes, we brothers will be free in the Three Realms, and no one will be able to control us!"

  Sun Wukong didn't speak but stared blankly at the sky.

  Xu Fang followed his gaze and saw a bird flying freely in the heavens.

  Sun Wukong's expression darkened, and he murmured, "Senior Brother, look at that bird. How free it is..."

  "I've already caused you trouble, Senior Brother. Back on Mount Fangcun, you were so brilliant. To be honest, before you arrived, Master also came to see me once."

  Xu Fang was stunned. "Master came?"

  Sun Wukong nodded. "Master told me everything you've done for me over the years, Senior Brother. You've already done enough for me. I don't want you to keep getting involved in this mess..."

  "This isn't just about you."

  Xu Fang shook his head and sighed. "This has become my inner demon. If I can't resolve it, I'll never make progress in my cultivation! So, whether it's for you or for myself, I can't sit idle."

  As he spoke, Xu Fang's eyes grew determined. Seeing that Sun Wukong was about to speak again, Xu Fang cut him off. "Do you remember how you were provoked into causing chaos in the Heavenly Palace?"

  "You mean... Lord Po Jun?"

  "Exactly. Lord Po Jun was sent by the Jade Emperor to deceive you at the Divine Strategy Camp, causing you to lose your senses, steal the peaches and elixirs, and ultimately walk the path others had prepared for you."

  Xu Fang nodded slightly, his gaze turning toward the Heavenly Court as he said softly, "All it took was a single sentence to push you into an irreversible abyss."

  "Deceived me?"

  Sun Wukong's expression turned blank.