Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System-Chapter 234: Guangwu Destroys Buddhism and Demons Cause Chaos

Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Guangwu Destroys Buddhism and Demons Cause Chaos

Liu Xiu killed an official and rebelled, proclaiming the restoration of the Han and gathering 7 to 8 thousand locals from the nearby counties in the Chungling Uprising, forming the Red Han Army.

They quickly seized Caiyang County, destroyed three Buddhist temples there, ordered monks to return to secular lives, regulated the evil gentry, and distributed the land of the temples and gentry to the poor farmers. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Thus, many oppressed farmers took the initiative to join the Red Han Army, continuously boosting its size.

Apart from Caiyang County, war also erupted in other counties like Wancheng and Xinye in Nanyang Commandery.

Among them, Li Tong and Deng Yu seized Wancheng, while Liu Xiu’s brother-in-law, Deng Chen, in collaboration with the Deng and Yin families, took over Xinye County.

Then, they combined forces with Liu Xiu’s Red Han Army, brandishing the banner of "Slay Wang Mang, eradicate Buddhist monks, strike down evil gentry, and restore the Han dynasty," and expanded rapidly across Nanyang like a wildfire.

They were like a spark that instantly set the seemingly prosperous era of the Xin Dynasty ablaze, stirring up turmoil everywhere and prompting the rise of local militia forces all over.

...

Liu Xiu’s uprising against Wang Mang and Buddhism resonated throughout the land.

This news reached Wang Mang, who was both furious and panicked because this rebellion was unlike any before.

He first sent troops to suppress it, then went to see the Holy Monk Jia Ye.

Inside the Zhen Guo Temple.

Jia Ye knew about the rebellion even before Wang Mang did because the acts against Buddhism by the rebels jeopardized the newly established roots of the Buddha Sect in Southern Shanbu continent. They had just started to enjoy the fortunes of human destiny and were suddenly hit hard.

"How strange," Jia Ye frowned, his usual smile gone.

He found that the Red Han Army was extremely adept, far surpassing local rebel forces and even the imperial troops of Wang Mang’s court, as if they were not on the same level.

Although the Red Han Army expanded rapidly, their expansion was not chaotic.

Not only did they conquer territories, but they also focused on ideological propaganda.

In every place, besides carrying out activities like eradicating Buddhist monks, striking evil gentry, and redistributing land, they also organized village academies for education of both adults and children.

More importantly, the Red Han Army managed to avoid entering private homes and did not commit any minor offenses against the civilians, maintaining strict discipline.

This was clearly an army made up of ants, yet it made Jia Ye’s skin crawl, even though he was a Quasi-Saint close to the pinnacle of the Three Realms.

"We must eliminate them quickly, or my Buddhist Law will struggle to spread in the eastern lands," Jia Ye said sternly.

As expected, it wasn’t long before Wang Mang came to see him.

Wang Mang immediately asked, "Holy Monk, I have constructed numerous Buddhist temples and the people everywhere chant Amitabha Buddha, so why is there chaos throughout the land?"

Jia Ye sighed, "Liu Xiu is the reincarnation of a Heavenly Demon from beyond our realm, highly skilled in beguiling the human heart. The Emperor could not subdue this demon earlier, leading to the current troubles."

Wang Mang’s expression changed; having witnessed Jia Ye’s miraculous abilities, he took his words as truth and anxiously asked, "Holy Monk, you once said you could subdue demons and eliminate evil spirits, why not take action to subdue him?"

Jia Ye clapped his hands together, "Amitabha Buddha, immortals have their rules; now that he has reincarnated as a human, it is inappropriate for me to intervene.

Moreover, he is your karmic tribulation; if you can overcome this tribulation, a clear path lies ahead for you."

Wang Mang frowned, clearly displeased, having expended the nation’s resources to build thousands of Buddhist temples, aiming to pacify the rebellions across the land and reduce frequent natural disasters.

For this, he had exempted these temples from taxation and granted them fertile lands and immense wealth, allowing the monks to earn countless benefits.

Now, when there was a problem, they simply said they couldn’t intervene?

What use are you to me then?

He did not voice these thoughts, but Jia Ye could discern what Wang Mang was thinking.

After pondering for a moment, he added, "The Emperor is a patron of our Buddha Sect, facing this tribulation today, although it is inappropriate for me to intervene, I will not stand by idly."

Wang Mang nodded his head, satisfied, and left.

Not long after, the Huai River overflowed bizarrely, submerging vast tracts of land in Nanyang County, upstream.

Nanyang was the base of the Red Han Army. Stricken by this natural disaster, they were forced to divert troops for disaster relief, halting their expansion.

When Wang Mang heard of this, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He also knew the prowess of the Red Han Army. Eradicating Liu Xiu’s Red Han Army would make the rest of the rebels negligible.

Thus, he immediately sent over four hundred thousand troops to Nanyang.

...

Nanyang County, Tongbai Mountain.

"Does Heaven wish to obliterate me, Liu Xiu? To obliterate our Han Dynasty?" Liu Xiu’s expression was sorrowful.

Standing atop Tongbai Mountain, he could only see the overflowing Huai River below, the floodwaters vast like an ocean, endlessly submerging countless farmlands and houses, with innumerable people crying out in agony.

Although the Red Han Army had seized Nanyang, its foundation remained unstable. Now, they faced not only Wang Mang’s troops but also the threat of militias and local armies from several neighboring counties.

Suddenly struck by this calamity, they feared an imminent collapse.

"This is no natural disaster, but the chaos stirred by demons," a melodious voice sounded at that moment.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiu’s face immediately revealed a look of joy, "Master Sun!"

Not far away approached two figures, one a daoist with a gaunt face, and the other a young man in white, looking quite young.

At this moment, every guard of the Red Han Army on the mountain was shocked; they hadn’t noticed how these two had arrived, appearing as if out of thin air. They hurriedly gathered around.

Liu Xiu said, "Step back, this man is my master."

Upon receiving the order, the guards immediately stepped back.

Daoist Sun chuckled, "You have done well, stirring the world upside down in just over a month."

Liu Xiu said, "It’s all thanks to Master’s teachings, yet unfortunately, my abilities are still insufficient, allowing the flood to run rampant."

Daoist Sun said, "This is not your fault. There’s no need for self-reproach. Someone has broken the rules and incited demons to create chaos. I am here today to resolve this matter."

Liu Xiu quickly bowed in respect, "On behalf of the citizens of Nanyang County, I thank you greatly, Master!"

Daoist Sun waved his horsetail whisk, pointing to the young man in white next to him, and smiled, "This is your senior brother, Ao Lie. He will act later; he’s the one you should thank."

"I pay my respects to Senior Brother," said Liu Xiu as he quickly bowed, yet he was surprised. Since he was a child, he had often played in Master Sun’s daoist temple, and as he grew older, he roamed the world with him. Yet, he never heard that his master had another disciple.

"There’s no need for such formalities, little brother," Ao Lie also smiled and bowed in return, "From now on, we should get to know each other better."

"Decide the battle swiftly, don’t be complacent," said Daoist Sun sternly.

"Understood!" Ao Lie’s expression turned serious.

Immediately after, he stood on Tongbai Mountain, raised his hand emitting a divine light into the water below, and shouted, "Huai Water Dragon King, come out and see me."

Liu Xiu watched admiringly from the side, aware that his senior brother Ao Lie was also among the immortals.

Before long, a disheveled Dragon King emerged from the water, coming to Tongbai Mountain and bowing to Ao Lie, "This lesser god pays respect to the Great Dragon God of Rain."

Ao Lie frowned, "Why do you look like this? And what is the cause of this flood?"

The Huai Water Dragon King is the fourth son of the Jing River Dragon King and is Ao Lie’s cousin. However, now was not the time for familial pleasantries.

"Please save me, Dragon God," the Huai Water Dragon King pleaded miserably, "It’s the Ancient Huai River Water God, Wu Zhiqi, who has taken over my dragon palace and unleashed this great flood."