Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 224 - 218: The reason why the Six Sages of Primordial Chaos became saints [Subscription and Monthly Tickets Requested]_1

Chapter 224: Chapter 218: The reason why the Six Sages of Primordial Chaos became saints [Subscription and Monthly Tickets Requested]_1

The Black Bear Spirit was deeply hurt.

It was bad enough being mocked by Lady Di Yong, but then Sha Chen inflicted further damage.

He guzzled fine wine and gorged on exquisite dishes.

Sha Chen felt a pang seeing this and said, "Eat slowly, eat slowly; no one is fighting with you."

The Black Bear Spirit said, "At last, Master shows concern for me."

Sha Chen said, "If you eat that much, what will there be for me to eat?"

The Black Bear Spirit was stabbed in the heart again and turned his sadness into appetite, eating with even greater joy.

Lady Di Yong also indulged in a wild binge, for she herself was a gluttonous white-furred rat spirit with a universe in her belly and a mouth that could swallow whole landscapes.

Usually, she loved Sha Chen, but she loved good food even more.

When she returned before, Sha Chen had been too penny-pinching to cook for her, so she had resorted to stealing food.

Now, faced with such a rare feast, naturally, she relished it to the fullest.

Marshal Tianpeng had been showing off his literary grace, but alas, the Black Bear Spirit was too coarse, Lady Di Yong too whimsical, and Sha Chen too reticent.

His literary grace was a joke in front of these three.

A joke might catch their eye and win a smile.

His mournful poetry, in the eyes of Sha Chen and the others, was worse than a joke—just hot air.

Marshal Tianpeng felt bored. Then, seeing everyone enjoying their food, he worried that he might miss out and quickly joined in.

All four of them ate and drank like reincarnated starved ghosts.

Warm with wine, full and content. Afterward, once Sha Chen put his chopsticks down, the others gradually followed suit, transitioning to eating their food and sipping their wine in small, delicate amounts. Then, they all looked at Sha Chen. They knew their leader was about to speak.

Sha Chen cleared his throat and said, "You’ve all worked hard these years. Seeing you well-fed and content is what pleases me most."

"The outside world is perilous, but this will always be your safe harbor."

The Black Bear Spirit pursed his lips and nodded, deeply moved.

Marshal Tianpeng, carefree and somewhat heartless, was also a little touched.

Next time, I can use that line to trick my way into some food and drink, he thought.

Lady Di Yong even threw herself at him, hugging Sha Chen’s arm, saying, "Master, you are too good to us! This place will always be my harbor."

Sha Chen pushed her away. "Your hand is greasy, don’t smear it on me," he said.

The group then started to chat about everything under the sun, mostly the Black Bear Spirit and Marshal Tianpeng talking, while Sha Chen listened and Lady Di Yong continued to eat.

The Black Bear Spirit recounted his experiences in great detail, both significant and trivial.

Sha Chen realized that the Black Bear Spirit was hiding some details, especially about consuming precious treasures of heaven and earth, too afraid to tell Sha Chen. There were also some improper things he had done that he didn’t dare reveal.

Sha Chen didn’t mind much about this. He only reminded the Black Bear Spirit to avoid stepping out of line and not to give the Heavenly Court or Buddhism a reason to go after them.

Another point Sha Chen was strict about with the Black Bear Spirit, Lady Di Yong, and the other monsters and spirits, was that they must not harm ordinary people. It was acceptable to be indifferent or not save those in danger, but they couldn’t attack ordinary people.

When he laid down this rule, the Black Bear Spirit exclaimed in astonishment, "Master, mortals are mere ants; why bother caring for them?"

Naturally, I can’t openly admit I still have a human heart, Sha Chen thought. Otherwise, what would my subordinates think of me?

Lady Di Yong also said, "Some mortals are so hateful; can’t we kill them too?"

Sha Chen said, "I’ve told you, you can’t kill indiscriminately or attack ordinary, innocent people. But those who commit terrible crimes—even death isn’t enough for them."

He added, "However, when judging, I hope you have a clear standard of right and wrong."

Then he lectured them on some universal truths.

Lady Di Yong and the Black Bear Spirit didn’t really care; they were demons who had lived by eating humans before following Sha Chen.

Marshal Tianpeng was no different. In the original story, after his misguided reincarnation as a pig, he was extremely fierce. He bit to death the sow that gave birth to him and all his siblings, and even killed the farmer; he was truly fearsome. Living in Yunzhan Cave on Fuling Mountain, he preyed on humans, and over a few hundred years, the number he consumed probably piled up like a mountain.

This was one reason why Marshal Tianpeng was so easily subdued by Buddhism; given his actions, Guanyin wouldn’t even need to speak, and he would beg for mercy. Just the act of eating humans was enough for both the Heavenly Court and Buddhism to classify him as a demon. If you’re a demon, good or bad, you’re against the Heavenly Court and Buddhism, so naturally, anything they do to you is justifiable.

This was also why Sha Chen didn’t want to reveal his monstrous nature; because doing so would give the Heavenly Court and Buddhism a chance and a reason to act against him. Having a justified cause to take action was precisely that.

Lady Di Yong said, "Master, humans are like ants; you care too much for them."

The Black Bear Spirit added, "Yes, they are just mortals. If I hadn’t been overseas these hundred years, unable to encounter them, I too would have eaten some, to savor the old taste."

After his misbegotten reincarnation as a pig, Marshal Tianpeng had gone straight to seek out Sha Chen and had never eaten humans; he had only been chased and pursued by them. Moreover, Sha Chen had warned him early on, so he had never killed anyone.

But still, he remained indifferent, nodding in agreement and saying, "Yes, just mortals. Annoying ones? I could kill a whole city of them."

Sha Chen stared at them coldly. "Are my words to be ignored now?" he said.

Frightened, Marshal Tianpeng and the others jolted, their drunkenness vanishing instantly. They hurriedly said, "We’re listening, we’re listening!"

But Sha Chen could tell that while they claimed to be listening, his words had likely gone in one ear and out the other.

It was not just because he had compassion for the Realm of People and possessed a human heart himself that he forbade them from cannibalism and murder. Another reason was to avoid giving Buddhism and the Heavenly Court a reason and excuse to act against them.

Besides, I have no desire to dine with man-eating demons; I find it disgusting, he thought. But I definitely can’t explain it that simply to them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t listen, much less take it to heart.

Sha Chen then said, "Do you think what I’m saying is unreasonable and unnecessary?"

The Black Bear Spirit and the others had learned their lesson and shook their heads quickly. But their expressions and eyes betrayed them; they really didn’t care.

Sha Chen asked, "Tell me, what is the fundamental reason a Saint achieves sainthood?"

Lady Di Yong said, "I know, they are very powerful."

Sha Chen shook his head, and Marshal Tianpeng laughed. "I know, they have the support of the Daoist Ancestor and are his disciples."

Sha Chen shook his head again. "Although they are disciples of the Daoist Ancestor, there were many powerful individuals who listened to his teachings in Zixiao Palace. Why did only they become Saints?"

The Black Bear Spirit said, "But they are the personal disciples of the Daoist Ancestor."

Sha Chen said, "That may be true, but to become a Saint, one must gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao. What do you think is needed to gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao?"

The crowd was bewildered. They couldn’t even grasp what it meant to be a Quasi-Saint; how could they know about the matters of a Saint?

Marshal Tianpeng, however, who had seen and learned a lot, said, "I remember that Saints are recognized by the Heavenly Dao because they established sects, and thus received its acknowledgment."

Sha Chen snapped his fingers. "Exactly. They established sects, and most importantly, the activities of their sects and their own actions play a significant role in the Realm of People."

"Nuwa mended the sky and created humans; therefore, she was able to become a Saint through her merits. The Three Pure Ones established the Human Religion, Chan Sect, and Sect of Interpretation – all acting in accordance with Heaven’s will, aiding the world and saving its people, rescuing all living beings from the ravages of war."

"The two Saints of the West, Jieyin and Zhunti, created the Western Sect, offering spiritual solace and a place for cultivation to the Realm of People, likewise providing them a place to live and thrive amid the primordial wilderness."

He looked around and saw that Marshal Tianpeng and the others wore somber and earnest expressions. Only then did he nod slightly.

He continued, "These are all related to Saints. Hou Tu created Reincarnation, giving the myriad spirits of the primordial wilderness a chance to be reborn, preventing the land from being overrun by restless ghosts, and thus attained the rank of Sub-Sage. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, as paramount figures of the Realm of People, led it to a golden age, achieving sainthood through their merits and becoming Sub-Sages in the Fire Cloud Palace."

"These are all related to the Realm of People. That’s why I tell you not to attack mortals without good reason; it’s for your own good."

Marshal Tianpeng said in awe, "Old Sha, who would have thought you’d be so far-sighted and discerning."

Many believe that Saints become so simply because they are powerful enough. Very few recognize the connection to the Realm of People. Sha Chen’s words had a profound impact on them, changing many of their views.

Far away, at Zi Zhi Cliff, the Tongtian Hierarch also heard these words, and his eyes shone brightly. He muttered to himself, "What an interesting lad. Capable of what others cannot, seeing what others do not."

The Black Bear Spirit excitedly said, "Master, does this mean you are already preparing for sainthood?"

Lady Di Yong and Marshal Tianpeng also realized what he implied, their expressions excited and their eyes full of shock.

If Sha Chen is indeed preparing to step into sainthood, it means he has the determination and hope to do so! In the future, we could proudly claim association with him! they thought.

Sha Chen glanced at them. "I was just providing an example. Do you think becoming a Saint is as common as cabbages, that you can achieve it just by saying so?"

Lady Di Yong said, "If I were a Saint, only Master could rise to the occasion."

Sha Chen’s cheek twitched. Can’t you be serious? he thought.

Marshal Tianpeng felt a pang of envy. Comparisons are odious, he thought.

The Black Bear Spirit inwardly groaned. I was too slow! I should have declared my loyalty first! But after a moment’s hesitation, he decided against saying something similar to Lady Di Yong, fearing a beating.

Sha Chen’s plain words were indeed understood by Marshal Tianpeng and the others. They realized the importance of the Realm of People. But they seemed overly cautious, which surprised Sha Chen a bit, so he advised them not to take it too seriously.

"I’m merely telling you not to indiscriminately kill innocent denizens of the Realm of People. Doing so would only give those powers whose foundations lie with the Realm of People—especially Buddhism and the Heavenly Court—an excuse to act against you."

"But I also didn’t say you have to silently endure everything. If you encounter extremely vicious and evil people, you may also act on behalf of Heaven."

Everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Ah, that’s much better, they thought.

At that moment, Sha Chen’s expression changed slightly, his brow furrowing.

Everyone was puzzled, not understanding why Sha Chen’s face had suddenly changed.

Lady Di Yong asked, "Master, what’s wrong?"

Sha Chen replied, "Someone is coming here." The others were puzzled.

A short while later, someone was indeed calling out from beyond the bounds of the Flowing Sand River.

"General for Folding the Curtain, I am Su E, the court lady sent by Fairy Chang E of Guanghan Palace. I have an urgent matter concerning your life and reputation to report."