Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 231 - 225: Nail Seven-Arrow Book 【Request for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1
Bodhisattva Manjushri is calling at the door?
Sha Chen furrowed his brows and initially gave no response.
The Black Bear Spirit glanced at Sha Chen and, after a warning from him, suppressed the fear in his heart and devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivation.
Under the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, gazing at the Tai Chi Diagram, he could immerse himself more single-mindedly in the comprehension of Dao techniques.
It was fortunate that he had the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup; otherwise, given the Black Bear Spirit’s state of mind, it was feared his cultivation would go awry and lead to demonic possession.
Sha Chen appeared indifferent, choosing not to engage directly with Bodhisattva Manjushri.
「About an hour later.」
Bodhisattva Manjushri had lost his patience and turned to leave, never having exchanged a single word with Sha Chen from beginning to end.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to speak, but rather that Sha Chen wouldn’t respond. Even with his immense wisdom, he was powerless. The saying "even the most resourceful woman can’t cook without rice" precisely depicted this situation. Manjushri had exhausted all words at his disposal, yet Sha Chen remained unresponsive, leaving the Bodhisattva with no other recourse.
Upon his return to the camp, everyone gathered around to console him.
"Sha Chen has always been so rude, Bodhisattva, you mustn’t take it to heart."
"Sha Chen is truly arrogant, not even giving face to the Bodhisattva. However, this also proves that he has a guilty conscience, not daring to converse with the Bodhisattva."
"He definitely knew the Bodhisattva had arrived. Now he’s too frightened of his crimes to show himself, even too scared to engage in conversation."
Everyone chimed in, but Bodhisattva Manjushri still wore a gentle smile.
Unperturbed, he said, "If he’s unwilling to have a chat alone with me, there’s no blaming him. After all, he is indeed quite cautious."
"You needn’t say more, I am well aware," he continued.
After sending everyone away, only the followers of Buddhism remained with Manjushri. The Li brothers were among them.
Once the others had left, Manjushri’s expression turned grave and displeased.
Muzha said, "Bodhisattva, Sha Chen is arrogant. Why don’t we attack Flowing Sand River without waiting for the Jade Emperor’s command and simply have the Heavenly Court cooperate?"
Before Manjushri could speak, his elder brother Jinzha chastised him.
"Nonsense! Can our Buddhism afford to play the villain? Retreat and tend to your injuries."
Muzha, resentful but obedient, departed to heal his wounds.
Manjushri said, "Indeed, our Buddhism cannot become the villain. The orders to deal with Sha Chen must never come from Lingjiu Mountain, and the first to strike at the Flowing Sand River must absolutely not be us."
Jinzha nodded, as they still needed to win over Sha Chen’s supporters. If they were to act against him, even if they managed to save Sha Chen afterward, the gratitude would be greatly diminished. Furthermore, they were uncertain whether Sha Chen, like Sun Wukong, would become fearful and admit his wrongs once suppressed. The method used on Sun Wukong might not necessarily be suitable for dealing with Sha Chen. After all, Sha Chen had a meticulous mind and could hide away in one place for years of cultivation, unaffected by external influences. He was undoubtedly a person of deep schemes and cunning. Such an individual, if kept continuously suppressed, would be manageable. However, if he found an opportunity to surpass them, they would likely face severe retribution. While they were not worried about Sha Chen overthrowing the entirety of Buddhism, they did fear him surpassing them individually. Buddhism also had its factions. If Sha Chen were to join Buddhism and then oppose them, they would be in a truly wretched state.
They had to ensure their plan was fail-safe; they had to be the ones playing the role of the "good guys."
Jinzha spoke, "Honored One, does that mean we can only continue to wait?"
Manjushri smiled and said, "Who said we could only wait? To deal with Sha Chen, we don’t necessarily have to enter the Flowing Sand River."
Jinzha, taken aback, asked, "What brilliant strategy does the Honored One have?"
Manjushri replied, "Do you remember a divine power called the Nail Seven-Arrow Book? And several magical tools named the Lost Soul Bell, Soul Summoning Banner, and Huming Luoma?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Jinzha paused for a moment and said, "Of course I know of them. Those are divine powers and magical tools that target the primordial spirit and soul... Hiss, does the Honored One intend to...?"
He gasped, becoming slightly panicked. Hurriedly he said, "If we attack Sha Chen’s primordial spirit, we could indeed bypass the Flowing Sand River Cave. But these divine powers and magical tools are exceedingly rare. If successful, Sha Chen could end up an imbecile or even dead—wouldn’t that be a terrible outcome?"
Manjushri said, "Rest assured, I will gauge it accurately. I will certainly make him kneel and beg for mercy, in such agony that he would wish for death, yet be reluctant to die."
Seeing Jinzha was about to protest further, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also spoke, "When Guanyin Bodhisattva suggested that the Jade Emperor use the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart against Sha Chen, the two of us raised objections. Alas, we were overruled."
"The simplest method to deal with someone is to attack their soul, making them wish for death yet powerless to resist. Physical destruction means little compared to this."
Exchanging thoughts, both of them began to smile.
Jinzha immediately understood; they had probably had this plan all along, and now was just an opportune moment to inform him, more as a courtesy than a consultation.
Afterward, Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra were not seen again, remaining within a Buddhist Pagoda brought by their contingent. Aside from Buddhist disciples, not even Li Jing was permitted entry.
However, Li Jing knew what they were doing. Jinzha and Muzha had passed the news to him, revealing that Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra were planning to use a divine power—the Nail Seven-Arrow Book.
The Nail Seven-Arrow Book was an extremely formidable divine power. It was associated with Taoist Lu Ya, a magical tool containing curses and spells to bewitch others. Once stricken by this technique, the victim would bleed from all seven orifices, stripped of any capacity for resistance; even a Daluo Golden Immortal could not evade this fate.
When Li Jing learned this information, seven days had already passed. Upon receiving the news, his face turned deathly pale, shocked beyond measure. He knew the potency of this divine power from when Taoist Lu Ya had used it against Zhao Gongming. Thus, he was so profoundly shocked.
"Foolish! Why didn’t you stop them?" Li Jing thundered at Jinzha and Muzha, yet the brothers remained very calm.
Jinzha said, "Father Commander, rest assured. The Nail Seven-Arrow Book is a magical tool, and that is the very foundation of this divine power’s inscrutability to ghosts and deities. However, the magical tool itself is in the hands of Taoist Lu Ya; outsiders cannot know of it."
"But Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra had a very good relationship with Taoist Lu Ya back then. They learned the divine power from him, just without the Nail Seven-Arrow Book magical tool. Yet, they can still cast the curses."
Li Jing asked, "What’s the difference then?"
Jinzha replied, "The difference is that without the Nail Seven-Arrow Book magical tool itself, this divine power isn’t fatal. It will, however, curse Sha Chen with such excruciating pain that he’ll wish for death, and his primordial spirit will be bound by misfortune."
He laughed and said, "Night and day, he will be plagued by unbearable itching, easily distracted during cultivation, and unable to sleep at night."
Li Jing was stunned. Could it really be so potent? If that was the case, it might be better just to die.
At the same time, he was extremely wary. Who would have thought that Buddhism had mastered such an eerily effective divine power? If it were used on him, wouldn’t he also be doomed?
Jinzha continued, "Father Commander, Sha Chen is within the Flowing Sand River. The two Honored Ones only intend to torture him with this method, to make him lose patience and break his Daoist heart. They will not take his life; rest assured."
Li Jing frowned and said, "Whether he lives or dies is irrelevant. Regardless, he’s someone Buddhism wants. I just don’t want to have to make new arrangements if we have to switch targets."
He then sighed and said, "Since the two Honored Ones have already decided, it’s not my place to say more. Let’s just do as they have decided."
Jinzha and his brother then smiled, clasped their fists in thanks, and took their leave.
Li Jing clenched the Linglong Tower in his hand, murmuring, I wonder if my Linglong Tower can withstand this divine power.
His Linglong Tower was renowned as the strongest defensive magical tool in the Three Realms and had always been invincible. But he had never tested it against spiritual attacks, and Jinzha had described this divine power in such a mysterious way that he was quite worried.
「In the Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen furrowed his brows, his eyes flickering with light.
In fact, he had already learned of the secret conversation between Bodhisattva Manjushri and Samantabhadra and knew they intended to cast a spell to harm him. But he had no other choice but to stay here. Worried about falling victim to the spell in recent days, he had refrained from cultivation, simply waiting to see if the magic would take effect.
The Nail Seven-Arrow Book is infamous. During the Divine Enthronement, it was only used once, but its name spread throughout the entire event. It has not been used since. Probably because the caster also has to pay a great price. Moreover, it’s too malicious, despised and feared by others, which is why even Taoist Lu Ya dares not use it often. The fact that Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra have learned this divine power definitely means they have deep ties with Taoist Lu Ya. Perhaps Buddhism itself has a good relationship with him. Rumor has it that deploying this divine power takes forty-nine days. During this period, arrows are continuously shot at a small effigy bearing the victim’s name, causing the person to bleed to death from their seven apertures after the forty-nine days. Seven days have already passed, and I have felt nothing out of the ordinary.
Sha Chen frowned. This feeling of waiting was deeply uncomfortable.
「At that moment.」
His alter ego, Li Bai, had already met with Chang E, taking some time to gain her trust. After obtaining the information he wanted from Fairy Chang E, he left and headed to Wuzhuang Temple, planning to slay the Heavenly Court’s envoy.
Fairy Chang E was also busy with matters concerning the Flowing Sand River. However, the Jade Emperor hadn’t seen anyone during this time, including her, a widow. Having no other choice, she decided to visit the esteemed elders in heaven, offering them fine wine and dances. Her hope was that these noble elders would intercede on her behalf, say a few good words to the Jade Emperor, and persuade him to forgive Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River.
But it was of little effect.
Sha Chen did not place much hope in Chang E; his main expectation was for his alter ego to eliminate the envoy. Then, he would be able to buy enough time. Later, he planned to have his other alter ego, Daoist Hanshan, bring Jin Chanzi to Five Finger Mountain and release Sun Wukong, letting Sun Wukong confront the Heavenly Court once more. Only then would he be safe.
But that was still a distant hope. For now, he had to face the Nail Seven-Arrow Book cast by Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra.
Forty-nine days were merely the snap of a finger, passing quickly.
After Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra completed their spellcasting, they emerged from the Buddhist Pagoda and met with Li Jing and the others. Only then did they explain to all the immortals what they had been doing.
The immortals were greatly shocked.
They reassured everyone, "No need to worry. The spell has been cast. It’s not lethal but will only make Sha Chen suffer so terribly that he will beg on his knees for mercy."
"Just wait, he will emerge from the water and plead with us. Maybe we won’t even need the Jade Emperor’s order to capture this wretch."
「In the Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen sat cross-legged beneath the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup.
Having waited anxiously for forty-nine days, each day spent in idle sitting and anxiety, he was still worried he might be stricken.
However, upon hearing the proud conversation of Bodhisattvas Manjushri and Samantabhadra as they emerged from their seclusion, he learned that their spellcasting was over.
But he was fine.
Nothing whatsoever!
If anything had happened, it was that his primordial spirit’s power had actually improved somewhat over these days.
