Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 278 - 272: Searching for the Six-Eared Macaque【Happy New Year, please subscribe】_1
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi was utterly bewildered.
He exclaimed in horror, "Could they be the phoenixes that have been causing such a sensation recently? I thought there was only one, but to my surprise, there are actually three."
Sha Chen furrowed his brow and said, "What sensation? Are you saying that stories of a phoenix are being spread all over the outside world?"
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi replied, "Indeed. The rumors outside say that over a decade ago, a phoenix was born, creating an earth-shattering event that shook the Three Realms. Then, both Daoism and Buddhism, as well as all the major powers, sent people down the mountain to search for traces of the phoenix. But after more than ten years, they found nothing."
He marveled, "I didn’t expect Master to be so lucky as to find them first."
Sha Chen’s brows knitted together, his expression becoming somewhat grave. "This is going to be troublesome. I never thought their birth would draw so much attention."
Then he turned to the bewildered three sisters and said, "You three must practice your cultivation diligently. Otherwise, once you leave the Flowing Sand River, you might very well be sold by someone."
Qing Luan said, "Don’t worry, Father. We are very powerful, and no one can sell us."
Bai Luan also nodded, saying, "We’ve only ever bullied others; no one else dares to bully us."
Hong Luan said, "If it comes to that, and we get bullied, we can just invoke Father’s great name and make them afraid to mess with us."
Upon hearing this, both Qing Luan’s and Bai Luan’s eyes shone as they nodded earnestly in agreement.
Sha Chen, however, was shocked and quickly said, "Don’t talk nonsense. If you go out into the world, I will act as if you are not my daughters. You must never reveal my identity."
The three sisters were puzzled and asked, "Why? Father is clearly so powerful; why be so cautious?"
Sha Chen said, "Have I not told you about your ancestors? Have you forgotten why the Phoenix Clan is nearly extinct? Is it not because they were too high-profile?"
He proceeded to urge the sisters repeatedly until they promised over and over again never to cause trouble, which finally put his mind somewhat at ease. But for some reason, Sha Chen still felt something was off about the gazes of the three sisters. It seemed as though their minds were elsewhere, as if they were merely humoring him.
He heard their innermost thoughts, which were preoccupied with eating, drinking, and playing, utterly disregarding Sha Chen’s words.
Sha Chen decided he must make them strong enough before letting them out, or they would just be a source of trouble for himself.
Watching from the side, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi envied the three naive and romantic phoenixes.
Sha Chen saw what was on his mind and said, "Gold Cicada, don’t think too much. When life gives you joy, revel in it. Come, since you’re here in my Flowing Sand River, let us, master and disciple, have a hearty drink."
Then he raised his cup and drank heartily with Jin Chanzi.
Jin Chanzi did not hold back either, draining his cup in one go and then eating meat and drinking generously, displaying great spirit.
If the people of Buddhism were to see this, they would probably die of anger on the spot. Especially Guanyin, who had put countless efforts into pressuring Jin Chanzi back onto Buddhism’s path. She even faced disgrace for it. However, once he entered the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen led Jin Chanzi straight back onto the Daoist path, breaching nearly all of Buddhism’s Bajie, except for the precept of chastity.
This was hardly the demeanor of a monk!
After the third round of wine and the fifth course of dishes, Sha Chen had the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi share the major and minor events of recent years, including his time cultivating with Daoist Hanshan.
Actually, Sha Chen already knew about many things through his avatar, Daoist Hanshan, but he still wished to hear about them from Jin Chanzi.
Once Jin Chanzi began to speak, he couldn’t be stopped. He went on and on, spilling everything that had happened over the years. When it came to joyful events, he would burst into hearty laughter and drink three more cups. When recounting sorrowful moments, he would wail bitterly, completely disregarding his image.
Speaking of the time at Yingchou Stream, when he and Daoist Hanshan were cornered by Guanyin, his hair was pulled out until his scalp was raw, forcing him into monkhood, while Daoist Hanshan nearly perished. He couldn’t help but weep, banging his head on the ground, indicating just how deeply the incident had affected him.
Sha Chen, upon hearing this, continually comforted him.
The White Bone Demon and the three phoenix sisters remained silent, listening from the side. They knew that it was inappropriate for them to interrupt at this time.
Jin Chanzi cried, "Master, you have no idea; she was so cruel. She pulled out all my hair and nearly killed my martial uncle."
Sha Chen said, "I understand your feelings. No one wants such things. I’ll make you some noodles."
The White Bone Demon quickly interjected, "Master, no! Only I am allowed to eat *your* noodles!"
Sha Chen flicked her forehead. "A family should stick together. If you can eat them, why can’t he?"
Then he went to cook several bowls of longevity noodles and brought them over, one bowl for each person.
He then said, "This wine is bitter, and the dishes have gone cold. Let’s fill up on noodles instead."
Jin Chanzi ate the noodles but continued to pour himself more wine. "Master, what happened to Martial Uncle afterward? I’ve always been concerned but never managed to get any news."
Sha Chen said, "Rest assured, he is safe."
Actually, he wasn’t safe.
Sha Chen’s avatar, Daoist Hanshan, had been in constant danger since escaping from Yingchou Stream. He later returned to retrieve the Golden Cloud Crown and fled far and wide. However, both Buddhism and the Heavenly Court sent their forces after him. The Eighteen Arhats of Buddhism personally took up the chase, along with agents from the Heavenly Court, tirelessly hunting Daoist Hanshan.
Daoist Hanshan, pursued relentlessly with nowhere in heaven to ascend to and no door on earth to enter through, nearly collapsed several times, wishing to self-destruct rather than be captured. However, he was lucky. Almost caught countless times, he just as often narrowly escaped with his life.
During this period, Daoist Hanshan’s strength had made tremendous breakthroughs; his Primordial Spirit became exceedingly powerful. Simply lacking resources for cultivation, his progress in that area fell somewhat short. Had it not been for multiple life-and-death breakthroughs, his strength would likely have remained mediocre.
Over these years, Daoist Hanshan had managed to cultivate some of the Divine Powers he obtained from Sha Chen to a certain realm. It wasn’t that he had an exceptional comprehension ability, but rather, in the face of death, he was forced to learn. For example, Qingyun Zong, Samadhi True Fire, and Imperial Gods’ Thunder were all abilities he had cultivated to a certain realm. Ordinary individuals pursuing him were likely not his match.
In such circumstances, Daoist Hanshan was naturally in constant danger, several times on the verge of collapse due to the chase.
To avoid being hunted down, Sha Chen pointed Daoist Hanshan to a path, suggesting he should not linger in the mortal realm but instead roam the Netherworld for the time being. Immortals and Buddhas rarely venture into the Netherworld, and the Netherworld has the ability to block out certain auras, making it difficult for those immortals and Buddhas to track down Daoist Hanshan there. And since Daoist Hanshan possesses a lotus root body, he wouldn’t be affected by the ghostly qi in the Netherworld, nor would he be at risk of possession.
It can be said that the safety of the Netherworld is much higher than that of the mortal realm or the Heavenly Realm.
However, even in the Netherworld, Daoist Hanshan’s safety wasn’t completely assured, as some powerful beings speculated that Sha Chen might have sent him to the Netherworld. Then, the Heavenly Court commanded the Ten Halls of Yama to send people to hunt down Daoist Hanshan. Forces of Buddhism were also present in the Netherworld, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s disciples and grand-disciples also took action to pursue him. In other words, Buddhism ordered Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to assist in the hunt, but it was only because he refused that Daoist Hanshan was not yet captured.
The power of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva penetrates heaven and earth. Though a Bodhisattva, his strength is probably unfathomable.
Therefore, Daoist Hanshan in the Netherworld still isn’t very safe and continues to hide here and there. Fortunately, the Netherworld is also a battlefield, offering Daoist Hanshan numerous learning opportunities and allowing him to master many Netherworld Divine Powers.
In the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen’s gaze was distant. At this moment, Daoist Hanshan was still dodging and hiding in the Netherworld. However, he saw that Daoist Hanshan seemed to be planning to find someone in the Netherworld; should he find this person, they might become a valuable ally.
In reality, that person was also an avatar Sha Chen had arranged to be sought out. Strictly speaking, it was not a person at all, but a monkey—the Six-Eared Macaque. Legend says the Six-Eared Macaque is from within the Stone of Three Lives and, like Sun Wukong, is one of the stones Nuwa used to mend the heavens. In the Journey to the West narrative, the Six-Eared Macaque could fight Sun Wukong to a standstill and needed Tathagata himself to intervene to subdue him. This showed just how remarkable his talent and strength were. His abilities were estimated to be not far behind Sun Wukong’s. If he could find the Six-Eared Macaque, it would be like finding another Sun Wukong. With just a bit of cultivation, battling heaven and earth would be no issue.
However, Sha Chen felt the chances of finding him were slim. After all, the Six-Eared Macaque wouldn’t remain in the Stone of Three Lives indefinitely and was likely to have long since emerged and be practicing magical techniques. With the ability to hear the secrets of all realms, the Six-Eared Macaque supposedly learned the 72 Polymorphic Transformations and the Somersault Cloud after overhearing Patriarch Subhuti teach Sun Wukong. He was self-taught and successful. Such ability is truly remarkable.
Sha Chen was quite looking forward to subduing the Six-Eared Macaque; then, he could release him to wreak havoc, causing trouble for the Heavenly Court and Buddhism so they wouldn’t have time to bother with him. And with the Six-Eared Macaque’s ability to eavesdrop, it would undoubtedly be easy for him to find out which families were wealthy, then steal from and rob them, making money much easier. Sha Chen thought it was a sure profit.
Within the Flowing Sand River, the reincarnation of Gold Cicada, upon hearing Sha Chen mention Daoist Hanshan, fell into deep thought, thinking Sha Chen missed Daoist Hanshan greatly, and he was deeply moved. Little did he know, Sha Chen was contemplating how to make Daoist Hanshan find the Six-Eared Macaque.
The reincarnation of Gold Cicada said, "Master, if this disciple leaves the Flowing Sand River Cave this time, I fear that Buddhism might become suspicious and likely interrogate and search me. This could risk revealing your secrets here. What should I do?"
Sha Chen replied, "Don’t worry. It’s just an interrogation. You can handle it casually yourself."
Gold Cicada expressed his concerns, "What if they probe my soul? What then?"
Sha Chen chuckled. "You’re overthinking it. In your past life, you were a direct disciple of the Tathagata Buddha and a celebrated figure in Buddhism. Even Tathagata wouldn’t dare search your soul, so who among them would dare?"
The reincarnation of Gold Cicada nodded. "But this disciple fears that if I lie, they will see through it and might guess the situation within the Flowing Sand River Cave."
Sha Chen smiled, his eyes profound, and said, "Let them guess if they will. In truth, they all probably know that my Flowing Sand River is no ordinary place. Claiming it to be barren would truly be implausible. Just don’t divulge any Dao Techniques I’ve taught you. Besides, it doesn’t matter. You learned some techniques from Daoist Hanshan before, but nobody knows exactly how much or what you learned. Now that you’re leaving the Flowing Sand River again with some new knowledge, no one can really determine whether you learned it from me or from Daoist Hanshan."
