Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 279 - 273: Seal of Fanning the Sky Suppresses the Flowing Sand River [Request for Monthly Tickets, Happy New Year]_1
Sha Chen’s words shocked Jin Chanzi, and he nodded in deep agreement.
Indeed, he had been cultivating the Dao for a long time, having followed Daoist Hanshan for ten or twenty years. Not only did he know the Tao Te Ching’s Da Luo volume, but he also knew some other things, which was adequate. This way, Buddhism wouldn’t suspect Sha Chen, nor would it cause him any trouble.
However, Jin Chanzi felt somewhat aggrieved. He lowered his head, humiliated, and said, "Master, when will I be able to proudly announce that I am from Flowing Sand River and that I am your disciple?"
Sha Chen’s heart trembled, and he remained silent for a long time. Just as Jin Chanzi felt guilty, thinking he was pressuring Sha Chen, Sha Chen reached out and patted his shoulder. Jin Chanzi looked up at Sha Chen, his eyes full of guilt, wanting to apologize.
Sha Chen said, "You’ve been wronged. Just wait; that day will come. If it doesn’t... pretend I never said this."
Jin Chanzi was moved to tears by the earlier words, but the last sentence nearly made him pee his pants.
Sha Chen smiled. "When I step into the Saint Realm, that’ll be when you can use my name and do as you please. However, if someone kills you, you’ll have to bear the consequences yourself. I’m only responsible for ensuring no one bullies you without reason."
Jin Chanzi’s eyes sparkled. "I never imagined Master would aspire to become a Saint! That’s wonderful; I eagerly await that day."
Sha Chen smiled without saying a word.
White Bone Demon’s eyes glowed. She also hadn’t expected Sha Chen to aspire to become a Saint. If so, following him is indeed a very good choice. However, it’s good to have the aspiration, but whether it can be achieved is another matter entirely.
Sha Chen said, "This is my Dao heart. If I don’t become a Saint, I won’t go out. It’s too dangerous outside."
White Bone Demon and Jin Chanzi were both dumbfounded. Could this be an excuse for Sha Chen to never leave seclusion? Becoming a Saint isn’t that easy! If he truly doesn’t become a Saint, will he never leave? If he doesn’t become a Saint in his lifetime, does that mean he’ll never go out for his entire lifetime!? They were utterly dumbfounded.
Jin Chanzi said, "Master, that goal could be set a bit lower. Becoming a Saint is too difficult. Besides, without experience or trials, how can one become a Saint?"
Sha Chen replied, "Aren’t you two out there experiencing the world for me? You go out, experience things, then come back and tell me what happened. I’ll put myself in your shoes and consider those experiences as my own."
Jin Chanzi and White Bone Demon were instantly stupefied. Was that even possible!?
Sha Chen laughed, as if it were the most natural thing. "Don’t be surprised. Although it’s somewhat unlikely, it’s still better than going out myself. It’s too dangerous out there; it’s safer here."
Jin Chanzi said, "Master, you’ve said it before: ’It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books.’ This way, it will be very difficult for you to become a Saint."
Sha Chen retorted, "Dong Qichang said that. What does that have to do with me?"
Jin Chanzi was at a loss for words.
White Bone Demon also chimed in, "But Master, by the time you become a Saint here, the world outside will have undergone immense changes, and you’ll have gray hair and lost your teeth. What would be the point then?"
Sha Chen poked her forehead. "You’re a several-hundred-thousand-year-old skeleton demon, and you’re talking to me about gray hair and lost teeth?"
White Bone Demon rolled her eyes. "I am eighteen this year."
Sha Chen stated, "I’m twenty."
White Bone Demon’s eyes gleamed. "Master, is it... that long?" she cooed.
Sha Chen paused for a moment, restraining his clenched fists. Jin Chanzi, standing nearby, also felt quite awkward; he hadn’t expected the banter between Sha Chen and his maidservant to be so audacious, their words so stimulating.
Afterward, Jin Chanzi told Sha Chen about some events in the outside world. Once he had finished, Sha Chen arranged for him to stay for a while. He was to stay put as long as Buddhism didn’t come for him and Yang Jian remained outside. After all, if he opened the door even once, who knew if Yang Jian would seize the opportunity to force his way in and kill him? This was exactly what Jin Chanzi wished for, so he nodded and accepted.
At the same time, he said with some shame, "Master, I want to learn new Dao techniques and more of the Da Luo Method."
Sha Chen replied, "Don’t worry, I’ll teach you."
Although Jin Chanzi was far from reaching the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm, and his cultivation had even been destroyed, it didn’t prevent him from learning Dao techniques. Just like Sun Wukong, whose legal body and cultivation were suppressed, yet he could continue to comprehend Dao techniques; once the seal was broken, he would emerge with overwhelming momentum. Sha Chen also wanted to take this opportunity to impart Dao techniques to Jin Chanzi, but he wouldn’t let him practice immediately. Instead, he planned to implant them into his subconscious, to be cultivated only after evading Buddhist surveillance.
As Sha Chen taught the Dao, White Bone Demon and the Phoenix sisters also listened intently. Such opportunities were rare. This was because, in the past, Sha Chen would typically teach them once, after which they would cultivate on their own, as Sha Chen himself also needed to practice. It wasn’t possible for him to constantly teach them the Dao, much less to answer their every doubt.
Each time they listened to the Dao taught by Sha Chen, they gained different insights. Moreover, Sha Chen’s own cultivation had advanced, and his understanding of Dao techniques had deepened. When he lectured again, they were able to gain new perspectives.
Under the light of the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, Sha Chen pointed to the Tai Chi Diagram, instructing them to focus on it and truly comprehend the Dao techniques. Then, he began to teach the Three Pure Ones Daluo Volume.
This lecture lasted for a whole month. Outside, Yang Jian had tried to use his three-pointed, double-edged glaive to break open the gates of the Flowing Sand River, but he had failed. However, he didn’t leave, instead waiting for Guang Chengzi’s Seal of Fanning the Sky. Buddhism also didn’t send anyone, despite Jin Chanzi’s capture; the specific reason remained unknown.
For a month, Sha Chen taught Jin Chanzi, imparting the Three Pure Ones Da Luo Law to him, though it was more of a cramming method of teaching. Jin Chanzi needed time and, more importantly, insight to fully comprehend it. Sha Chen even gave him Enlightenment Tea and Pan Peach Wine to drink, to enhance his insight and aid his contemplation.
「After a month」
Sha Chen passed on the Spirit Summoning Decree and the Sutra of Immortality, both reflecting his deeper understanding of Dao techniques developed over the past decades. Upon hearing them, Jin Chanzi felt enlightened and invigorated.
「On this day」
The Phoenix sisters went off to cultivate again; after contemplating the Dao, it was time to continue their practice. Sha Chen and Jin Chanzi were drinking together, while the White Bone Demon diligently served tea and poured water, truly embodying her role as a maidservant. But she was constantly, both overtly and covertly, trying to win Sha Chen’s favor, and this service was part of that effort.
During their casual conversation, Jin Chanzi suddenly asked, "Master, what path should your disciple take in this life?"
He had wanted to ask this question for some time but had never found the opportunity. Sha Chen had also wanted to tell him for some time but hadn’t known how to begin. Now that Jin Chanzi had asked, he knew he couldn’t remain silent any longer.
He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Jin Chan, in this life, how do you wish to proceed?"
Jin Chanzi replied, "Disciple is very confused. Being able to meet Daoist Hanshan... Martial Uncle Hanshan again in this life, Disciple is immensely grateful. And to encounter Master again and learn from you is Disciple’s greatest honor." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺
Sha Chen said, "Enough with the pleasantries. Speak your heart."
Jin Chanzi said, "Disciple feels that this life is already sufficient. Any more would just be suffering."
Sha Chen was silent.
The White Bone Demon, standing nearby, curled her lip. A talent like Jin Chanzi, taught by Sha Chen and coveted by Buddhism, would never understand the feelings of someone like me, raised as a cultivation furnace by the White Bone Saint. She greatly envied Jin Chanzi’s position; he could advance or retreat as he pleased. What if I joined Buddhism? If she hadn’t already pledged herself to Sha Chen, she genuinely wouldn’t have minded joining Buddhism, provided they would have her. After all, in this world, Buddhism was so powerful that even many disciples of Saints from the Sect of Interpretation and the Chan Sect couldn’t resist seeking refuge within it, let alone a mere skeleton like her.
But Jin Chanzi didn’t like the idea, because their philosophies differed. Sha Chen didn’t like it either, because he disfavored Buddhism.
Jin Chanzi continued, "Disciple feels that living any longer would just be suffering, and I would still be unable to break free from Buddhism’s constraints."
He knew that once he left the Flowing Sand River, he would no longer be Sha Chen’s disciple but the enlightened monk, Master Siguo. Then, he would still have to embark on the Journey to the West, manipulated by Buddhism like a puppet on strings.
Sha Chen said, "Jin Chan, the Sutra of Immortality and the Spirit Summoning Decree I’ve imparted to you—practice them well. They are among the Three Thousand Dao Techniques and will be of great use to you. Especially the Sutra of Immortality; the more times you die, the stronger the Dao intent that feeds back into your next life will become. Honestly, Buddhism hopes you’ll become a Buddha in ten lifetimes, but I believe if you die a few more times, the Sutra of Immortality could transform you into a Daoist with profound Dao techniques."
Jin Chanzi’s eyes shone. "So, Disciple should actually die a few more times?"
Sha Chen said, "At least, you won’t have to worry about forgetting everything from your previous life when you die. I will use the proper methods to help seal a portion of your memories. Furthermore, this Dao technique will aid you; through the Dao’s nourishment in the cycle of reincarnation, your Dao techniques in your next life will become even more profound."
Jin Chanzi said, "In that case, then Disciple should indeed die."
Sha Chen’s expression twitched. Although that’s true, why do these words sound so awkward?
He then added, "Even though your death will feed back into your next life, there’s a limit to everything. So, I hope that before you die each time, you manage to comprehend the Dao techniques to a certain realm, to make your next life even stronger."
Jin Chanzi nodded. "Disciple understands. Going out this time, it’s likely I won’t escape the calamity arranged by fate and will probably die on the journey to obtain scriptures."
Sha Chen explained, "It’s because you don’t have powerful companions on your scripture-seeking journey, and Buddhism needs you to accumulate sufficient merit. Moreover, since you’ve awakened Dao intent in this life, Buddhism is even less likely to let you live. You are destined to become prey for a demon arranged by Buddhism to fulfill a tribulation. Originally, they intended for you to die at my hands."
According to my knowledge of the original story, Jin Chanzi was supposed to die at my hands in all nine of his reincarnations, Sha Chen mused. However, he hadn’t followed that path.
Jin Chanzi said, "Master, Disciple understands. Before I die, I will surely contemplate the Dao techniques and ascend to a higher level."
Sha Chen nodded. Just as he was about to speak, his expression suddenly changed drastically.
Using his Six Ears of All Heavens, he had heard someone approaching from a great distance, carrying the precious Seal of Fanning the Sky with them!
