Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 291 - 285: The Jade Emperor Asks About the Flowing Sand River【Request for Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1
"Ahem."
Ju Liushun Buddha cleared his throat and said, "Master Siguo, think carefully before you respond."
All the immortals and Buddhas nodded in agreement too.
Li Jing even said, "Master, really think about it. Were you mistreated by Sha Chen in the Flowing Sand River? Did he threaten you, causing you to dare not speak the truth?"
"If that’s the case, just speak frankly. Now that you are out of the Flowing Sand River, you will no longer be threatened by him, and we will stand up for you."
Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation remained unflappable and said, "Thank you for your kind intentions. I truly have not received any unjust treatment. I ate well and drank well in the Flowing Sand River, and had lively conversations with Master Sha Chen."
Suddenly, Bodhisattva Pilanpo said, "The scripture-seeker, you had lively conversations in there? Then why did Erlang God enter and end up fighting Sha Chen?"
"You both entered at the same time; it’s perplexing. Has Sha Chen grown so powerful that he can deal with Erlang God while having lively conversations with you?"
The crowd’s eyes lit up, finding the point valid.
Erlang God and the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi exchanged glances, both hesitant to speak.
Bodhisattva Pilanpo said, "No need to rush, both of you. Let’s hear one at a time and see if there are any discrepancies."
The immortals and Buddhas all smiled.
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi said, "Indeed, I did see Erlang God fighting with Master Sha Chen, but for most of the time before that, they were in pleasant conversation."
The crowd looked toward Yang Jian, eager to hear his explanation.
Yang Jian said calmly, "As soon as I entered the Flowing Sand River, I reverted to my true form. Sha Chen was very hostile towards me and wished to exchange moves directly, but he was also worried about destroying his cave, so he dared not make a move."
He stood with his hands behind his back and continued, "I came exactly for the purpose of exchanging moves. And it was not just about Mana, I also wanted to discuss the Dao and the law, as well as engage in various debates with him. That’s more or less how the first half of the month went."
"Actually, the few days I sparred with Sha Chen were not a life-and-death fight, but rather a true exchange."
Erlang God Yang Jian’s expression remained serene as he said, "However, towards the end, when I wanted to take the scripture-seeker out, I angered Sha Chen. That’s when the fight with true fire started. We were evenly matched, and in his territory, I was afraid of taking a loss, so I took the opportunity to escape."
The immortals and Buddhas were stunned. His speech was flawless, without any gaps. Then, they turned their attention to the scripture-seeker, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, to see if his version matched up with what Yang Jian had said.
Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation nodded and added, "Indeed, that’s what happened."
Now the crowd was perplexed, but many were skeptical, even though it all seemed reasonable.
Yang Jian’s entrance into the Flowing Sand River didn’t immediately lead to conflict with Sha Chen. As proud as he was, he certainly intended to crush Sha Chen in every aspect. Discussing the Dao and debating the law was an expected course of action. So they spent the first half of the month like that, before starting to fight in earnest, then emotions flared because Yang Jian wanted to take Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation away, leading to a full-blown confrontation. Then they fought their way out.
It all made sense.
Even Bodhisattva Pilanpo found no faults but furrowed her brow, feeling something was off, yet she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Li Jing asked, "Erlang God, having spent so much time inside, do you have any insights into the structure within?"
The rest were also very concerned, no longer focused on the situation between Yang Jian and Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation inside. They only wanted to know the secrets of the Flowing Sand River.
Yang Jian, however, swept his gaze over them, then looked at them disdainfully and laughed, "King Li and the rest of you, who are you for me, Yang Jian, to report to?"
He then turned to Yin Jiao, clasped his hands together and said, "Senior brother, I will take my leave first. I will surely visit Taoyuan Cave on Jiuxian Mountain to express my thanks personally another day."
And then he left with the Roaring Sky Dog.
Completely disregarding everyone present, Li Jing and the others were very angry but helpless. That was just how arrogant and rebellious Yang Jian was, not caring about others, but indeed, there was nothing they could do. Even the Heavenly Emperor Jade Emperor could only coerce others by threatening their mothers, ensuring their obedience. If they dared such coercion, they probably would’ve been beaten to death.
After Yang Jian left, the immortals and Buddhas didn’t dare touch him, but they did encircle Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation to question him meticulously. With the combined might of the immortals and Buddhas and their various Divine Powers and Magical Tools at their disposal, they could force Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation not to lie. Then, after questioning, the result was much like the last time.
Seventy percent true, thirty percent false.
Inside the Flowing Sand River there indeed was a paradisiacal land of fortune, with Immortal Herbs and Elixirs scattered all around, and there were divine items to be seen that could enlighten one’s understanding of Dao Techniques. Upon hearing this, everyone’s hearts raced with longing. Indeed, it was a paradisiacal land. If they could take possession of the Flowing Sand River, their power could soar rapidly, just like Sha Chen’s. But they couldn’t get in.
Bodhisattva Pilanpo asked, "Scripture-seeker, is there no more news? Did Sha Chen discuss the Dao with you, or was it Buddhism?"
The scripture-seeker answered, "Sha Chen discussed the Dao with me." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Without hiding anything, this left Pilanpo feeling like she had punched cotton, somewhat uncomfortable. Then, her expression soured as she said, "Hmph, he really is utterly wicked, daring to discuss the Dao with you. That’s the way of heretics; what is he scheming?"
The devotees of Buddhism immediately grew furious.
Honorable Xianglong asked, "Gold Cicada, what Dao did Sha Chen discuss with you?"
He had a very good relationship with Jin Chanzi before and knew his aspirations were not with the current Buddhist Law. The same was true for him; otherwise, he would not have been unable to become a Buddha, remaining an Arhat instead. It wasn’t because he truly lacked great wisdom, but like Jin Chanzi, because he held different beliefs from today’s Buddhist Law. Thus, he was considered impure by the Buddha and lacking great wisdom, and not fit to become a Buddha.
Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation recounted the "Tao Te Ching: Da Luo Chapter" that Sha Chen had taught him by the Flowing Sand River, and upon hearing this, all the immortals and Buddhas were dumbfounded.
Bodhisattva Pilanpo didn’t dare utter a word about heresies or evil paths, and she even worried that someone might use this to make a fuss. In today’s world, who would dare claim the "Tao Te Ching" is heretical!? Even the Tathagata Buddha wouldn’t dare to make such a statement. That is the path written by the sage Laozi, and you dare to call it heretical!? When the two Saints from the Western Sect arrived, they didn’t dare say such things either. Yet, Buddhism’s followers were quietly swallowing this bitter pill, unable to admit that what Sha Chen had preached made sense, yet unwilling to accept it.
Then, Bodhisattva Pilanpo said, "Sha Chen might have debated the Dao with you using the ’Tao Te Ching,’ but you are a follower of Buddhism. How could he be allowed to instill Dao Techniques in you?"
The reincarnated Jin Chanzi replied, "He didn’t indoctrinate me, it was I who actively asked. Master Sha Chen is a good person; he originally did not want to speak of it. It was only because I was insistent in my questioning that he agreed to discuss the Dao."
Bodhisattva Pilanpo was nearly beside herself with anger. The congregated Buddhists were also furiously upset, having already heard that Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation had abandoned Buddhism for Daoism, with impure Six Roots. Without having personally encountered him, they hadn’t believed it. Now, they thoroughly believed it, especially since Guanyin had not managed to properly guide the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. One by one, they were furious.
Ju Liushun Buddha said, "Alright, Buddhism and Daoism are originally one family. If the sage Laozi can debate the Dao with Buddha, we can also discuss Buddhism with them. What’s wrong with that?"
"Besides, if Sha Chen finds through debating the Dao that the Dao Techniques are not as profound as Buddhist Law and wishes to join Buddhism, wouldn’t that be delightful?"
He chuckled and added, "That’s exactly what happened with me."
The other Buddhas were momentarily stunned but then nodded smilingly in agreement. Indeed, that was the case. Ju Liushun had previously been one of the twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, who later abandoned Daoism to practice Buddhism and became a Buddha. He felt that Sha Chen could do the same, and he was confident about it. Yet, the reincarnated Jin Chanzi was filled with disdain in his heart. Buddhism originated from Dao, yet you deviate from the path and still dare to be self-congratulatory!?
Ju Liushun Buddha had no idea what Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation was thinking. He waved his hand and said, "Alright, continue your Journey to the West, and in time you will gradually comprehend the profoundness of Buddhist Law."
He then sent the reincarnated Jin Chanzi across the Flowing Sand River to continue the Journey to the West. However, Buddhism had already dispatched people to wait along the way. They were not going to let Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation off so easily. What was said today was merely for show. With the Heavenly Court’s members still present, Buddhism wouldn’t let Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation say too much, nor would they delve deeply. But once the crowd had thinned out, they would immediately interrogate him to extract more information. By then, they would learn even more.
The crowd dispersed.
The Heavenly Court officials also returned to report, and the news of this event quickly spread, causing an uproar in the Three Realms. The Little Saint, Erlang God Yang Jian, had debated the Dao with Sha Chen, and after clashing in combat, they ended up in a draw. Yang Jian had even claimed that he was fortunate to have escaped from the Flowing Sand River.
How terrifying.
The reputation of Sha Chen spread like wildfire. The infamous Flowing Sand River also exploded in notoriety, stirring up widespread attention. Countless people were singing the praises of Sha Chen, and tales of the Flowing Sand River were everywhere. The scenes of Sha Chen and Yang Jian’s combat were narrated by storytellers with added flair, spreading in thousands of different versions.
「In Heaven,」
Upon learning of this, the Heavenly Emperor Jade Emperor was displeased. Looking at Yang Jian below, he said, "You went in for a month, spent nearly half of it debating the Dao with him, and then ended up fighting. Did you not pay attention to what was happening inside?"
Yang Jian said, "I did."
The Jade Emperor asked, "So, what exactly is going on with the Flowing Sand River?"
Yang Jian answered, "Inside the Flowing Sand River, there is a field of Immortal Herbs growing on Post-Heaven Earth, and Sha Chen has a peach tree among them, rich in Divine Power..."
He slowly described the situation within the Flowing Sand River Cave, mixing seven parts truth with three parts fiction. The Jade Emperor listened closely and examined Yang Jian, trying to detect if he was lying. However, he could not tell; Yang Jian, already a Peak Daluo Golden Immortal, would not easily betray the truth. Moreover, the Jade Emperor guessed that much of what Yang Jian had said was probably true. Through his own channels, he knew about the peach tree inside Sha Chen Cave Manor, something he had gleaned from fragments of information from Tianpeng. Yang Jian had not deceived him. Moreover, for Sha Chen to have advanced so rapidly, he must indeed have had a plethora of Elixirs and Immortal Herbs, and to continue improving, he would certainly need to cultivate them. Having a stretch of Post-Heaven Earth made sense. Still, based only on what Yang Jian had shared, it seemed completely insufficient to explain Sha Chen’s rapid advancement. Because it was far from enough.
The Jade Emperor asked, "Is there more?"
Yang Jian replied, "There is. Inside, there is a Tai Chi Diagram, left behind by Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad."
