Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 292 - 286: The Saint wants to take Sha Chen as a disciple, but he doesn’t agree [Subscribe, please vote monthly] _1
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad left behind a Tai Chi Diagram!?
The light in the Jade Emperor’s eyes flickered brilliantly as he steadied the golden throne with his hand and leaned forward, clearly very shocked at this moment.
Below, there was only Yang Jian; even Li Changgeng and Wang Lingguan were not present.
The Jade Emperor said, "It seems that Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad indeed has a connection with him."
Yang Jian said, "Sha Chen once said that Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad expounded Dao to him and had stayed in his cave dwelling for a few months many years ago."
The Jade Emperor’s expression grew more and more solemn as he said, "No wonder he has the Plantain Fan; it must have been given to him by Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad."
Yang Jian said, "That I don’t know, but it is certain that Sha Chen does have some relationship with Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad."
The Jade Emperor asked, "What is their relationship like?"
In asking this, even he felt the question was foolish. Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad had stayed at the Flowing Sand River for several months, explained Dao to Sha Chen, and even gave him the Plantain Fan; how could their relationship be anything but close!?
However, the Jade Emperor still wanted to ascertain the exact situation, to see whether Sha Chen had taken Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad as his mentor.
If so, he might have to change his strategy. For a person favored by Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, he could not possibly keep trying to push him to Buddhism. He would need to choose someone else to push towards Buddhism. But by doing so, he would essentially be offending Buddhism, and the grace of offering a candidate would be greatly diminished, perhaps even turning negative. Secondly, he did not understand what Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad’s actions meant. The candidate had been his decision, and Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad had also approved it. This candidate was then to be sent to Buddhism for the Journey to the West. Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad had been fully involved and had given his approval. Now, to betray them halfway and claim Sha Chen for himself, what exactly did this mean!?
The Jade Emperor needed to clarify this while also realizing that in front of the Saints, even as the lord of the Three Realms, he faced many restrictions. This made him even more eager for mighty power, yearning for more immense authority.
However, for now, he still needed to understand what exactly Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad meant and what the relationship between Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad and Sha Chen really was.
Yang Jian truthfully reported, "Sha Chen said he did not want to be tainted by the dust of the world, and when Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad wanted to take him as a pupil, he did not agree."
Did Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad really want to take him as a pupil?
The Jade Emperor sighed. If it were indeed so, then he could only select another person. However, many of his plans would be disrupted, and he would have affronted Buddhism.
Wait a minute!
Then the Jade Emperor suddenly froze. Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad wanted to take Sha Chen as a pupil, but Sha Chen did not agree!? Sha Chen did not agree!!? How is that possible!?
The Jade Emperor was dumbfounded, and within the Bright Palace, the court ladies, including the Pixiang Jade Maiden, were also stunned. They could not imagine that Sha Chen would refuse Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad—a thought too terrifying to contemplate.
Yang Jian nodded and said, "Indeed he refused. And Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad’s few months’ stay was not entirely to give him guidance; it seems he was so vexed that he beat him for several months."
Beat Sha Chen for months?
Others might think that Sha Chen was really courting death, getting beaten up by Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad for months, his life wrecked.
However, the Jade Emperor didn’t see it that way. In fact, his face looked solemn, his gaze more intense.
Who is Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad? That’s Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad from Tushita Palace, the External Incarnation of a Saint, representing the Saint, and a Sub-Sage in his own right. With such power, why would he bother to beat a person, let alone for months? It must be that his affection ran deep, so deep that he couldn’t stomach the rejection. That’s why he stayed for months. It seemed like he was beating and scolding, but in reality, he was trying to force Sha Chen to submit.
HISS.
What is so exceptional about Sha Chen that Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad would humble himself so much to recruit him as a disciple? Knowing that Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad has only a few disciples, yet he showed such favor to Sha Chen and even left behind the Tai Chi Diagram. One could only imagine Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad’s intentions.
The Jade Emperor spoke gravely, "What then? What else is there in the Flowing Sand River? What other peculiarities does Sha Chen have?"
Yang Jian said, "There are some other things. Sha Chen has a profound understanding of Dao Techniques, especially those of the Sect of Interpretation, which he is also familiar with."
The Sect of Interpretation?
Once again, the Jade Emperor was stunned, his expression solemn. Then he had a sudden realization. No wonder he dares to be so arrogant, refusing my kindness. No wonder he dares to confront Buddhism head-on, unwilling to accept the arrangements of fate.
Yang Jian continued, "I also asked him whether he had joined the Sect of Interpretation. He denied it."
The Jade Emperor was stunned again. Sha Chen had not joined the Sect of Interpretation either? What was going on?
「On this day.」
The Jade Emperor was destined not to sleep. The shock in his heart lingered, difficult to calm. His inner excitement and doubts were not dispelled by Yang Jian’s explanation. If anything, they grew deeper.
On what grounds did Sha Chen refuse Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad? Why did he not join the Sect of Interpretation? What gave him the right and the confidence to be so audacious?
The Jade Emperor could not comprehend it. However, he could understand why Sha Chen would reject his second attempt at recruitment and also refuse Buddhism’s courtship and subjugation.
Both the Sect of Interpretation and Daoism courted Sha Chen; to him, the advances of Buddhism and the Heavenly Court must seem quite unremarkable. It merely provided Sha Chen with more choices.
As a result, the Jade Emperor found himself in an even more difficult position.
Sha Chen had refused Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, refused him, and even refused Buddhism—so trying to woo him or arrange for him to go on the Journey to the West now seemed an even greater challenge.
The Jade Emperor wanted to ask more questions, but Yang Jian said, "Your Majesty, I have already investigated the situation at Flowing Sand River and completed your task. May I ask when my mother will be released?"
With that question, the Jade Emperor lost any desire to continue the conversation and waved his hand, saying, "That’s enough, you may leave."
Yang Jian replied, "Your Majesty, you promised me."
The Jade Emperor glared and said, "Enough, I told you to leave, didn’t you hear? What I promised, I will do. Just wait patiently."
Yang Jian then roared, "Wait patiently? It’s always ’wait patiently’ every time, and every time you go back on your word, fattened by deceit! You are the ruler of the Three Realms, the Heavenly Emperor above us all! How can you act like this without shame!?"
BANG.
The Jade Emperor slammed the table and shouted, "Yang Jian, are you trying to rebel? How dare you speak to me in this manner?"
"You bellow in the Bright Palace, where does that leave my dignity? I’ve promised you, and I will fulfill it. Just wait patiently."
He then waved his hand again, signaling Yang Jian to withdraw.
Yang Jian’s eyes were fixed on the Jade Emperor, bloodshot with rage.
The maidens in the Bright Palace were extremely nervous; they had experienced this situation many times before, but it always filled them with fear. They feared that in his anger, Yang Jian might fight the Jade Emperor, and they would be caught in the crossfire.
Outside the Bright Palace, the guards and the four Marshals of the Law Protector who stood guard in Lingxiao Palace remained present but did not show themselves. Wang Lingguan, at the entrance of the hall, glanced inside and then paid it no further mind. They had seen this scenario many times. It was a domestic issue between the Jade Emperor and Yang Jian, and interfering would only displease the Jade Emperor. After all, the Jade Emperor was at fault first for breaking his promise. Even if they detained Yang Jian, they would have to release him politely in the end because the Jade Emperor still needed Yang Jian. The arguing was indeed frightening, but they had witnessed it several times and decided to turn a blind eye.
As expected, after roaring in the Bright Palace for a good while, Yang Jian eventually stormed off, furious but helpless.
When Wang Lingguan and the others entered the Bright Palace, they saw the Jade Emperor had regained his composure, showing no signs of anger.
The Jade Emperor said, "What Yang Jian said must be true. It seems Sha Chen really has encountered a major opportunity."
Wang Lingguan kept silent, waiting for the Jade Emperor to give further instructions.
After a moment, the Jade Emperor continued, "There are things Yang Jian didn’t clarify, like whether those evil spirits are related to Sha Chen. He didn’t mention that."
Wang Lingguan replied, "In that case, should we invite the Second Master back for a more thorough explanation?"
The Jade Emperor said, "No need. He resents me and won’t speak. There’s no need for an in-depth investigation either. Just capture the demons and pry the truth from their mouths."
Wang Lingguan left to carry out the order.
The Jade Emperor’s gaze was deep and penetrating, as if he could see through everything. He murmured to himself, "Sha Chen, no matter how monstrously talented you are, you cannot escape from the palm of my hand."
「On Lingjiu Mountain.」
Buddhism was shaken. After Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation was captured by Sha Chen and then rescued by Yang Jian, it caused great turmoil. Many great figures of Buddhism sent emissaries to probe the reincarnated Jin Chanzi, seeking to clarify the situation.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen’s domain was peaceful. With outsiders gone and Jin Chanzi and Yang Jian having left, Flowing Sand River returned to tranquility.
Sha Chen instructed Jade Rabbit to continue her cultivation, not allowing her to leave until she reached a certain realm. Although she longed to be more affectionate with Sha Chen, and especially wanted to keep a close watch on White Bone Demon to prevent her from causing trouble, she had no choice but to obey his orders.
Then, the drama of the mother and daughter weeping at their separation began anew, but Sha Chen simply ignored it.
Seeing Jade Rabbit essentially banished again, White Bone Demon’s entire demeanor brightened. She actively threw herself into his arms and provided warm comfort. Sha Chen, however, gave her an order to quickly break through her current level of cultivation and strive to enter the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm as soon as possible. If she was slow, she would be directly cast out. White Bone Demon dared not be negligent and sought a palace for her cultivation.
The Phoenix sisters, having experienced the intrigue of outsiders and a lively life for over a month, found it hard to readjust to the calm. They clung to Sha Chen, pleading for him to let them venture out.
Bai Luan said, "Father, we are already strong enough. Let us go out and seek our fortunes."
Qing Luan said, "Yes, we are already quite formidable."
Sha Chen replied, "You are still far from ready. If you want to leave, you must first get past me. Otherwise, continue diligently with your cultivation."
Hong Luan said, "Father, it’s so boring. You told us to cultivate until we become Daluo Golden Immortals, but we have estimated that it will take a very long time. By then, we’ll all be old maids."
Sha Chen pinched her cheek, making her eyes water with pain. He then released her and scoffed, "Do you think I don’t know your intentions? Cultivate properly. Even if you do become old maids, can I not afford to take care of you?"
The three sisters had no choice. They realized that Sha Chen was truly not planning to let them go for the time being. No amount of coaxing or acting cute was of any use, and they could only return to their cultivation, indignant.
Sha Chen also took out the Duo Bao Relic, intent on using the opportunity to greatly enhance his potential and strive to reach the Peak of Da Luo Golden Immortal realm as soon as possible.
However, just then, a laugh echoed from outside, "Lord Wuliang! I am Jiang Ziya, a humble Daoist, passing by this treasured land. I wonder if Master Sha Chen would grant me an audience!?"
