Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 373 - 367: Immortal Taiyi Seeking Breath Soil 【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1
Sha Chen was in the cave abode.
Gazing at Nezha outside, who was earnestly admitting his wrongs and clearly intending to make amends, his expression remained mild.
To tell the truth, Nezha was a decent person, genuinely sincere. The fact that he could slice flesh to repay his father and carve bone to repay his mother showed he truly dared to act and was a person of true character. Such an individual was worth befriending deeply. In the great Divine Enthronement War, he and Yang Jian were rare cases of individuals who achieved divinity through their physical bodies, possessing boundless futures. Previously, due to the limitations of his physical body and being held back by Li Jing, his cultivation and strength had progressively fallen behind. After being struck by Sha Chen, he transformed, immersing himself in cultivation. He ran to Golden Light Cave and, under Immortal Taiyi’s tutelage, experienced successive breakthroughs in his cultivation. Now, he had left his brothers Jinzha and Muzha far behind. This was also why Li Jing planned to align with the Chan Sect; as Nezha’s strength grew, his influence in the Chan Sect would expand, necessitating Li Jing to bolster his own standing within the sect.
Nezha, outside, glanced at Li Jing and the other celestial soldiers and generals who had already departed with their troops, his expression extremely complicated.
Sha Chen said, "Crown Prince, aren’t you returning?"
Nezha replied, "I did not come this time under orders; I came specifically on my own accord."
Sha Chen asked, "Crown Prince, what is your purpose in coming here?"
Nezha suddenly knelt, cupped his fists, and said, "I, Li Nezha, have wronged you previously, spoken arrogantly, and even presumptuously challenged you. I have come to beg for your forgiveness."
The spider spirit and Chang E inside the cave abode were stunned, looking at Sha Chen with some incredulity.
Sha Chen’s expression remained mild as he said, "Crown Prince, please rise. What happened before has already been settled. There’s no need to mention it again. You should return."
Nezha said, "Brother Yang and my third sister told me that General for Folding the Curtain is a highly esteemed individual with boundless mana, extensive Divine Powers, and profound Dao Techniques. I wish to learn from you, General, and ask that you accept me."
So, he actually wanted to become a disciple.
Sha Chen was silent for a long while, then said, "You should return. I do not intend to take on disciples."
Nezha remained kneeling. "Even if I cannot become a direct disciple, being a nominal disciple would be enough."
He was determined not to leave, intent on seeking mentorship.
Sha Chen said, "There’s no need to say more. Regardless, I will not accept you."
Nezha, too, was silent for a long time, then asked, "Master, is it because of my father and my two brothers that you refuse?"
He was aware that Li Jing, Jinzha, and Muzha had grievously offended Sha Chen. Even though Sha Chen had said that all grudges with their family were settled, how could things truly be completely resolved? Even if the grudges were gone, no goodwill remained. Since they had become like strangers, why would he accept *me* as a disciple?
Nezha bit his lip, a look of disappointment flashing in his eyes, mixed with a trace of bitterness.
Sha Chen said, "That’s not the sole reason. Primarily, I do not know where your loyalties lie, Li Nezha."
Nezha was taken aback and suddenly looked up. After a long silence, he said, "If I could be accepted as your disciple, Master, my heart would belong wholly to Flowing Sand River, at your command."
Sha Chen smiled. "You already have a master: Immortal Taiyi of Golden Light Cave on Qianyuan Mountain. If I were to accept you, what should I do if he comes knocking on my door one day?"
Nezha replied, "People of the Chan Sect do not mind one having more than one master. Besides, my master once told me that he would not object if I were to become someone else’s disciple."
Sha Chen said, "I object."
Nezha fell silent.
At that moment, he didn’t know what to do.
Just then, a golden light approached from the distance. A Daoist holding a horsetail whisk landed beside Nezha.
Seeing the Daoist, Nezha was startled, then immediately kowtowed. "Disciple Nezha pays respects to Master!"
The newcomer was indeed Immortal Taiyi.
Immortal Taiyi arrived, holding his horsetail whisk. "This humble Daoist, Immortal Taiyi, greets the Master of Flowing Sand River." He then bowed slightly, treating Sha Chen as an equal, very courteously, without any air of seniority.
Nezha was stunned.
A clone of Sha Chen materialized from the mud on the ground. He, too, bowed slightly in return. "I was unaware of Immortal Taiyi’s visit; please forgive my lack of a proper welcome."
His heart was somewhat conflicted and filled with emotion at this moment. He had once considered sending his clone, Chen Sha, to become Immortal Taiyi’s disciple. Yet now, Immortal Taiyi himself had come to his door, while Chen Sha had been taken back to Jinao Island.
Immortal Taiyi chuckled. "A moment ago, this humble Daoist overheard the conversation between you, Master, and Nezha. I came to inform you that as of today, Golden Light Cave of Qianyuan Mountain has expelled Nezha. He is now a free individual and no longer my disciple."
Sha Chen hadn’t said anything yet, but Nezha was aghast.
He cried out anxiously, "Master, why would you do this? Master, what have I done wrong? Is it because I wished to join Master Sha Chen? If so, I understand my error. I will not join Flowing Sand River!" He knelt on the ground, kowtowing to Immortal Taiyi.
However, Immortal Taiyi said calmly, "That is not the reason. When I first accepted you as my disciple, it was to navigate the great calamity of the Divine Enthronement. Now that the calamity has passed, our bond as master and disciple is fulfilled. It is time to grant you your freedom."
Nezha kowtowed, weeping bitterly.
Immortal Taiyi continued, "You need not be sad or feel indebted to me. In truth, it is I who am indebted to you. With your opportunities and talent, you should have achieved far greater heights by now. It was an injustice for me to use you to weather the Divine Enthronement."
"Afterwards, you shielded me from the Divine Enthronement’s deadly tribulation. I, in turn, imparted teachings and fulfilled my duties as your master. Thus, all debts and gratitude between us are cleared, and our bond as master and disciple has ended. I should have granted you freedom sooner, but I admit I was reluctant, wishing to keep you bound due to your considerable talent. Now, I completely restore your freedom."
Having said this, he made a hand gesture towards Sha Chen’s clone. "Immeasurable Heavenly Lord! Master Sha Chen, today this humble Daoist has severed the master-disciple bond with Nezha. He is free to become your disciple."
Nezha wept profusely. He knew Immortal Taiyi had expelled him only so he could become Sha Chen’s disciple and learn even more profound Dao Techniques and skills. He just kept kowtowing, tears streaming down his face. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Sha Chen looked at Nezha, then at Immortal Taiyi, and then fixed his gaze impassively on Nezha.
He said calmly, "Nezha, let me ask you. Immortal Taiyi has expelled you from his tutelage to remove any obstacles to you joining mine. Now, if I give you the opportunity, are you willing to become my disciple?"
Nezha looked at Immortal Taiyi and saw encouragement in his eyes. Then, he turned back to Sha Chen, kowtowed loudly three times, and said, "Master Sha Chen, I apologize, but I cannot. My former master once told me that taking a second master would be acceptable, but he never spoke of expelling me. Today, he has expelled me so that I might take another master, but how could I have the face to do so?"
THUD. THUD. THUD.
He kowtowed loudly three more times. "Today, I, Li Nezha, am without sect or lineage, and I shall have none in the future. I apologize, Master Sha Chen, for having to decline your kind offer."
Then he kowtowed to Immortal Taiyi again. "Master, once a master, always a father. Although I am aware of your original purpose in accepting disciples, I am grateful for your teachings and guidance, and I bear no resentment. Without you, Master, there would be no Li Nezha."
Immortal Taiyi’s eyes reddened slightly.
Nezha continued, "I must disappoint you, Master. Though expelled from Golden Light Cave today, I will not join Flowing Sand River."
With that, he prepared to rise and leave.
Immortal Taiyi opened his mouth as if to speak, then hesitated and finally let out a long sigh.
Sha Chen said, "Nezha, do one thing for me. I will not accept you as a disciple, but I will impart Dao Techniques to you."
Nezha paused, turning back. "If I can do something for you, Master Sha Chen, and if it means you will no longer hold resentment towards my father and brothers, that alone would be sufficient. If I could also be taught Dao Techniques, that would be best of all."
He then knelt on one knee. "Master Sha Chen, whatever you command, Nezha dares not disobey."
Sha Chen said, "Wait a moment. This matter cannot be discussed lightly."
Nezha stood, saying no more, and did not leave. He looked at Immortal Taiyi, then at Sha Chen’s clone.
Sha Chen’s clone said, "Immortal Taiyi, surely you did not come here solely to expel Nezha from your tutelage?"
Immortal Taiyi gave an awkward chuckle. "Of course, not just for that. Primarily, I hoped to meet you, Master Sha Chen, to speak with you candidly in person."
"I wonder if the Master would permit this humble Daoist entry? Today, I have brought the Chan Sect’s Qilin Brew. It is a fine liquor crafted by my own master, Lord Yuan Shi, at Qilin Cliff, using water from the Verdant Gully Spring."
Nezha, listening nearby, was somewhat shocked. He knew all too well how precious Qilin Brew was. He once saw Immortal Taiyi hide away three bottles of it and, having secretly drunk half a bottle, was nearly beaten to death for his transgression. Immortal Taiyi had told him that the process of making Qilin Brew was exceedingly complex. Even after completion, it needed to be aged for ten thousand years before it was fit for consumption. Only a hundred jars were unearthed every ten thousand years. It had taken Immortal Taiyi tens of thousands of years to obtain just three bottles from his own master, which he had been loath to drink. Nezha’s sampling of half a bottle had, understandably, almost cost him his life.
And now, Immortal Taiyi had taken out a bottle—and from the looks of it, he had probably brought all his Qilin Brew. To seek out Sha Chen for a drink? Nezha was baffled. He had no idea what his master was planning.
Sha Chen, however, said, "You should return, Immortal. I do not have the good fortune to enjoy such a delicacy."
Immortal Taiyi, however, was reluctant to leave. Growing somewhat anxious, he said, "If not for drinking, we can discuss the Dao!"
Sha Chen regarded him with a peculiar expression. "Discuss the Dao? Saint Zhenyuanzi also came with that pretext, and it ended unpleasantly. Immortal, are you certain you wish to discuss the Dao with me?"
Immortal Taiyi was bewildered. He had rushed here from Qilin Cliff and was unaware that Zhenyuanzi had caused a commotion. Hearing this, he quickly made some mental calculations, and his expression became quite a sight.
He looked troubled. Seeing Sha Chen’s clone about to vanish, he hastily stated his true purpose.
"Master Sha Chen, let me be frank with you," he said. "This humble Daoist has actually come with a request. I have heard that you possess the Innate Earth. This humble Daoist wishes to ask for a portion. Would Master Sha Chen be willing to part with it?"
