Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 395 - 389: The Law Follows the Utterance, the Order Prohibits [Seeking Subscription Seeking Monthly Ticket]_1
Ao Lie was extremely excited.
Since childhood, he had always been compared to Ao Moang but never matched up. That was the pride of the Dragon Clan, the hope for its restoration. Finally, after following Sha Chen’s tutelage, Ao Lie’s power skyrocketed, enabling him to match strides with his elder brother Ao Moang for the first time.
He saw hope to surpass him and naturally spilled all his thoughts. The more he spoke, the more excited he got. Moreover, he revealed his ambition—he wanted to take over the entire West Sea Dragon Palace!
The attendees didn’t find this notion peculiar, as the Dragons all felt that those among them who disliked conflict were no more than trash. Given Ao Lie’s talent and strength, and his association with a good mentor like Sha Chen, it would be a waste if he didn’t vie for power. In fact, since they were all aligned with Ao Lie, they were more than eager to see him fight for it!
The Jinghe Dragon King simply nodded slightly, saying, "Not bad, not bad, the kid has grown up. I used to have no faith in you. Compared to your brother, you were nothing but crap. But now, I believe in you."
Ao Lie then looked towards Dragon Girl, who gave him a thumbs up and said, "Although you were picked up in the heavy snow that year, I still believe in you."
Ao Lie turned to the Golden Winged Dapeng, and Dapeng commented, "Not bad, not bad, even though you Dragons are all weaklings, I see potential in you. You’re a tough loach."
Ao Lie got angry and was about to throw himself into a fight. But the Golden Winged Dapeng was not to be outdone. Whether there were three true dragons present or thirty, he wouldn’t flinch in the slightest.
Sha Chen said, "Enough, stop it."
His word was law to everyone present, a command that had to be followed without question. Ao Lie backed down, and so did the Golden Winged Dapeng. He actually didn’t dare to truly offend Ao Lie because he could clearly see the good relationship between Ao Lie and Sha Chen. Sha Chen held Ao Lie in high regard, a position far above his own. As the saying goes, one must consider the master before striking their dog. Naturally, he dared not act recklessly out of deference to Sha Chen.
Sha Chen told them to drink and be merry, leaving no room for unhappiness. He then encouraged Ao Lie, saying, "Third Prince, I also have faith in you. Although your brother Ao Moang indeed has talent, you have me. I can make you even better."
Ao Moang felt an immediate surge of pride, grabbing a jar of wine and gulping it down. "Brother, no more words needed, let’s drink," he said, his eyes reddening from the alcohol.
Sha Chen suddenly regretted his suggestion. Damn it, that was rash of me, ruining such fine wine. To chug so recklessly!
Dragon Girl also buried her head into Sha Chen’s armpit, then said, "Brother General, I’ll also have you in the future, please take care of me."
Sha Chen, after great effort, finally plucked away that overgrown armpit hair and pushed her back, saying, "If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you burrowing into my chest?"
Dragon Girl replied, "Brother General, let me dance for you."
Sha Chen said, "Alright then, if we are to drink and make merry, how can we go without song and dance? But, you’re so rough and burly, can you dance?"
Dragon Girl rolled her eyes and retorted, "Brother General, don’t underestimate me. In the Four Seas, I’m also known as a rare talent in song and dance, recognized as the Crystal Palace Dancer."
Sha Chen paused, then became intrigued.
Dragon Girl immediately began to dance and truly lived up to her reputation. Her dancing was excellent, and her singing voice was also exceptional; she was skilled in both. Applause rang out one after another. Dragon Girl danced with more and more vigor, her eyes shining with light, fixed on Sha Chen without a flicker.
The crowd ate and drank. Dragon Girl, intent on revealing her plans, kept dancing closer and closer to Sha Chen, ceaselessly flirting with him. But she was too naïve. Sha Chen’s composure was unmoved, like a vine-wrapped tree aged and firm.
Seeing Dragon Girl’s ulterior motives, Sha Chen stopped her dance midway and told her to continue eating properly instead. Dragon Girl felt a bit dejected, not having succeeded in seducing Sha Chen, but she wasn’t disheartened. If Sha Chen were that easy to entice, she would have been worried instead, seeing as there weren’t exactly a scarcity of women around him.
「」
After three rounds of drinks and an assortment of dishes, euphoria buzzing in their ears, the Jinghe Dragon King suddenly burst into tears. Ao Lie and his siblings were startled and hurriedly asked what had happened to cause such sudden weeping.
As the Jinghe Dragon King wept, he glanced towards Sha Chen. Sha Chen remained silent, only giving him a brief look that showed clear understanding. Without much care for propriety then, he clasped his fists towards Sha Chen and said, "Thank you, Master Sha Chen, for your concern. I’ve enjoyed so many delicacies here, an endless array of exquisite flavors. However, when my mind drifts to my wife and children, I cannot help but lose my joy, and so I weep. My apologies for this disturbance; please forgive me, Master, and all present."
Ao Lie and his siblings felt extremely troubled. They were relatives of the Jinghe Dragon King, and the Dragon Clan shared in each other’s fortunes and misfortunes. This matter also bore some relation to them, so their eyes too reddened. This was especially true for Ao Lie. The Jinghe Dragon King’s wife was his maternal aunt, and the Jinghe Dragon King’s sons were his cousins, all of the same generation.
Sha Chen actually felt quite speechless. He hadn’t said anything. When did he ever show concern for the Jinghe Dragon King? Why drag him into this!?
However, many people were watching. Even Dragon Girl looked towards him with pitiful eyes and said, "Brother General, please help my uncle. He is in such a pitiful state."
Ao Lie, too, stepped forward and knelt before Sha Chen, saying, "Brother, I beg you to help my uncle’s family. They are in a truly pitiful state, and Wu Qu Xing has gone too far. This is a declaration of war against our entire Dragon Clan."
Sha Chen said, "If it is a declaration of war against the entire Dragon Clan, why does your Dragon Clan not accept the challenge?"
Ao Lie, ashamed, lowered his head and clenched his teeth. "Actually, before coming here, I went home specifically to ask Father about this. And Father said, the Dragon Clan is also helpless." He did not say anymore.
Jinghe Dragon King let out a sigh; he too knew the Dragon Clan’s helplessness meant accepting their fates. Indeed, were he the West Sea Dragon King, he could only turn a blind eye. Any discerning person could see that Wu Qu Xing was merely the executioner in this matter, inconsequential in the grand scheme. The true mastermind behind the scenes was the Jade Emperor. For the sake of the entire West Sea, the West Sea Dragon King did not dare to cross the Jade Emperor. Hence, the matter could only end with the sacrifice of the Jinghe Dragon King’s family. Although the wife of the Jinghe Dragon King was his own younger sister, there was no other choice.
The Dragon Girl also said, "Brother General, we are actually very dissatisfied with our fathers’ attitudes as well, but there’s nothing we can do. I also asked Father, and he said that this matter is too complicated, and it’s very likely that the Jade Emperor is behind it. The Dragon Clan has not easily acquired such a peaceful environment as today. If we get too involved, I’m afraid the entire Dragon Clan will not end well."
Sha Chen laughed loudly. "All the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas have become muddled in their old age, living so many years without gaining any insight! The Jade Emperor is after the entire Dragon Clan. Now he starts with the Jinghe Dragon Palace, and next time, he will target the East Sea Dragon Palace. It’s just a slow death by a thousand cuts for now."
Jinghe Dragon King and Ao Lie’s group all stared with wide eyes in disbelief. Even Jinghe Dragon King could understand why the other Dragon Kings did not help, and why the rest of the Dragon Clan stood by idly. Because they thought it not worth dragging themselves into this; sacrificing one to secure peace for the entire Dragon Clan was a bargain. But Sha Chen’s words were somewhat alarming. Could the Jade Emperor really be after not just the Jinghe Dragon Palace but the entire ocean and overseas water systems!?
Ao Lie exclaimed, "Brother, aren’t your words a bit too alarmist? However tyrannical the Jade Emperor may be, he surely wouldn’t be so greedy."
The Dragon Girl also frowned and said, "That can’t be, right? How would the Jade Emperor dare to treat our Dragon Clan like this? Doesn’t he fear that we might rebel?"
Sha Chen laughed again. "Heh, if your Dragon Clan truly dared to rebel, you would have done so already. And you see, the Dragon Clan rebelling is completely different from Yang Jian’s rebellion. Once the Jade Emperor gives the word, all the tribes will come together, and the Dragon Clan will certainly be annihilated."
The bodies of Dragon Girl and the others trembled. This was no jest; the reality was indeed as such. The Dragon Clan’s identity carried too much influence. They were suppressed by all other races, primarily because of the massive impact of the Dragon Han’s First Calamity. All tribes knew the strength of the Dragon Clan and did not want them to continue growing stronger, and so, suppression was necessary. Should the Dragon Clan rebel, there would be no need for the Jade Emperor’s command. Those other races might just gather and annihilate the Dragon Clan themselves.
Jinghe Dragon King and his group all sighed, feeling that Sha Chen’s words basically equated to a refusal. Although somewhat disappointed, such matters could not be forced. The Dragon Clan itself was not united, nor powerful enough. How could they demand help from others?
But just at that moment, Sha Chen said, "Helping the entire Dragon Clan against the Heavenly Court is out of the question, but if it’s just Wu Qu Xing, I can help you."
"Really?" Jinghe Dragon King and the others were overjoyed.
Especially Jinghe Dragon King, who was so stirred that he was on the verge of tears. "Just dealing with Wu Qu Xing is enough. He’s the executioner! Take him down, and my Dragon Palace can be restored. Then it will not be so easy for the Jade Emperor to find another excuse to target me."
That was precisely what Sha Chen had in mind. Although anyone with clear sight could see that the Jade Emperor was standing behind Wu Qu Xing, the Jade Emperor hadn’t personally intervened. Wu Qu Xing’s actions, however, were undeniably vile. For the Jade Emperor to target the Jinghe Dragon King, he would genuinely need to present solid evidence. Otherwise, convicting someone on fabricated charges would reflect poorly on the Jade Emperor; such actions would tarnish his reputation if word got out.
Sha Chen added, "However, let’s get one thing clear. I will deal with him only if Wu Qu Xing comes here. If he remains in the Jinghe Crystal Palace, I won’t go."
Just when everyone was preparing to be disappointed again, Sha Chen continued, "Wu Qu Xing isn’t much to worry about. His cultivation is at most at the Da Luo level, roughly the same as yours, Ao Lie, or perhaps slightly stronger. In time, you will be able to handle him yourselves." Then turning to the Golden Winged Dapeng, he said, "If it really comes to it, I’ll have Dapeng go help you eat him."
Jinghe Dragon King, who was initially uneasy, knelt on the ground crying tears of joy upon hearing these words. "Thank you, Master Sha Chen, thank you, Master Sha Chen! From now on, this little king’s life is yours. As long as you rescue my wife and children, from today on, the Jinghe Crystal Palace will look to Flowing Sand River as our leader."
