Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 403 - 397: Slaying Immortals [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 403: Chapter 397: Slaying Immortals [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Sha Chen’s words made Wang Lingguan’s hair stand on end, as if needles were pricking his back.

Wang Lingguan was somewhat scared and alarmed, but more than that, he couldn’t afford to lose face. Sha Chen’s words made him unable to maintain his composure. If he retorted forcefully, it would undoubtedly provoke Sha Chen’s killing intent. Should Sha Chen truly annihilate his entire family, he would be powerless to resist and would surely regret it. Yet, if he didn’t retort, it would mean admitting defeat, making him a laughingstock. For a moment, he didn’t know what to do, his expression ugly as he frowned deeply.

Sha Chen looked at him and said indifferently, "What’s the matter, Wang Lingguan? Do you think that by pointing to a deer and calling it a horse, and reversing black and white, you can really act with impunity?"

"What kind of person is Dou Rong, the Wu Qu Xing? Surely you know? Surely you understand? I believe almost everyone present knows, right?!"

Wang Lingguan was silent.

What Sha Chen said was actually not wrong. Dou Rong had indeed committed heinous deeds: annihilating the Jinghe Crystal Palace, slaughtering numerous shrimp soldiers and crab generals, and even imprisoning the wife and children of the Jinghe Dragon King. He had pursued the Jinghe Dragon King all the way here. One could say Wu Qu Xing Dou Rong deserved death. However, he was one of their own, a member of the Heavenly Court, and it was the Jade Emperor who had instructed him to act. It was just that Dou Rong had taken things too far. In any case, as long as the objective was achieved, nothing else mattered. Unfortunately, Dou Rong failed to achieve his objective and was killed instead. Someone had to take the blame for this mess. The Jinghe Dragon King was the designated scapegoat; he was the victim, yet he had to bear this burden. If Sha Chen could be dealt with easily in the process, that would be for the best.

However, Wang Lingguan had not expected Sha Chen to be so unyielding, and his composure became difficult to maintain. He likely knew that Sha Chen considered himself powerful; after all, decades ago, he had already been able to fight Yang Jian to a draw. Now, with more decades passed, who knew how strong he had become? He was certainly stronger, perhaps even having entered the Quasi-Saint Realm like Yang Jian. If so, Wang Lingguan was truly no match for him, not even close.

And over a decade ago, even when Green Lion and Bai Xiang had joined forces, they were suppressed by Sha Chen, and the Golden Winged Dapeng was captured by Sha Chen—this matter was known to all. The Golden Winged Dapeng was a Quasi-Saint. For Sha Chen to have captured him, one could only imagine Sha Chen’s strength. Perhaps he truly had reached the Quasi-Saint Realm and could even deal with ordinary Quasi-Saints. Wang Lingguan definitely didn’t dare to provoke him; he would naturally try to avoid him whenever possible.

Now, Sha Chen’s questioning left him utterly humiliated, unable to refute yet also unable to back down.

While he was in this bind, Fuhu Arhat spoke up.

He sized up Sha Chen and said, "Worthy of being the General for Folding the Curtain, renowned as the foremost figure since the Divine Enthronement. This aura indeed befits such a title, yet your magnanimity seems rather lacking."

With his palms pressed together, he said, "Amitabha. This humble monk, Fuhu, is the Head Seat of the Arhat Hall of Buddhism. General for Folding the Curtain, I, Fuhu, have come personally to ask you to do me the honor of handing over the Jinghe Dragon King."

Sha Chen laughed heartily. "And who might you be, to think you’re worthy of me giving you face?"

Fuhu Arhat had never suffered such indignity; he was instantly enraged, his face turning ugly as he gritted his teeth.

He roared, "Sha Chen, it would be one thing if you merely disagreed, but why must you humiliate this humble monk so? I am the Head Seat of the Arhat Hall of Buddhism! Even third-rank Buddhas must address me as ’Venerable’ upon seeing me!"

"Your insult to me is not merely a personal affront; it is an affront to the entirety of Lingjiu Mountain! Are you trying to make an enemy of all of Lingjiu Mountain?"

Sha Chen glanced at him, looking him up and down before sneering, "To think they made you the Head Seat of the Arhat Hall. What a disgrace to Lingjiu Mountain. An enemy of Lingjiu Mountain, you say? Let me ask you, are you qualified to represent Lingjiu Mountain?"

How could Fuhu Arhat dare claim he could represent it? He hemmed and hawed, then snorted, "Enough nonsense! You insulted this humble monk, that is your transgression! Apologize immediately!"

Sha Chen sneered, "Hah. Are you worthy?"

Fuhu Arhat was furious and aimed a palm strike at Sha Chen, intending to obliterate his avatar.

But just then, the Flowing Sand River trembled. An incomparably powerful aura surged out from within, exuding a terrifying pressure.

Fuhu Arhat was startled, his face turning deathly pale. Overcome with terror and utter dread, he stumbled backward, not daring to unleash his palm strike. Still shaken, he stared down in horror. Sha Chen’s avatar sneered, "Coward. With such little courage, you truly bring shame upon Lingjiu Mountain."

Then, he turned his gaze back to Wang Lingguan. "Well? Don’t you wish to explain?"

"Impudent!" Before Wang Lingguan could speak, Emperor Zhenwu interjected with a sharp reprimand.

Emperor Zhenwu scolded, "Sha Chen, that’s enough! I, the Emperor, am still here! Is it your place to act so presumptuously?"

"No wonder you have the audacity to shelter a criminal. So, you’ve reached the Quasi-Saint Realm. Heh, your talent is indeed impressive, but don’t assume that reaching the Quasi-Saint Realm means you can act with utter impunity."

He, too, unleashed a potent Quasi-Saint aura, immensely terrifying.

He bellowed, "Let me tell you, I am also a Quasi-Saint! To deal with you, all I need is a single sword strike!"

Sha Chen glanced at Emperor Zhenwu and chuckled. "So, this is the source of your confidence to call a deer a horse and twist right from wrong?"

"I know that Wu Qu Xing Dou Rong is your disciple. That’s why, no matter what he did, even if it was a depraved and wantonly reckless atrocity, you would cover it up for him, conceal his deeds."

"Now, are you planning to silence witnesses by murder, or do you intend to persist with your false accusations to the very end? Not that it matters. If that’s what you wish, then by all means, proceed."

Emperor Zhenwu was seething with uncontrollable anger. Sha Chen had laid everything bare, causing him to lose considerable face. Everyone knew he was trying to shield his disciple, and they all knew they were in the wrong. But no one dared to voice it. Sha Chen knew this; he could have cried foul, but he wasn’t supposed to state it so directly. Otherwise, no one would have a way to save face. Yet, Sha Chen had said it aloud. This ignited their fury, making the situation unbearable for them; they were livid.

Wang Lingguan glanced at Emperor Zhenwu, his eyes darting about. He then pointed at Sha Chen and bellowed, "Sha Chen, what nonsense are you spouting? Wu Qu Xing Dou Rong is a disciple of Emperor Zhenwu! Even if he has done something wrong, it is not for others to criticize. Only His Majesty the Emperor himself can pass judgment!"

Emperor Zhenwu shouted, "Exactly."

But Sha Chen retorted, "Haha, so if one does something wrong, they can just be punished behind closed doors with a mere slap on the wrist, like drinking three cups of wine? When I broke the Liuli Lamp, wasn’t I condemned to suffer here for five hundred years?"

Wang Lingguan was immediately left speechless.

Sha Chen sneered. "When you do wrong, you must pay the price. If your own family doesn’t discipline you, then when you misbehave outside, someone else will."

"Do you think you’re so noble that when you err, you can just mete out a token punishment behind closed doors? Who do you think you are? Do you believe everyone will indulge you?"

After another sneer, he added, "Remember, no one owes you anything. Furthermore, the one who killed Wu Qu Xing Dou Rong was the Golden Winged Dapeng. He belongs to Buddhism. If you have any courage, you should go confront Buddhism, not collude with them and find a third party to blame!"

Having said that, he looked towards Fuhu Arhat.

Instantly, the atmosphere between the celestial and Buddhist factions grew tense and awkward.

Fuhu Arhat’s face twitched, his brow furrowed.

Wang Lingguan immediately sensed this was bad; he didn’t want to see a conflict erupt between the Immortals and Buddhists. He frowned, about to quickly try and smooth things over.

But Sha Chen cut him off, continuing his tirade, "You people! You’ve been harmed by members of Buddhism, yet you still want to stand up for your enemies, to be used by them as mere pawns!"

"The Golden Winged Dapeng is the Tathagata’s own brother-in-law and the Acala Vajrabodhisattva of Buddhism! This is common knowledge. Are you the only ones pretending to be ignorant?"

"But what good will it do? The world will learn of your actions, and they will see the Heavenly Court as bullies of the weak and cowards before the strong, even resorting to colluding with treacherous forces and honoring their enemies!"

Wang Lingguan, both shocked and enraged, roared, "Sha Chen, you’re outrageous! You’re spouting utter nonsense! Shut your mouth—"

WHOOSH!

A divine light suddenly shot out from the Flowing Sand River, striking Wang Lingguan, sending him flying and coughing up blood.

Wang Lingguan’s eyes widened with shock and horror.

At that very moment, dark clouds gathered densely in the sky, thunder rumbled incessantly, and celestial fire blazed. Violent winds howled, and the river water churned furiously.

Wang Lingguan was both shocked and terrified. It was as if the entire Flowing Sand River region, for ten thousand li around, had transformed into a fiery hell. They were trapped within this inferno, with no way to escape.

Sha Chen looked at Wang Lingguan calmly. "So, it’s you who’s been stirring up trouble? You must be one of those sycophantic ministers by the Jade Emperor’s side. Perhaps Dou Rong’s reckless rampage was your instigation. Today, I shall cleanse the court of such treachery!"

Wang Lingguan was aghast and incredulous. He instantly felt a chill as if plunged into an icy cavern, with needles pricking his back.

Consumed by terror, he saw the gate of the Flowing Sand River Cave slowly open. A hand stretched out from within, striking towards Wang Lingguan.

Wang Lingguan was terrified and tried to dodge, but a divine light shot out from the Flowing Sand River, transforming into myriad sharp swords that sealed him within a tiny space.

Drawing Ground into Prison, Light Guardian Seal Sword.

Wang Lingguan couldn’t break free from that confined space and could only watch helplessly as the palm descended!

The assembled immortals were shocked; the Eight Immortals, horrified. The Four Sky Kings were stunned, and the Eighteen Arhats, terror-stricken.

Emperor Zhenwu was beside himself with rage, roaring, "Audacious! Do you think I, the Emperor, am not here?!"

"I will not allow you to harm him!" With that, he slashed out with his sword, aiming to sever Sha Chen’s arm.

SPLAT!

However, he was too slow, and Sha Chen was too fast. The palm landed, directly smashing Wang Lingguan into a bloody mist.