Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 420 - 414: No Longer Conciliatory, but Firm【Request for Subscription and Monthly Tickets】_1
The words of Star Lord Luo Xuan caused many immortals to fall into silence, frowning one after another. Then, they looked toward the Jade Emperor.
The feasibility of this matter was still quite high. After all, they had no solution, and Yang Jian had dealt with Sha Chen before. He was an experienced man.
As for Yang Jian’s rebellion, he was completely forced into it. In fact, with just one word from the Jade Emperor, Yang Jian could be exonerated. After all, Yang Jian had only released the Jade Emperor’s sworn sister, a release the Jade Emperor had already promised countless times. Releasing her himself didn’t truly violate any heavenly laws; it was just somewhat embarrassing for the Jade Emperor.
Over the years, Yang Jian had not publicly declared rebellion. The Heavenly Court, to save face, would occasionally send people to deal with Yang Jian, making things difficult for the mortals in the Guanjiangkou region. If the Jade Emperor truly exonerated Yang Jian, there was still a great chance that Yang Jian would once again return to his fold.
Only the Jade Emperor knew in his heart that he truly had no way to make Yang Jian return to his fold again. Peach Mountain had crumbled, and Princess Yunhua had been released by Yang Jian. He had nothing left to threaten Yang Jian with, no leverage.
Was exonerating Yang Jian that important? If it were important, Yang Jian wouldn’t be openly defying him. Still, the immortals are hopeful, and I have to give it a try.
He said, "Very well. Let’s try My Close Subject Luo’s method. As for the task of persuading Yang Jian, it shall be entrusted to My Close Subject Luo."
Then the Jade Emperor added, "However, dealing with Sha Chen cannot rely on brute force; we still need to find a way. The spiders of The Cave of the Silken Web, the bear demon of Black Wind Cave, Lady Di Yong of Bottomless Cave, and Red Boy of Yunzhan Cave—all must be captured and brought to the Heavenly Prison. I want to interrogate them personally."
Xiao Sheng, representing The Mysterious Altar Department, accepted the order and withdrew.
The other immortals each withdrew. However, the matter was far from over. Both Kui Mulang and the Jinghe Dragon King had a glint in their eyes, planning to pass this information to Sha Chen.
The Jinghe Dragon King, however, did not dare act rashly. Having just ascended to heaven, he estimated many eyes were on him, making him very anxious. He could only observe for a while before attempting to send a message secretly.
Kui Mulang was also anxious. His recent frequent messages to the Flowing Sand River made him feel guilty and fearful of being discovered, so this time, he too did not dare send a message casually, unsure of what to do for the moment. Both were like ants on a hot pan, unaware that they were comrades-in-arms.
The goings-on in Lingxiao Palace were naturally not concealed from Fairy Chang E. Upon receiving the news, she furrowed her brows, momentarily stunned and anxious.
Troublesome. I never expected the Heavenly Court to be so despicable. If they couldn’t win him over with rewards, they’d go after my brother.
My brother is the apple of my eye; I cannot let anything happen to him. It’s crucial to warn him early so that he’s prepared.
But the Jade Emperor already suspects me. How can I send out the message?
Chang E was extremely anxious. She wanted to go down to the mortal world herself to pass the message to Sha Chen again. But her departure from the Heavenly Palace, heading straight for Flowing Sand River, would be too conspicuous. Moreover, she had also discovered a spy within Guanghan Palace, though she did not yet know who it was. She just felt that she was being watched.
Leaving now would certainly expose my movements. If I got into trouble, it would be one thing, but I fear dragging Sha Chen into it. If I were exploited and led Sha Chen into a trap, that would be disastrous.
Chang E would absolutely not allow such a situation to occur, but she was at a loss for what to do.
At this moment, how I wish the Jade Rabbit were by my side so I could send the message through it!
But the Jade Rabbit had returned once before and then left again.
After hesitating for a moment, Chang E still decided to find a way to send a message to Sha Chen. It was essential to inform him about the Heavenly Court’s plans. But how to send the message? That was a big problem.
She went to Yunlou Palace.
「At this very moment」
Fairy Yunlou, Li Zhenying, was listlessly playing chess with her mother, truly bored to death. When she heard that Chang E was coming, her interest waned even further.
"Why is that old woman coming here? Don’t let her in! Tell her I’ve fallen ill."
Just then, Chang E’s voice came through, "Fairy Yunlou, you don’t seem to be ill at all."
Fairy Yunlou immediately jumped up. "How did you get in? What are you all doing, letting just anyone in!?"
She never minced words with women more beautiful than herself, especially not Chang E, whose renowned beauty surpassed her own—and who, on top of that, was a widow, which made Li Zhenying even more furious. She considered herself unparalleled in beauty and talent, yet she was compared unfavorably to a widow.
Chang E said, "Fairy Yunlou, your beloved is on the verge of death. Do you still have the leisure to quibble here? If that’s the case, then I shall leave at once and let your beloved be ground into dust under the Heavenly Court’s crushing might."
With that, she turned to leave.
Fairy Yunlou was taken aback and probed, "Are you talking about Sha Chen?"
Chang E replied, "Who in the Heavenly Realm doesn’t know that Fairy Yunlou is head over heels for the General for Folding the Curtain? And that Marshal Li deeply regrets not being able to betroth you to Sha Chen, considering it a great pity."
Fairy Yunlou was shaken. Although somewhat shamed and annoyed, she remembered what Chang E had previously said. She then quickly urged, "Speak plainly! What exactly happened to Sha Chen?"
Chang E glanced at Mrs. Yin, who then stood up and led away all the maids and guards nearby.
Fairy Yunlou snorted, "My mother is not an outsider. Why are you sending her away?"
Chang E replied indifferently, "Because I only trust you. Look, your mother even left quietly for the sake of your marriage prospects. Are you still going to fuss over this?"
Fairy Yunlou fell silent for a moment. Then, anxiously, she said, "Enough! Stop beating around the bush and tell me what happened to Sha Chen. If I find out you’re deceiving me, I won’t let you off!"
Chang E snorted. "With your cultivation, you can’t do a thing to me. In the entire Li Family, only your third brother has some capability. Even your eldest brother’s current cultivation level is probably no match for mine."
A powerful aura emanated from her, revealing that she was at the Mid-stage Da Luo Level.
Fairy Yunlou was shocked and exclaimed, "Impossible! You’re a Mid-stage Da Luo? How could you have broken through your bottleneck and reached the Mid-stage Da Luo Level directly?"
As the legitimate daughter of the Heavenly Court’s foremost opportunistic family, Li Zhenying was very familiar with the cultivation levels and abilities of its major figures. Chang E was also reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the Heavenly Realm, a fact Li Zhenying knew well. Chang E was said to be only a peak Greater Primordial Golden Immortal. How could she possibly be a Da Luo, and a Mid-stage Da Luo at that?!
Such a momentous thing, and I didn’t even know!
Pride filled Chang E’s eyes. She had hidden her cultivation very deeply; this was her trump card. This hidden strength was the reason she dared to come out and deliver the message, even knowing there was a spy in Guanghan Palace. Because she was the strongest in Guanghan Palace, her true power was bound to catch anyone monitoring her completely off guard.
Chang E set up a soundproof barrier and said coolly, "My strength was, of course, bestowed by my brother—the very man you adore."
Fairy Yunlou gasped, her eyes filled with disbelief. She exclaimed, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could you have received his guidance? And how could you make such a huge breakthrough in such a short time!?"
Chang E replied calmly, "That is his miraculous ability. You don’t need to doubt it; he truly possesses such power. I’ll tell you the truth: I have long been his. Although I call him brother, I’ve always aimed to be the woman by his pillow. You’re not even qualified to be my rival. If I weren’t currently lacking available people and unable to leave myself, I wouldn’t even have come to you. Because you are not worthy."
Fairy Yunlou was furious; Chang E’s words were too much of an insult. She jeered coldly, "You, a widow, also want to be Sha Chen’s pillow companion? Don’t you think about whether you’re worthy?"
Chang E wasn’t angered and said, "At least he’s seen my body."
Fairy Yunlou flared up. "So what if he’s seen it? It’s not like he’s slept with you! What’s so great about that? In terms of figure, I... I... In terms of face, I... I... In terms of poise, I... In terms of cultivation—no! In terms of temperament... you... In terms of age, you’re an old woman! You can’t compare to a young girl like me!"
Fairy Yunlou was enraged; she realized that aside from age, there was nothing she had over Chang E.
Chang E gave a slight, mocking smile. "Young girl? Yes, you are a bit ’small.’ Heh. Never mind that. Just tell me, will you deliver a message to my brother for me, or not?"
Fairy Yunlou huffed, "Why should I help you?"
Chang E said, "And you still have the gall to say you love him? You’re not worthy of him."
With that, she turned and was about to leave.
Fairy Yunlou quickly stopped her. "Wait! Let’s be clear. I won’t deliver any sweet nothings for you. But if it concerns Sha Chen’s life-or-death crisis, I can deliver that."
Chang E snorted. "Those sweet nothings are for me to whisper in his ear personally. You want to do it for me? You’re not even qualified."
Fairy Yunlou was so angry she gritted her teeth, but she was helpless.
