Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 439 - 433: Sha Chen Tests the Heart of Liuer [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Kassapa’s and Ananda’s expressions grew even uglier.
"Sha Chen, are you sure you won’t go?" Kassapa’s face darkened. "This is an invitation from our Buddha. By not going, you’re disrespecting not only the Buddha but also Buddhism. Do you know what happens to those who oppose Buddhism in this world?"
Sha Chen laughed. "What? Is Buddhism so powerful, so domineering, that anyone who refuses to cooperate deserves death? I’ve told you politely that I don’t want to go, and now even that’s not acceptable?"
Kassapa snorted. "No, it’s not."
Sha Chen chuckled. "Acceptable or not, I’ve said I’m not going, and that’s final. If you have the means, go ahead and try to tie me up and drag me there."
Kassapa said, "Sha Chen, are you spurning a kind offer only to invite punishment? I’m showing you respect, yet you’re being shameless?"
Sha Chen replied, "Honestly, I’m the one showing *you* face. If it were anyone else, I would have struck them down by now. Who do they think they are to babble at me for so long?"
Kassapa’s and Ananda’s expressions changed drastically. They said angrily, "Very well! Just wait for Buddhism’s retribution!"
With a cold snort, they began to forcefully attack the Flowing Sand River, but naturally, it was futile. After delivering some parting threats, they turned and left.
Only after confirming their departure did Sha Chen find a place to sit. The Flowing Sand River territory returned to peace.
Sha Chen sat, while the Six-Eared Macaque remained prostrate on the ground.
He had heard the entire conversation between Sha Chen, Kassapa, and Ananda. Knowing what had transpired, he trembled with fear.
As expected of Master! He holds Buddhism in no regard.
He had dismissed the invitation to the Ullambana Buddhist Assembly with disdain and infuriated the two Buddhist Elders, leaving them helpless.
Sha Chen closed his eyes and was silent for a moment, then dismissed it from his mind.
His feud with Buddhism was already too deep to be erased. This recent encounter had merely brought their animosity into the open.
Although Kassapa and Ananda were only Buddhist Elders and didn’t manage many affairs within Buddhism, they were like the Grand Eunuchs beside an emperor. They might not handle state affairs, but high officials dared not ignore them.
As disciples of the Tathagata, their appearance likely represented his will. Their invitation was also probably on his behalf.
Suddenly, Sha Chen wondered if the Tathagata had constructed that spatial portal. After all, with his Palm-Sized Buddhist Land ability, he certainly possessed spatial powers. Creating a spatial portal would likely be within his capabilities.
If that’s the case, then this is troublesome.
Sha Chen murmured to himself, "This is a problem. It seems the Tathagata plans to deal with me personally. He’s probably not certain he can break through my Cave Abode directly, so he sent his disciples to test the waters."
This is giving me a headache, Sha Chen thought.
As he was contemplating his countermeasures, he noticed the Six-Eared Macaque still kneeling on the ground and decided to put those thoughts aside for now.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Liuer, get up."
The Six-Eared Macaque hurriedly stood up but remained bowed. "Disciple saw that Master was deep in thought and dared not disturb," he said.
Sha Chen said indifferently, "You know I have a feud with Buddhism. Do you still dare to become my disciple?"
The Six-Eared Macaque quickly knelt again. "Buddhism is unbenevolent and unrighteous, overbearing and tyrannical! They are all despicable tricksters, forcing Master to do things against his will! Disciple wishes he could eat their flesh and drink their blood! I only hope to learn skills from Master so I can help vent Master’s anger!"
Sha Chen was momentarily taken aback, not expecting such a strong reaction from the Six-Eared Macaque.
His expression turned peculiar; the Six-Eared Macaque’s reaction was indeed excessive.
Could the Six-Eared Macaque truly be so loyal? He hasn’t even formally become a disciple yet. How is that possible?
The Six-Eared Macaque was also terrified. He knew that if he dared to say he no longer wished to become a disciple, Sha Chen would probably smack him to death on the spot. Buddhism was terrifying, but at least his own whereabouts hadn’t been discovered by them. He was in a vulnerable position and had to yield. Moreover, his strength was far inferior to Sha Chen’s, and he had initially wanted to become his disciple anyway. Under these circumstances, becoming Sha Chen’s disciple was his only option.
Since this is my only option, I might as well say some flattering things! Flattering words will please Sha Chen. Then, when it’s time to impart teachings and resolve doubts, he won’t hold anything back.
Sha Chen naturally understood the Six-Eared Macaque’s thoughts. If the macaque were genuinely loyal to him already, Sha Chen would actually be more suspicious. Everyone has their own motives, and the Six-Eared Macaque was no exception. Having motives wasn’t a problem; the issue was if those motives were malicious.
Sha Chen was confident he could keep the Six-Eared Macaque in check. Taking him as a disciple was like forging a contract; if the Six-Eared Macaque dared to betray him, Sha Chen had ways to eliminate him, even across an infinite distance.
Besides, Sha Chen was very confident in his own methods. His method of recruiting people always began with coercion, followed by enticement with benefits. Coercion could only ensure temporary submission. To bind someone deeply and win their true allegiance, only benefits would suffice. Only shared interests are eternal.
The benefits he could offer were absolutely irresistible to the Six-Eared Macaque—and they were continuous. Even if the Six-Eared Macaque were to follow a Saint, he wouldn’t receive as many benefits as Sha Chen could provide. Only a fool would refuse such an offer.
From their brief interaction and Sha Chen’s understanding of the Six-Eared Macaque, this monkey was definitely no fool. He was, in fact, a rather scheming monkey. In truth, all monkeys possess a degree of cunning. This included Sun Wukong. Initially, as the Monkey King, he had been an obedient child when seeking discipleship, calling Subhuti "Master" and every Daoist he met "Senior Brother." But after gaining great power, he began to show off.
The Six-Eared Macaque was even more clever and scheming than Sun Wukong. Such a monkey wouldn’t just walk away from this opportunity. The benefits Sha Chen could offer were enough to earn the Six-Eared Macaque’s absolute respect and ensure he would never dare to betray him.
Sha Chen looked at the Six-Eared Macaque and gestured for him to sit. Once the Six-Eared Macaque was seated, Sha Chen stood up, intending to prepare a meal. This startled the Six-Eared Macaque, who also jumped to his feet.
Sha Chen turned and gave the Six-Eared Macaque a deep look. He smiled. "You sit. I’ll cook a meal for you."
The Six-Eared Macaque quickly said, "How can Master cook for his disciple?"
Sha Chen said, "You’ve paid your apprenticeship respects, so I can’t let you be out of pocket. I’ll cook a meal for you; consider it your apprenticeship acceptance feast."
The Six-Eared Macaque, filled with trepidation, said, "Disciple should be the one to cook, Master. Please rest."
But Sha Chen laughed. "You wouldn’t know how. You can’t make this."
The Six-Eared Macaque was extremely anxious. He dared not refuse, nor did he dare to simply sit down. Instead, he hovered by Sha Chen’s side, intending to assist.
I offered so many apprenticeship gifts—my entire savings! Can a single meal from Sha Chen possibly compare? he wondered inwardly. But that was how discipleship worked: the disciple respectfully offered resources to the master, and the master, in turn, imparted Taoist magical powers. I don’t expect to get resources back from Sha Chen. As long as I can learn Taoist magical powers, that’s enough.
Then, what followed left him utterly dumbfounded.
