Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 442 - 436: Void Door [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Zhao Gongming?
Sha Chen furrowed his brows. He had considered many people but hadn’t expected it to be Zhao Gongming.
Although the grudge between him and Zhao Gongming was long-standing, they had been unable to harm each other and thus had coexisted peacefully. After all, he couldn’t defeat Zhao Gongming, and Zhao Gongming couldn’t enter his domain. Since neither could affect the other, they naturally lived in peace.
Why would Zhao Gongming appear here now, and what exactly did he want?
Sha Chen initially kept silent. It seemed Zhao Gongming, who knew Sha Chen’s temperament well and also recognized his voice, was certain Sha Chen could hear him. Therefore, Zhao Gongming spoke, "Master Sha Chen, I know you can hear me. It doesn’t matter if you don’t make a sound; I have something to say."
He continued, "I’ve long heard of your great name and have always wanted to meet you. However, official duties kept me busy, and I couldn’t make the time. My presence here now is out of necessity. The calamity of the Journey to the West is upon us, and if I don’t come now, it may be too late."
"You’re a wise man, and you probably already know that you’re a crucial part of the calamity of the Journey to the West. Buddhism longs for you to join, while the Heavenly Court hopes you’ll be sensible. As for me, I want those demons and monsters under your command. Hand them over to me, you go on the Journey to the West, and we shall each fulfill our destinies."
「Inside the cave dwelling.」
The Six-Eared Macaque continued to cultivate, undisturbed.
A cold smile touched Sha Chen’s lips. Zhao Gongming’s words were rather condescending, as if he were directing Sha Chen’s life.
At that moment, the system’s voice activated. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"The system has detected that Zhao Gongming is requesting the Host to undertake the Journey to the West. You have the following options:"
"Option One: Agree to Zhao Gongming’s request and embark on the Journey to the West. Reward: [Twenty-four Sea-Pinning Beads]. Sea-Pinning Bead: A Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure with world-destroying power, Zhao Gongming’s Magical Tool."
"Option Two: Refuse Zhao Gongming and remain secluded. Reward: [Void Door]. Void Door: An Innate Spirit Treasure that, when attached to any object, can open a passage through the void."
A smile played on Sha Chen’s lips as he saw the options.
He was rather cunning. If he agreed, he would directly obtain Zhao Gongming’s life-bound Magical Tool. He wondered what Zhao Gongming would think then.
However, he wouldn’t change his mind just for Zhao Gongming.
Although his current strength was considerable—he was at the Intermediate Stage of Quasi-Saint, and both his physical body and Primordial Spirit were on the verge of advancing further—the outside world was still teeming with powerful beings. Figures like Tathagata, Zhenyuanzi, and Zhao Gongming himself were all watching him. If he dared to step outside, they would undoubtedly pursue him immediately, eager to uncover his secrets. Without sufficient strength and formidable abilities, Sha Chen would not venture out, lest he end up toiling for others’ benefit.
Sha Chen chose to refuse Zhao Gongming.
However, he had to voice his refusal to receive the reward.
Outside, Zhao Gongming continued to prattle on, his tone arrogant, as if Sha Chen absolutely had to undertake the Journey to the West, and anything else would be a mistake.
Sha Chen said, "Lord God of Wealth, may I say a few words?"
Zhao Gongming paused, startled that Sha Chen had finally responded. A smile then touched his lips. His responding is good; it proves my words had an effect.
He said, "I thought Master Sha Chen would continue to remain silent. Since you wish to speak, then say your piece. I am not an unreasonable person."
Sha Chen calmly replied, "The God of Wealth arrives, acting high and mighty, arrogant, dictating worldly affairs, and telling me to go on the Journey to the West. Is this not considered unreasonable?"
Zhao Gongming frowned and snorted but offered no rebuttal.
Sha Chen continued, "However, I have heard the God of Wealth’s words and understand his meaning. Since the God of Wealth has brought it up, allow me to state my position clearly."
"I have indeed heard of the Journey to the West, but I do not believe Buddhism requires my participation. As for the Heavenly Court’s arrangements for me, they are even more preposterous, considering I am no longer affiliated with the Heavenly Court."
Zhao Gongming seemed to sense an unfavorable turn and wanted to explain.
But Sha Chen pressed on, "Since I am not under the Heavenly Court’s jurisdiction, nor am I a member of Buddhism, how does the Journey to the West, regardless of how the immortals and Buddhas decide it, concern me? In other words, I have no desire to undertake the Journey to the West. God of Wealth, please leave."
Zhao Gongming had seemingly anticipated Sha Chen’s refusal but hadn’t expected it to be so blunt. He wasn’t flustered, merely chuckling as he said, "Master Sha Chen, there’s no need to refuse so hastily. You simply don’t understand the benefits involved, nor do you grasp the implications."
Sha Chen stated calmly, "I have no desire to know of any benefits or implications. I am speaking with you at length out of respect for your status as the God of Wealth. If I didn’t respect you, I wouldn’t give you the time of day."
Zhao Gongming’s expression shifted slightly. His eyes darkened instantly; he hadn’t expected Sha Chen to dare speak to him in such a tone. If it were his former temper, he would have already attacked the Flowing Sand River by force.
But reason told him, not yet. At least for now, he couldn’t act against Sha Chen, as he lacked the confidence to breach the Flowing Sand River Cave. If he couldn’t break through, acting rashly was not an option; otherwise, he would only embarrass himself.
Zhao Gongming took a deep breath, his gaze on Sha Chen turning grave and somewhat displeased. Yet, he forced an air of nonchalance and smiled. "Master Sha Chen, one shouldn’t speak in absolutes. Some things cannot be bent to your will simply because you wish it."
"Let’s put it this way: the Flowing Sand River Cave is indeed impregnable, giving you a great sense of security. For reasons unknown even to me, all the great powers have recently found it difficult to divine the situation here and have lost their connection to it."
"However, this is no reason for you to act unscrupulously. After all, there’s always someone stronger, a higher mountain beyond the one you see. In an era teeming with emerging powerhouses and countless experts, your current actions will only bring harm upon yourself."
He snorted. "Sha Chen, I advise you to look out for yourself and not bring about your own downfall."
Sha Chen didn’t respond, seeing no need to.
Seeing Sha Chen’s silence, Zhao Gongming assumed he had struck a nerve, making Sha Chen fearful. He snorted coldly but refrained from further taunts, as his objective was to get Sha Chen to leave the Flowing Sand River and embark on the Journey to the West.
Zhao Gongming said indifferently, "Sha Chen, my words may be harsh, but they come from the heart. Honest advice is often jarring to the ear, whether you wish to hear it or not. Still, I must deliver my counsel."
"Your attitude, however, has little bearing on me. Only by leaving the Flowing Sand River and stepping into the outside world will you realize your own insignificance. By participating in the Journey to the West and vying for the blessings of the great calamity, can you secure a boundless future."
Sha Chen could no longer hold back. "Zhao Xuantan, though you are a senior, my future is not for you to dictate."
"I believe staying here offers a more boundless future. If you disagree, can you divine whether I would progress faster by resigning myself to fate, leaving the river, and undertaking the Journey to the West, compared to staying here?"
Zhao Gongming was about to flare up, but Sha Chen’s words weren’t wrong. Indeed, Sha Chen progressed faster by staying here; his advancement from a True Immortal to his current level in a mere four hundred years was astonishing.
Based on Zhao Gongming’s understanding of the calamity of the Journey to the West, even if Sha Chen participated, his destiny would be, at most, that of an Arhat Buddha. In the past, he might not even have reached the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, let alone Quasi-Saint, even with the numerous benefits of participating in the Journey to the West.
But now, without even participating, Sha Chen had already reached such a stage. Was the entire Journey to the West still necessary for him? Did it still pose a danger or offer a chance for tempering? The answer was obvious.
However, Zhao Gongming didn’t concern himself with such details. Making Sha Chen leave the Flowing Sand River was his mission, his objective. Getting him to undertake the Journey to the West was part of his deal with the Heavenly Court and Buddhism, so Sha Chen had to leave, no matter what.
Therefore, Zhao Gongming said, "True, you can grow by staying here, but there are significant limitations. The calamity of the Journey to the West is an event that will benefit Buddhism, and indeed, the entire world. If you successfully enter the fray, you will reap infinite rewards."
"The benefits you’d gain by staying here constitute only about ten percent; they are evident and certainly yours. However, if you were to go on the Journey to the West, you could acquire an additional ninety percent of benefits."
Zhao Gongming smiled. "That is to say, while there are considerable benefits to staying in the Flowing Sand River, and they are assuredly yours, the Journey to the West offers far greater rewards. You could even gain the benefits of the Flowing Sand River along with them. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?"
A phantom image of Sha Chen materialized at the entrance of the cave dwelling, facing Zhao Gongming.
This startled Zhao Gongming. It was the first time he had seen Sha Chen’s appearance—truly an impressive, commanding figure.
However, seeing Sha Chen, he also felt more at ease, believing that Sha Chen’s willingness to appear meant his words had resonated.
Sha Chen’s phantom looked down at Zhao Gongming, a mocking expression on his face. "Zhao Xuantan, do you really think such nonsense can deceive me?"
"If I were to leave the Flowing Sand River, you would probably be the first to try and capture me. Even if you didn’t, plenty of others would want to."
Zhao Gongming’s face turned ugly; Sha Chen’s words showed him no respect whatsoever. But he wasn’t wrong. Too many people wanted to deal with Sha Chen; his secrets were far too tempting.
Zhao Gongming said, "You misunderstand me. I can swear an oath that if you leave the Flowing Sand River, I will absolutely not cause you any trouble."
Sha Chen sneered, "Your oath is worthless to me. Besides, even if you can control yourself, can you control others?"
Zhao Gongming’s expression gradually darkened. "What will it take for you to leave the Flowing Sand River and participate in the calamity of the Journey to the West?"
Sha Chen replied, "It’s not entirely out of the question. Unless..."
Seeing Sha Chen relent, Zhao Gongming breathed a sigh of relief, though he sneered inwardly. Indeed, nothing is absolute; it’s merely a matter of irreconcilable interests. Once the terms are agreed upon, everything will be easy to handle.ŸŸŸ
He asked, "Unless what?"
Sha Chen continued, "Unless you eliminate everyone stronger than me. Then I would feel secure enough to leave the river and embark on the Journey to the West. Heck, not just the Journey to the West, I’d even do a Journey to the East if that were the case."
