Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 444 - 438: Then Rob the Heavenly Prison [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
The Heavenly Prison of the Ninth Day? Sha Chen frowned, his heart heavy.
The Heavenly Court’s prison was not particularly famous. Its most notable incident had been 400 years ago when Sun Wukong caused an uproar in the Heavenly Court and was captured alive. Initially, Sun Wukong and his legion of monkeys were all locked up in the Heavenly Prison. After torturing Sun Wukong for a while, the Heavenly Court discovered it was futile. They pulled him out, struck him with five thunderbolts atop the Immortal Slaying Stage, and scorched him with celestial fire. After that, the Heavenly Prison never had another chance to distinguish itself. Yet, such an inconspicuous place was an absolute forbidden zone that countless mighty beings dared not enter.
It is said that the Heavenly Prison was a jail built jointly by various Saints, provided to the Jade Emperor to imprison those stubborn individuals who refused to be tamed. Initially, countless mighty warriors were sent to the Heavenly Prison. They all entered with full confidence, believing they could escape at any time. However, after being imprisoned for some time, they discovered it was a cage Saints intended to confine those beneath their own cultivation level. Without sufficient strength and skill, escape was impossible.
The Jade Emperor gradually stabilized the Three Realms with the help of the Heavenly Prison. After the War of Divine Enthronement, the ranks of divine spirits in the Heavenly Court swelled considerably. Furthermore, as all sects and orders suffered great losses during the divine catastrophe, troublemakers became inactive. Consequently, the Heavenly Prison’s role became almost negligible. Later, it was only used to detain some weak demons and rebellious Divine Officials. After its role diminished, the Jade Emperor entrusted Zhao Gongming with managing the prison.
Zhao Gongming, overseeing The Mysterious Altar Department and the Heavenly Prison, wielded tremendous power within the Heavenly Court.
Zhao Gongming looked at Sha Chen’s phantom and chuckled, "Master Sha Chen, there are so many heroes in the world, yet the Heavenly Prison remains. Those who enter don’t even think of leaving alive.
"The Spider Demon and the Black Bear Demon are already half-dead inside. I expect the Spider Demon has likely been tormented to death by other prisoners by now. If you come out to rescue them now, perhaps you can save one or two. But if you’re too late, you might not even be able to collect their corpses."
Sha Chen gazed at Zhao Gongming, his face sullen, and said, "Zhao Xuantan, why must you be so ruthless!?"
"You were once part of the Sect of Interpretation. You died in the Array of Ten Thousand Immortals and were subsequently taken into the Heavenly Court, becoming a pawn of the Jade Emperor. You should understand that Buddhism and your former sect are irreconcilably at odds.
"Even if you don’t cherish your past connection to the Sect of Interpretation, you should be aware of this: if the Jade Emperor allies with Buddhism, your authority within the Heavenly Court will inevitably be undermined."
Zhao Gongming calmly said, "You need not worry about my affairs. Just tell me, are you coming out?
"If you obediently undertake the Journey to the West and complete this great ordeal, then once your merits are complete, I promise you I will definitely release all your followers."
Having said that, he confidently watched Sha Chen, waiting for a response.
Sha Chen wished he could kill Zhao Gongming at that very moment. However, he was aware of the disparity in their strength and did not act rashly. His expression remained impassive, but his eyes blazed with murderous intent.
He silently made some calculations. Indeed, the Black Bear Demon, the Spider Demon, and the others had been captured and thrown into the Heavenly Prison, but their exact conditions remained unknown. So far, no news of any follower’s death had reached him. Kui Mulang, Chang E, and the other agents he had placed in the Heavenly Court had also failed to send back any information, strongly suggesting that something was amiss. Although Sha Chen had anticipated potential problems, he hadn’t expected them to erupt so suddenly and with such devastating force. So many of his followers had been captured at once.
Feigning composure, Sha Chen said, "Zhao Xuantan, if you have nothing else to say, then please leave."
Zhao Gongming was taken aback. He clearly hadn’t expected Sha Chen to dismiss him outright rather than begging or pleading. He furrowed his brow in confusion. "Master Sha Chen, do you realize what you’re saying? The Heavenly Court’s prison is under my control. If you were to beseech me now and accept my terms, perhaps I could release them.
"Your current defiance, shutting the door in my face and driving me away, is very unwise. Do not think that just because they can keep quiet for a while, they can keep quiet forever. If I want to pry their mouths open, I am perfectly capable of doing so."
Sha Chen spoke impassively, "If you can do it, then go ahead. I’ve long said I have nothing to do with them. We only met once by chance; their lives or deaths are no concern of mine."
Then his phantom disappeared, no longer to be seen.
Zhao Gongming was furious. His mount, a black tiger, sensed his rage and let out a low roar, exuding a ferocious, baleful aura.
"Sha Chen, you are cutting off your own path to survival! Since you don’t care about their lives or deaths, then I will disregard any past feelings. I’ll pry their mouths open, unearth your secrets, and then destroy the Flowing Sand River to capture you."
Yet, no matter how angrily Zhao Gongming roared, Sha Chen paid him no heed, as if he had never appeared at all.
Zhao Gongming continued to rant and rave outside, even summoning his twenty-four Sea-Pinning Beads to fiercely attack the Flowing Sand River Cave. But regardless of his anger, his venting, or his irascibility, he still could not breach the defenses of the Flowing Sand River Cave. Even when the twenty-four Sea-Pinning Beads pounded upon the Flowing Sand River and its cave, they failed to make it even tremble.
「In the cave.」
Sha Chen sat cross-legged, his countenance solemn, his eyes flickering with shifting thoughts. Unbeknownst to Sha Chen, the Six-Eared Macaque had already finished his secluded cultivation and now stood before him with utmost respect. He remained cautious and careful, not daring to disturb Sha Chen’s contemplation. The teacups on the table had been changed repeatedly, but Sha Chen hadn’t touched any of them, absorbed as he was in deep thought, considering his strategies.
After a long while, Sha Chen opened his eyes. He glanced at the Six-Eared Macaque, who stood respectfully, and nodded slightly. "Have you been standing for long?"
"Master, you have been deep in thought with your eyes closed for three days and three nights. Your disciple didn’t dare to take a single step away, fearing you might have instructions," the Six-Eared Macaque said.
Sha Chen nodded. He realized he had been pondering for three full days and nights, and Zhao Gongming’s voice could no longer be heard from outside. Evidently, Zhao Gongming had departed in anger sometime during these past few days. This departure meant Zhao Gongming would undoubtedly vent his rage on the Spider Demon, the Black Bear Demon, and the others.
After several days of deep contemplation, Sha Chen felt that since they had already been captured for some years, there was no desperate rush at this particular moment. Moreover, they were being held in the Heavenly Prison, a stronghold heavily guarded and jointly created by Saints. Let alone rescuing them, even if he himself were imprisoned there, escape would likely not be easy. After all, the reputation of the Heavenly Prison was notorious even before the time of Divine Enthronement. Although it had kept a low profile since then, the mere mention of its name still made countless powerful beings tremble with fear.
Rescuing them would not be simple. In fact, during these past few days, Sha Chen had even considered whether to silence them permanently by killing them. However, after deep reflection, he decided it was unnecessary. Firstly, his conscience wouldn’t allow it; he had dismissed the thought as soon as it arose. Secondly, if he could find a way into the Heavenly Prison, why resort to killing them to silence them? It would be far better to rescue them directly.
My only advantage is my spatial ability. Although the Heavenly Prison is formidable, a cage jointly created by Saints, it is not entirely without weaknesses. Rumor has it that the Heavenly Prison once held a Great Spatial Divine Power Holder. Not long after, that individual managed to escape, even helping numerous other trapped prisoners flee. I, too, possess spatial ability. Although it has only reached a minor level of proficiency and is far from Great Accomplishment, constructing a Void Passage should still be no problem. However, I cannot leave this place. Undoubtedly, the Heavenly Court has made preparations; all eyes are on me. If I were to step into that area, I would be discovered immediately. Ultimately, I would be annihilated, with no chance of escape. But the system seems to have a reward: the Void Gate. It’s somewhat like the ’Anywhere Door’ from Doraemon, capable of penetrating any object.
Void Door: An Innate Spirit Treasure that, when placed on any object, can open a void and allow passage through it.
Sha Chen’s gaze flickered. This was the only Magical Tool that could allow him to rescue the Spider Demon, the Black Bear Demon, and the others without having to leave his sanctuary.
He looked at the Six-Eared Macaque and smiled. "Liuer, you’ve been my disciple for three years now. Your cultivation has reached the Middle Level of Daluo Golden Immortal, and you’re still progressing rapidly."
The Six-Eared Macaque immediately knelt, kowtowing to Sha Chen repeatedly!
"Disciple is fortunate to have been accepted into Master’s tutelage. It is only by following Master and learning from you that I have achieved what I have today. Thank you, Master, for the kindness of taking me in back then," he exclaimed.
Sha Chen nodded. "Alright, get up. I took you in, imparted Divine Powers and Dao Techniques to you, and even bestowed Magical Tools upon you. It is only right that you feel grateful.
"I imagine you’ve been tossing and turning day and night, constantly thinking about how to repay me, your Master, haven’t you?"
The Six-Eared Macaque faltered for a moment. Truthfully, he hadn’t considered this at all. But now that Sha Chen had brought it up, if he dared to utter a single word of refusal, wouldn’t that make him a disloyal and ungrateful wretch who betrayed his Master? If he were expelled from his discipleship, he would be beyond tears. Following Sha Chen meant a life of plenty; this was already deeply ingrained in the Six-Eared Macaque’s heart.
He quickly replied, "Indeed! Disciple has been restless day and night, just thinking about how I might one day repay Master’s immense kindness!"
"Very good. It seems I haven’t misjudged you."
Sha Chen smiled faintly. "You should already know about Zhao Gongming’s visit. He wasn’t wrong; the Spider Demon, the Black Bear Demon, Red Boy, and Lady Di Yong are indeed my followers.
"They have been captured and taken to the Heavenly Prison. I, too, have been restless, wishing I could immediately go and rescue them. However, as your Master, I am too prominent a target and attract too much attention."
The Six-Eared Macaque’s body trembled. He sensed from Sha Chen’s words an implication that he was to make a noble sacrifice. Could it be? Does Master want me to raid the Heavenly Prison!?
At that moment, the Six-Eared Macaque felt a pang of regret. Perhaps being expelled from discipleship wouldn’t have been so bad after all! Expulsion would mean losing benefits and slower progress, but at least his life wouldn’t be in danger. But if he were to raid the Heavenly Prison, he would surely be doomed!
