Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 447 - 441: Let Sha Chen Rebel [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Six-Eared Macaque and Sha Chen had not anticipated that Zhao Gongming had already seen through their strategy.
It was merely because the divine powers demonstrated by the Six-Eared Macaque during the fight with Zhao Gongming were very similar to those exhibited by the Black Bear Spirit, Red Boy, and others.
Both the Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations were actually quite common within the Chan Sect.
Although Disciples who could cultivate the Eight-Nine Profound Art and fully master the 72 Polymorphic Transformations were not many; after all, to cultivate them required a high level of comprehension and talent.
But based on just these two points, Zhao Gongming associated the Six-Eared Macaque with those imprisoned demons.
This showed how astute Zhao Gongming was.
Xiao Sheng said, "Now that we know the identity of the Six-Eared Macaque, should we be more vigilant? Or should we interrogate him aggressively and question him thoroughly?"
Zhao Gongming, however, shook his head. "There’s no need. Whether the Six-Eared Macaque is related to Sha Chen is still uncertain, but what is certain is that he definitely has some relation to those demons."
"Regardless of whether he rashly came to rescue someone or was accidentally captured, his fate won’t change. Buddhism wants him for the calamity of the Journey to the West."
He spoke with a smile on his lips, "By capturing him and imprisoning him for a while, I’m giving those demons hope, only to personally crush it later. Then, I’ll interrogate them to disclose their secrets and identities."
This was a plan to kill two birds with one stone, Xiao Sheng thought, stunned.
Leaving the Six-Eared Macaque alone for now would give those demons hope. This, in turn, might attract more people or give the Six-Eared Macaque himself even greater hope.
When their hopes were at their peak, he would strike, capturing all of them, destroying their strategies, and ensuring their disappointment was immense.
Moreover, now that the Six-Eared Macaque had entered the Heavenly Prison, from their perspective, it would be impossible to get out unless Zhao Gongming’s side released him.
There was something Zhao Gongming did not say: he wanted to see how the Six-Eared Macaque and others would attempt to escape.
He suspected there was an insider.
That was why he even doubted Xiao Sheng, a suspicion he kept to himself.
But Xiao Sheng guessed it and thus said nothing more.
He didn’t mind being suspected. If, as Zhao Gongming said, the Six-Eared Macaque truly had a connection with those demons, then the only way to save them would seem to be through internal collaboration.
Only with help from the inside could the Saints’ prison be breached.
Apart from that, only a master of Space Greatness could possibly escape from within.
But that was impossible.
In the entire Three Realms, there were currently only two or three individuals who had achieved Space Greatness. If those two or three were to truly fight Zhao Gongming, it would be Zhao Gongming who would perish, not be captured.
They also would not dare to assault the Heavenly Prison, as it was the prison of the Saints.
It represented the Saints’ honor; attacking the Heavenly Prison would be a direct affront to the Saints.
It would be a certain path to death.
All things considered, the only way was through internal collaboration—having someone inside the Heavenly Prison release them.
Zhao Gongming said, "Let’s not be too watchful during this period. Let’s observe the Six-Eared Macaque’s subsequent actions. If he attempts to rescue someone, let him get close. I want to see how he goes about it."
After he finished speaking, he took a deep look at Xiao Sheng.
Xiao Sheng could only smile bitterly. The ever-suspicious Zhao Gongming probably doubts me now, he thought.
However, his record was clean, and he had indeed never contacted Sha Chen. He had a clear conscience and nothing to fear.
He was also curious about who in the Heavenly Prison was connected with Sha Chen, daring to side with him at such a critical juncture, Xiao Sheng mused. He even suspected the other three.
「Within the Heavenly Court.」
Fairy Chang E, Kui Mulang, and the Jinghe Dragon King had been very anxious recently; they too had heard about the Black Bear Spirit and others being captured.
Now that the calamity of the Journey to the West was drawing ever closer, the Heavenly Court and Buddhism’s actions against Sha Chen were also increasing.
They had even started capturing his people. Chang E and the others worried that the Black Bear Spirit and his companions would leak secrets and ruin Sha Chen’s plans.
During this time, some of them even considered silencing the captives by killing them, but others felt that the Black Bear Spirit and his companions were followers of Sha Chen and must be saved.
For this, they were all making their own efforts.
Unfortunately, they were all in vain.
They didn’t know about each other’s allegiances, though Kui Mulang and Chang E had some inkling, as Sha Chen had once tasked Kui Mulang with delivering a message to Chang E.
It was not explicitly stated, but given the current situation, they could guess a thing or two.
「Inside the Guanghan Palace.」
The leader of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, Kui Mulang, had become a guest of honor for the mistress of Guanghan Palace, Fairy Chang E.
In the past, Kui Mulang wouldn’t even have been able to approach Guanghan Palace.
It wasn’t a matter of strength or status, but simply because Guanghan Palace was a restricted area for immortals, and its mistress was a widow, necessitating discretion.
But not everyone needed to observe such propriety.
Those with a close relationship with the mistress of Guanghan Palace did not need to.
It was said that Kui Mulang had once declared his intention to pursue Fairy Chang E, shocking the Heavenly Court.
Many thought Kui Mulang was overestimating himself, but some believed he was doing it for the Pixiang Jade Maiden to see.
This was because the Pixiang Jade Maiden was once engaged to Kui Mulang, with the Jade Emperor even ordering their union. Later, the Pixiang Jade Maiden fell in love with Sha Chen and recanted.
The Pixiang Jade Maiden had been secluded in the Cold Palace ever since, refusing to come out, while Kui Mulang grew stronger, rumored to have far surpassed his peers in strength.
He grew more confident, and many gods even felt pity for the Pixiang Jade Maiden. If she were to look back now, she probably would regret her past decisions, they thought.
Now, Kui Mulang had even announced his desire to pursue Fairy Chang E.
This caught them somewhat by surprise and made them link it to this affair.
But no matter what they thought, everyone had the same idea: Fairy Chang E would, of course, reject him. And she would file a petition for the Jade Emperor to punish Kui Mulang.
As expected, not long ago, Fairy Chang E filed a petition asking the Jade Emperor to punish Kui Mulang, even requesting his beheading on the Immortal Slaying Stage.
The Jade Emperor naturally would not act against Kui Mulang over such a matter and, with a casual laugh, brushed it aside.
Afterward, he summoned Kui Mulang, spoke a few words to him, and even expressed willingness to arrange another marriage for him, as long as he did not disturb Fairy Chang E.
But Kui Mulang disagreed, insisting that he would marry no one but Fairy Chang E.
The Jade Emperor scolded Kui Mulang and sent him away, undoubtedly vexed by the situation.
Under these circumstances, everyone knew Kui Mulang was pursuing Fairy Chang E, and as a result, he was often seen outside Guanghan Palace during this period.
But in the days before, Kui Mulang was always outside Guanghan Palace.
Now, he had actually been allowed to enter Guanghan Palace and had become a guest of honor to Fairy Chang E.
Many gods passing by were surprised and started inquiring what exactly had happened.
They learned that Chang E, to make Kui Mulang give up his pursuit and stop bothering her, had specially invited him as a guest to clarify things face-to-face.
It was said that Fairy Chang E was even planning to humiliate Kui Mulang, to make it clear that she was not to be trifled with.
Many gods chuckled, waiting to see how the amusing situation would unfold.
They also made excuses to visit Fairy Chang E, but regardless of their gender, all were turned away.
Fairy Chang E had her servants entertain Kui Mulang for a while, then dismissed them.
In the entire pavilion, only Fairy Chang E and Kui Mulang remained, although Su E and other maidservants were below.
Even Wu Gang, the steward of Guanghan Palace, was present.
It was said that Wu Gang was a surviving Great Witch of the Witch Clan and a rival to the Great Witch Hou Yi. After Hou Yi’s fall, Wu Gang had continuously pursued Chang E.
Rejected time and again, he volunteered to serve as a guardian steward in Guanghan Palace.
It was because of him that Chang E was spared much harassment.
Each time, it was he who stepped forward, driving away many suitors. Reputedly, his strength had already reached that of a Daluo Golden Immortal, though his specific level of strength was unknown.
Kui Mulang, having been there many times, had naturally clashed with Wu Gang, and it was said that they were equally matched.
Kui Mulang might even have held a slight edge; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been qualified to enter Guanghan Palace.
「Beneath the tower.」
Wu Gang’s eyes were cold, his gaze never leaving the two figures on the pavilion above, especially focusing on Kui Mulang.
It was as if the moment Kui Mulang dared to act inappropriately, Wu Gang would not hesitate to charge up with the Purple Gold Xuanhua Axe and strike him dead.
Su E, however, had a puzzled look as her eyes swept back and forth between Kui Mulang and Chang E. Although this scene of suitors being rejected had played out countless times throughout history, This time is different, her woman’s intuition told her.
Thus, she paid close attention, eager to see what would happen.
「Atop the pavilion.」
A soundproof barrier had been erected. Now, with the Heavenly Dao in disarray, unless a Saint intervened, not even a Quasi-Saint or Sub-Sage would be able to discern what was occurring here.
Chang E said with a cold face, "Do you have no other way?"
Kui Mulang replied with a wry smile, "Fairy, do not be angry. If I truly had another way, I would have already rescued them."
Chang E snorted, "I’m not talking about that. I’m asking what you mean by spreading the word that you want to pursue me? What exactly do you mean by that?"
Kui Mulang said, "Fairy, please don’t misunderstand. You’re not my type. I was merely looking for a good reason and opportunity to meet with you."
Chang E huffed, sizing up Kui Mulang from head to toe.
Only when she was sure that Kui Mulang indeed harbored no romantic intentions toward her did her expression soften somewhat.
Still, the two completed their charade in full, their demeanor still suggesting they were in the midst of a negotiation—one pursuing, the other rejecting.
But outsiders did not know what they were actually discussing.
Chang E said, "Tell me, how do you plan to deal with these people?"
Kui Mulang said, "They are all followers of the Teacher; that much should be true. They must also know many of the Teacher’s secrets. The likelihood of rescuing them is low, as no one can escape from the Heavenly Prison."
Chang E asked, "So you’re suggesting we give up?"
Kui Mulang said, "My thought is to kill them all. Not only would it silence them, but it would also ignite the Teacher’s wrath. Perhaps it would compel the Teacher to find a way to revolt, to usurp the Jade Emperor."
Chang E had been quite angry, but upon hearing the latter part of his statement, she calmed down.
Have Sha Chen challenge the Heavenly Court!?
Replace the Jade Emperor!?
If so, wouldn’t Guanghan Palace become Sha Chen’s harem?
Possibly, that might not be too bad!!
