Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 456 - 450: Decree from Heaven [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Red Boy was stunned.
Even if he were a fool, he could now see what Sha Chen meant.
Having left home young and returned an adult, can one do without resources? Obviously, one cannot.
Red Boy understood that Sha Chen was asking for benefits.
He quickly took out all the resources he had prepared and offered them obediently and respectfully to Sha Chen.
Red Boy said, "Uncle, originally there were many more, but after we were captured and put into the Heavenly Prison, we were thoroughly plundered.
"These were hidden outside. After we escaped the Heavenly Prison, we went to retrieve them. Please accept them, Uncle."
Sha Chen heard this and glanced at the resources Red Boy handed over; they were even more plentiful than those Ao Lie had given.
But it was just slightly more.
With Red Boy’s strength and the time he had spent flaunting his power outside, it should have been several times more without any issue. However, it was only a little more, indicating just how much Zhao Gongming and the others must have plundered.
Damn it! Zhao Gongming dares to steal my wealth? This enmity is irreconcilable! Sha Chen was furious.
He took the resources Lady Di Yong, the Spider Spirit, and the Black Bear Spirit offered and found them indeed much less than expected.
His rage intensified.
The Black Bear Spirit said, "Most of our resources were carried with us, but after we were defeated and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, Zhao Gongming plundered them all. Master, we apologize for not guarding them well."
Lady Di Yong said, "Zhao Gongming is truly excessive! Master, why don’t we just break out, kill him, and turn against the Heavenly Court?"
Even without Lady Di Yong saying so, Sha Chen had already been contemplating how to kill Zhao Gongming, or at least take revenge and reclaim the resources. But now that Lady Di Yong had said it, he became more cautious instead.
Too rash. We cannot be so impetuous; we are by no means a match for Zhao Gongming at this time. We mustn’t be too arrogant. Revenge can be taken anytime, anywhere, but there’s no hurry.
Outside, Zhao Gongming continued to bluster. Numerous Heavenly soldiers and generals had already gathered, poised as if ready to attack the Flowing Sand River at a single command.
Celestial officials like Wen Quxing had arrived from the Heavenly Court with an imperial edict, which they were about to proclaim.
Sha Chen frowned. "Zhao Gongming must certainly be dealt with. That old scoundrel is overbearing and even dares to snatch my wealth.
"However, not now. He is a High-Level Quasi-Saint, possibly even a Peak Quasi-Saint. To confront him directly would be unwise."
Everyone felt a bit disheartened, but they all knew it wasn’t that they didn’t want to fight, but that they couldn’t win.
Red Boy was no longer blustering either. He knew all too well how strong Zhao Gongming was.
If they could fight, they would have done so already.
Why else would they be forced into the Flowing Sand River, hiding like turtles in their shells, only able to feign ignorance in the face of a powerful enemy’s aggression?
Seventh Mother said, "Big Brother, what should we do? Zhao Gongming has gone too far, and the Heavenly Court is sending someone to announce an edict. I fear they will brand you as a rebel.
"Even if you do not wish to rebel, the Heavenly Court forces your hand. It’s pointless to continue to hold your position here, and no longer necessary to comply with the Heavenly Court’s five-hundred-year penalty."
Sha Chen rolled his eyes.
He had never cared about the Heavenly Court’s punishment—smashing the Liuli Lamp, being demoted to suffer at the Flowing Sand River, enduring the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart sentence—none of it mattered to him.
He only stayed here because it was truly so safe.
If he could cultivate here without having to venture outside, free from threats to his life, nothing could be better.
Sha Chen simply wanted to grow in silence here, covertly nurturing himself until he became a Saint, strong enough, safe enough. Then, going out later wouldn’t be too late.
Going out now, with so many powerful beings outside—even without Zhao Gongming, there were Zhenyuanzi and Tathagata, as well as people from the Heavenly Court and Buddhism.
Even those from the Chan Sect and the Daoist sects were watching him like hawks.
Sha Chen had no desire to go out only to be pinned down and subdued by others. He only intended to subdue others himself.
Sha Chen said, "No need for further discussion. If the Heavenly Court decides to label me a rebel, then I will not hold back."
Upon hearing this, everyone rejoiced.
It seemed they didn’t care at all that if Sha Chen were charged with a crime, they would all be endangered.
They even seemed pleased about it.
Red Boy said, "Uncle, if that’s the case, couldn’t you lead us to revolt against the Heavenly Court, pull the Jade Emperor off his throne, and take that seat yourself?"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
He thumped his chest loudly, saying, "Uncle, if it comes to that, please let me be the vanguard! I will surely be able to rout all those gods and Buddhas until they are scattered like blossoms in running water!"
The Spider Spirits also refused to be outdone. "We also wish to fight for our Big Brother’s destiny to become the Ruler of the Three Realms!" they declared.
Although the Black Bear Spirit and Lady Di Yong were somewhat apprehensive, the thought that if they rebelled with Sha Chen and succeeded, they would have the merit of assisting a new emperor’s rise, made them unable to contain their excitement.
They also expressed their stance, willing to go through fire and water for Sha Chen.
Sha Chen was speechless. Seriously? You’re all so happy that I’m being convicted as a rebel!? So you’d be dissatisfied if the Jade Emperor *didn’t* convict me? 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Sha Chen quickly said, "If the Jade Emperor really slanders me and convicts me, I will definitely resist. But at that time, I won’t personally take action. I will make sure the Jade Emperor has no peace.
"If my strength doesn’t reach a certain realm, I won’t go out. The outside world is too dangerous, especially for something as risky as rebelling."
The crowd wasn’t too disappointed. What Sha Chen said made sense. After all, rebelling was indeed very dangerous.
They could just handle the risky business themselves.
Besides, if something happened to Sha Chen, they would be like monkeys scattering when a tree falls. It would be better to let Sha Chen develop safely, supporting them from behind and deciding the battle from a thousand miles away.
"Sha Chen! A celestial has come from above to convey His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s decree! Come out quickly and receive it!"
Zhao Gongming’s voice boomed from outside the Flowing Sand River, making everyone’s eardrums ache.
Red Boy snorted coldly. "That old scoundrel! Treating a chicken feather as an imperial command! He knows we won’t come out, yet he’s still out there blustering.
"I only regret that my strength isn’t great enough. If I were powerful enough, I’d definitely burn him to death with a single fire!"
Everyone else was also seething with anger.
But Sha Chen said, "Who said I’m not coming out?"
Red Boy was shocked. "Uncle, you’re going out? It’s so dangerous outside! If you go out, won’t it be extremely perilous?"
Sha Chen said, "There’s an edict from the Heavenly Court; it’s worth listening to. Whether I accept it or not depends on my interest.
"Moreover, I’m not going out in my true body. Never mind a mere imperial edict; even if the Jade Emperor himself came, I wouldn’t face him in person."
Sha Chen just wanted to go out and hear what the edict was about. Although he felt it would be unfavorable to him, he could also activate the system and make a choice because of it. No matter what, he wouldn’t lose out. If it was unfavorable, he could refuse and get a reward from the system, so he wouldn’t lose out either way.
「Outside.」
After Zhao Gongming shouted, he waited coldly, and all the other celestials wore chilling expressions.
None of them had ever thought, nor did they believe, that Sha Chen would come out to receive the edict.
After all, it was certainly going to be unfavorable for Sha Chen, and with their superior numbers and power, Sha Chen would definitely not dare to come out.
But they were wrong.
In front of the Flowing Sand River Cave, the thick mud began to wriggle and coalesce, forming a heaven-reaching and earth-spanning figure.
That figure was Sha Chen. His muscles were as solid as coiling dragons, his bones and sinews as strong as sky-supporting pillars.
Sha Chen’s formerly rugged, unrestrained, and bold features had become much more composed; he now even possessed an imposing and stern air.
His figure was more proportionate, his muscles sharply defined.
His green algae-like hair had transformed into flowing black locks, casually draped.
Standing there, he seemed to be the sole sovereign between heaven and earth.
Unrivaled.
Sha Chen had appeared!
He actually dared to show himself!
HISS!
Such a terrifying physique! A single glance was enough to instill a soul-stirring shock.
