Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 457 - 451: Nothing More than Guanyin【Please Subscribe and Monthly Pass】_1
Zhao Gongming furrowed his brows.
He looked at the body incarnated by Sha Chen, and naturally, he recognized at a glance that it was just an avatar.
But even so, just an avatar possessed such divine power.
It truly shook him and seemed unbelievable.
If things continued this way, Sha Chen could grow to a level far beyond the reach of ordinary people, he thought.
After all, he felt that compared to the last time they met, Sha Chen seemed even stronger now.
Although the last encounter had been just a meeting, without any confrontation.
But one could judge the whole by observing a part; just by seeing Sha Chen’s avatar, he felt that Sha Chen’s strength had grown to a point that demanded his full attention.
How can he be so powerful? I must know the secret of the Flowing Sand River, Zhao Gongming thought, his eyes flickering. At the same time, he looked down at Sha Chen and said, "Sha Chen, you’ve finally shown yourself. Speak, why are you shielding Red Boy and the others?"
Sha Chen responded indifferently, "I am here to listen to the decree, not to hear your nonsense."
Since they were bound to be enemies and had already revealed their true colors to each other, and most importantly, because Zhao Gongming couldn’t enter the Flowing Sand River, why should Sha Chen give him face?
I show you respect, and you dare to reprimand me in public! Do you think I have no dignity?! Sha Chen fumed internally before retorting directly.
Zhao Gongming was stunned, then flew into a rage. He wanted to destroy Sha Chen’s avatar then and there. But if I destroy this avatar, Sha Chen might not appear again, he reasoned, and so held back.
I’d better convict him first and secure the moral high ground; then it won’t be too late to act, he decided.
Zhao Gongming then snorted coldly and said, "Sharp-tongued. We’ll see how you cope when His Majesty’s decree comes down."
Sha Chen laughed mockingly and replied, "What is fated to be, will be; if it’s misfortune, it cannot be avoided. Here I am, content with my humble lot, seeking no quarrel with the world. What is there for me to cope with?"
"As for everything you’ve said, I oppose it. All your accusations against me are fabricated. You have no evidence, and I will fight you to the end."
Zhao Gongming was so angry his nose was nearly crooked.
Even at this point, Sha Chen was still vehemently denying everything. But denial was futile.
Everyone knew that Red Boy and the others were connected to him. Once the Jade Emperor made his decision, the matter would be settled.
Zhao Gongming then looked towards Wen Quxing, waiting for him to pronounce the decree.
Wen Quxing stood with his hands behind his back, leisurely pulling out the Sacred Edict. He himself did not know its content; the Jade Emperor had instructed him to announce it, so he came.
He glanced briefly at the Sacred Edict but, before he could read it aloud, he was visibly stunned.
Zhao Gongming said, "Master Xu, why are you standing there dazed? Announce the decree quickly. What exactly did His Majesty say?"
Wen Quxing hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to read it out.
"Today, many incidents have occurred in the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Prison was breached, the Bright Palace was set ablaze, and the Imperial Horse Supervisor was razed. These are unforgivable atrocities. We are extremely angered. After much reflection, We intended to hold others accountable but found the fault lies with Us—Our conduct has been improper, and Our appointments, ill-judged..."
Upon hearing the decree, everyone was taken aback.
Even Sha Chen wore a strange expression, his eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief.
He had thought the edict would be a condemnation of him, confirming the accusations, even if they were fabricated.
But listening closely, it turned out to be a self-admonishing decree.
The Jade Emperor had issued a decree of self-reproach, admitting that he himself was to blame for the current state of affairs.
It also announced that several individuals negligent in their duties regarding these matters would be held accountable.
Wen Quxing publicly announced the names of many individuals who would be held responsible, whether by docking their stipends, demotion, or outright reprimand.
In short, the Sacred Edict contained the Jade Emperor’s self-reproach and also punished many immortals.
Among them was Zhao Gongming.
"In particular, Zhao Gongming, head of The Mysterious Altar Department and responsible for the Heavenly Prison, cannot escape blame. The Heavenly Court will reclaim control of the Heavenly Prison and select someone wise and virtuous to replace him. As for Zhao Gongming, he shall be fined three thousand years of pay as a warning."
GASP.
The Jade Emperor had also punished Zhao Gongming!
The immortals were dumbstruck.
Zhao Gongming was also dumbfounded.
He had calculated every possibility but had never foreseen that the Sacred Edict was not aimed at Sha Chen, but at him.
The Jade Emperor had actually punished him as well.
Although losing three thousand years’ salary was trivial to him, it was a great loss of face.
Furthermore, the Jade Emperor revoking his control over the Heavenly Prison effectively reduced his power and further tarnished his reputation.
Zhao Gongming was furious.
He wanted to angrily question the Jade Emperor about why he had done this.
But in front of everyone, and with the Jade Emperor not present, it was not appropriate for him to lose his temper.
Otherwise, he might have been the one accused of rebellion.
Despite his anger, Zhao Gongming restrained himself.
He forcefully suppressed his rage, waiting for Wen Quxing to finish reading the Sacred Edict. But when one person was consistently omitted, he could no longer remain seated.
He barked, "Wen Quxing, why does the Sacred Edict make no mention of Sha Chen? This matter is of great importance to him; how could it be irrelevant?"
Sha Chen, too, was puzzled. Why does it have nothing to do with me? Why wasn’t I mentioned? How am I supposed to make a decision and get a reward?! he wondered.
He also asked, "Right! Why come here to announce the decree but not mention me!?"
If others had said it, it would have been one thing, but Sha Chen himself, benefiting yet feigning innocence, annoyed Zhao Gongming even more.
He roared, "Why not him?"
Sha Chen also added, "Yes, why not me? This matter concerns me, more or less. At the very least, I’ve been slandered. Why hasn’t the Heavenly Court cleared my name?"
The immortals nearly fainted from exasperation.
Zhao Gongming’s anger was uncontrollable.
Sha Chen, however, was genuinely upset. How could they not mention me? If I don’t get a choice, what benefits can I possibly obtain?!
Wen Quxing, facing the interrogation, felt an immense headache coming on and said, "Lord Zhao, I also don’t know what has transpired; I found out at the same time as you."
"If you wish to know the reason, I advise you to personally inquire with His Majesty. I am merely a messenger."
Then, fearing that an enraged Zhao Gongming might strike him down, he quickly turned and left.
The immortals exchanged glances, unsure of how to proceed.
They had come for the spectacle, even eager to see Sha Chen’s downfall, but they themselves had ended up implicated.
Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi were prime examples of this misfortune; both had been demoted, nearly relegated back to the rank of Roaming God.
Both men wanted to cry but had no tears left; if not for Zhao Gongming also losing face, they would have been wailing miserably.
They had been acting on Zhao Gongming’s behalf, yet the punishment they received was much greater than his.
Zhao Gongming, his face dark, glanced at Sha Chen and then at the immortals, gritted his teeth, and led his people away.
"Let’s go. Back to Heaven."
The immortals followed suit, but some dispersed on their own.
They knew Zhao Gongming was undoubtedly going to question the Jade Emperor about why such a Sacred Edict was issued.
Given Zhao Gongming’s current fury and his likely course of action, confronting the Jade Emperor would undoubtedly put the Emperor in an untenable position, and one of them would have to yield.
If they accompanied him, they would surely be implicated by Zhao Gongming.
Therefore, quite a few chose to slip away en route.
The Flowing Sand River quickly became quiet again.
Sha Chen was also stunned. He exclaimed, "Don’t leave! I haven’t had a choice in a long time! Come on, make things difficult for me!"
However, it was clear no one heeded his call.
Sha Chen looked dejected, ready to retract his avatar and return to his cave dwelling.
In the distance, however, a light approached, a Buddhist radiance illuminating the entrance to the cave, followed by the appearance of a golden lotus.
Standing on it was a person in white, holding a Vase of Mutton-Fatjade, a compassionate smile on their face.
It was none other than the long-absent The Goddess of Mercy.
Sha Chen was momentarily taken aback.
But looking at The Goddess of Mercy now, he no longer felt the previous dread and panic; instead, there was a hint of indifference.
This mere Goddess of Mercy, he mused, is no longer someone I need to fear.
