Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 458 - 452: Choice [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Guanyin arrived.
It had been a long time since they last met, and Sha Chen, upon seeing her again, no longer had the respect and fear he once held.
However, he did not look down on her either.
Although he felt he might be stronger than Guanyin, he knew that arrogance led to defeat, and he was all the more cautious.
Moreover, Guanyin had many tricks up her sleeve and was likely a Quasi-Saint.
The aura she exuded this time was not weak, and Sha Chen was not foolish enough to think that Guanyin was just an ordinary venerated one.
Guanyin looked at Sha Chen with clear eyes, as if she had forgotten both old grudges and recent animosity.
She said with a slight smile, "Amitabha, Master Sha Chen, I am The Goddess of Mercy. It has been a long time; you truly have become powerful, and I admire you for that."
Sha Chen said, "Does the Bodhisattva come here just to praise me?"
Then he added, "If so, please proceed with your praise."
He placed his hands on his waist, as though waiting for Guanyin to start praising him.
This indeed caused Guanyin some astonishment, and her gaze filled with doubt, as if she had not expected Sha Chen to say such a thing.
After that, her expression grew complicated.
If it had been in the past, Sha Chen would not dare to speak to her in such a provocative manner—he might not be utterly respectful, but at least he feared her like a tiger.
But now, he was so relaxed and even provocative.
This shift in attitude caused The Goddess of Mercy, seeing Sha Chen again, to be at a loss for a time.
But once she came to her senses, she realized it was all strength at play.
Sha Chen had grown stronger, and he even saw himself as superior to her, so there was no need to be so reverent and polite when facing her again.
With no fear in his heart, his attitude naturally changed.
Guanyin was also helpless, although she was no longer the same Goddess of Mercy of yesteryear, having made significant breakthroughs in strength. But still, she knew that compared to Zhenyuanzi, Zhao Gongming, and others, she was still far inferior.
Even Zhenyuanzi and Zhao Gongming had failed at Flowing Sand River, helpless against it, so her coming here seemed to be of no avail as well.
Guanyin said, "Master Sha Chen, you’ve changed immensely. This confidence radiates from within you, and I’m quite ashamed of my inferiority."
"If there is a chance to work with you to shine for Buddhism, it would definitely be my honor."
Sha Chen chuckled, "Then it’s a pity that you won’t have that honor."
He was blunt and left Guanyin stunned for a moment.
Since they were destined to be enemies and had already fallen out with each other, and now that they couldn’t best one another, why should Sha Chen give her face?
Moreover, Sha Chen felt that The Goddess of Mercy had come with ill intent.
And with that, there was even less need to be courteous.
Sha Chen’s attitude left Guanyin with complex feelings. Once upon a time, Sha Chen would have been like a mouse seeing a cat in her presence.
Once upon a time, she stood above him, a figure of absolute authority, her word unquestioned.
Even if Sha Chen inwardly disliked it, she could be fearless, not having to care about his feelings at all. But now, it was different. Sha Chen had changed, becoming so exceptional and capable.
For a time, she felt helpless and unsure of how to proceed.
With such circumstances, one could only imagine the complexity of The Goddess of Mercy’s feelings.
He had only been growing for a few hundred years, yet he had already reached such a formidable level. If he were allowed to continue growing, it was feared that no god or Buddha in the heavens would be his match.
The Goddess of Mercy thought of many things. Especially seeing Sha Chen’s fearless demeanor, completely indifferent to her, she desperately wished she could strike him dead. But still, she knew she couldn’t do it.
Taking a deep breath, Guanyin decided not to quibble with Sha Chen; otherwise, she would die of fury.
Guanyin said, "Master Sha Chen, apart from reminiscing with you, I have actually come to resolve our grudges."
Sha Chen asked, "What grudge do I have with the Bodhisattva?"
Guanyin chuckled and said, "I know you are aware that I have been plotting against you to make you undertake the Journey to the West, and you have been resisting."
"Unfortunately, I did not realize it before, thinking my schemes were flawless, and therefore, I did not consider your feelings and wishes. I was wrong and intend to resolve this grudge."
Sha Chen was startled; he had never expected The Goddess of Mercy to be so forthright about this matter.
Even though the matter of Buddhism wanting him to undertake the Journey to the West was widely known, The Goddess of Mercy’s candidness was unprecedented and took Sha Chen by surprise.
He felt that the people of Buddhism would never admit, even on pain of death, that they had forced Sha Chen to undertake the Journey to the West.
Even if Sha Chen knew about it, they would not admit it. But now, The Goddess of Mercy openly admitted it and even planned to resolve this grudge.
Sha Chen’s heart stirred. Perhaps Buddhism felt it was too difficult to make him undertake the Journey to the West and had decided to give up, specifically sending Guanyin to resolve the enmity!?
If that’s the case, he could accept it.
Although he had grudges against Buddhism, Sha Chen was not stupid. Buddhism was so powerful, and it was far from reaching its peak.
Therefore, it’s best not to be enemies with Buddhism unless absolutely necessary.
Lie low, gain strength, then settle the score.
Moved, Sha Chen then said, "I don’t understand what the Bodhisattva means."
His tone was no longer stiff, and he no longer had the aloof demeanor from before.
The Bodhisattva heard it and smiled inwardly. She knew that as long as she wanted to resolve this grudge, Sha Chen would be willing.
After all, Sha Chen was not foolish; he definitely did not want to be an enemy of Buddhism.
The Bodhisattva then said, "Naturally, just as you would expect. Let’s replace weapons with gifts of jade and silk, and let bygones be bygones, allowing past grievances to drift away with the wind. How about it!?"
Sha Chen’s eyes lit up, and he smiled slightly. He was about to agree when he felt puzzled.
Under such circumstances, shouldn’t the system prompt him to make a choice? Why was there no sound yet?
Red Boy and others inside the Flowing Sand River Cave were all listening to the situation outside, each one opposing reconciliation with Buddhism; they still wanted to strike Lingjiu Mountain, to smash the Tathagata’s bald head.
But none dared to disturb Sha Chen.
Sha Chen was somewhat puzzled. He didn’t understand why the system hadn’t alerted him yet; this seemed a bit abnormal.
Thinking carefully, he decided to ask for clarification on how to turn hostility into friendship before agreeing directly.
So he said, "The Bodhisattva speaks wisely; indeed, we should turn hostility into friendship. Brawling and killing are not my intentions, nor are disputes or grudges my pursuit."
"However, which specific grudges and disputes need to be settled, how should they be resolved, or what conditions are necessary? Please, Bodhisattva, clarify."
Guanyin was taken aback, not expecting Sha Chen to be so cautious.
After a moment’s hesitation, she said, "I know that the White Bone Saint was injured by you and might have been ambushed and killed by someone you arranged."
"She is a manifestation of mine, one I left behind during my trials in the world. I poured countless efforts and energy into her, and you destroyed her. This is a debt you owe me. Furthermore, you injured my disciple, kidnapped my follower the Black Bear Spirit, and burned down my Guanyin Zen Temple. All these grievances must be accounted for."
She waved her hand and said, "I have come here only to ask for a piece of Innate Earth and a twig of willow leaves; let these old grudges dissipate like smoke."
To actually desire Innate Earth as well as willow twigs!!
Sha Chen was startled, and then his face grew dark.
It’s one thing to have conditions, and knowing he had the Innate Earth was not surprising. But how could Guanyin know he had a Primordial Willow Tree!?
"Notification to the host: The Goddess of Mercy has requested the use of Primordial Willow leaves and a piece of Innate Earth to resolve past grudges. You have the following choices."
