Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 468 - 462: The Strong Man’s Difficulties [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
Tathagata continued his fierce assault, and Sha Chen fought desperately to resist.
Apart from exerting his full power to prevent Tathagata from advancing, he had no other choice.
If I continue to resist, my danger will increase, because I don’t know if Tathagata has come alone. If other powerhouses join the assault later, that would be bad news indeed. Most importantly, Tathagata’s strength is overpowering, and the sense of shock it gives me is tremendous. As long as he keeps up his fierce attacks, it leaves me feeling uneasy.
At this moment, Sha Chen’s mind was also pondering countermeasures.
Tathagata, in fact, was also inwardly bitter, silently regretting not having acted earlier, which had led to the current situation.
I am caught between a rock and a hard place. I can’t advance, but retreating is even less of an option. Once I retreat, I might never be able to enter Flowing Sand River again.
I can feel Sha Chen’s strength progressing by leaps and bounds. Having listened to his teachings for over a year, I finally understand why his strength has improved so rapidly. He has thoroughly mastered the Three Pure Ones Taoism and has even grasped the Quasi-Saint level—more than I myself have accomplished. Initially, when I became a disciple of Tongtian Hierarch, I received the complete Green Duckweed Scripture, but not the Tao Te Ching or the Jade Pure Scripture. It was only later, when the sage Laozi sent me out of Hangu Pass to the Western Paradise World, that I received the Quasi-Saint-level Tao Te Ching taught by the sage Laozi himself. Having contemplated it for many years, I considered my understanding of the Tao Te Ching to have reached an almost divine level of insight. However, after listening to Sha Chen’s teachings for just over a year, I feel that my understanding of the Tao Te Ching is not as profound as his. Even the Green Duckweed Scripture, which I studied the most, seems less completely and deeply understood by me than by Sha Chen. It gives me a sense of defeat, a deep helplessness, and a hint of doubt. With my talent and perceptiveness, it’s bad enough that my grasp of the Tao Te Ching is inferior to Sha Chen’s, but how can my many years of studying the Green Duckweed Scripture also fall short of his understanding!? This seems unreasonable.
What he didn’t know was that Sha Chen’s understanding of the Dao Techniques of the Three Pure Ones came from the System. This System allowed him to directly comprehend them to the Small Achievement Realm. Then, with the help of the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, he had obtained the most complete and flawless Three Pure Ones Taoism. Having received teachings from both the sage Laozi and Tongtian Hierarch, his comprehension of the Three Pure Ones Taoism was naturally even more profound. Sha Chen’s advantage over Tathagata was his System, which directly assisted his understanding. He also had the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, giving him access to the complete Three Pure Ones Taoism. Unlike Tathagata, although a disciple of a Saint, it wasn’t certain that the Saint had passed on the complete Dao Techniques to him.
This was no joke.
As the old saying goes, "The master leads you to the door, but practice is up to the individual."
There’s also the saying, "Teach your apprentice all you know and you’ll starve yourself."
Both common sayings address the relationship between master and disciple, and it’s quite likely that the master will hold back some knowledge. Holding back a little is one thing, but if several techniques are withheld, that would be truly sad.
With Sha Chen’s understanding of the Three Pure Ones Taoism, even when Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad came, he could discern different feelings, let alone Tathagata Buddha.
Perhaps I am more suited to Buddhism, because my own comprehension of Buddhist Law is something Sha Chen cannot match. Yet, there are still these knots in my heart—my understanding of the Green Duckweed Scripture and Tao Te Ching is actually inferior to Sha Chen’s!
Tathagata said, "General for Folding the Curtain, this humble monk only wishes to enter and discuss the Dharma with you. Why do you insistently refuse?"
Sha Chen replied, "The Buddha jests. I’ve already mentioned it’s inconvenient, and there’s no room for accommodating the Buddha’s grand presence. Why does the Buddha still insist on entering?"
Tathagata said, "You harbor a deep prejudice against our Buddhism. Can you tell this humble monk what exactly my Buddhist community has done wrong to earn such apprehension and resistance from you?"
Sha Chen calmly said, "The Buddha jests. I have always kept a respectful distance from both the Immortals and Buddhists, holding them in awe. There’s absolutely no question of apprehension or resistance."
Tathagata continued, "Yet, your attitude towards the community of Immortals and Buddhists is completely different. You cultivate Dao Techniques and immortality spells, but when it comes to our Buddhist Law and Divine Powers, you completely disregard them and do not cultivate them at all.
"Could it be that this isn’t disdain for our Buddhism, or does General for Folding the Curtain believe that our Buddhist Law isn’t worth cultivating?"
Sha Chen laughed out loud.
He shook his head and said, "The Buddha jests. I came to cultivate Dao Techniques out of serendipity and previously cultivated Dao Techniques too. As an exiled Immortal who understands immortality spells, it’s no surprise that I cultivate them, is it?
"As for what the Buddha mentioned, not cultivating Buddhist Law and not understanding it, that’s quite normal. I simply don’t understand Buddhist Law; how can I cultivate it?"
Although he was striking with words, his actions did not slow down in the slightest. He continued to press the attack, determined not to let Tathagata set foot into the Flowing Sand River Cave.
Tathagata too did not relent, continuing the offensive while also aiming to psychologically break Sha Chen’s defenses.
He went on to say, "It doesn’t matter if General for Folding the Curtain doesn’t understand Buddhist Law. I have come here specifically to teach it to you."
Sha Chen retorted, "That puts me in a difficult position, Buddha. I’ve said that I do not wish to learn Buddhist Law, and I do not understand it. Why does the Buddha insist on making me learn it?
"They say all beings are equal and that the followers of Buddhism are kind and compassionate, always kind to people and never forcing their hand. But the actions of the Buddha today are indeed a departure from the principles of Buddhism, challenging me at every turn. What is the meaning of this?"
Tathagata laughed and said, "General for Folding the Curtain jests. This humble monk has come from the Western Paradise World, intending to lead those with destiny to enlightenment. Seeing that you have a connection with Buddhism, I have specially come to guide you. How can this be considered as forcing one’s hand?"
"Heh heh."
Sha Chen coldly chuckled and said, "Why the pretense, Buddha? I cultivate here, uninvolved with the world, without letting anything weigh on my heart. I have never felt suffering, nor have I ever considered myself a person with destiny. The Buddha comes to guide me to enlightenment; is this truly enlightenment, or is it plotting for wealth and causing harm?"
The countenance of Tathagata changed slightly, and Sha Chen’s words grew increasingly discourteous.
He knew that once they began to fight, there was no need for politeness. They had already torn apart facades, and retaining the last shred of reason was actually quite commendable.
Sha Chen was indeed quite commendable, still addressing him as Buddha without resorting to calling him a bald donkey.
But as Tathagata continued to press hard, Sha Chen grew weary of the facade. It was no longer necessary to continue playing along.
Since you’ve abandoned all honor, then I shall strike at your face!
Tathagata realized that Sha Chen was intent on making a complete break, utterly tearing off the mask.
There, the reputation of him as a Buddha held no sway.
In fact, he also knew that by barring him outside, Sha Chen was already prepared for a fallout.
Yet, if he were to leave now, Sha Chen might not completely break off relations. However, by staying and forcing his way in, he would certainly rip his relationship with Sha Chen beyond repair.
Now, Sha Chen had completely given up on any possibility of reconciliation with Tathagata and openly ripped the mask off.
Sha Chen said, "Buddha, I respect you as the Buddha, with boundless merit and Endless Dharma. But I never expected you to be someone who forces others, intent on plotting for wealth and causing harm.
"You are the Buddha, lofty in status and power, seated high above, thinking you can enlighten whomever you wish, utterly disregarding others’ feelings. You think that in doing so, you are saving those in suffering, and you believe your actions are acts of great kindness. But that is far from true, and in fact, it falls exceedingly short."
He mocked with a cold sneer. "Rich young masters forcefully abduct civilian girls and throw their weight around. They think they are entitled to do so, believing they are helping others. They even consider being bullied by them as others’ fortune and luck.
"Now, the Buddha forcibly seeks to enlighten me. What difference is there between this and those bullies who abduct girls and oppress bystanders? Perhaps the only difference is that heroes of justice will strike down those tyrants. Yet, with the Buddha acting the part of a tyrant, there is no one under the heavens who can stand up for me and bring down the Buddha!"
