Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 471 - 465: Defecting the Nine-winged Mosquito Man [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
The Nine-winged Mosquito was still hesitating. He had finally encountered such a rare opportunity and did not want to give it up easily. But if he recklessly made his move, the probability that Tathagata would give up on Sha Chen and turn to attack him, the Nine-winged Mosquito, was also very high. If that happened, he wouldn’t be able to withstand it; even if he wanted to flee, he might have to pay a huge price. He was already seriously injured. If he had to pay another huge price, it would definitely be beyond his imagination. He might even have to find a place to wait for his life to slowly ebb away. This was no joke. He had committed too many evils before, and countless people wanted to kill him to make a name for themselves. If Tathagata injured him further, adding to his existing wounds, he would become like a rat scurrying across a street, with everyone wanting a piece of him.
After much hesitation, the Nine-winged Mosquito finally decided to act. However, this time he didn’t approach directly. Instead, he smiled and said, "Tathagata, young one, what you say makes sense. Indeed, I dare not bet on whether you will insist on attacking Flowing Sand River. But for you to ask me to leave just like that is a bit too overbearing. They say, ’To each who arrives, a share.’ Since I have come, if you manage to breach Flowing Sand River, what do you plan to share with me?"
Tathagata said, "If you leave now, you will henceforth be a friend of Lingjiu Mountain. I can guarantee that no one from Buddhism under heaven will pursue and kill you, the Nine-winged Mosquito."
Yet, the Nine-winged Mosquito laughed. "Little Tathagata, you are also being too overbearing! Just ensuring people don’t pursue and kill me—is that enough? Why don’t you ask your followers in Buddhism? Who among them truly dares to pursue and kill me? Heh-heh, just make sure they don’t end up as my food."
Tathagata said indifferently, "Senior makes a good point. There are many treasures inside the Flowing Sand River Cave, and it’s said there are also some Immortal Elixirs. If I manage to enter, I will give you three hundred First-Class Immortal Elixirs."
Three hundred First-Class Immortal Elixirs!? A glint of greed flashed through the Nine-winged Mosquito’s eyes. Although these Immortal Elixirs weren’t a huge amount for him, they were currently extremely rare. After all, since his injury, he could only hide, and the resources he could gather were indeed limited. He was much poorer than Sha Chen had been at the Da Luo level. Compared to the current Sha Chen, he was a beggar.
To be honest, for a moment, the Nine-winged Mosquito was tempted. He truly wanted something for nothing. Without making a move, he could effortlessly obtain three hundred First-Class Immortal Elixirs; it was simply beyond his wildest dreams. However, the Nine-winged Mosquito was ultimately too greedy. He shook his head. "Not enough."
Tathagata hadn’t expected the Nine-winged Mosquito to be satisfied by this and indifferently raised the stakes. "It is said that inside the Flowing Sand River Cave, there are longevity peaches and osmanthus trees, even a spring of divine water, which is particularly effective for healing wounds. If you leave, I will gift you Baifang Divine Water, three longevity peaches, and ten pounds of osmanthus leaves."
The Nine-winged Mosquito’s eyes brimmed with greed. Such a wealth of valuable items would be coveted even by him at his peak. Especially now, with his poor physical condition, these items were critical for him. Longevity peaches and osmanthus would greatly benefit his Primordial Spirit, and the divine water could heal his injuries or, at the very least, suppress them. All these items were things that the Nine-winged Mosquito coveted but could not acquire. Now, they were within easy reach. To be honest, he was moved once again.
The Nine-winged Mosquito said, "I also want ten Nine Revolutions Great Rejuvenation Pills. No refusals! To you, they are but a drop in the bucket."
For Tathagata, the Nine Revolutions Great Rejuvenation Pills really were a drop in the bucket, but the Nine-winged Mosquito had always been unable to obtain them. After all, these Elixirs were controlled by the highest powers of Buddhism and Taoism, and he lacked the audacity to try and plunder them. With the Nine Revolutions Great Rejuvenation Pills, the Nine-winged Mosquito could recover at least twenty percent of his injuries; it was a fatally tempting proposition for him.
Tathagata gave a faint smile. Originally, he hadn’t believed the Nine-winged Mosquito would comply so easily, but after the old creature bargained, he felt reassured. If the Nine-winged Mosquito didn’t want to die, he would have to compromise. The benefits gained through compromise were already enough to prevent the Nine-winged Mosquito from taking further risks. After all, it was already quite difficult for him, Tathagata, to breach the defenses of Sha Chen’s cave here; the Nine-winged Mosquito was even less capable.
Sha Chen also noticed that the Nine-winged Mosquito initially seemed to be feigning, but he was swayed by Tathagata’s overly generous promises. The Nine-winged Mosquito had already changed his stance, apparently planning to come to terms with Tathagata. If the Nine-winged Mosquito hadn’t shown up, it wouldn’t matter. But now that he was standing by Tathagata’s side, who knew if this old creature would suddenly resort to treachery. If the Nine-winged Mosquito then joined forces with Tathagata to aggressively attack Flowing Sand River, my defenses here would probably be breached.
Sha Chen had to make Tathagata reconsider and back off. He just needed Tathagata to take one step back, and Sha Chen was confident Tathagata wouldn’t be able to enter again. And he would make the cave’s spatial defenses impeccable. This would not only free him from confronting Tathagata constantly, but Tathagata wouldn’t even be able to breach them. With his current understanding of space, once he repaired the Flowing Sand River Cave, Tathagata would definitely be deterred from advancing further. Unfortunately, that was impossible now, as Tathagata gave him no opportunity, not even to withdraw half a step.
Seeing the Nine-winged Mosquito being persuaded by Tathagata and seemingly ready to retreat at any moment, which would allow Tathagata to focus even more on the attack... He might even assist Tathagata in laying siege to Flowing Sand River. Sha Chen felt that this couldn’t continue. I have to do something.
So he smiled and said, "Senior Mosquito Man, surely you haven’t been fooled by the Buddha this easily, right?"
The Nine-winged Mosquito sneered. "Boy, I know you’re in a tough spot and want to use me as a pawn. But whatever you say is useless; I am extremely shrewd and won’t be exploited by you."
Tathagata also smiled indifferently. "We are all ancient beings who have lived for countless years, Master Sha Chen. There’s no need to waste your breath."
Sha Chen smiled faintly. "The Buddha is right, and Senior Mosquito Man also makes a good point. I wouldn’t dare use you as a pawn. I just want to tell you, Senior, that Tathagata has been attacking for so long without success. His promises to you will likely never be fulfilled in this lifetime. If Senior were to attack the Buddha from behind on my behalf, I can offer you everything he promised, and I’ll do my utmost to help Senior recover from his injuries."
Tathagata’s face instantly darkened. "Sha Chen, are you making deals with a demon?"
Sha Chen replied indifferently, "The Buddha jests. I am merely trading with the one with whom the Buddha was trading. Could it be that the Buddha was dealing with a demon earlier?"
Tathagata fell silent.
The Nine-winged Mosquito’s eyes lit up. He too had realized that it wouldn’t be so easy for Tathagata to enter the Flowing Sand River Cave. And Sha Chen’s promise is very tempting. It’s just very dangerous. If I strike Tathagata from behind, I might end up being hunted down by him. That would be troublesome. But Sha Chen’s promise was truly alluring. After all, the items belong to Sha Chen; it would be easier for him to give them to me. Besides, dealing with Tathagata is far more perilous than dealing with Sha Chen. One is a mere fledgling, while the other is the cunning and powerful Tathagata Buddha, whose strength surpasses my own.
The Nine-winged Mosquito was tempted. But he kept his composure and said, "Boy, you’re the one trying to deceive me! Ha-ha! And you claim you’re not using me as a pawn? If I ambush Tathagata and end up being hunted down, you wouldn’t have to give me anything, would you?"
Sha Chen chuckled. "Senior, you jest. If Senior dies, I’ll burn the items as an offering for you."
The Nine-winged Mosquito was infuriated. "Boy, you audacious brat! You dare to talk to me like that! Tathagata, I’ll help you break into his cave! But you mustn’t go back on your promised rewards!"
Then, he lunged forward, a vast sea of blood surging behind him, appearing to overwhelm everything. He openly claimed to be helping Tathagata, but Tathagata sighed deeply, feeling utterly helpless. Tathagata stopped his fierce attack on Sha Chen because Sha Chen had already lowered the defenses of the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji, leaving Tathagata’s own back exposed, with no defenses whatsoever.
Since these two items couldn’t block Tathagata anyway, I’ll simply withdraw them. That way, I can concentrate better on defending myself. If the Nine-winged Mosquito joins Tathagata in a strong assault on the cave, I can still hold out somewhat. But if the Nine-winged Mosquito launches a surprise attack on Tathagata, that would indeed create an opportunity for me!
And indeed, the Nine-winged Mosquito did launch a sneak attack on Tathagata. But the Nine-winged Mosquito also saw Tathagata cease his assault, so he didn’t dare approach too closely, attacking from a distance instead. He claimed to be assisting Tathagata but instead aimed a stealthy blow at his back. The Nine-winged Mosquito felt no guilt whatsoever.
Tathagata, on the other hand, was somewhat angered but didn’t fly into a complete rage. He merely felt a sense of regret that he could no longer continue his attack on Flowing Sand River. From now on, I can only stop here, unable to advance even an inch further. Because Sha Chen will strengthen his defenses, and I will be unable to break through.
Tathagata turned around and launched a palm strike—Tathagata’s Palm, earth-shaking in its might. The Nine-winged Mosquito’s attack was instantly dispersed.
Cackling, he said, "Tathagata, you young whelp! I kindly offered to help you, yet you attack me? You bald donkeys of Buddhism truly lack integrity!"
Tathagata didn’t bother to argue, merely snorting, "Old demon! Today, I shall act on behalf of Heaven and rid the world of an evil like you!" Then he shattered space and reached out to grab the Nine-winged Mosquito.
Clearly, the Nine-winged Mosquito was prepared. He instantly turned tail and fled without hesitation. As he fled, he shouted, "Sha Chen, little... brother! You must keep your promise!"
Sha Chen gave no response. Instead, he hastened to set up defenses, reinforcing the protection around the Flowing Sand River Cave. As for Tathagata Buddha, he had already set off in pursuit of the Nine-winged Mosquito. I was so close to breaking into Sha Chen’s cave, but this old fiend had to show up and spoil my plans! Naturally, he vented all his anger on the Nine-winged Mosquito.
「Three days later.」
Sha Chen had reinforced everything above and below Flowing Sand River, strengthening the spatial barriers layer upon layer and setting numerous spatial traps. Only then did he feel somewhat at ease. He also enhanced his control over the Chaos Chicken Cover and the Sky Shielding Talisman, integrating them into space, thereby boosting their defensive capabilities. Sha Chen was confident that even if Tathagata were to attack again, he would definitely be unable to breach the cave’s defenses.
However, the external defenses of the Flowing Sand River Cave—the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji—were useless against Tathagata. This meant Tathagata could still step halfway into the cave, stopping only at the threshold of the inner sanctum. Much of the cave’s interior was thus exposed and discoverable by Tathagata. Therefore, Sha Chen sectioned off various parts of the cave, shielding and concealing each area to reduce the chance of Tathagata prying.
「Another month passed.」
Tathagata returned and continued his fierce assault on the Flowing Sand River Cave, just as Sha Chen had anticipated. He was stopped right at the threshold of the inner cave.
Tathagata halted his offensive, brought his palms together, and said, "Master Sha Chen, this humble monk kindly invited you to join Buddhism. Why do you oppose our Buddhist faith and support that great demon!? Since you choose not to come out, then stay in there for the rest of your life!"
