Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 496 - 490: The Reincarnation of the Doubtful Jin Chanzi [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Jinzha, transformed as The Goddness of Mercy, was wrangling with Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation in his mind. The Goddness of Mercy had exhausted all kind words, trying every method to get Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation to embark on the Journey to the West as soon as possible.
But Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation stubbornly refused, making all kinds of excuses.
Just as Jinzha was at his wit’s end and planning to transform into the likeness of the Buddha to force Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation to undertake the Journey to the West, he suddenly felt a powerful force expel him from the mind, and Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation also awoke from the dream.
He even stretched lazily and deliberately glanced over at Jinzha, causing Jinzha to feel a bit guilty and frightened. That power instilled fear in him; it felt irresistible. If that power were to annihilate his Primordial Spirit, then he would not even have the chance to be reincarnated.
At the same time, Jinzha was also wondering if it was Jin Chanzi who had driven him out just then. After pondering, he felt it was very likely. It wasn’t that he suspected Jin Chanzi of concealing his cultivation, as all the Buddhas could perceive this. He could only assume that Jin Chanzi was blessed by the Buddhas. This, coupled with his nine rebirths and the fact that his previous incarnation was a Daluo Golden Immortal, made sense. In this life, he had accumulated countless merits. It was therefore not surprising that this accumulation would manifest as a powerful spiritual force. However, this power was too strong. Jinzha was somewhat frightened, thinking he would likely never dare to attempt inducing a dream again.
Jin Chanzi stepped forward. Jinzha, thinking he had been discovered, hung his head, not daring to make eye contact.
"My two disciples, do you know what your master just dreamed of?"
Jinzha’s brow furrowed. He had been found out after all, and now is it time for a reckoning?
Old Turtle still didn’t know what had happened and thought Jinzha had succeeded. He glanced at Jinzha, his eyes full of approval. But Jinzha was not looking at him and was somewhat guilty instead.
"Master, did you perhaps dream of The Goddness of Mercy?" Old Turtle chuckled.
Jin Chanzi feigned surprise. "Oh? My foolish disciple knows of this too? It seems the Bodhisattva truly manifested."
Old Turtle suppressed his anger and chuckled. "We have been trapped here for many days. The Bodhisattva couldn’t bear to see us suffer and linger, so she must have sent a dream."
Jin Chanzi brought his hands together. "Amitabha. May the Bodhisattva protect us, so that even my foolish disciple may one day be illuminated by wisdom." He then continued, "What my disciple says is correct. The Bodhisattva indeed sent a dream. It felt very real, and now that my disciple has said so, it must certainly be true."
Old Turtle, feeling a bit smug, chuckled, "It must be true. What did the Bodhisattva say?"
Actually, the moment he mentioned The Goddness of Mercy, he regretted it. He should have let Jin Chanzi say it himself. But he had spoken out of turn. Now, by bringing it up again, he intended to guide Jin Chanzi into revealing the dream’s content, which he, in fact, already believed he knew. Jinzha must have succeeded in impersonating The Goddness of Mercy, urging Jin Chanzi to quickly head west for the scriptures and find a way to swim across.
Jin Chanzi, however, said, "The Bodhisattva said that you two rebellious disciples, instead of trying to find a way to escort your master across the river, are just wasting time here. You have no affinity with our Buddhism. She also said that if you continue to delay, I, your master, will have grounds to expel you from my tutelage, and you will live to regret it."
Old Turtle was stunned. Watching Jin Chanzi turn away proudly, he was truly taken aback.
He glanced at Jinzha and sent a mental message: Bodhisattva, what’s going on? You impersonated The Goddness of Mercy just to dig a pit for yourself?
Jinzha’s expression was also grim. He had never said such things; Jin Chanzi was making it all up. He then recounted everything that had happened in the dream.
He gritted his teeth. I can’t believe the old monk is so suspicious, thinking we’re villains out to rob and murder him!
Old Turtle sighed. "He truly is Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation. Though a mortal, his perception is so strong. He even sensed that we intend to rob and kill him. What should we do?"
Jinzha glared at him and scolded, "Nonsense! Are we plotting to rob and murder? We are to enlighten him, give him the chance to be a good person for ten lifetimes, and ultimately achieve complete merit. If we don’t do this, how can he achieve complete merit and accumulate blessings? How can he truly initiate the great calamity of the Journey to the West? And how can you and I receive the blessings of this calamity and its karmic rewards?"
Old Turtle was puzzled, but then he nodded vigorously, finding it to make perfect sense.
A Bodhisattva is indeed a Bodhisattva, speaking so logically. But now, the old monk suspects us, what should we do?
Jinzha said, "We cannot let him expel us. Although we don’t particularly care for this discipleship, we must protect him until his death; otherwise, our merits will not be sufficient." He added, "This can’t be delayed any further, or the old monk really will expel us. Tomorrow, find a kinsman of yours to pose as an Immortal. Have him come here to ferry the old monk across the Flowing Sand River. Your kinsman doesn’t need to be strong. He’s bound to sink midway, and the old monk will surely die."
Old Turtle nodded. "I just fear the old monk is too suspicious and won’t agree to cross the river."
Jinzha replied, "Just pretend you don’t recognize your kinsman. Let him display some abilities, and as long as you and I approve, the old monk will definitely fall for it."
As the two were discussing their strategy, they were unaware that Jin Chanzi had heard everything.
「The next day.」
Tianpeng was still demanding entry from beneath the Flowing Sand River. He had grown very impatient and was letting loose all sorts of crude curses. Because of this, Zhenyuanzi harbored no suspicions towards him. After all, Zhenyuanzi knew Tianpeng somewhat and was aware that when Tianpeng lost his patience, he would curse vehemently, regardless of who the other person was.
However, the more Zhenyuanzi listened, the more something felt off. He suspected Tianpeng was cursing the mulberry to scold the ash tree—seemingly berating Sha Chen, but actually targeting him. But he had no proof.
「On the shore.」
Suddenly, an old man arrived. He had a turtle shell on his back and wore a green hat. His white beard nearly touched the ground, making him look as if he were at death’s door. However, he was radiant with vitality, with the ruddy complexion of youth despite his white hair, indicating profound cultivation.
Zhenyuanzi also sensed this person’s arrival but ignored it, as he was also aware of Jinzha and Old Turtle’s conversation. He wanted no part in Buddhism’s schemes. Not interfering was the greatest help he could offer, and Buddhism would then owe him a favor.
This Turtle Taigong appeared, naturally staging a chance encounter, ready to intervene against injustice. He introduced himself as the Turtle Chancellor from the Crystal Palace of a certain domain in the East Sea. He claimed to be an Immortal and could thus be called the Turtle Immortal.
The Turtle Immortal possessed vast Divine Power and boundless mana. By casually displaying a few skills, he awed Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation, earning his complete trust.
Jinzha and Old Turtle both felt quite pleased with themselves, smiling smugly, thinking they had accomplished their goal. All that was needed was for the Turtle Immortal to offer to escort Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation across the river, and the matter would be settled.
However, Jin Chanzi pulled the Turtle Immortal aside to a secluded spot, seemingly wanting a private conversation. Jinzha and Old Turtle were bewildered, not understanding Jin Chanzi’s intentions. After eavesdropping, they were almost infuriated to death.
Jin Chanzi pulled the Turtle Immortal aside and whispered, "Immortal, your passing through here is surely fated. You must have been guided by the Bodhisattva."
The Turtle Immortal naturally nodded. This way, his origins seemed clear and his background established, making it easier to convince the old monk.
Jin Chanzi continued, "Truly, the Bodhisattva protects us. Dare I ask, Immortal, is your mana greater or are my two disciples’ powers more profound?"
The Turtle Immortal wanted to say that he was but a simple turtle and wouldn’t dare claim his mana was greater than Old Turtle and the others. But Jinzha, apparently wanting to make Jin Chanzi more convinced, mentally instructed the Turtle Immortal to boast.
The Turtle Immortal had no choice but to say, "Naturally, it is I. My Divine Power is vast, my mana boundless. Your two disciples have merely learned a few superficial skills. They cannot escort you across the river, but I can."
He mentioned crossing the river deliberately, wanting Jin Chanzi to take the initiative and ask him for an escort. Otherwise, if he offered first, he feared the suspicious Jin Chanzi would doubt his intentions.
Jin Chanzi, however, paid this no mind and said, "Immortal, you are truly formidable, truly amazing! This poor monk is deeply impressed. I have a favor to ask."
Finally, he’s asking me to escort him across the river.
The Turtle Immortal smiled and nodded. "Please, speak freely. This old man is in a good mood today and will agree to any request."
Jin Chanzi said, "Please, Immortal, help me tie up those two disciples of mine. This poor monk suspects they intend to harm me."
