Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years

Chapter 349 - 343: Straight to the Point【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1

Sha Chen looked at Jiang Ziya with an odd expression. He then said, "Does Taigong think this place is a desolate wilderness, so lofty and far that it’s beyond the reach of civilization?"Jiang Ziya said, "I apologize, I was being presumptuous."

Sha Chen laughed. "The air here is filled with the fragrance of flowers and the chirping of birds. Though this may be a humble abode, it’s where my virtue blossoms."

Jiang Ziya’s eyes lit up.

Sha Chen continued, "A mountain does not need to be high; if immortals dwell there, it is famous. Water does not need to be deep; if dragons live there, it is spirited.

"With me here, this place is a haven. I have turned it into an Arcadia. Although Taigong does not appreciate it, I couldn’t love it more."

Jiang Ziya apologized once again. Then he drank his wine, his eyes flashing with shock and disbelief.

It is rumored that the Great General for Folding the Curtain is a mere brute, but who would have thought his talent is not inferior to Wen Quxing? I fear my mission here may prove difficult, Jiang Ziya thought, his gaze shifting as he contemplated how to break the stalemate.

He had not expected that he, who was usually able to predict and calculate, would be led by the nose by Sha Chen. He had not anticipated that, without realizing it, he had already been put at a disadvantage. Sha Chen had taken control of the conversation and the situation, making him passive.

In fact, Sha Chen had more or less guessed the purpose of Jiang Ziya’s visit, which was why he did not want to see him. But he had not expected that this old stubborn fellow would manage to use the Beat God Whip to enter the Flowing Sand River and even break his two formations. Jiang Ziya’s Array Dao probably far surpassed his other talents.

Since he was already here and had seen what he should, Sha Chen would not allow him to see what he should not. And Sha Chen couldn’t kill him either; his only option was to humiliate and subdue him.

As for Jiang Ziya’s purpose, Sha Chen knew it, but he didn’t want to attend to it. Now, by nitpicking and embarrassing Jiang Ziya, he wished to make him understand that the reputation of Taigong meant nothing here. He should not come here acting high and mighty just because he is a disciple of a Saint’s second generation and try to teach him what to do.

Jiang Ziya, however, was thick-skinned. This was normal; if he weren’t, he wouldn’t have spent decades doing nothing, indulging in leisurely fishing, and letting his wife support him. What was most detestable was that he hadn’t had a single catch in decades, and when he finally caught one fish, he made a big show of it. If he had cast his net earlier, he might have caught all kinds of fish. This was the first time Sha Chen had seen someone so shameless about living off another’s efforts, which irked him considerably.

Jiang Ziya ate a few bites of food and then began to discuss with Sha Chen the recent major events in the world. But every time he spoke, Sha Chen coldly snubbed him, intentionally or unintentionally, or purposely nitpicked. This made Jiang Ziya very embarrassed and also quite helpless. He couldn’t beat him in a fight, nor did he have the power to bully others by his status. Sha Chen didn’t buy his act; he really had no advantage at all.

The tactics he used during the great Divine Enthronement battle were completely useless against Sha Chen. This was because Sha Chen owed him nothing and did not acknowledge his status. In the Divine Enthronement battle, with his status as a second-generation disciple, he could command all the immortals. With the Beat God Whip, he could travel anywhere in the world.

However, his status as a second-generation disciple was useless here; Sha Chen simply didn’t care nor pay it any mind. The Beat God Whip allowed him to enter, but it didn’t mean he could beat Sha Chen. If he were to put on airs and lose his temper, Sha Chen would beat him up again. Although it wouldn’t kill him, it would be both painful and humiliating.

Jiang Ziya said, "How come River Lord has the Tai Chi Diagram of Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad?"

Sha Chen said, "How dare you, directly naming your Grandmaster? Jiang Ziya, you are too presumptuous."

Jiang Ziya was taken aback. He was simply trying to make conversation and incidentally probe Sha Chen’s strengths and weaknesses, but he did not expect Sha Chen to catch him in a mistake. He quickly corrected himself, "I’m sorry, my lord, no, my humble self is mistaken, please forgive me, River Lord."

Then he stood up, bowed deeply to the Tai Chi Diagram with hands clasped, offering three bows before sitting down again.

Sha Chen smiled faintly and then nodded. "Taigong, you must remember your status. You are of the Chan Sect, but all three sects originated from the same source. Even if you hold a grudge against your Grandmaster, you must not be disrespectful."

Jiang Ziya quickly said, "No, no, no, I always hold the utmost respect for my Grandmaster." He felt a cold sweat on his back; his slip of the tongue had allowed Sha Chen to take advantage and label him with a crime, scaring him to death.

Sha Chen made no definite response and continued, "Remember your place, and do not say or do things beyond your station."

Jiang Ziya was startled, his expression grave. Sha Chen’s words seemed like a warning for his slip of the tongue, but they also seemed to imply that he should not deviate from the Chan Sect’s course to speak and act on behalf of Buddhism. Jiang Ziya’s expression grew more serious; Sha Chen was warning him to keep to himself and refrain from speaking or acting out of line.

After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Ziya decided to stick to his principles; he intended to remain true to the path he had chosen. And since Sha Chen had already put it so bluntly, he planned to be straightforward.

But just as he was about to speak, Sha Chen suddenly changed the subject, pointing to the Tai Chi Diagram. "You were asking about the Tai Chi Diagram earlier? You’re correct, it was indeed left by your Great Grandmaster. When he visited here in the past, he stayed for several months, teaching me the Tao Te Ching, from which I benefited greatly."

Jiang Ziya suppressed a sigh, swallowing the words he wanted to say. Then, following Sha Chen’s lead, he nodded and said, "River Lord is truly fortunate to have been taught by the Great Grandmaster."

Sha Chen laughed. "What of it? Laozi was but an incarnation of your Great Grandmaster. However, your true Great Grandmaster has also visited and stayed even longer, teaching me the middle sections of the Tao Te Ching and clarifying other mysteries for me."

GASP. The sage Laozi had been here too? The shock in Jiang Ziya’s eyes was indescribable, and, at the same time, his heart began to waver slightly. What was the purpose of The sage Laozi’s visit to this place? It was as if he was asking himself this question. He then said, "Did the Great Grandmaster come here just to teach the River Lord?"

Sha Chen laughed. "Of course not."

Jiang Ziya asked, "Then, what was his purpose for coming here?" Follow current novᴇls on NoveIＦire.net

Sha Chen looked at him but just smiled without speaking. The lack of an answer to this question made Jiang Ziya somewhat uncomfortable.

Sha Chen continued, "Besides the sage Laozi, Tongtian Hierarch also came here. In fact, he came here two hundred years ago and visited several times, bestowing his guidance upon me as well."

Jiang Ziya nodded; he didn’t doubt this and had even speculated it. Rumors had long been circulating outside that Sha Chen had a deep connection with the Tongtian Hierarch. It turned out to be true.

But if the sage Laozi had come and taught Sha Chen, then the relationship between Sha Chen and Tongtian Hierarch was most likely not as outsiders imagined—a discipleship. As expected, Sha Chen went on, "The Tongtian Hierarch also taught me and wanted to take me as a disciple, but I felt that becoming a disciple meant traveling to Penglai, which is far away, and I might die on the way, so I refused."

Jiang Ziya was stunned. What kind of reason was that? The Tongtian Hierarch actually wanted to take Sha Chen as a disciple! And Sha Chen had even refused!!

Jiang Ziya felt conflicted inside. How many yearned to be disciples under a Saint but could not achieve it, including himself. Yet, to his surprise, Sha Chen had actually refused the Tongtian Hierarch. However, he felt it was good that Sha Chen refused. Because the Tongtian Hierarch was too heavy with killing intent and too deep in his obsessions. After his return, he even reinstated the Sect of Interpretation and wanted to incite a great war. As the executor of Divine Enthronement, he had received his teacher Lord Yuan Shi’s instructions once more to prepare and defend against this, to be ready at any time to start a second Divine Enthronement battle. However, this time it would not be King Wu attacking Zhou, but defending the Jade Emperor against Penglai.

Jiang Ziya always disliked those who were fond of causing trouble, first the Sect of Interpretation and now Sha Chen, this anomaly. If everything returned to the right track, nothing could be better.

Jiang Ziya looked at Sha Chen and said, "River Lord, it is truly regrettable that you did not become the disciple of my uncle."

He initially wanted to say it was the right decision but ended up holding back at the last moment. To cross the line in a shallow relationship was out of place, especially since Sha Chen had always been catching his flaws, looking for an opportunity to embarrass him. If he dared to say it was right, he reckoned Sha Chen would make him even more embarrassed.

Sha Chen also felt regretful that Jiang Ziya hadn’t said what he should have said, leaving him no chance to find an issue to embarrass him.

Jiang Ziya then raised several other topics, but Sha Chen was making scanty conversation, often sidetracking the topics just as Jiang Ziya was about to launch into his grand discourses. Thus, a meal had passed.

Jiang Ziya still had no opportunity to state his purpose for coming, and he also knew that Sha Chen wasn’t very interested in listening. He had intended to get straight to the point, but each time Sha Chen deflected it. Moreover, he felt that Sha Chen’s attitude was not conducive to his negotiation. Therefore, he had been holding back, without stating his purpose directly.

Sha Chen said, "The meal is finished, and the wine has been drunk. Taigong has come here, which is not in vain. I wonder when Taigong plans to start on his journey back?

"This temple of mine is small and cannot accommodate Taigong for too long, so if you intend to leave, you should do so sooner rather than later."

He was beginning to usher him out.

Jiang Ziya frowned, feeling that it was time to reveal his own purpose. Then, as he was about to speak, Sha Chen changed the subject again, but he ignored it and said on his own accord, "River Lord, my purpose here is not to freeload food and drink but to earnestly advise you on certain matters."

Sha Chen saw he couldn’t avoid it. I can’t dodge this. This old codger is so thick-skinned; he won’t shed a tear until he sees the coffin, he thought, then said, "Fine then, what do you want to advise me on?"

Seeing that Sha Chen was finally willing to listen to him, Jiang Ziya said, "There is something I am unsure whether I should say."

Sha Chen said, "If it’s inappropriate, then it shouldn’t be said."

Jiang Ziya’s tone faltered, then he said, "May I be so bold as to ask if the River Lord knows that Buddhism intends to initiate the Journey to the West, and the calamity of the Western Journey is imminent?"

Sha Chen looked at him and then said, "You are truly, very presumptuous."

Jiang Ziya’s tone faltered yet again. But still, he gazed directly at Sha Chen, awaiting his response.

Sha Chen said, "I know some, but not much."

Jiang Ziya said, "Do you know why the Jade Emperor banished you to the mortal realm?"

Sha Chen said, "I broke the Liuli Lamp. I did something wrong and violated heavenly law, so naturally, I was banished. It’s reasonable and lawful, and I have accepted it."

But Jiang Ziya shook his head. "With the River Lord’s intelligence, you should not be so confused about this matter. His Majesty’s action of banishing you to the mortal realm was to give you a legitimate chance to join Buddhism." He went straight to the point.