Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years

Chapter 341 - 335: Close in Appearance but Distant at Heart【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1

Kassapa and Ananda were engaged in a heated discussion, during which they mentioned Guanyin.Ananda whispered, "But isn’t Guanyin in retreat? It’s said that something has happened, and her status—whether alive or dead—is unknown. Can we still rely on her?"

Kassapa said, "We’ll wait for a while. If she doesn’t emerge and deal with the Black Bear Spirit, we will take action. However, before that, we could consider sending some of the mounts down to the mortal realm. Aren’t the mounts of Bodhisattva Manjushri and Samantabhadra already down from the mountain? We might contact them."

Ananda replied with a bitter smile, "Brother, they are all from the same clique and have had close dealings with Ran Deng. I’m afraid they won’t listen to us."

Kassapa confidently smiled. "Those are Manjushri and Samantabhadra, but their mounts aren’t of one mind with them."

Ananda immediately caught on. During the Divine Enthronement, the Green Lion and Bai Xiang, who were defeated by Manjushri and Samantabhadra, were both second-generation disciples of the Sect of Interpretation, possessing immense power that reached heaven and earth. They were defeated and taken as mounts. Many years passed. During this time, the Green Lion and Bai Xiang had only submitted under oppression, never truly submitting in heart or word. Indeed, a rebellion on their part wasn’t out of the question.

Kassapa and Ananda had already started to scheme about whether to incite the Green Lion and Bai Xiang to defect and serve them instead.

「At the same time.」

Within the Ninefold Stupa, Maitreya Buddha was meditating in seclusion. Standing before him was Honorable Fuhu, the current acting steward of the Arhat Hall in Lingjiu Mountain.

Honorable Fuhu said, "Buddha, word has come from the Heavenly Court that Yang Jian has defied the Heavenly Decree. The Jade Emperor is furious and plans to send people to capture him."

Maitreya Buddha said, "Yang Jian is a promising talent. His exploitation by the Jade Emperor these past years is indeed pitiable. Previously, he was the pride of the Chan Sect and also achieved divinity through his physical body, with a boundless future ahead. The Chan Sect values him greatly, making him difficult to approach.

"However, in these years, the Chan Sect and Yang Jian’s relationship has become estranged, though they maintain appearances. Yang Jian has gradually come to realize that Immortal Yuding of the Chan Sect was using him to shield against the calamity of the Divine Enthronement, and his contact with Chan Sect members has diminished.

"This is why the Jade Emperor dares to manipulate him so brazenly. But now that the Jade Emperor has broken his promises too many times, Yang Jian also harbors rebellious thoughts. We could attempt to draw him to our side."

Honorable Fuhu said, "Yang Jian is incredibly talented, with strong independence and quick wit. He is an exceptionally rare talent. Now that he is a Quasi-Saint, I fear he won’t be easily swayed."

Maitreya Buddha laughed. "That is because he is still high and mighty. But if he were brought as low as dust, as insignificant as an ant, tell me, would he be easily won over then? Back in the day, it was none other than Immortal Yuding who extended a helping hand when he was insignificant, drawing him to his side. Now, their bond is merely superficial, and Yang Jian is besieged on all sides. If we extend a helping hand, he will surely pledge allegiance to us."

Honorable Fuhu nodded in agreement. "Then I will arrange for someone to contact Yang Jian immediately."

Maitreya Buddha replied, "No need. I will personally meet with Yang Jian. The rest of you are not powerful enough; you likely don’t even qualify to meet him."

Then, he vanished without a trace.

Honorable Fuhu clenched his teeth; being looked down upon was quite unpleasant. He had already silently resolved to seize more power, become even stronger, and ensure no one would dare look down on him again—not even the current Maitreya Buddha. He would not permit even Maitreya to belittle him.

「Flowing Sand River.」

After repelling Shen Gongbao and the others, Sha Chen returned to his cave abode.

Three Holy Mother surrounded him, bombarding him with questions about the events outside, to which he remained indifferent.

Three Holy Mother said, "Brother, is Shen Gongbao that formidable? You actually couldn’t beat him?"

Sha Chen said, "Didn’t I say it was a ruse? It was just to give him a plausible reason to seize the Mountain-driving Whip, allowing your Second Brother to then reclaim it."

Three Holy Mother asked, "But what if Shen Gongbao hands over the Mountain-driving Whip to the Heavenly Court, and it falls into the hands of the Jade Emperor? Wouldn’t our plan be in vain?"

Sha Chen smiled. "Shen Gongbao isn’t the type to do that. He’d want to keep any item that could potentially increase his power clutched firmly in his own hands."

Upon hearing this, Three Holy Mother nodded slightly, then asked, "So when will Second Brother take back the Mountain-driving Whip?"

Sha Chen smiled. "He’ll probably go when he comes to pick you up, but he might also go before coming for you. It doesn’t matter; it will be in the next few days."

Three Holy Mother froze, then said in surprise, "I’m quite happy here; Second Brother doesn’t need to come for me."

She then said, "Brother, when the time comes, just tell Second Brother that I’ve decided on you and plan to stay here to serve you. Once Mother is rescued, I’ll bring her out to meet you. Then the four of us can live together. Doesn’t that sound good?"

Her sweet smile was full of bliss, as if she had already envisioned a future filled with happiness. She had even thought of names for her children.

Sweetly, she said, "Brother, why are you looking at me like that? Do you think my suggestion is good?"

Sha Chen’s cheeks twitched, and he pushed her away. "Good my foot! Are you trying to get me killed? You staying here is already a burden, let alone bringing your mother and Second Brother! You expect me to feed and house your whole family? Dream on!"

He firmly refused.

Three Holy Mother was immediately taken aback and then said, aggrieved, "Brother, don’t you want to live with me? At worst, I’ll just bring Mother here, and let Second Brother continue living at Guanjiangkou." Official source ıs novel fire.net

Sha Chen replied, "It’s not about who you bring here; it’s about me not playing host. You already eat so much of my food. Bring someone else? Am I supposed to support another person?"

Three Holy Mother retorted, "Brother, are you feeling the kind of nervousness a son-in-law feels when he meets his mother-in-law, and that’s why you’re hurrying to reject it?"

Sha Chen said, "No, I feel like someone is deliberately bumping into me and then foisting themselves on me."

Three Holy Mother insisted, "I won’t renege on my word."

Sha Chen knocked on her forehead. "Spend less time with Seventh Mother and her crowd. You should be aiming for a future of elegance and dignity."

Three Holy Mother, however, pouted. "But what they said is true, and I’ve even thought of what to name the child."

Sha Chen chuckled. "I knew you had ulterior motives! Still hung up on me? Dream on, it’s impossible!"

Three Holy Mother then said, "I never said the child would be yours, Brother. Why don’t you give him a name?"

Sha Chen replied, "Not mine, you say? Alright then, let’s call him Liu Chenxiang."

Three Holy Mother complained, "Liu Chenxiang? What a terrible name! Besides, the child’s surname would be Sha, so how could it be Liu? Everyone in the world surnamed Liu should be killed!"

Sha Chen glanced at her. How dare she claim she isn’t interested in me?

Hmph. Women are the most troublesome. With no women in my heart, my sword will naturally be divine.

Sha Chen had decided that after cultivating with the Treasured Lotus Lantern for a while longer and pushing his spirit to the Quasi-Saint level, he would send Three Holy Mother away. If this woman stayed any longer, she’ll inevitably be led astray by Seventh Mother. More importantly, she would drain all of Sha Chen’s resources.

Because Three Holy Mother was staying there and was poor, Seventh Mother had secretly prepared some resources for her. However, all these resources were ultimately Sha Chen’s. Naturally, Sha Chen also knew why Seventh Mother was so good to Three Holy Mother; it was mostly women banding together. Seventh Mother, feeling threatened by Lady Di Yong, the White Bone Demon, and others, wanted to find an ally. As Three Holy Mother was new, Seventh Mother naturally wanted to win her over, hoping to use her later to suppress the other women.

Sha Chen was aware, but he didn’t acknowledge it. He hadn’t planned on giving them any such opportunities. Let them fight all they want; it’s quite entertaining. But when Seventh Mother gave resources to Three Holy Mother, especially by taking them from his share, it made Sha Chen uncomfortable.

He couldn’t hit or scold her. Seventh Mother and the others had only recently returned; if they left immediately, they would attract the Heavenly Court’s attention. He needed them to break through to the Daluo Golden Immortal realm before they could go out and roam freely.

As for Three Holy Mother, Sha Chen had to figure out a way to send her away. It wasn’t that he begrudged the resources, but rather that he couldn’t afford to part with them. Sha Chen figured that, considering Three Holy Mother was a Saint’s disciple and also had the Treasured Lotus Lantern, cultivating with the lantern was already very fast. He had already lectured her, imparted teachings, and resolved her doubts, which was generous enough. Providing her with resources as well felt like playing the roles of both father and mother.

I’ve only ever lived off others; nobody gets to live off me! Sha Chen thought to himself and then urged Three Holy Mother to hurry up and use the Treasured Lotus Lantern for cultivation. Once she made progress, she should quickly return home.

Three Holy Mother seemed to sense Sha Chen’s desire for her to leave and intentionally dragged things out. Consequently, Sha Chen’s own cultivation speed suffered, slowing from its previous pace.

After Sha Chen caught on to her intentions, he promised her a reward upon successful cultivation and assured her he wouldn’t send her away immediately!

Only then did Three Holy Mother seriously assist Sha Chen in his cultivation, using the Treasured Lotus Lantern to help advance his Primordial Spirit.

「A month later.」

Three Holy Mother overexerted herself. Her spiritual energy heavily depleted, she collapsed powerlessly in front of Sha Chen.

Lifting her head, she said, "Brother, you’re too intense! My spiritual energy is completely drained."

Sha Chen retorted, "That’s because your cultivation base is weak, and your Primordial Spirit isn’t strong enough. That’s why the Treasured Lotus Lantern can’t unleash its full potential. Alright, continue using the Eight Treasures Divine Water to restore your spiritual energy, and then I’ll lecture you. After this lecture session, you should be about ready to leave. Your Second Brother will probably have arrived by then, right?"

Three Holy Mother exclaimed in shock, "Brother, you’ve deceived me! Didn’t you promise me a reward? And didn’t you say you wouldn’t send me away?"

Sha Chen replied, "I didn’t deceive you. My reward for you *is* this lecture. And I said I wouldn’t immediately send you away. See? I’m letting you take a bath and restore your spiritual energy before you leave."

Three Holy Mother, seemingly summoning strength from nowhere, scrambled to her feet only to lose her balance and fall into Sha Chen’s arms.

She struggled, trying to pinch Sha Chen, and cried, "Brother, you’re awful! You tricked me! You don’t keep your word! I’m never speaking to you again!"

His cheek twitched. Sha Chen brushed her hand away, saying sternly, "Stop acting cute. I’m not falling for it."

Three Holy Mother apologized, "I’m sorry, Brother, it was my misunderstanding."