Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years

Chapter 339 - 333: Poor Acting Skills【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1

Shen Gongbao sneered triumphantly.He continued to activate the Heaven Opening Bead to bombard Sha Chen.

The immortals of The Mysterious Altar Department were also overjoyed and eager to help, each lending their assistance.

Xiao Sheng, Cao Bao, and others all joined in with howls, as if they were seeing a stripped woman, extremely excited.

Sha Chen was beaten into a continuous retreat, feeling both shock and anger.

He seemingly hadn’t had time to manifest his three heads and six arms before he grabbed a whip—precisely the Mountain-driving Whip—and lashed out.

CRACKLE AND SNAP.

The Mountain-driving Whip’s power was boundless, forcing Cao Bao, Xiao Sheng, and the others to retreat, even killing hundreds of The Mysterious Altar Department’s Roaming Gods, reducing them to mincemeat.

Xiao Sheng said angrily, "Sha Chen, you’ve got some nerve to kill gods?"

Sha Chen snorted coldly. "So, you’re allowed to kill me, but I’m not allowed to kill you?"

"This is simply laughable. You’ve gone too far. Bullying by numbers is bad enough, but you also want to bully with power? I was forced to retaliate."

Then, he continued to counter-attack.

Each lash of the Mountain-driving Whip killed some of the Roaming Gods of The Mysterious Altar Department.

His methods were too ruthless, his power too strong, forcing Xiao Sheng and the others to keep their distance, all filled with shock and anger.

Seeing this, Shen Gongbao let out a cold laugh. "Sha Chen, you’re quite bold. Acting as if I don’t exist, huh?"

"Let me show you how formidable I am. Taste the power of my Thunder Whip!"

Then he too took out a purple whip, like a bolt of lightning in his hand, and struck out with it.

It landed directly on Sha Chen’s body, arcs of electricity coursing over him.

Sha Chen was stunned.

I feel nothing at all, no different from a tickle, he thought.

He was puzzled. Is Shen Gongbao that weak?

Then he realized he was mistaken.

Shen Gongbao was not weak; in fact, he was very strong—a High-ranking Daluo Golden Immortal wouldn’t be feeble.

However, Sha Chen was too strong.

His physique was too formidable. Not to mention Shen Gongbao’s casual strike, even if Shen Gongbao gave it his all, it would be difficult to shake him.

Nonetheless, Sha Chen still pretended to groan in pain, retreating while continuously roaring.

Shen Gongbao paused, holding the Thunder Whip. It felt like he was fine just then, he muttered perplexedly. But never mind, he *is* getting pushed back.

Shen Gongbao was brimming with confidence, filled with smugness.

Sneering ferociously, he was full of haughty pride.

He charged forward and continued to lash out at Sha Chen, who could only play along with screams, retreating successively.

SMACK.

Shen Gongbao’s whip came down, striking Sha Chen’s shoulder.

Sha Chen let out a terrible scream. "Ah, my knee! You hit my knee! Damn it, it hurts to death!"

Shen Gongbao’s whip struck again, hitting Sha Chen on the arm.

Sha Chen cried out, "My face! You hit my face! It hurts so much, curse you!"

Shen Gongbao was bewildered.

If it weren’t for the fact that he kept pushing Sha Chen back, he would have suspected he was being played.

The immortals of The Mysterious Altar Department followed closely, but Sha Chen didn’t indulge them, directly slapping countless Roaming Gods to death with his hand.

His attack was like a giant swatting mosquitoes.

In his palm, the Roaming Gods of The Mysterious Altar Department turned into specks of blood mist, exploding violently.

Xiao Sheng and the others were also repelled by Sha Chen’s powerful palm-wind, terrified and aghast.

If it weren’t for seeing Sha Chen being driven back by Shen Gongbao, given Sha Chen’s vicious demeanor, they would have turned and fled.

After killing a few Roaming Gods, Sha Chen purposely exposed a flaw.

Indeed, Shen Gongbao saw it, whipped out instantly, forcing Sha Chen back and causing Sha Chen’s Mountain-driving Whip to fly out of his hand.

Sha Chen was shocked, reaching out to grab back his Mountain-driving Whip.

But it was captured by Shen Gongbao’s Thunder Whip, snatching it away. Shen Gongbao also used a Flying Sword, stabbing at Sha Chen.

The Heaven Opening Bead also smashed down, forcing Sha Chen to keep retreating.

Sha Chen, shocked and furious, roared, "Give back my Magical Tool!"

Shen Gongbao sneered triumphantly. "If you want it, come and snatch it back, hehe. Otherwise, it now belongs to yours truly."

In a rage, Sha Chen took out the Plantain Fan.

With a single wave, he blew Shen Gongbao and the immortals of The Mysterious Altar Department away, sending them flying out of sight.

After blowing them away, Sha Chen cursed and grumbled as he opened the gates to his dwelling, slipped inside, and did not emerge again.

The Flowing Sand River once again became calm.

Shen Gongbao and the four major Divine Officials of The Mysterious Altar Department, having been blown away, were nowhere to be found. It took them half a day to return to the Heavenly Court and regroup.

Gathered once more, Xiao Sheng and the others were all disheartened.

Cao Bao was especially worried. "This time, the capture of the Spider Spirit was a complete failure. We didn’t even injure Sha Chen, nor did we get any useful information. We’re sure to be reprimanded when we return."

Chen Jiugong said, "Sha Chen resisted like that; he must be in league with the demon. Let’s just report the truth."

Yao Shaosi said, "Without evidence, it’s useless."

Chen Jiugong snorted. "Do we need evidence? If we say there is, then there is. Even if there’s none, there still is."

Xiao Sheng, however, shook his head. "Enough, no more. It’s no use. Sha Chen is different from the others. He is a Daluo Golden Immortal. Even though he was demoted, his strength is still above ours, and his status has risen despite that."

"Although His Majesty continues to keep him demoted, His Majesty has always wanted to take him back, but Sha Chen has refused two or three times. Even when offered to join Buddhism, Sha Chen has always been resistant. He’s not afraid of our slander. Or rather, as long as Sha Chen is in the Flowing Sand River, we can’t do anything to him."

Chen Jiugong’s eyes flickered. "His Majesty wants Sha Chen to join Buddhism," he said, "but when that happens, people from Buddhism will surely join the Heavenly Court, which will definitely take away much of our power. Maybe we could..."

Xiao Sheng quickly interjected, "That’s enough, no more talk! We’ll report this matter as it is and leave the decision on how to handle it to His Majesty and Zhao Gongming."

At that moment, Shen Gongbao spoke up with a chuckle, "Hehe, actually, Sha Chen did suffer some losses. Look, I’ve managed to get this Mountain-driving Whip. I’ve already erased the marks Sha Chen left on it. With the right opportunity, I’ll be able to begin Refining it."

Upon hearing this, the others couldn’t help but feel envious.

Xiao Sheng cupped his fist. "Daoist Priest, your skills are remarkable. It’s a shame you only took Sha Chen’s Magical Tool and couldn’t capture him. Moreover, if we could get his Plantain Fan, that would be ideal."

Shen Gongbao replied, "If I can take from him once, I can take from him a second time. Just wait. When I have some time, I’ll rob him of another Magical Tool."

He said with satisfaction, "It is rumored that Sha Chen has many Magical Tools. In the future, the Flowing Sand River will be my, Shen Gongbao’s, backyard, and Sha Chen’s Magical Tools will be my Magical Tools."

At this, he burst into proud laughter.

Xiao Sheng and the others exchanged glances, a glint in their eyes. Amidst their envy, they began to harbor ulterior motives. If Shen Gongbao could defeat Sha Chen and take away his Magical Tools, then Sha Chen’s reputation must be overrated. If they asked Zhao Gongming to take action himself, couldn’t they obliterate Sha Chen? This contribution would still belong to their Mysterious Altar Department!

So Xiao Sheng and the others decided not to report to the Jade Emperor but instead went directly to Zhao Gongming to make a full report of the incident and the situation.

They wanted Zhao Gongming to act quickly, obliterate the Flowing Sand River, and capture Sha Chen in the process.

Shen Gongbao, too, did not go to the Jade Emperor. He took the Mountain-driving Whip and set off for home. This item was a spoil of war. If he brought it before Zhao Gongming or the Jade Emperor, it might be confiscated. It was best for him to keep it himself. Once he returned home, he could refine it, and it would become his Magical Tool.

「Bright Palace.」

Heavenly Official Pang informed the Jade Emperor about the events at the Flowing Sand River.

The Jade Emperor frowned. "Sha Chen was defeated by Shen Gongbao?" he said. "Wasn’t he evenly matched with Yang Jian?"

Heavenly Official Pang remained silent.

Li Changgeng spoke from the side, "Your Majesty, perhaps Yang Jian praised Sha Chen excessively, and in reality, he is still stronger than Sha Chen."

The Jade Emperor nodded, thinking that there was indeed such a possibility. After all, he knew just how powerful Yang Jian was—truly an invincible opponent below the Quasi-Saint level.

And rumor had it that Yang Jian had now entered the Quasi-Saint Realm and was still in seclusion, likely becoming even stronger. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel·fiɾe·net

When comparing Yang Jian and Sha Chen, the Jade Emperor believed Yang Jian was stronger.

The Jade Emperor said, "Since Yang Jian is stronger, why did he not capture Sha Chen outright, instead declaring that he was evenly matched with him?"

Li Changgeng replied, "Maybe Yang Jian is guarding against Your Majesty; he must have withheld some truth."

The Jade Emperor was momentarily taken aback, then fell silent.

Sighing, he said, "Yang Jian has grown up, hasn’t he? He’s learned to hide things from Us. This is a sign of rebellion, a change of heart."

Heavenly Official Pang and Li Changgeng remained quiet.

The chambermaids around them also kept silent, bowing their heads and attending to their tasks.

This was an affair of the Jade Emperor’s household, and they had no place to interfere.

The Jade Emperor then commanded, "Summon Yang Jian to appear before Us. We want to know more about the situation at the Flowing Sand River. And since he has been there once, he can go a second time. We will have him enter it once more."

Heavenly Official Pang acknowledged, "As you command," and turned to relay the order.

Li Changgeng stood by, frowning in silence.

The Jade Emperor asked, "Why does my loyal subject remain silent?"

Li Changgeng replied, "Your Majesty, I am concerned that Erlang God will not take action again, as after all..." He wanted to say that the Jade Emperor had gone back on his word many times, the most recent instance being not long ago, and Erlang God would not be so foolish as to be tricked again.

The Jade Emperor said, "This time, I promise him: if he tells the truth and completes the task, I will certainly release them."

Li Changgeng was still silent. You say that every time, he thought.

He clearly did not believe the Jade Emperor.

And the Jade Emperor himself fell silent; he knew that in Yang Jian’s heart, he was seen as untrustworthy, because even Li Changgeng thought so, let alone Yang Jian.

Frowning, though somewhat displeased, he still insisted on summoning Yang Jian to the Heavenly Court for questioning.

Then he added, "By the way, Yang Chan went to the Flowing Sand River. It seems she entered it and hasn’t come out. No news?"

Li Changgeng replied, "I do not know."

The Jade Emperor pinched the bridge of his nose, then changed the subject and began discussing other important matters with Li Changgeng.

"It’s said that the Nether World’s cycle of reincarnation is overwhelmed with souls, and Buddhism has extended its reach into the Nether World. We need to strengthen our control over the Ten Halls of Yama..."

"Buddhism intends to take action against Tianpeng, and it seems they are also planning to win over Zhenyuanzi. This unsettles Us..."

"It is reported that Lord Yuan Shi plans to hold a Dao Techniques conference to counteract Buddhism’s influence from the quest for scriptures, intending to personally preach to all beings. We should send someone to attend..."

「Half a day later.」

Heavenly Official Pang returned, his face bruised and battered, looking disheveled and utterly defeated.

He collapsed to his knees before the Jade Emperor, cupping his fist and exclaiming, "Your Majesty, Yang Jian is too outrageous! When I went to Guanjiangkou to convey the decree for him to confront Sha Chen, he beat me up and told me to scram! And also... also told me to inform Your Majesty..."

The Jade Emperor’s face turned grim as he said sternly, "Inform Us of what!?"