Chapter 136: Chapter 130: Chang E and the Sky Shaking Bow【Subscription Requested】_1
Chang E, you’ve come?!
Sha Chen was taken aback. He carefully inspected her with his divine vision; indeed, it was the divine light-laced, ethereal Chang E. As the former Great General for Folding the Curtain, he had naturally seen Chang E numerous times. After all, Chang E, touted as the number one beauty under the heavens and the leading beauty of the Heavenly Realm, was often summoned by the Jade Emperor to dance for his pleasure. Sha Chen had even drawn the curtains and supported the phoenix carriage for Chang E several times. Chang E was truly, genuinely beautiful.
Moreover, he wondered if she had specially dressed up for her descent to the mortal world, as she seemed even more beautiful and charming than when she danced for the Jade Emperor. Standing by the riverbank, looking out over the vast Flowing Sand River, her dress fluttered as the breeze swept by. With Fairy Chang E present, the surrounding flowers paled in comparison.
Sha Chen meticulously scrutinized the area several times, then used his Downwind Ear to listen intently, confirming that Chang E was alone. There was no ambush.
But still, he did not respond. Fairy Chang E, as the Tai Yin Star Monarch, had reportedly ascended to heaven by secretly eating the Queen Mother’s Golden Core. But in truth, as the widow of Hou Yi, the Great Witch from the Witch Clan, Fairy Chang E’s strength was not to be underestimated. Otherwise, she would not have become the Tai Yin Star Monarch, nor would she have maintained her reputation as the foremost beauty under the heavens without becoming a coveted prize in someone’s bedchamber. This indicated she possessed real power.
Using his magical eye, Sha Chen could see that Fairy Chang E’s cultivation level was the same as Immortal Ruyi’s—both were at the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm. This level of cultivation was no small feat.
Fairy Chang E called out from the shore several times, but she received no response. Although Sha Chen had confirmed there was no ambush and that Chang E was indeed real, he wouldn’t carelessly open the doors to his cave dwelling; he would neither go out nor allow anyone in. He was not the sort to be easily swayed, nor was he the kind to lose his composure at the sight of a beautiful woman.
A beautiful skeleton—that’s all she was.
After calling out a few times from the shore without eliciting any response from Sha Chen, Chang E furrowed her brows. Usually, she was lofty and unapproachable; many vied for a chance to see her or even speak to her, often fruitlessly. Now, she had personally come to this place, seeking an audience with a General for Folding the Curtain who, in the past, was only fit to escort her carriage—an exiled general, no less—and yet, she received no response at all.
How infuriating!
Chang E said, "General for Folding the Curtain, this monarch wishes to see you. Open up your cave dwelling."
"There’s no need for you to hide any longer; everyone under the heavens knows you’re in the Flowing Sand River. This matter has already been brought by the Jade Emperor for deliberation in the Lingxiao Palace."
"This monarch means you no harm and will ask nothing more of you; simply hand over the Jade Rabbit. If she’s unharmed, this monarch will naturally take her leave."
Sha Chen had no intention of responding, but when he heard Chang E’s remark about the matter being deliberated in court, his scalp tingled.
HISS!
This matter has been deliberated?
Sha Chen’s gaze grew serious. He planted the Giant Que Sword into the ground and furrowed his brows, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.
This has become troublesome. Has the Jade Emperor grown so impatient as to deliberate this matter?
From his understanding of the Jade Emperor, he was just a mere exiled general; even if he transgressed again, it should not be a matter for deliberation. After all, he didn’t qualify. That was the reason he had been able to quietly cultivate for over a hundred years. But now, it had been deliberated. From what Chang E implied, it seemed to be a serious matter, one that had spread throughout the realm. Soon enough, his Flowing Sand River would become widely known, and eventually, people would flock there.
But what exactly was deliberated? What did the Jade Emperor say, and how did the courtiers react? What was the outcome of the deliberation?!
Sha Chen had no knowledge of it, yet was eager to find out. For that reason, he hesitated. Nonetheless, Sha Chen decided to have a few words with Chang E and thus manifested a shadowy image, half of his body emerging from the Flowing Sand River. He seemed to span heaven and earth, his head beneath the vast sky, his feet upon the great river. Even with only half his body emerging from the Flowing Sand River, he still looked down upon Chang E on the shore.
Upon seeing this, Chang E instantly realized it was a mere projection, yet it was so tangible. She was slightly taken aback.
"I did not expect General for Folding the Curtain to possess such expansive divine powers. Such a seemingly real projection from mere emptiness; this monarch admires it," she said.
Sha Chen cupped his fist. "Fairy need not flatter me; this is but a minor skill, unworthy of your notice, Fairy."
Chang E said, "The General and I haven’t seen each other in over a hundred years. Your cultivation has grown more profound; it is indeed cause for celebration. There’s no need for such modesty." As she spoke, she also felt quite emotional. Who would have thought that a mere General for Folding the Curtain, once only fit to support her carriage, could have achieved so much? It was common knowledge that he had even caused the Jade Emperor to deliberate his case, leaving the Heavenly Court with no recourse.
Sha Chen did not wish to linger on this topic, so he said, "Fairy, I had been immersed in cultivation just moments ago and was unaware of your visit. Please forgive me."
Chang E nodded. "It matters not."
Then Sha Chen inquired further, "May I ask, Fairy, you mentioned earlier that His Majesty brought my case before the Lingxiao Palace for deliberation. What does this entail? Could you share the details?"
He was truly nervous and worried. Although he was hiding here, he wasn’t concerned about anyone below the Saint level breaking in. However, the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji was, after all, a magical tool, and perhaps other magical tools could counter it. One wouldn’t necessarily need a Saint to break through. That could be troublesome. No one could guarantee the Jade Emperor possessed such an ability. Even if he didn’t, couldn’t he find someone with the talent? If not, he could even borrow a magical tool from the Saints!
Therefore, it would be best if this matter hadn’t attracted too much attention, and if the Jade Emperor didn’t particularly care about him. He needed to know the outcome.
Fairy Chang E rolled her eyes discreetly. Didn’t he claim to be cultivating and unaware of my arrival? How then would he know what I said?
However, she didn’t expose Sha Chen’s lie, but instead said, "General, do you not plan to invite this monarch into your cave dwelling for a seat?"
Sha Chen said, "My humble abode is too shabby to accommodate you, Fairy." These words nearly slipped out. After all, he was used to saying them.
Fairy Chang E said, "Whether the General’s place is humble or not remains to be seen, but it is certainly famous throughout the land. Besides, if the General has made it his cave dwelling, how bad could it possibly be?" She, too, felt that the mere Flowing Sand River, a place of exile filled with miasma and poisonous waters, could hardly house a fine cave dwelling. But since the Jade Emperor had brought it up for deliberation, it must at least be presentable. Perhaps it lacked golden splendor, but it should at least have a hundred or so rooms, with pavilions, verandas, and artificial rockeries and water features, shouldn’t it?
Moreover, she had learned from the Jade Rabbit last time that Sha Chen’s place was quite pleasant; even the Jade Rabbit was so happy there she didn’t want to return. Therefore, she also wanted to see for herself what kind of wonderful place could make the Jade Rabbit so reluctant to leave. Perhaps the Jade Rabbit was inside. She had to see if her rabbit had been mistreated.
How could Sha Chen let her in? This woman was often invited by the Jade Emperor to dance. Who knew if, during her next performance, she might expose him? So he said, "My abode is truly too humble to accommodate you, Fairy."
Chang E said, "This monarch has traveled far, braving wind and dust. Even if your dwelling were a dog’s kennel, General, you should invite me in for a cup of tea or a bowl of congee."
Sha Chen was quite troubled. Why was this fairy so persistent? She’s a widow, and everyone knows one shouldn’t casually enter a widow’s home. Hasn’t she heard that a recluse’s door is also not to be entered lightly?
Sha Chen’s head throbbed. Letting Chang E in was truly problematic, but not letting her in would lead to her incessant pestering. Moreover, Chang E not mentioning the court deliberation made him uneasy. Although he had some subordinates, none were by his side, and none had access to the Heavenly Court. They likely knew nothing of the deliberation. They couldn’t possibly know the specifics and thus couldn’t alleviate his worries or answer his questions.
Thinking this, Sha Chen felt he ought to establish some contacts within the Heavenly Court. He didn’t aim to overthrow the Heavenly Court’s regime—that would be seeking death. But at the very least, he needed to know what the Heavenly Court was thinking, lest disaster strike one day and he didn’t even have time to escape.
Fairy Chang E seemed to notice Sha Chen’s eagerness to know about the deliberation, so she had a plan.
"Return this monarch’s Jade Rabbit," Chang E said with a smile. "Do that, and this monarch will not enter the Flowing Sand River."
Sha Chen said, "Fairy, please forgive me, but the Jade Rabbit is not here."
Chang E’s smile grew cold as she said, "Nonsense! The last time this monarch sent someone to question her, she said she was with you. How dare you still spout such fabrications and try to deceive this monarch?"
Sha Chen said, "Fairy, allow me to explain. The Jade Rabbit did indeed seek me out before. However, I repeatedly urged her to return to the Heavenly Realm, and she agreed. She then left and has not returned since."
Of course, he had to be evasive. He couldn’t possibly tell Chang E that the Jade Rabbit had become his tool for gathering resources. He guessed Chang E would fly into a rage immediately. Even if she couldn’t breach the Flowing Sand River, the next time she danced for the Jade Emperor, she could subtly influence him, and he would issue a decree to find experts to break through his Flowing Sand River.
Chang E, with a cold elegance, said, "You demoted general! Stop trying to fool this monarch! Hand over my Jade Rabbit immediately, or I shall shatter your Flowing Sand River this instant!"
"Detected that the Host has been threatened by the Lucky Person, Chang E. You have the following options:"
"Option One: Confront the danger head-on. Suppress Chang E and obtain the magical tool [Star-Smashing Axe]. Star-Smashing Axe: The magical tool of Wu Gang, the great general guarding Guanghan Palace, capable of shattering stars."
"Option Two: A true man persuades with virtue. Resolve Chang E’s hostility and obtain the magical tool [Sky Shaking Bow]. Sky Shaking Bow: The magical tool Hou Yi used to shoot down the suns, forged from a Spiritual Root of heaven and earth. It vanished after Hou Yi’s death."
Sha Chen was stunned for a moment. He was overjoyed. Naturally, he wouldn’t suppress Chang E with force; that would only exacerbate the situation. Persuading with virtue was his life’s motto; he loved persuading with virtue the most. It absolutely wasn’t for the Sky Shaking Bow, capable of shooting down Golden Crows; it was purely about persuading with virtue. However, without the Shooting Sun Divine Arrows, the Sky Shaking Bow’s power would likely be greatly diminished. But, he had to get the bow first.
Sha Chen was filled with a mix of joy and renewed headache. Fairy Chang E didn’t seem very reasonable. Women, in general, weren’t fond of reasoning, especially beautiful women, and even more so the foremost beauty of the Heavenly Realm. She was bound to be even more unreasonable.
Sha Chen repeatedly explained that the Jade Rabbit was not there, suggesting that if she didn’t believe him, she could send someone to make inquiries overseas. He even revealed the Jade Rabbit’s likely itinerary, suggesting she send someone after a great demon who had stolen a Wutong tree.
However, Chang E merely saw this as Sha Chen trying to get rid of her, and she gave a cold laugh, remaining unmoved.
"Open your cave dwelling and let this monarch enter to see for myself. Only if she is truly not there will this monarch believe you," Chang E insisted, unyielding.
"Detected that the Host has been requested by the Lucky Person, Fairy Chang E, to open the cave dwelling. You have the following options:"
"Option One: Agree to Fairy Chang E’s request. Open the cave dwelling, invite her inside, and receive the reward [Shooting Sun Bow Method]. Shooting Sun Bow Method: The archery techniques and insights of the Great Witch Hou Yi, accumulated across his two lifetimes."
"Option Two: Refuse Fairy Chang E and deny her entry. Receive the reward [Mountain Piercing Axe Method]. Mountain Piercing Axe Method: One of the Three Thousand Dao Techniques, an axe technique capable of splitting mountains and cracking stones. When paired with a divine axe, it is unstoppable."
WHAT?! A double reward?
Sha Chen was bewildered, then ecstatic. He hadn’t expected Fairy Chang E to trigger two system choices.