Chapter 105: Chapter 105 Guanyin’s Personal Visit [3000 words asking for recommendation votes]_1
"’Tianpeng’ said, "Of course I recognize him. My brother is General for Folding the Curtain, but it seems he has fallen asleep, refusing to open the Formation. I’ve been calling for him for a long time. Sigh, that’s just the way my brother is, too cautious."
She had spent several years with Tianpeng and knew him inside out, mimicking his tone and demeanor perfectly.
Jade Rabbit was instantly overjoyed and said, "Is the Marshal really one of the General’s men? Well, that makes sense. Since you are all from the Heavenly Court, it’s normal for you to be good friends." Then she laughed again. "The General is indeed cautious and low-key. He doesn’t like others to disturb him. We’ll just wait for him on the shore, but we can’t stay too long. If someone sees us, it might be detrimental to the General."
’Tianpeng’ grinned and nodded, saying, "Of course. Look, what is that?"
The White Bone Demon was now certain that this woman had a deep connection to Sha Chen. So, she tricked her into looking away, planning to take her hostage.
At that moment, the waters of Flowing Sand River parted, and a towering figure rose from the depths, revealing half of its body. It was indeed Sha Chen. From within his cave dwelling, he had watched the White Bone Demon meticulously lure the naive Jade Rabbit. He saw that she planned to reveal her true nature and take Jade Rabbit hostage. He had no choice but to show himself. As soon as he appeared, both Jade Rabbit and ’Tianpeng’ were overjoyed.
Sha Chen looked towards ’Tianpeng’ and smiled. "Tianpeng, you’ve returned. Come into the cave quickly. I was in the midst of cultivation and didn’t notice."
’Tianpeng’ found Sha Chen’s smile somewhat odd, and it set off alarms inside her. But the opportunity was too good to miss. With a loud laugh, mimicking Tianpeng’s manner and tone, she followed Sha Chen into the Flowing Sand River Cave.
The Flowing Sand River returned to its normal state. Both ’Tianpeng’ and Jade Rabbit entered the cave.
Before Jade Rabbit could leap into Sha Chen’s arms, Sha Chen had already manifested the Law of Heaven and Earth and grabbed the Undefined Flying Rings, smashing them towards ’Tianpeng’.
Jade Rabbit was terrified. Why is the General attacking the Marshal!?
’Tianpeng’ was also shocked and retreated quickly, saying, "Brother, have you gone mad from cultivation?"
Sha Chen sneered, "How audacious, demon! You think you can practice deception before experts? I saw through you in a glance. You are not Tianpeng."
’Tianpeng’ frowned deeply and snorted coldly, reverting to her true form, which was the White Bone Demon: a beautiful woman whose every feature and gesture oozed with charm.
Jade Rabbit was horrified and immediately filled with regret. She had inadvertently brought a demon into the cave, and now the General was in grave danger. Anger followed her shock, and she radiated the powerful aura of an early-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, drawing her sword and preparing to thrust it. "How dare you, demon, to deceive me?"
She was about to attack but was stopped by Sha Chen’s outstretched hand.
Jade Rabbit was instantly delighted. "The General is so kind to me, not wanting me to get hurt, preventing me from taking action."
Sha Chen stopped her, patted her shoulder, and stepped back half a step, pointing at the White Bone Demon. He said seriously, "This woman dares to come to me. She must have a sinister scheme or has made some advancement in her abilities. You test her out, and I’ll back you up."
Jade Rabbit was stunned for a moment. Ultimately, her trust had been misplaced.
Sha Chen said, "It’s your mistake; you bear the responsibility. Go on, I’ll back you up. If you die, I’ll make sure she joins you in death."
Jade Rabbit nodded solemnly, then charged forward with her sword.
The White Bone Demon snickered, releasing her formidable mid-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal mana, and reached out to grab her bone sword. With a wave of her hand, a chilling air emanated, and sword qi crisscrossed the air. After a dozen moves in combat, it became clear that Jade Rabbit was gradually losing.
The White Bone Demon snorted, "Not bad, you’ve got some skills. But you’re no match for me. Once I kill you, I’ll take down that hairy spirit, occupy his cave, and make him my slave."
Sha Chen watched closely from the sidelines, noting that the White Bone Demon’s cultivation was at the mid-stage of a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal. Stronger than before, but not by much. Yet, how did she dare to seek him out? The White Bone Demon was aware that Sha Chen was watching and deliberately showcased all her strengths. She thought with a sneer, "This hairy spirit must know that my cultivation has greatly improved and that I’ve surpassed him, hence he’s scared to death."
The White Bone Demon taunted, "Sha Chen, hiding behind a woman, what kind of man are you? I’ll let you take your shot. Both of you come at me together. I alone am enough to suppress you both."
Jade Rabbit clenched her teeth. Even though she was already outmatched and had sustained some light injuries, she remained determined to shield Sha Chen, keeping him behind her. She wanted to drain some of the White Bone Demon’s mana so that Sha Chen might stand a chance of victory.
After several confirmations, Sha Chen was sure that the White Bone Demon was at her limit, all out of tricks. He used his Downwind Ear and Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye to survey the Flowing Sand River territory. No ambush, no abnormalities were found. This meant the woman had come alone. Why would she be so bold, given her weakness? Could it be that courage stems from an ample chest? After careful consideration, Sha Chen concluded that the White Bone Demon posed no threat to him. It was his turn to act.
Sha Chen shouted, "Fine! Since you sincerely seek death, don’t blame me for not holding back."
The White Bone Demon laughed coldly. "You mere hairy spirit! I have reached mid-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal cultivation. I am invincible in this realm. Are you my opponent? Come on, let me show you how indestructible and immensely powerful my White Bone Legal Body is!"
She transformed with a shake of her body, becoming a giant skeleton, and with one sword stroke, she wounded and repelled Jade Rabbit. Then, she struck at Sha Chen with another sword blow.
CLANK. The sword came down on Sha Chen’s body, and the White Bone Demon burst into laughter. "What trash! You can’t even dodge my sword. This blow should split you in two. Way too boring."
"Hmm!?" She froze. Sha Chen had not been split in half.
Then, after several more sword strikes, Sha Chen remained unscathed.
Her brows furrowed, while Sha Chen held her sword and said, "I don’t understand. With your weak strength, where do you get the confidence to kill me?"
Panic-stricken, the White Bone Demon stammered, "You, you, how can your physical body be so strong? It’s impossible..."
Sha Chen reached out and threw a punch.
Immediately, the White Bone Demon shouted, "Don’t think you can hurt me! My physical body is also invincible!"
BANG! A punch from Sha Chen sent her bones flying everywhere, completely shattering her frame.
As her bones reassembled, the White Bone Demon lay on the ground, her breath ragged, her face reflecting a deep existential crisis. Muttering, "Impossible, how can you be so strong? My physical body should be unrivaled in the same realm."
Sha Chen let out a cold laugh, disregarding the fool, and was just about to finish her off.
Realizing the threat of death, the White Bone Demon quickly said, "You can’t kill me."
Sha Chen said, "Give me a reason."
The White Bone Demon said, "I haven’t hurt you."
Sha Chen replied, "That’s because you’re not strong enough."
The White Bone Demon added, "I’ve saved your brother Tianpeng."
Sha Chen asked, "So what?"
The White Bone Demon continued, "I can be your servant girl, do her work," pointing at Jade Rabbit.
Jade Rabbit immediately puffed her chest and glared, saying, "You’re just a skeleton! How can you be as fleshy as me? The General can only sleep comfortably holding me. Holding you would only be uncomfortably bony."
Sha Chen’s face darkened. When had he ever slept holding Jade Rabbit? However, he didn’t intend to spare the White Bone Demon; he would just finish her off.
In panic, the White Bone Demon hurriedly said, "Don’t kill me! I was actually sent by Guanyin Bodhisattva. She’s acquainted with my master and saw that I had some achievements in my cultivation, so she gave me a fortuitous opportunity."
Sent by Guanyin!? Sha Chen’s expression changed drastically, and he immediately became alert. He trapped the White Bone Demon with the Dragon Binding Rope, bound her head with the Undefined Flying Rings, and applied the Drawing Ground into Prison technique to prevent her from escaping.
The White Bone Demon was in a panic, unsure of what Sha Chen intended to do. Under the heavy constraints, even her Primordial Spirit could not escape. Moreover, inside this magical formation, she could not leave without Sha Chen’s consent. The Bodhisattva whose help she had been promised had not arrived, and her heart was gripped with anxiety.
After tying her up, Sha Chen paced back and forth nervously. Jade Rabbit, not daring to utter a word, wondered why Sha Chen was so anxious. Even if this person was sent by Guanyin, so what? Hadn’t they captured her?
Sha Chen’s expression was stern as he demanded, "Speak! What did Guanyin Bodhisattva send you here for? Has she placed any magical restrictions on you, or given you anything to bring?"
Stripping the White Bone Demon bare, he felt no inclination to admire her form. After repeated checks, he found nothing apart from some cultivation resources and basic cultivation manuals.
The White Bone Demon said, "She didn’t give me anything to bring, and since my master is close to her, she wouldn’t place any restrictions on me. Those are my personal belongings, don’t mess with them! No, no, they are yours now, all yours."
Sha Chen snorted coldly and engulfed the items the White Bone Demon had brought, including her clothes, in Samadhi True Fire, reducing them to ashes. Now, she was stark naked and bound.
Sha Chen took out a whip, lashed her several times, and said, "Talk, talk, talk quickly..."
The White Bone Demon was on the verge of tears. "Ask me then! What should I say if you don’t ask?"
Sha Chen snapped, "Cut the nonsense! Why did Guanyin Bodhisattva send you here?"
The White Bone Demon answered, "I told you, she wanted to give me an opportunity for fortune."
Sha Chen queried, "By killing me, she would give you fortune?" He was alarmed. Had that woman gone mad? Did she not want him to continue on the Journey to the West but instead sought to kill him using another’s hand?
The White Bone Demon responded, "She said that if I could kill you, I could take your place and go on the Journey to the West."
Sha Chen’s eyes flickered. It shouldn’t be, he thought. Has Guanyin run out of patience in just over a hundred years?
Just as he was about to ask more questions, a clear voice suddenly came from outside the door, as pleasant as a spring breeze.
"Amitabha. I am Guanyin, traveling through here and noticing demonic energy. Is that you, General for Folding the Curtain, within the river? Come out and meet me!"
Sha Chen was greatly alarmed. Guanyin has come!?
The White Bone Demon, however, was overjoyed. With Guanyin’s arrival, she was saved.
"Upon discovering the Magical Power Holder Guanyin asking the host to come out of the water to meet, you have the following choices."
"Choice one: Agree to Guanyin’s request, meet her outside the water, and obtain the magical item: half a bottle of [Ganlin Jade Liquid]. Sweet Dew Jade Liquid: This divine water, condensed within Guanyin’s Vase of Mutton-Fatjade, can revive the dead and confer immortality. It contains endless vitality, and consuming it will strengthen the Primordial Spirit."
"Choice two: Refuse Guanyin’s request, absolutely do not go out, and obtain a piece of ’Willow Leaf’. Willow Leaf: Nourished in Sweet Dew Jade Liquid, this leaf contains endless aspirations and vitality. Consuming it can enhance the physical body."