Chapter 120: Chapter 115: Wukong Battles Sha Chen?【6000 words, ninth update, seeking subscription】_3
Sun Wukong listened, and his blood began to boil; at the same time, he gradually began to change his carefree attitude, though he still remained casual.
Li Bai knew that influencing Sun Wukong was a long and arduous task. This scoundrel remembered grudges but not favors; there was indeed a long way to go.
"By the way, Li Bai, have you ever heard of someone named Sha Chen?" Sun Wukong suddenly asked.
Li Bai’s fur instantly bristled, and he became alert. How could Sun Wukong be asking about my true self!?
He tentatively asked, "Why do you inquire about him?"
Sun Wukong said offhandedly, "Oh, I just happened to hear the Earth God mention him. Apparently, this fellow is quite renowned overseas. Some even compare him to me, claiming I’m not even fit to carry his shoes." At this, he gritted his teeth.
Li Bai’s scalp tingled. Who on earth could be so loose-lipped? Could it be that Sun Wukong is going to hold a grudge against my true self!?
Li Bai said, "That’s not true, don’t let your imagination run wild. I’ve heard of Sha Chen. He’s the Great General for Folding the Curtain from the Heavenly Court, who made a mistake and was demoted to the Flowing Sand River. He has always been low-key, strict with himself, and generous towards others..." He proceeded to praise himself extensively.
Sun Wukong said disdainfully, "So he’s just a minor Folding Curtain General, a mere low-level god. I used to crush a batch of them with a single blow of my cudgel. How could he possibly be compared to me, your Old Sun?"
Li Bai was annoyed. It’s one thing for me to praise myself a bit, to be humble. But for you to brag about yourself while putting me down? That’s not acceptable!
So, he stated gravely, "Although the Great General for Folding the Curtain is very low-key, his fame has spread far and wide overseas. There’s no smoke without fire; he must possess some genuine abilities."
Sun Wukong retorted, "What abilities could he possibly have? If he dares to show his face before me, your Old Sun, I’ll kill him with a single blow!"
Now Li Bai felt even more displeased. I provide you with food and drink, and you want to beat me?
He then said, "Great Saint, if you were to encounter him now, it’s truly uncertain whether you would be his match."
Sun Wukong arrogantly replied, "In just twenty to thirty years, I, your Old Sun, have re-cultivated my Cultivation Technique and have already reached the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm. I’m on the verge of breaking through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. You’re saying I’m still no match for him?"
Li Bai said, "He is also at the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm. Moreover, he broke through from the True Immortal realm to his current state over a hundred years ago."
Sun Wukong gasped. Stunned, he exclaimed, "Impossible! How could he be more outstanding than me, your Old Sun?"
Feeling somewhat proud, Li Bai said, "That’s not all. Great Saint, you have the Somersault Cloud, but he has Qingyun Zong. You have the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, and he has them too, plus the 36 Transformations. You have the Golden Cudgel, while he has the Undefined Flying Rings, the Dragon Binding Rope, and various other Magical Tools.
"Furthermore," Li Bai continued, "you, Great Saint, fear water and fire. He, however, is like a fish in water and is even proficient in the Samadhi True Fire and possesses the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover. If you were to encounter him, Great Saint, you truly might not be his match."
Sun Wukong listened until his mouth became dry. Could that fellow really be so formidable?
This only fueled his competitive spirit further, and he protested, "My, your Old Sun’s, physical body is indestructible like vajra, immortal and undying! I’m not just about Mana and cultivation!"
Li Bai added, "His true dragon body long ago reached the Great Perfection of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal stage. Stepping into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm is imminent for him."
Sun Wukong felt utterly dejected. I’m nothing compared to him.
Seeing this, Li Bai patted Sun Wukong on the shoulder, intending to offer some words of consolation.
However, Sun Wukong suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing with determination. "Li Bai," he declared, "now that you’ve brought it up, I, your Old Sun, am actually eager to meet this fellow!"
"How about this: you go up and remove that Six-Character True Word Mantra, and I, your Old Sun, will immediately head to the Flowing Sand River, drag out that ’mere low-level god,’ and we’ll have a proper contest!"
Sun Wukong’s eyes glinted with a fervent battle intent.
Li Bai, however, was startled. I was just boasting a little, even though it’s all true. But... I wasn’t trying to get you to challenge him! I just want to keep a low profile, to lie low and survive!
If you go out now, won’t all the gods and Buddhas of the heavens be after you? And if you head to the Flowing Sand River, won’t they all converge there too!?
Li Bai panicked. This absolutely cannot happen!
He didn’t want Sun Wukong to leave Five Finger Mountain so soon. As long as this rascal stayed put, he would continue to draw the fire of both Buddhism and the Heavenly Court. If Sun Wukong left now and Buddha suppressed him again, tightening the surveillance, it would be much more difficult for Li Bai to visit him.
So, he spoke gently and persuasively, repeatedly trying to change Sun Wukong’s mind.
Sun Wukong finally reined in his eagerness, though still somewhat resentfully, but he maintained that he would still challenge Sha Chen eventually.
Li Bai was very troubled. He insisted again and again that he himself was stronger and that Sha Chen was just trash.
But if he had said this from the start, it might have worked. Now, Sun Wukong just felt Li Bai was trying to placate him.
Sun Wukong said, "Li Bai, don’t try to fool me. That Sha Chen must have some ability. Even if he’s not as good as me, your Old Sun, he can’t be that much worse."
Li Bai flattered him, "Great Saint, you are truly perceptive. Nothing gets past you."
Sun Wukong declared proudly, "But of course! I, your Old Sun, am cleverer than any monkey!"
Li Bai was momentarily stunned. For a second, he was actually at a loss for words.
「Meanwhile, at the Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen had, in fact, been aware of his clone’s situation the whole time. Seeing that Sun Wukong had suppressed his urge to issue an immediate challenge, he too breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t that he feared Sun Wukong; rather, he was worried that Sun Wukong would attract the attention of all the gods and Buddhas from the heavens. He was already conspicuous enough; if all the gods and Buddhas were drawn to him as well, he could forget about any peace and quiet.
He just wanted to maintain a low profile, to lie low and survive until the end of days. Moreover, if he set a precedent with Sun Wukong, an endless stream of challengers might follow. Would it ever end? This is the Flowing Sand River, not some martial arts dojo! If I had to fight everyone who came to challenge me, I’d have no time left for Cultivation.
Besides, he detested violent confrontations. Winning would be one thing, but if I were to lose and be killed, then it would truly be over for me.
Although Sun Wukong has momentarily set aside the thought of challenging me, he has likely taken it to heart. Once he breaks free from the mountain, he will definitely come.