Chapter 77: Chapter 77 Muzha Walker Closely Pursues [Seeking Recommendation Tickets] _1
Jin Chanzi of the third generation was overjoyed and surprised. He urgently bade them to invite the immortal out, but both the big man and Elder Jin Chi stood still, their expressions unchanged.
Jin Chanzi III grew angry. "Disciple," he said, "can I no longer command you? Quickly invite the immortal out."
The big man said, "Master, my appearance is unsightly. I fear I might frighten the immortal."
Jin Chanzi III was stunned, then nodded. "It was my mistake to be rash."
Then he glanced at Elder Jin Chi again, stepped forward with his hands clasped together, and said, "Great Master Jin Chi, since you know there is an immortal in the water, why don’t you invite him out?"
Elder Jin Chi said, "Immortals are difficult to invite. I have escorted the Holy Monk this far, fulfilling our destined connection. I shall take my leave now. Holy Monk, take care."
After saying that, he departed by riding a cloud into the mist. In reality, he hid in the distance to observe.
Jin Chanzi III was dumbfounded and utterly astounded. Then, filled with a mix of joy and surprise, he knelt in the direction Elder Jin Chi had departed and kowtowed.
"Truly befitting of a great master. I should just go to Guanyin Zen Temple, take Great Master Jin Chi as my teacher, and follow him in cultivation," he said. After chanting Buddhist scriptures three times, he then rose.
The big man beside him, his face twitching, could not bear to watch any longer. A mere monk like Jin Chi was hardly worthy of the reincarnated Jin Chanzi bowing to him.
And Elder Jin Chi, who was hiding and peeking from afar, was also startled. He knew Jin Chanzi’s identity, which was why he had come to see him off. He was so startled that he kowtowed in the clouds in return.
Jin Chanzi III pondered on the shore for a long time, muttering to himself several times until he felt he had observed sufficient courtesy. Only then did he call out loudly.
"This humble monk comes from China and is heading west to seek the True Scripture. Please, immortal of the river, come out so I may pay my respects."
He called out three times, but no one responded.
He glanced at the big man, who just shrugged and said, "Perhaps the immortal is rather proud. Master, you might as well go into the water to meet him."
Sha Chen, in the Flowing Sand River, had actually been paying close attention to the situation on the shore all along. Upon hearing the words of the big man—who was Muzha—Sha Chen couldn’t help but curse internally. This cur wants to harm me! Let Jin Chanzi of the third generation jump into the river to meet me?!
If the Monk dared to enter the water, he would immediately sink and undoubtedly die. Unless Sha Chen saved him. But saving him meant Sha Chen would have to leave, and he would also expose a weakness. With the Great White Planet intently watching from the sky above, and Muzha staring from the shore, how could he dare to go out? He wasn’t even willing to stick a single hand out.
Fortunately, after hearing what the big man said, Jin Chanzi III scolded, "You brute! If I were to enter the water, wouldn’t I drown?"
"Could it be that your heart is not sincere, and you do not wish to accompany this humble monk to the West to seek the scripture, so you are trying to lure this humble monk to his death!?"
The big man knelt on the ground, anxiously explaining himself.
Sha Chen, in the Flowing Sand River, was quite satisfied. Based on his understanding of the original story, Monk Tang was also someone harsh towards his own people, especially followers from humble backgrounds; he was a very strict person. For instance, he was very unfriendly towards Sun Wukong in the early stages, despite relying heavily on him. Moreover, once he had decided on something, any attempts by his disciples to persuade him were, in his eyes, mere sophistry. Speak to him with kind words and good intentions, and he would believe it true; he was a monk who was very easily swayed. The temperament of Jin Chanzi III seemed to be just like Monk Tang’s.
Muzha knew this too, so when he saw the Monk’s suspicion, he offered no resistance, immediately admitted his fault, and then offered a brief explanation. Only then did the Monk forgive him.
"If the immortal refuses to come out, this humble monk cannot cross the river. What is to be done?" Jin Chanzi III paced anxiously back and forth on the shore.
The big man said, "Master, wait a moment. I’ll go into the river to invite him."
Jin Chanzi III was thrilled but then reprimanded, "Disciple, if you had this ability, why didn’t you go earlier?"
The big man ignored him and dived headfirst into the water.
Once in the water, the big man dived down, searching for the location of Sha Chen Cave Manor.
Sha Chen, within the Formation, merely watched the big man draw closer, having absolutely no intention of emerging.
"Immortal, Immortal, are you there? My master wishes to go to the West to seek the True Scripture. Please grant him passage and help him cross the river."
Sha Chen sneered, his voice carrying out, "You also possess Divine Power. Why don’t you take him across?"
The big man’s heart leaped with joy; Sha Chen was willing to reply, which meant the matter was half-successful. He hurriedly said, "My master prefers to keep his feet on solid ground. If I were to use Divine Power to send him across, I fear he would scold me."
Sha Chen said, "If I were to send him across, I would also use Divine Power."
The big man said, "With the immortal’s strength, carrying him on your back through the water would be no problem at all."
Sha Chen fell silent, sneering inwardly.
Seeing there was no response, the big man quickly said, "My master is the one chosen by Buddha himself for the Journey to the West, a man of heavenly destiny. Along the way, all sorts of demons want to eat his flesh, believing it can grant immortality and boundless Mana. If the immortal is willing to send him across, the Heavenly Court might pardon your sins. At the same time, you could also establish a connection with our Buddhism. Why wouldn’t you do it?"
Sha Chen said, "I reflect on myself three times a day. I always feel that if I were released now, I couldn’t even forgive myself."
The big man’s cheek twitched. How can this cur be so shameless?
Just as he was about to say more, Sha Chen spoke again, "You go back up. I think you can also cross the river carrying him."
Muzha’s expression flickered, and he suddenly revealed his true form.
Sha Chen feigned great surprise, manifesting an illusory image above the Formation. "I was unaware the Walker had arrived," he said. "My apologies for the poor reception. Please forgive me."
Muzha’s gaze was complex as he said, "General for Folding the Curtain, how is your life in the Flowing Sand River?"
Sha Chen replied, "Everything is as before."
Muzha said, "If you escort the Monk on his Journey to the West, I, this humble monk, can guarantee you a position in Buddhahood in the future."
The system’s voice sounded. "It has been detected that the host has been earnestly requested by Muzha to go on the Journey to the West. You have the following choices."
"Option One: Agree to Muzha’s request, escort Jin Chanzi III on the Journey to the West, and receive the reward [Purple Gold Bowl]. Purple Gold Bowl: The alms bowl given by Buddhism to Xuanzang for begging during the Journey to the West, capable of subduing demons and exorcising evil."
"Option Two: Refuse Muzha’s request, do not go on the Journey to the West, and receive the reward [Netherworld Undying Sutra]. Netherworld Undying Sutra: One of the three thousand Dao Techniques of Taoism, belonging to the Undying True Being, modified by Saint Hou Tu; chanting it can ensure the soul’s immortality."
Sha Chen was stunned for a moment, his expression turning peculiar. He had been constantly scheming how to undermine Buddhism. Especially this time, Buddhism had practically told him outright to go on the Journey to the West. He felt it was necessary to increase the difficulty for them, to make them stop focusing on him all the time. Therefore, he planned to lead even Jin Chanzi’s reincarnated self astray. The Netherworld Undying Sutra, which could preserve the soul, perfectly suited his scheme.
As for the system’s choice, it was self-evident: naturally, he would refuse the Journey to the West.
Sha Chen said, "The Walker himself has not yet attained Buddhahood."
Muzha became somewhat angry. Is Sha Chen mocking me or rejecting me!?
He then stepped forward, arriving before the Formation. He said, as if it were a matter of course, "I, this humble monk, have arrived. Won’t you invite me in to sit for a while?"
Sha Chen immediately became guarded. There’s no way I’m letting Muzha in!
"My humble abode is too crude to receive a great personage like the Walker," Sha Chen quickly refused.
Muzha suddenly adopted a forceful tone. "What if I insist on entering? Would you still deny me!?"