Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation arrives again [Seeking votes]_1
Doppelgänger Chen Sha, all by himself, rode atop an exceptionally beautiful Xianhe, soaring over the vast ocean.
Along the way, all was smooth and unobstructed.
Once he left the territory of the Penglai Archipelago, he planned to find an opportunity to leave.
He patted the Xianhe and said, "Brother, take me to the mainland. I want to buy a few pounds of pig’s head meat and some gift cakes, then go to Luanshi Island."
At first, the Xianhe paid no attention to him and just kept flying. But Chen Sha kept patting its head. Finally, it could not bear it any longer and twisted its long neck so that it could turn its head around.
Its sharp beak pecked Chen Sha’s arm, causing him such pain that he snatched his hand away.
"Brother, what are you doing?" Chen Sha frowned.
"Brother, brother, brother. You’re the brother. I am your sister, Yunyao."
The Xianhe spoke in human language, its voice ethereal and melodious, like a woman’s.
It truly startled Chen Sha, nearly causing him to tumble off the Xianhe’s back.
However, the Xianhe stabilized him, chiding, "Don’t move about carelessly. If you fall off me, wanting to ride again will no longer be up to you."
Doppelgänger Chen Sha asked, "Sister, what’s going on?"
The Xianhe replied, "Nothing much. Your Brother Qin Jun got a bout of diarrhea suddenly, so I’m filling in for him to accompany you to Luanshi Island."
Chen Sha’s brow furrowed with suspicion. Divine beings get diarrhea!?
The Xianhe continued, "Also, don’t think about running away. Master has warned that if you escape, I have the authority to execute first and report later."
Chen Sha’s cheek twitched. It seemed he had no fate with the Golden Light Cave.
The Xianhe said, "You little brother, being on Jinao Island is your greatest fortune. Why do you always think of escaping?"
Chen Sha made up a reason on the spot. "There are elders at home who have not yet passed away. I wish to return to show my filial piety."
The Xianhe paused, then, sounding quite touched, said, "I didn’t expect you to be someone with such deep affection and loyalty. I underestimated you."
Chen Sha chuckled. "Sister Yunyao, may I ask how fast your flying speed is?"
The Xianhe boasted, "Not to brag, but my flying abilities are second to none in the Three Realms."
Chen Sha nodded, disregarding the overstatements. His gaze flickered as he abandoned another plan.
He had thought to seize the opportunity to escape, but given Yunyao’s flying capabilities, which probably surpassed his own, she could easily capture and bring him back. Yet, returning to Jinao Island obediently wasn’t what he had in mind. Continuing his cultivation was one thing, but meeting the Tongtian Hierarch was out of the question. If the Tongtian Hierarch saw through his disguise, wouldn’t he be doomed!? Hence, he always thought about staying away from the Tongtian Hierarch and other Saints, to avoid his identity being seen through.
His gaze sparkled anew as another cunning plan took hold in his mind.
Chen Sha asked, "Sister Yunyao, does it tire you to carry me?"
The Xianhe replied, "Not at all. I could bear not just one of you, but ten, without any trouble."
"Look, I can even perform various difficult maneuvers. How’s this pose? And this one? Did you see I can even glide across the sea? Impressive, isn’t it?"
This Xianhe seemed whimsical and innocently romantic. Chen Sha confirmed it. She’s easy to deceive.
Continuing, he asked, "Sister, Emperor Ziwei mentioned that he would send someone to follow me. If something happens to me, would they help me?"
The Xianhe said, "Uh, that, well, I’m probably the only one who can help you."
Chen Sha was taken aback. "Emperor Ziwei didn’t send anyone?"
The Xianhe responded, "You’re just an Immortal Taiyi. Did you expect Master to send a few Golden Immortals to protect you?"
Chen Sha suddenly sensed danger, but also saw an opportunity. It turned out that Emperor Ziwei hadn’t sent anyone to surveil him; it was just a scare tactic. At most, Fairy Yunyao here was the one assigned to watch over and protect him. Deal with her, and that will be enough,
he thought. He decided that if he got to Luanshi Island, he would create chaos and seize the chance to flee, leaving her to take the blame and be encumbered.Suddenly, the Xianhe turned back and asked, "Little brother, are you thinking about something sleazy?"
Chen Sha jumped. "No, Sister! Why would you think that of me?"
The Xianhe frowned. "But I feel like you’re harboring ill intentions toward me. Let me tell you, don’t mess around. I’m very powerful."
Chen Sha blushed with shame and quickly nodded. "Sister, rest assured. I am just a mere Immortal Taiyi; how could I possibly trouble you?"
The Xianhe smiled proudly. "Indeed." Then, with a cunning glint in its eye, it said, "Little brother, I’ve just thought of something rather fun."
Chen Sha nonchalantly humored it, all the while pondering how to create chaos.
The Xianhe said, "Let’s do this: to avoid delaying our master’s command, we’ll travel day and night non-stop to Luanshi Island.
"However, it’s not fair with just me being ridden by you. Why don’t we take turns? You ride me during the day, and I ride you at night. We’ll travel without stopping, rushing through the starlit nights. How does that sound?"
Chen Sha was startled. The thought of being ridden by a Xianhe—it made him feel as awkward and out of place as a fish.
He hastily said, "That won’t do."
The Xianhe said, "Okay, thank you, little brother. That’s settled then."
Chen Sha was stunned. I refused! When did I ever agree?
At that moment, he desperately wanted to escape. Something is off about this Xianhe sister.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen opened his eyes, already sensing his doppelgänger’s predicament, and thought, You’re on your own now.
Just as he was about to resume his closed-door cultivation, a Buddhist chant drifted in from beyond the Flowing Sand River.
"Amitabha, this river is as vast as the sea. How shall this humble monk cross over?"
A monk lamented, shaking his head, the very picture of dejection.
Following him were two people: one a young monk with a shaved head just like him, who was none other than Elder Jin Chi from the Guanyin Zen Temple. The other was a burly man with a fierce, fleshy face and a bushy beard.
A horse trailed behind, lethargically looking around, as if searching for grass, but finding none, it snorted loudly.
Sha Chen, seeing this setup, was taken aback for a moment, and his heart skipped a beat. Elder Jin Chi and the burly man were one thing, but the plump-faced monk in the middle looked extremely familiar. Wasn’t that Jin Chanzi?
Jin Chanzi’s third incarnation! After so many years since leaving Five Finger Mountain, he’s finally here!
Sha Chen instantly tensed up, becoming extremely vigilant. He pricked up his ears and surveyed the whole domain of the Flowing Sand River with his divine eyes, monitoring even the skies for miles around. Sure enough, he noticed something unusual.
There was a figure in the sky, hiding in the clouds.
That person, he knew well, was Great White Planet Li Changgeng.
As expected, they’re all waiting for me. Jin Chanzi’s third incarnation is a trial for me; they want to see how I react.
Sha Chen immediately went on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy. I don’t want to be tricked.
He decided to watch and wait. If possible, he still wanted to use his old trick and ferry Jin Chanzi across. What happens to him afterward is none of my concern. But with Li Changgeng menacingly lurking in the sky, and Elder Jin Chi and the burly man on the shore, it was impossible for him to go out and ferry someone across the river.
That burly man was none other than Muzha Walker in disguise. His eyes flickered. Sha Chen hasn’t recognized me, he thought. But in truth, Sha Chen had seen through his identity the moment he appeared.
Sha Chen even sneered internally. To support Jin Chanzi and ensnare me, Buddhism truly is leaving no stone unturned, even having Muzha follow closely to ensure the pilgrimage stays on track.
On the shore, Jin Chanzi looked at the burly man and said, "Disciple, you used to be a river bandit. After converting to Buddhism, have you forgotten your old trade?"
The burly man replied, "Master, if it were a small river, I could carry you across. But this river is like the sea; even logs would sink without a trace. I am helpless."
Elder Jin Chi said, "I am aware of the situation in this great river. There’s an immortal banished here. If you wish to cross, Elder, just ask him to come out, and he will ferry you." He had come to escort Jin Chanzi, not to be his follower.
Jin Chanzi’s face lit up upon hearing this. "There really is an immortal? Quickly, call him out."