Chapter 140: Chapter 134 - Immortal, you are drunk [Vote for the month] _1
Sha Chen snorted coldly and rose abruptly from his seat.
"Fairy, please compose yourself."
He bellowed, startling Chang E so much that she trembled and her complexion paled, making her even more alluring. At that moment, however, she also worried—what if she was too attractive and Sha Chen couldn’t resist pouncing on her?
But Sha Chen regarded her with a cold gaze and said, "Fairy, I am a man of integrity. Please comport yourself accordingly."
Chang E’s face flushed slightly. She coughed, and once again, she seemed somewhat aloof, her charm disappearing without a trace.
She spoke softly, "My lord has misunderstood. I too am a person of integrity."
However, after speaking, she gave Sha Chen a complicated look, a bitter feeling welling up inside her. She had never stooped so low as to bewitch a convicted general. And to think she had failed! Countless esteemed immortals, upon seeing her, would find themselves unable to move or look away. If they saw her looking so charming with no one around, they would likely have already thrown themselves at her. But Sha Chen had actually slammed the table and risen—what was that all about? Fairy Chang E truly could not understand. Could it be that her beauty was no longer effective? Or was her figure not hot enough anymore?
Chang E had employed charm; Sha Chen had slammed the table. The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant. As long as this woman didn’t continue to cause trouble, Sha Chen wouldn’t care. He continued to act as if nothing had happened, inviting Chang E to dine. At the same time, he asked Chang E to first discuss the matters of the court assembly, after which he would let her inspect the Sky Shaking Bow.
Seeing that seduction was useless, Chang E completely abandoned this tactic. She felt somewhat dejected. She couldn’t overpower Sha Chen by force, and her honey trap had failed. For a moment, she was at a loss. Is this the man even the Heavenly Court can do nothing about? He is indeed intriguing, truly remarkable. In her heart, Chang E actually found Sha Chen rather novel and gradually began to take an interest in him.
Thus, she slowly recounted the details of the court assembly.
It was primarily that the Jade Emperor found Sha Chen too arrogant for occupying the Flowing Sand River and establishing a dwelling there; it greatly displeased him. The Emperor then asked his ministers to devise a way to destroy Sha Chen’s stronghold.
Chang E said, "The Jade Emperor made one thing clear: the Flowing Sand River is a place of exile and does not require any dwellings."
Then she quietly drank her wine and ate her food, stealthily glancing at Sha Chen, wanting to see him flustered.
Sha Chen’s face was grave, his gaze intense. Though not panicked, he was inwardly troubled and hesitant, his eyes darting about. He was contemplating countermeasures and weighing the pros and cons.
Has the Jade Emperor truly run out of patience with me? Has he lost his patience and decided to stop feigning civility with me? But that shouldn’t be the case. He offered me to Buddhism when my predecessor’s talents were mediocre at best and hardly worthy. It’s most likely that he wanted me to be a spy for the Heavenly Court within Buddhism. Since I’m meant to be a spy, he shouldn’t completely antagonize me. Otherwise, anyone in my position would feel internal resistance. If I truly joined Buddhism, I certainly wouldn’t work for the Heavenly Court.
Sha Chen was actually quite clear about his own role. He also knew that the Heavenly Court including him as one of the pilgrims for the Journey to the West wasn’t because they wanted to grant him some great fortune, nor were they sending him to Buddhism for no reason. After all, his talents were average. Perhaps it was a gesture of goodwill towards Buddhism, considering he was the Jade Emperor’s personal guard. However, the role of a personal guard, more importantly, should be that of a spy. So, he believed the Jade Emperor wanted him to go to Buddhism to be an undercover agent—to secure the greatest benefits for the Heavenly Court within Buddhism, gain the most support, and obtain the most intelligence. The Jade Emperor shouldn’t offend him for this reason.
Then why hold a court assembly to discuss revoking his dwelling and continuing his exile? Even if this was the plan, it shouldn’t have come directly from the Jade Emperor himself. After all, Sha Chen knew that both the Heavenly Court and Buddhism wanted him to fall, to be driven into a corner, then be subdued by Buddhism, and finally feel indebted to both. So, the Jade Emperor’s actions made sense in that regard. However, the Jade Emperor should not have personally raised this matter.
Actually, the schemes of the Jade Emperor and Buddhism were crystal clear to Sha Chen. That was why when Li Changgeng sent him resources, he accepted them all. That was the Jade Emperor trying to win him over, offering benefits. But he shouldn’t feel grateful for it; the Jade Emperor’s method was to offer a small kindness after a harsh blow. As for Buddhism, they acted as if they had no dealings with him from start to finish, but in reality, they were the biggest players involved. Sha Chen couldn’t understand why the Jade Emperor would bring this matter up for discussion in the Lingxiao Palace. Had he decided to drop all pretense?
Or was he planning to change tactics? To utterly suppress me, instill absolute fear, and then cultivate absolute loyalty? Sun Wukong had been subjected to this very tactic. When Tathagata personally intervened, Sun Wukong developed an absolute fear of him. He also feared Buddhism, always behaving respectfully and cheerfully before its Bodhisattvas. Where was the defiant figure who had once wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace with such unbridled arrogance? Therefore, the Jade Emperor’s actions made Sha Chen suspect that he might intend to use the same methods on him as he did on Sun Wukong. It was possible, and the likelihood was very high.
Sha Chen pondered, a headache forming. He certainly did not want to be openly suppressed like Sun Wukong, watching helplessly. If his Formation were truly broken, he would be exposed to the entire world, surrounded by dangers. Centuries later, he would be dragged off to join Buddhism for the Journey to the West, becoming an enforcer for Buddhism and a lackey for the Heavenly Court. Sha Chen definitely did not want that.
Chang E had been drinking all along, stealing glances at Sha Chen. Seeing his expression constantly changing, she was secretly amused.
But she too had unknowingly drunk too much. An entire jar of osmanthus wine and an entire jar of peach wine—she had finished them all by herself. She had also eaten a good deal of food, completely unaware that she had overindulged in both.
And she was getting a little tipsy.
At this moment, Chang E’s face was rosy, her cheeks flushed—a genuine drunkenness, not a deliberate attempt at seduction. There was an enchanting aura about her, making one feel an irresistible urge to protect and cherish her.
Sha Chen saw this, his eyes brightening, secretly thrilled. Finally, she’s drunk! Now, won’t she be at my mercy?
Sha Chen was filled with pleasant surprise, yet his expression showed little change as he continued to feign solemnity.
He said casually, "I didn’t expect the Jade Emperor to be so intolerant of me. Fairy, what do you think the Jade Emperor means by this move?"
He was just asking offhandedly, trying to sound her out. Chang E had come, so she certainly had her views. Perhaps her views represented everyone’s views, the consensus of the Heavenly Court.
Indeed, Chang E was drunk and rather tipsy. After hearing Sha Chen’s words, she laughed without thinking and blurted out everything.
"The Jade Emperor said he doesn’t want a dwelling here. That just means he doesn’t want you to live too comfortably. The ministers all think it makes sense; after all, you are a convicted general."
"But the ministers are also helpless. They can see that the Jade Emperor doesn’t really want to drag you out of your dwelling completely. At least, he can’t issue the decree directly."
Sha Chen’s eyes lit up. Gritting his teeth against the expense, he brought out another jar of osmanthus wine, also spiked, and filled her cup.
He frequently clinked cups with Chang E, saying, "Fairy, please."
Chang E accepted every drink, draining her cup each time it was filled. Her complexion grew even rosier, and her eyes gradually became hazy. She smiled foolishly and even reached out as if to grab Sha Chen’s face.
"Are you two brothers? You look so alike."
She reached out but grasped only air.
Sha Chen’s face turned green. This woman is seeing double!
He quickly said, "Fairy, do you mean that the Jade Emperor doesn’t want to issue the decree himself, but rather wants the ministers to find a way?"
Chang E replied, "Of course! He wants you to undertake the Journey to the West, but he also wants to maintain his image as a benevolent ruler. Why would he personally issue an order that would tarnish his image in your eyes?"
She picked up another cup of wine and downed it.
Sha Chen, meanwhile, broke out in a cold sweat. Chang E knew about this too?! He knew that the Journey to the West would eventually become common knowledge, but the pilgrimage hadn’t even begun. How could Chang E possibly know about it already? Could it be that when Chang E was dancing for the Jade Emperor, he had been loose-lipped and let it slip? Very likely.
Sha Chen secretly felt a wave of relief and asked further, "How does the Jade Emperor view me?"
Chang E replied, "How else could he view you? You’re his personal guard. To put it bluntly, you’re his dog. You have to do whatever he wants you to do."
Sha Chen frowned. Though her words were harsh, he feared that everyone, apart from himself, probably thought the same.
Now that Chang E had started talking freely, she continued, "The Jade Emperor’s plan is to banish you here, ensuring you can’t recover your former standing. But he’s also giving you a chance to atone for your crimes through meritorious service—that is, to undertake the Journey to the West in over three hundred years."
She stood up, holding her wine cup, swaying precariously.
Suddenly, she lost her balance. Sha Chen quickly reached out and caught her. He was afraid that if she fell and sobered up, he wouldn’t be able to get any more information out of her.
Chang E thus fell into Sha Chen’s arms, a warm, jade-like softness against him, her fragrant scent wafting past his face.
Sha Chen’s heart skipped a beat; he felt a rush of heat and quickly recited the Wide-hearing Decree to calm himself. Simultaneously, the Water-type Primal Power within him circulated, suppressing the impulsive urges in his vital energy and blood, allowing him to cool down.
Chang E, in Sha Chen’s arms, found him surprisingly soft. It was like sitting on a bouncy ball; she even bounced a little, giggling foolishly. "General, this meditation cushion of yours is quite comfortable! Very springy."
Sha Chen’s cheek twitched. He wanted to push this widow away but feared it would startle her awake, and then he wouldn’t be able to ask anything more.
He could only say, "This isn’t a meditation cushion. It’s my thigh."
Sha Chen’s face turned ashen.
Chang E frowned. "So stingy. Fine, don’t move it then."
Then, she staggered to her feet, wine cup in hand. She walked to the side, leaned one hand on the Giant Que Sword embedded in the ground, and drained her cup.
Suddenly, she paused, patted the Giant Que Sword, and said in confusion, "Weren’t you unwilling to move your sword? How did it get over here?"
Sha Chen remained silent. This old widow, trying to disturb my Dao Heart?!
He coughed and said, "Fairy, you are drunk."
Chang E retorted, "Nonsense! I’m not drunk. Let me tell you, *you’re* the one who’s drunk and clueless, unaware of the great disaster about to befall you!"
Sha Chen’s expression changed slightly. "Fairy, what do you mean by that?"
Fairy Chang E said, "After the Jade Emperor discussed your case in the court assembly, the ministers were at a loss. However, many more of them went back to ponder how to destroy your dwelling and make the Flowing Sand River a hundred times more hostile."
She shook her head, tutting, "This place is already incredibly dangerous, not fit for anyone to live in. If it becomes a hundred times more treacherous, how will you possibly survive?!"