Chapter 149: Chapter 143: Sha Chen vs Wen Zhong [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Wen Zhong furrowed his brows. The issue wasn’t the name "Sha Chen" itself, but his self-appellation.
Wen Zhong said, "Great General for Folding the Curtain, why do you refer to yourself as an immortal commoner, and not as a criminal general or simply This General?"
Sha Chen replied, "I no longer hold a divine office in the Heavenly Court, so naturally, I cannot refer to myself in that manner."
Master Wen said, "Even so, your term of penal servitude has not ended. You are not truly an immortal commoner; you are still a criminal."
Sha Chen replied, "Indeed, I am a criminal, yet I truly no longer hold a divine office."
Seeing that Master Wen was about to get bogged down in these details, Sha Chen said, "Please, Master Wen, announce the edict."
Master Wen’s brows twitched; he somehow felt that Sha Chen seemed to be slipping from control—not his control, but that of the Heavenly Court.
He knew that the Heavenly Court, or rather the Jade Emperor, had banished Sha Chen to the mortal realm as a way to send someone to Buddhism. At the same time, Sha Chen’s heart was still supposed to be with the Heavenly Court. In other words, though in Cao’s Camp, his heart remained with Han.
However, Master Wen now felt that Sha Chen seemed to have turned his back on the Heavenly Court, his heart completely detached from it. In his view, this was somewhat incomprehensible. Sha Chen was a personal guard of the Jade Emperor; the fact that the Jade Emperor was willing to let him join Buddhism should have proven his loyalty beyond question.
In the original story, both Marshal Tianpeng and Friar Sand were extremely loyal to the Heavenly Court. Whenever they encountered demons, they would announce themselves using their former titles, Marshal Tianpeng or Great General for Folding the Curtain. This was despite having already converted to Buddhism and being on their Journey to the West. They still took pride in their old ranks, which showed their hearts still leaned towards the Heavenly Court. Marshal Tianpeng remained this way even now.
However, Sha Chen was different. His only desire was to lie low and survive; he had no wish to return to the Heavenly Court or embark on the Journey to the West. Moreover, he knew this was all a conspiracy, so he naturally felt no gratitude for the Jade Emperor’s false display of compassion.
Loyal to the Jade Emperor? That was even less likely. He was loyal to himself.
Master Wen stared deeply at Sha Chen for a moment before finally withdrawing his gaze. Spreading the imperial edict, he began to recite it.
"By the supreme command of the August Jade Emperor: Great General for Folding the Curtain Sha Chen was previously guilty of breaking the Liuli Lamp and later, the crime of ruling by drawing a line in the sand. He is hereby granted a reprieve, provided that he recognizes the error of his ways. He must immediately open the Flowing Sand River, disband his Formation, and subject himself to the heavenly punishment of Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart and the mighty thunder penalty, for a period of five hundred years."
Having finished reading, Master Wen handed the imperial edict to Sha Chen, saying, "Great General for Folding the Curtain, receive the edict."
A strange smile played upon his lips.
The eight gods of the Thunder Department also chuckled, their faces full of derision. As long as Sha Chen hid within the Flowing Sand River and refused to come out, even they could do nothing about him. But now, the imperial edict demanded that Sha Chen abandon his cave abode and open the Flowing Sand River, tantamount to stripping Sha Chen of all his defenses.
It was now a matter of whether he would accept the edict or not. To accept it would mean forsaking his defenses, leaving his life and death in the hands of others. To reject it would mean defying the edict. The consequences for defying an imperial edict were dire. The Heavenly Court would immediately dispatch troops to hunt him down, and Sha Chen would probably be annihilated. In other words, Sha Chen was left with only two choices: accept his fate and let others control his destiny, or defy it and wait for death.
At this moment, Sha Chen also furrowed his brows.
"The host has received an imperial edict concerning his destiny. You have the following choices:"
"Option one: Accept the imperial edict and receive the divine artifact [Black Tortoise Shell]—the eons-old shell of the Black Tortoise (a progenitor of the ancient Four Divine Beasts), indestructible and impossibly sharp."
"Option two: Defy the edict and receive the divine artifact [King White Tiger Ruler]—a long ruler forged from the spinal bone of the King White Tiger (a progenitor of the ancient Four Divine Beasts’ White Tigers), capable of measuring the Firmament, striking down the Azure Dragon, and peerlessly sharp."
Sha Chen was momentarily stunned; both of these Magical Tools were exceedingly rare. And it seemed the system was also doing its best to support him based on his choice. If he accepted the edict and opened his cave abode, it gave him a new protective divine artifact. Was it to enhance his chances of survival? If he refused the edict, it provided him with an offensive Magical Tool. Was it tempting him to defy the edict and confront the Heavenly Court?
After hesitating for a moment, Sha Chen’s eyes darted around as an idea struck him. He quickly scanned his surroundings with his Divine Eye and listened to everything within a radius of tens of thousands of miles with his Downwind Ear. Any whisper of movement was registered by his ears and eyes; nothing could escape his senses. Aside from Wen Zhong and the others from the Thunder Department, there was no one else.
Reassured, Sha Chen decided that since the Heavenly Court was being shameless, he would be a rogue for once. He cupped his fist and said, "This immortal commoner, Sha Chen, receives the edict."
Then he took the imperial edict, checked it repeatedly, confirmed there were no issues, stored it away, and sank back into the Flowing Sand River.
Master Wen frowned, displeased by Sha Chen’s casual treatment of the imperial edict. However, Sha Chen’s willingness to receive the edict was sufficient. It was also somewhat unexpected, because before he came, the Jade Emperor and Li Changgeng had said that Sha Chen would very likely defy the edict. Because Sha Chen was terrified of death, they believed he wouldn’t leave the Flowing Sand River nor open its cave abode defenses. That would be tantamount to leaving himself at the mercy of others. But they also weren’t certain if Sha Chen would actually defy the edict. Now, he had actually complied.
Far away in the Bright Palace, the Jade Emperor had been monitoring the situation, with Li Changgeng standing before him.
At this moment, Li Changgeng also cupped his fist and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, it seems the Great General for Folding the Curtain dares not defy the edict. He remains loyal to Your Majesty."
The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, then frowned. "Even though he accepted it, I was forced by all of you to issue this edict. I fear he is not truly convinced and will no longer be loyal to me."
Li Changgeng said, "The policy of appeasement is no longer effective. What Your Majesty should consider is instilling in him absolute fear, which will lead to absolute obedience."
He smiled. "Now that the Flowing Sand River is open, Your Majesty need not intervene personally. Allow us to go and give him an unforgettable experience of fear, and he will naturally submit to Your Majesty."
The Jade Emperor said, "It would be best if that were so. I still feel a sense of unease in my heart."
「The Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen had accepted the edict. He had also received the system’s reward, the Black Tortoise Shell, which he began Refining on the spot. Outsiders were unaware that he had obtained a divine artifact, let alone the eons-old shell of a Black Tortoise, which was indestructible and impervious to any attack. Its defensive capabilities were likely no less than those of the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji.
Wen Zhong said with a smile, "Great General for Folding the Curtain, open the Formation, and dismantle your cave abode."
Sha Chen nodded. "The imperial edict commands it, so it shall be done."
He formed a hand seal, and indeed, dispelled the Formation. The Black Tortoise Formation ceased to exist. However, layers upon layers of golden lotus leaves still formed a huge defensive circle. From the outside, one could see the pavilions and structures within, as well as Sha Chen atop the Thunder Summoning Platform. Attempts to probe inside with Divine Consciousness for a closer look were utterly futile; one could only observe with the naked eye. However, their mortal eyes were obstructed by the numerous pavilions, leading those outside to assume the interior was filled with similar structures.
Far away in the Bright Palace, Li Changgeng chuckled. "I didn’t realize he enjoyed such luxury, building a thousand-layered complex of pavilions and palaces in the Flowing Sand River."
The Jade Emperor said, "Its grandeur is rarely seen in the world, perhaps second only to the Heavenly Court. What is he planning?"
He secretly sent a telepathic message to Wen Zhong, instructing him to go inside and investigate.
Wen Zhong himself was stunned by the pavilions and palaces of the Flowing Sand River Cave, and also shocked that Sha Chen had dared to truly dispel the Formation, completely abandoning resistance. Upon hearing the Jade Emperor’s telepathic message, his heart jumped. Knowing the Jade Emperor was paying close attention to this matter, he resolved to handle it impressively.
He patted the Ink Qilin, which then carried him down towards the Flowing Sand River once more. Parting the waters, he was about to enter the cave abode.
But this time, Sha Chen’s true form descended from the Thunder Summoning Platform. He came to the entrance of the cave abode in person, blocking the Ink Qilin’s path. His massive body loomed over the divine beast, making the Qilin seem as harmless as a kitten.
Wen Zhong said, "General for Folding the Curtain, since you’ve dispelled the Formation and dismantled the cave abode, step aside."
Sha Chen asked, "Why?"
Wen Zhong, taken aback, said, "I must inspect the interior."
Sha Chen replied, "I have destroyed the Formation and dismantled the cave abode, but I never said I would allow Master Wen to enter."
Wen Zhong asked, "I cannot enter?"
Sha Chen answered, "Indeed, you cannot."
Wen Zhong sneered, "I am under imperial orders to inspect whether you are fully undergoing your punishment. Step aside now, and do not, under any circumstances, defy the edict."
Sha Chen extended his hand. "Show me the imperial edict that orders an inspection of my punishment. If you do not have it, then you are falsely relaying an imperial edict, a crime punishable by death according to law."
HISS!
Wen Zhong had spoken casually; moreover, it was the Jade Emperor who had telepathically instructed him to inspect. How could he possibly possess such an edict? The Jade Emperor hadn’t anticipated Sha Chen would be obstinate on this point and hadn’t thought to issue a specific edict for inspection. He believed that without the Formation’s protection, the Flowing Sand River was merely ordinary weak water, which Wen Zhong and the others, with their strength, could easily enter. Sha Chen shouldn’t have been able to obstruct them.
However, now Sha Chen stood at the entrance, blocking their path. Wen Zhong could not enter unless he fought Sha Chen.
"This is a verbal command; there is no specific imperial edict," Wen Zhong argued.
Sha Chen chuckled. "Without an imperial edict, forgive me for being unable to comply. Master Wen, take your people and leave. On another day, I shall also request an audience with the Grand Heavenly Master to report your crime of falsely relaying an imperial edict."
Wen Zhong’s face turned unsightly; he was caught in a dilemma. Just then, the Jade Emperor sent another telepathic message, telling him to ignore Sha Chen’s threat, assuring him of his backing. Wen Zhong finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then the Jade Emperor instructed him again by telepathy to take down Sha Chen directly and enter the cave abode to see what was inside. From the Bright Palace, he couldn’t see through it clearly; the Flowing Sand River Cave seemed to have another layer of defense.
Wen Zhong declared, "Sha Chen, since you persist in your delusion, I will no longer be polite. Once I’ve captured you, I will naturally enter."
Wielding his dual whips, he summoned heavenly lightning and struck at Sha Chen. The eight gods of the Thunder Department waved their flags and cheered, while numerous celestial soldiers raised their arms and shouted. Thunder roared, and dark clouds gathered densely. Lightning snaked like serpents; wind, thunder, fire, and electricity filled the air. The eight gods of the Thunder Department also lent their power, the rolling thunder coalescing into two enormous lightning whips that lashed out at Sha Chen.
No sooner had Wen Zhong made his move than he regretted it. Damn it, the Jade Emperor ordered me to capture him, but I let my anger get the better of me and struck too hard. I fear I might kill him.
CRACKLE!
The lightning struck Sha Chen’s body. Though it coursed over his form, he did not so much as flinch.
Wen Zhong, startled, exclaimed, "My cultivation has already reached the advanced stage of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm! Just now, I used only fifty percent of my Mana; now I shall use its entirety to capture you! Let’s see if you still dare to block the way!"
He struck again.
But this time, Sha Chen also moved. Bare-handed, he condensed a large palm imprint and struck out with it, using no Mana whatsoever. It was pure physical might, the great palm imprint shooting directly towards Wen Zhong.
Sha Chen thought inwardly, Not good. Although I’ve sealed my Mana, the strength of my physical body cannot be contained. I’m afraid I might kill that old dog Wen Zhong with a single blow. I’d better retract ninety percent of my strength.
THUD!
The palm imprint descended, extinguishing the lightning and swatting aside the divine whips. Wen Zhong, along with the Ink Qilin, were both slammed more than a hundred zhang deep into the mire of the Flowing Sand River, forming a massive, bottomless palm-imprint crater.
Sha Chen gazed into the dark, palm-shaped void and said, "Master Wen, you’re not dead, are you? If not, then return to the Heavenly Court. Although I am of humble status and meager strength, and my words carry little weight, I must defend my private territory to the death, ensuring it remains inviolate."
Wen Zhong, lying in the palm-imprint crater, hadn’t fainted initially. But upon hearing these words, he was so enraged that he passed out directly.