Chapter 157: Chapter 151: Nezha Challenges Sha Chen [Seeking Subscriptions and Recommendations]_1
Rebel!?
Taoist Master Gou’s words immediately shocked everyone present.
All the immortals looked towards Sha Chen with complex and solemn expressions. At this moment, Sha Chen, who had one hand propped against one bank of the Flowing Sand River, extended his other hand to support himself against the opposite side. The Flowing Sand River seemed like a mere pond as Sha Chen stood upright within it. The water only reached his knees, while he himself was so tall that he seemed to connect heaven and earth, standing proudly in the middle of the river. The waters of the Flowing Sand River appeared to have frozen still.
All the immortals were terrified and aghast. They had not anticipated Sha Chen’s appearance.
Though he was still within the Flowing Sand River, his colossal size reached the heavens. The immortals found themselves positioned just above his head; it seemed as if Sha Chen could grasp them with a mere reach of his hand. What had initially been a mere projection now appeared in its true form. His true form was even larger, creating a more stunning visual impact. The muscles on Sha Chen’s body rippled like coiling dragons and crouching tigers, a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Taoist Master Gou, who had just accused Sha Chen of rebellion, retreated in terror, hiding behind the crowd with eyes wide in horror.
"How has he grown even larger than before? And his physical body seems even stronger!"
"How terrifying! Such a powerful physique! What realm has he reached?"
The immortals whispered among themselves in fear and alarm.
The severely injured Mighty Miracle God had retreated to Nezha’s side. Witnessing this scene, he was both shocked and frightened.
He had thought Sha Chen would be an easy opponent, only to be sent flying effortlessly. He had wanted revenge, but found Sha Chen so formidable that a single glance was enough to extinguish any such thoughts.
Sha Chen only began to feel somewhat safe after shrinking to a tenth of his previous size, with half his body submerged in the water. Just moments before, his immense size had made him feel exposed, with nowhere to hide. Although he considered everyone present to be insignificant, Sha Chen didn’t believe any of them could truly threaten him.
Still, he wanted an escape route, so he shrank enough that only half his body needed to emerge from the Flowing Sand River to act. Even so, he still managed to shock all the immortals.
Sha Chen stared intently at Taoist Master Gou and said, "Taoist Master Gou, one can be careless with food, but not with words."
Taoist Master Gou was shocked and furious, but more than that, he was deeply ashamed. He was the Master of the Thunder Department, his status far above Sha Chen’s, yet he had been publicly berated by him. If he didn’t say something now, he would never be able to show his face again.
So he retorted, "Did I speak wrongly then? You dared to strike the Mighty Miracle God and the others; that is resisting arrest, that is rebellion!"
Nezha frowned; Taoist Master Gou’s words were dragging both him and the Mighty Miracle God into this. He shot a glance at Taoist Master Gou, then glared at the Mighty Miracle God.
The Mighty Miracle God lowered his head, furious at being used by Taoist Master Gou.
He had acted rashly, and now that he was being manipulated, he deserved it.
Sha Chen said, "The Mighty Miracle God attempted to punish me without teaching; I was merely fighting back. Was I supposed to just wait for death?"
Taoist Master Gou countered, "What do you mean, punish without teaching? If you’ve done wrong, isn’t it right for the Mighty Miracle God to apprehend you?"
Sha Chen asked, "What wrong did I commit?"
Taoist Master Gou declared, "You captured the Monk on his journey to the West, disrupting Buddhism’s great undertaking!"
Sha Chen said, "I rescued the Monk. You tried to stop me then—don’t be so quick to deny it. If you have the courage, swear a binding oath with me."
Taoist Master Gou scoffed, "I do not make binding oaths lightly. Even if you were trying to save the Monk then, we believed you intended to harm him, which is why we intervened. Then you took the Monk into your cave dwelling. Months passed without any sign of him. Obviously, you ate him—you coveted his flesh and blood!"
Sha Chen chuckled. "Taoist Master Gou, if you want to accuse someone, you’ll never lack for charges. You don’t have the guts to harm me yourself—who’s pulling your strings?"
Taoist Master Gou’s expression faltered. He huffed, "Nonsense! Have I struck a nerve? Are you now trying to bite back with false accusations?"
Sha Chen reached back, and with a flourish, Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation appeared in his hand, perfectly safe and sound.
The immortals were astounded, and Taoist Master Gou was utterly dumbfounded.
The Monk, unharmed? How could Sha Chen have refrained from eating the Monk!?
Sha Chen said, "Monk, tell the immortals what happened back then, and tell them if you were mistreated in my cave dwelling."
Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation shook his head and then began to explain what had occurred. Pointing at Taoist Master Gou and the others, he said, "Back then, the River God was trying to save me, but these deities unleashed thunder upon him. I nearly drowned because of it!"
Taoist Master Gou and the others looked even more dismayed. After repeatedly checking, they confirmed the Monk was indeed real, which only deepened their frustration. They were exposed by the very person involved.
Sha Chen continued, "The truth of what happened then was clear for all to see. You were the one who erred, punishing without teaching and causing a disaster. Now you’re trying to cover for the Mighty Miracle God’s similar transgression. It’s utterly preposterous! What qualification do you have to wield the power of thunder punishment? Operating like this, you probably strike down the wrong people frequently. Thunder punishment in your hands is the greatest mistake of all!"
His words cut deep, aiming to destroy a person’s spirit. The Thunder Department wields thunder not merely as an element of weather, but primarily to strike down the wicked and demonic. If the Master of the Thunder Department isn’t impartial, wouldn’t that lead to countless miscarriages of justice, striking down innocent people!? Sha Chen’s words were truly devastating, aimed at crushing his opponent’s spirit.
The immortals of the Thunder Department all wore grim expressions, and Taoist Master Gou’s face went green with rage.
Just as he was about to retort, Nezha interjected sharply, "Enough! I will report this matter to His Majesty the Jade Emperor. I trust he will render a fair judgment."
Taoist Master Gou’s face paled. "Great General, you mustn’t! This matter... this matter..." He gritted his teeth and said, "I will offer my apologies to the General for Folding the Curtain. Please forgive me, Great General."
Nezha replied, "It will be enough if the General for Folding the Curtain forgives you."
Taoist Master Gou’s eyes darted about before he stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "This is all a misunderstanding. Please forgive me, General for Folding the Curtain." His tone was stiff, his demeanor resentful. It was clearly forced.
Sha Chen snorted. This isn’t just Taoist Master Gou acting alone, he thought. Someone must be pulling his strings. He’s afraid that if this reaches the Jade Emperor, he’ll be punished.
Indeed, Taoist Master Gou was terrified. Even if the Jade Emperor wants to deal with Sha Chen, it doesn’t mean he’d approve of someone like me doing it so blatantly. If this blows up, the Jade Emperor might end up taking the blame! After all, I represent the Heavenly Court. If I target Sha Chen, won’t it look like it’s on the Jade Emperor’s orders? If Sha Chen holds a grudge and his opinion of the Jade Emperor sours, wouldn’t that ruin everything? The Jade Emperor would never allow that. That’s why he’s been using a gentle approach all this time.
Taoist Master Gou apologized, then awaited Sha Chen’s forgiveness. He, a lofty Heavenly Master, had just humbled himself to apologize to Sha Chen in front of everyone—shouldn’t Sha Chen forgive him!?
Sha Chen snorted coldly. If Taoist Master Gou had truly knelt and apologized, with a better attitude and offered some gifts as atonement, perhaps I would have forgiven him. After all, I prefer to be kind to others and don’t like making enemies. But Taoist Master Gou was simply too much; I couldn’t tolerate it. An apology is an apology, but with such an attitude, it made it seem as though I was the one in the wrong!
Sha Chen said coldly, "Heavenly Master, there’s no need to apologize to me. You were clearly acting on orders, weren’t you? Most likely from His Majesty the Jade Emperor himself? If that’s the case, then being hit, scolded, or slandered by you is nothing. After all, I’ll simply endure it."
HISS!
Taoist Master Gou’s face turned green. He had been waiting for Sha Chen to offer some conciliatory words and say it was nothing, but instead, Sha Chen’s words cut him to the core. If these words were to truly reach the Jade Emperor’s ears, he would definitely be stripped of his official robe, and in severe cases, could even be banished to the mortal realm.
Taoist Master Gou panicked. He glanced around, hoping his colleagues would speak up for him, but found everyone avoiding his gaze, completely ignoring him. Taoist Master Gou looked at Sha Chen again, his eyes flashing with anger, then shifting to a pleading gaze.
But Sha Chen remained unmoved. Taoist Master Gou knew begging for mercy was useless now.
He secretly hardened his resolve, vowing to persuade his colleagues tomorrow to intensify the thunder punishments. He’d make Sha Chen understand that his fate was still very much in his hands!
Sha Chen, at that very moment, was also contemplating how to eliminate Taoist Master Gou safely.
He could feel Taoist Master Gou’s intense hatred. For safety’s sake, it would be best to eliminate him. He even found himself hoping Taoist Master Gou would attack suddenly, giving him the perfect pretext to kill him.
Unfortunately, Taoist Master Gou was a coward. Having seen Sha Chen send the Mighty Miracle God flying with severe injuries, and remembering Wen Zhong’s fate, he had lost his nerve.
Sha Chen couldn’t help but lament internally that all cowards in the world deserved to die.
He glanced at the deities in the sky, then sent Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation safely to the other side of the river before preparing to return to his cave dwelling.
Suddenly, Nezha called out, "General for Folding the Curtain! I’ve long wanted to exchange pointers with you but never had the opportunity. How about we have a brief spar now, just a few moves, and we’ll stop before it goes too far?"
Sha Chen asked, "Are you trying to find fault with me?"
Nezha replied, "Since the Monk is safe and sound, the General for Folding the Curtain is naturally innocent." Then he added, "It’s merely that I, this general, wish to challenge the General for Folding the Curtain. I hope you will grant me your guidance."
"Notice: Host has been challenged by the Lucky Person Nezha. You have the following options."
"Option one: Accept Nezha’s challenge. If victorious, receive the reward: [Qiankun Ring]. Qiankun Ring: Nezha’s magical tool. It can enlarge or shrink, is thrown for attack, is tremendously powerful, and always hits its target."
"Option two: Refuse Nezha’s challenge and ignore it. Receive the reward: a length of [Thousands of Green Jade Lotus Roots]. Thousands of Green Jade Lotus Roots: Immortal lotus roots grown in the Innate Earth, capable of shaping bodies. The physical body of the Lucky Person Nezha was refined from this very immortal lotus root."
Sha Chen looked at the options and without a second thought, chose to refuse the challenge.
I have the Undefined Flying Rings; I don’t need the Qiankun Ring. Besides, there’s no reason to fight Nezha. I don’t need to prove I’m stronger than him—because I already am. There’s just no need to demonstrate it. And if I fight him this time, won’t everyone else start challenging me? Would I ever get any peace?
Sha Chen said, "Great General, please find someone else to challenge. My abilities are meager; I am no match for you."
Then, he prepared to return to the Flowing Sand River.
But Nezha was not about to let him go so easily. Manifesting his three-headed, six-armed Legal Body and gripping various magical tools, he lunged downward.
However, a violent wind suddenly arose, and the waves surged furiously. The waters of the Flowing Sand River crashed against the banks, while sand and stones from the riverbed churned within the current, shooting up towards the sky.
After Nezha dispelled these phenomena, he found that Sha Chen had already returned to his cave dwelling. Unable to penetrate the Black Tortoise Armor, he could only retreat in frustration.
From the sky, he called out in frustration, "General for Folding the Curtain! I am already at the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, and my strength is not inferior to yours! If you don’t spar with me now, once I step into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, you will never have another chance to face me! I know you dislike being disturbed, but if you defeat me, then no one else in the world will dare to trouble you again!"
Sha Chen, deep within the Flowing Sand River, couldn’t help but sneer upon hearing these words.