Sha Chen felt as if his scalp was about to explode.
Guanyin was here!?
Why would she co, and especially at this ti? Could it be that she had really placed a prohibition on the White Bone Demon, or that she already knew what was happening inside his cave dwelling and was planning a confrontation?
Sha Chen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, an unprecedented feeling of anxiety washing over him.
Guanyin called out a few more tis from the shore, but Sha Chen gave no response.
The White Bone Demon was tied to a pillar, her body covered in whip marks, yet she showed no fear, even a hint of a smile on her face.
"General for Folding the Curtain, wasn’t I right? Guanyin Bodhisattva is my master’s good friend, and she has co to save ."
"If you release now, there’s still ti. Once she cos in and sees how you’ve mistreated , I fear you’ll suffer at her cruel hands."
Sha Chen glanced at her, his eyes filled with anger and intense murderous intent.
It was she who drew Guanyin here! Guanyin must have placed sothing on her, or hidden sothing on her that he had failed to find.
Without another word, Sha Chen began to search her thoroughly.
The White Bone Demon’s expression changed slightly, and she exclaid angrily, "There’s nothing on ! You can’t touch there! No... you mustn’t! You... you’re so improper! I’ve already told you, I haven’t hidden anything on ."
Sha Chen withdrew his hands, his expression grave. He had pried open almost every part of her that could be, but he still didn’t find anything hidden. And judging by her reaction, it seed she really didn’t have anything concealed.
So how did Guanyin know about this place, and what was her purpose in coming here?
Jade Rabbit watched from the side. Having never seen Sha Chen so anxious before, she couldn’t help but feel nervous and guilty herself.
"It’s all my fault," she thought, "for falling for the demon’s trick and causing trouble for the General."
Tears welled in her eyes, and a look of determination flashed deep within them. She had secretly decided that if the worst happened, she would willingly die for Sha Chen.
"General for Folding the Curtain, why do you not co out to et after I’ve called for you several tis?"
"Amitabha. I know that you suffer the tornt of Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart day after day within the Flowing Sand River. It’s impossible that you didn’t hear my call."
Sha Chen knew he could no longer feign ignorance. He had to respond and, at the sa ti, try to ascertain Guanyin’s intentions.
Perhaps she was just passing by!?
Sha Chen did not reveal his true form but instead projected a massive illusory figure, its upper half erging from the water’s surface.
He cupped his fist and said, "General Sha Chen, punished by the Heavenly Court, pays his respects to The Goddness of rcy. May Guanyin Bodhisattva’s mana be boundless and her cultivation reach new heights."
Everyone likes to hear pleasant words. Sha Chen decided to start with so flattery, hoping Guanyin wouldn’t turn on him too quickly.
Guanyin was indeed taken aback for a mont, not expecting Sha Chen to suddenly utter such New Year’s greetings.
"Wasn’t he supposed to be honest and dull-witted?" she thought. "How can he be so articulate?"
Then, her expression turning serious, she frowned and said, "General for Folding the Curtain, why did you not appear despite my many calls?"
"If you do not co out, I will be compelled to force my way into your cave dwelling."
Sha Chen was startled and hastily said, "I am suffering here, my days pervaded by numbness and my nights sleepless. Living in a daze, I did not hear the Bodhisattva’s summons. Please forgive ."
This woman was up to no good; she actually wanted to barge into his cave dwelling. What did she want?
"This fellow lies without batting an eye. No wonder my disciples were defeated by him," Guanyin thought.
She continued, "Why don’t you et in your true form?"
Sha Chen replied, "I am confined by heavenly punishnt and cannot leave. Please forgive my negligence, Bodhisattva."
Guanyin said again, "Then open the Formation, and I will enter myself. I was just passing by and noticed a demonic aura soaring to the sky, so I ca to subdue it."
Inside the Formation, Sha Chen’s scalp tingled.
Open the Formation and let Guanyin in? He wasn’t that foolish.
The White Bone Demon, listening to their conversation, laughed and said, "General for Folding the Curtain, your Formation cannot stop the Bodhisattva."
Sha Chen responded, "Didn’t you hear? She’s coming to subdue you."
The White Bone Demon replied, "She is a good friend of my master; this is rely an excuse. She’s here to save ."
Sha Chen snorted coldly, delivered another lash that left a mark, and said, "Quiet! She can’t save you."
He would absolutely not allow Guanyin to enter, nor would he let the White Bone Demon leave easily. This woman had seen his cave dwelling and knew his capabilities. She absolutely could not be allowed to leave. Otherwise, there would be endless trouble.
The White Bone Demon snorted coldly, not the least bit afraid. Sha Chen’s whipping only excited her, as she knew it was a sign of his desperation.
After lashing the White Bone Demon, Sha Chen struggled to contain his emotions. His illusory projection cupped its fists, smiled, and said politely, "My humble dwelling is too ager to accommodate the Bodhisattva’s esteed presence. Please forgive , Bodhisattva."
Guanyin responded, "When I was guiding sentient beings to enlightennt, I even stayed in dog kennels. What place is too humble for to go?"
She then feigned anger and said, "You rogue, stop deceiving ! Quickly open the Formation. If you delay my mission of subduing demons, you’ll bear the consequences!"
Sha Chen had a headache.
These high and mighty individuals always believe their actions are justified. They also order people around and treat them as insignificant. That’s why he didn’t want to join Buddhism or return to the Heavenly Court. He couldn’t tolerate others treating him as soone to be summoned and dismissed at will, ordering him about. Moreover, failure could be life-threatening. Those in high positions simply don’t care about the lives of those below them. One misstep, and the lighter punishnt would be crippling their cultivation; the severe one, being cast into the cycle of reincarnation.
However, facing Guanyin, he couldn’t lash out, nor would he compromise. Her entering his cave dwelling? Impossible.
Sha Chen said earnestly, "Bodhisattva, my dwelling is truly humble and cannot accommodate you. Please don’t make things difficult for ."
Guanyin replied, "I am here to subdue demons, not to make things difficult for you. You won’t co out, nor will you let in. What is your intention?"
She feigned anger again, posturing as if to strike.
Sha Chen, his head throbbing, quickly explained, "Bodhisattva, there are no demons or monsters here, only myself, alone and suffering."
Guanyin said, "You’re becoming quite adept at telling barefaced lies. Could I have miscalculated? Demonic aura was nearby, then it vanished. It must have entered your cave dwelling."
Sha Chen suggested, "Perhaps the demon escaped."
The Bodhisattva frowned. "Are you suggesting I overlooked sothing?"
Sha Chen replied, "I wouldn’t dare. I just find the Bodhisattva’s insistence rather peculiar. There are countless demons in the world; why focus on this particular one?"
"Besides, if a demon had truly entered my cave dwelling, I would have dealt with it for the Bodhisattva. Why would she need to break her precept against killing?"
The Bodhisattva said, "Are you teaching how to do my job?"
Then, she put her palms together and said, "Amitabha. I have reason to suspect you are a demon in disguise. The real General for Folding the Curtain might have already t a vile end at a demon’s hand."
She began to recite Buddhist Law.
Sha Chen’s expression changed slightly. What was this woman up to? Was she planning to forcefully break through!?
The White Bone Demon laughed. "Juanlian, if you don’t release now, the Bodhisattva will truly force her way in!"
Sha Chen slapped her across the face. "Shut up! If I die, I’ll kill you first to accompany !"
In this dilemma, Sha Chen suddenly said, "Bodhisattva, are you referring to a White Bone Demon nad Bai Jingjing?"
Guanyin confird, "Yes, it is her."
Sha Chen said, "She did indeed threaten earlier, trying to lure to my death. She also claid her master is friends with the Bodhisattva."
"I thought to myself, how could that be possible? After all, the Bodhisattva is the greatly compassionate The Goddness of rcy. How could she be friends with a demon?"
Pounding his chest, he declared, "Therefore, I couldn’t bear that demon defiling the Bodhisattva’s pure na! So, I took matters into my own hands and killed her."
The Bodhisattva frowned, her eyes gleaming sharply.
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