Sha Chen turned his head back, drew his bow, notched an arrow, and released it instantly.
The arrow flew out, nine streaks of light, like shooting stars crossing the sky, bursting forth with dazzling brilliance.
He didn’t need to look to know the outco.
THUD, THUD, THUD!
Amidst the dull thuds, Sha Chen heard grunts of pain.
With another wave of his hand, a glow burst from his fingertips, drawing a circle of light out of thin air. He pushed it outwards, and the circle enlarged, encasing the Li brothers and a hundred Arhats within it.
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.
He didn’t turn back, but he could imagine that the Li brothers and the Arhats had crashed into it, their heads spinning.
Sha Chen reached out again, grabbing the Dragon Piling. He smacked it with his palm and punched it. Once he noticed cracks forming, he threw it behind him.
He dived into the cave dwelling and closed the door.
BANG.
The light from Drawing Ground into Prison vanished, freeing the Li brothers, but they found themselves running into a wall at the entrance of the cave dwelling.
Jinzha had three bloody holes in his body, hit by the luminous arrows, but it was nothing serious; he was just a bit disheveled.
Muzha wasn’t so fortunate. Having been hit by two arrows that almost took his life, he was badly injured.
Four Arhats were also hit by the luminous arrows, and they were even worse off, dying on the spot.
Jinzha was both shocked and furious as he gathered their bodies, grinding his teeth in anger.
The magical tool had cracked, and he was heartbroken over it.
He roared, "Sha Chen, you vile fiend, how dare you attack and kill the Arhats of Buddhism? Do you have no reverence for Buddha?"
"Moreover, I am Bodhisattva Hongfa, a disciple of Buddha himself! How dare you shoot at ?"
His anger was uncontrollable, rage burning within him. Buddha’s light shone everywhere, and overhead, the phantom of Buddha appeared, casting down a massive palm imprint.
THUMP.
The palm pressed down on the Flowing Sand River, squeezing the water, then slamd down on the cave dwelling, attempting to destroy it, but to no avail.
The phantom of Buddha continuously struck down with huge Buddhist palm imprints, swastikas flitting through the air like flies.
However, despite the power of the Buddhist palm imprints, they could not breach the cave dwelling in the Flowing Sand River, and the Black Tortoise Shell didn’t even tremble.
Yet, the earth shook, and the waters of the Flowing Sand River raged, flooding the caves of demons within a thousand miles.
Muzha coughed up blood and said, "Brother, let’s go. We can’t break through the Flowing Sand River. We must ask our father for help."
Jinzha wanted to continue venting his fury, but seeing Muzha severely injured, he didn’t dare to delay. After administering an elixir, he took them up to the Heavenly Palace.
The many Arhats looked at each other, their expressions downcast, and quietly departed.
When Elder Jin Chi learned of the Li brothers’ defeat, he was so scared that he hurriedly packed up his things overnight to flee.
He didn’t know whether Sha Chen was aware that the Li brothers had used Guanyin Zen Temple as a stepping stone, but he was forced to seek refuge for several years.
Having ascended to the heavens, the injured Li brothers went directly to Yunlou Palace to see Li Jing, Yin Shi Niang, and their sister Fairy Yunlou.
At that mont, Li Jing, Mrs. Yin, and Fairy Yunlou seed to be in lively conversation, full of laughter and joy.
It was a rare mont of happiness for their family.
But when the Li brothers entered, the scent of blood took them by surprise.
Mrs. Yin asked with concern, "Jinzha, Muzha, how did you get injured? Who has bullied you?"
Li Jing’s face turned grave and dark. When had their sons been so mistreated by anyone?
He demanded sternly, "Who did this to you?"
He couldn’t believe that soone had managed to injure both his sons at the sa ti. Who would be so blind?
Muzha said, "Father, Mother, don’t worry. Your son has already taken dicine; I will surely recover within a few years."
"As for the one who injured us, there’s no need for the elders to worry."
Li Jing snorted. "It seems the person who injured you has been dealt with by you. Good, at least you didn’t disgrace our Li Family’s na."
But Muzha and Jinzha both looked ashad, exchanged glances, then knelt on one knee, their heads bowed.
Li Jing felt a sudden pang in his heart. "What, you didn’t kill him?"
Jinzha replied, "Father Marshal, that person is Sha Chen from the Flowing Sand River. We couldn’t defeat him; he hid in the river and refused to co out."
Sha Chen!?
The entire Li Family was stunned.
Li Jing was flabbergasted; Mrs. Yin was indignant.
Fairy Yunlou was shocked and horrified.
Li Jing said, "Sha Chen, a re guardian of the Flowing Sand River, how dare he harm you? Does he not realize that you are my sons, Li Jing, and great figures in Buddhism?"
His anger was palpable; he was outraged and incredulous.
A re Sha Chen, how dare he injure his sons?
Could it be that Sha Chen was contemplating rebellion?
Mrs. Yin wept. "Husband, I already told you not to provoke Sha Chen. He is now a Daluo Golden Immortal, his fate changed; he is not soone we can manipulate. But you wouldn’t listen, insisting on antagonizing him."
Li Jing grew impatient, waving his hand and saying, "Enough, this is a serious matter. Do not cause unnecessary trouble. Zhen Ying, take your mother away."
Fairy Yunlou tugged at Mrs. Yin, then after consoling her briefly, they withdrew.
However, she quietly ca back soon after leaving.
Li Jing decided to ignore her presence. This daughter was still young. Even if she overheard anything, she wouldn’t betray the Li Family.
He concentrated only on Jinzha and Muzha, instructing them to stand up for inspection. He found that Muzha’s injuries were severe, while Jinzha was rely disheveled.
Nevertheless, he was still worried, so he had Fairy Yunlou give Muzha another elixir. Only after seeing his complexion improve did he relax.
"Tell exactly what happened, and do not dare to hide anything. If you do, do not bla for disregarding our father-son relationship," he said sternly.
Jinzha then saluted with his fists and recounted the events, embellishing the details. Indeed, so aspects of his story were inconsistent with the truth.
But primarily, he emphasized their innocence and the grave cris of Sha Chen.
"Father Marshal," Jinzha protested, "Sha Chen has beco utterly lawless. He even dared to assault and kill four Arhats of Buddhism and shot both of us, showing no respect for the Heavenly Court or Lingjiu Mountain."
"Such a person must be reported to the Jade Emperor by you, Father Marshal, so that the Jade Emperor can deal with Sha Chen and bring him to justice swiftly," he urged.
Muzha also nodded and added, "Yes, Father Marshal, Sha Chen attacked the disciples of Buddha and harbored a demon; his cris are grave indeed. His Majesty the Jade Emperor has every reason to issue an edict to hold him accountable, and even a death sentence would be justified."
Upon hearing this, Fairy Yunlou’s face changed, a look of shock and disbelief on her face.
Yet her father and brothers acted as if she was not there.
After pondering for a mont, Li Jing said, "It would be ideal if we could successfully accuse him. It would be even better if he could be sentenced to death, only for Buddhism to intervene and save him. Then, the Jade Emperor, in his magnanimity, could forgive him. That would be a happy outco for everyone."
But then he furrowed his brow and continued, "However, this scenario, while simplest and most joyous for Buddhism, is the worst for the Heavenly Court, especially for the Jade Emperor."
He looked deeply at his two sons and added, "If Sha Chen is executed, Buddhism could step in to save him. This would be beneficial for them. Since you two are also Buddhists, it would also seem favorable for our Li Family."
"However, this matter started because of you two. If he is indeed executed as a result, even if Buddhism saves him, he will harbor resentnt against you. By extension, he will resent our Li Family," he explained.
"Father Marshal, what do we have to fear from him?" Jinzha asked.
Li Jing replied, "I have never feared him. However, I wish to subdue him, for he has altered his fate and has a boundless future ahead."
"Even if we cannot be on friendly terms, we must avoid making an enemy of him. Having him bear a grudge does not bode well for our Li Family."
However, Jinzha retorted, "Father Marshal, you are being foolish. Even if Sha Chen joins Buddhism, his status cannot compare to mine or our second brother’s. When the ti cos, can he really turn the tide against us?"
Li Jing hesitated, realizing there was truth in these words.
Yet considering Sha Chen’s extraordinary talent, he could not be sure that Sha Chen wouldn’t rise to a revered position within Buddhism one day.
Therefore, it was best not to offend him outright.
Understanding his father’s concerns, Jinzha continued, "Father Marshal, think about it. If Sha Chen is indeed executed because of us, he will resent the Jade Emperor the most, not us as much."
"After all, wounding us is undeniable, and killing our fellow disciples of Buddha is a fact. To accuse him is only just and reasonable. At the ti of his execution, Buddhism will send soone to rescue him, and His Majesty is sure to seek Father Marshal’s opinion," he reasoned.
Li Jing stroked his chin, contemplating the argunt before nodding in agreent. "That makes sense. When asked for my view, I shall express willingness to spare Sha Chen. This will reflect great magnanimity and surely earn his gratitude."
The father and his sons nodded in concurrence, all sharing the sentint.
Suddenly, Fairy Yunlou interjected, "What about the Jade Emperor who ordered Sha Chen’s execution? Won’t he be the one Sha Chen resents?"
The father and brothers scolded, "Hold your tongue! When have you been given the privilege to intervene in n’s discussions? Leave us!"
Startled, Fairy Yunlou harrumphed and swept away in a huff, muttering, "Just as I thought, the Li Family gets to play the benefactor, leaving the Emperor to appear the villain!"
And she was indeed correct.
If Li Jing succeeded in sparing Sha Chen from execution, the Li Family would be seen as the good-hearted ones.
As for the Emperor who issued the order, he could very well beco the target of resentnt.
But then again, what did that have to do with the Li Family? They only cared about their own interests!
Li Jing resolved, "Very well, accompany to Lingxiao Palace to petition the Jade Emperor to take a stand for you brothers. But let’s not tell your youngest brother about this. He is honest and abhors scheming; he might ruin our plans."
The brothers agreed, carefully disheveling their clothes even further, and Muzha spat out the elixir he had consud, making his injuries appear unhealed.
Li Jing patted Muzha’s shoulder and said, "Second son, you have suffered for our family."
Withdrawing his hand, Muzha’s injuries worsened slightly.
This caused Muzha to grit his teeth in pain, nearly gasping for breath, yet still he nodded affirmatively. "All for the Li Family."
「Bright Palace.」
Today, the Jade Emperor was taking his leisure there, resting, but he had invited many immortals from the Heavenly Court for a feast.
The immortals were in high spirits, chatting and laughing freely.
Li Jing, with his sons in tow, approached to report. He walked at the forefront, the immortals greeting him, but his expression was off.
The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "Li, my dear subject, today the millennium water immortals have blood in the Imperial Garden, a sign of good fortune. The immortals have co to celebrate, and I was about to invite you to join the joy, yet you have co unbidden."
The immortals chuckled.
But Li Jing, along with his two sons, suddenly knelt. They gave three prostrations and nine kowtows.
The gesture startled the immortals, and even the Jade Emperor was taken aback.
Li Jing had never perford such an extre act of devotion before. Today, however, he and his two sons offered it.
Before the Jade Emperor could speak, Li Jing stated his purpose.
"Your Majesty, I beg your pardon for interrupting your pleasure, but I am compelled to report that the demoted Great General for Folding the Curtain, Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River, relying on your grace, has dared to bully my Li Family, claiming we are weak. He has shielded demons, conspired with the banished Marshal Tianpeng and the evil monster Black Bear Spirit, severely injuring my son Muzha and slightly hurting my son Jinzha. He disregards our family’s honor and flouts heavenly laws. I plead with Your Majesty to command to lead a million heavenly soldiers to capture him and bring him to the Immortal Slaying Stage for execution."
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