General Fish Spear carefully relayed the Jade Emperor’s orders.
Li Jing and the others’ expressions imdiately turned grim.
"What do we do now? If that’s truly the case, are we just supposed to stand by and watch? Won’t that make us a laughingstock?" Fire Star Lord Luo Xuan, known for his fiery temper, bellowed in anger upon hearing General Fish Spear’s words.
Everyone else nodded in agreent; only Mighty Miracle God, who was designated to lead the vanguard, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The Jade Emperor’s orders were as follows: he would send soone to find the Old Sage and ascertain his reasons. If the Old Sage intended to protect Sha Chen, they were to withdraw their troops without further discussion. If the Old Sage did not protect Sha Chen, then they would proceed according to the original plan.
However, the Old Sage had gone to Wuzhuang Temple to discuss the Dao with Zhenyuanzi. The ssenger sent to find him had been stopped outside Wuzhuang Temple, so it would likely take so ti before they could see the Saint.
Therefore, for the ti being, they could only wait.
Muzha also frowned, saying, "Commander Father, why don’t we appeal to the Jade Emperor again to allow us to attack the Flowing Sand River? If we continue to wait like this, who knows when it will end? We can’t just stand by idly if the Saint doesn’t reply within a day, can we?"
The immortals nodded one after another.
Li Jing’s gaze flickered; in that mont, many thoughts crossed his mind.
The Jade Emperor originally didn’t want to dispatch troops. Dealing with Sha Chen is the least favorable option for him, as it will only sow discord between him and his officials. But due to our pressure, he had no choice but to reluctantly send troops. And when they are deployed, the Jade Emperor will be at odds with Sha Chen, while we reap all the benefits. Naturally, he won’t be pleased.
Li Jing had reason to suspect that the Jade Emperor was intentionally delaying, his greatest hope being to order a retreat.
But there has to be a reason for a retreat. Moreover, retreating hastily after such a major mobilization would be inappropriate, leading only to a complete loss of face for the Heavenly Court. If we continue the siege, it would be one thing, but if we really do retreat, soone will have to take the bla.
Li Jing hesitated for a mont. For the first ti, he felt at odds with the Jade Emperor’s actions, an ominous sensation.
As a subject, opposing the Jade Emperor’s decisions might be overlooked for now, given my high position and connections to Buddhism. But if this continues long-term, I fear a reckoning.
Li Jing grew anxious.
He then turned to Wen Zhong and the others, asking, "Esteed sirs, what should be done about this?"
Wen Zhong replied, "Since His Majesty has given an order, we shall comply."
Wang Lingguan, a trusted confidant of the Jade Emperor, also nodded. "I will follow His Majesty’s command."
With two influential figures expressing compliance, Fire God Luo Xuan and Water God Lu Xiong, not wishing to openly defy the Jade Emperor’s authority, also voiced their agreent.
Li Jing felt a pang of regret. What a pity. If these people had all rebelled, I could have taken the opportunity to report to the Jade Emperor and then force the issue, compelling a direct attack. But they are all cunning old foxes. Attacking the Flowing Sand River brings them no benefits; they’ll avoid conflict if possible.
Li Jing then turned to Manjushri and Samantabhadra, asking, "Venerable Ones, what are your esteed opinions?"
Bodhisattva Manjushri, renowned as the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom in Buddhism, unparalleled in intelligence, said, "Sha Chen is a mber of the Heavenly Court. If he has violated heavenly law, then naturally, we must abide by the Jade Emperor’s decision."
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva added, "Nevertheless, during this period, we monks might employ certain thods. After all, our Arhats cannot have died in vain."
Li Jing nodded. "What thods do you Venerable Ones plan to use?"
The two rely smiled and remained silent, unwilling to divulge their plans.
Almost everyone had decided to approve the Jade Emperor’s orders. Even Li Jing and his son, Muzha, despite their desire to fight, had no choice but to obey.
An order was then issued to seal off the Flowing Sand River, making it impenetrable, but no one was allowed to advance, provoke, or cause trouble.
It was a siege without an attack.
Inside the Flowing Sand River, the Black Bear Monster, witnessing these formations, beca extrely anxious, losing all heart for cultivation.
Sha Chen said, "Enough. Stop pacing. Focus on comprehending the Da Luo thod I taught you and use this opportunity to advance further."
The Black Bear Monster lanted, "Master, immortals and Buddhas are everywhere outside. We could be in mortal danger at any mont! How can I possibly cultivate in peace?"
Sha Chen replied, "Don’t worry for now. They won’t attack for the ti being."
He then recounted the secret military intelligence he had overheard to the Black Bear Monster, reassuring him repeatedly despite the monster’s persistent doubts.
Only then did the Black Bear Monster heave a sigh of relief, exclaiming with pleasant surprise, "Who would have thought the Saint would choose this ti to discuss the Dao! This ans we have a little more ti."
Then he added, "Master, instead of cultivating, shouldn’t we be trying to find a way to escape during this ti?"
Sha Chen looked at him. "Don’t indulge in such wishful thinking. There are more than a handful of Daluo Golden Immortals out there. Never mind Manjushri and Samantabhadra; Wang Lingguan alone would likely be more than enough for the two of us to handle."
I won’t take the risk of venturing out. An inescapable net has been laid outside. Even if I could breach the Heavenly Court’s defenses, I wouldn’t be able to break through the subsequent pursuit by both the Heavenly Court and Buddhism.
Sha Chen was a cautious man; he would not attempt to flee unless it was absolutely necessary.
The Black Bear Monster said, "So, we’re not fleeing? Staying here just ans waiting for death. We might as well try to escape and fight for a slim chance of survival!"
His fear of death was deeply ingrained; otherwise, he wouldn’t have imdiately begged for rcy and conceded defeat when Sha Chen beat him. Now, facing powerful enemies, his first instinct was to flee again.
But Sha Chen responded, "We can’t escape. It’s even more dangerous outside."
Besides, staying here, I have three layers of defense. It won’t be easy for the Heavenly Court’s forces to break through. Moreover, my silence so far has been a deliberate tactic to leave room for maneuver. That is, if the Heavenly Court’s troops were to withdraw, I would act as if nothing had happened and continue my developnt. But evidently, while I want to feign ignorance, the Heavenly Court has no plans to let off the hook. At least, Li Jing and his sons have no intention of letting go.
Luckily, I’ve also figured out why the Heavenly Court sent troops. According to my understanding, the Heavenly Court, especially the Jade Emperor, would least want to sour relations with ; otherwise, they would have sent forces to destroy my Flowing Sand River Cave long ago. Now, having overheard the secret conversation between Li Jing and the others, I understand. It was a sche cooked up by Li Jing and his sons. They complained to the Jade Emperor and urged him to take action against . Outsiders might not know the real reasons, thinking Li Jing was rely standing up for his sons. But I understand. Li Jing and his sons aren’t just seeking revenge; they purely want to use this opportunity to utterly ruin . Then, whether it’s the Li Family or Buddhism that steps in to "save" , I would be forced into a debt of gratitude towards them. The nature of karma is not sothing you can simply ignore by choosing not to feel grateful. The Li Family’s calculations are perfectly clear to .
Therefore, I’m not overly worried about my life, at least not in the sense that Li Jing and his sons would order my execution. At most, they’ll capture . But even so, the outco after capture wouldn’t be much better. I’d certainly be escorted to the Heavenly Court for interrogation. Given such a massive mobilization against , the consequences are predictable: most likely a death sentence.
Sha Chen sneered inwardly. I have no fondness for the Li Family, and I’m also deeply dissatisfied with the Heavenly Court constantly trying to control . I must beco stronger, even stronger still, so strong that the Heavenly Court wouldn’t dare act rashly against . With my current cultivation, they already hesitate to deal with . If I beco even stronger, they wouldn’t dare to boss around. Then, they would have no choice but to let be and wouldn’t dare make further accusations. At that point, although I’d have to face Buddhism directly, the pressure would be sowhat less without the Heavenly Court ddling.
As Sha Chen pondered these things, he resud his secluded ditation.
Apart from cultivation, I have no other options right now. However, I need to find ways to delay as much as possible. As long as the Heavenly Court doesn’t attack my Flowing Sand River for at least three years, that would be ideal. After three years, I’ll find a way to release Sun Wukong and let him demolish all these immortals and Buddhas. But for now, how to buy ti is indeed the problem. Whether the Old Sage will even receive the Jade Emperor’s envoy is uncertain. To be safe, I’ve decided: I need to find soone to eliminate the Jade Emperor’s envoy.
General Fish Spear had made it clear that the Jade Emperor had sent soone to Wuzhuang Temple, to await an audience with the Old Sage.
Sha Chen then gave orders to his external avatars. Currently, the only one free was Li Bai.
His avatar Chen Sha was cultivating on Jinao Island and had already reached the Golden Immortal realm, progressing rapidly. The Golden Spirit Holy Mother had t him and was quite impressed, even expressing a desire to introduce him to the Tongtian Hierarch. However, every ti the opportunity arose, Chen Sha would do sothing foolish, angering the Golden Spirit Holy Mother and thus delaying the introduction.
Then there was his avatar Hanshan, who was dedicated to serving the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, keeping a close watch on him. The avatar Hanshan had already transford into Daoist Hanshan and gone to the location of Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation. Jin Chanzi had regained the mories of his past life but, to avoid exposing his identity, continued to study Buddhism with the monks accompanying him.
However, in secret, he was covertly learning the Dao Techniques taught by Sha Chen—especially the Eight-Nine Profound Art, Tao Te Ching, Wide-hearing Decree, Spirit Summoning Decree, and the Sutra of Immortality—and had achieved so notable accomplishnts. He also learned the other 72 Polymorphic Transformations and 36 Transformations, but Jin Chanzi primarily focused on Dao Techniques that would enhance his Primordial Spirit. As for spells and Divine Powers, he did not practice them extensively.
The avatar Daoist Hanshan tried every ans to contact Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation, guiding his cultivation and imparting corresponding spells and Divine Powers. He re-established a very deep friendship with the reincarnated Jin Chanzi. Knowing that the avatar Hanshan had transford into a Daoist, Jin Chanzi was incredibly moved, and their friendship deepened further.
Under these circumstances, all of Sha Chen’s avatars were occupied.
Only Li Bai was free. So, Sha Chen ordered him to go straight to the heavens to find Fairy Chang E in Guanghan Palace.
As long as the avatar Li Bai can find Fairy Chang E, obtain the identities and information about the Heavenly Court’s envoys, and then find a way to eliminate them and cut off communication, I’ll be able to buy so more ti.
All these plans were orchestrated by Sha Chen from within the Flowing Sand River.
Just as Sha Chen was directing his avatar Li Bai, who had just reached Guanghan Palace, a Buddhist chant was heard from outside the Flowing Sand River.
"Amitabha. This humble monk, Manjushri, wishes to speak privately with Master Sha Chen. Might that be possible?"
Bodhisattva Manjushri was calling at the entrance, his voice transmitting directly into the Flowing Sand River Cave.
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