If the entire Journey to the West calamity can be completed smoothly, we definitely won't be too hard on Sha Chen. We can also give him several decades to rest and recuperate. By then, those who participate in the calamity of the Journey to the West will gain experience and also reap the rewards of their karma. Meanwhile, Sha Chen will have ample time to improve his own strengthโa cause for universal rejoicing indeed. All Guanyin Bodhisattva needs to do during this period is greatly enhance Jin Chanzi's reputation, ensuring he not only has a say within Lingjiu Mountain but also possesses sufficient prestige and garners faith from all within Buddhism. This matter should not be underestimated. Strictly speaking, Guanyin Bodhisattva's responsibility is immense.
Having arranged these matters, Sha Chen prepared to open the doors of his immortal cave and release Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Guanyin, however, paused in surprise. "You're just letting me go like this? Aren't you afraid I'll go back on my word after I leave?"
Sha Chen chuckled. "I always operate on the principle: if I doubt someone, I don't employ them; if I employ them, I don't doubt them. Bodhisattva, now that you mention it, I truly hadn't considered that possibility."
He laughed again. "Bodhisattva, would you go back on your word once you leave the immortal cave?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva also smiled and shook her head slightly. "Although I may not be a great figure, my word is as good as gold."
Sha Chen also smiled. To better win over Guanyin Bodhisattva, he brought out some coveted mist-covered willow branchesโtreasures Guanyin Bodhisattva had long sought but could not obtain. At the same time, he gave her some peach wine and ginseng fruit, items that could improve her constitution and potential.
Although Guanyin Bodhisattva might not betray their agreement, whether she would execute it diligently was another matter. Since ancient times, the best way to make an agreement unbreakable has been to bind interests together. Guanyin Bodhisattva, although devoted to Buddhist Law, would also strive fiercely for benefits. By giving her these benefits, Sha Chen could ensure she would serve their cause wholeheartedly.
And as expected, Guanyin Bodhisattva had long coveted these items. She was only held back by her dignity and Sha Chen's power, not to mention that asking for them outright would have been unseemly given her status. Now that Sha Chen offered them voluntarily, she was naturally overjoyed. With these items, perhaps her cultivation could advance further, and the limits of her potential could be raised to another level.
Guanyin Bodhisattva joyfully accepted these gifts. Then, Sha Chen opened the gates of the immortal cave, and Guanyin Bodhisattva rushed out.
While Sun Wukong was still dumbfounded, Sha Chen tossed him out as well.
He transmitted a message to them: "The two of you must cooperate and ensure no one sees through your act."
Sun Wukong leaped into the air and suddenly brought out his Golden Cudgel, swinging it down towards the Flowing Sand River.
"There really is a great demon in this river! Sha Chen, if you have the guts, come out and fight fairly with me, Old Sun!"
"You coward! A gutless rat, too scared even to let me into your immortal cave! You only dared to create a minor world to humiliate me?"
Sun Wukong's words were, of course, overheard by the members of Buddhism who had been waiting anxiously on the bank. They looked at each other in consternation. They had been concerned that Sun Wukong and Guanyin Bodhisattva, having been taken into Sha Chen's immortal cave, might never return. Little did they expect that they had never actually entered the immortal cave at all but were merely in a minor world Sha Chen had created.
It seemed Sha Chen had created the minor world to toy with them. The people on the bank breathed a sigh of relief, yet at the same time, they felt an intense mixture of shame and vexation. Their relief stemmed from Sha Chen not having decided to wipe them out completely. However, upon realizing Sha Chen was merely toying with and humiliating them, they were overcome with shame and indignation. Lacking the power to confront Sha Chen, they could only be angry but dared not speak out.
Guanyin Bodhisattva also emerged, landing steadily on the bank, her face somewhat ashen and her gaze somber.
The crowd hurried forward to ask what had happened.
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Sha Chen created a minor world, luring us in to humiliate us. It's truly detestable."
The few hunters, who were actually members of Buddhism in disguise, immediately showed great dismay, their expressions horrified. It was indeed as she said.
Nearby, Monk Tang furrowed his brows. Sha Chen is definitely not that kind of person, he thought. He wouldn't humiliate Guanyin Bodhisattva and Sun Wukong. With Sha Chen's level of strength, there's simply no need for him to humiliate others for amusement.
Suddenly, seeing Sun Wukong's frenzied display, Monk Tang had a realization. From my years of knowing Sun Wukong, the more agitated and wild he appears, the calmer his heart actually is. This is most likely an act! Perhaps Sun Wukong and Guanyin Bodhisattva have already come to some agreement with Sha Chen. Although I don't know the specifics, it seems things are moving in a positive direction.
Monk Tang then pondered whether he should enter the immortal cave to speak with Sha Chen.
However, at that moment, Sha Chen's voice reached his ears. "Xuanzang, I have reached an understanding with Guanyin and Sun Wukong. They will escort you on your Journey to the West to retrieve the True Scripture. You should just proceed honestly and peacefully on your quest."
Monk Tang felt a surge of anxiety. I've delayed until now precisely because I don't want to go on the Journey to the West! he thought desperately. I want to learn Dao Techniques from Sha Chen!
Sha Chen, knowing his thoughts, continued via voice transmission, "I need you to go to Buddhism and strive for the position of Buddha. If you still wish to learn Dao Techniques after that, I can teach you separately. You can then integrate Dao Techniques with Buddhist Law, creating your own new Buddhist Law to deliver all sentient beings."
