Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 521 - 515: Wholeheartedly Toward Buddha [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 521: Chapter 515: Wholeheartedly Toward Buddha [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Siti made several trips back and forth, preparing fine wine and delicious food for Sha Chen and Ji Gong.

There was wine, there was meat, and there were beautiful women nearby.

Tianpeng was also there to freeload food and drinks, and he even greeted the mad Monk Ji Dian.

Ji Dian seemed to have expected this and said, "Everyone says that Marshal Tianpeng is a good friend of the Great General for Folding the Curtain; it seems to be true."

Tianpeng laughed. "We are good brothers."

Sha Chen then said, "He’s just here to freeload. Don’t get the wrong idea."

Ji Dian laughed heartily as he drank wine and ate meat. "I truly envy this kind of relationship. I also had such good brothers once, but we later drifted apart."

Both of them knew he was probably referring to Jin Chanzi.

Tianpeng said, "Monk, what’s going on with you now? You’re in such a sorry state. Does Buddhism still want you? If not, you should come and join us." He had started trying to poach him.

Sha Chen didn’t stop him, though he wasn’t hopeful. Xianglong was different from Jin Chanzi. Xianglong was wholeheartedly devoted to Buddhism; it would have been impossible to sway him unless Sha Chen had taken advantage of his vulnerability when he first descended to the mortal realm. Otherwise, it was impossible. Ji Gong, in his dedication to Buddhism, had even burned down his own home and bid farewell to his wife and child. Along the way, he had taken on the persona of a mad monk, akin to a beggar. To change the faith of someone so resolute in renunciation and detachment would be like killing him. Jin Chanzi was different. He was reincarnated as a human, and it was only through Sha Chen’s influence over several lifetimes of changes that Jin Chanzi was led to abandon Buddhism for the way of cultivation.

Just as expected, Ji Gong laughed. "I have wine and meat and live a carefree life. Where’s the misery in that? It is Marshal Tianpeng who is currently living at someone else’s mercy. You should be the one to retrace your roots and uphold your true self. Why don’t you wander the world with me, learn from Buddhism, and cultivate your heart?"

Tianpeng, with a wary look, said, "Mad Monk, that’s really out of line. We treat you well with good food and drink, and you’re actually trying to drag me into a pit of fire."

Ji Gong replied, "Marshal, you’re mistaken. Learning from Buddhism and cultivating the heart, strengthening oneself and benefiting the world—how could that be jumping into a pit of fire?"

He pointed to Tianpeng’s heart and said, "When one’s heart is at ease, any place is a paradise."

Having said that, he laughed heartily, shook his cattail-leaf fan, took another sip of wine, another bite of meat, and smiled contentedly.

Tianpeng was furious but couldn’t outtalk Ji Gong. But the idea of him following Ji Gong, wandering the world, and joining Buddhism was also impossible.

Siti was also at the side, freeloading food and drinks. Seeing the two talking, she just disdainfully curled her lips and did not intervene. She was extremely aloof. Only when Sha Chen wanted a drink and raised his cup did she casually pour him one. Otherwise, she ignored both Tianpeng’s attempts to curry favor and Ji Gong’s pleasantries.

Naturally, Sha Chen wouldn’t just watch Ji Gong trick Tianpeng away. He chuckled and said, "You’re a truly mad monk. Have you come here to poach people?"

Ji Gong laughed. "I am a mad monk, after all. Everything I say is just mad ramblings, so don’t take it too seriously."

Afterward, he did not continue trying to poach Tianpeng. After all, he knew Tianpeng had resisted the Journey to the West for hundreds of years and wouldn’t be easily swayed by a few words. Moreover, this was Sha Chen’s territory; if he said too much, he might anger Sha Chen. He just needed to remain true to his own Buddhist heart.

Sha Chen asked, "Master, may I ask what brings you here?"

Ji Gong replied, "To ask for a cup of wine, a bowl of good meat, and to exchange a few idle words. Nothing more."

Sha Chen chuckled. "If that’s the case, then you are most welcome. Never mind one cup of wine and one bowl of meat; even ten cups and ten bowls wouldn’t be a problem."

Then he added, "But if you’re here for something else, I think there’s no need for you to speak further, Master."

Ji Gong laughed. "As I’ve said, it’s all idle talk. River God, you can treat it as my drunken ramblings. If it seems fitting, then listen. If not, then just consider it as if this humble monk has farted."

Sha Chen chuckled, unconcerned.

In fact, he had already guessed the purpose of Ji Gong’s visit, but he simply didn’t care. No matter what Ji Gong was after, if his intentions were impure, Sha Chen would just refuse. Daring to meet with Ji Gong today meant he essentially dismissed Ji Gong as a threat, considering him nearly harmless. He believed that, at the very least, Ji Gong would not threaten his safety. Even if this Ji Gong was powerful, ranking high within Buddhism, he was still far inferior to Maitreya Buddha. And compared to Sha Chen himself, there was even less to say.

Ji Gong asked, "I wonder if the River God has heard of the Journey to the West?"

Hearing this, Marshal Tianpeng, who was at the side, snorted derisively. He returned to his wine and meat, suddenly losing much of his interest.

Sha Chen replied, "I have heard of it."

Ji Gong inquired, "May I ask what the River God thinks about the Journey to the West?"

Sha Chen smiled. "It is a matter of benefiting all sentient beings; I recognize and approve of it."

Marshal Tianpeng and Siti both looked at Sha Chen, somewhat puzzled and taken aback. Neither seemed to have expected Sha Chen to respond this way.

Ji Gong himself was taken aback. Then he smiled and said, "The River God’s answer is indeed beyond this humble monk’s expectations. I thought that since the River God has repeatedly rejected the Journey to the West, he would detest it immensely. I never expected that he actually approves of it."

Sha Chen, however, raised his hand to stop him. "Hold on. Allow me to interrupt for a moment, Master. My approval and recognition of the calamity of the Journey do not mean I wish to be involved in it. I have always remained detached from worldly affairs, even concerning this calamity of the Journey, which I acknowledge."

Ji Gong was stunned again.

Marshal Tianpeng also smiled. This was the Sha Chen he knew.

"The River God makes a good point; recognizing something does not mean one has to get involved," Ji Gong continued. "Then, may I ask, does the River God have any thoughts on the candidates chosen by Buddhism for the Journey to the West?"

Sha Chen said, "Master, you’ve asked the wrong person about that. I genuinely have no idea who the candidates chosen by Buddhism for the journey are."

Ji Gong chuckled. "Why play dumb, River God? The candidates chosen by Buddhism for the journey are, first, Jin Chanzi; second, Sun Wukong; then Marshal Tianpeng; yourself, the Great General for Folding the Curtain; and Ao Lie, the Dragon King’s Third Son. Besides you all, who else could it be?"

He revealed Buddhism’s arrangements in one breath, without any concealment.

Marshal Tianpeng furrowed his brows, confused and shocked. He knew Buddhism had arranged for him to be a candidate for the journey, but aside from Sha Chen, he was unaware of the others. Jin Chanzi was a given, but Sun Wukong, the Stable Minister who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, was also a candidate for the journey? And Ao Lie, the Dragon King’s Third Son, was included too!? He was stunned.

Sha Chen nodded slightly. The list of candidates was the same as he knew; he hadn’t expected it to remain unchanged after all this time.

He said indifferently, "So it is them. However, Master, to include me among those you mentioned is to overestimate me."

He chuckled. "Buddhism doesn’t think highly of me. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have come looking for trouble with me time and again, or even repeatedly schemed to entrap and harm me."

Now Ji Gong was at a loss for words. He remained silent for a moment, took a few sips of wine, and ate from his bowl of meat before saying, "It’s shameful to admit, but this is also why I do not approve of Buddhism’s current practices."

"To guide people is to guide them. It should be done when they are in need. If one creates hardship for others merely to guide them afterward, how is that different from what demons do?"

He sighed deeply, a bitter smile on his face. "On this matter, I apologize to the River God on behalf of Buddhism."

Sha Chen chuckled. "There’s no need. They have all paid the price. Besides, I don’t intend to accept Buddhism’s arrangements. How they deal with me is their decision."

Ji Gong understood what Sha Chen meant. His expression grew complicated as he said, "This humble monk truly did not expect the River God’s mana to be so incredible as to even slay Maitreya Buddha."

Sha Chen laughed softly. "Master, you wrong me. It was the Honorable Maitreya Buddha who wronged me first, forcefully attacking the Flowing Sand River. I had no choice but to counter-attack. Due to his own carelessness and underestimation, he was accidentally slain by my hand."

He sighed. "Speaking of which, I feel quite ashamed and wish to offer an apology to Buddhism."

He clasped his fists. "On my own behalf, I apologize to Buddhism. Master, please convey this for me."