Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 527 - 521: Another Choice [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 527: Chapter 521: Another Choice [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Ji Gong was by no means willing to go back just like that.

Wouldn’t that mean he gained nothing?

He quickly said, "River Master, I have come with true sincerity, sincerely seeking dialogue with you. If you have any hesitations or concerns, just bring them up, and I, this humble monk, will strive to address them for you."

Sha Chen laughed heartily. "No need. You are not qualified. When Tathagata himself came, he made all the promises that could be made."

"And for those that couldn’t be made, given your status and position, you truly cannot help me obtain them."

Ji Gong was stunned.

He sighed. "So the Buddha has indeed been here, and he couldn’t sway your heart either!?"

Then he stood up, somewhat disheartened. "Then, I have one more impertinent request."

Sha Chen’s eyes lit up. "If you have any impertinent requests, tell me quickly."

He now cherished impertinent requests deeply, for they signified his ability to make a choice.

Of course, the system would also judge the value of this request, just as it had when Siti repeatedly made inappropriate demands of him, which he had not chosen to accept.

Ji Gong said, "It is said that the Flowing Sand River Cave is a paradise beyond this world, a blessed grotto-heaven. This humble monk passed by this treasured land but only dined outside its gates. Might I have the chance to enter and feast my eyes?"

He wanted to enter the Flowing Sand River Cave!

"Detecting that the host has been requested by the Grand Destiny Carrier, Ji Gong, to enter the Flowing Sand River Cave, you have the following choices."

"Choice One: Accept Ji Gong’s request, allow him to enter the Flowing Sand River Cave, and receive the reward: the Buddhist Law [Dragon Subduing Collection]. [Dragon Subduing Collection]: A top-tier Buddhist Law comprehended by the Xianglong Arhat, surpassing common Mahayana Buddhist Laws."

"Choice Two: Reject Ji Gong’s request, preventing him from stepping into the Flowing Sand River Cave, and receive the reward: [Blissful Fruit]. [Blissful Fruit]: A fruit condensed from Buddhist faith, imbued with infinite Divine Power. It is rumored in Buddhism that one Blissful Fruit can create a Great Buddha."

Blissful Fruit, another Blissful Fruit.

Sha Chen looked, his eyes brimming with joyful surprise.

He had previously received one Blissful Fruit, a divine fruit so potent it could cultivate a Daluo Golden Immortal, extremely rare even within Buddhism. Unexpectedly, he could now obtain another.

Sha Chen smiled. "Master, you should return. I cannot accept your request."

Ji Gong said urgently, "River Master, I know this is presumptuous, but I truly came with all sincerity. After seeing the inside of the Flowing Sand River Cave, I will absolutely not speak of it to anyone."

He repeatedly gave his assurance, but Sha Chen refused time and again.

Sha Chen said, "It’s not that I don’t trust your character, Master. It’s purely that I don’t trust people from Buddhism. You trust Buddhism implicitly, devoted to it heart and soul. If, at some point, you decide Buddhism is more important, personal integrity becomes trivial, and you directly reveal what you’ve seen, what then?"

Ji Gong swore an oath, "If this humble monk reveals what he has seen, may I die a terrible death, be struck by five thunders, and never be reincarnated!"

Tianpeng, listening nearby, felt a bit awkward. "Old Sha, although the mad monk’s previous proposal was excessive, now that he’s made such a venomous oath, he should be trustworthy."

He believed that no one would stake their life and reincarnation on an oath lightly. Generally, once an oath was made, it would surely be upheld.

However, Sha Chen said, "A venomous oath indeed has binding power, but I don’t believe in them. If you reveal the secret later and then die, it brings me no benefit whatsoever. Instead, it exposes me."

Ji Gong opened his mouth to speak but then closed it, finding no words to retort.

Because Sha Chen’s words were indeed very reasonable. His life or death truly meant little to Sha Chen; Sha Chen wouldn’t care, nor would it affect him.

Moreover, Ji Gong himself did harbor some selfish intentions. He had already made the venomous oath with the resolve to die.

If he learned the secret, he would tell Buddhism, and then he would simply atone with his death.

As Sha Chen had said, his personal life and death were as light as a feather, while the future and great righteousness of Buddhism were as heavy as Mount Tai.

Sha Chen had seen through him. There was no way he would let someone so devoted to Buddhism enter the Flowing Sand River Cave.

He was now eager to begin Refining the Blood of Zulong and the Blissful Fruit, so he had no time to bother with Ji Gong.

He urged him to leave again.

Ji Gong, utterly helpless, had no choice but to depart.

Seeing his departing figure, Sha Chen suddenly asked, "Master Ji Dian, after your visit this time, what are your thoughts on me and the Flowing Sand River?"

Ji Gong replied, "The River Master is uniquely benevolent and righteous, his mana boundless and divine powers vast. Yet, he is detached from worldly conflicts. He is someone one could consider a life-and-death friend."

Tianpeng chuckled. "My life is already entrusted to him."

Sha Chen raised his hand as if to strike, and Tianpeng quickly scampered away, muttering, "I was just saying! Are you really going to take my life?"

Sha Chen continued, "Master, since you feel I am someone worth forming a deep friendship with, could I ask you not to speak of what happened today?"

He gestured towards Tianpeng and Siti. "You know I dislike being disturbed. To the outside world, I have always kept company with solitude. If people knew I was sheltering others here, I fear my threshold would be worn down by visitors."

Ji Gong said, "Rest assured, River Master, I will not speak of Tianpeng’s matter. But, as for Siti..."

He glanced at Siti and shook his head. "Siti’s whereabouts... this humble monk cannot conceal them. However, I will not bring them up proactively unless someone asks."

Siti snorted. "Sha Chen, I told you, there are no good people in Buddhism! Let me kill this monk, then we won’t have to worry about our location being leaked."

Sha Chen’s eyes flickered; he was actually considering it.

Ji Gong’s heart lurched.

He sensed Sha Chen’s killing intent and the chill emanating from Siti.

He wanted to flee. At the same time, bitterness welled in his heart. He couldn’t lie, but he also knew that if he exposed Siti’s whereabouts, he couldn’t blame others for wanting to silence him.

Sha Chen said, "Master, you are an honest man, and also one of unwavering loyalty to Buddhism. I will not make things difficult for you. Just don’t speak of this before the Journey to the West calamity begins."

Ji Gong put his palms together. "Amitabha. This humble monk can guarantee that."

Then, he sighed in relief and turned to leave.

But suddenly, he felt his body become immobilized. The space around him was constricting, and he felt increasingly uncomfortable.

He whirled around to look at Sha Chen, shocked. "River Master, what is the meaning of this?"

He saw Sha Chen extend his hand and clench it into a fist, as if what he held was not air, but Ji Gong himself.

Spatial power, a constricting grip across the void.

Sha Chen said indifferently, "Master, you are an honest person, but I, Sha Chen, detest trouble. Miss Siti’s identity must not be revealed. If you cannot keep the secret, then I will help you keep it."

Ji Gong asked, "Does the River Master intend to kill this humble monk?"

"If that is the case, this humble monk will not sit idly by and await death! I will fight to the bitter end! Even if I die, I will spread word of what happened here!"

Sha Chen said, "You cannot threaten me. In my presence, it’s impossible for you to send any message out."

"But rest assured, I will not obliterate your soul, nor will I prevent your reincarnation. I merely intend for you to die temporarily in this lifetime. You can emerge again in your next."

Ji Gong was aghast. Sha Chen meant to send him to reincarnate!

The Journey to the West calamity was about to begin. If he reincarnated now, by the time he recovered his memories, who knew how much time would have passed.

Setting aside Sha Chen’s affairs for the moment, Siti’s location was critically important. Who knew where Siti would be by the time he emerged in his next life!

Therefore, he could not die.

Ji Gong said, "River Master Sha Chen, you cannot kill me! We were just conversing so pleasantly moments ago!"

Sha Chen replied, "But you kept making impudent requests, and you also intend to expose Siti’s whereabouts. You are courting death."

"Don’t blame me. Blame my extreme caution. I do not wish for Zhunti to come knocking on my door."

With that said, he tightened his grip. Ji Gong was instantly squeezed and distorted.