Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 556 - 550: Discussing the Jade Emperor with the Queen of the West【Seeking Subscription and Monthly Pass】_1

Chapter 556: Chapter 550: Discussing the Jade Emperor with the Queen of the West【Seeking Subscription and Monthly Pass】_1

The Queen of the West was inwardly shaken.

Then, she asked, "Even if the Jade Emperor wanted to take action against the Jinghe Dragon King, why are you so sure that if he doesn’t descend to the mortal realm, he will be safe and sound?"

"You must know, if the Jade Emperor truly wanted to make a move, he wouldn’t care whether the Dragon King descends to the mortal realm or not. Even if he doesn’t descend this time, the Jade Emperor will target his other sons next time to force him to descend."

Sha Chen chuckled. "The Jinghe Dragon King thought the same as you, which is why he descended to the mortal realm."

"But in reality, the Jade Emperor does indeed cherish his reputation. He knows that as long as the Jinghe Dragon King doesn’t descend to the mortal realm, he can’t eliminate him completely; otherwise, the losses would outweigh the gains."

"His reputation would be ruined, and he still wouldn’t have completely seized control of the terrestrial water systems. The Jade Emperor wouldn’t do such a thing."

"Moreover, with the impending Journey to the West calamity, if he were to do such a thing, who knows how many new variables it would introduce."

The Queen of the West nodded, her expression solemn. "You truly see things with such clarity. I have learned a lesson."

Sha Chen smiled slightly. "Your Highness jests; none of this can be hidden from you."

Then he added, "After saying so much, Your Highness still hasn’t stated your purpose for coming here."

The Queen of the West was not in a hurry and continued, "You just mentioned the Journey to the West calamity. Why are you so certain it will happen?"

"You must know, you have a role in the Journey to the West calamity, and it’s clear you don’t want to participate. Furthermore, other chosen candidates have also encountered variables and are not in position. Will the calamity still occur!?"

Indeed, nothing could be hidden from her, Sha Chen thought. The Queen of the West’s informants were formidable. Despite not leaving Kunlun Mountain, they kept her appraised of everything happening in the world as if it were right before her eyes.

He said, "Others not being in position has nothing to do with me. My refusal to participate is my own choice."

He had to insist that this had nothing to do with the others. And he maintained his stance of not wanting to participate in the Journey to the West calamity. Even in conversation with the Queen of the West, his attitude remained the same.

Then, he continued, "As for the Journey to the West calamity, it is a meticulously planned event by Buddhism. They’ve prepared for this catastrophe for so long to ensure Buddhism flourishes once more; they won’t give up easily."

"What’s more, when the grand cosmic trend arrives, all forces in heaven and earth will align with it. How could it possibly not occur just because one or two individuals have changed their paths?"

The Queen of the West asked, "Regarding the Journey to the West, what is to be done?"

Sha Chen replied, "Your Highness, you’re asking the wrong person. I am here, focused on my cultivation. I know nothing about the affairs of the Journey to the West."

The topic of the Journey to the West was too sensitive, and it wasn’t appropriate for Sha Chen to get too involved, so he didn’t intend to say much.

The Queen of the West asked again, "Friend Daoist, you seem to care a lot about the Jinghe Dragon King. Do you think he will be involved?"

Sha Chen said, "I don’t know."

In reality, he knew the Jinghe Dragon King was the catalyst for the Journey to the West calamity. It all began with Wei Zheng beheading the Jinghe Dragon King in a dream—a Dragon King who was, in fact, unjustly killed. The Jade Emperor intended to use this incident to initiate the Journey to the West calamity and, at the same time, eliminate a major threat.

Sha Chen did not wish to say more.

The Queen of the West didn’t press further and chose to remain silent.

Since she said no more, Sha Chen was happy to enjoy the quiet, drinking and conversing with Chang E and the Three Holy Mother, listening as they continued to speak of worldly affairs, allowing him to learn some things he wished to know.

However, they wouldn’t speak of everything. Especially with the Queen of the West and Yao Yue present, they refrained from discussing matters concerning followers like Lady Di Yong.

Suddenly, Sha Chen said, "Your Highness, I have served you well with fine wine and food. Could you release my daughters who have done wrong?"

The Queen of the West spread her palms. The three phoenixes flew out, transforming into three fragrant breezes and regaining their appearances as young girls. Youthful and beautiful, they first glared at the Queen of the West and Yao Yue, their expressions a mixture of anger and defiance. Then they threw themselves into Sha Chen’s arms. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Bai Luan said, "Daddy, that’s great! I just knew you would definitely save us."

Qing Luan said, "Daddy, we won’t make you angry anymore."

Hong Luan said, "Daddy, they bullied us! Please help us get justice."

Sha Chen tapped their heads. "Alright, you three did something wrong, yet you’re still trying to argue? Hurry up and apologize to Her Highness. Offer her a cup of wine, and we’ll consider this matter settled."

All three were somewhat reluctant, but they were still very respectful towards Sha Chen. They reluctantly but respectfully admitted their mistakes and offered a toast.

The Queen of the West accepted, a peculiar expression on her face.

Sha Chen appeared to be scolding the three phoenixes, but in reality, he was trying to smooth things over with an apology and a toast. This was being protective to an extreme. After all, the three phoenix sisters had caused quite a stir on Kunlun Mountain and had consumed a considerable amount of its Elixirs and Immortal Herbs. To attempt to gloss over such a matter so lightly was indeed being overly protective.

The Queen of the West gave Sha Chen a meaningful look, but he pretended not to notice.

Instead, he smiled and said, "Alright, the toasts have been made, and you all know you were wrong. Make sure not to repeat such mistakes."

"Her Highness is an understanding and kind elder; she won’t hold it against you. Now, step back."

Hong Luan and Qing Luan both had rather fiery tempers, and asking them to apologize had been somewhat unpleasant for them.

However, Bai Luan was clever. She knew they were at fault and, seeing that they had returned and Sha Chen was having them apologize, understood he was clearly trying to minimize the trouble. She used a look to stop her sisters, signaling them to keep a low profile and not cause further issues.

The Queen of the West said with a peculiar expression, "Friend Daoist Sha Chen, your words seem to be cornering me. Heh. If I don’t agree, does that mean I’m in the wrong?"

"But if I do agree, I suffer a huge loss. It seems I’ll be in the wrong no matter what I choose."

She laughed and just watched Sha Chen.

Sha Chen sighed. He could have ignored the matter entirely, and the Queen of the West would have been powerless against him. With his strength, no one on Kunlun Mountain could challenge him. However, Sha Chen had always been one to treat others with goodwill. If no one offended him, he would not offend anyone.

The Queen of the West had no conflict with him. However, the three phoenix sisters had stolen Elixirs and Immortal Herbs from Kunlun Mountain and caused a disturbance. No matter how he looked at it, he was not in the right.

Sha Chen did not want the matter to get out of hand. He preferred to minimize major issues and resolve minor ones before they grew. Ideally, he would like to dissolve the matter into nothingness. However, judging from the Queen of the West’s words, it seemed she wasn’t willing to suffer such a significant loss.

Sha Chen sighed again, glared at the three sisters, and then said, "It was indeed wrong for my three daughters to steal the Elixirs and Immortal Herbs. How could I allow Your Highness to suffer a loss?"

"Let’s do this: I will compensate you with some Elixirs and Immortal Herbs. I do have top-quality Pantao peaches, but Your Highness has an entire orchard and wouldn’t care for them. Therefore, I will offer a Ginseng Fruit King in exchange."

The Queen of the West was startled. "Zhenyuanzi is at odds with you. How would he give you a Ginseng Fruit?"

Sha Chen replied, "This isn’t a Ginseng Fruit from Wuzhuang Temple, but one from my Flowing Sand River. It’s more than ten times potent than Zhenyuanzi’s."

With a wave of his hand, a Ginseng Fruit appeared on the table, its size, luster, and plumpness far superior to those from Wuzhuang Temple.

The Queen of the West was astounded, then smiled with sudden understanding.

"No wonder your followers all possess such outstanding talent, though they were unremarkable before. Aside from your guidance, this Ginseng Fruit and the Pantao peaches you previously acquired must have played a significant role."

As expected of the Queen of the West, she grasped the crux of many matters from this single Ginseng Fruit.

Sha Chen smiled slightly and said, "These are ultimately external aids. Their success is entirely due to their own efforts."

The Queen of the West laughed. "Though the Ginseng Fruit is precious, it barely compensates for the one Approaching-Divine Medicine they consumed. As for the other Elixirs and Immortal Herbs... Very well, I’ll do you the courtesy, Friend Daoist, and not quibble over them."

She accepted the Ginseng Fruit and acted as if she were doing Sha Chen a favor by not pursuing the matter further.

Sha Chen chuckled nonchalantly.

The Queen of the West must have come here for a reason, Sha Chen mused. There would surely be a time when she would need to ask him for help.