Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Guanyin Entrusted in a Dream, Elder Jin Chi [Seeking Collection and Recommendation Tickets] _1
At this moment, Sha Chen was in secluded meditation within the Flowing Sand River, hoping to break through to the realm of a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal.
However, his avatar had already been abducted by followers of King Guangling, a cultivator from overseas, and he feared that he might not be able to become a disciple of Immortal Taiyi.
This made him somewhat angry, as he was a cautious character who preferred to do everything in an orderly fashion. As a result, his plans had been disrupted, and his avatar, in whom he had placed great hopes, had been taken hostage.
Based on his understanding of overseas cultivators, he estimated that his avatar, Chen Sha, would either be used as cannon fodder or killed by them. In any case, he wouldn’t survive.
Sha Chen’s gaze flickered briefly. I must resolve this dilemma, but I cannot go overseas in person.
At this time, he found himself missing the spider spirit, Tianpeng, and even the Jade Rabbit a little. If any of them were here, Sha Chen would be able to arrange for them to rescue his avatar.
Just then, Buddhist chants came from beyond the Formation, causing Sha Chen’s expression to change slightly. He thought that Buddhism had completely run out of patience and intended to forcefully convert him to their fold.
He hurriedly used his Fiery Golden Eyes to look, but due to the Flowing Sand River being even more vast than it had been years ago, he found the figures on the riverbank somewhat blurred.
He sighed and said, "The Fiery Golden Eyes are ultimately lacking. If I had Yang Jian’s Heavenly Eye or Sun Wukong’s initial Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye, I wouldn’t be nearly blind underwater."
Sha Chen furrowed his brow as he looked, while his Divine Consciousness swept toward the riverbank, searching for the source of the Buddhist chants, and saw on the eastern bank, a young monk was reciting Buddhist scriptures and then, surprisingly, started calling out Sha Chen’s name.
"Great General for Folding the Curtain, I am Elder Jin Chi. Hearing of the General’s suffering in Flowing Sand River, I have decided to hold a Jin Chi Buddhist gathering and wish to invite the General to be my guest to cleanse himself of these afflictions. Please honor us with your presence," said the monk.
Sha Chen was stunned for a moment, his expression turning curious. When he first saw this young monk, he thought it might be a second Jin Chanzi, but to his surprise, it was actually Jin Chi!
Could this person be the renowned Elder Jin Chi from the Journey to the West—the one who stole Xuanzang’s kasaya, conspired with the Black Bear Spirit, inadvertently set himself on fire during an arson attempt, and, ashamed to meet others, committed suicide by running into a wall? Wasn’t it rumored that he only lived for 270 years? That was more than 400 years ago. He had already been born?
Sha Chen found it somewhat miraculous. This young monk was clearly Jin Chi. He must have hidden his true age in later times to avoid causing a sensation.
"A Lucky Person, Elder Jin Chi, has invited the host to participate in the Jin Chi Buddhist gathering. You have the following choices."
"Choice one: Accept Elder Jin Chi’s invitation, attend the Jin Chi Buddhist gathering, and experience the vastness of Buddhist Law, with the reward being [Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra]. Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra: A Mahayana Buddhist law comprehended by Guanyin, which prevents disturbance by inner demons and intrusion by evil spirits."
"Choice two: Refuse Elder Jin Chi’s invitation, continue in seclusion without emerging, with the reward being [Eight Diagrams Immortal Clothes]. Eight Diagrams Immortal Clothes: A magical tool of Guang Chengzi, adorned with the Eight Diagrams that can render one invisible."
Upon seeing this, Sha Chen immediately chose to refuse without hesitation.
He had never wanted to become a Buddha and was even less willing to become entangled in any way with Buddhism.
Elder Jin Chi was a devout follower of Guanyin Bodhisattva, whose dojo was the Guanyin Zen Temple, dedicated to monitoring the territories of the lower realms on Guanyin’s behalf. He even sought to reform the monsters within a certain radius. Otherwise, Guanyin wouldn’t have noticed a monster with talents like the Black Bear Spirit and taken it in as a guardian deity of the mountain.
In order to obtain the Black Bear Spirit, Guanyin gave one of the three gold circlets bestowed by the Tathagata to it, reflecting her high regard for the spirit. The Black Bear Spirit was the first formidable opponent Sun Wukong encountered after breaking his seal. They had exchanged one hundred moves without a clear victor, which showcased the spirit’s strength.
Elder Jin Chi holding a Buddhist gathering at this time and inviting Sha Chen made him feel this was likely a probe. Possibly, Buddhism was testing if he had any inclination to join their ranks. If so, perhaps he could be spared further turmoil and directly drawn in.
Sha Chen was no fool. He did not wish to become entangled in karma with Buddhism. Moreover, dealing with the likes of Elder Jin Chi, a loyal hound of Guanyin, was hardly appealing, yet this fellow proved to be incredibly patient. When Sha Chen ignored him, the elder recited Buddhist scriptures on the riverbank for three months.
Sha Chen, unable to cultivate due to the daily disturbances, had no choice but to manifest his shadow on the surface of the Flowing Sand River. Like the projection of a giant, he loomed over Elder Jin Chi, his expression stern and his physique immense.
In front of his shadow, Elder Jin Chi was no more than an ant, but the elder’s mouth curled into a smug smile.
He said, "General for Folding the Curtain, are you willing to attend the Buddhist assembly now?"
Sha Chen replied, "I am not willing. You may go."
Elder Jin Chi asked, "Why is the general unwilling?"
Sha Chen answered, "I simply wish to focus on my cultivation in seclusion. I have no interest in any assemblies. Please leave."
Elder Jin Chi said, "The general’s reluctance stems merely from a lack of deeper understanding of the Buddhist Law. Perhaps, I should continue to recite scriptures for the general, to allow for a more profound comprehension."
Sha Chen stated, "Elder, it’s nearing the fifteenth day of the eighth month."
Elder Jin Chi looked puzzled and responded, "What of it?"
Sha Chen explained, "On the night of the full moon, the Flowing Sand River swells with the tide."
Elder Jin Chi was taken aback. He suddenly realized that the riverbank, once a fair distance from him, was now but three feet away. One more wave, he figured, might be enough to engulf him.
Elder Jin Chi gritted his teeth. Sha Chen was threatening him. If he did not leave, the Flowing Sand River would swallow him up.
He was furious, yet helpless. Guanyin had come to him in a dream, instructing him to invite Sha Chen to the Buddhist assembly. He believed this to be an opportunity and, after discussing with a few close friends, decided to try and convert Sha Chen. But Sha Chen was proving to be impervious to persuasion.
Despite Buddhism’s high regard for him, Sha Chen could not care less. And given that his power at the time was merely that of a True Immortal, falling into the Flowing Sand River would most certainly mean death.
He had not revealed his mission on behalf of Guanyin. Sha Chen might really dare to kill him. After all, he did not know Sha Chen very well. He assumed him to be a rough and suffering brute who acted on a whim. If Sha Chen killed him, he would have nowhere to appeal.
After hesitating for a moment, he stood up.
Joining his hands together, he said, "General, you are fated with Buddhism; this is your good fortune. Why would you not attend the Buddhist assembly? Suffering here, how can you cultivate in peace? It would be better for you to come with me to the Guanyin Zen Temple. I will introduce you to a few fellow seekers with whom you share common goals, and you will not be lonely."
Sha Chen gazed at him with cold eyes, as his illusory image slowly vanished. But the Flowing Sand River began to churn with waves, like the sea.
Elder Jin Chi’s face changed dramatically. Seeing the giant wave approaching, he fled in terror.
Only after he had gone some distance did he look back at the now tranquil Flowing Sand River and curse furiously.
"Damn brute, missing such a good opportunity! It’s truly maddening when compared with others."
"How could the Bodhisattva not favor me but choose such a sinful brute instead?"
Elder Jin Chi left in a mixture of rage and jealousy, returning to the Guanyin Zen Temple with a heart full of burning envy.
Meanwhile, three individuals gathered together. One was a dark-skinned giant, while the other two appeared to be Daoist immortals of noble air.