Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Lay Down the Butcher’s Knife and Become a Buddha Right Away【Seeking Collection, Seeking Recommendation】_1
From the sidelines, Marshal Tianpeng furrowed his brows. He felt a persistent irritation. However, he knew his place and remained silent.
Sha Chen said, "Sir Li must have heard that Marshal Tianpeng has gone missing."
Great White Plane replied, "He’s already a criminal, demoted to the mortal realm. His whereabouts are none of my concern. And what if he goes missing?"
Sha Chen said, "Does Sir Li truly believe that everything is unrelated to you?"
Great White Plane replied, "Of course."
Sha Chen asked, "Sir, was Marshal Tianpeng really demoted for harassing Chang E and nothing else?"
Great White Plane said with finality, "That has already been determined."
Sha Chen questioned, "Then why not just cripple him or directly send him to the Immortal Slaying Stage for execution?"
Great White Plane naturally responded, "That’s because this is the judgment that was handed down."
Sha Chen replied, "I once served at His Majesty’s side and am familiar with the heavenly decrees. This charge doesn’t stand."
Great White Plane angrily retorted, "How dare you! What right do you have to question the heavenly decrees?"
Sha Chen said, "I dare not, but I do feel that the punishment for Marshal Tianpeng is inappropriate. What’s more inappropriate, Sir, is that you did not plead on his behalf."
As Sha Chen spoke, he glanced at Zhu Bajie by his side. Seeing Zhu Bajie’s expression grow complicated, Sha Chen watched Great White Plane through the formation. Zhu Bajie, too, wanted to know why Great White Plane hadn’t spoken up for him.
Sha Chen knew the answer but couldn’t say it. He had to let Great White Plane speak first. Otherwise, how could he, the Great General for Folding the Curtain, explain that he knew about the Journey to the West?
Great White Plane suddenly sighed and said, "You do not know everything. I am doing this for his own good."
"Moreover, the reason I came to see you is for your benefit as well. Since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you the truth," he continued with a faint smile.
"Buddhism has set its sights on you and Tianpeng. His Majesty the Jade Emperor is most reluctant, but for the sake of your futures, he is prepared to let you go."
"It was destiny that decreed Tianpeng’s demotion to the mortal realm so that he could join Buddhism. And it is also your destiny to join Buddhism."
Sha Chen pursed his lips and said, "I won’t join Buddhism."
Great White Plane laughed and replied, "You don’t understand. Joining Buddhism will be nothing but beneficial for you, promising a boundless future."
Sha Chen didn’t want to discuss further. As long as he didn’t agree or participate in the calamity of the Journey to the West, didn’t become a demon in the water, and didn’t give Buddhism a chance, he wouldn’t become a Buddhist.
Suddenly Sha Chen asked, "If you wanted Tianpeng to join Buddhism, why was he pushed into the animal realm and reborn in a pig’s body when he was reincarnated?"
Zhu Bajie stood stunned to the side. He had always believed it was his mistake, having been mistakenly reincarnated into a pig’s womb. From Sha Chen’s implication, it seemed there was more to the story.
Great White Plane said, "It seems you know something. Perhaps you’ve heard about Marshal Tianpeng’s situation. He needed to have the body of a beast so that after becoming a demon, Buddhism could convert him."
Sha Chen remained silent, just looking at Zhu Bajie. The implication was clear, and Zhu Bajie’s complexion turned exceedingly grim. It turned out that his current circumstances were all caused by the Heavenly Court. And yet, he had placed such trust in the Heavenly Court!
Seeing that Sha Chen was unwilling to relent, Great White Plane continued smilingly, "After Tianpeng joins Buddhism, he will have a better life. You now have this opportunity as well; be sure to seize it."
"All you have to do is become a demon in the water and wait for Buddhism to convert you. After that, you will have a place in Buddhism—perhaps even become a Bodhisattva, or maybe a Buddha."
Sha Chen sneered. His destiny was to be an Arhat. He was not inclined.
Great White Plane said, "You can now release your feelings of injustice and anger, go wild without restraint, and after becoming a Buddha, all will be forgiven. Why not do it?"
He was tempting Sha Chen.
"Rest assured, any sins you commit in the mortal realm will be cleansed by Buddhism; the Heavenly Court will not intervene. Come, you can freely release your evil thoughts."
A smile played on Great White Plane’s face. He didn’t believe anyone could be without evil thoughts and desires.
His personal offer was like granting Sha Chen a license to evade death. Whatever evils Sha Chen committed, he needn’t worry about being accountable; just lay down the butcher’s knife, and he could attain Buddhahood on the spot. Why wouldn’t he do it!? Great White Plane believed no one could refuse.
At this moment, a notification appeared:
"Having been presented with Great White Plane’s offer to become a demon in the water, you are faced with the following choices:
Choice One: Agree with Great White Plane, become a demon in the water, reign as a king of the mountain, and live freely. Reward: Magical Tool [Eight Diagrams Immortal Clothes]. Eight Diagrams Immortal Clothes: Wearing them allows invisibility and hiding of one’s aura.
Choice Two: Reject Great White Plane, continue to diligently cultivate. Reward: [Immortal Rice]. Immortal Rice: Rice imbued with immortal Qi; one peck of Immortal Rice can increase one hundred years of cultivation."
Sha Chen felt a surge of excitement. He hadn’t expected another task to appear before the last one was even completed. And the last task hadn’t been canceled! As long as he completed it, he would continue to receive rewards. His last choice was to peacefully dissuade Li Changgeng, which would earn him the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji. As for his current option, he chose the second without a moment’s hesitation.
Sha Chen smiled and said, "I’m sorry, Sir, but I do not wish to leave, much less become a demon in the water. I just want to cultivate here and nothing else."
Li Changgeng was flabbergasted. He hadn’t expected Sha Chen to reject him. After baring his soul to Sha Chen and offering him a series of indulgences, Sha Chen still refused! Was he even human?!
He asked incredulously, "Do you not understand my meaning? After Buddhism comes, all your sins will be cleansed."
He was overtly telling Sha Chen that it was no issue to commit wrongdoing: after Buddhism arrived, he would simply have to lay down the butcher’s knife. That was all.
Yet Sha Chen refused again, leaving Li Changgeng bewildered and somewhat angry.
Seeing Li Changgeng about to become enraged again, Sha Chen quickly said, "Presumably, the Heavenly Court has the same plan for Marshal Tianpeng, right?"
Li Changgeng replied, "Correct. This is your good fortune. Join Buddhism, and your future will be boundless."
Sha Chen said, "I only wish to cultivate and not concern myself with worldly affairs."
Li Changgeng retorted, "This is fate. You cannot escape it."
Sha Chen stated, "Staying here is my fate."
Li Changgeng was so furious he nearly had a heart attack. He was about to destroy the formation and force Sha Chen when Sha Chen hastily said, "Sir, why trouble yourself with me? Actually, the reason I know about Marshal Tianpeng is that he came looking for me not long ago, but I refused him, and then he left."
Li Changgeng was taken aback. His eyes brightened as he said, "I will come back to check on you in a while. General for Folding the Curtain, you are an enlightened person. Think it over. All your sins will be washed away; why suffer needlessly?"
Then he turned and departed. He was worried Zhu Bajie might return unexpectedly, find him there, and pester him endlessly. Also, he planned to go back and send people to create trouble for Zhu Bajie, to make him suffer terribly, so that he would be easier for Buddhism to convert.
Regarding Sha Chen, Li Changgeng temporarily changed his mind. He reasoned that Sha Chen hadn’t taken the bait previously because he was worried about deepening his sins and losing any hope of reprieve. But now that he had a license to evade death, if faced with further provocation and temptation, Sha Chen would surely be unable to resist. Therefore, Li Changgeng left.
Sha Chen stood within the formation, locking eyes with Marshal Tianpeng. After a long while, Marshal Tianpeng gave an embarrassed and aggrieved smile, then slumped to the ground, a look of dejection on his face.