Chapter 183: Chapter 183

Sha Chen’s expression was solemn. The strange phenomena in the sky became increasingly exaggerated, and all the immortals gathered. He even saw Wang Lingguan. Wang Lingguan, the Jade Emperor’s favorite, had fought Sun Wukong during the latter’s uproar in the Heavenly Palace but had proven to be no match for the Monkey King. Sha Chen, once the Great General for Folding the Curtain, knew Wang Lingguan’s strength; in fact, Wang Lingguan had been his direct superior. In other words, Wang Lingguan was the head of the guards. Sha Chen had served as one of the Jade Emperor’s guards, and Wang Lingguan, as the chief of the guards, held a high position, wielded great authority, and was immensely powerful.

Wang Lingguan personally leading people to announce the decree!? Sha Chen wondered. No, that’s not right. The one carrying the divine decree is someone else; Wang Lingguan is merely part of the entourage.

The gods of the Thunder Department were all there too, but Taoist Master Gou was conspicuously absent. Among those who came to dance, some were familiar; they seemed to be from the dance troupe of Guanghan Palace. Sha Chen also saw a familiar face—it was Fairy Chang E. To his surprise, she had also come, most likely leading the dancers.

Such grandeur! Chang E’s arrival with Wang Lingguan in tow represented the will of the Jade Emperor. Wen Quxing, with the divine decree, represented all the officials. The significance of this heavenly decree was beyond imagination. This is no ordinary matter, Sha Chen felt. I fear I’ll have to make a monumental decision. Anyway, Sha Chen thought, the grandiosity of this occasion surpasses even the Heavenly Court’s offer of amnesty and enlistment to Sun Wukong by no small measure.

Sha Chen instantly became vigilant. At the same time, he began to look around cautiously, sweeping out his Divine Sense and surveying his surroundings with his divine eyesight. For him, Downwind Ear was no longer sufficient; his Daluo Golden Immortal Divine Sense was much more useful. He would need an even better auditory Divine Power.

Sha Chen didn’t find anything unusual. It seemed that there was no ambush from the Heavenly Court. But why such pomp and circumstance? he wondered. Sha Chen knew that the Heavenly Court definitely planned to announce the decree, and it seemed they assumed he wouldn’t resist, so they hadn’t bothered with an ambush. After careful thought, Sha Chen shook his head. Or perhaps it’s not that they think I won’t resist, he mused, but that they believe even if I do, there’s no escape for me.

With Wang Lingguan present, it wouldn’t be easy for Sha Chen to just walk away. What’s more, where could he go in this vast world? He might escape this time but not the next, unless he desired to be a drifter for life. That was not the life Sha Chen wanted.

Let’s wait and see what they want to do, Sha Chen murmured quietly to himself, but he was already prepared; if things really went awry, he would pack up his entire cave dwelling and take it with him. At worst, he would go overseas, find an uninhabited place, and hide again. If he could avoid trouble for a moment, then he would.

The supernatural spectacle grew, and the scent was intoxicating. Wen Quxing and his party had arrived above the Flowing Sand River. With a mere wave of his hand, the river parted, revealing Sha Chen’s Black Tortoise Cave—majestic and imposing. It was the first time the immortals had witnessed such a sight, and they were all inwardly shocked. However, they had good control of their emotions and did not show any signs of distress.

The dancing maidens stopped their performance and retreated to Fairy Chang E’s side, each looking around curiously. They could not understand why a mere former Great General for Folding the Curtain, now a demoted general, deserved their dance as an opening act. Such an honor was previously reserved for immortals with extraordinary achievements. What great achievements could a penalized general claim? they wondered. Despite their doubts, they dared not show it and simply observed. From what they could see for now, this man’s cave abode was truly magnificent and grand. That was all.

Only Chang E’s eyes shone brightly. She knew the reason for this visit and was secretly looking forward to it. If Sha Chen truly accepted the Heavenly Court’s offer of amnesty and enlistment, he could ascend to Heaven, and they could be together more often.

Wen Quxing looked around and stroked his beard. "Where is the former Great General for Folding the Curtain, Sha Chen?" he called out. "His Majesty the Jade Emperor has decreed; come out quickly to receive the order!"

The importance of the decree was exceptional; hence, the thunderous sounds from the Thunder Department were meant to add to the majesty of the divine command. Sha Chen, inside his dwelling, merely frowned and did not go out.

At that moment, Ao Lie and his sister Ao Mengmeng had emerged from their seclusion and come to Sha Chen’s side. Upon witnessing this spectacle, they couldn’t help but marvel. The Dragon Girl even thought these people were here to arrest her. But on second thought, it seemed she didn’t have such influence.

Ao Lie said, "Brother, it looks like the Jade Emperor wishes to bestow a decree upon you. With such pomp, could it be that he intends to pardon your crimes and summon you to enjoy the blessings of Heaven?"

The Dragon Girl also paused, exclaiming in surprise, "That’s possible! After all, brother, you’ve stepped into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. The Heavenly Court must know of your prowess and certainly aims to recruit you."

The siblings’ thoughts were simple and direct, but they had guessed correctly.

However, Sha Chen said, "Without merits or achievements, the Heavenly Court has no reason to change its command overnight and recruit me." Though he spoke thus, his heart was somewhat worried. He worried that if the Heavenly Court truly sought to recruit him, what choice should he make. After all, he was inwardly resistant. If I actually refuse, he thought, will it be seen as defying the decree? Will the Jade Emperor mistake me for scoffing at heavenly authority and deploy troops against me? Even with the cultivation of a Daluo Golden Immortal, he did not feel he had the power to contend with the Heavenly Court. Having served in the Heavenly Court, Sha Chen was acutely aware of its power. The number of immortals at the Daluo Golden Immortal level probably exceeded the count of two hands, not to mention the existence of the even more powerful Quasi-Saints. To directly confront the Heavenly Court is to seek death.

While Sha Chen was lost in his anxious thoughts, Wen Quxing’s voice once again reached him, summoning him to come out and receive the decree. Sha Chen felt he could no longer feign ignorance in the face of such a scene. He thus materialized an apparition at the entrance of his dwelling, ten thousand zhang tall, overseeing the immortals below. Content originally comes from N0veI.Fiɾe.net

It seemed as though the immortals, recognizing his disrespect, rose on clouds and mist, arriving above the surface of the Flowing Sand River, looking down at Sha Chen from the clouds. Sha Chen’s apparition was quite satisfied, slowly closing the Flowing Sand River, only revealing half of his body. Sha Chen’s true self in his Black Tortoise Cave was even more satisfied, feeling completely secure. He had done this deliberately to force the people from the Heavenly Court out of the Flowing Sand River, giving him this simplest layer of protection. It gave him some breathing space, more or less.

Sha Chen clasped his fists and said, "Commoner Sha Chen greets all you Heavenly Masters."

Most of them were seeing Sha Chen for the first time, although he had previously followed closely by the Jade Emperor’s side. But at that time, Sha Chen was not qualified to catch their discerning eyes, and they had always neglected him. Now, with the chance to proclaim the edict, they took a close look and discovered the uniqueness of the man before them. Tall and muscular, with a stature like a true dragon clinging to his form, he emitted an overwhelming aura. Disheveled, he looked like an ancient demon god. Standing in the Flowing Sand River, he resembled a giant entering a bathhouse. In front of him, they felt as tiny as dust, as frail as ashes.

Wen Quxing said, "Sha Chen, why do you not appear in your true form? Such disrespect! What should the crime be?"

Sha Chen replied, "This commoner has committed disrespect and is willing to accept the punishment."

Wen Quxing was taken aback for a moment, unable, at that instant, to respond. He had come to pardon Sha Chen, and more importantly, to offer him amnesty and enlistment, allowing him to ascend to Heaven and become an official. But in the end, before the imperial edict could even be read, Sha Chen actually admitted his guilt and accepted punishment!? This turn of events was completely unexpected.

Even Wang Lingguan and Chang E were stunned, not expecting Sha Chen to willingly admit his guilt and accept punishment. When did he become so obedient? they wondered. It was said that Li Changgeng had come three times before, each time leaving disappointed, and now the task of delivering the edict fell upon Wen Quxing. Yet unexpectedly, Sha Chen was so easy to talk to. It seemed that old fellow Li Changgeng had been truly ineffective.

However, even though Sha Chen was willing to accept punishment, Wen Quxing could not simply do that. Otherwise, what would he do after the imperial edict was read aloud? On one hand, a confession, and on the other, a pardon; his authority would be utterly diminished.

"Ahem," Wen Quxing coughed, stroking his beard. "Recognizing one’s mistakes and correcting them is most commendable. Present your true form, and all will be well."

Yet Sha Chen said, "I do not wish to come out."

Wen Quxing nearly pulled out his own beard in frustration. You acknowledge your fault and accept punishment, yet refuse to reform!? What is this situation!? He was baffled.

So were all the immortals. Even Wang Lingguan was dumbstruck, all the while frowning; Something’s not right, he thought.

Chang E felt a headache coming on; she knew that Sha Chen was always so cautious. But with so many present, it was not proper for her to telepathically communicate the details of the imperial edict—to tell Sha Chen to stop resisting, come out peacefully to accept the decree, ascend to Heaven as an official, and live with her as kindred spirits.

Wen Quxing coughed again and said, "Why not?"

Sha Chen replied, "I fear death."

Wen Quxing could not hold back this time and plucked a handful of his beard, grimacing with pain. Fear death!? he thought incredulously. What an absurd reason! You’re a Daluo Golden Immortal! When you were slaughtering in all directions, I don’t recall you saying you feared death! Now we’re here to proclaim the edict! Moreover, fairies are leading the way, celestial music is playing! As a former Great General for Folding the Curtain, surely you know what this means!? It signifies a reward! And despite all this, you still fear death!?

Wen Quxing said, "General for Folding the Curtain, we are a righteous force acting on behalf of Heaven, here to declare the imperial edict. What have you to fear?"

Sha Chen said, "I just fear that you all want to kill me."

Wen Quxing responded, "You need not worry, General. Although the edict has not yet been read, I can assure you, it contains a reward, not a punishment. There is no need for fear." This served as a reassurance for Sha Chen.

All the immortals laughed, witnessing for the first time a Daluo Golden Immortal so cowardly. Yet, his luck was indeed good; the Jade Emperor himself had personally decreed a reward. Everyone waited for Sha Chen to come out and receive the title, but Sha Chen showed no sign of action.

Wen Quxing said in astonishment, "General, what other concerns do you have? Come forth in your true form to accept the decree! Otherwise, it is a great disrespect."

Sha Chen replied, "This commoner is willing to accept the punishment for great disrespect."

Wen Quxing nearly fainted from anger. Here we go again! he fumed internally. Why are you so keen on being punished!?

The immortals were all bewildered. This former Great General for Folding the Curtain is truly bizarre. What on earth is going on? they wondered.

Wang Lingguan, however, understood. Sha Chen was not seeking punishment; he was being extremely cautious. Li Changgeng had explained Sha Chen’s nature to him, and now he saw it clearly. Sha Chen was simply cautious, worrying that they, numerous and powerful, would take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack and storm his dwelling, or rush upon him en masse and capture him. Perhaps others did not possess the strength, but he, Wang Lingguan, represented a significant threat to Sha Chen.

Once Wang Lingguan realized this, he said with a smile, "General for Folding the Curtain, I have come because you were once a subordinate of mine. But after this edict is proclaimed today, you will be only one rank below me, serving as my deputy. I am here to congratulate you and to assign your tasks; I bear no ill will."

His words clarified the content of the imperial edict: he was to be rewarded and made an official. Implicitly, he was saying, Come out quickly and show your gratitude!