Chapter 189: Chapter 189

Looking at the hideous and ugly Taoist Master Gou, Sha Chen was rather speechless. Though he wanted revenge, he didn’t want to act personally. After all, killing an Immortal, even a demoted one, could potentially lead to future trouble. Who knows what kind of connections Taoist Master Gou had in the Heavenly Court? Would someone seek revenge for him? Or did Taoist Master Gou have any powerful backers? Would killing him bring problems?

Therefore, Sha Chen hadn’t wanted to act himself. He merely wanted Chang E to help scheme, get Taoist Master Gou demoted to the mortal realm, and then let demons toy with him until he died. Or, he could send the Black Bear Spirit or Tianpeng to finish him off another day.

But Chang E had misunderstood his intention. Thinking he wanted to kill Taoist Master Gou to vent his anger, she had arranged for Gou to be completely stripped of his position and even delivered to this location. Now, Taoist Master Gou had neither status nor position to speak of; killing him wouldn’t incur any punishment under Heavenly Law. Chang E had calculated everything for Sha Chen. All that remained was for Sha Chen to personally kill Taoist Master Gou, vent his anger, and the matter would be closed. She was awaiting Sha Chen’s praise.

Taoist Master Gou stood outside the Flowing Sand River, shouting and bellowing, his rage seemingly boundless. However, Sha Chen could see that Taoist Master Gou was internally terrified; fear, not anger, dominated his gaze. His furious roars were likely a desperate attempt to mask his inner dread. He’s been demoted here, so he must know he’ll have to keep me company from now on, Sha Chen deduced. Wouldn’t that be a fate worse than death for him? That’s why he’s trying to intimidate me first. If he can scare me, all the better for him. If not, he’ll probably just resign himself to his fate. Or, he might simply flee, disobeying the imperial decree and refusing to be punished here.

After all, Gou himself had witnessed Sha Chen’s heaven-defying power. Even if the entire Thunder Department attacked together, they might not stand a chance against Sha Chen, let alone Gou by himself.

Sha Chen remained silent for a moment, then decided to reveal himself and assert his authority. Apart from Taoist Master Gou, no one else was around, so he manifested in his true form.

The waters of the Flowing Sand River parted, revealing a clearing. The Black Tortoise Mansion stood behind the clearing, and Sha Chen appeared before his cave abode, hands clasped behind his back, his presence commanding and imposing. His massive stature seemed to touch the sky, and in an instant, the Flowing Sand River only reached his waist.

Seeing Sha Chen truly appear, Taoist Master Gou was petrified, as if death itself had struck him. He stumbled backward repeatedly, no longer daring to utter any insults.

He stammered in terror, "Sha Chen, you—you—why have you come out?"

Sha Chen retorted, "Didn’t you demand I come out? Well, I’m out. What’s wrong? Not happy to see me?"

Taoist Master Gou’s eyes darted around, trembling with shock. I’ll try one more time, he thought. If I can scare Sha Chen, then so be it. Otherwise, I’ll have to flee for my life. Sha Chen won’t leave this place, so if I flee, he surely won’t be able to catch up, nor can he do anything to me. However, from then on, I’d be an unlisted fugitive, never having a chance to return to the Heavenly Court. Disobeying orders would be enough to make me a fugitive for the rest of my life.

With clouds and thunder surging behind him and a ferocious expression, Taoist Master Gou bellowed, "Sha Chen, you’ve made me suffer greatly! Don’t you feel even a shred of guilt?"

Sha Chen asked, "How have I harmed you?"

Taoist Master Gou shot back, "Still denying it? If it weren’t for you, why would the Jade Emperor have punished me and sent me here?"

Sha Chen countered, "Wasn’t it because you coveted beauty and violated the Heavenly Laws?"

Taoist Master Gou roared, "That alone wasn’t enough for such a severe punishment! It’s only because Chang E, that damned widow, compared me to you that the Jade Emperor sentenced me so harshly!"

Sha Chen said, "Ultimately, the fault was yours from the beginning. As for me, I made a mistake and am being punished here. That’s only natural."

Taoist Master Gou roared, "I don’t want to be punished alongside you!"

Sha Chen replied, "If that’s the case, then disobey the celestial decree and flee for your life. Why are you here shouting and cursing at me?"

Taoist Master Gou frowned, puzzled by Sha Chen’s words, which seemed to imply he didn’t want to kill him. Suddenly, it dawned on him. Could it really be as King Li said? Is Sha Chen cowardly and extremely cautious? Does he think that since I, an official, have been demoted here, there’s still a chance for my reinstatement, and hence he doesn’t want to provoke me, pretending to forget past grievances out of fear?

The more Taoist Master Gou thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. So, he probed, "Sha Chen, what if I am willing to stay here?"

Sha Chen replied, "If the celestial decree requires you to reflect on your actions here, then stay."

He really doesn’t dare to harm me! Taoist Master Gou thought, now certain. He thinks I can be bullied! He breathed a sigh of relief, also thinking he might have a chance to control Sha Chen. Even though Sha Chen is already a Daluo Golden Immortal, he’s still a convict. He must be terrified of making more mistakes. Plus, he’s worried I’ll be reinstated, so he wouldn’t dare touch me!

Taoist Master Gou immediately became arrogant and declared, "I can stay, but you must divide your cave abode with me. From now on, I’ll take the east side, and you take the west. You are not allowed to cross the boundary without my permission."

Sha Chen was baffled.

Such audacity! Sha Chen thought. Sparing this scoundrel was already merciful enough. Allowing him to build a thatched hut in a corner of Flowing Sand River to reflect on his misdeeds was already a tremendous act of grace. Yet he even wants my cave abode!

Sha Chen furrowed his brows.

Taoist Master Gou’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Sha Chen disagrees?

Fearing he was pushing things too far, he said, "Seeing your hesitation, do you think I would actually rob you of your cave dwelling? Fine, just assign a few palaces to me."

Sha Chen’s face turned grim.

Taoist Master Gou nearly wept in frustration. This is unacceptable, that’s unacceptable! What exactly do you want?

Sha Chen stated flatly, "Taoist Master Gou, I call you Heavenly Master out of politeness. If I weren’t being polite, you’d be less than a dog to me."

Just as Taoist Master Gou was about to explode in rage, Sha Chen scoffed coldly, "You are merely a demoted immortal. What right do you have to be so insolent before me?

"Let alone the fact that you’ve been demoted; even if you were reinstated to your original post, could you act so haughty and superior in my presence?"

Taoist Master Gou exclaimed furiously, "How dare you! Do you not fear that His Majesty will pardon me? When that happens, in my thunderous wrath, you will be burned to ashes!"

Sha Chen retorted coldly, "Not to mention that the likelihood of you being reinstated is zero. Even if you truly were, so what?"

A murderous intent radiated from him; he was already considering killing Gou. Since Chang E went to the trouble of sending him here, wouldn’t failing to kill him be a waste of her kind intentions?

Taoist Master Gou sensed the icy killing intent and was scared to death. He hurriedly said, "Enough, enough! Since you are so stingy and refuse to grant me a place, then I will not enter your cave dwelling."

He quickly added, "I’ll just find a quiet place outside the cave dwelling to reflect upon myself thrice daily. Is that permissible?" His tone already carried a hint of pleading.

Sha Chen said, "That might have been possible before. But not anymore."

Taoist Master Gou asked, "Why not?"

Sha Chen declared, "This isn’t a place you can come and go as you please. Flowing Sand River is my domain now."

Taoist Master Gou exclaimed angrily, "This is land of the Three Realms! Since when has it belonged to you?"

Sha Chen stared at him icily. "Are you challenging my word?"

Taoist Master Gou was utterly terrified, thinking he might soon meet his end. Weren’t they saying he’s meek and overly cautious? How can he be this domineering? He must think I’m completely harmless, so he has no reservations about killing me! Woe is me!

Terrified for his life, Taoist Master Gou fell to his knees on the water’s surface.

"General for Folding the Curtain, spare me! Please, spare me! This humble immortal was only following orders. My past actions were not intended to target you specifically. Please let me go! I acknowledge my mistakes!"

He had no choice; Sha Chen was too powerful. If he continued to act defiantly, he would only be shattered. He couldn’t win a fight; he would only end up beaten to death.

Sha Chen snorted. "Tell me, who sent you?"

Taoist Master Gou stammered, not daring to speak clearly. Sha Chen then flew into a rage, ready to strike him dead with the Undefined Flying Rings.

Terrified, Taoist Master Gou pleaded repeatedly, "General for Folding the Curtain, spare my life! Please, spare me! I’ll tell you everything! It was Li—"

"Stop!" A voice thundered from the sky.

Vast numbers of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals appeared. In the distance were Li Jing and his sons, along with other renowned figures like Nezha, the Crown Prince, and the Mighty Miracle God. It was the standard Li Family army, fully mobilized.

Are they here for me? Sha Chen wondered, instantly wary. He considered retreating, but Taoist Master Gou had to die, and he still needed to identify the mastermind. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NovelHub(.)net

He shouted, "Taoist Master Gou, speak quickly! Who is the person behind you?"

When Taoist Master Gou saw Li Jing leading the troops, he was both terrified and overjoyed. King Li must be here to protect me! he thought, suddenly unwilling to confess.

He then sneered, "Who’s backing me? You desperately want to know? A moment ago, when I knelt and begged for mercy, you refused. Now, if you kneel and beg me, perhaps I’ll be merciful enough to tell you."

Enraged, Sha Chen struck out with the Undefined Flying Rings.

Taoist Master Gou panicked. Sha Chen was already a Daluo Golden Immortal; any casually cast spell from him could easily overwhelm Gou, let alone an attack with a Magical Tool. The impact would be earth-shattering. The Undefined Flying Rings, like a great mountain, circled and then smashed towards Taoist Master Gou’s head. If it hit, his head would likely burst open.

Taoist Master Gou cried out in terror, "King Li, save me!"

But it was too late. Sha Chen had already struck Taoist Master Gou dead. Only his Primordial Spirit managed to escape, fleeing in terror towards the Heavenly Court.

"Capture it!" Li Jing commanded, throwing out his Linglong Tower, which swiftly ensnared the fleeing Primordial Spirit.

Li Jing then roared, "Sha Chen, you’ve gone too far! Killing a fellow immortal! This commander will apprehend you and escort you to the Heavenly Court for judgment!"

Sha Chen looked at him with scorn. Although Li Jing’s cultivation might not have reached the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, he clearly had the chance to save Taoist Master Gou earlier. If he had thrown the Linglong Tower sooner, my Undefined Flying Rings might not have succeeded. But Li Jing purposely delayed his action, allowing me to kill Taoist Master Gou, and then he used the Linglong Tower to capture the Primordial Spirit instead of saving him directly. Now, Taoist Master Gou’s fate is entirely in Li Jing’s hands. I no longer need Taoist Master Gou to tell me; his backer must be Li Jing. Truly worthy of being the head of the so-called first family of the Heavenly Court, flourishing so much after the Divine Enthronement. It seems no one in the Heavenly Court can match the Li Family’s influence.

Sha Chen sneered internally but didn’t argue with Li Jing. He turned to return to his cave abode.

Li Jing, however, had no intention of letting the matter drop so easily. After all, he had ostensibly come to rescue someone; the public facade had to be maintained.

He bellowed, "Sha Chen, you defy the majesty of Heaven by killing a colleague! You are to be punished by death! I will capture you and escort you to the Heavenly Court for judgment!"

With a wave of his hand, Li Jing commanded, "All soldiers, advance with me! Seize this villain, Sha Chen!"

Led by Li Jing, tens of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers and Generals descended from the sky.

Sha Chen stood as imposing as a mountain, his aura seemingly vast enough to span heaven and earth. Muscles like dragons coiled around his frame, the Wings of Wind and Thunder spread from his back, and he manifested three heads and six arms, each wielding a Magical Tool.

His expression was icy as he asked, "King Li, are you truly determined to fight me?"