Chapter 190: Chapter 190

Li Jing, who was leading his troops in a charge, suddenly felt a lurch in his heart.

The celestial soldiers and generals also sneered.

Fight? Was there any doubt about it?

They had emerged en masse not to joke around with Sha Chen, but to execute the Jade Emperor’s orders and, incidentally, supervise Sha Chen’s punishment.

Now that Li Jing felt he could make a move, they were, of course, ready to do so.

Would they be kidding around with Sha Chen?

However, the celestial soldiers and generals never considered that Li Jing wasn’t taking this seriously; he was just bluffing.

He had already devised a strategy to win Sha Chen over; he had to pull Sha Chen into his camp.

He had even discussed with his wife, Yin Shi Niang, the idea of marrying their daughter, Li Zhenying, to Sha Chen.

That was a significant investment.

It was just that his daughter wasn’t very agreeable to the idea.

As for the present, it was purely a show. Taoist Master Gou had been deliberately allowed to be killed by Sha Chen, and what Li Jing wanted to achieve was to tell the world that he, King Li, was incorruptible.

He could not tolerate the slightest wrongdoing and would punish evil and promote good.

If Sha Chen killed Taoist Master Gou, then that was a mistake, and he would take action to teach him a lesson.

By comparison, Sha Chen could also figure out Li Jing’s thoughts.

Li Jing always felt that Sha Chen was certainly a smart person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have so quickly reached the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.

Sha Chen must have also seen that Li Jing had deliberately slowed down, allowing Sha Chen to kill Taoist Master Gou.

Li Jing felt that by doing this, he would give Sha Chen the impression that it was intentional—to let Sha Chen exact revenge and thus owe him a favor.

But Sha Chen wouldn’t think so. He didn’t feel indebted; instead, he now knew that Li Jing was the mastermind behind Taoist Master Gou.

Therefore, towards Li Jing, there was only anger.

Gratitude? Go to hell with it!

As for Li Jing’s purpose in leading his troops here, Sha Chen also had a general idea: Li Jing wanted to be a hypocrite while building a monument to his own virtue.

Using my hand to remove the troublemaker Taoist Master Gou, and then he’ll attack me.

Wanting to have his cake and eat it too. Damnable dog!

If it had been before, when Sha Chen’s power wasn’t enough, he naturally would have had to swallow his pride, perhaps even punish himself with three cups of liquor, admit his faults, and apologize.

Without a second word, he would have retreated to the Flowing Sand River Cave, closed the doors, and refused visitors.

But now? You expect me to play along?!

The celestial soldiers and generals Li Jing had brought looked formidable, but there wasn’t a single Daluo Golden Immortal among them. The strongest were Li Jing, his son Nezha, and the Four Sky Kings.

The rest weren’t fit for battle.

Sha Chen was not afraid, even if they all attacked together.

Therefore, he directly asked: if Li Jing really wanted to fight, then he would fight.

After all, if the Jade Emperor truly made an inquiry, Sha Chen was on the side of justice and would certainly expose the fact that Taoist Master Gou had been serving Li Jing.

At that point, if blame was pursued, it would fall on Li Jing.

Even with Li Jing’s illustrious status, and even if the Jade Emperor might not act against him, the Jade Emperor would surely be displeased with him.

That in itself would be the biggest blow to Li Jing.

Considering the Li Family’s nature of hedging bets everywhere, it was clear that Li Jing cherished his reputation and would never let it be tarnished.

Oppressing colleagues, forming cliques for personal gain... These two accusations would probably cause his status to plummet.

Li Jing also frowned and transmitted a message to Sha Chen, saying, "Sha Chen, I know you understand my intention. Making a show of fighting you is just a gesture. You won’t be harmed, so why take it so seriously?"

Sha Chen sneered and did not respond with words. Instead, he roared, his voice like thunder, "King Li, if you want a battle, I will give you one! We fight until one of us falls!"

His aura was vast, his killing intent overwhelming.

Three heads and six arms—a Daluo Golden Immortal.

Three Flowers Gathering at the Top, Five Qis Converging to the Origin!

Such power was earth-shattering.

Li Jing became frightened, and the celestial soldiers and generals were also considerably shaken.

Are we capable of defeating such a Daluo Golden Immortal? We fear that today we might force Sha Chen to rebel, only to meet our end here!

Nezha was equally stunned and quickly said, "Father King, Taoist Master Gou provoked the General for Folding the Curtain first; he deserved to be killed. Besides, he was already a convicted man, demoted to the mortal realm. He’s no longer a Heavenly Master and doesn’t count as a Divine Official of the Heavenly Court anymore. His death is none of our concern."

"Why must you be so stubborn, Father King? Even if you wish to remember the camaraderie between colleagues, it doesn’t justify being so unreasonable. Please, Father King, retract the order and spare the General for Folding the Curtain any difficulty."

This was Nezha giving Li Jing a way out.

Li Jing immediately seized the opportunity. He waved his hand, and Lieutenant Fish Fork raised the command flag. Instantly, the celestial soldiers and generals halted their advance. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel_fіre.net

They stopped in their tracks, standing amidst the clouds in the sky.

Li Jing stroked his beard and said, "My son speaks wisely. I was blinded by anger and had forgotten that Taoist Master Gou is no longer a Divine Official. Alas, it still pains my heart that he has died."

Nezha said, "Father King, since you cannot bear it, why not return to the Heavens to request an official status for him and arrange for his reincarnation?"

Li Jing replied, "That is indeed the appropriate course of action."

The father and son played off each other, presenting an image of great righteousness before everyone.

Nezha might not know any better, but to me, Li Jing has quite the air of Cao Cao.

Seeing that there would be no fight, Sha Chen couldn’t be bothered to press the issue.

As for exposing Li Jing’s dirty deeds, that also wasn’t what Sha Chen wanted; after all, he didn’t want Li Jing to come after him.

He just wanted to practice his cultivation in peace.

Besides, holding this leverage over Li Jing might allow me to threaten him and make him think twice in the future.

Li Jing said, "All of you, return first. I need to take a moment here to mourn the noble spirit of Taoist Master Gou and also have a heart-to-heart with the General for Folding the Curtain to convey His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s intentions."

The officers and soldiers then, under the leadership of the Four Sky Kings, withdrew to the Ninth Heaven Southern Heaven Gate.

As Nezha left, his eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions.

He had originally wanted to spar with Sha Chen. He had even boasted that once *he* stepped into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, Sha Chen would no longer have a chance to fight him.

But now, *he* was still only a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, while Sha Chen had already become a Daluo Golden Immortal—someone he dared not provoke.

With everyone gone, Sha Chen also planned to return to his cave dwelling.

But Li Jing was too close for comfort. Sha Chen didn’t want to simply open the cave entrance and return, lest this fellow try something sneaky and follow him in.

So, he frowned and said, "King Li, there’s no one else around; there’s no need for pretense. Taoist Master Gou was your man. With him dead, you must be pleased, right? Besides, his body has perished, but his Dao has not been extinguished; he can still be reincarnated. So why mourn?"

Li Jing chuckled. "General for Folding the Curtain, why must you be so aloof?"

He continued with a smile, "My visit here is actually for your benefit. My previous actions were not intended to harm you, but to protect you."

Sha Chen sneered. Plotting against me, setting me up, and yet he claims he was protecting me?

Does that mean I was ungrateful and blind to his kindness for retaliating?

Sha Chen chuckled. "King Li, what do you mean by this? Could it be that I was in the wrong?"

Li Jing replied, "There is no absolute right or wrong between us, merely differing interests. Now, I am here to align our interests."

He smiled faintly. "Well? Are you not going to invite me in to sit for a while?"

He was confident and composed, as if he had Sha Chen completely figured out, his demeanor utterly calm.

But Sha Chen was no slouch either.

In my presence, your schemes and tricks don’t matter; only the strength of one’s fists counts.

If Li Jing truly harmed his interests, pushing him to the point where he had to take action, Sha Chen would not hesitate.

However, under normal circumstances, he preferred not to make a move.

This wasn’t just his stance towards Li Jing, but towards anyone: if there was no need to fight, he wouldn’t.

But if push came to shove, he would not be polite.

If Li Jing truly pushed him too far, Sha Chen would ensure Li Jing wouldn’t leave unscathed.

Therefore, when Li Jing once again suggested he wanted to enter the cave dwelling, Sha Chen spoke, a hint of warning in his voice, "King Li, do you really want to go in? You know how indestructible the Black Tortoise formation of this cave is, don’t you? Aren’t you afraid it’s a one-way trip?"

Li Jing’s expression remained unchanged, and he still laughed heartily.

But Sha Chen could sense that deep down, Li Jing was actually apprehensive and fearful.

As expected, Li Jing laughed. "I always act with integrity. I command the seventy-two legions of Divine Generals of the Heavenly Court above and the forces of the Thirty-Three Heavens below. Surely, the General for Folding the Curtain wouldn’t act recklessly, would he?"

Sha Chen chuckled. "Of course not. Since King Li wishes to enter, then please, follow me inside."

Saying so, he opened the main entrance to his cave dwelling.

He gestured with an outstretched hand, inviting Li Jing to enter.

But his face was expressionless, his mind clear; he had already made a decision.

If Li Jing dares to enter, I will suppress him on the spot. I will only let him leave after confirming he will align with me and not betray me.

But then, the leadership of this alliance will be mine, not Li Jing’s.

Li Jing frowned slightly. He glanced at the entrance to the cave, then back at Sha Chen, and chuckled.

He then said, "Since the General for Folding the Curtain was previously inconvenienced, it would be unseemly for me to press the matter."

Then he laughed and said, "In that case, let us converse out here."

He doesn’t dare to enter.

Sha Chen chuckled, glanced at Li Jing, and said, "Since King Li doesn’t dare to enter, then I shall return inside."

Then, he went straight in and closed the main entrance of the cave.

Li Jing, standing outside, was stunned speechless.

His usual composure and self-assurance were nowhere to be seen, replaced by an incredulous look of disbelief.

Sha Chen actually shut me out, leaving me cooling my heels?!

He was the high and mighty King Li, the Pagoda-carrying Heavenly King, who administered the Heavenly Court above and the Thirty-Three Heavens below!

Even when meeting the Jade Emperor, he wouldn’t be left waiting outside, let alone here at the mere Flowing Sand River, a place of exile!

To think that a mere demoted general like Sha Chen had left me hanging out here!

Li Jing was seething, trembling with suppressed anger.

He clenched his fists, then released them, forcing a smile. Control yourself, you must control yourself, he thought. He bears a grudge for being manipulated by me; that’s only natural. Once he understands the benefits I’m offering, there will come a time when he respects me.

Li Jing then stood outside and shouted through the closed entrance, "General for Folding the Curtain! I have condescended to come here personally to offer you a tremendous benefit. Rejecting me at the door is irrational!"

Sha Chen, from inside the cave, retorted, "Earlier, I did invite you in, but you were too afraid."

Li Jing replied, "Never mind that now! Come out. We can find a secluded place and have a proper discussion."

Sha Chen, within his cave dwelling, scanned the surroundings of the Flowing Sand River but noticed nothing unusual.

It was just Li Jing alone, so Sha Chen wasn’t overly concerned.

As for Li Jing’s promised benefits, he didn’t care for them in the slightest.

He casually responded, "King Li, just say what you have to say. Though we’re separated by this door, it’s quiet enough here, with no one to disturb us."

Li Jing furrowed his brows. This Sha Chen is utterly disrespectful!

Nevertheless, he decided to speak plainly. Once this is settled, Sha Chen might even have to kowtow to me in gratitude!

So he said, "Juanlian! I intend to betroth my younger daughter, Li Zhenying, to you. Furthermore, I will arrange for your release from the Flowing Sand River. From then on, our two families will be joined in a harmonious alliance, inseparable through thick and thin. I will be your father-in-law, and you will be my most esteemed son-in-law! What do you say to that?!"