Chapter 192: Chapter 192

Red Boy, engaged in endless battle with the demons, was already utterly exhausted. Guanyin, with her disciples and the assembly of monks, observed from a distance, her expression calm, as if she had Red Boy completely under control. However, Red Boy was oblivious to all of these circumstances, only wondering how these demons could be so formidable. His cultivation level had been steadily increasing over the years, and yet they could constantly pinpoint his location, pushing him to the brink of collapse and destruction. As a result, he could barely hold on and had fled back from overseas, planning to seek refuge with Sha Chen. But at this last stop, the demons had found him again.

He was only a hundred thousand miles away from Flowing Sand River, a distance he could cover in the time it took to drink a cup of tea on normal days. But now, surrounded and attacked by seventy-two Demon Kings, even ten miles seemed an insurmountable distance, let alone a hundred thousand miles. Before these Demon Kings took action, the Qitian Mountain where he resided had been fortified with a formation, making it difficult for him to escape. If not for the fact that Sha Chen’s elixirs had not all been sold, he estimated he would have already been defeated and perished at the hands of the demons.

Red Boy was filled with rage. He manifested three heads and six arms, and a great fire burned the sky. Fortunately, he had previously followed Sha Chen in cultivating the 72 Polymorphic Transformations and the Eight-Nine Profound Art, and had even enhanced his Samadhi True Fire. His mental strength had also greatly increased; otherwise, he had no idea how he would’ve managed to hold on up to this point. Even so, he was close to reaching his limit.

Muzha said, "Master, Red Boy can’t hold out much longer. Should we intervene? If he dies, Master, you will lose a potential attendant."

Guanyin replied, "No rush. He can last at least another hour." Then she looked towards the Pleiades Star Official beside her and said, "Star Lord, your mother Bodhisattva Pilanpo and I share a deep bond. She asked me to look after you. Now I give you an opportunity; be ready to seize it."

The Pleiades Star Official replied, "Bodhisattva, please impart your wisdom."

Guanyin pointed towards the reflection in the water curtain and said, "Among the seventy-two Demon Kings, the Centipede Demon King is the most formidable, already reaching the high rank of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal. He is on par with Red Boy. With your cultivation level, you’re no match for him directly, but if you use your divine needle from the shadows, you can surely triumph."

The Pleiades Star Official smiled and nodded; he was specially suited to counter the centipede spirit.

Guanyin continued, "When Red Boy is on the verge of death during the battle, you can step in and capture the Centipede Demon King. Then take him and the other Demon Kings away, and present them to your mother to guard the mountain." She then smiled and added, "After the Journey to the West begins, allow them to come down the mountain and establish their own domains to share the karmic rewards of the Journey to the West."

The Pleiades Star Official was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Guanyin nodded, waved her hand, and said, "Go."

The Pleiades Star Official immediately left to prepare. He needed to get closer to act unnoticed; from afar, it was difficult to use his magical tool effectively.

Once he had left, Muzha said, "Master, why give such a great advantage to them?"

Guanyin replied, "Within Buddhism, due to complications with the Journey to the West, Buddha has revoked many of my powers. I am left with fewer helpers, which will leave me isolated." Her gaze was far-reaching as she added, "I only need Red Boy. If he refuses to become an attendant, I can subdue him and force him back to his original form, using him as a mount if necessary." Then she closed her eyes to meditate, reciting the compassionate Buddhist scriptures.

Muzha continued to watch but suddenly looked towards the east, frowning, because he was very familiar with this area. It seemed that a hundred thousand miles to the east lay the territory of Flowing Sand River. Normally, he wouldn’t consider such a distance significant or make any connections. But it seemed like Red Boy had returned from overseas and headed eastward, with an air of embarking on an eastern journey. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Red Boy might be heading to Flowing Sand River. Yet this thought was fleeting, and he shook his head, deeming it impossible. Red Boy had previously had a major conflict with Sha Chen, even coming to blows. Heading to Flowing Sand River would be like walking into a trap.

But this thought arose, and he suddenly felt uneasy. A hundred thousand miles... Red Boy couldn’t possibly cross that in an hour, right? Muzha pondered. He glanced at Guanyin beside him and said, "Master, your disciple has a matter to attend to. May I leave first?"

Guanyin remained silent, but Muzha knew she had silently consented. So he turned and led a group of dozens of monks towards the Flowing Sand River to the east. Whether Red Boy was heading to Flowing Sand River or not, he decided to go ahead and eliminate this potential problem. He didn’t intend to provoke Sha Chen, knowing well that he was no match for him. Therefore, his plan was to detain Sha Chen.

「Flowing Sand River.」

Every move Guanyin and her followers made was under Sha Chen’s surveillance, but he dared not watch for long. With a cultivation level like Guanyin’s, staring too long could lead to discovery. Nevertheless, he was aware of the events transpiring outside, and his expression grew somber. I did not expect Red Boy to be driven to such a desperate state, he thought. It seems Guanyin plans to use this opportunity to thoroughly subdue him.

He felt a sense of urgency. Red Boy’s early subjugation would mean Guanyin would gain even greater benefits from the Journey to the West, and the outcome would not change. If Red Boy’s trial as a demon was needed for the journey later, opportunities could easily be arranged for him to descend and cause trouble. She could enjoy all the karmic rewards of the Journey to the West without any risk. More importantly, subduing Red Boy would mean controlling the Bull Demon King’s family, securing a significant influence within the Demon World.

Sha Chen would absolutely not allow such a scenario to occur. Not to mention, Red Boy was already his sworn son, carrying a large quantity of Immortal Pills he had given him. Even if they were strangers, Sha Chen still intended to lend a hand; he would never permit Guanyin to have another such powerful aid by her side. More deeply, Red Boy knew many of his secrets. If he truly took refuge under Guanyin’s wing, his secrets would become public knowledge. By then, Buddhism would surely try every possible means to drag him out from the Flowing Sand River, leaving him no peace.

However, with Guanyin personally overseeing the battle, seventy-two Demon Kings jointly besieging, and all occurring a hundred thousand miles away, how could he rescue anyone?

Just as Sha Chen frowned deeply, uncertain of what to do, a few dozen monks arrived. The leader among them was Muzha.

Muzha Walker, leading a group of several dozen monks, appeared on the banks of the Flowing Sand River. He wore a calm and composed smile, hands pressed together in prayer as he recited the name of Buddha.

"Amitabha, Master Sha Chen," Muzha said with a smile. "This humble monk Tripmatser Huian is passing through your treasured land and specially came to express gratitude for the several occasions Master Sha Chen has assisted our Buddhist scripture seekers. Master Sha Chen, may I request an audience with you?"

Inside the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen frowned deeply, his eyes flashing with light as he murmured, The members of the Li family are indeed crafty. However, Muzha’s understanding and schemes are not even one-tenth of Li Jing’s. To come to me at this time, isn’t this admitting guilt without being coerced!?

He let out a cold laugh; a hundred thousand miles away, demons were fighting fiercely, their demonic aura so intense it shocked the surrounding mortal realms. Countless living beings were suffering. Muzha pretended not to see this and instead came here with the sole purpose of thanking Sha Chen for helping the scripture seekers a few times? Definitely not.

Sha Chen could guess that Muzha must be worried about him intervening to help Red Boy. It was unclear whether Muzha knew about the relationship between Sha Chen and Red Boy, but Muzha’s visit was intended to forestall any potential mishaps. Moreover, he actively requested to meet with Sha Chen, knowing that Sha Chen most likely would ignore him. It had always been this way in the past.

But this time, he miscalculated. Sha Chen merely thought for a moment before appearing at the entrance of the Flowing Sand River Cave. The waters of the Flowing Sand River parted, and he stood at the bottom. His body was enormous, with the Flowing Sand River barely reaching his waist.

Muzha was stunned for a moment. Why has this guy appeared this time? Normally, no matter how much I call for him, he would staunchly refuse to show up. Wasn’t it said that he loves to play dead on ordinary days? Every time Li Changgeng came, he had to shout for hours, eventually having to use force to coax him out, right?

Muzha was dumbfounded. With Sha Chen’s appearance, he was now unsure of how to proceed. Previously, when meeting Sha Chen, he could maintain a calm and superior demeanor because he was confident he had complete control over Sha Chen. However, this time when Sha Chen appeared, the enormous muscles on his body, like true dragons clinging to him, were extremely intimidating. Moreover, rumors had it that Sha Chen had reached the level of a Daluo Golden Immortal, transcending the ordinary and leaving Muzha far behind. Now, he felt a bit of hesitation even to look Sha Chen in the eye, given that a previous palm strike from him had nearly shattered his Dao heart.

Muzha had always been diligently cultivating. After a hundred years of fortuitous opportunities, he had finally reached the high stage of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal. But facing Sha Chen, who was even stronger, only made him more despairing.

After Sha Chen appeared, he said, "Tripmatser Huian, it’s an honor to have you visit the Flowing Sand River. My apologies for not meeting you from afar."

Muzha smiled awkwardly and said, "General for Folding the Curtain, you are now a high-ranking Daluo Golden Immortal. Why bother with such formalities for this humble monk?"

There once was a time when I saw Sha Chen, and it was I who stood high and mighty, lecturing grandly, Muzha thought. But now, in front of Sha Chen, I have to refer to myself as a ’humble monk.’ The wheel of fortune turns; today, I am beneath, and Sha Chen is above.

Sha Chen chuckled and asked, "What brings the monk to this place?"

Bringing his hands together, Muzha recited the name of Buddha and said, "Amitabha. The scripture seekers have passed through your precious land several times and received assistance from you, Master. It shows that Master has a predestined connection with our Buddhism, and I came specifically to express thanks." This text is hosted at novel⸺fire.net

Sha Chen responded, "I am not predestined with your Buddhism. Even if a chicken died in the Flowing Sand River, I would feel saddened, let alone a living human being."

Muzha replied, "Ultimately, it was with Master’s assistance that we benefited greatly. I must express my thanks."

Sha Chen, with hands on hips, said, "Alright, go on and thank me." He then waited for Muzha to express his thanks, which caught Muzha by surprise. With that posture, does he expect me to bow three times and kowtow nine times?

Muzha’s cheeks twitched as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude. But after finishing, he didn’t know what to do next and felt quite awkward.

Muzha asked, "Master, this humble monk has traveled from afar. May I have the chance to drink a cup of water from the Flowing Sand River?"

Sha Chen replied, "My doors are not open to monks, Monk. Please understand." Now, he could openly and confidently reject Muzha, no longer needing any excuse, simply because he was powerful.

Muzha felt helpless and was about to continue the banter when Sha Chen, as if suddenly realizing something, looked shocked and pointed westward. He exclaimed, "Why is there a surge of demonic aura coming from the direction of Qitian Mountain in the west? Could it be a great demon’s clash?"

Muzha’s heart raced; he most feared Sha Chen inquiring about the situation with Red Boy and the seventy-two Demon Kings. So he replied, "Really? I wasn’t aware."

Sha Chen inwardly sneered but said, "It’s true. I am stronger than you; I won’t deceive you."

Muzha’s cheeks twitched again as he said, "Then, what does Master plan to do?"

Sha Chen answered, "What are *you* planning to do, Monk? There are mortal nations over there, and demon clashes will surely lead to grievous suffering. You wouldn’t just sit idly by, would you?"