Chapter 166: Chapter 160: Tianpeng’s Dao Heart is Damaged and Wants to Return to Heaven【Requesting Subscription and Monthly Tickets】_1
Marshal Tianpeng was flabbergasted.
Isn’t that a bit too much?
Way too much!
But it wasn’t like he had a choice. If Sha Chen said he would fight, he would fight, and if he said he would drive him out, he would definitely drive him out. Therefore, he could only grit his teeth and haggle with Sha Chen, eventually arriving at a price that made his flesh ache.
Moreover, he had to pay enough rent upfront. If he left early for some reason, the rent wouldn’t be refunded, and the next time he came, it would be recalculated.
Marshal Tianpeng handed over some resources, suffering greatly in the process.
With a look of deep resentment, he said, "Old Sha, we’re like brothers, and you’re still so calculative. You’re starting to resemble a stingy landlord."
Sha Chen replied indifferently, "Brothers settle accounts clearly."
Marshal Tianpeng said, "Fairweather brothers."
Although he was conflicted, he still paid with some resources in exchange for a temporary, stable place to stay. Now, Marshal Tianpeng truly didn’t dare to go outside. He had committed too many misdeeds, and with Kui Mulang defeated by Sha Chen, he feared both new and old grudges would be laid at his doorstep. What’s more, his enemies were not limited to Kui Mulang alone.
The Nine-headed Worm and many other overseas demons hated him to the bone, which was utterly baffling to him. For some reason, he had quite a few enemies. Yet many of them could have been avoided; somehow, they had suddenly become enemies without him knowing why. It seemed that ever since he encountered Sha Chen, things had been this way. If not for Sha Chen staying at the Flowing Sand River all the time, Marshal Tianpeng would have suspected it was Sha Chen who attracted this jinx.
Sha Chen was actually aware that Marshal Tianpeng probably hadn’t had an easy time these days, having faced many assassination attempts. After all, Marshal Tianpeng was his shield. If Marshal Tianpeng had honestly stayed in Fuling Mountain, living off humans and becoming an old demon falling into decadence, there would certainly be someone from Buddhism who would come to convert him. But Marshal Tianpeng couldn’t stand being lonely and didn’t want to be converted by Buddhism, so he strayed from the status quo, naturally becoming a target.
Using just his toes, he could figure out that it must be Buddhism or the Heavenly Court behind the scenes, inciting discord and fanning the flames. But Sha Chen wouldn’t say such things outright, letting Marshal Tianpeng come to his own realizations. Then, once he realized, Marshal Tianpeng would drift even further from the Heavenly Court and Buddhism. He would be less likely to join Buddhism, and even if the Heavenly Court summoned him, he wouldn’t return.
Marshal Tianpeng’s mindset hadn’t shifted yet; he was merely afraid of becoming a Buddha and thus didn’t want to join Buddhism. If the Heavenly Court summoned him, he would unhesitatingly return to the embrace of the Heavenly Court. This would be good for Marshal Tianpeng, but not so good for Sha Chen.
Secondly, in the long run, it might not be good for Marshal Tianpeng either. As the saying goes, if there’s a first time, there will be a second time. If the Heavenly Court sold him out once, there would be a second and a third time. Eventually, they would concoct an even more foolproof scheme to completely corner Marshal Tianpeng and force him to convert to Buddhism. Therefore, if the Jade Emperor really issued a summons, Sha Chen would not agree to it.
Sha Chen knew how tough these years had been for Marshal Tianpeng, so although he charged rent, he didn’t charge much—just enough to make a point. However, Marshal Tianpeng was even stingier than him, eking out a little at a time, as if he was bleeding himself dry.
Sha Chen also exchanged some Elixirs with Marshal Tianpeng. He needed resources for Cultivation, while Marshal Tianpeng needed various Elixirs to handle different situations, the kind necessary for wandering the world—Elixirs for healing wounds, detoxifying, holding breath, resurrecting the dead, mending flesh and bones, and the like. Marshal Tianpeng wanted to exchange for some, and Sha Chen was fair and square, giving him an internal price. He basically didn’t profit off Marshal Tianpeng at all. But Marshal Tianpeng still felt like Sha Chen was taking advantage of him, making a whopping ninety-nine percent profit.
"Old Sha, what’s the deal between you and Red Boy?"
Feeling safe, Marshal Tianpeng started to remember the gossip.
Sha Chen replied indifferently, "Nothing much. He challenged me, I subdued him, he acknowledged me as a foster father, and I taught him Cultivation Techniques and Divine Power so he could help me sell some Elixirs—nothing more."
His brief account also made Marshal Tianpeng understand what had happened.
Sha Chen said indifferently, "If you run into him outside and he’s in trouble, help him if you can."
He didn’t expect Marshal Tianpeng to be of much help, because Marshal Tianpeng’s current strength was only average; although he was a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, his Cultivation level was only intermediate—not impressive at all.
Marshal Tianpeng said, "No problem. I just didn’t know he was your son; otherwise, I definitely would’ve helped that little scamp."
Sha Chen nodded, actually finding Marshal Tianpeng’s words quite reasonable.
Marshal Tianpeng asked about a few other things that interested him, and Sha Chen answered them, also inquiring about the outside world in turn. When it came to affairs outside, Marshal Tianpeng suddenly became full of confidence. Aside from his appearance, he had never had anything to brag about in front of Sha Chen. Now, finally, he could boast, and Sha Chen, still having no idea what was true or false, could only listen in admiration.
Marshal Tianpeng thus began to recount his experiences from over the years, sparing no detail. Especially when it came to Luanshi Island and being captured by the Nine-headed Dragon, he clarified everything. But, he maintained, although he had been captured, he was definitely valiant and unyielding.
"Old Sha, you have no idea! After the Nine-headed Worm captured me, he ordered hundreds of his minions to beat me, and I didn’t fall. See how tough I am?"
Sha Chen chuckled, "You were tied up when they beat you, right?"
Marshal Tianpeng gave an embarrassed smile and then said, "Let’s not talk about that. Later, I escaped using my own wit and intelligence..."
Sha Chen interrupted his bragging, "Stop boasting. Someone saved you. Do you think I don’t know?"
He didn’t spell it out because he didn’t know whether Tongtian Hierarch was listening to their conversation. Therefore, he didn’t blow Chen Sha’s cover. But Marshal Tianpeng knew that Sha Chen was referring to Chen Sha.
He was utterly shocked, and at the same time thought to himself, My goodness, how does Old Sha know everything and recognize everyone?
Now, he couldn’t even brag about his experiences outside anymore. For a moment, he felt downcast.
He then said, "Old Sha, I’m hungry. Make something to eat."
Sha Chen said, "Endure it a bit longer. The crops in the field aren’t ripe yet; we’ll eat next year."
This guy only paid the rent and still wants to eat!?
Marshal Tianpeng said, "I see your cellar is quite stocked. Don’t be so stingy. I’ll trade resources with you."
He readily agreed. Knowing Sha Chen wouldn’t budge without seeing money, and being much the same himself, he decided to talk directly about cash. This way, feelings wouldn’t be hurt.
Sha Chen was also pleased with this. After all, it was much more practical to talk about money directly without involving feelings!
Then Sha Chen went to check. "Oh, the cellar actually does have some stash! Looks like we’ll have enough to eat for a while."
Marshal Tianpeng chuckled but didn’t expose him.
When Sha Chen made delicious food, Tianpeng’s mouth watered, and his eyes almost popped out. He lamented, "Old Sha, sometimes, I really want to go back to the Heavenly Court and be Marshal Tianpeng again. Tell me, why hasn’t the Jade Emperor come to his senses and summoned me back?"
Sha Chen was instantly on alert. Sure enough. This guy is harboring thoughts of returning to the Heavenly Court!
He frowned, pondering how to firmly steer Tianpeng’s rebellious heart and convince him that neither joining Buddhism nor returning to the Heavenly Court to become an immortal offered any real future. Diligently pursuing Cultivation, far from worldly affairs—that was the true path. He couldn’t let Tianpeng return to the Heavenly Court; otherwise, all the pressure would fall on his own small shoulders, and that would be troublesome. As the saying goes, ’Better a fellow Daoist dies than this poor Daoist suffers’—that’s precisely the principle here.
So Sha Chen poured wine for Tianpeng, speaking earnestly, "Tianpeng, you really should think about how the Jade Emperor has treated you. Do you actually want to go back and endure his ill-treatment again?"
It seemed Tianpeng was genuinely tired of a life of constantly being on the run and targeted. He sighed, "Actually, he’s the Jade Emperor. It’s only right for him to treat me badly. Besides, I’ve forgiven him."
Sha Chen became even more cautious. This guy really has no principles!
Sha Chen continued, "But you need to think clearly. The Jade Emperor will absolutely not call you back."
Tianpeng retorted unhappily, "Why not? I was wronged! As long as the Jade Emperor has a change of heart, I can definitely return to my position as the Great Marshal!"
Sha Chen said, "Stop dreaming. I’ve told you before: whether you did anything wrong is irrelevant. The Jade Emperor primarily wants to frame you. Even if you’re not at fault, in his eyes, you are."
Tianpeng repeatedly insisted it wasn’t possible. He truly wanted to go back, so he tried every means to make excuses for the Jade Emperor.
Sha Chen inwardly sighed. Why can’t anyone just lay low with me until the end of time? They’re always longing for the days of old.
He patiently and seriously explained, "Tianpeng, do you think I would lie to you?"
Just as Tianpeng was about to nod, Sha Chen clenched his fist tightly. Then, Tianpeng saw that millstone-sized fist, swallowed his words, and changed his tune, "You’re my sworn brother; of course, you wouldn’t lie to me."
He said this reluctantly.
Sha Chen said, "I won’t lie to you. The Jade Emperor really did set you up. Whether or not you harassed Chang E, your crime would have resulted in you being turned into a pig."
Tianpeng said, "But I really did offend Fairy Chang E."
Sha Chen suddenly said, "If I can prove that it wasn’t you who offended Fairy Chang E, but the Jade Emperor who deliberately framed you, would you believe me?"
Tianpeng’s interest was piqued. "If you really can prove it, I’ll believe you."
Sha Chen couldn’t possibly prove it, he thought. Because Sha Chen couldn’t possibly bring the Jade Emperor here to explain, any proof would have flaws.
Just then, Sha Chen clapped his hands and said, "Girl, come out. Let Tianpeng understand the treachery of society."