CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 379: MASTER-DISCIPLE RECONCILIATION [SEEKING SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MONTHLY TICKETS]_1

Tongtian Hierarch was indeed tempted.

Actually, Sha Chen knew that Tongtian Hierarch certainly hoped his former disciples would return; the two of them were not truly devoted to Buddhism. He had tested the waters before. Moreover, these people had fought for Tongtian Hierarch’s cause and been captured by enemies. Now that they had returned, was he going to despise them for being tainted?

Tongtian Hierarch was not that kind of person; he just cared about his reputation and needed a way to gracefully concede. Sha Chen chiming in was providing him with that opportunity. Tongtian Hierarch’s heart was as clear as a mirror; he understood perfectly and was very pleased with Sha Chen.

I helped you out, shouldn’t you be grateful to me? Sha Chen thought.

Green Lion and Bai Xiang were still kneeling on the ground, constantly kowtowing, weeping, and repenting, hoping Tongtian Hierarch would forgive them. As for Tongtian Hierarch, he remained silent.

Sha Chen stepped forward, took two cups of wine, handed them to Green Lion and Bai Xiang, and said with a wink, "You two, being captured and now returning is a good thing. Come, drink up, but before you do, toast your Master first."

The two were startled. Both were cunning individuals, and now they were overjoyed, feeling extremely grateful to Sha Chen, as well as guilty.

This is exactly what I want, for them to feel guilty and grateful. Otherwise, what was the point of all my efforts? Two Pinnacle Daluo, who might become Peak Quasi-Saints in the future! Although they wouldn’t be loyal to me, owing me such a huge favor, they surely have to repay it, right? Each of them is far stronger than any of my subordinates. Naturally, I want to win them over. If they can’t become my subordinates, they should at least become allies. Making them owe me a favor means I can get them to do things in the future without offering benefits—free labor is the best! Sha Chen mused.

Green Lion and Bai Xiang hurriedly took the wine cups, then shuffled on their knees to Tongtian Hierarch, looking pitiful as they held up their cups.

"Master, we were wrong."

"Master, please give us another chance."

Tongtian Hierarch maintained a stern expression, looking at them without any emotion.

But Sha Chen had already seen that Tongtian Hierarch was moved. Otherwise, if he weren’t pleased, he would have already chased the two away or left himself. He wouldn’t have watched Sha Chen discipline Green Lion and Bai Xiang, only to appear at such a moment. When Sha Chen handed wine to Green Lion and Bai Xiang again, Tongtian Hierarch didn’t leave or speak out to interrupt, clearly tacitly approving his actions.

Now is naturally the time for me to seize the opportunity. If I can facilitate the reconciliation between master and disciples, benefits will surely not be far behind, Sha Chen thought.

He quickly poured wine for Tongtian Hierarch, then brought it over, saying, "Saint, your two disciples are wounded. Don’t let them remain sad and kneeling."

Tongtian Hierarch snorted. "What do their lives or deaths have to do with me?"

Green Lion and Bai Xiang looked somewhat disheartened.

Sha Chen gave them a light kick. "That’s right, their lives or deaths have nothing to do with the Saint! They even dared to intrude upon your residence; keeping them would only bring shame to you. I’ll execute them right now!"

Green Lion and Bai Xiang were both stunned. But Sha Chen hadn’t used any real force; they didn’t even feel any pain. They knew he was doing it on purpose.

As expected, Tongtian Hierarch glared at Sha Chen. "Since when is it your place to discipline my disciples?"

Sha Chen quickly replied, "Saint, it’s a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding indeed! What are you two dawdling for? Your Master is thirsty, hurry up and toast him."

Upon hearing Tongtian Hierarch’s words, Green Lion and Bai Xiang were instantly elated. They hurriedly held up their cups above their heads, offering a toast to Tongtian Hierarch.

Tongtian Hierarch was still maintaining his stern demeanor. Sha Chen hesitated for a moment, then decided to play his trump card.

He said in a low voice, "Saint, listen to this. Outside, Maitreya Buddha is attacking Flowing Sand River. He originally belonged to the Chan Sect, but now he constantly claims to be a part of Buddhism. Your disciples have always remembered that they are from the Sect of Interpretation. Do you want them to end up like Maitreya Buddha?"

Tongtian Hierarch’s eyes widened at once. "They dare?"

Then, he stopped putting on airs, took the wine cup, gulped it down, and looked at the two. "What are you staring at? If you’re done drinking, get up."

Green Lion and Bai Xiang were overjoyed and hastily drank. After finishing their drink, they actually felt much more rejuvenated, and even their wounds seemed to have healed a great deal. They were thrilled; it was indeed premium flat peach wine.

Sha Chen helped them up. "You two, we might as well say we’ve gotten to know each other through conflict. Now that you’ve returned to the Sect of Interpretation, this is truly cause for celebration. I’ll toast to you both."

Then he poured wine for them once more and filled his own cup as well. After toasting, Green Lion and Bai Xiang were filled with guilt, reverence, and gratitude towards Sha Chen. Seeing Sha Chen raise his cup for a toast, they instinctively lowered themselves, hurriedly bowing and holding their cups lower than his. They filled their cups and drained them at once.

They kept saying, "We’ve given much offense, much offense indeed. We beg you not to blame us, Sir, please understand."

They didn’t know what to call Sha Chen. Judging by the situation, it was clear Sha Chen was not a disciple of Tongtian Hierarch, so he wasn’t their martial brother. But Sha Chen didn’t seem to be on an equal footing with Tongtian Hierarch either, so they simply opted to address him as "Sir." "Sir" was considered half a teacher, effectively a semi-elder to them.

Sha Chen smiled faintly. My goal has been achieved.

Then he took out two brocade boxes. "Sorry for injuring you. As they say, no conflict, no acquaintance. Here are two Healing Pills for you to take; your injuries should recover very quickly."

After that, he took out two porcelain bottles and handed them to the two. "Inside these is Sweet Dew Jade Liquid. Drink it, and all your visible and hidden injuries should recover in an instant. It also works wonders for spiritual recovery."

The Sweet Dew Jade Liquid was a system reward. I have plenty; just a little bit for them is more than enough, Sha Chen thought.

Green Lion and Bai Xiang were immediately overcome with joy. They quickly took the items, bowing and nodding to Sha Chen in immense gratitude. Then they apologized guiltily, their remorse growing deeper. Their awe for Sha Chen also deepened.

They never imagined Sha Chen would possess such treasures or that he was so magnanimous. Not only had he forgiven them, but he was also helping them heal—and with such precious items!

Typically, when cultivators at their level were injured, they either endured the pain or took some ordinary elixirs, then waited for thousands, even tens of thousands, of years for a slow recovery. Items like the Immortal Pills and Sweet Dew Jade Liquid that Sha Chen had given them, which could instantly heal injuries, were truly Magical Medicine, extremely rare and precious treasures. They were incredibly valuable and not something one could find just by searching. They had been around for a long time and had never possessed anything like them. Yet Sha Chen had casually given these to them. Such generosity indicated he had even more.

Golden Winged Dapeng watched, his eyes wide with envy. He had lived a long time and held a respected status in Buddhism, yet he was not as wealthy as Sha Chen—not even close.

The two men bowed deeply in thanks, filled with gratitude.

Tongtian Hierarch showed no reaction, instead scolding, "Blind fools! You don’t even know when you’re being used by others."

Sha Chen hastily said, "I’m wronged, Saint! When have I ever used them as pawns?"

Tongtian Hierarch glared at him. "I wasn’t speaking about you."

Sha Chen immediately smiled. "Of course, of course. You weren’t talking about me. You were talking about Buddhism, right?"

Green Lion and Bai Xiang also said furiously, "Yes! That bald-headed Fuhu came to us, claiming that if we defeated Mr. Sha Chen, we could make a name for ourselves, even earning a place on Lingjiu Mountain."

Bai Xiang added, "We’ve been fooled by him! He was just using us as pawns. Once we leave, we won’t let him get away with it!"

Sha Chen then said, "Fuhu Arhat? His strength is about the same as yours, or even less. How could he possibly scheme against you? And he doesn’t have the guts. There must be someone else behind it. Who do you think could instruct him?"

Green Lion and Bai Xiang exchanged a glance and said simultaneously, "Maitreya Buddha?"

Sha Chen smiled slightly and said no more.

Green Lion and Bai Xiang, however, were even more convinced. They felt it was indeed Maitreya Buddha outside who had instigated Fuhu Arhat. Firstly, Maitreya Buddha and Fuhu were known to be close. Secondly, Fuhu’s recent promotion to a position in Arhat Hall was strongly endorsed by Maitreya Buddha. No one would believe there wasn’t an exchange of benefits between them.

Green Lion and Bai Xiang immediately stood up, filled with indignant anger.

Green Lion roared, "Mr. Sha Chen, please open the doors of the cave residence! I will go out right now and gobble up that villain!"

Six-toothed White Elephant also bellowed, "Right! Let us out to confront that bald-headed one!"

Sha Chen looked towards Tongtian Hierarch.

As Tongtian Hierarch looked at them, the two immediately quieted down, knelt on the ground, and dared not make a sound.

Tongtian Hierarch hmphed. "With your cultivation, someone could crush you with one hand."

The two did not dare to retort. Although unhappy, they knew what Tongtian Hierarch said was true. Maitreya Buddha was a Peak Quasi-Saint, or at the very least a High-Level Quasi-Saint, with profound strength. They were not even Quasi-Saints. The two of them together could be slapped down with one palm; if one palm wasn’t enough, then two palms. Definitely not three.

Sha Chen chuckled. "It’s quite normal for you two to have fallen behind in strength, having not received teachings from the Saint for so long. Given time, you will surely be capable of exacting revenge with your own hands."

Green Lion and Bai Xiang immediately knelt down. "Master, please teach us, so we may have the opportunity to avenge our grudge!"

Tongtian Hierarch nodded. "Alright. Follow me back to Zi Zhi Cliff. When you’ve learned enough, you can come down the mountain."

The two were ecstatic and quickly kowtowed in thanks.

Then Tongtian Hierarch took both of them aside and began to impart his teachings right there, without minding Sha Chen’s presence. The two disciples learned eagerly, their excitement unconcealed.

In fact, what was being taught to them was the Quasi-Saint Chapter of the Qingping Scriptures, which Sha Chen already knew. Tongtian Hierarch lectured there partly to test Sha Chen. Seeing that Sha Chen didn’t seem to mind or react, he knew Sha Chen probably already knew it. He said nothing more.

At this time, Sha Chen approached Golden Winged Dapeng, holding the Mountain Splitting Axe and Giant Que Sword, a smile on his face.

But Golden Winged Dapeng felt a chill and panicked. "What are you trying to do? You wouldn’t kill me, would you? I’m the Golden Winged Dapeng! Tathagata is my nephew!"

Sha Chen chuckled. "You’re quite bold to mention that unfilial disciple in front of the Saint."