Chaos Spirit Field

Taibai Jinxing returned to the Heavenly Palace to report to the Emperor. He said, "Your Majesty, I have thoroughly investigated. The Rain God caused rain without authorization, hindering the Buddhists' westward journey. Yuan Hong, acting on the orders of the Sage Laozi, killed him. Xuanzang is innocent of any wrongdoing."

Upon hearing this news, the Emperor of Heaven was filled with intense dissatisfaction. He glared at Taibai Jinxing and demanded sternly, "You claim that Yuan Hong killed the Rain Tribe God on orders from the Sage Laozi. That's sheer nonsense. Where's the Rain Tribe God's spirit? Has it been brought back? I want to personally interrogate him."

Taibai Jinxing was somewhat speechless. This was just a case of bringing up something irrelevant. He replied helplessly, "Your Majesty, the spirit of the Rain God has entered the underworld. As for the specific level of hell where he is being punished, I do not know."

Seeing the strange looks from the immortals, the Emperor finally realized he'd done something foolish. What had happened to him recently? He'd lost his mind whenever he encountered anything related to Zhao Shanhe. He tried to calm himself and said, "Since this is the Sage's wish, let's end it here. Immortals, please consider the selection of the Rain God."

In the Bajing Palace, the saints gathered together. The saint Laozi smiled and said, "Brother Zhunti, your disciple is really eloquent. I borrowed the weapon and lent it to him."

Zhunti Taoist replied, "Big Brother, Xuanzang is compassionate and kind-hearted. What the Heavenly Court did this time was indeed a bit unreasonable. It would be good to take action to rectify it."

Nuwa said, "Master Zhunti, there are certainly things wrong with the Heavenly Court. Xuanzang has indeed gone too far this time and must be punished."

Taoist Zhunti smiled and said, "Please do as you please, Goddess Nuwa. Xuanzang was destined to face this difficulty."

Zhao Shanhe didn't know that danger was approaching and that his cheap master, the Taoist Zhunti, was going to sell him out. After he saved the souls that died in the flood, he continued on his way.

A vast river with wide waves and a wind blowing sand all over the river surface filled the air. Zhao Shanhe could not help but sigh, "What a quicksand river! It truly lives up to its name. Bajie, go ask Monk Sha. If he doesn't want to obtain the scriptures, I won't force him."

Tian Peng asked in confusion: "Master, you and the Emperor of Heaven are so incompatible, why do you want to bring a spy with you? Let's just cross the river directly, and I, the old pig, will carry you across the river."

Zhao Shanhe said, "The number of people traveling west was already determined. Master accepted Sha Monk instead of General Juanlian."

"Master, I, the old pig, will go and will definitely bring back Sha Seng." Zhu Bajie grinned, then turned around and jumped into the quicksand river.

As soon as Zhu Bajie entered the Flowing Sand River, General Juanlian immediately emerged from his cave to greet him. He greeted him warmly, "Brother Tianpeng, long time no see! How did you become like this?"

Tianpeng replied helplessly, "Alas, Brother Juanlian, it's a long story. I came to your place today, but you didn't even offer me a treat. I'm so greedy for your fine wine."

The general who rolled up the curtain laughed heartily and replied cheerfully, "No problem, plenty of fine wine!"

From their conversation, it can be seen that the two have a good relationship. After eating and drinking, Tianpeng wiped the corner of his mouth and asked, "Brother Juanlian, the pilgrim has arrived here. What are you going to do? My master said that if you don't want to go west to obtain the scriptures, you can continue to stay here. He won't force you."

General Juanlian smiled bitterly, shook his head, and sighed, "Brother Tianpeng, do you think I have any other choice?"

Marshal Tianpeng nodded in understanding and consoled him, "Yes, our fate has long been determined. Resisting it is futile. I've drunk your fine wine and I'll give you a piece of advice - since you've decided to become Monk Sha, then you must honestly protect Master and never waver, especially not offend Master. Just look at my face and you'll know how ruthless Xuanzang is. A few days ago, the Rain God was beaten to death by Yuan Hong with a stick, and his soul went to the eighteen levels of hell in the underworld. Think about this carefully."

General Juanlian had heard a little about the Rain God's affairs, and felt a sense of grief, but he had no choice but to say helplessly, "Sha Seng greets Second Senior Brother."

"Third Junior Brother, let's go upstairs. Don't make Master wait anxiously."

General Juanlian followed Tianpeng out of the Flowing Sand River. He came before Zhao Shanhe and said, "Sha Monk pays homage to the Master."

Zhao Shanhe clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, since you are willing to become a monk, you must forget your past. From now on, you will be a disciple of Buddhism, wear the golden hoop, and from now on, you will be a pilgrim."

The Curtain-Pulling General put on the tight hoop without further ado. Zhao Shanhe nodded in satisfaction. He said, "Wukong, bring the razor. I will ordain Sha Seng. Shave away the three thousand strands of troublesome hairs, and from now on you will be a pilgrim. The past is gone with the wind, and my disciples must remember it."

The team for Journey to the West was finally complete. Zhao Shanhe was a little depressed because several of his disciples were taller than him.

Sha Monk said, "Master, the Quicksand River is turbulent. Let me carry you across."

Zhao Shanhe shook his head and said, "Let Bajie carry it."

Long Shisi interrupted, "Master, why don't you just fly over by yourself? Why let that fat pig carry you across the river? If people knew, you would be laughed at."

Zhao Shanhe knocked Long Shisi on the head and said, "If you were more capable, would I need to ride a pig? To obtain the scriptures, one must be down-to-earth. I am only a mortal."

Zhu Bajie carried Zhao Shanhe to the center of the Flowing Sand River. Sand Monk behind him suddenly turned fierce and secretly drew his weapon. A scream was heard. Zhao Shanhe asked, "Bajie, didn't you explain the power of the Tightening Curse to Sand Monk?"

"Master, I, Old Pig, have already demonstrated my personal experience, but there are always people who want to give it a try. 'It's so hard to be a good person these days! Junior Brother Sha, as long as you remain loyal to Master, you will naturally no longer suffer. I can only help you so far."

After Zhao Shanhe crossed the Flowing Sand River, he waited quietly on the shore. Zhu Bajie didn't see Sha Seng come out for a long time, so he said worriedly: "Master, it's almost time. Junior Brother Sha should have realized his mistake. Please forgive him."

"Bajie, if Sha Wujing truly knows his mistakes, the tight-fitting curse will naturally no longer work. If you don't repent, you can only accept another Sha Wujing."

The Flowing Sand River was churning violently, and Sha Seng was in immense pain, his psychological defenses gradually breaking down. He finally understood why Tian Peng had become so wicked. He flew out of the Flowing Sand River, knelt before Zhao Shanhe, and said, "Master, I know I was wrong. Please punish me."

Zhao Shanhe clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, it is a great honor to admit one's mistakes and correct them. Stand up. As long as you are still my disciple, the Buddhist sect will protect you. Being a Buddha is better than being a slave."

"Thank you for your teachings, Master. I will definitely keep them in mind."

"Get up, we should get going."

"Master, I will carry the burden right away."

"It is better to have no books than to believe in them blindly. I have a storage ring, so why do I need a burden?"