Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 139 -: Haotian Becomes Aware of Chaos Residence
"Guanyin, how long has Maitreya been at the Heavenly Court?" Tathagata’s voice was profound.
The old handyman calculated with his fingers and said indifferently, "Maitreya Buddha has been gone for two hours already."
That long?!
A frown creased Tathagata’s brow. The Flat Peach Banquet couldn’t start without Maitreya Buddha; why would he linger so long?
Tathagata pondered for a moment, but didn’t pay it too much mind, assuming Maitreya Buddha might have gone wandering somewhere, given his nature.
He really didn’t take the matter of the Journey to the West to heart—if not for the fact that he was a disciple of a Saint, the Journey to the West wouldn’t even have posed him a single challenge!
Tathagata chanted the Buddha’s name once and then resumed his preaching and teaching.
Amidst the clinking of cups and the laughter of the merry crowd, the Heavenly Court was livelier than it had ever been since its establishment, a scene of harmony never seen before.
And today, all because of a hotpot, such an effect was achieved, which showed the formidable power of Chen Nuo’s hotpot.
All the gods who were unaware couldn’t help but think: this dish is really delicious!
Hotpot, a single dish surpassing a thousand others!
But who made this hotpot?
However, these answers were left for them to find on their own.
After a long time, the banquet concluded at noon, and the gods left reluctantly, not until they had finished every last ingredient.
The aftermath of the feast, and the mess left behind, was for the Immortal Attendants—who had not even tasted a bite of the food, but changed into their garments just for this occasion—to clean up.
"How was this Flat Peach Banquet?" said the Queen Mother as she and Haotian sat upon the Dragon Carriage, one hand covering her slightly uncomfortable belly while she laughed with pride.
Haotian wanted to say something, but could only burp instead.
He collapsed back into his seat, loosened the belt that was causing him some discomfort, and with an extended hand gave a thumbs up.
Delicious, too delicious!
And a banquet that made the immortals go wild would surely add to the prestige of his Heavenly Court when word spread!
Haotian thought about this but overlooked his own frenzy in front of the hotpot just moments before.
The standards for the Flat Peach Banquet shall be set like this from now on!
Haotian grinned from ear to ear, "Your Buddhism wanted to use the Flat Peach Banquet to establish prestige, didn’t you?"
In the end, not only did his Flat Peach Banquet happen, but it was also a great success!
Haotian was utterly delighted!
"Shall we go to the Imperial Kitchen to reward the monkey first?" the Queen Mother spoke again.
Every dish Sun Wukong made was delicious, and the last dish was a big surprise.
The success of the Heavenly Court’s Flat Peach Banquet owed a great deal to Sun Wukong’s efforts!
He must be rewarded!
Haotian nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Ever since this monkey came to his Heavenly Court, he hadn’t caused any trouble but had worked diligently—he deserved a reward!
"Let’s go, erp, to the Imperial Kitchen!" Haotian burped again, giving his orders.
The Dragon Carriage that was originally headed for the great hall immediately nodded and turned towards the Imperial Kitchen.
The Dragon Carriage was not just a symbol of Haotian’s status; it was driven by dragons!
Three pure white silver dragons!
They moved swiftly, and in no time, the Dragon Carriage arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Kitchen.
The Immortal Attendants around stopped in their tracks and knelt to pay their respects.
The curtains of the Dragon Carriage lifted, and both Haotian and the Queen Mother were helped down by their respective attendants with some difficulty.
After a sweeping glance, Haotian nodded in satisfaction and said, "You may all rise."
"Where is Sun Wukong of the Imperial Kitchen?" Haotian went straight to the point.
An Immortal Attendant replied promptly, "Your Majesty, Great Immortal Wukong is in the inner chamber. Do you wish me to summon him?"
"There’s no need," Haotian refused directly.
"I shall see him personally."
Haotian naturally treated his meritorious subjects well, and moreover, he was bloated!
But he liked this feeling of being full of food and drink, and was reluctant to use mana to refine it.
Walking around was also a good way to digest.
Haotian and his entourage from Jade Pool passed through the central hall, and along the way, the Immortal Attendants who wanted to offer salutations were stopped by a gesture from Haotian.
Upon pushing open the door to the inner chamber, they saw Sun Wukong and the Food God resting their heads on the table.
Preparing so many dishes with high intensity for so many days, even those with some cultivation would be tired.
Moreover, all the dishes had been prepared by Sun Wukong; the seasoning proportions and timing were all part of the craft.
Truly doing a good job was an extremely draining task for the mind and spirit.
At the sound of the door opening, Sun Wukong was the first to open his eyes and upon seeing Haotian and the Queen Mother, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
"Jade Emperor, Queen Mother, what brings you here?" said Sun Wukong.
No sooner had Sun Wukong spoken than the Food God and the Stove God stood up reflexively, unable to help it as this reaction had been ingrained in their bones.
No, it could be said this was the current state of all junior deities!
"Little Immortals pay their respects to Your Majesty and to the Queen Mother!" the voices and steps of the Food God and Stove God were perfectly synchronized, clearly the work of professionals.
Meanwhile, Zhou Kang, who had been sleeping soundly, was rudely awakened by the voices of the Two Deities and yawned.
But when he caught a glimpse of Haotian and the Jade Pool with the corner of his eye, he was so startled that he knelt on the ground with a thud.
He stammered, "Commoner... pays respects to Your Majesty, and to the... Queen Mother!"
The Queen Mother was amused by this reserved demeanor, her lips curving into a slight smile.
Haotian looked at the monkey who had greeted them as if nothing had happened and felt somewhat helpless in his heart.
He was now too lazy to scold the monkey; maybe even if the monkey was made to kneel, the power behind him might not be pleased.
After all, without causing trouble, possessing ability, and having successfully held a very satisfactory Flat Peach Banquet, what was there to fault?
Some basic respect was enough.
"All rise," said Haotian with a wave of his hand.
Since the Flat Peach Banquet had been organized by the Queen Mother, Haotian took a slight step back.
"Sun Wukong, you really did a fantastic job this time!" the Queen Mother said, smiling, without any air of the Queen Mother about her.
"This has been the most perfect Flat Peach Banquet held by this palace, your culinary skills are rare in this world!"
The Queen Mother praised generously, and for her, this was also the truth.
Sun Wukong scratched his head and gave an embarrassed smile, his culinary skills rare in the world?
He was far from his master!
"And the last dish, the hotpot, truly lived up to your word, surpassing all other dishes!" said the Queen Mother.
That completely broke Sun Wukong’s reserve, and he quickly shook his head and waved his hands, saying, "Your Highness, that hotpot wasn’t made by me, but it’s a new dish from my master."
"Your master?!" exclaimed Haotian from behind the Queen Mother, the first time he had come into contact with the mysterious power behind Sun Wukong.
Did he say something? Why did he look like this?
"Sun Wukong, who on earth is your master?" asked the Queen Mother, voicing the question Haotian had been wanting to ask.
"Mountain of Mind and Heart, Chaos Residence," said Sun Wukong, his face full of pride at the mention of Chen Nuo.
His accomplishments today were inseparable from his master’s careful nurturing!
"My master is the Shopkeeper of Chaos Residence," Sun Wukong stated seriously, word by word.
Shopkeeper?
The Queen Mother and Haotian were confused; what was that?
"What exactly is this Chaos Residence you mentioned?" Haotian couldn’t help but interrupt.
Wasn’t Mount Fangcun supposed to be an abandoned mountain used as a site by Buddhism? Why had a new power suddenly emerged?
"A restaurant!" Sun Wukong said directly: "Inside Mountain of Mind and Heart, there is a restaurant called Chaos Residence, and my master is the Shopkeeper, who likes to be called Shopkeeper Chen."
Opening a restaurant in the deep mountains?
This Shopkeeper Chen certainly had some quirky ideas!
Haotian tugged at the corner of his mouth, somewhat speechless.
