Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 142: Everyone is Confused

Today, Maitreya Buddha surely hit the jackpot, not only tasting such delicious dishes but also awakening his divine powers through hotpot.

He had just tested it, and that divine power, it can be said, was quite phenomenal.

Although it cost him three nine-thousand-year-old Flat Peaches, can those peaches even compare to gourmet food?

Can they compare to divine skills?

With pursed lips, Maitreya Buddha smiled from ear to ear.

He was truly at ease.

Those Buddhas in Buddhism who only knew how to bluster probably had no idea the Flat Peach Banquet went off without a hitch, and it was anyone’s guess what their reaction would be.

Maitreya Buddha thought with a hint of mischief.

However, those were minor concerns. What he was most interested in was the decision on who would be the chief chef at Buddhism’s upcoming Dharma banquet.

If Sun Wukong didn’t become the chef, then what was the point of his becoming a Buddhist disciple?

No way!

Even if Buddhism eventually had to suppress that monkey, he had to ensure it happened after the Dharma banquet!

Otherwise, he really would be unable to think of anything else, tormented by his longing!

Drifting leisurely, Maitreya Buddha arrived at the Great Thunderclap Monastery and entered the grand hall, instantly becoming the center of attention.

"Maitreya, why have you delayed so long?" Tathagata opened his eyes and looked towards the rotund Maitreya.

But Maitreya was not the least bit embarrassed, smacking his lips a few times before saying, "There was no delay, this monk just flew back after attending the Flat Peach Banquet."

Attended the Flat Peach Banquet?!

Tathagata was taken aback and blurted out, "Don’t tell me the Flat Peach Banquet wasn’t disrupted by that monkey?"

The other Buddhas were also instantly on edge, looking intently at Maitreya Buddha.

"Disrupt what?" Maitreya Buddha patted his stomach and said cheerfully, "The dishes at the Flat Peach Banquet were so delicious."

"Impossible," Guanyin couldn’t contain herself and asked the question Tathagata wanted to ask.

"Maitreya Buddha, did that monkey not cause a ruckus at the Flat Peach Banquet?"

Had they not already informed the Heavenly Court, why did it turn out this way?

Maitreya Buddha was still in high spirits; he also thought he might have made the journey in vain this time.

But alas, such is the unpredictability of life!

"How would I know that Sun Wukong was actually in charge of the Banquet as head chef of the Imperial Kitchen? How could he possibly have created chaos?"

Maitreya Buddha was utterly content, his face reflecting his serene satisfaction, his belly full and his mood naturally buoyant.

"The head chef, cooking?" Guanyin was baffled.

Not just her, Tathagata and the other Buddhas were also stunned; they simply couldn’t make sense of it.

Even the other Buddhas were confused, so Maitreya Buddha understood; after all, he wasn’t much better off when he first learned of it.

"That monkey wasn’t guarding the Peach Orchard but went to the Imperial Kitchen to be the head chef."

"And he’s the main chef!" Maitreya Buddha added with a squint of his eyes.

This was a complete deviation from their plan!

Tathagata frowned deeply; could it be that the Heavenly Court had not cooperated at all?

Were they about to openly defy Buddhism?

Tathagata wanted to divine the entire situation, but the event’s timeline was too long; even with his quasi-saint capabilities, he couldn’t manage it and had to give up.

"So, the Heavenly Court’s Flat Peach Banquet went on as usual?" Tathagata asked.

Maitreya Buddha rolled his eyes; you would need a proper reason for the monkey to wreak havoc, wouldn’t you?

Why would he cause trouble at his own banquet?

Nodding his head, he said, "Yes, it went on quite successfully."

"The food, my goodness, it was sublime!"

Mentioning food again, Maitreya Buddha’s eyes lit up, he licked his lips as if savoring the taste of the dishes all over again.

"How many Flat Peaches were there from the Heavenly Court? From which year were they?"

Some of the Buddhas couldn’t hold back any longer and went straight to the point.

"Flat Peach? I was given three," Maitreya Buddha rubbed his belly and casually mentioned, "Nine thousand years old."

Three nine-thousand-year-old ones?!!

The eyes of the various Buddhas instantly lit up, filled with immense regret. Had they known this would happen, they would have desperately attended no matter what.

There’s no way it would have been Maitreya Buddha’s turn.

You must know, this time the Heavenly Court had granted Buddhism seven places, and including him, they’d even come to resent Sun Wukong, whom they had never met.

A monkey destined to face a great calamity couldn’t just sit tight and wait for the calamity to befall; he had to go and make a name for himself?

Using the Flat Peach Banquet as bait, it would’ve been fine if you just made a fuss, as the Heavenly Court, in their desire to save face, would definitely come a second time, and then it would have been perfectly justifiable for them to attend.

But now, look what’s happened: you go directly to being a chef for someone, and it’s not just about losing face for Buddhism!

The most important thing is, they’ve lost their chance to attend the Flat Peach Banquet.

That Innate Spiritual Root Flat Peach would have been greatly beneficial to their cultivation, but now, it has become but a fleeting dream.

While the various Buddhas were sullenly reflecting, Ancient Buddha Dipamkara calmly looked towards Maitreya Buddha and said, "Since Maitreya Buddha represents Buddhism at the Flat Peach Banquet, why not take out the remaining two peaches?"

Right!

Upon hearing Ancient Buddha Dipamkara’s words, the hearts of the various Buddhas lifted.

The effectiveness of Flat Peaches takes a long time to digest, and eating too many in succession wouldn’t yield any benefit; Maitreya Buddha definitely hasn’t eaten them all.

"Amitabha, Buddha Ancestor Dipamkara is right, the Flat Peach is in the name of Buddhism, not of an individual, it should be handed over."

"That’s exactly how it should be."

The various Buddhas began to chastise one after another with their words.

While there was no foul language, the text was full of accusations and greed.

Tathagata calmly observed, expressing no opinion. Although he and Dipamkara didn’t get along, one had defected from Jie School and the other from Chan School.

But in facing a disciple like Maitreya Buddha from the native Western Sect, their attitude was the same, which was to suppress.

Future Buddha?

A native with no backing whatsoever; even if he were the Buddha Ancestor, it would be useless.

Maitreya Buddha looked at the attitudes of the various Buddhas and felt no anger within, as he was already accustomed to these Buddhas’ ways.

He chuckled, "Flat Peach? I’ve already given it to someone else."

"Given it away?"

"You’re kidding me!"

The various Buddhas were immediately up in arms, doubt filling their eyes. To give away nine-thousand-year-old Flat Peaches for no reason?

Isn’t that a joke?

"Yes, I’ve given it away," Maitreya Buddha said bluntly, telling the truth, "I exchanged the three nine-thousand-year-old Flat Peaches for nine tables of dishes."

The taste was good, the portion was large, it was a satisfying feast, and I came out ahead!

The words flashed through Maitreya Buddha’s mind, and in any case, it was as if he, Maitreya Buddha, had done something extremely clever.

How foolish?

The various Buddhas felt like they were about to cough blood from frustration. To exchange Flat Peaches for dishes, what kind of foolishness was this?!

"Maitreya Buddha Ancestor, how then can you prove your innocence?" Some Buddha Ancestors couldn’t hold back and questioned,

He didn’t believe it, and it wasn’t just him. None of the Buddhas, including Dipamkara himself, believed it!

The value of a Flat Peach was well known to any cultivator; how could anyone possibly do something so stupid?

Yet, Maitreya Buddha not only did it but also seemed to think he was supremely clever for doing so.

Doubt him?

Maitreya Buddha sneered in his heart and indifferently said, "Well, I’ve already given them all away, not one left. If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to ask around."

Seeing the confident and even somewhat proud look on Maitreya Buddha’s face, the whole hall fell silent.

He couldn’t have really given the Flat Peaches away, could he?

The various Buddhas’ hearts twitched at the thought, such a waste!

If they could get even one Flat Peach, anyone would treat it like a priceless treasure, handling it with the utmost care.

And here was Maitreya Buddha, exchanging a Flat Peach for a meal, as if the feast, no matter how tasty, could compare!