Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 143: The New Conspiracy of Buddhism

Now, all the Buddhas just want to beat Maitreya Buddha up to soothe their resentment.

Buddhism is really hard to manage.

Tathagata wordlessly touched his own forehead, wondering why Buddhism had to have all sorts of people, feeling so tired at heart!

Not a single thing had gone smoothly, and the Journey to the West hadn’t even started yet, but things were already in chaos.

A single monkey had disturbed the peace of the entire Buddhist sect, was this truly the future protector of Buddhism?!

He felt more like the future scourge of Buddhism.

There was not a single piece of good news about the monkey.

Tathagata fell into deep thought; the most critical issue now was not about the Flat Peach, but how to suppress Sun Wukong’s chaos.

Although he’s just a chef for now, with a proper position and hasn’t done anything out of line, Buddhism naturally can’t find any reason to subdue him, thus tempering Sun Wukong’s mind and spirit.

They surely can’t just go and suppress him directly, right?! 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Not to mention it wouldn’t be justified, it would be a direct slap in the face of the Heavenly Court.

Given Haotian’s temperament, he might even use this as a reason to start a war with Buddhism.

Tathagata sighed, wondering what kind of powerful backing this monkey had,

Who had taught him to behave not at all like a monkey.

What kind of monkey would resist the temptation of Flat Peaches to become a chef in the Imperial Kitchen?!

With this, the plans for the Journey to the West were completely disrupted.

Maitreya Buddha was about to return to his place when suddenly, he remembered the idea he had prepared to implement and took the initiative to say, "I beseech Buddha Ancestor, may we have Sun Wukong act as the head chef for our Buddhist feast?"

To have Sun Wukong as the head chef?

Tathagata was shocked by Maitreya Buddha’s words, but quickly collected his mind and spirit.

"The dishes that monkey makes are truly too delicious, this monk has never eaten such delightful food in this lifetime."

To move the unmoved Tathagata, Maitreya Buddha quickly added a few more words.

The dishes Sun Wukong made, even the vegetarian ones, would totally eclipse the current chefs of Spirit Mountain’s vegetarian meals. Not seizing him would be the biggest loss.

Saying so, Maitreya Buddha swallowed his saliva.

Tathagata’s venerable and dignified face was filled with helplessness, what else could Maitreya Buddha do besides eat all day?

While he was inwardly complaining, suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through Tathagata’s mind, and he showed a trace of joy.

Maitreya Buddha was right; since Sun Wukong enjoyed cooking, they should cater to his interest and bait him with the chance to be the head chef at the Buddhist feast.

Once he was on Buddhism’s turf, any trivial misstep could be used to justify suppressing the monkey.

Heavenly Court wouldn’t have much to say then.

Maitreya Buddha’s strategy, reliable indeed!

Tathagata looked meaningfully at Maitreya Buddha, realizing that he too held the Merit Points of the Journey to the West in high regard.

With this thought, Tathagata spoke up, "That is indeed a good idea. Maitreya Buddha, you shall invite that monkey over."

He wanted to, but what if the other party didn’t come?

Maitreya Buddha sighed internally, knowing there was some time before the feast, and even if Sun Wukong could come, he would have to eat less for so many meals.

Such a headache!

With hands spread out in resignation, Maitreya Buddha said helplessly, "I’ve already mentioned it to Sun Wukong; he is very keen, but first, we need the Jade Emperor’s approval."

In times like these, for such a major event as the Journey to the West, he couldn’t make decisions without the now powerless Jade Emperor; therefore, he also didn’t negotiate with him.

Haotian’s approval?!

Tathagata’s mouth twitched at the thought of dealing with someone who wouldn’t act without a guarantee, crafty indeed.

"Fine, then it is settled. We will invite Sun Wukong to be the head chef for our Buddhist feast."

Having no better reasons or alternatives, Tathagata had to proceed with Maitreya Buddha’s plan for now.

However, Haotian couldn’t be fooled by this at all, it had to be an open strategy.

If he wanted to get the monkey from Haotian’s hands, that would definitely cost a pretty penny.

Just thinking about it, Tathagata felt a pain in the flesh and the eggs, but he had no choice but to step in.

Who made him the Master of Buddhism?

When things went wrong, it was all up to him to cover for them.

Life was so hard for him!

Tathagata lamented in his heart.

He spoke, "This monk will go and negotiate with the Jade Emperor."

Receiving a satisfactory reply, Maitreya Buddha grinned from ear to ear.

"Thank you, Buddha," said Maitreya Buddha cheerfully, thanking Tathagata sincerely for the first time ever.

He couldn’t help it; he was looking forward to the banquet too much, especially the dishes prepared by Sun Wukong.

Who knows if Sun Wukong would be able to come up with something new, even tastier this time?

Maitreya Buddha thought about this as he made his way back to his seat.

With the controversy gone, the Buddhas had nothing to say anymore. They could only curse the Buddha a few times in their hearts and then let the matter rest.

Naval Marshal’s Residence.

"Peng, what exactly does this Flat Peach Banquet taste like?" Xiong Daoren eagerly asked Tian Peng, who looked content and bloated as he strolled back.

Licking his teeth with his tongue, Tian Peng squinted his eyes and savored the memory, "What does it taste like? It was truly an immense surprise."

Tian Peng started his routine boast, "The dishes for the Flat Peach Banquet are prepared by Chaos Residence’s Shopkeeper Chen’s apprentice, Mr. Monkey. How could they be anything but excellent?"

"Moreover, the final dish, the hot pot, was personally made by Shopkeeper Chen, and its flavor is simply beyond words."

With an expression of admiration, Tian Peng critiqued the dishes.

"I’ve never seen such a novel way of eating. Who knew that so many ingredients, after such cooking, could taste so delicious? Doing it yourself even adds a unique flavor."

"Who knows how Shopkeeper Chen ever came up with it, he’s really talented."

Tian Peng expressed his feelings, his words sparing no praise for Chen Nuo. His own power could be said to have been created by Shopkeeper Chen and he couldn’t help but respect him.

It was also a heartfelt gratitude.

Xiong Daoren standing beside him was stirred with excitement and yearning.

"What an eye-opener," Xiong Daoren muttered to himself.

It’s great to follow Peng around, getting to see the world!

Xiong Daoren clenched his fist, trying to give himself a pep talk in his heart, determined to qualify for the next Flat Peach Banquet!

"Peng, hold on!" Xiong Daoren paused, then asked curiously, "I heard from others that the Queen Mother gives out Flat Peaches. What vintage did she give you this time?"

The Flat Peaches at the banquet were something every Immortal paid attention to, so in the past few days at the Marshal’s Residence, the Black Bear Demon also heard this topic discussed several times.

"Of course it’s... nine thousand years old!" Tian Peng hesitated, wanted to say three thousand years but felt it was undervaluing himself, so he stood tall, head held high, exuding an air of richness.

"Really?" Xiong Daoren’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had heard the Immortal Attendants in the Marshal’s Residence discuss that usually only those at the Great God Level received nine thousand year old Peaches.

"Could there be any doubt?" Tian Peng scoffed, as if expressing his dissatisfaction with Xiong Daoren’s questioning.

Blatantly lying, he said, "Peaches less than nine thousand years old? That’s for fooling the ghosts!"

"Others get the nine thousand year old ones because they are qualified, while I get them because that’s the oldest the Flat Peach can be!"

"Don’t they know who I am?"

Tian Peng said with a look of pride.

"The War God of the Heavenly Court!" declared Xiong Daoren without a second thought.

He had no doubts about Tian Peng’s status. With that grandeur, Tian Peng fully demonstrated his exalted position in the Heavenly Court, it couldn’t be fake.

Tian Peng nodded in satisfaction, not at all mindful of the lesson Yang Jian taught him before.