Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 240 Can This Dish Be Eaten?

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said with a smile, "My little tricks naturally can’t compare to Master’s. I’m just overjoyed because I’ve awakened a new divine skill."

He wasn’t arrogant, nor did he have the capital to be.

All his comprehended divine skills had come from his master, and considering the other diners, one could imagine just how unfathomably vast his master’s array of divine skills was.

He always aimed to measure up to his master and was far from being complacent or arrogant.

Chen Nuo nodded indifferently, appearing quite satisfied with Sun Wukong’s attitude.

"In the next few days, strive to master ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.’

The day of the Buddhist Dharma feast is not far off, and this gift must be well prepared for them. Although it’s likely to invoke the ire of Buddhism, there’s no shame in making money."

Who knows, maybe Buddhism will come to eat every day after this?

After all, post-Divine Enthronement, Buddhism’s power and wealth soared, so skimming a bit off the top, Chen Nuo felt completely justified.

In times of chaos, Taoism rises; in times of prosperity, Buddhism thrives—this is what he always heard in his previous life.

When the world is in disarray, Taoism emerges to help stabilize the chaos, then retreats to the mountains, while Buddhism, in contrast, withdraws from the world during chaotic times to protect itself and emerges during prosperous times to save sentient beings.

This was also why he internally felt an aversion towards Buddhism.

"Yes!" Sun Wukong nodded earnestly.

He devoted himself wholeheartedly to learning new dishes without needing any reminders from his master—and even more so for a dish whose quality was instantly recognizable as surpassing what he had learned before.

As a monkey who wished to continually advance in the culinary arts, how could he possibly slacken!

Dragon Palace, banquet.

Dragon Mother, coming from the inner palace, saw Ao Ling from afar and a look of joy crossed her face. Trailing her heavy long skirt, she approached and took the plating-directing Ao Ling into her embrace.

"My dear daughter, how I’ve missed you!" Dragon Mother said, her voice choked with emotion.

Whether it’s for a father or for a mother, there’s always worry when a child travels afar—even Ao Guang was no exception, though he was more concerned about hindering Ao Ling’s learning, which was why he acted as he did.

"Mother." Ao Ling did not refer to her as ’Empress,’ allowing Dragon Mother to hold her quietly.

Though the Dragon Clan usually used formal titles like ’Father King’ and ’Mother Empress,’ their affection was much deeper than the scheming and plotting of the human royal families.

After a while, Dragon Mother finally let go and asked with concern, "Ling’er, have you been doing well with your master? Is the learning tough? Are you tired?"

Ao Ling nodded her head with a smiling face, "Of course I’m fine! Not tired at all."

Apart from the light chores of tidying up the shop each day, the rest was learning culinary arts with her master and daily cultivation—all things she ought to do, with nothing to complain about being weary.

If she found this tiresome, then what was the point of having a master?

Closely inspecting Ao Ling’s face, which seemed more radiant than when she left, Dragon Mother said against her better judgment, "Look at you, not tired yet you’ve lost weight!"

Ao Ling: "...."

She ate and ate all day, how could she lose weight?

Back in the Dragon Palace, she often went many days without food, but at her master’s Chaos Residence, she hadn’t missed a day; how could she possibly be losing weight?

The work was nothing for her as a Golden Immortal, and besides, she wasn’t forbidden from using mana to help.

"Alright, mother, I’m learning well with master; you don’t need to worry."

Ao Ling smiled slightly, and after speaking, she took Dragon Mother’s hand and led her to the banquet table, "Mother, come and taste my cooking skills!"

Dragon Mother gazed at the table full of dishes with astonishment, "Did you make all these?"

"Yep, yep!"

Ao Ling nodded, picked up a pair of chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and brought it to Dragon Mother’s mouth.

"Mother, have a bite!"

Watching the approach of the aesthetically pleasing flashed meat slice, Dragon Mother’s pupils contracted as if she saw something terrifying, and she took two steps back.

Ling’er’s cooking skills...

If it hadn’t been for her lack of appetite that day, which allowed her to dodge a calamity, not only her husband but also another dragon might have fallen victim to its terrifying power. The memory was still fresh in her mind.

However, since that time, Ling’er had stopped messing with cooking, so why had she picked it up again?!

Seeing the Dragon Mother’s reaction, Ao Ling knew why.

Her cheeks flushed with a hint of anger and embarrassment, she said, "I am no longer the person I was before. Now, my cooking skills will definitely impress you all!"

Despite her words, Ao Guang and the Dragon Mother remained unmoved.

Especially Ao Guang—the pain was simply indescribable. Even now, he felt as if he were reliving the experience.

"You guys!" Ao Ling grit her teeth in frustration, "If you don’t believe me, fine, I’ll eat it myself!"

She might have been terrible at cooking before, but now her culinary skills had undergone a complete transformation!

She shoved a piece of meat into her mouth and began to chew, but it was somewhat difficult to swallow.

Her taste had long been spoiled by Chen Nuo, and was not so easily satisfied.

If she had Sun Wukong’s level of cooking skills, it would be fine, but she was still a beginner and had a long way to go!

Watching Ao Ling’s furrowed brow, Ao Guang and the Dragon Mother let out a sigh of relief; thankfully, they had listened to their inner reservations!

With gritted teeth, Ao Ling forcefully swallowed the bite, and without stopping, she grabbed another piece and started on her second bite.

The Dragon Mother furrowed her brows, truly starting to worry. Her husband suffering a bit was one thing, but what if Ling’er hurt her stomach by eating this?

It was clear who was more important to her.

After a moment’s contemplation, the Dragon Mother said to her daughter who was still trying to prove herself, "Ling’er, let me eat it."

Upon hearing this, Ao Ling hurriedly swallowed her bite and looked at the Dragon Mother with joy and anticipation.

Bowing her head, the Dragon Mother felt as though the stewed meat was staring back at her when she looked at it—an utterly horrifying notion!

Swallowing hard, the Dragon Mother steeled herself. For the sake of her daughter, she was going all in!

Bracing herself, the Dragon Mother picked up her chopsticks, chose the smallest piece, and slowly, deliberately, placed it in her mouth.

The expectant look in Ao Ling’s eyes and the concern in Ao Guang’s gaze, all converged on the Dragon Mother. In that moment, it was as if time had stopped.

One second, two seconds...

The Dragon Mother’s mouth moved again, the pace of her chewing quickened, and finally, she swallowed.

"How is it?!" Ao Ling and Ao Guang asked in unison, anxious for the Dragon Mother’s final verdict.

Opening her eyes, the Dragon Mother looked surprised and said, "It’s actually pretty tasty!"

Then, turning to Ao Ling with some disbelief, she asked, "Did you really make this, Ling’er?"

Although it wasn’t particularly flavorful, it was still a decent dish. Her cooking skills were not far behind those of the chefs in the Dragon Palace.

Ao Ling lifted her head slightly, a smirk on her lips, "Of course, I did!"

She had watched her master cooking carefully every day. Although she couldn’t manage it herself yet, she could mimic a bit by copying what she saw!

Of course, the final product was still miles away from perfect; otherwise, she wouldn’t have had such trouble eating it.

"Husband, you should eat too, it’s really good," the Dragon Mother said as she picked up another piece and pushed the plate toward Ao Guang.

Ao Guang’s mouth twitched. Surely, she wasn’t thinking they should die together!

Ao Guang scrutinized the expression on the Dragon Mother’s face, but found no sign of distress.

With a frown, he wondered if it was really okay?

"Father, you should try it too! Mother already did!" Ao Ling urged softly.