Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 301 Monarch and Ministers Enjoy Together, The Competition of Two Birds
"Do I just swoosh it directly in the pot?" Haotian took out a large pile of ingredients and, unable to wait any longer while watching the water gradually heat up by the fire, eagerly asked.
He really was too eager to eat.
Wukong shook his head and asked, "Did my master give you nothing but the ingredients?"
"There’s more stuff." Haotian thought for a moment and then took out sauces and soup base as well.
Wukong’s eyes lit up, this was exactly what he needed.
Picking up the hot pot’s soup base, he opened the packaging—one original flavor, one spicy—and Wukong put them into the two separate compartments of the hot pot.
The originally dry, clumped soup base slowly dissolved upon meeting the water.
As the water heated up, an aroma began to waft through the air, and a while later, the water boiled.
"We can start eating now," Wukong said cheerfully.
As soon as he said this, as if on command, Haotian eagerly clutched a slice of meat and whirled it into the spicy half of the pot.
Seeing that Wukong and Gold Star Taibai hadn’t moved, Haotian hospitably beckoned, "Don’t be shy, today we dine as equals, let’s all eat to our heart’s content."
Wukong cracked a grin, "You got it!"
He wasn’t about to stand on ceremony, he had simply been pondering what to eat first a moment ago.
Picking up some tripe, Wukong directly placed it into the non-spicy side of the pot.
Taibai grinned sheepishly, but still acted reserved, hesitantly grabbing some vegetables after much deliberation.
The slices of meat in the pot quickly cooked through, exuding an enticing look, and Haotian snatched them out with nimble fingers, shook them off, dipped them into the sauce bowl, and popped them into his mouth.
The savory aroma of the lamb combined with the unique taste of the dipping sauce filled his mouth, followed by a piquant sensation that surged straight to his palate in an instant.
Perspiration dotted his forehead, and his face contorted slightly.
"Awesome!" Haotian smacked his lips and exclaimed with delight.
This was the flavor, indeed, a spicy pot was truly meant for him!
"Impressive!" Wukong gave Haotian a thumbs up.
"I just can’t handle this stuff," Wukong said with a face full of envy.
Spicy food always irritates him, making him scratch his head and ears, it’s extremely unpleasant.
"You just need more practice." A smug look appeared on Haotian’s face. He pondered for a moment and then asked, "Chef Wukong, are you getting used to life in the Heavenly Court these days?"
"Of course, I am!" Wukong said as he picked up some already cooked tripe, dipped it into the sauce, and took a satisfying bite.
Here, not only was he unhindered, but he also got to become the chef he always wanted to be.
Every day, seeing these immortals rushing to get a taste of the dishes he made was a form of satisfaction.
"That’s good to hear," Haotian nodded.
"In a few days, you’ll be heading over to Buddhism to take charge of cooking for a Dharma banquet, right?" Haotian asked.
"Yeah!" Wukong grinned, "Just three more days to go!"
He was very excited for the opportunity to be the head chef at a grand banquet.
It’s just a pity that those monks from Buddhism only eat vegetarian food, no meat.
He wasn’t particularly skilled with vegetarian dishes, so this was a challenge for him.
Thinking about the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall recipe that Chen Nuo had taught him, Wukong still felt somewhat uncertain—would the monks of Buddhism really approve of it?
Looking at Wukong who was blissfully unaware of the trouble looming ahead, Haotian remained silent. Wukong’s identity was just too sensitive.
Was it really a good thing for Shopkeeper Chen to keep him in the dark like this?
Haotian was utterly puzzled; that place was Spirit Mountain, the very foundation of Buddhism.
He had no idea how many Buddhas resided there, allowing that monkey to venture there alone—wasn’t that like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den?
He also knew that Buddhism had been sending out invitations throughout the Three Realms, calling all deities to attend the Dharma feast on Spirit Mountain; such a ploy certainly couldn’t escape the eyes of Haotian.
It was nothing more than an attempt to suppress Sun Wukong in front of all the deities of the Three Realms. Not only would it continue the great ordeal of the Journey to the West, but it would also serve to intimidate the entire Three Realms—a perfect combination of advantages.
Otherwise, Tathagata wouldn’t have bothered to go out of his way, exerting the pressure of a Saint and even offering up three Magical Treasures in the end.
He didn’t want to agree, but the grand revival of Buddhism was decreed by the Ancestor of Taoism himself; alone, he had no power to stop it.
This was basically a no-win situation; why wouldn’t Shopkeeper Chen try to prevent it? Could it be that he too feared the momentum of the great ordeal?
Or...
A glimmer of speculation flashed through Haotian’s eyes; did Shopkeeper Chen have some other preparation?
Nevertheless, no matter what, it was not something he could interfere with anymore.
"Your Majesty!" Sun Wukong chuckled, his furry face moving closer, "After I finish cooking at the Buddhist event, may I return to my post in the Heavenly Court?"
Compared to the unfamiliarity of Buddhism, his impression of the Heavenly Court was somewhat better.
Just thinking about the abstemious and Buddhist life seemed completely dull; the immortals of the Heavenly Court who enjoyed wine and meat were much more to his liking.
He’d spend all day bantering, and after cooking in the evening would even join these immortals at their table, reveling in joy—he couldn’t bear to part with such relaxed days.
Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Haotian paused and then said, "Of course."
He genuinely hoped that Sun Wukong would stay; setting aside his identity as Shopkeeper Chen’s disciple, he appreciated Wukong’s forthrightness. It was easy to get along without all the roundabout tactics.
And his culinary skills had become something that, he felt, the entire Heavenly Court could hardly do without now.
He didn’t even want to think about how the immortals of the Heavenly Court would manage if Sun Wukong truly ended up being suppressed.
"The gates of the Heavenly Court will always be open for you," he said, contemplating the thought.
Sun Wukong scratched his head and laughed, "Then it’s a deal! Once the feast is over and the cooking is done, I’ll come back!"
"Alright."
Uttarakuru, Demon Master Palace, Summit of Pole Mountain.
"Why do you have the time to seek me out today?" The Roc Demon King asked the young man in golden-red brocade with some displeasure.
The young man shrugged, accustomed to the attitude of the Roc Demon King, and offhandedly said, "Buddhism is busy with the Dharma feast, and it’s none of my business—boring. Just came out for some fresh air, thought I’d stop by my friend’s place for a bit of fun."
"If you want to get some air, go amuse yourself. Why bother coming to my Demon Master Palace?" The Roc Demon King’s handsome face showed annoyance, and his tone was unfriendly.
At those words, the young man gave a mischievous smile, "Isn’t it to torment you a bit? To see what kind of progress you’ve made in your speed over the years."
"It’s truly pitiable to think that the son of the Kunpeng Demon Master, renowned throughout the Three Realms for speed, still can’t outpace me," the young man tsked, looking genuinely sympathetic.
"You!" The Roc Demon King’s face turned slightly green with anger welling up inside him.
Speed was the pride of his heart! He had lost last time due to his poor condition and lower cultivation level, nothing to do with his speed!
"Last time, I left you far behind," the young man continued to chatter on, growing even more arrogant and provoking as he saw the changes in the Roc Demon King’s expression, "What’s wrong? Can’t accept it? How about we race again?"
Beyond the initial anger, the Roc Demon King quickly regained his composure and kept a steady expression.
Indeed, he had lost the last time, but now, returning from Chaos Residence, he was a changed being.
"Alright," the Roc Demon King nodded, promptly accepting the challenge.
"I didn’t expect you to actually take up the challenge!" surprise flickered in the young man’s eyes. After all, he had soundly beaten his opponent last time!
Because of that matter, it seemed that he was even confined by the venerable Kunpeng for reflection, which was utterly laughable.
If this fool wasn’t afraid, then he was all the more confident.
