Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 326 Inviting Everyone
This Master Zhenyuan is too much!
Once the success of her Journey to the West with Buddhism is confirmed and she is promoted to a Quasi-Saint, she’ll see whether Master Zhenyuan still behaves the same way!
As for Master Zhenyuan’s young disciple, Qingfeng, he hurriedly ran to the back as soon as he heard Guanyin speak of a turnaround.
That’s also why he didn’t respond later — Qingfeng and Mingyue, being the latest disciples recruited by Master Zhenyuan,
had yet to settle down and were still impulsive like children.
Rushing like a gust of wind, Qingfeng raced towards the room where Master Zhenyuan was, pushing the door open directly, "Master, Master!"
Master Zhenyuan was originally seated on a meditation cushion with a pot set up in front of him, atop a fire of burning charcoal, and a variety of ingredients scattered on the ground around him.
Sensing Qingfeng’s approach, he swiftly plucked a piece of meat from the pot, dipped it in sauce from a bowl, and put it in his mouth, chewing twice before swallowing.
Then, with a wave of his sleeve, he gathered up all the items from the ground and dispersed the scent, sitting cross-legged, holding the horsetail whisk, with eyes firmly closed. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
Master Zhenyuan assumed a posture of closed-door cultivation, and at that moment, Qingfeng just happened to push the door open.
With a furrowed white brow, Master Zhenyuan slowly opened his eyes, with a hint of rebuke in his tone, "What did I tell you? Do not act impulsively, and you must knock and ask for permission before entering, have you forgotten?"
"Moreover, didn’t I say that I was in closed-door cultivation and should not be disturbed?"
Turning timid, Qingfeng said somewhat plaintively, "Disciple has urgent matters to report to Master."
"Speak! What urgent matter? If it’s not important, you won’t escape punishment!" Master Zhenyuan asked in a perfunctory manner.
He had Wu Zhuang Temple completely under his control — he was fully aware of what Guanyin had come to say just now.
Yet, he did not meet with her and he didn’t actually go into closed-door cultivation as he had claimed. He indeed didn’t have much regard for Buddhism.
Those who killed his close friend, Hongyun, were indeed Di Jun, East Emperor, Kunpeng, and the Ming River, but the indirect murderers were undoubtedly the Two Sages of the West.
If they hadn’t wailed and pleaded so desperately, Hongyun wouldn’t have benevolently stepped aside, leading to a series of consequences that culminated in his return to the cosmos.
Startled by what Master Zhenyuan said, Qingfeng quickly began, "Master, the Bodhisattvas from Buddhism came just now, saying that there is some sort of feast tomorrow, and they have come to invite Master to attend!"
"Hmm." Master Zhenyuan nodded.
"I am already aware of this matter. You may leave!" he said, waving his sleeve to dismiss Qingfeng.
Seeing that his master didn’t pursue the matter further, Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, hastily bowed, "All right, Master, I will take my leave."
Having said that, he quickly scurried off.
He was genuinely afraid that Master Zhenyuan might change his mind — although the master didn’t physically punish them, he would make them do a lot of grueling work, which was especially tiring, and they were not allowed to use their mana, a truly miserable experience!
As Qingfeng left, he also carefully shut the door behind him.
A Dharma feast in Buddhism, huh? Master Zhenyuan murmured to himself.
Truthfully, he didn’t really want to go, for all the fare at the Buddhist feast would be vegetarian — how could it compare to the Flat Peach Banquet of the Heavenly Court?
At the mention of the Flat Peach Banquet, a flicker of excitement passed through Master Zhenyuan’s eyes; he had to admit, the dishes served at this last banquet were simply too delicious!
Master Zhenyuan could claim to be among the first beings to take shape in The Primordial World, but after so many years, such delicious fare was a first for him!
Even as a Quasi-Saint, it was hard not to be moved.
Remembering this, Master Zhenyuan waved his sleeve again, and the pot and ingredients he had put away earlier reappeared.
Ever since returning from the Heavenly Court, he had been trying to recreate the dishes from the Flat Peach Banquet. He had given up on the stir-fried dishes,
since they were simply beyond him. The dishes he made were too unpalatable, and even using Heavenly and Earthly Treasures did little to improve their flavor.
How did he know this?
One only needed to look at the plate of stir-fried ginseng fruit with bell peppers, which he hadn’t managed to eat a bite of and had long since discarded.
This dish before him, akin to boiled meat in water, he regarded as the essence of what he had learned.
During the Flat Peach Banquet, that final dish—the hot pot—was still fresh in his memory.
Not only was the hot pot delicious, but it also seemed exceedingly simple to prepare: just get the pot right, add water, and boil the ingredients in it.
With his Quasi-Saint’s keen sight, he could tell that the key to hot pot lay in the broth and sauces!
Thus, he had the presence of mind to sneak some dipping sauces before leaving, but there was nothing he could do about the hot pot broth.
For the white broth, he used plain water and, lacking a better option, he sprinkled some chili peppers to substitute for the red broth.
Though the flavors were less layered and the meat slices unevenly cut, the mere dipping sauces were flavorful enough!
However, Master Zhenyuan hadn’t taken much, so after returning, he consumed it secretly over a few meals.
Otherwise, if his disciples found out, a few bites each, and there would hardly be enough sauce to go around!
If he refused to share, he would seem too miserly as a master, so it was best they remained ignorant.
As another slice of meat went down delightfully, Master Zhenyuan’s gaze was profound.
These days, Buddhism was thriving and acting prominently, sometimes even overshadowing the name of the Heavenly Court.
Moreover, with the Journey to the West stirring the land and Dharma spreading from the West, a burgeoning era was upon them—one that was truly troublesome to provoke.
Although no one in Taoism wished to see this situation, it was, after all, a decree from the founder of Taoism, and no one in the Three Realms would dare to object.
Master Zhenyuan had always maintained neutrality in the Three Realms. Having given face to the Heavenly Court by attending the Flat Peach Banquet, it stood to reason not to reject Buddhism.
Therefore, it was best to attend this Buddhist feast. If it tasted bad, he simply wouldn’t eat. He would just go through the motions.
With this in mind, Master Zhenyuan began to fill the pot with more vegetables.
Guan River Mouth.
"Brother, what exactly does Buddhism want?" Inside the True Lord’s Mansion, Yang Chan sat on a chair with a hint of displeasure in her expression.
"They provoked us before, and now they’re inviting us to some Dharma banquet!"
Pursing her lips slightly, Yang Chan exclaimed softly, "Could it be that those baldies are seeking revenge, luring you there under pretense?"
After all, her older brother had slain a Buddhist Bodhisattva; it was unthinkable that they would let it go unavenged!
Yang Jian remained calm, shaking his head with a dismissive smile on his lips.
"They don’t have the guts."
This matter had already been smoothed over by his master and Master Taishang. Even if Buddhism wished to act against him, it could only be through underhanded schemes behind his back.
As for the Dharma feast, Buddhism had invited the Assembly of Immortals from all over the Three Realms, which was hardly a secret.
"But what if something happens? Brother, haven’t those baldies used enough underhanded tactics?" Yang Chan’s expression became anxious as she looked toward Yang Jian.
In her eyes, there was an unabashed loathing for Buddhism.
Due to Yao Ji’s revival and their storytelling, they also knew the true face of Buddhism—ostentatiously righteous in public, yet playing a far different role in the shadows.
Their deceit and treachery could not be overstated!
Even their mother’s fate was a result of Buddhism’s manipulations; had it not been for Shopkeeper Chen bestowing her with Divine Skills to restore her damaged soul, they would still be in the dark!
"Your brother is well aware," said Yang Jian, empathizing with Yang Chan’s feelings.
How could he not harbor hatred?
Nevertheless, since Buddhism had sent an envoy to invite, it was a gesture from Buddhism that they would not pursue the matter.
If you have the courage, then come.
