Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 330: The Scripture Seeker is Chosen, Wukong Arrives at Spirit Mountain
The Intelligent Stone Monkey was already a certain choice, but the candidate for Scripture Seeker had never been conclusively decided, preferring not to waste fortunes on outsiders.
As the current public leader of Buddhism, of course, he wanted more Merit Points. He had thought about it before, deciding to let his own disciple do it.
The only question was which one? He had not given it much thought before, as the monkey’s troubles had already kept him busy enough. Where did he have the time to deal with this?
Now, the monkey had already ensnared himself, and suppressing him was as easy as capturing a turtle in a jar.
It was time to put the choice of Scripture Seeker on the agenda.
Have his eldest disciple Moksha Kasyapa take the role?
Tathagata shook his head; he was not very optimistic, not because Kasyapa was bad, but rather too good.
His disciple had talent, comprehension, and a gentle nature, gathering many virtues in one being.
Since he transformed from a barbarian to Buddha and joined Buddhism, he had taken Moksha Kasyapa as a disciple. Up to now, Kasyapa had reached the early stage of a Daluo Golden Immortal.
The speed of such a strength advancement was undeniably swift!
Kasyapa was also diligent and responsible in his daily affairs. If this were a normal matter, he would have sent Kasyapa without a second word.
But this was the great ordeal of the Journey to the West. Compared to other choices, the Scripture Seeker needed to be even more exacting as they had to undergo the trials of reincarnation and cultivate their hearts.
A whole nine lifetimes!
If he chose Kasyapa, it would mean discarding the cultivation of a Daluo Golden Immortal. Even if the Journey to the West was successful, the Merit Points granted afterwards would probably just be enough to achieve Great Luo status.
That would likely not even catch up with Kasyapa’s normal cultivation progress, truly putting the cart before the horse. Thus, his eldest disciple was not suitable.
And his second disciple, Jin Chanzi...
The image of Jin Chanzi surfaced in Tathagata’s mind, stirring some interest.
His second disciple’s true form was a Six-winged Golden Cicada, already an excellent choice. Coupled with Jin Chanzi’s amazing understanding of the Dharma, his talent was probably even superior to Kasyapa’s.
However, Jin Chanzi’s character was indeed a bit erratic. When studying things, he could not settle down, always thinking about all sorts of messy, irrelevant things, and often uttered astonishing remarks.
Jin Chanzi was even less conscientious about spiritual cultivation, which was why after so many years, he had only achieved the level of a Taiyi Golden Immortal.
If one were to say, selecting Jin Chanzi as the candidate for Scripture Seeker seemed rather fitting.
The Scripture Seeker needed to undergo reincarnations, facing hardships to correct their true nature.
Though in a mortal body, the experiences of past lives might not matter, once the ordeal ends and heavenly Merit Points elevate one’s cultivation, all memories are awakened together.
After nine lifetimes of tempering, Tathagata believed this would definitely eliminate or greatly improve Jin Chanzi’s temperament.
Plus, Jin Chanzi was just a Taiyi Golden Immortal, while the Merit Points from the Journey to the West could directly elevate him to Daluo Golden Immortal. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
It could be said that Jin Chanzi was the most appropriate choice for Scripture Seeker!
Tathagata nodded to himself, his decision already made. As for whether Jin Chanzi himself wished for it, that was not important.
What was crucial was to complete the grand business of the Journey to the West successfully!
Tathagata’s gaze was profound as he took advantage of this feast to get things done.
...
"How about it? This is our Buddhism’s vegetarian hall. Not bad, right?" Maitreya led Sun Wukong into a large vegetarian institution.
Red brick tall walls, exuding a certain majesty. Wisps of cooking smoke added a touch of liveliness.
Sun Wukong took in the view before him and nodded.
"It looks quite nice," Sun Wukong casually remarked, but in his heart, it was no match for the Chaos Residence.
As Maitreya opened the door and entered, the monks who were busy in the vegetarian hall suddenly noticed the Buddha and monkey before them.
"Buddha Ancestor!" The monks quickly bowed their heads and offered the Buddha greeting.
As for Sun Wukong, the monks did not pay him any attention; they didn’t know which monkey he was.
Maitreya nodded, stretched out his hand towards Sun Wukong, and said, "This is the chef specially hired by Buddhism to take charge of the cooking during the banquet."
The chef?
The monks were stunned, although they all knew about the event. The Buddha Ancestor actually said that the monkey is the one in charge of cooking? That was beyond belief!
The monks were extremely puzzled. For such an important feast, it was already surprising that they didn’t select the best among them to take charge of the cooking, but to hire a monkey instead?
Surely, this must be some kind of joke!
If something went wrong, wouldn’t it be Buddhism that suffered ridicule?
The monks were all more or less concerned, but they didn’t dare say anything in front of the Buddha Ancestor.
"Come, come, Wukong, quickly make some food for me!" Maitreya said, patting his belly, very eager.
Sun Wukong rolled his eyes, "I’ve just arrived, you can’t possibly expect me to start working without any rest at all!"
This monkey really lacked any sense of being a monkey!
A look of appeasement spread over Maitreya’s face, "Rest, rest, of course, you’ll have rest!"
The chef is the boss!
Monks in the vegetarian hall watched, dumbfounded. Why was Maitreya Buddha so attentive to this monkey?
Sun Wukong ignored Maitreya and turned to the monks with clasped fists, grinning, "I am Sun Wukong, the one helping you with the banquet dishes! Please advise!"
"Amitabha." The monks returned the greeting perfunctorily.
They did not welcome Sun Wukong. They had prepared for this Buddhist banquet for so long, only for the person in charge to be changed at the last moment?
And it was to be this utterly unreliable-looking monkey before them.
If it had been the renowned God of Cookery or the Kitchen God from the Heavenly Court, they might have been convinced.
"Alright, alright," Maitreya waved his hand dismissively, "Go to the side hall, Chef Wukong and I have important matters to discuss."
"We will obey the Dharma command!" The monks left upon hearing the command.
"What important matters do you have to discuss with me?" Sun Wukong asked with curiosity, "What can’t you say upfront?"
Maitreya chuckled, patting his belly, "Of course, it’s this matter. If they see me constantly eating meat, it won’t look good."
Sun Wukong twitched the corner of his mouth, "You’ve already broken the precepts, so what reputation are you worried about now?"
"Although I haven’t seen it myself, I’ve heard about how you gorged on meat at the Flat Peach Banquet, even enjoying the hotpot to such an extent, eating so much of it."
"Who would believe that if you said it out loud?"
"Hey," Maitreya glared, righteous in his speech, "What do you mean ’broken the precepts’? I am practicing ’the meat and wine pass through my intestines while the Buddha stays in my heart!’"
Well, that was something! Sun Wukong was somewhat speechless inside, this Buddha was quite proud of himself.
"I was only teasing when I said that," Sun Wukong spread his hands, it was just to go along with Maitreya’s desire to eat meat despite his apparent hesitation at the time. It was an offhand remark to stir things up.
"No!" Maitreya shook his head, his face serious, "Wukong, you don’t know how profound the Buddhist principle contained in your words is. Ever since the Flat Peach Banquet, I have kept this saying close to my heart and abide by it at all times!"
As long as he has Buddha in his heart, what does it matter how much meat he eats?
"Alright, alright!" Sun Wukong hastily cut him off, lest he continue and say who knows what else.
"What do you want to eat?"
Upon hearing this, Maitreya’s eyes instantly lit up, and he quickly said, "I want that hotpot!"
The memory of the last hotpot experience was so delightful that it made him yearn for more. It was incredibly tasty, and there was plenty of it, enough to satisfy and be thoroughly enjoyable!
Sun Wukong shook his head without hesitation, "Can’t eat that."
