Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 331: Maitreya Who Has Not Eaten Meat for Many Days
"Why?!"
"Firstly, I didn’t bring a pot, and secondly, I have neither base ingredients nor sauces—do you really want to eat meat slices boiled in plain water?" Sun Wukong explained.
Without having mastered the two core elements of hot pot from his master, if he were to try and imitate without understanding, the flavor would be vastly different.
Although his master gave him quite a lot last time, the consumption at the Flat Peach Banquet was so massive that it was all used up, especially by this particular fatty in front of him!
Sun Wukong looked at the pot-bellied Maitreya, his eyelids twitching. This guy had not only eaten his own portion but had also devoured the shares of several others.
It was simply terrifying!
"Oh, I see!" Maitreya was a bit disappointed.
After all, the taste of hot pot was truly delicious, and being able to participate in the cooking process while eating was both fun and novel.
He had been looking forward to indulging himself this time, but now it seemed there was no chance!
"So, your meat and vegetables this time aren’t for hot pot?" Maitreya asked curiously.
Sun Wukong shook his head, "How could that be? The meat and vegetables I prepared this time are a new creation!"
It was a dish that his master had just taught him, especially for this banquet!
"Oh?" Maitreya’s interest was piqued, "How does this new dish taste?"
With a slight smile lifting the corners of his mouth, Sun Wukong said lightly, "Let me put it this way, this new dish far surpasses all my other dishes!"
"Really?!" Maitreya couldn’t help but exclaim, his breathing growing a bit more rapid. A foodie, even after becoming a Quasi-Saint, remains a foodie at heart.
The news of something tastier made him restless.
"Of course," Sun Wukong nodded, brimming with confidence. It was simply the truth.
The quality of the ingredients and the complexity of the preparation for this dish from his master were undoubtedly much higher than any he had learned before.
The flavor was naturally superior as well.
Even with his master’s unparalleled culinary skills, where every dish reached the pinnacle of perfection, he could still discern that Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was more delicious than the others.
"Then that’s wonderful!" Maitreya, overjoyed, urged eagerly, "Then quickly make that dish!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
"I cannot," said Sun Wukong, quite uncompromisingly, once again refusing.
Maitreya frowned, "Why?!"
He had been tantalized by Sun Wukong’s description, and then to be told he couldn’t have it? What a joke!
"It’s a secret dish prepared for the climax of the Dharma banquet," Sun Wukong explained.
"Make an exception!" Maitreya leaned in closer, appearing extremely chummy.
With a chuckle, he said, "Wukong, just go ahead and cook. I’ve sent the others away already. After we eat, if you don’t talk and I don’t talk, how would anyone else know what your secret final dish is?"
After speaking, he even made faces at Sun Wukong, comically winking and gesturing, with none of the solemnity befitting a Buddha.
"Forget about it," Sun Wukong still disagreed, shaking his head, "No means no, it’s a matter of principle."
Before he left, his master had impressed upon him how the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was to be saved for the climax—he wouldn’t go against his master’s wishes.
"Sigh," Seeing Wukong’s steadfast refusal, Maitreya was somewhat at a loss, chiding with frustration, "Why can’t you be flexible?"
Maitreya’s expression fell. Now he was not going to get to try the new dish!
"Calm down, calm down. You won’t be missing out on your portion during the Buddhism banquet," Sun Wukong offered some consolation.
"I can cook you something else, isn’t that just as good?"
Indeed, Maitreya nodded, patting his ample belly, "Then you must make a few extra dishes for this poor monk!"
"No problem, no problem!"
Nuwa Palace.
"My lady, my lady, your delivery has arrived." Xuan Feng, carrying a package just retrieved from outside, stepped through the palace doors.
Nuwa nodded, speaking softly, "Put it aside."
Xuan Feng gently placed the package on the table.
"My lady, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave." Xuan Feng said cautiously, with a bow, and then turned to leave the palace.
"It is usually I who dismiss you. Why are you so eager today?" Nuwa’s voice rose mysteriously...
Xuan Feng’s body trembled, a smile appearing on her face.
"I didn’t want to disturb you during your meal, so I thought to leave earlier," Xuan Feng explained, trying to keep her composure.
"Oh?" Nuwa’s captivating red lips curved slightly upward, "But today I don’t feel bothered."
Upon hearing this, a look of panic flashed across Xuan Feng’s face, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.
The great hall fell into a moment of silence.
After a while,
"Tell me, why did you leave the Empress Palace after fetching the meal yesterday?" Nuwa spoke first.
Xuan Feng’s heart skipped a beat, realizing she’d been found out.
"Speak the truth, do not deceive me," Nuwa said, unfolding the package carefully and methodically.
Without her permission, entry and exit from the Empress Palace were forbidden.
Though Nuwa didn’t exert any pressure, Xuan Feng still felt a chill of fear.
Not daring to lie, Xuan Feng stammered, "To, to answer my lady, yesterday, I went to craft a pot.
Nuwa furrowed her brows, Xuan Feng’s reply leaving her somewhat unable to react.
"Crafting a pot? What kind of pot?"
"To answer my lady, it’s a pot for hotpot," Xuan Feng honestly replied. "I ordered hotpot for yesterday’s delivery, but when it arrived, it only came with the ingredients and no pot, so it was entirely uneatable."
"However, Shopkeeper Chen drafted a diagram for me, explaining how to make the pot, so I left the Empress Palace yesterday to find a blacksmith in the mortal world to forge this item. The blacksmith told me to pick it up at noon, that’s why I was so rushed. I beg your forgiveness, my lady!"
Truly, just thinking about it made Xuan Feng nearly cry – she had returned to her room excitedly with her delivery package, looking forward to a delicious meal.
After arranging the plethora of ingredients on the table, she realized she had no idea how to proceed, as the ingredients were all raw!
At a loss for what to do, she found the note in the package and only upon reading it did she learn the reason – her mood at that moment was indescribable.
Xuan Feng had thought the hotpot delivery would come ready-made. Little did she expect the contrary.
She had to specifically make a pot, which led to the ensuing events.
So that was the case – Nuwa understood. A trace of amusement crossed her eyes, "And where is Shopkeeper Chen’s diagram? Show it to me."
"Yes!" Xuan Feng drew out the folded piece of paper and presented it with respect.
Elegant fingers slowly unfolded it, revealing the drawings and marked notes within.
Seeing the somewhat sloppy handwriting, Nuwa nodded slightly – this was Shopkeeper Chen’s writing.
Unrestrained and spontaneous, possessing a distinctive style yet also conspicuously meticulous in skill.
Indeed, befitting the proprietor of Chaos Residence.
Unbeknownst to him, Chen Nuo’s stature had considerably risen in Nuwa’s mind.
Such ability, even as a Saint, warranted respect.
If Chen Nuo were privy to Nuwa’s thoughts at this moment, he would surely roll his eyes – distinctive style? He had just scrawled it hastily, without much ado.
After briefly scanning the diagram, Nuwa’s majestic brows furrowed slightly, "Feng’er, why did you not craft the pot yourself?"
The instructions that Shopkeeper Chen wrote were exceedingly precise – it should have been a straightforward task, and with Xuan Feng’s cultivation, she could easily handle it.
