Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 333 Jin Chanzi Meets Sun Wukong
He believed that the revival of a religious sect wasn’t about blindly spreading the faith or thinking that simply arranging a Journey to the West would suffice.
Instead, the foundation needed to be solidified. If they couldn’t even seriously attend to their own followers, how could they expect others to join their faith?
Otherwise, even if Buddhism spread across the whole Three Realms, it would still be as loose as a pile of sand.
Surveying the lively Spirit Mountain, Jin Chanzi suddenly thought of something. The scale of Spirit Mountain this time was unprecedented, with countless people attending.
He wondered what kind of vegetarian meal they had prepared?
His steps, which had been moving forward, suddenly halted, and Jin Chanzi turned around, heading toward the direction of the vegetarian hall of Spirit Mountain.
At this moment in the vegetarian hall of Spirit Mountain, the large and small ingredients that had been neatly prepared were now placed on the table, divided by dish.
With varying colors, they looked extremely appetizing—all were meat!
Spirit Mountain didn’t eat meat, and there would be no meat ingredients in the storeroom of the vegetarian hall. These were all brought from the Heavenly Court by Sun Wukong.
"Hopefully all of this will be enough for you to eat," Sun Wukong said as he thrust the kitchen knife into the chopping board, placing the last of the prepared ingredients on the table.
Maitreya’s eyes shone as he surveyed the dozen dishes before him, his tone a bit strained, "These should be enough for two full bellies, I guess!"
Sun Wukong: "..."
A dozen dishes aren’t enough for you? How much can you possibly eat?
Sun Wukong couldn’t help but complain internally, but Maitreya was indeed speaking the truth.
At the Flat Peach Banquet, he had eaten the portions of ten people, and later he had an awakening of the Great Stomach Capacity divine skill. His appetite had doubled since then, and indeed, these dishes were rather trifling.
"That’s all there is. Take it or leave it," Sun Wukong said with his arms crossed, his attitude resolute.
After all, it had taken some time to prepare these dishes, and he still needed to reserve time to arrange the dishes for tomorrow’s banquet. There wasn’t much time to spare.
"I will eat! Of course, I’ll eat!" Maitreya kept smiling apologetically. Even a small mosquito is meat— not eating would be foolish.
"Whatever you make, Wukong, I’ll eat!"
That’s more like it. Sun Wukong nodded in satisfaction, began firing up the stove, igniting the flame, getting ready to cook.
Picking up the first batch of prepared ingredients, Sun Wukong heated the oil in the wok and started to cook. His culinary skills, honed over the years and through daily extensive work in the Heavenly Court, had become increasingly refined.
His hands moved smoothly in coordination: swift when needed, slow when necessary.
The ingredients were thoroughly stir-fried in the wok, elevated to perfection.
His adept hands seemed to possess a magic, as an enticing aroma wafted from the pot.
Each of Sun Wukong’s actions conveyed philosophical depth, like an artist painting a masterpiece. Maitreya watched with keen interest, the fragrances intoxicating him, his face the picture of bliss.
He felt as though he was in the Immortal Realm atop the clouds, in two words—comfortable and satisfied.
That is, if one could ignore the grumbling protests of his appetite.
Before long, one dish was done—braised pork ribs!
Although this dish was not listed in Chen Nuo’s cookbook, it did not mean he wouldn’t know how to prepare it.
The dishes in the cookbook had received legacy and were of perfect quality, even endowed with the ability to awaken divine skills.
But with so many recipes passed down to him plus years of practice, Chen Nuo’s culinary skills had reached an extremely high level.
Even without a legacy, he could make braised pork ribs with exceptional quality, sufficient to teach Sun Wukong with ease.
Looking at the appetizing reddish-brown hue of the evenly-sized ribs and smelling the pervasive scent of meat, Maitreya involuntarily swallowed.
It had been nearly a month, and he was finally going to taste such a delectable dish!
It’s said that for immortals, time is but a flick of a finger, and Daluo Golden Immortals are even beyond the control of the Long River of Time, living as long as the heavens and the earth.
Yet now, deprived of delectable food, he felt as though each day was like a Great Meeting—so difficult!
Excited, Maitreya’s hands trembled slightly as he hesitantly picked up his chopsticks and eagerly extended them towards the braised pork ribs.
Sun Wukong was struck dumb, like, seriously?
"Aren’t you going to wait for the other dishes to be ready?" Sun Wukong asked.
"Wait for what, eat whatever comes your way, Buddhism is all about the concept of ’fate’." Maitreya shook his head, unconcerned, making a point that seemed logical and well-founded.
After all, it was all the same dishes, eating them in any order would taste the same.
Just as Maitreya’s chopsticks were about to touch the braised ribs, the door to the vegetarian hall creaked open, and Maitreya frowned, scolding, "Didn’t I say no one was allowed in?"
"Out!"
The words dropped, yet no one responded. Maitreya’s mood got even worse, "Get out now!"
"Maitreya Uncle-Master, why the anger? Those who practice cultivation must remember to avoid arrogance and impatience."
The voice was peaceful, almost magical, seemingly able to soothe the tumult in one’s heart.
Maitreya turned around and there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Jin Chanzi, what brings you here?"
With a slight smile on his lips, Jin Chanzi said, "I was free and thought to check how the banquet dishes are coming along, never expecting to bump into Uncle-Master right here."
"And who is this benefactor?" Jin Chanzi asked, looking at Sun Wukong with some curiosity.
With a hehe, Sun Wukong smiled, "I’m called Sun Wukong!"
"He’s the chef invited by our Buddhist sect to take charge of the banquet this time! A master of culinary arts! He was the one in charge of the dishes at the Heavenly Court’s Flat Peach Banquet!" Maitreya paused eating to casually explain.
Jin Chanzi nodded slightly, I see.
Looking at Sun Wukong’s furry face, there was a trace of amazement in his eyes, but not the slightest hint of doubt or disdain.
Bowing deeply, offering a Buddhist salute, as refreshing as a spring breeze.
"It’s unexpected that a benefactor like you is so talented. It’s truly a blessing for us in Buddhism to have your help. The Dharma banquet will surely be a success."
He had also heard about the Heavenly Court’s Flat Peach Banquet, the dishes were said to be exceedingly delicious, with even the most powerful beings lingering and unable to forget them.
He had initially thought it was due to the God of Cookery and the Kitchen God taking their culinary skills to the next level, only to find out the truth was something else... or should I say, someone else!
Being lavished with such praise by Jin Chanzi, Sun Wukong felt somewhat embarrassed. Although he usually acted nonchalant, he was still sensitive at heart.
Those who were first introduced to his cooking were usually negative or skeptical.
But the individual before him was not only devoid of such attitudes but was also effusive in his praise.
He could tell that this was sincere praise, without any flattery or perfunctory attitude.
Aside from his master, this was the first time Sun Wukong had encountered such belief from someone else.
In an instant, Sun Wukong felt his fondness for Jin Chanzi rise sharply.
Scratching his head, Sun Wukong chuckled and said, "It’s nothing, since it’s something I, old Sun, promised to do, I’ll be sure to put my heart into it."
Upon hearing this, Jin Chanzi nodded and pondered for a moment, saying, "To undertake what is asked of you, and to do so wholeheartedly, is only proper."
Sun Wukong looked confused. What’s this guy talking about, making sense or not?
"He’s always like that, pay him no mind. You’ll get used to it," Maitreya said cheerfully.
"He is Jin Chanzi, the second disciple of Tathagata, the Master of the Buddhist Sect," Maitreya added by way of explanation.
"Good to meet you, Jin!" Sun Wukong greeted with a fist and palm salute.
Maitreya’s mouth twitched, what’s this ’Jin’ business?
"Wukong, his name is Jin Chanzi, not Mr. Jin, you should..."
Maitreya hadn’t finished speaking when Jin Chanzi interrupted him with a light chuckle and a shake of his head, "Uncle-Master, a name is just a title after all. No matter what, Benefactor Sun is referring to me."
"Names without meaning serve no purpose; even meaning without name would..." Jin Chanzi, with his eyes closed, began to muse.
