Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 338 Scroogelike Gold Star Taibai

Haotian watched intently, far more seriously than he ever had reviewing memorials to the throne before.

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall? What an odd name!

Haotian’s face was full of surprise; he didn’t quite understand why this dish was named so.

All he knew was that a desperate dog would jump over a wall, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall...

Was Shopkeeper Chen implying something?

Suddenly, Haotian felt like laughing, but the majestic restraint befitting an emperor kept him from doing so. He wondered what those bald monks of Buddhism would think after seeing this?

As the Jade Emperor, although the food Haotian had eaten before wasn’t much tastier than now, the ingredients had always been incomparably abundant.

Yet facing the dish before him, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Haotian was somewhat shocked—such lavish ingredients!

What would the flavor be like with so many ingredients cooked together?

Unconsciously, Haotian swallowed his saliva, wishing he could savor it right now.

The price for ten servings of ingredients!

"How could this price be so..." Haotian couldn’t help but exclaim.

Your Majesty, do you also find it too high?

Gold Star Taibai thought to himself.

Indeed so!

He had nearly been scared silly when he saw the price; ten times the cost—he couldn’t afford it even if he sold himself!

Before Haotian could finish, he suddenly realized, he was the Jade Emperor, with vast wealth; it would not do for his prestige to admit something was expensive, would it?

No! The words at the tip of his tongue suddenly took on a different meaning, "So populist?"

"I thought for such abundant ingredients, the price for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall would at least be the cost of thirty or forty meals!"

"Shopkeeper Chen’s price is truly reasonable, and there’s even a ten percent discount. Does he look down on me?" Haotian slammed his hand on the table, his tone rising.

"How could I, covet such petty gains? I must pay the full price!"

He, Haotian, was wealthy!

Taibai Jin wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, flattering, "Your Majesty, who occupies such a lofty position and possesses countless magical treasures, should indeed do so, should indeed do so!"

Having said that, Taibai Jin sighed inwardly...

The words of His Majesty were truly frightening.

If Buddha Jumps Over the Wall truly cost thirty or forty times the price of a meal, he’d be better off dead!

It’s not that Shopkeeper Chen looked down on His Majesty but that he overestimated them all; ten times the price, how could he possibly afford that?

Even for just one time, he’d have to think it over before making a purchase.

"No proxy purchases, no deliveries, you can only buy it in person at the store?" Haotian pondered for a moment, then with a wave of his palm, he commanded, "Taibai Jin, notify them, no morning court session tomorrow."

"Yes, your humble servant obeys!" Taibai Jin bowed respectfully, turning to leave; without thinking, he knew why His Majesty had decided so.

Ever since His Majesty learned about Chaos Residence, skipping morning court had become more frequent.

Before, it would be thousands of years before he missed one, but now, he was skipping it every few days.

The mortal emperors often neglected their duties due to favoring the harem, but His Majesty was different, avoiding morning court to eat, a truly unique case even among emperors, Taibai Jin reflected.

"I haven’t finished speaking!" Haotian called out to stop Taibai Jin with a commanding shout.

"Tomorrow, you will accompany me to Chaos Residence." Haotian stood proudly with his hands behind his back, full of spirit.

Tomorrow, he was determined to indulge himself!

He believed that with Shopkeeper Chen’s integrity, there wouldn’t be a shot without a target; although Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was expensive, there had to be a reason for its price.

"Uhm..." Taibai Jin hesitated, a struggle flashing across his face, not responding immediately.

"What is it?" Seeing Taibai Jin silent, Haotian frowned, his aura sinking.

Gold Star Taibai shuddered at the suddenly oppressive aura and smiled sheepishly, "Your Majesty, this humble servant can’t afford to buy much either, and if it displeases Shopkeeper Chen..."

He had already steeled his heart to buy a meal today; he couldn’t afford to buy another!

Indeed, Haotian nodded slightly before saying with an air of tough love, "How did I end up with a confidant like you, truly devaluing our relationship!"

How could Taibai, being Gold Star himself, possibly lack something like the Breath of Gengjin?

This old fellow was just stingy to the extreme, rich but unwilling to spend, simply outrageous!

After all, he had lived through so many Great Meetings and had never seen anyone as miserly.

Taibai’s face was filled with sorrowful expression, "Your Majesty, this servant really is short of funds!"

"Sigh!" Watching the unchangeable Gold Star Taibai, Haotian sighed helplessly.

Forget it, nobody’s perfect. Only those who dare to expose their weaknesses in front of him would he dare to employ with confidence.

"Come with me, I’ll pay for it along the way," Haotian said offhandedly.

The little matter of acquiring Breath of Gengjin was no trouble for him; many stars possessed it, he had plenty on hand, and there was even more in the Heavenly Court’s treasury.

He, Haotian, had money!

Well, that’s great, Taibai’s heart leaped with joy; he loved freebies!

Rubbing his hands together, Taibai grinned from ear to ear, his face full of ingratiation, "Your Majesty, about that ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’..."

Haotian: "..."

Isn’t that a bit too much! Expecting him to pay for a dish that costs ten meals?

Seeing Haotian like this, Taibai’s eyes swiveled, hatching a plan.

"Your Majesty, if the delivery machine has been updated, it must be fully updated; otherwise, neither you nor this servant would have received the notification," Taibai analyzed confidently.

"What are you trying to say?" Haotian asked sternly, eager to see what trick Taibai was up to.

Taibai’s usually amiable old face took on a serious look.

"Then, I presume Saint Nuwa must also have received the message, and she’ll likely bring Fairy Baihua when she comes, not to mention maybe even Saint Nuwa," Taibai said, his voice growing quieter and quieter.

He knew well that invoking the name of a Saint might alert them to his attention.

Hearing the title of the Saint, Haotian also took a deep breath, right! The last time, one of Saint Nuwa’s messengers had jumped the queue on him. With new dishes being introduced, it was highly likely Saint Nuwa would come, as one had to be present to purchase the new dishes.

"Those who will go to the Chaos Residence tomorrow are likely all there to taste Shopkeeper Chen’s new dish, ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall’."

"If everyone else eats ’Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,’ and this servant doesn’t..."

Taibai paused for a moment before continuing, "This servant truly isn’t just thinking of his own appetite!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

His tone was full of righteousness.

"It’s for fear of dragging Your Majesty down and tarnishing Your Majesty’s reputation; so, to consider Your Majesty’s position, it’s better for this servant not to go," Taibai advanced by seeming to retreat.

"What are you saying!" Haotian glared, his voice thundering.

"Do you think I am someone who would fret over such a trifle?"

Taibai’s words indeed rang true; if that were to happen, he would lose face!

Saint Nuwa might be fine, but the most crucial point was how he appeared in front of the Jade Pool!

Inside Haotian’s flowing sleeves, his fists involuntarily clenched tight. Having been enlightened by the Ancestor of Taoism since the beginning, they always stood in clear opposition to each other, neither admitting defeat nor wanting to be embarrassed!

He absolutely could not lose!

Taibai’s face was all smiles, "Your Majesty surely wouldn’t take into account such a trivial expense from this servant!"

Upon hearing this, Haotian’s gaze turned indifferent as he snorted coldly, "Gold Star Taibai, don’t think I’m unaware of the game you’re playing."

With a piercing glance, Taibai shivered to a stop, his skin trembling as he quickly said, "Your Majesty! This servant..."

He had indeed gotten carried away in the moment because of the free offer from Your Majesty, surely having been a bit too presumptuous, and, just as he was about to plea for leniency, he heard Haotian speak again.