Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 435: Can Only Owe a Favor Now

The woman kowtowed deeply to the judge, "I acknowledge, I fully accept such a verdict as guilty Lady He."

"Good, as long as you acknowledge it." The judge placed his pen on the table and summoned two ghostly enforcers to take the woman away. With that, the woman’s case was resolved.

Chen Nuo had only planned to escort the woman to the underworld, and seeing that the matter was settled, he prepared to leave.

"Third Prince, Shopkeeper Chen, please hold a moment!"

Seeing the two about to depart, the judge hastily stopped them.

Chen Nuo and Nezha turned around, "Is there something else?"

The judge pondered for a moment. If Nezha were to report this incident to the Jade Emperor upon returning, and if the Jade Emperor were to blame Yama, who in turn would blame him, that would be rather unfortunate.

Therefore, he bowed deeply to the two of them and said, "Our underworld will faithfully report this matter to the Upper Realm. We thank the Third Prince and Shopkeeper Chen for the information."

At first glance, these words seemed unproblematic, but upon closer consideration, it was clear that the judge meant they would speak to the Jade Emperor, implying that the two should not meddle further.

Chen Nuo smiled, "Judge, is this how you ask for someone’s help?"

"No, I simply feel it’s best not to trouble Shopkeeper Chen and the Third Prince with such matters," the judge quickly explained.

"Rest assured, we had no intention of meddling," Nezha said. "It just so happened we came across it, so we felt compelled to intervene. Since you, Judge, have said you will report the matter truthfully, we see no reason why we must involve ourselves."

"I suppose I was overthinking it then."

The judge smiled obsequiously, "I just thought the matter was too trivial to bother the Third Prince with another journey to the Jade Emperor’s abode."

"I’m not one to meddle unnecessarily either," Chen Nuo said with a smile. "I simply hope not to come across such matters again. Although I prefer not to interfere, if I do stumble upon them, I must take action."

"Yes, anyone would feel compelled to act in such circumstances. But rest assured, when the time comes our underworld will surely capture that Evil Ghost," the judge assured them promptly.

"That would be for the best," Chen Nuo nodded. "Since there’s nothing more, we’ll take our leave."

"Ah, very well, let me escort you both back up," the judge offered.

"No need. You still have many matters to attend to, please go on with your duties. We know the way," Chen Nuo said with a slight smile, departing the underworld with Nezha.

Once they reached the human realm, Nezha put his hands on his hips. "It’s so dreadfully stuffy down there; the Upper Realm is so much better. They must feel quite stifled working down below."

"They’ve grown accustomed to it," Chen Nuo said. "Once you’re used to something, you hardly notice it anymore."

"You have a point," Nezha nodded, then remembered his payment, "Shopkeeper Chen, what about my compensation?"

"No rush," Chen Nuo replied, "How about we sit for a while at my cottage first?"

Nezha looked at Chen Nuo suspiciously. Normally, when he went to Chaos Residence, it was as if Chen Nuo couldn’t wait to get rid of him after the meal.

But this time, not only was he not rushing Nezha off, he was even inviting him to sit in his house.

"Shopkeeper Chen, you wouldn’t happen to be unable to produce the dress, would you?"

Chen Nuo paused for a moment, "What kind of talk is that? Do I look like someone who cannot afford the dress?"

Nezha scrutinized Chen Nuo closely, "You do."

"I’m not trying to deceive you, I don’t have any skirt designs on hand. Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll draw one up for you right away," Chen Nuo said.

"Oh, okay then, you got anything to eat?" Nezha casually asked.

"You want something to eat? If you want food, we’ll trade it for a skirt," Chen Nuo replied.

This time Nezha paused, looking at Chen Nuo. Shopkeeper Chen really couldn’t produce a skirt, could he?

However, eating without a skirt wasn’t a bad deal either, but choosing between food and a skirt was indeed a tough decision to make.

"If you can’t decide, you might as well come back with me first, and I’ll give you time to think it over slowly," Chen Nuo said with a light smile. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Nezha thought about it and decided it made sense, so he followed Chen Nuo back to the residence.

The courtyard, true to its size of twenty acres, was expansive, especially since the artificial mountains and lakes had been leveled to make it appear even larger.

It didn’t look like a house, more like standing in a field, especially with the neatly divided acres; it really resembled farmland.

"Shopkeeper Chen, when I used fire before, I wondered if you were using this land for gardening. I never expected you actually were. If you want to grow vegetables, why not do it in the Heavenly Court where there is an abundance of spiritual energy?" Nezha asked. "The vegetables you grow here in the human realm will turn out just like those grown by mortals."

"They are meant for mortals, so it makes sense to grow them in the human realm," Chen Nuo answered.

"Huh?"

Nezha was shocked, "Hold on, Shopkeeper Chen, why would you do that? The immortals in the Heavenly Court are crazy for your cooking. Ever since you introduced booking, there’s been a waiting list as long as your arm. You’re not cooking at Chaos Residence but running off to cook for mortals. Mortals can’t offer you anything but gold and silver."

"I never planned on charging much anyway," Chen Nuo said with contempt. "I got a bit tired of hanging out at Chaos Residence, so I came down here for a bit of fun and to do some business on the side."

"Doing business on the side?" Nezha still didn’t quite understand.

"Is it that the more profound it is, the harder it is to understand? So now you call earning mortal silver ’having fun.’ I’ve really learned something new. Are you planning to cook for mortals and not afraid that those divine officials will catch the scent and all come running here?"

"Aside from my disciple and Fairy Baihua, the only others who know about this are you two brothers. If anyone finds out I’m here, you two will be the first ones I ask," Chen Nuo replied with a smile.

That was a blatant threat. Nezha snorted, "As if I’d be so bored to do that."

"That’s true, you don’t care about anything other than dresses and food," Chen Nuo said with a laugh. "Besides, I’m not planning to cook anyway. Even if those divine officials showed up, there wouldn’t be any food for them to eat."

"Not cooking?" Nezha, looking at the huge garden, "Then what’s the point of planting all these vegetables? This is really boring, less interesting than little dresses. Why don’t you start a tailor shop? I’d definitely come to patronize every day."

"If I ran a tailor shop, there would be more than just you as a customer."

Chen Nuo recalled their initial meeting when Jin Zha had been tugging at his clothes. Although the two brothers had different tastes, their excitement when they saw clothes was exactly the same.

They were clearly family. If he ran a tailor shop and met such customers, he’d have a real headache. Better to lead a peaceful life as a simple oil seller.

"You’re really dull. If I had your skills and technology, I would definitely open a tailor shop and make clothes just for myself," Nezha imagined wistfully.

One rode the Wind Fire Wheels while the other drove a fly whisk; the length of the twenty-acre property was traversed in the span of their conversation.

As soon as they entered the house, the young boy scrambled up from the ground and looked expectantly at Chen Nuo: "Immortal brother, where’s my mother? Is she in the back?"

While speaking, the boy tried to peek behind Chen Nuo, but he saw nothing. Disappointment washed over him instantly.