Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 453: Arriving at the Residence in the Small Town
This person’s temperament was quite extraordinary, but Chen Nuo couldn’t quite put his finger on what exactly set it apart. He thought perhaps the visitor came from a wealthy family who was interested in getting into his line of business, hence the feigned inquiry about prices.
"When I came over, I ran into a vendor, the potatoes he sold with chili oil poured on top were really good, he said it was you who taught him," the visitor said.
Seeing that Chen Nuo hadn’t recognized her yet, Nuwa thought she should say a bit more, to see if Chen Nuo would truly recognize her in her mortal disguise.
"Oh, you mean that one?" Chen Nuo smiled, "That’s right, I previously did a demonstration with chili oil when promoting plant oils in the town, and afterwards, the vendor thought the chili oil I made was delicious, so he came to me and asked for the recipe."
At Chen Nuo’s smile, Nuwa felt somewhat dazed; it seemed that it had been a long time since he smiled at her like that.
But in fact, upon closer consideration, it had only been a few days since Chen Nuo left the Mountain of Mind and Heart, yet it felt to her as though she hadn’t seen him for a very long time.
"It is like this, seeing that the chili oil seems quite popular, I also want to use this method for making chili oil, I wonder if you could teach me?" Nuwa asked. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
"This..." Chen Nuo looked at the woman in front of him. Her face was unfamiliar; she probably came from afar, drawn by his reputation. But if that were the case, she should have come to buy the oil directly, instead of being strangely attracted by a roadside vendor’s chili oil and asking for the recipe.
"If it troubles you, sir, I won’t insist," Nuwa added quickly.
"It’s not that it’s very troubling, it’s just that..."
He didn’t know if it was psychological, but Chen Nuo always felt that the woman before him seemed familiar.
However, she wasn’t very familiar; he was certain he had seen her before, but her features were very foreign. Could it be that this woman had altered her face? Chen Nuo surreptitiously listened with his heart.
"It’s alright, sir, if you find it difficult, then I..."
Nuwa’s heart slowly sank. All this time had passed, and Chen Nuo still hadn’t recognized her. Truly, it seemed Chen Nuo had no feelings for her whatsoever.
Had it been just any mortal who didn’t recognize her, it wouldn’t matter; mortals don’t have mana or strong perception after all.
But the person in question was Chen Nuo, blessed with mana. His perception should be quite formidable, unless he truly didn’t care, that’s why he failed to recognize her.
The more Nuwa thought about it, the sadder she became. She was about ready to leave without waiting for Chen Nuo’s reply, when unexpectedly, she was called back by her name.
"Nuwa?"
Nuwa turned around, looking at Chen Nuo.
"Why have you descended to the mortal realm?" Although he phrased it as a question, Chen Nuo was already certain that this woman was none other than Nuwa.
Xuan Feng came over from the side and stood next to Nuwa, "I’m glad Shopkeeper Chen recognized our mother. Otherwise, I definitely wouldn’t have spared you!"
After observing the passersby on the road, Nuwa entered the shop and revealed her true form, "I was just passing the time, and I heard you were in the mortal world, so I came down to have a look."
"Just to have a look?" Chen Nuo asked, "Although things have been rather peaceful lately, there haven’t been many issues to attend to, but I remember you never descend without a significant reason, so what brought you all of a sudden?"
"Our Goddess Nuwa has already said she descended without any particular matters at hand," Xuan Feng answered on behalf of Nuwa. "Besides, without you at Chaos Residence, there’s nothing tasty to eat, so we came to find you."
"I just heard you were looking for ingredients in the mundane world, and since I happened to be free, I thought I’d ask if you need any help," Nuwa did not follow Xuan Feng’s lead but came up with her own excuse.
"You’re too kind to offer," Chen Nuo said, "I can handle the search for ingredients on my own and need not trouble others."
The term ’others’ truly seemed quite harsh, Nuwa felt a bit hurt, but she believed that given their current relationship, to Chen Nuo, she was indeed just another person.
"Shopkeeper Chen, your mana is indeed powerful, and you can certainly accomplish things on your own. It was presumptuous of me to offer my help," Nuwa said with a force smile.
Just as Chen Nuo was telepathically communicating with Sun Wukong, the latter was speaking with excitement: "Master, just now Goddess Nuwa came looking for me and asked whether it’s true that you have a child in the mundane world. I was worried you’d deny it later, so I told Goddess Nuwa to come find you in person. I thought ahead, didn’t I?"
"Are you fishing for compliments?" Chen Nuo gritted his teeth—it’s like teaching your apprentice only for them to let you starve. Sun Wukong, the Stone Monkey, truly lived up to his name.
"Hehe, originally, I didn’t want to bother Goddess Nuwa with a trip, but without any proof, I was afraid you’d deny it later. So, I came up with this plan," Sun Wukong chuckled, "Master, don’t be angry. I’m bringing you a peach blossom fortune. Don’t you think I’m very filial?"
"Filial?" Chen Nuo echoed the word coldly, "You mean to say that I should thank you?"
"Not at all, not at all. I’m the disciple and you’re the master. How could I expect thanks from you? I just want to remind you not to forget what you’ve promised me."
Sun Wukong said, then fearing Chen Nuo’s blame, added, "Master, don’t be angry with me. Oh, look, another customer’s here. I won’t keep you any longer."
After saying that, Sun Wukong unilaterally cut off the telepathic communication. Chen Nuo turned his head and gave Nuwa a smile, "How could I call it presumptuous when Goddess Nuwa is so considerate?"
"It was a matter for Shopkeeper Chen after all. You didn’t ask for my help, but I still came uninvited and without giving you a heads-up. My bad," Nuwa said.
"You needn’t think like that. I am grateful for your thoughtfulness," Chen Nuo replied with a smile, "Noon is almost upon us, why not sit a while at my home?"
"You don’t live here?" Nuwa asked.
The shop had two floors, with living quarters above. Nuwa thought Chen Nuo lived within the shop, but from what he said, it seemed not.
"I have a courtyard outside the small town, primarily for growing oil-pressing raw materials," Chen Nuo explained, "Besides, being someone with mana, I naturally don’t worry about the distance."
Nuwa smiled, finding Chen Nuo’s words reasonable. Since he had put it that way, refusing any further would be inappropriate, so she nodded, "Then I shall impose upon Shopkeeper Chen’s hospitality."
"It’s no imposition," Chen Nuo said politely. "The only issue is that the courtyard, unlike Chaos Residence, does not have someone to tidy up regularly. It may be a bit messy, and I hope you won’t mind."
"Why shouldn’t there be anyone to clean up for you?" Xuan Feng, who had been quiet thus far, suddenly interjected, "I heard that you’re not alone in the mundane world. Someone’s been keeping you company. Why don’t you mention it now?"
"Xuan Feng!" Nuwa tried to stop him from speaking but it was too late.
Having already spoken with Sun Wukong, Chen Nuo was well aware of why they had come. Even if Xuan Feng had not mentioned it, Chen Nuo would still know. He had been pondering how to explain, but now that Xuan Feng had broached the subject, it became easier to do so.
"What’s the matter? Who are you talking about?" Chen Nuo feigned ignorance as he asked her.
