Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 687 - 686: The Three Meet

Tian Peng had not yet fully come to his senses when he heard Chen Nuo continue, "Wait until it’s time to settle the score with you."

"Shopkeeper! You can’t do this to me, you had just agreed with me earlier that you wouldn’t hold this against me," Tian Peng wailed.

"I don’t plan to settle accounts with you," Chen Nuo walked towards the stove, talking as he went.

"But since you were the one who brought this up just now, I feel that if I don’t settle accounts with you on this matter, it would truly be a disservice to you for bringing it up."

"Shopkeeper!" Tian Peng felt extremely wronged and regretted his loose tongue for having brought this up with him.

Ao Lie, watching this amicable atmosphere, enviously said, "You all have such a good relationship."

"My relationship with the shopkeeper is indeed good, but let’s forget about them," Tian Peng, simmering with anger, picked up the conversation immediately. "Look at this bunch, not a single one is on my side, what feelings should I discuss with them?"

"You blockhead, who wants to discuss feelings with you!" Sun Wukong slapped Tian Peng on the shoulder. "This was all brought up by you in the first place.

"Humph! I’m angry!" Tian Peng huffed as he sat down while saying this.

Sha Wujing’s relationship with Tian Peng wasn’t very good at the moment, so seeing Tian Peng so angry, he just moved over a bit, lining up with what Tian Peng had said earlier about their poor relationship.

These little actions seemed like the epitome of not knowing when one is well off to Ao Lie. The atmosphere here was obviously pleasant, and although there might be a friendly verbal spar or two, it was exactly because there was no real trouble that they were willing to bicker over such trivial matters.

"Are you all disciples of Shopkeeper Chen?" Ao Lie naturally assumed that these people were all disciples of Shopkeeper Chen after first hearing someone call out ’Master’ as he entered.

"No," Sha Wujing, who had been silent, replied, pointing at Sun Wukong. "Shopkeeper Chen currently has only one disciple."

The one who had called out ’Master’ upon entering was this person, so it seemed clear that he was indeed Shopkeeper Chen’s sole disciple.

"I thought you were all disciples of Shopkeeper Chen," Ao Lie said with a smile. "I’ve never seen such an equal and harmonious relationship between a direct disciple and fellow workers."

Tian Peng chuckled twice, mysteriously saying, "Do you really want to know why?"

Little White Dragon nodded. Bodhisattva had told him to take that cultivator as his master, and that cultivator surely wouldn’t have only him as a disciple.

If he eventually became that person’s disciple, he hoped that he could have a relationship like the one he was seeing now, even if it were just half as good, he would be satisfied.

"The secret is," Tian Peng drew out his words on purpose.

Ao Lie knew he was playing coy, but he was genuinely curious and listened attentively.

Sha Wujing couldn’t stand it and blurted out what Tian Peng had yet to say, "Because we are going to become disciples of Shopkeeper Chen soon, too."

Tian Peng’s smile froze on his face.

Ao Lie was somewhat surprised but also felt it made sense.

"What’s the matter with you? I was speaking, why did you suddenly butt in?" Tian Peng turned to Sha Wujing, looking infuriated.

"Even though I know you’ve disliked me for a long time, you don’t have to be like this, right? And even if the shopkeeper takes me as a disciple later on, I’ll still be your senior brother. How can you show no respect to your future senior brother like this?"

"Respect and all, I’ll give it later; anyway, I think you’re not really lacking in respect," Sha Wujing said.

Tian Peng was utterly baffled by the sudden praise; it felt like being ready for battle, ammunition and all, only to have the enemy surrender out of the blue.

But before Tian Peng could bask in the compliment for long, Sha Wujing continued, "Because your skin is that thick."

As he spoke, Sha Wujing gestured with his hands, indicating a width as wide as a meter. Little White Dragon had been trying to hold back, but couldn’t suppress a snort of laughter.

Tian Peng grew even angrier, "Are you asking for a beating?"

"I’d advise you not to start a fight right now," Sha Wujing said, "Shopkeeper Chen is over there cooking. If you start something, he’s going to put the blame on you."

"Hey, you think I can’t handle you?" Tian Peng rolled up his sleeves, ready to lunge at Sha Wujing.

Ao Lie wanted to intervene, but felt that it wasn’t quite appropriate given his status; yet not intervening seemed inappropriate as well. He was in a dilemma.

However, Sha Wujing didn’t leave him conflicted for long.

Just as Tian Peng’s fist was about to greet Sha Wujing’s face, Sha Wujing suddenly said, "There are customers in the hall. If you hit me, you’ll be the one having to serve them later."

The fist stopped abruptly, mere inches from Sha Wujing’s nose. Tian Peng withdrew his hand and took a deep breath to calm his emotions, then said, "Fine, you’re tough. But let’s get one thing straight—I’m not serving later, you are."

Sha Wujing nodded, "Lucky for you, you stopped in time, or it would have been your turn indeed."

Tian Peng snorted and fell silent, letting the issue pass.

Ao Lie looked at Sha Wujing and found him somewhat familiar, as though he had seen him somewhere before.

But try as he might, he couldn’t quite place him, so he continued to stare at Sha Wujing.

Tian Peng had been waiting for Chen Nuo’s cooking, but the gaze continued to unrelentingly fix on Sha Wujing, making even Tian Peng, who sat beside him, feel embarrassed.

He couldn’t understand how Sha Wujing, with someone staring at him so intently, seemed completely oblivious. It was truly admirable.

"Come on, man, why do you keep staring at him?" Tian Peng asked, "Even I’m feeling embarrassed being next to him. Speak your mind instead of just staring."

"No, it’s nothing significant," Ao Lie replied, "He just looks somewhat familiar. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere but can’t recall where."

"You probably saw him at a Flat Peach Banquet some year," Sha Wujing suggested, "You’re the West Sea Dragon King’s Third Prince, Ao Lie, right?"

Tian Peng was shocked. He gazed at Ao Lie in astonishment. Could this really be the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King, Ao Lie? He hadn’t recognized him at all.

He had seen Ao Lie before; very aristocratic, although not with the best of temperaments, but the air of nobility was unmistakable.

The Ao Lie in front of him had none of the past hostility, and there was a sense of world-weariness about him.

Just a few hundred years had passed; what could possibly have happened to transform the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King, Ao Lie, into what he looked like now? Tian Peng found it utterly inconceivable.

"No way, Sha Wujing, you must be joking. This is the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King, Ao Lie? I really haven’t recognized him. Is this what Ao Lie has come to?" Tian Peng found it hard to believe.

"I know it’s hard to believe, but I’d suggest you reconsider your choice of words. In case he rises to prominence again and remembers how you describe him now, blaming it all on you, nobody will stand up for you," Sha Wujing advised.