Chapter 118

Thinking of the Buddhist Dharma Feast to be held on Ling Mountain these days, Maitreya Buddha's thoughts began to stir.

If this monkey were made the head chef of this Dharma Feast, would it not be a great good thing?

Thinking of the plan the Buddhist Sect is about to implement on the monkey, Maitreya Buddha feels somewhat dismissive.

Why must the monkey be brought into the Buddhist Sect by force?

Would it not be better to reason with him and move him with emotion?

Having returned from obtaining the scriptures, should he not cease being a Buddhist Dharma Protector? With such culinary skill, would it not be a waste of heavenly resources?

The more Maitreya Buddha thought, the more reasonable it seemed; if the monkey were to cook on Ling Mountain from now on, he would surely eat several more meals a day!

Having finished the last dish given by Sun Wukong, Maitreya Buddha wiped his mouth, reluctantly putting down his bowl and chopsticks—this dish truly is the finest of dishes!

Unable to suppress the thought in his heart, Maitreya Buddha kindly said: "Little monkey, are you willing to come to my Ling Mountain to cook?"

Come to Ling Mountain to cook?

The Food God and Stove God were stunned—is this an open act of poaching?

Sun Wukong shook his head and said: "I will not go."

"I have already become the head chef of this Imperial Kitchen; if I were to leave casually, would that not be a moral problem?" Sun Wukong said righteously.

"Our Buddhist Sect can offer you higher pay." Maitreya Buddha enticed him gently; in the past, when discussing poverty, his Buddhist Sect could be said to be the foremost, but now, they have become rich!

Did you not see—those statues are all gold now?

Eh...

Although I do not know why the Three Ladies destroyed a temple, their financial strength remains as it is, irrelevant to the matter.

"I will not go!" Sun Wukong said without hesitation.

In this world, aside from his master's food, he will not be moved by anything else.

After repeated refusals, Maitreya Buddha grew anxious and hurriedly said: "Our Buddhist Sect will also hold a banquet in a few days—will you come then, little monkey?"

There will also be a banquet?

Sun Wukong blinked, then asked: "Is the banquet large?"

"It is not a matter of size—it is truly lively..." Maitreya Buddha gestured while observing Sun Wukong's expression, and upon seeing his lack of interest, quickly changed his words.

"Large, definitely huge—larger than the Peach Banquet!" Maitreya Buddha said with wide eyes, speaking nonsense.

But in his heart, he muttered: How can the Buddhist Dharma Feast compare to the Peach Banquet?

Nonsense!

They are not even on the same level!

The reason many immortals attend the Peach Banquet is because of the peaches offered—this thing, our Buddhist Sect does not have.

At most, one might come to bathe in the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

Larger than the Peach Banquet!

Sun Wukong felt a flicker of joy, furrowed his brow and began to think, but reason still prevailed.

"I can go, but only with the consent of the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother."

If he were to leave so vaguely, would his reputation in the Three Realms not suffer?

Who else would then seek him to cook?

Maitreya Buddha nodded, indicating understanding.

"Let us discuss it later; moreover, the plan cannot be carried out. After the banquet ends, I must still return to the Buddhist Sect to report and scheme."

"The humble monk still has some affairs; I will take my leave first." Maitreya Buddha said with a cheerful laugh.

He must hurry to register at the Lingxiao Baodian—this time, the Buddhist Sect has sent only him; if even he does not appear, the Jade Emperor would think the Buddhist Sect looks down on everyone.

He rushed out of the doorway, perhaps because he had eaten a little more—Maitreya Buddha's belly got stuck in the doorframe and would not come out.

"Haha." Maitreya Buddha laughed embarrassedly, strained his neck to look toward Zhou Kang and said: "Little brother, please push the humble monk—you will gain blessings."

Zhou Kang blinked, then hurried forward and pushed with force.

But how could Maitreya Buddha's Buddhist body be moved by a mortal?

After expending great effort for half a day, there was no result.

Sun Wukong, on this side, was holding the last dish, intending to go out and deliver it to the immortal attendant.

Seeing Maitreya Buddha blocking the way and unable to exit, he shouted: "Everyone, move aside—watch Old Grandson's divine powers!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kang and the two gods helping him hastily stepped back.

Sun Wukong placed the dish to one side, twisted his neck, his speed surged, and he kicked Maitreya Buddha in the buttocks.

Bang!

Maitreya Buddha was shot forward directly.

"Thank you!" Maitreya Buddha called out—this kick of the monkey's caused no harm to his Holy Flesh Body; borrowing this force, he flew even faster.

"Great Immortal Wukong, we have finished preparing these two hundred and seventeen dishes—you mentioned that hot pot, but what exactly...?" The Food God and Stove God, curious, grew even more anxious.

This is something that directly determines life and death.

Sun Wukong chuckled, his eyes full of confidence, waved his hand, and a pile of cooking pots appeared in the entire back kitchen.

Today, the Lingxiao Baodian lacks its former solemnity; countless gods and immortals with names and faces converse happily, groups of three or five with similar tastes gathering together.

Of course, there are also those who are displeased.

"Elder sister, would it not be better to stay in Chaos Residence? Why must we come to this so-called Peach Banquet?" Bixiao pouted, looking thoroughly dissatisfied.

Yunxiao shook her head helplessly: "There is no way—we are on the immortal roster, so we must come."

Qiong Xiao remained expressionless: "A waste of time."

Boyi Rely gazed from afar at the charming Three Ladies, his thoughts still active; he lowered his head to examine his own imposing imperial attire today, quite satisfied.

Just as he was about to approach and flirt, he suddenly saw a figure walking toward the Three Ladies; his body instantly shrank, and he silently crouched like a quail.

"Yunxiao Younger Martial Sister, it's been so long, why haven't you come to see your Elder Martial Sister?"

A leisurely female voice interrupted the conversation among the Three Immortal Maidens.

Upon hearing the words, the Three Immortal Maidens all turned toward the source of the sound, and immediately expressions of delight appeared on their faces.

"Jin Ling Elder Martial Sister."

Holy Mother Jin Ling is the foremost among the female immortals of the Jie Sect, and she treats the disciples within the sect with broad-mindedness and sincerity; moreover, she is the one whom the Three Immortal Maidens hold in the utmost reverence.

Jin Ling smiled warmly and nodded slightly; the aura that usually kept strangers at bay instantly dissipated.

Looking toward Yunxiao, her tone carried a touch of teasing: "Younger Martial Sister, no, Sect Leader, congratulations."

Yunxiao shook her head with a wry smile: "Elder Martial Sister, please don't embarrass me like this—this Acting Sect Leader position should rightly be yours."

Having said that, she reached into her waist and drew out the Divine Edict Token to hand to Jin Ling.

Jin Ling had absolutely no intention of accepting it.

Smiling slightly, she said: "Younger Martial Sister, this was given to you by Master; I have no right to take it, and moreover, now only you are the most suitable person to be Sect Leader of the Jie Sect, because you are not on the list, so you will not be restricted by the Investiture of the Gods."

"Isn't there still Younger Martial Sister Wu Hui?" Yunxiao asked doubtfully.

"Wu Hui?" Jin Ling laughed helplessly: "Do you think Wu Hui, with her serene and detached nature, would possibly take this position? Didn't you see that she didn't even come to the Peach Banquet today?"

Upon hearing the words, the Three Immortal Maidens glanced around the Great Hall, and indeed, that was the case.

"Since Master has said so, you may take it with peace of mind; if any petty troublemaker dares to defy, come find me—I'll see that I don't seek death upon him!"

"Don't think that just because your Elder Martial Sister is on the list, her strength cannot be improved, but dealing with this sort of thing is still more than enough for her."

Holy Mother Jin Ling waved her fist, exuding a domineering presence.

The Three Immortal Maidens couldn't help but break into a sweat.

Indeed, as expected of Jin Ling Elder Martial Sister, who acts with thunderous swiftness in the Jie Sect—after all these years, she hasn't changed in the slightest.

"Jin Ling Elder Martial Sister, there's no need for you to make a move—I and the two Elder Martial Sisters can kill them ourselves; that long-eared traitor was slain by us!"