Chapter 139

"Guanyin, how long has Maitreya been in the Heavenly Court?" The Tathagata Buddha's voice boomed.

The old tool-wielding person, concerned, calculated on his fingers and said calmly: "Maitreya Buddha has already been gone for two hours."

That long?!

The Tathagata furrowed his brow—this Peach Banquet can't even be held now; Maitreya Buddha shouldn't have lingered this long?

The Tathagata sighed, yet didn't dwell on it further; given Maitreya Buddha's nature, he might have just gone off to idle somewhere.

He fundamentally doesn't care about the Journey to the West affair; if he weren't the disciple of a Holy Person, the Journey to the West wouldn't even give him a single trial!

After reciting the Buddha's name once, the Tathagata resumed lecturing on sutras and discussing the Dao.

Cups and chopsticks crossed, laughter and voices rang out, extraordinarily lively—since the establishment of the Heavenly Court, such a harmonious scene had never appeared before.

Now, because of a single hot pot, it has actually produced such an effect—one can see the power of Chen Nuo's hot pot.

All the gods and immortals unaware of the truth couldn't help but arise with a single thought: This thing is truly delicious!

Hot pot, a dish capable of surpassing thousands upon thousands of others!

Who exactly made the hot pot?

However, these answers can only be sought by them themselves.

After a long while, the banquet ended at noon; the gods and immortals were reluctant to leave, staying until every ingredient was eaten before departing.

The mess at the venue could only be cleaned up by these attendants in their attire—immortal servants who hadn't even taken a single bite of food.

"How was this Peach Banquet?" Yaochi and Haotian mounted the dragon carriage; Yaochi, one hand pressing her somewhat uncomfortable belly, smiled triumphantly.

Haotian wanted to speak, but as soon as he opened his mouth, out came a belch.

He slumped backward in his seat, loosened the somewhat uncomfortable belt binding him, and stretched out his hand to give a thumbs-up.

Delicious, so delicious!

Moreover, a single banquet driving the immortals to such frenzy, spreading the news further enhances the prestige of his Heavenly Court!

Haotian thought to himself, yet also overlooked his own frenzied appearance when facing the hot pot just moments ago.

From now on, the standards of the Peach Banquet shall follow this example!

Haotian laughed so hard he couldn't close his mouth—your Buddhist Sect isn't trying to establish prestige with the Peach Banquet, are you?

As a result, his Peach Banquet not only opened, but opened splendidly!

Haotian's entire being was filled with blissful satisfaction!

"Shall we first go to the Imperial Kitchen to reward the monkey?" Yaochi spoke again.

Every dish Sun Wukong prepared was rich and flavorful, and the final dish was an even greater surprise.

For the Heavenly Court to host the Peach Banquet so perfectly round and complete, Sun Wukong has achieved a great merit!

He must be rewarded!

Haotian, upon hearing this, nodded repeatedly—indeed, that is true.

Since this monkey came to his Heavenly Court, he has not only caused no trouble, but on the contrary, has been diligent and conscientious—he deserves reward!

"Go, belch, to the Imperial Kitchen!" Haotian belched again, then spoke his command.

The dragon carriage originally heading for the Great Hall immediately nodded and turned toward the Imperial Kitchen.

The dragon carriage is not merely a symbol of Haotian's status; more importantly, the one driving it is a dragon!

A three-day snow-white silver dragon!

Speeding swiftly, in a short while the dragon carriage arrived at the gate of the Imperial Kitchen.

The immortal attendants nearby, upon seeing it, hastily stopped their steps, knelt on the ground, and performed respectful salutations.

The dragon carriage's curtain was lifted; Haotian and Yaochi were each helped down by attendants in their respective attires, with great effort.

After scanning the surroundings, Haotian nodded satisfied and said: "All may rise."

"Where is Sun Wukong in the Imperial Kitchen?" Haotian went straight to the point.

An attendant responded: "Your Majesty, reporting: Great Immortal Wukong is in the inner chamber; shall I have the maid summon him?"

"No need." Haotian directly refused.

"I, the Emperor, shall go see him myself."

For meritorious servants, Haotian naturally treats them with favor—and he has stuffed himself full!

Yet he also enjoys this feeling of being full from food and drink, and is reluctant to use magical power to digest it.

Walking about is just right—it can also aid digestion.

Haotian and Yaochi's party,

passed through the central hall corridor; along the way, the attendants who wished to salute were stopped by Haotian with a single gesture.

Pushing open the door to the inner chamber, a glance revealed Sun Wukong leaning against the table, resting with the Food God and Stove God.

After so many days of intense cooking, even those with some cultivation would grow tired.

Moreover, all these dishes were prepared by Sun Wukong—the seasoning quantities, timing control, all involve expertise.

Truly wanting to do well is indeed an extremely draining task for the mind and spirit.

Upon hearing the door open, Sun Wukong was the first to open his eyes; seeing Haotian and Yaochi, a flicker of surprise passed through his gaze.

"Jade Emperor, Lady, why have you come?"

As Sun Wukong's words fell, the Food God and Stove God, like conditioned reflexes, immediately rose to their feet—there's no helping it, this reaction has already sunk deep into their marrow.

No, one could say it is the current state of all minor gods!

"Little immortals pay respects to Your Majesty, pay respects to the Lady!" The Food God and Stove God spoke and moved in perfect unison—clearly seasoned professionals.

While Zhou Kang, who was sleeping soundly, was roused drowsily by the two gods' voices and yawned.

But catching sight of Haotian and Yaochi in his peripheral vision, his entire self went dazed, and he thumped down onto his knees.

Stammering, he said: "Commoner, kowtow… kowtow to Your Majesty, Lady… Lady!"

Yaochi's lips curled up slightly at this restrained attitude.

Haotian looked at the monkey who still greeted him and then acted as if nothing had happened, feeling somewhat helpless in his heart.

He could no longer be bothered to blame the monkey; perhaps even if he made the monkey kneel, the power behind him might not be willing.

Not causing trouble, having ability, and even helping him organize a perfectly successful Peach Banquet — what more is there to nitpick?

Just a bit of basic respect will do.

"All rise." Haotian waved his hand.

Since Yaochi was in charge of the Peach Banquet, Haotian stepped back half a pace.

"Sun Wukong, this time you truly did wonderfully!" Yaochi smiled, without the slightest airs of the Queen Mother.

"This is the most perfect Peach Banquet this Palace has ever held; your cooking skill is unparalleled in the world!"

Yaochi praised without stinginess; to her, this was also fact.

Sun Wukong scratched his head, laughing embarrassedly; unparalleled in the world?

Compared to Master, he falls far short!

"And that final dish, hot pot, truly as you said, surpasses all other dishes!"

Yaochi's words completely made Sun Wukong lose his composure; he hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands, saying: "Replying to the Lady, that hot pot was not made by this Old Grandson, but is Master's new dish."

"Your master?!" Haotian behind Yaochi exclaimed in surprise; this was their first contact with the mysterious force behind Sun Wukong.

What did he say? How did he end up like this?

"Sun Wukong's master, just who is he?" Yaochi asked the question Haotian had always wanted to ask.

"Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Chaos Residence." At the mention of Chen Nuo, Sun Wukong's face was full of pride.

Today's achievements are inseparable from Master's careful nurturing!

"My master is the proprietor of Chaos Residence." Sun Wukong said seriously, word by word.

Proprietor?

Yaochi, Haotian — both with faces of bewilderment; what is this thing?

"Just what is this Chaos Residence you speak of?" Haotian could not help but interject.

Isn't Lingtai Fangcun Mountain the ownerless mountain the Buddhist Sect used for site selection? It should have been abandoned by now.

Why has a force suddenly appeared?

"A restaurant!" Sun Wukong said directly: "The restaurant opened inside Lingtai Fangcun Mountain is called Chaos Residence; my master is the proprietor, and he likes others to call him Proprietor Chen."

Opening a restaurant deep in the mountains?

This Proprietor Chen's thinking is truly bizarre enough!

Haotian tugged at the corner of his mouth, somewhat speechless.