Chapter 143

Now all the Buddhas hate Maitreya Buddha so much they wish they could directly beat him up to vent their hatred.

The Buddhist Sect is too difficult to manage.

The Tathagata wordlessly rubbed his own forehead—how could the Buddhist Sect have all kinds of people? My heart is so tired!

Not a single thing goes smoothly; the journey to the West hasn't even started yet, and it's already a complete mess.

One monkey has made the entire Buddhist Sect unable to find peace—is this truly the future Buddhist Sect's Protector?!

He feels as if he's dealing with the future Buddhist Sect's Calamity Master.

Nothing good comes from anything related to the monkey.

The Tathagata sank into deep thought; the most crucial matter now isn't some Peach Banquet issue, but how to suppress Sun Wukong.

Although they are merely chefs one by one, they are at least properly organized, having done nothing out of line, so the Buddhist Sect naturally cannot find any reason to suppress them, thereby tempering Sun Wukong's mind.

One cannot simply go up and directly suppress them, can one?!

Besides, not being able to stand firm is obvious—this is clearly slapping the Heavenly Court in the face.

Following Haotian's nature, he could probably directly use this as a reason to declare war on the Buddhist Sect.

The Tathagata sighed, not knowing what divine power lies behind this monkey's back,

and yet the teachings given to this monkey don't resemble a monkey at all.

Which monkey could resist the temptation of the Peach Banquet to become a chef in the Imperial Kitchen?!

Now, the plans for the Journey to the West have completely collapsed.

Maitreya Buddha was just preparing to return to his position when he suddenly recalled his plan and actively spoke: "Divine Report to the Buddha Ancestor, may the Buddhist Sect's Dharma Feast allow Sun Wukong to serve as this head chef?"

Let Sun Wukong be the head chef?

The Tathagata was shocked by Maitreya Buddha's words, but quickly regained his composure.

"The dishes this monkey makes are truly too delicious; this humble monk has never tasted anything so delicious in his life."

Unable to move the Tathagata, Maitreya Buddha hurriedly added a few more sentences.

"Even if Sun Wukong's dishes are vegetarian, they absolutely outclass Ling Mountain's current vegetarian cooks; not competing for this would be the greatest loss."

Saying this, Maitreya Buddha swallowed his saliva.

On the Tathagata's solemn and dignified face was utter helplessness—what else could Maitreya Buddha do besides eating all day?

While mentally complaining, suddenly, a flash of inspiration lit up the Tathagata's mind, revealing a hint of joy.

What Maitreya Buddha said is correct—since Sun Wukong is accustomed to cooking, we should cater to his preference and use the opportunity of the Buddhist Sect's Dharma Feast head chef position to lure him over.

Once he steps onto the Buddhist Sect's territory, we can easily fabricate some charges to suppress this monkey.

The Heavenly Court won't say anything either.

Maitreya Buddha's plan is reliable!

The Tathagata looked at Maitreya Buddha with deep meaning, as if to say that regarding the merit of the Journey to the West, Maitreya Buddha also values it greatly.

Thinking this through, the Tathagata spoke: "This is indeed a good idea, Maitreya Buddha—please have you invite that monkey over."

He would like to, but the monkey simply won't come.

Maitreya Buddha sighed inwardly; the Dharma Feast is still some days away, and even if Sun Wukong can come, he'll have to eat less.

Egg-tingling pain!

Spreading his hands, Maitreya Buddha helplessly said: "This humble monk has already mentioned it to Sun Wukong—he very much wants to come, but the precondition is obtaining the Jade Emperor's consent."

At such a time, this is a major matter for the Journey to the West; he, having lost real authority, cannot make decisions, so naturally he hasn't gone to negotiate with the Jade Emperor.

Haotian's consent?!

The Tathagata's mouth twitched—this is truly a "no rabbit, no hawk" type, acting slyly.

"Fine, then it's settled—I invite Sun Wukong to come as the head chef for my Buddhist Sect's Dharma Feast."

The Tathagata had no better reason or method, so he could only follow Maitreya Buddha's plan for now.

But this cannot possibly be hidden from Haotian—it can only be an open strategy.

If one wants to take the monkey from Haotian's hands, some expense is unavoidable.

After a little thought, the Tathagata felt both heartache and egg-tingling pain, yet he still must step forward.

Who let him be the Buddhist Sect Leader?

When things go wrong, he bears the burden.

He is so difficult!

The Tathagata lamented in his heart.

He spoke: "This humble monk will go negotiate with the Jade Emperor."

Receiving a satisfactory reply, Maitreya Buddha grinned.

"Many thanks, Buddha Ancestor." Maitreya Buddha laughed heartily—this was the first time he had sincerely thanked the Tathagata.

There's no way around it—he is greatly anticipating this banquet, and even more so anticipating Sun Wukong's dishes.

He also doesn't know whether this time Sun Wukong can produce something new and even more delicious.

Maitreya Buddha thought while retreating back to his own position.

With no points of contention left, the Buddhas couldn't say much either, only cursing the Buddhas in their hearts before letting it go.

Water Army Marshal's Residence.

"Peng Brother, what exactly is the flavor of this Peach Banquet?" Xiong Dao Ren looked at the Heavenly Peng, returning with a satisfied expression on his full belly, and said eagerly.

Heavenly Peng used his tongue tip to lift his teeth, squinted his eyes, and said while savoring: "What flavor? That was truly a great surprise."

Heavenly Peng began showing off again in daily life: "The dishes of this Peach Banquet were made by the disciple of the Chaos Residence Shopkeeper, Monkey Brother—could the flavor possibly be lacking?"

"Moreover, this final dish, the hot pot, was personally crafted by Shopkeeper Chen, and its flavor is simply beyond words."

Heavenly Peng critiqued from head to toe, his face showing admiration.

I haven't seen such a novel way of eating before—so many ingredients, once cooked, can have such a delicious flavor; doing it myself adds a unique charm.

I don't know how Shopkeeper Chen came up with this, but he's truly talented.

Tian Peng spoke with emotion, his praise for Chen Nuo unreserved, saying his current strength could be said to be personally forged by Shopkeeper Chen, and he couldn't help but respect him.

This is also a heartfelt gratitude.

Xiong Dao Ren beside him listened, overwhelmed with excitement, his face full of longing.

"I've broadened my horizons, I've broadened my horizons." Xiong Dao Ren murmured.

Following Peng Ge is great—getting to see the world!

Xiong Dao Ren clenched his fist, pumping himself up inwardly, determined to qualify for the next Peach Banquet!

"Peng Ge!" Xiong Dao Ren paused, then asked curiously: "I heard people say the Queen Mother doesn't give peaches, so what year's peaches did she give Peng Ge this time?"

The peaches at the Peach Banquet could be said to be what every immortal pays attention to, so Xiong Jing has heard several discussions about them in the Yuan Shuai Fu these past few days.

"Of course… it's the nine-thousand-year-old ones!" Tian Peng froze, wanting to say three thousand years but feeling it would be too devaluing, hands behind his back, head held high, fully showing off his flair.

"Really?" Xiong Dao Ren widened his eyes, finding it hard to believe; he'd heard the immortal attendants in Yuan Shuai Fu discuss this topic, seeming like only gods of the Great God level could receive nine-thousand-year-old peaches.

"Could this be fake?" Tian Peng let out a cold snort, as if expressing his dissatisfaction with Xiong Dao Ren's doubt.

Speaking nonsense with eyes wide open: "Peaches under nine thousand years? Trying to fool ghosts!"

"Others get nine-thousand-year-old peaches because they're qualified, but I get nine-thousand-year-old ones because the peaches themselves max out at nine thousand years!"

"Don't even think about what kind of person I, the Marshal, am!"

Tian Peng wore a look of arrogant pride.

"Heavenly Court War God!" Xiong Dao Ren said without hesitation.

He had no doubt about Tian Peng's identity—such bearing from Peng Ge already fully proved his exalted status in the Heavenly Court, impossible to be false.

Tian Peng nodded satisfied, showing no trace of being affected by Yang Jian's earlier lecture.