Chapter 224: How Harsh the Conditions Are

The Venerable Tathagata's expression was stern; he had already prepared to strike if there was the slightest disagreement.

Haotian chuckled, and with that, his originally solemn and righteous attitude vanished instantly, as he lightly said: "Add a person."

This directly left the Venerable Tathagata bewildered for a moment, unable to react—what kind of nonsense is this "position of the scripture-taker"? I, the Heavenly Court, want one.

Wu Tian spoke again, answering the Venerable Tathagata's confusion.

The position of the scripture-taker… the Venerable Tathagata's brows furrowed tightly—this Haotian truly has the audacity of a lion opening its mouth wide.

The position of the scripture-taker is of utmost importance; after the Great Western Calamity ends, the merit the scripture-taker receives will be quite substantial.

If Haotian is the one behind the scenes, he too could benefit greatly, but for the Buddhist Sect, this would be a bad thing.

The Venerable Tathagata fell into deep thought; if he directly refused, Haotian would surely not relent.

For he is in the right; even if he later uses the Great Trend to pressure, startles the Holy Person, and forces the expulsion of Sun Wukong, Haotian would surely bear a grudge.

By then, he would secretly sabotage the Western Journey behind the scenes, and our Buddhist Sect would not be able to withstand it.

Well, well, after all, it is ultimately their Buddhist Sect's great mistake that led to the current situation—truly self-inflicted.

One cannot constantly rely on the Holy Person's might to oppress; one must offer benefits to ensure the Western Journey proceeds without a hitch, and losing a little benefit is no great shame.

The Venerable Tathagata nodded slightly, returning the Buddhist salutation and said: "The almsgiving monk can agree, but the Great Heavenly Venerable must also agree to a few conditions from the almsgiving monk."

"Say whatever, no problem."

The Venerable Tathagata pondered for a moment, then spoke: "Those who agree to the Great Heavenly Venerable must not have too high a cultivation level, nor may they act too frequently."

To reduce the influence of this scripture-taker on the Western Journey, the merit distributed later would also decrease; since the major matter cannot be changed, he will instead impose minor restrictions, seeking to recover some benefit where possible.

"Agreed."

Haotian agreed readily.

In his view, being able to place one person in the scripture-taker's entourage is already quite difficult.

Haotian knows the Venerable Tathagata's thoughts, but regarding the scripture-taker, the merit should be as much as possible.

Moreover, with so many places along the Western Journey requiring his Heavenly Court's involvement, as the Heavenly Court Sovereign, the merit he ultimately obtains will also be quite considerable.

"In a few days, my Buddhist Sect will hold a Dharma assembly; at that time, I will invite that monkey to serve as head chef at my Buddhist Sect's banquet. I hope the Great Heavenly Venerable will not obstruct."

The Venerable Tathagata directly stated his purpose—after all, this is not something that needs to be hidden or concealed.

Haotian raised his eyebrows, letting Sun Wukong be the head chef? These monks really know how to enjoy themselves!

However.

Regarding the Buddhist Sect's approach, Haotian feels extreme contempt—letting the monkey go to the Buddhist Sect is clearly meant to suppress him.

Such a tactic of discarding the millstone after killing the donkey, tearing down the bridge after crossing the river, is truly despicable; no wonder people say monks are the most shameless.

"So it's settled, Great Heavenly Venerable—I hope you won't cause any more trouble."

The Venerable Tathagata rose and said.

"I will not go back on my word, but whether or not trouble arises depends on how that monkey chooses."

"However, how that monkey chooses has nothing to do with me."

Haotian now finds Sun Wukong increasingly pleasing to the eye.

He also very much wants Sun Wukong to remain in the Heavenly Court as this head chef, but he has no way to do so, nor can he keep him.

However, given Sun Wukong's nature of not following conventional paths, even if he goes to the Buddhist Sect's side, he will not stay quiet—better to stir up some trouble.

Haotian harbored ill intentions.

"Great Heavenly Venerable, the almsgiving monk bids farewell."

The Venerable Tathagata returned a Buddhist salutation, then intended to turn and leave—he did not wish to stay here even for a moment.

This exchange, he lost.

"Venerable Tathagata, don't forget the Lingbao."

Haotian spoke slowly and leisurely.

The Venerable Tathagata's expression instantly solidified, looking somewhat unpleasant.

He let out a muffled grunt, and the Venerable Tathagata casually flung down two Great Luo Golden Immortal-level treasures before departing.

Watching the Venerable Tathagata's figure suppressing his anger, Haotian felt joy blossom in his heart.

This round, a sure profit!

"Just now, how did the Venerable Tathagata come?"

Yaochi walked in leisurely, her face bearing a hint of curiosity.

"What can you come over to do?"

Wu Tian shrugged, his face showing a touch of disdain.

"Want the monkey, huh?"

Monkey? Yaochi's heart startled, she hurriedly asked: "Did you agree?"

"Yes."

Haotian casually replied.

But upon seeing Yaochi's unpleasant expression, his heart fluttered with anxiety, and he forced a laugh: "Yaochi, listen to me first."

Haotian's words tumbled out rapidly, recounting what had just happened.

Yaochi then reluctantly released her clenched fists,

feeling somewhat sorrowful; if this is truly the case, won't Sun Wukong have only a few days in her Heavenly Court? Those delicious meals would also have to leave with her; Yaochi is extremely unwilling, yet she also knows this is irresistible.

For Sun Wukong becoming the Buddhist Sect's scripture-taker is inevitable!

Seeing Yaochi's aura dissipate, Haotian breathed a sigh of relief, having dodged a beating.

"These days, let the Imperial Kitchen prepare more dishes."

Haotian suggested.

Yaochi said nothing, instead furrowing her delicate brows, not knowing what she was thinking about.

"Yes"

Yaochi suddenly slapped the table, startling Haotian badly.

Her brows relaxed, Yaochi said excitedly: "Our palace can still go to what Sun Wukong said about Chaos Residence eating vegetables"

According to Sun Wukong's words, wouldn't the dishes be even more delicious? "How long will this dish take to be ready?"

In Chaos Residence, Zhao Gongming sat in his seat, staring at the charcoal fire added in the middle, muttering.

"Slow work yields fine results"

Yunxiao replied softly.

Bixiao picked up the conversation: "Yes yes!

Don't be anxious, we have so many people here, making dishes one after another, we'll definitely get them done in a while"

Bixiao narrowed her eyes, a hint of expectation showing on her face, not knowing what reaction her elder and younger martial sisters and brothers would have after seeing the core essence of the dishes, "Ah, if my fee standard were a treasure, how wonderful that would be, not wasting my efforts scavenging from the Battle Department"

Holy Mother Jin Ling rested her chin, her whole appearance filled with regret.

Everyone fell silent, stunned; if Haotian knew what the elder martial sister constantly thought about all day, not dying from anger would already be good.

Letting the elder martial sister become an official in the Heavenly Court—truly, it is the Heavenly Court's sorrow.

If all the immortals in heaven thought like the elder martial sister, within a few days, the Heavenly Court would surely cease to function.

Just as he was thinking, Ao Ling walked out carrying a cooking pot, Zhao Ming instantly drawn in spirit.

He carefully examined Ao Ling's cooking pot: "This thing, though oddly shaped, is quite novel"

This was his first time seeing food require such a large pot.

Ao Ling placed the pot on the charcoal fire.

"This is hot pot"

Ao Ling introduced it in a sentence.

Zhao Gongming, upon hearing, nodded, quite fitting, the charcoal fire boiling below—indeed, isn't it? Ao Ling turned and went back to the back kitchen to help.

Zhao Gongming, meanwhile, stretched his neck, carefully examining the red and white scene in the pot, frowned his thick brows, and spoke in a hollow voice: "How is this so like the Taiji"

A hint of dissatisfaction naturally appeared on Zhao Gongming's face.

"Where does it resemble?"

Holy Mother Jin Ling glared her eyes, rebutting.

She naturally knew her junior brother's mindset, but such words must not be spoken too much.

"Look at this red and white—where does it resemble?"

"Furthermore, there is no mutual inclusion here; Taiji is yin containing yang, yang containing yin"