Chapter 64

Even if he were to run away, he would need a proper excuse—after all, Tianpeng is a respectable man!

Meanwhile, far away at Guanjiangkou, Xiao Tian sneezed inexplicably and shook his glossy black fur.

"As a dignified immortal dog, can I even get sick?"

Xiao Tian immediately jumped onto the table, grabbed the kettle, and poured himself a cup of hot water—even as a dog, he wanted to enjoy life.

Here, before Sun Wukong could say anything, Tianpeng turned and left with effortless ease, and his speed only increased!

Whoosh!

"Didn't catch up, did he?"

After flying for a while, Tianpeng saw no monkey behind him and let out a sigh of relief—this monkey is damn impressive. When he reports to the Jade Emperor, he'll still be focused on finding treasure and eating properly!

Eating properly is his top priority now!

"Hey, not flying anymore?"

Suddenly, a teasing voice came from above. Tianpeng looked up and nearly scared half to death.

He saw Sun Wukong locking eyes with him, grinning with bared teeth.

"How... how did you catch up?!" Tianpeng was so terrified his soul nearly left his body, and he stammered.

Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Secret."

Even when he used Myriad Threads Myriad Strands, he had already attached his qi to Tianpeng's back, and at the limit of distance, he instantly transformed into a clone and appeared beside him.

His own carelessness—who else could he blame?

"Mount Huaguo—do you think you can come and go as you please?"

With a mournful wail, Sun Wukong grabbed Tianpeng like a chick and dragged him back to Mount Huaguo.

The scene was so brutal that even the immortals couldn't bear to watch. Tianpeng's words of defiance were gone—now all he thought was, "May Tianpeng fare well!"

Seeing Tianpeng's fate, Nezha shivered involuntarily, feeling a lingering dread—thankfully, he hadn't mouthed off like Tianpeng.

Lingxiao Baodian fell into silence for a moment, yet no one blamed Tianpeng.

After all, everyone had seen the monkey's heaven-defying power—he was already beyond the realm of Taiyi Golden Immortal.

"Esteemed ministers, what should we do?" Haotian sighed, breaking the silence.

No one answered.

Haotian frowned, deep in thought. The Buddhist Sect's rule is that none surpassing Taiyi Golden Immortal may act—this would let the monkey's mind swell in the Heavenly Court, after which the Buddhist Sect could follow suit.

Directly suppress him as a Prepared Saint, make the Buddhist Sect look incredibly powerful—this would only increase their prestige.

One must admit, the Buddhist Sect plays a brilliant game of strategy!

Though this monkey isn't the one trained by the Buddhist Sect, his strength is terrifyingly formidable.

Even if Haotian is well-traveled and knowledgeable, he truly cannot imagine any Taiyi Golden Immortal in this world capable of subduing this monkey.

Gazing at the Jade Emperor's furrowed brow, Tai Bai Jin Xing stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I propose instead to send this humble official to pacify him—let the demon monkey take an official post in Heaven. What do you think?"

As the Jade Emperor's top admirer, Tai Bai Jin Xing naturally knows the Buddhist Sect's plan.

"Good." Haotian nodded.

Now that it's come to this, we can only continue following procedure.

"Tai Bai, hear my command: I order you to go pacify the demon monkey—but he is too fierce and violent now, likely still in a rage. If you go, it might backfire. Prepare more, and go later!" Haotian said solemnly.

All this talk of beginnings and backfires is nonsense!

He just saw Tianpeng's carefree, roguish look and didn't take the Heavenly Court assembly seriously—this time, he must teach him a lesson!

Moreover, Haotian is certain the monkey won't kill Tianpeng—if he truly had killing intent, he wouldn't have brought him back to Mount Huaguo.

After the assembly ended, the immortals dispersed to their respective abodes.

The Kitchen God and the Food God walked side by side. Unlike the immortals who cared about the demon monkey, they paid it no mind,

for that is the concern of high-ranking immortals.

These low-ranking immortals never concern themselves with such things—they now only care about how to develop new dishes.

"Food God, how is that Zhou Kang I brought back?" the Kitchen God asked, looking toward the Food God beside him.

Upon hearing Zhou Kang's name, the Food God's face lit up: "As you expected, he's truly a fine seedling. His talent inherits our robes and bowl—more than enough."

The Kitchen God nodded: "Good. This boy is quick-witted—with him, we might truly create new dishes."

The two immortals chatted and laughed as they arrived at the Imperial Kitchen, where they saw Zhou Kang cutting tofu.

With a swing of the knife, the originally large block of tofu was instantly diced into countless small pieces, each uniform in size.

"Not bad, not bad." The Kitchen God couldn't help but praise aloud.

"Two Patriarchs!" Zhou Kang saw them, hurriedly bowed.

The Food God nodded, smiling: "Excellent. Even if we only have you do odd jobs, you bear no resentment—neither arrogant nor impatient. This is the mindset a cook should have."

Zhou Kang himself felt fortunate—how could a genius chef doing menial work hold a grudge?

But just thinking that he's now in the celestial realm, in the Heavenly Court, he can't contain his excitement—this is why he hasn't spoken yet.

"We plan to recommend you to the Queen Mother after tomorrow's morning audience. If your talent moves her, entering the immortal registry can be said to be a sure thing." The Kitchen God shared his and the Food God's idea.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Kang's heart leapt with joy, and he quickly bowed in gratitude.

Entering the immortal registry through cooking—what an honor!

"But you must remember: only by bringing forth your best skill can you hope to move the Queen Mother—under no circumstances must you fail!" the Food God warned solemnly.

A commoner suddenly summoned to meet the supreme ruler of the world—his emotions, whether he can perform normally—these are unknowns.

"Junior understands—I will certainly not disappoint the two Patriarchs!" Zhou Kang suppressed his inner excitement, wishing he could compete right away.

He has his signature dish, Mapo Tofu—it will surely move the Queen Mother!

Seeing Zhou Kang still composed, the Food God nodded with relief and said: "If successful, I, as Kitchen God, will take you as my robe-and-bowl disciple, inheriting our culinary art."

"Thank you, Patriarchs!"

On the other side, in the Flower Fruit Mountain Water Curtain Cave, at this moment in the center of the spacious cave, a person was hanging, round and smooth yet with a sturdy build.

However, his face was already bruised and swollen, but from his attire, his identity was obvious—Marshal Tianpeng!

Tianpeng felt as if his whole body had fallen apart, his heart filled with resentment; this monkey was too ruthless!

Although he didn't use a kitchen knife to chop him, he truly gave him a good beating with his fists.

I was just bragging a little, my expression was too low, so is this really necessary to beat me like this, and hang me up all day?

When I get the chance to go out to eat and become stronger, I will definitely beat this monkey until he defecates, and regain my standing!

While he was daydreaming, he saw Sun Wukong walk out from inside; Tianpeng quickly started humming and hawing again, looking very pitiable.

Seeing this, Sun Wukong smiled teasingly, but having hung him all day, he stepped forward and said: "Dead fatty, aren't you the War God of the Heavenly Court? How are you so trash?"

Or are all the gods of the Heavenly Court just like you?

After Sun Wukong finished speaking, he also kicked him.

"Ow, be gentle!" Tianpeng grimaced in pain.

After easing up, Tianpeng again bragged: "That was me tricking you—I'm actually the most trash of all; in the Heavenly Court, everyone is a powerful being, and a single finger could pinch you to death!"