Chapter 68

"Isn't it said that whoever has superior culinary skill wins the position?"

"Then let you say what kind of genius comes to compete with me, how about that?"

Upon these words, the entire Great Hall fell silent for a moment, all immortals gazing in astonishment at the monkey speaking with such resolute tone above the hall.

If it were about fighting, this monkey's potential in the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm is seen by all, but this culinary skill—can it really be mastered so casually?

To enter a trade and master it—do you really think swinging a cleaver at random makes one a chef?

The Kitchen God and the Food God seemed to be hearing some hilarious joke.

"This is what you said—won't you regret it?"

Sun Wukong looked at the two, speaking word by word: "Old Grandson's word once spoken, even four horses cannot recall it—but as for you, do you have the guts to let that so-called genius come and compete with Old Grandson?"

"Or, you can come up too!"

"Arrogant!" The Kitchen God waved his hand: "Dealing with you, this mountain monkey, also requires both of us to act? Zhou Kang's culinary skill alone can thrash you!"

That kid possesses extraordinary talent—what the Food God and I have seen in our lives, let alone the guidance we've given him.

The Food God further said: "We agreed to the contest, but if you lose, you must kowtow and apologize to us, and from now on, you are forbidden from touching the culinary arts!"

The Way of Culinary Arts cannot be insulted by such vulgar people!

"Good!" Sun Wukong raised his eyebrows, looking at the two filled with righteous indignation, inexplicably finding it somewhat amusing: "Then what if you lose?"

Lose? How could that be possible!

The two felt contempt in their hearts, but having spoken harshly, they could not refuse.

"If we lose, we are the same!"

Immediately, the two looked respectfully toward Haotian and said: "Please, Heavenly Emperor, approve this duel—it concerns the dignity of our culinary Way!"

Haotian, watching the spectacle with great interest, had seen immortals clash over differing beliefs, but never had he seen a contest over cooking.

After a brief moment of thought, he said: "Very well, I permit it—tomorrow, the Kitchen God, the Food God, and the Zhou Kang you recommended shall compete with this monkey; the victor shall remain."

"At that time, I and the Queen Mother will be present."

"Holy and Wise Majesty!" The two bowed in gratitude.

Seeing nothing more to do, Haotian directly withdrew from court, everything to await tomorrow's outcome.

"Hiss! Finally recovered almost completely—Monkey Brother, your strike really knows no restraint!" Inside the Heavenly River Water Marshal's Mansion, Tianpeng muttered complaints.

After his continuous healing with divine power, it's nearly recovered—at least outwardly, no injury is visible.

But this is also Tianpeng's own doing—who let him think that with two divine abilities, he's invincible at his level?

"No, Monkey Brother's news from yesterday still needs to be reported to Chen the Shopkeeper."

Originally intending to lie down and rest, Tianpeng suddenly sat up—he still had a mysterious treasure in hand, and it was just the right time to visit Chen the Shopkeeper to see its value.

Thinking this, Tianpeng hastily packed up and went to the Lower Realm, to Fangcun Mountain.

However, he failed to notice someone following behind him.

After Nezha withdrew from court, he wandered aimlessly through the Heavenly Court, but the scene of Tianpeng and Sun Wukong's battle still lingered in his mind, stirring a bitter aftertaste.

Although Tianpeng lost, he could see that Tianpeng's strength now absolutely surpasses his own.

Even Tianpeng lost—just imagine how powerful that monkey is.

Recalling his own vow before departure to beat the monkey, Nezha couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Truly absurd—he died once, his body is that of a lotus root, which has its wondrous uses, having saved him many times in the Fèngshén Calamity, and he has earned considerable merit.

Though the Master could produce the best, this lotus root body ultimately has limited quality—Great Luo Golden Immortal is the barrier this body can never cross.

Seeing those once inferior to him gradually catch up, even surpass him,

Nezha felt utterly distressed, absentmindedly arriving beside the Heavenly River Water Marshal's Mansion.

But in his peripheral vision, he saw a swift figure dart out from the mansion, flying toward the Lower Realm.

Upon regaining his senses, he focused his gaze—it was Tianpeng!

Nezha's pink-carved jade small face bore confusion—Tai Bai Jin Xing hadn't said Tianpeng was severely beaten? Not resting properly in the mansion, what is he doing out here?

And in such haste?

A flash of inspiration struck Nezha—he recalled Tianpeng's recent bizarre, meteoric rise in strength.

Out of curiosity, he restrained his aura and followed, trailing all the way to Fangcun Mountain.

Nezha froze—he naturally knew this place's significance, but upon seeing the landing site, he hesitated no further and continued to follow.

After winding back and forth, he finally arrived before a house.

Nezha looked from afar and saw the signboard bearing the three characters "Chaos Residence," with a large "Dining" character beside it.

This deep mountain and old forest—there's actually a restaurant here?

Nezha was puzzled, while Tianpeng had already entered.

"Shopkeeper, I'm back... uh..." Tianpeng entered, about to speak, but upon seeing the interior scene, he was dazed.

A bull-headed figure and a young man were gathered with Chen the Shopkeeper.

"Three tens with a five!" Only seeing the bull-head throw out four strange cards, his face tense.

Bean-sized sweat droplets trailed down, his eyes darting between Chen the Shopkeeper and the young man, his grip on the cards deathly tight.

Just what I wanted!

"Three kings with a seven!" Chen Nuo's lips curled slightly, he said calmly.

Done for!

The Ox Demon King inwardly wailed: "I definitely can't get out, but I must minimize losses!"

Thinking this, the Ox Demon King trembled as he drew out four cards, his expression one of facing death with resolve, and shouted: "Three twos with a two!"

???

Chen Nuo stared dazedly at the originator of this bizarre move—the Ox Demon King.

You're awesome!

After saying that, he stretched out his hand, flipped over the card standing on the table again, and the number on it changed from 8 to 16.

The Ox Demon King was furious on the spot: "Shopkeeper Chen, this is three with one, didn't the rules say it clearly?"

"Four of the same three with one is still four, that thing is called a bomb!" Chen Nuo had a black line on his face.

He guessed the Ox Demon King had four twos in hand, but the Ox Demon King still had many small cards, wanting to finish them out was impossible, he originally thought they would split up to cut losses.

But he never expected the Ox Demon King to split them like this!

The decision failed, the Ox Demon King's heart was like dead ashes, and there was no possibility of winning anymore.

"Haha, following Shopkeeper Chen to lie and win feels so satisfying!" the Peng Demon King then burst into loud laughter.

In this round, he hardly played any cards, Shopkeeper Chen alone knocked the Ox Demon King flat.

"Ox brother, you really have talent, even with two kings and four twos you still can't win!"

"Starting today, you have to wipe the table for sixteen days straight!"

Seeing the Peng Demon King's gloating expression, the Ox Demon King flared up in anger and said: "What are you so proud of, you've lost sweeping the floor for two months!"

As soon as the words fell, both demons froze at the same time, then reacted: Shopkeeper Chen lost without punishment, they two won without reward, losing means doing work.

Damn it!

Damn, they two are just digging their own graves here!