Chapter 98

"I wonder which venerable one is willing to go?" The Tathagata glanced at all the Buddhas and spoke.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the Buddhas fell silent; attending the Peach Banquet is a great blessing.

But this time the Peach Banquet will surely be in vain because of the Monkey King's havoc in Heaven; only a fool would come to be this gullible!

Seeing that the Buddhas said nothing, the Tathagata coldly smiled in his heart; indeed, none can be relied upon—better to let Guanyin and Puxian go instead?

The thought had just arisen when it was rejected by the Tathagata.

After all, these few are constantly running east and west for sect affairs; this is clearly not a good thing—how could they be allowed to go?

But now the Buddhist Sect can only dispatch these few, and the obedient Arhats below are not qualified enough to attend.

Who, then, should be sent?

The vast Buddhist Sect actually leaves the Tathagata feeling that no one is available.

Headache!

While worrying, the Tathagata suddenly noticed on the upper hall a figure of extremely prosperous appearance, leisurely and utterly out of place with the current atmosphere.

"Maitreya Buddha, are you willing to represent the Buddhist Sect and go to the Heavenly Court to attend the Peach Banquet?" The Tathagata asked.

Maitreya Buddha, who had been thinking about what vegetarian food to eat today, was instantly startled back to awareness.

But as a Quasi-Sage, even if he had not paid attention, he would still know what had happened.

He could only bitterly laugh and say: "Very well."

Since the Buddhist Sect sealed the gods, it can be said to be mixed with fish and dragons; someone like him, a native disciple, fundamentally has no authority to speak.

Future Buddha?

Just a nominal title, really.

Future, future—what exactly can be called the Future?

He is merely one of the Three Great Buddha Ancestors in name only; if truly discussed, he is not even as good as Ran Deng, who once held the title of Buddha Ancestor.

He lightly sighed in his heart, then treated it as going out to move his muscles and bones.

But to use a Peach Banquet to establish this Monkey King's fame is truly wasteful.

What a wonderful banquet—what a waste of heavenly treasures!

The Tathagata nodded slightly and announced to the hall: "The person chosen to go to the Heavenly Court has been decided—it is Maitreya Buddha."

"Maitreya Buddha, worthy of being the Future Buddha of our teaching—truly sees the big picture!"

"Ah, the Almsgiving Monk's Buddhist heart is still not as steadfast as the Future Buddha's; but if the Future Buddha had hesitated just now, the Almsgiving Monk would certainly not shirk his duty!"

Seeing the dust settle, the hall above became lively again.

Heavenly Court, Weaving Maiden Palace.

Palace maids stood in a line, each holding some silkworm silk cloth at the palace gate, queuing to send fine garments into the palace.

This is the Weaving Maiden Palace!

Nezha gazed at the palace before him—not very grand, but exquisite in his heart, murmuring.

Although he enjoys playing and causing trouble, he has never come to this place before, because he felt it was women's territory.

Nezha jumped and skipped, ignoring the queue, and pushed forward to cut in line.

The palace maids were jostled, feeling slightly angry in their hearts, but upon seeing who had come, they froze.

"Third Prince, well." The palace maids immediately bowed.

This is a great god of the Heavenly Court; they cannot afford to be reckless.

Nezha nodded slightly, somewhat absent-minded.

After knowing it was Nezha, those ahead also made way, though each person wondered in their heart: what is Nezha doing coming to such a place?

All the way unobstructed, Nezha also arrived at the Inner Chamber, which was not complicated.

Only a large loom stood there, with individual silk threads being processed into cloth by the loom's operation, pouring forth like the Milky Way at the sky's edge.

And on the loom, there was a pair of slender, long arms, skin like congealed fat, jade-white.

Nezha followed the slender arm upward and instantly became dazed—spiritually exquisite and agile, untouched by dust.

Features delicate and soft; merely looking at them brings a sense of mental tranquility.

The maiden also noticed Nezha's arrival.

She smiled slightly, spoke softly and gently: "I do not know what business the Third Prince has come here for?"

That voice was pleasant, as if a feather lightly touched Nezha's heart.

A shiver ran through him; Nezha regained his composure, looked at the maiden's serene, half-smiling face, and felt a bit embarrassed.

He had originally thought to sneak in and steal a dress after entering the hall, but who could have imagined he would absurdly end up face to face with the Weaver Maiden?

"Cough cough, I came to inspect work." Nezha coughed once, pretending to be serious.

Zhi Nv pu chi laughed, her bare hand lightly covering her red lips.

"Isn't the Three Altars Sea Assembly Great God supposed to subdue demons and eliminate evil? Why is he now in charge of inspecting the inner palace?"

"Young Master is tired, changing official positions clatter-clatter." Nezha rolled his eyes, stared wide-eyed, and began spouting nonsense.

Zhi Nv said nothing, only smiling gently as she looked at Nezha.

Finally, Nezha felt somewhat embarrassed under her gaze and loudly said: "Just joking with you."

"Young Master I, I want to change into a set of imposing armor."

Nezha spoke while his eyes glanced at the racks displaying and hanging skirts all around.

"Armor?" Zhi Nv lightly laughed: "Third Prince, you may have come to the wrong place."

"Young Lady here only has silkworm silk garments."

Nezha scratched his head and said: "That will do too—I want the kind that leaks imposing aura."

Nezha gestured wildly, describing it incoherently.

Zhi Nv gently shook her head, the fine strands at her temples drifting in the air.

"I feel that, with your appearance, Third Prince, it simply isn't suitable."

Hearing these words, Nezha felt somewhat displeased—what did he mean by saying he wasn't suited for imposing attire?

Nezha's prestige caused the Demon Race to tremble at the mere mention of his name—wasn't that imposing enough?

Just as he was about to argue, he heard Zhi Nv utter a shocking statement: "I believe, Third Prince, that you are suited to wear a skirt."

Nezha:???

Exclamation of Amazement!

Nezha's heart gave a sudden jolt—had his thoughts been exposed?

He looked anxiously toward Zhi Nv's face, only to find her eyes filled with sincerity, devoid of any playful intent.

"I have studied the Way of Weaving for a long time now—I know well which person suits which kind of skirt."

"Someone like Third Prince, with a fine figure and yet so petite, would look perfect in a skirt."

Zhi Nv smiled, her bare hand making a gentle hooking motion, and a skirt appeared before Nezha's eyes.

Holding it in her hand, she began measuring it against Nezha's body, even critiquing his proportions.

"Hmm, indeed, my eye for fashion is the best—this skirt would be perfect if only it were a little smaller."

Nezha's gaze had already been drawn to the skirt the moment Zhi Nv produced it.

With the Divine Communication Female Attire Pavilion passively activated, he instantly saw the dazzling high-level, high-rank attributes glowing on it.

If he were to wear this skirt, its effects would surely double.

Lost in thought, Nezha suddenly sensed something swaying before his eyes.

He hastily snapped back to awareness.

He could only slowly withdraw his hand, smiling faintly as he said: "How is it, Third Prince—do you like it?"

Of course I like it... damn it all!

Nezha's face flushed red, and he hastily swallowed the words about to burst from his lips.

With a cold snort, he declared loftily: "I, the Young Master, demand nothing less than an imposing, side-splitting garment—if you won't make it, I, the Young Master, won't leave today!"

Saying this, Nezha struck a pose of petty tantrum.

Seeing Nezha like this, Zhi Nv not only failed to grow angry but instead found him rather endearing; she shook her head helplessly and said: "Third Prince, alas, you are not a girl—very well, I will make the garment for you, but Xiao Nü Er here still has clothes to finish, so please return in a few days."

Having spoken, Zhi Nv gracefully stepped onto the loom.