Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 522 - 516: Ji Gong [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 522: Chapter 516: Ji Gong [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Ji Gong glanced at Sha Chen and frowned.

He hadn’t expected Sha Chen to be so articulate, refusing to be at the slightest disadvantage.

After a moment of silence, he said, "Lord of the River, you needn’t worry. This poor monk is not here to champion Maitreya Buddha’s cause; in truth, it’s not my place to do so."

Sha Chen responded, "Master, you’re jesting. Even if you were here on his behalf, it would be no issue. I am not at fault in this matter; the error lies entirely with Maitreya."

Marshal Tianpeng nodded in agreement, continuing, "Exactly. Old Sha was merely slaying demons and eliminating evil, promoting justice, which is a good deed. Yet Maitreya Buddha relentlessly pursued him, and only out of sheer desperation did Old Sha accidentally kill him."

Although he had witnessed Sha Chen killing Maitreya and knew that it was done with lethal intent, not by accident, he could not possibly say so.

Marshal Tianpeng said, "Mad Monk, you mustn’t wrongly accuse people."

He added, "Even upon your return to Buddhism, you must say the same, otherwise, you won’t get to enjoy today’s wine."

Ji Gong took a sip of wine and said with a bitter smile, "Even if this poor monk were to say so, no one would believe it. And even if they did, they would not act as you wish."

Marshal Tianpeng wanted to say more but hesitated.

In the end, he let out a long sigh, evidently feeling that Ji Gong’s words were true.

Although relieved, he also felt a deep sense of sorrow, because the only person within Buddhism who could speak the truth on their behalf also had no influence.

Sha Chen said with a smile, "Master, weren’t you merely passing by and asking for a cup of simple wine? Why speak of such disheartening things?"

He filled Ji Gong’s cup and served him a piece of meat, saying, "Come, come, Master, try this wild boar meat—ham that has been smoked and aged for years."

After tasting it, Ji Gong gave a thumbs-up and remarked, "Truly incomparable in flavor! This wine is also exceptionally delicious. It indeed makes one linger and forget to return."

He laughed heartily, drinking with great gusto.

The fine wines Sha Chen had brought out were actually just ordinary Immortal Wines, but they were still exceptionally delicious, at least something Ji Gong had seldom drunk before.

As for the meat, Ji Gong naturally could not eat it while in the heavens, and he hadn’t had the opportunity to try it during his earthly trials either.

Naturally, he found it delicious.

However, just as he was thinking these were the most exquisite dishes Sha Chen Cave Manor had to offer, he noticed that both Sha Chen and Marshal Tianpeng were eating rather indifferently, almost carelessly, as if they didn’t have much appetite.

Sha Chen might be excused; he’s likely grown tired of these dishes. But Marshal Tianpeng is a guest, and his time at Flowing Sand River is short. He shouldn’t have had many opportunities to indulge in such fine food and drink, so why does he lack appetite as well?

Thus, Ji Gong asked, "Marshal Tianpeng, why don’t you seem to enjoy your meal? Could it be that you’ve lost your appetite?"

Marshal Tianpeng replied, "It’s just some ordinary food and wine. Having had my fill of it on regular days, I naturally don’t crave it much." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

He curled his lip, his expression seeming to regard Ji Gong as a country bumpkin.

Ji Gong was taken aback and said, "Has Marshal Tianpeng become so accustomed to the good life daily? But these items are rare in the mortal world; how could you have tired of them?"

He was truly puzzled.

Marshal Tianpeng explained, "I didn’t tire of them from eating elsewhere, but from eating here. Although Old Sha doesn’t cook often, compared to the other delicacies he makes, these are rather ordinary."

Ji Gong was astonished and said in amazement, "I had no idea that the Lord of the River possessed such culinary skills!"

Marshal Tianpeng chuckled. "His skills go beyond just being good. Even the Kitchen God himself would feel inferior."

Now Ji Gong truly felt that Marshal Tianpeng’s words were an exaggeration.

He looked skeptical.

Then he said, "Although it might be presumptuous, I must ask: could the Lord of the River please cook a meal for me? Would that be possible?"

Sha Chen shook his head, responding, "You really are being presumptuous."

Ji Gong’s face turned slightly red with embarrassment; he knew that such a request was indeed presumptuous.

It was only because it was Sha Chen; had it been anyone else, they probably would have already taken action to suppress him, Ji Gong.

But then again, only Ji Gong would have the audacity to make such a request.

Sha Chen naturally wouldn’t stoop to Ji Gong’s level, knowing that he was driven purely by his craving for good food.

His earlier mention was also solely to satisfy that craving.

The expressions on the faces of Marshal Tianpeng and Siti changed. Marshal Tianpeng appeared quite angry, as if he was about to scold Ji Gong.

However, his eyes were darting around.

Since my return, I haven’t tasted any of the delicious dishes prepared by Sha Chen. It’s because Sha Chen feels the offerings I brought were too meager; allowing me to stay is already kind. To expect the same level of fine food and drink as before is out of the question. I’ve been craving it for a long time. But each time I bring it up, I’m met with a beating from Sha Chen. This time was no different; I did it on purpose. Sure enough, Ji Gong brought it up himself—this couldn’t be better!

Siti, on the other hand, was discontented. She felt that even she had never tasted meals personally cooked by Sha Chen; why should a mad monk get to request one?

She snorted, "Mad Monk, are you looking to die?"

If Sha Chen nodded, she was ready to twist Ji Gong’s head right off.

Ji Gong could remain calm and composed in the presence of Sha Chen and Marshal Tianpeng, even knowing Sha Chen had killed Maitreya Buddha and possessed heaven-piercing strength far beyond his imagination. He could still handle the situation with equanimity.

However, when facing Siti, he truly had no temper at all.

It wasn’t because of Siti’s beauty; it was purely because of her status and seniority, which placed her as his elder—his actual great-aunt.

Siti could do more than just scold him; even if she beat him, he would have to endure it.

Ji Gong knew he had spoken out of turn, blurted out nonsense. What kind of guest asks their host to cook!? Moreover, he wasn’t exactly a model guest. They had already treated him to fine wine and dishes; desiring even better was truly pushing his luck.

Ji Gong quickly said, "Lord of the River, I apologize. This poor monk has been presumptuous."

Siti then said, "Sha Chen, just say the word, and I’ll twist his head off for you to kick around like a ball."

Sha Chen indifferently said, "I’m not playing in the World Cup. What would I want his head for?"

All three were bewildered.

World Cup? What’s a World Cup?

Sha Chen did not intend to explain. He cleared his throat and said, "Making a meal isn’t out of the question, but the dishes I prepare are exceptionally fine; not everyone is qualified to eat them."

Ji Gong was inwardly thrilled yet somewhat taken aback. It’s only a meal, after all. Even if it’s incredibly delicious, how could there be someone unworthy of eating it!?

Marshal Tianpeng explained from the side, "Old Sha is right. Not everyone is qualified to eat the meals he prepares."

"The ingredients consumed for a single meal are astonishingly precious. Just by finishing one table of his dishes, an ordinary True Immortal could advance directly to a Golden Immortal."

HISS.

Ji Gong truly gasped, his gaze stupefied.

An ordinary deity eating Sha Chen’s meals could directly become a Golden Immortal!? That’s too exaggerated!

Or perhaps it would have been an exaggeration in the past, but now it indeed was not.

After all, the Osmanthus Brew and Pan Peach Wine that Sha Chen brewed, as well as some of his dishes, were all made from second or third-grade Immortal Medicines.

The Divine Power contained within these Immortal Elixirs was immensely vast. After Sha Chen prepared them into dishes using alchemical techniques, not only was their potency retained, but it was even maximized.

In this way, finishing a table of dishes was equivalent to a True Immortal consuming an entire Gourd of Immortal Pills.

It was just like when Sun Wukong entered the Tushita Palace and stole Immortal Pills; how could there not be an advancement?

Sha Chen’s cooking had always been proportionate to his capabilities. Previously, his resources were average, and he used common Immortal Elixirs with limited effects.

Now, the Immortal Elixirs growing in his Cave Manor were commonly second or third-grade; even if he wanted to make something ordinary, he simply couldn’t.

After hearing Marshal Tianpeng’s explanation, Ji Gong’s desire grew even more fervent. Looking at the dishes before him, he had completely lost his appetite for them.

He was incredibly impatient.

Such extravagant Immortal Elixirs and divine meats crafted into delicacies, along with Jadescent Nectar—it must be incomparably delicious!

While the current dishes appeared exquisite to him moments ago, Marshal Tianpeng thought they were merely passable.

This realization even made Ji Gong feel as if the delectable food before him had suddenly become as tasteless as wax.