Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 738 - 737 Punishing Sun Wukong

"As long as you’re aware of your own faults, that’s enough," Chen Nuo said. "Since I’ve decided to take disciples and so many at that, my intention is to enable you all to achieve greatness and to help share my burdens. I don’t need disciples who are capable of everything; they just need to excel in one area."

Sha Wujing and Sun Wukong listened to Chen Nuo’s words. In fact, it’s really not easy to be good at everything. As the saying goes, ’master of one trade,’ it’s enough to excel in just one area. In this world, even the Buddha Ancestor and even the Jade Emperor can’t guarantee they are capable of everything.

"Master, I understand. As for the dessert, please pass the teachings to Sha Wujing," Sun Wukong said.

"We’re not in a rush for this moment," Chen Nuo said. "Since I’m going to teach, then of course I can’t simply hand over the knowledge. I will only teach my disciples."

The implication was clear. Sha Wujing immediately turned to pour a cup of tea and was just about to kneel down when Sun Wukong stopped him, "Master, are you taking him as your disciple right now?"

After all, Sun Wukong had a closer relationship with Tian Peng, and even now that Chen Nuo was going to take Sha Wujing as a disciple, Sun Wukong still thought about Tian Peng.

Chen Nuo looked at Sun Wukong, his gaze carrying displeasure. "Wukong, you have overstepped."

Chen Nuo, of course, understood what Sun Wukong meant, and he certainly hadn’t forgotten about Tian Peng. However, since he was to teach Sha Wujing the art of making desserts, it had to be done in a manner that did not reduce him to the status of a mere assistant.

He had already made up his mind when he decided to take Sha Wujing as a disciple. Although he took Sha Wujing first, he wouldn’t simply make him the second disciple. The position of the second disciple was still reserved for Tian Peng, as he had already promised.

But what he intended didn’t change the fact that Sun Wukong’s interjection and interruption of Sha Wujing’s discipleship ceremony was indeed impolite.

Seeing Chen Nuo’s icy gaze, Sun Wukong already knew he was wrong. He quickly knelt down before Chen Nuo, "Master, I’m sorry, I was wrong. I’ve been too impulsive."

Chen Nuo didn’t pay attention to Sun Wukong but turned to Sha Wujing, "Continue, go on with your apprenticeship."

Sha Wujing nodded, knelt on both knees, and offered the cup of tea in his hands to Chen Nuo. "Master above, please accept this cup of tea from your disciple."

Chen Nuo took the tea and took a sip, then said, "Although I’ve accepted your tea, I had already promised to take Tian Peng as a disciple before I met you. Thus, according to the order, even though Tian Peng is not yet my disciple, you will be my third disciple. Can you accept that?"

Sha Wujing bowed his head, "It doesn’t matter to me at all. As long as Master is willing to take me on as a disciple, I do not care about the ranking."

"Mm," Chen Nuo nodded. "Since you have already paid your respects, you are now my disciple. Go back and rest for now. The matter of teaching you how to make desserts is not urgent these few days."

"Disciple understands," Sha Wujing nodded, made one more bow to Chen Nuo, then got up and left. His heart was incredibly joyful, though it wasn’t shown outwardly. Yet, the atmosphere around him was one of jubilation, and even his retreating figure seemed to carry happiness.

Sun Wukong remained kneeling on the ground, waiting for Chen Nuo to reprimand him. Chen Nuo looked at Sun Wukong, and said coldly, "I know Tian Peng is on your mind, because of your good relationship and the long time you have known each other, but you have really been too impulsive."

Sun Wukong hung his head; in truth, he regretted his words as soon as he had spoken them, but once spoken, they could not be taken back.

"Master, my nature is rather hasty. Please do not hold this against me. I truly realize my mistake now, please forgive me this once," Sun Wukong pleaded with Chen Nuo.

Sun Wukong’s temperament is something Chen Nuo is well aware of, but if punishment is merely verbal, it truly wouldn’t make him take the lesson to heart.

Moreover, Sun Wukong’s recent behavior amounted to a challenge to his authority. Chen Nuo might be patient, but he couldn’t let his disciple carry on like this unchecked. If Wukong had done wrong, then punishment was certainly in order.

"If I were to punish you, would you accept it?" Chen Nuo asked. Sun Wukong bowed down, his forehead touching the ground, "I accept, whatever punishment you give, Master, I will not complain in the slightest."

"Good," Chen Nuo nodded. He intended to properly punish Sun Wukong, but also to cure the disease by dealing with its root cause. Since Wukong was impatient by nature, he would do exactly the opposite, insisting on finding something for Sun Wukong that couldn’t be done with an impulsive temperament.

Sun Wukong awaited Chen Nuo’s punishment. Initially, he thought he would at least be beaten soundly, but after a long wait, Chen Nuo still hadn’t struck him.

"Master, aren’t you going to punish your disciple?"

"Yes, I am going to punish you," Chen Nuo replied. "What do you think I would do to punish you?"

Sun Wukong shook his head, "I do not know, Master, but punishment would surely mean a beating, wouldn’t it? Master, please hit me. I have realized my mistake, and no matter how you choose to punish your disciple, I accept it."

"Alright, punishment must indeed be meted out, but if I simply beat or scold you, I fear you won’t learn your lesson, and you might even bear a grudge," Chen Nuo said.

"So, I’ve thought of a way to counter your impulsive nature. This task can only really be accomplished by a patient and careful person," Chen Nuo explained.

"Master, whether you beat me or scold me, I accept it. I definitely won’t hold a grudge," Sun Wukong said, fearing that if Chen Nuo left him alone, it would truly be troublesome.

Compared to that, a scolding or beating would be preferable. Nonetheless, he couldn’t begin to imagine what method his master had in mind that could actually teach him a lasting lesson.

Chen Nuo’s approach was actually quite simple. There was a dish that was quite troublesome to make and merely tasted so-so, so Chen Nuo had never bothered to cook it.

Mainly because he felt it was not only bothersome but unnecessary. Since it was a punishment, naturally, the more troublesome it was, the better. He even found the current hassle insufficient.

"I have a dish made from mung bean sprouts and pork which truly tests the cook’s patience. I’m too lazy to make it, but now I’ll teach you how to do it, and you will make a plate of it for me," Chen Nuo said.

"Remember, it must be done entirely by hand; you must not use mana to cut corners. I will be watching you, and if you dare to be lazy, I will punish you by making you cook two dishes of this kind," Chen Nuo stated.

Sun Wukong took it lightly; making a dish seemed hardly a punishment. He was a chef, and if it was about cooking, he believed he could make any dish. He didn’t understand his master’s reasoning—using a dish as a form of punishment.

"Master, such a punishment seems far too simple for your disciple. Although I don’t know how to make desserts, I am quite skilled at cooking. Even those in the Heavenly Court are waiting for me to return to the Imperial Kitchen," Sun Wukong boasted.

"This seems more like an opportunity for training rather than a punishment. If you truly want to punish your disciple, you should just beat me. I swear, I won’t hold this matter against you," Sun Wukong remarked to Chen Nuo, genuinely not perceiving the task of cooking as a punishment. If that were the case, he would be punished every single day.