I'm Your Daddy

"Little Celestial Immortal, do you know who you're talking to?"

Buddha's booming voice rang out at once.

"How could I not know?"

Chen Tong spoke with utter confidence now.

He was nothing like he'd been before, when he'd spent five hundred years hiding in this river.

Now he'd truly found his footing.

"Isn't it just Buddha?"

Chen Tong's flippant tone reached Buddha's ears.

"You, you, you..."

Buddha stammered out three "you's," never imagining Chen Tong would speak to him like that.

He knew who Buddha was, and still dared to provoke him.

"Me, me, me... What about me?"

"Don't talk down from up there. Doesn't your back hurt? If you've got something to say, say it to my face."

Buddha also sensed that something was amiss.

But because of this Sun Wukong, he had no choice but to come down in person.

Buddha's true form appeared in a flash.

In the next moment, he stood not far from Chen Tong.

"Young friend, could I discuss buying this monkey from you?"

Buddha still wore his usual kindly expression.

Behind Chen Tong, Sun Wukong felt a little nervous.

If his benefactor gave in to the pressure, those people would decide his fate.

He couldn't help feeling afraid.

But looking at his benefactor's steadfast back, he felt a strange certainty that his benefactor would protect him.

Still, Sun Wukong's anxiety wasn't misplaced.

If this had happened before Chen Tong received his reward, he would never have put in a word for anyone, not if it meant risking his own life.

But now, Chen Tong wasn't about to be intimidated.

"Not for sale."

"You can't just buy a monkey because you want one."

Buddha said coldly, "Young friend, my patience is limited."

Chen Tong waved a hand. "Then let it be limited. Even if it were endless, that'd have nothing to do with me."

"I'll make this clear today: while I, Chen Tong, am here, nobody's laying a hand on Sun Wukong."

Sun Wukong felt warmth well up inside him.

He and his benefactor had only just met by chance.

Yet his benefactor was still protecting him so fiercely.

How could that not move him? How could it not set his blood racing?

"Benefactor, I'll take responsibility for my own actions. I can't let you get into trouble for my sake."

"Enough. Save it. If you're so moved, write me a three-thousand-word reflection about how moved you are. I'll see what you come up with."

Chen Tong cleared his throat, looking even more inscrutable.

Buddha flicked his sleeve. "That's not up to you."

"You're only a Celestial Immortal, yet you're this arrogant. Do you really think you can do whatever you please?"

"Um, do you need something?"

"Maybe I can't do whatever I please, but this area does fall under my jurisdiction."

Chen Tong said it calmly.

"Fine, fine, fine."

"Today, I'll see for myself how this area is under your jurisdiction."

"What's going on? Hurry up and tell us what's happening with that monkey!"

"I'm dying to know."

"Come on, we're all waiting."

"Do you really think you can work me like a beast of burden?"

Thousand-Mile Eye was at his wit's end and could only stare in wordless frustration.

"Someone rescued Sun Wukong. Buddha's confronting him right now."

"Oh my goodness, that's happening? Who is that person? What's his name? Someone like that actually exists?"

"Look at him. Get a better look."

Thousand-Mile Eye said, "Why don't you ask Wind-Following Ear? He can hear everything, can't he?"

"Oh, right, right."

"See what's going on over there."

One Celestial Official chimed in.

Thousand-Mile Eye looked over and saw a sea of people.

He didn't say a word. They were all fellow sufferers, after all.

"Stop rushing me. I'm watching. What's the hurry?"

Thousand-Mile Eye gave them a live report.

South Heavenly Gate.

"This plan..."

"Must not be allowed to change."

Jade Emperor's voice was icy.

"There definitely won't be any surprises. Everything is under control. It's just that this person's appearance..."

Taibai Jinxing sounded puzzled.

"It's nothing. He can't cause much trouble. A mere Celestial Immortal thinks he can stir up a storm? Even if he has a few tricks, he'll be wiped out in an instant."

Jade Emperor sneered.

"But..."

"Buddha will handle everything. We can go back and keep drinking."

Taibai Jinxing nodded, but as he left, he still glanced once more in Chen Tong's direction.

For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

He also had a very bad feeling about it.

"Is everything really all right?"

He wondered to himself.

Still, he followed Jade Emperor away from South Heavenly Gate.

They were heading back to the Heavenly Court to continue drinking and making merry.

Buddha said, "I'll give you one last chance."

"I'll give you a chance, too. Leave now, or don't blame me for what happens next."

Hearing this, Buddha didn't get angry. He laughed instead and said, "I've shown you every courtesy. Don't think a few little tricks can change anything."

"What little tricks? I'm your daddy. You know what that means?"

Buddha looked utterly perplexed. That was well beyond anything he knew.

"Just wait and see what I can do. Don't look down on me. You ignored me before, but soon you won't be able to reach me."

Without another word, Chen Tong took out his Divine Brush.

In the next moment, he casually drew five fiery phoenixes.

The five phoenixes radiated immense power and let out piercing cries.

Blazing flames filled the area.

They even tore through the space around them.

Their might was terrifying, enough to put anyone under tremendous pressure.

But to Buddha, it was nothing more than a childish game.

Sun Wukong watched, his heart pounding in shock. This...

"The power of a mere Celestial Immortal. Even with such a treasure, you can't draw out much of its power."

Buddha flicked his sleeve, and the phoenixes vanished.

They dissolved into a shower of light.

Chen Tong weighed the Divine Brush in his hand, marveling to himself. It really was a magic treasure that grew stronger over time. If only he were more powerful—then it would be even better.

"Then try this."

Without hesitation, Chen Tong summoned Buzhou Mountain.

Buddha's gaze grew serious. He hadn't expected Chen Tong to have so many tricks up his sleeve.

Even so, it didn't change the fact that Chen Tong was an ant.