Chapter 5: Shentu and Yulei

Upon hearing Mu Changsheng's words, the tavern attendant repeatedly waved his hands and smiled, saying: "Before you came, our manager instructed us that this meal is on the house; he is treating you."

He now finally understands why these two names sound familiar to him, because these two are also famous characters in mythology. Whether in "Investiture of the Gods" or "Journey to the West," they both have made cameo appearances and played minor roles.

The brilliance of the big-eyed one is the ability to see a thousand miles, while the keen perception of the big-eared one is akin to having ears that catch the faintest sound.

Today, several people dined on the dishes of the Venus of Tai Bai. Once this matter is publicized, it will effectively serve as a promotion for his restaurant

No need to settle the bill, no need to settle the bill, Master Mu.

After achieving success in their cultivation, the two of them, upon descending the mountain, somehow ended up serving under King Zhou, causing significant trouble for the army of King Wu in its campaign against Zhou

If his dishes taste truly good, this will naturally boost the business of their restaurant

Ah, elder brother, second brother

Hmm? Mu Changsheng was taken aback for a moment: "Why?"

Gao Jue then chuckled at himself: "Both of us possess limited abilities; in the heavens, we are merely minor deities guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate. Who would remember us?"

No, I do not agree

Before long, the large round table was filled with a variety of delicious dishes

Well then

Mu Changsheng listened and secretly scoffed, thinking that the innkeeper's little schemes could not escape his notice

Perhaps when it comes to Gao Ming and Gao Jue, there are still some who do not know them, but if their resounding nicknames are mentioned, it is likely that no one is unaware of them

At a critical moment, it was once again the kind-hearted Taibai Jinxing who spoke: "Since the shopkeeper has good intentions, why must Young Master Mu insist on spending so much?"

Consider this: even the immortals enjoy the food and drink at his establishment. Others will surely flock to his tavern to sample the dishes that even the celestial beings savor.

Mu Changsheng was momentarily at a loss for words

The maid laughed and said, "When those guests hear that it is a celestial being, not only do they not get angry, but they leave feeling very happy instead"

After the dishes were all served, Master Mu Changsheng dismissed the other servants, leaving only two maidservants and two young attendants to wait in the hall

To put it simply, this is the advertisement from the previous life of Mu Changsheng, and as for the few individuals such as Taibai Jinxing, they naturally took on the role of guest spokespersons for the advertisement

When Mu Changsheng was pouring wine for the maid, he asked the two elders: "I have heard people in the mortal realm speak of the esteemed Taibai Jinxing, but I do not know how to address the two of you, esteemed elders"

It seems that the worship of deities has permeated deeply into the bones of people in this world, and it cannot be erased. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing; it appears that the profession of being a deity still holds great promise.

The Great Ear Heavenly General said: "I am Gao Jue!"

Mu Changsheng suddenly showed a contemplative expression on his face, as he felt that the names Gao Ming and Gao Jue sounded quite familiar, as if he had heard them somewhere before

Mu Changsheng looked at the table already filled with food and wine, and then waved his hand to the young servant who had brought the meal, saying: "There is no more space on the table, go back and tell your manager to prepare the dishes for me. If it is not enough, I will send someone to fetch more. Have him keep track of the bill, and I will send someone to settle the account in the end"

The Great Eye Heavenly General: "I am Gao Ming."

Familiar?

The Taibai Jinxing, upon seeing this, inquired: "Young Master Mu, do you have any misunderstandings or confusions?"

One is called "Qianliyan" and the other is called "Shunfeng'er"

Upon hearing these words, Gao Ming and Gao Jue burst into laughter

Mu Changsheng asked again, "If the shopkeeper has driven away all the guests from the restaurant, won't those guests be angry?"

The young maid smiled and said, "Young master, you may not be aware, but it is said that the shopkeeper was once the imperial chef in the palace of our Great Yu Kingdom, cooking for His Majesty the Emperor. Later, he retired to his hometown and opened the Natural Residence in Anyang City, but since then, he has hardly lifted a finger to cook again"

Seeing the shepherd Changsheng in surprise, a maid in a green dress who had just returned from the tavern smiled and said: "As soon as the tavern owner heard that we were to host the immortals, he immediately had the dishes that were already prepared for others brought back for us, and he even closed the door to free up the kitchen, personally coming to our residence to cook for us"

Gao Ming chuckled and said, "How interesting! After my brothers and I attained enlightenment and transformed at Qipan Mountain, we diligently cultivated for a thousand years. Later, we made a grave mistake and were sent to the Investiture of the Gods by Jiang Taigong. From then on, we served the Heavenly Court and have never descended to the mortal realm again. I never expected that Young Master Mu would know about me."

The abilities of the two individuals are as remarkable as their nicknames; one possesses the divine power of sight, able to see a thousand miles away with a single glance; the other possesses the divine power of hearing, skilled in listening, able to hear the sounds from all directions with a single ear

Mu Changsheng smiled and said, "I just heard the names of the two elder brothers, and for some reason, they sound somewhat familiar."

So it was the two of them

Alright, enough already

Except for the first trip when a servant from the Mu residence went to the restaurant to fetch the dishes, all subsequent dishes were delivered by the restaurant's staff sent by the owner of the Tianranju.

Although the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Listening Ear appear only twice in the Investiture of the Gods, where they are ultimately killed by Jiang Ziya with the God-Subduing Whip and later granted the title of God of the Southern Heavenly Gate, it is undeniable that the extraordinary abilities of these two individuals are indeed remarkable

So it turns out to be the esteemed predecessors Gao Ming and Gao Jue

This shopkeeper is skilled at calculating profits and losses.

It's a trivial matter, a trivial matter!

Although the several "spokespersons" for Taibai Jinxing have been determined, he could save on the cost of this meal, yet he must pay for it, as it is a gesture of sincerity towards several "seniors" after all

Ah?

The young man replied, "Our shopkeeper said that being able to cook for a deity is a blessing he has earned over several lifetimes. He hopes that Young Master Mu can give him the opportunity to fulfill this wish"

Young Master Mu, please do not be angry

Hearing this, a few individuals secretly nodded in agreement with Taibai Jinxing

The three individuals, upon hearing this, burst into hearty laughter.

Upon seeing the situation, the Planetary Deity of Venus said nothing further, while Mu Changsheng gestured for the steward to go and settle the bill

No, young master

The shopkeeper personally takes action

Mu Changsheng quickly clasped his fists in salute

The two celestial generals, Taibai Jinxing and the one with big eyes and big ears, also looked at this young man with great interest

Mu Changsheng, feeling displeased, slapped the table and said: "Do you think this young master is someone who lacks money, or do you, the shopkeeper, intentionally want to tarnish the reputation of the Mu residence by making us bear the blame of dining without paying? Steward, you go with him to settle the bill."

Upon hearing Mu Changsheng's words and seeing his angry expression, the previously cheerful tavern attendant was instantly taken aback.

In the "Investiture of the Gods," it is written that these two brothers are originally the peach spirit and willow ghost of Chessboard Mountain, also known as Shentu and Yulei

Mu Changsheng shook his head: "As the junior, I shall treat you; it is unreasonable for others to pay. Rest assured, esteemed immortals, it is merely a meal."

The Great Eye Heavenly General recalled Taibai's words and laughed, saying: "Young Master Mu, you need not call us seniors, nor should you refer to yourself as a junior. From now on, we will all serve together in the Heavenly Court. If you do not mind, just call me 'Elder Brother,' and you can call the other one 'Second Brother.'"

Mu Changsheng wore a skeptical expression and said, "Can the chef's culinary skills be better than those of a master chef?"

Mu Changsheng suddenly realized, and then said to the three immortals, "It seems that today I am still fortunate to have the favor of the three esteemed immortals!"

So it is like this

Mu Changsheng suddenly realized upon hearing these words

Do not be fooled by the fact that this meal is free of charge, for in business, there is no such thing as a free lunch; how could that fellow possibly suffer a loss

Upon hearing this, Mu Changsheng's face lit up with joy, and he immediately took advantage of the situation.

Wait a moment, Gao Ming and Gao Jue?

In the sky there are those that fly, on the ground those that run, and in the water those that swim, truly a complete assortment; moreover, if it were not for a table being filled to capacity, the proprietor of the Natural Tavern would have to call for more to be brought in