Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 102 On the Wedding Day, a Further Discussion of Inheritance

The ninth day of the fifth lunar month is an auspicious day for moving.

With the Jiang family's new house in Longshan settled in, smoke began to rise from the chimneys, the new stove was lit, and the house and surroundings were filled with life.

May 12th is an auspicious day for engagement.

The matchmaker, carrying generous gifts, went up to the gate of the Li family mansion.

The entire process of proposing marriage, betrothal, and exchanging gifts was conducted in strict accordance with all the proper customs.

Once the matter was settled, celebratory invitations were sent out widely, and the news spread far and wide.

The seventh day of the sixth lunar month is an auspicious day for marriage.

Jiang Liang, the second son of the Jiang family, married Li Wenya, the eldest daughter of the Li family.

Guests flocked to the venue, and the banquet was held in three courtyards and five halls.

From afar, members of the Li clan from Luoyang came to visit; and from nearby, a military officer from Liangzhou visited.

The Liangzhou Commandery and the Celestial Master's Mansion of Heming Mountain also sent generous gifts.

The powerful families of Longshan County were shaken, and the prestige of the Jiang and Li families became unparalleled for a time.

On the ninth day of the sixth lunar month, after seeing off the guests and clearing away the remaining food, the sunset glowed beautifully in the sky.

The bride, Li Wenya, changed into her everyday clothes, looking elegant and simple, and returned to Liangjie Village with her husband.

The village had made all the necessary preparations, setting the tables back on and serving hot food and wine.

Neighbors from all sides came over, men, women, and children, holding bowls and chopsticks, eating meat and drinking wine while laughing and joking.

The most common saying was still the old saying: "The new bride is beautiful and charming, the Jiang family is truly blessed this time."

Jiang Liang and his wife stood at the table, smiling and bowing to express their gratitude, and they returned the favor with generous gifts.

These are not ordinary candies or snacks, but packets of genuine, high-quality medicinal herbs.

All of these were personally brought down from Longshan by Li Wenya; they are expensive outside but of high quality inside.

In Liangjie Village, every household is currently practicing martial arts, their blood and qi are surging, and they are in the most need of recuperation.

The Li family is a major producer of medicinal herbs in Liangzhou. If a connection can be established, this relationship will be more than just a simple business transaction.

Jiang Yi and Liu Xiulian also changed into new clothes and stood in front of the old house, smiling to welcome everyone.

He saw the person off, exchanged pleasantries and returned the greeting, and his face beamed with a smile reminiscent of his youthful charm.

Before long, the head of the Liu family manor also arrived.

This time, however, he was not alone; even Madam Liu, who rarely appeared in public, accompanied him.

His clothes were simple and his expression gentle. As soon as he appeared at the entrance of the village, he caused a constant rustling in the crowd.

This display of power and pomp already showed the Jiang family considerable respect.

Jiang Yi naturally couldn't be negligent. Before a laugh could even rise, the man had already come to greet him at the steps. Before he could speak, he gestured with his hand and respectfully led him inside.
"Please come inside, there's more room inside."

The banquet was in full swing in the courtyard, with the clatter of bowls and chopsticks and the lively chatter of neighbors toasting and laughing.

As people came and went at the banquet, the conversation inevitably turned to the same old questions: "Does the eldest son of the Jiang family have any plans to get married?"

His words and laughter were casual, but his thoughts were quite serious. With a slight smile, his eyes drifted towards Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi, however, was a seasoned veteran. He simply picked up his wine glass, smiled, and said little, deflecting all the thoughts with a single sentence: "Let it be."

Madam Liu alone was unlike these gossipy neighbors.

She sat at the table, saying little, but holding Jiang Xi's hand tightly, her eyes gentle, yet her words revealed a hint of seriousness:

"This child is lovely, bright and clever, and just looking at him makes one happy."

As she spoke, she gently slipped the plain jade bracelet off her wrist and slipped it onto Jiang Xi's wrist, her tone gentle:
"It's nothing special, just a small gift."

The bracelet had a plain surface, without any carvings or engravings, yet its jade color was warm and lustrous, and it exuded a spiritual aura.

It was clearly not an ordinary object.

Jiang Yi, who had witnessed everything clearly, frowned slightly. Seeing the bracelet on his daughter's wrist, he was about to tell her to take it off. But before he could speak, Master Liu stopped him, raising his cup and saying with a smile:
"What business is it of us men to interfere in women's affairs? Come on, let's drink."

He spoke eloquently, laughed amiably, and raised his glass just right.

Jiang Yi knew he couldn't refuse, so he could only smile, raise his cup to accompany him, and drink it all in one gulp.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere at the table became warmer, and people spoke with a mix of sincerity, intent, and probing.

The conversation eventually turned to the transmission of various schools' techniques.

Master Liu spoke first, his words few but sincere, simply stating:
"Your family's breathing and qi-cultivation method ensures smooth qi flow; with prolonged and continuous practice, it naturally generates essence."

"His staff technique is even more exquisite, and his muscles and bones have been strengthened. My son has been sparring with Jiang Xi recently and has learned a lot."

Jiang Yi listened, waved his hand, and laughed:
"The old methods passed down in my family are just for making a living. They can't compare to the profound heritage of your Liu family, which has been passed down from generation to generation."

"Especially the method of cultivating one's nature, regulating one's breath and concentrating one's mind, steadily stepping into the state of mental concentration... that is not something ordinary people can even touch."

This wasn't just a polite remark.

As his cultivation at home deepened, Jiang Liang, in particular, took a trip to Luoyang and met several so-called "prodigies," which he then used as gossip to make his judgments upon his return.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi understood even more clearly.

That state of "settled mind" cannot be reached simply by surging one's qi and blood.

It relies on the heart and nature; it is a true practice that can calm the mind, focus the will, and eliminate distracting thoughts.

Unfortunately, such methods are extremely rare in this world.

Most of these are kept in prestigious families and passed down to the direct descendants of a lineage; there's no reason for them to be easily passed on to outsiders.

As the wine flowed freely and the conversation became more congenial, Jiang Yi, seemingly intentionally but also unintentionally, said:

"If we could truly combine your family's cultivation method with my family's breathing technique, with proper movement and stillness, and yin and yang complementing each other, we might be able to break through some of the constraints and soar to great heights."

Last time, it was Master Liu who threw out the line, but this time it was Jiang Yi who personally handed over the hook.

Upon hearing this, Master Liu merely smiled, took a sip of wine, and remained expressionless.
"Unfortunately, my family's method of cultivating one's nature is forbidden to be passed on to outsiders, according to the rules set by our ancestors."

The conversation abruptly shifted, the chopsticks lightly tapping the wine cup, seemingly casual yet intentional:
"Your family's breathing and spirit-nourishing method is truly wonderful; it regulates qi, transforms it into essence, strengthens bones, and nourishes the soul. I wonder if there are any rules or regulations involved?"

The tone was light and casual, casually mentioned in the context of wine and water.

But Jiang Yi was genuinely stunned when he heard this.

When it comes to passing on that method, it can only be done with the approval of the eldest son, Jiang Ming.

As the father, he couldn't say anything, nor could he make a decision.

Seeing that he was speechless, Master Liu just smiled, raised his cup and said:

"Our Liu family has always valued the concept of fate. If there is a connection, things will happen naturally; if there is no connection, we cannot force it."

He spoke politely, and his sense of propriety was impeccable.

Jiang Yi already understood. It seemed that the other party was interested, but not to the point of being absolutely certain.

Besides, I can't make the decision myself.

He said no more, his smile undiminished, and with a laugh, he raised his glass and went to the next table, leaving no trace of his presence.

As Master Liu watched his composed and smiling figure disappear into the distance, a glint flashed in his eyes, but he ultimately remained silent.

But when he turned around, his gaze fell on the little maid in front of the lady's knees, and he couldn't look away for a long time.

It seemed they were more interested in this Jiang family girl than in the breathing technique.

Jiang Xi sat very obediently.

Listening to the two men's back-and-forth, seemingly deceptive, probing conversations, she didn't say a word, as if she hadn't understood the adults' words.

But his eyes darted around rapidly, as if a lamp had quietly lit up in his depths.

(End of this chapter)