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

Chapter 157 Jiang Feng's Wedding, the Dragon King's In-Laws

Jiang Yi subtly shifted the conversation, inquiring about another unrelated old matter.

"Do you know where Big Black has gone now?"

Jiang Liang's illusory figure paused almost imperceptibly, then shook his head.

The already fleeting figure faded even further, its expression carrying a hint of bewilderment.

“I don’t know. I only remember that before I fainted on the battlefield, I vaguely heard a rooster crow, and then I was completely unconscious. When I woke up again, my soul had already fallen into the underworld.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't look at him. Instead, he stared at the wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner and slowly said:

"The battle report from the army clearly states that if that black-faced fellow hadn't dragged you out of the pile of corpses and carried you all the way back to the army, you probably wouldn't have made it to Chang'an."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Liang's illusory figure trembled slightly.

He had known that dark-skinned fellow for years, sharing a life-or-death bond on the battlefield, and naturally harbored some lingering affection for him.

Now that I have heard these words, my heart is filled with mixed emotions. I feel that I owe a huge favor, but I can't even find the person who owes me a thank you.

Seeing his expression, Jiang Yi knew that he was truly unaware of the situation, so he didn't ask any further questions.

During that time, he was unconscious. The Qiang rebellion in Liangzhou had been quelled, and the Shaodang tribe had vanished without a trace.

The usefulness of the big black dog naturally diminished.

With the Shao Dang tribe gone, there is no one in this world who can fear or threaten it anymore.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi's worries dissipated.

As long as it doesn't do anything evil or tarnish the Jiang family's reputation, let it be.

The next day, the Jiang family classroom reopened, but the location was moved to the newly built ancestral hall.

With Jiang Ming absent, Jiang Yi took over the role of preacher.

When it comes to knowledge, I can't compare to my eldest son's extensive learning.

But teaching Jiang Liang, along with the two young boys Jiang Qin and Jiang Jin, would be more than enough.

Thus, a rare sight appeared in this ancestral hall.

Two teenagers sat upright, reciting their lessons aloud.

A black lacquered memorial tablet stood silently on the offering table. In the wisp of faint blue smoke in front of the tablet, a shadowy figure sat upright, listening more attentively than anyone else.

After the class, the two younger ones were sent to the Ancient and Modern Gang.

Jiang Xi treated her two nephews and nieces as if she were a completely different person.

All her former gentle words were gone, leaving only a cold and aloof face and increasingly harsh physical punishments.

The slightest slackening, and the once gentle and kind aunt who would feel heartbroken for half a day if they bumped or bruised herself, now raises her eyebrows and coldly utters:
"If you don't master the skills, you can forget about ever seeing your father again."

This is not meant to scare you.

Although they didn't quite understand what the concept of religious offerings and incense meant, they vaguely understood that if they wanted to see their father, they had to be obedient and strive to be successful.

So he practiced with extra effort.

The days slipped by uneventfully, like a stream flowing around a blue stone, silent yet with its own distinct flow.

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye. Jiang Qin and Jiang Jin's little arms and legs are already as taut as a fully drawn bowstring. At less than nine years old, they have already stepped into that threshold of full of energy.

According to my earlier plan, having reached this stage of training, it was time to pack my bags and head to Luoyang to find my parents.

But man proposes, God disposes; Jiang Liang is no longer in Luoyang.

Their second brother, Jiang Rui, is only fourteen years old this year. He is currently working under the command of that Protector of the Qiang and is gaining seniority. He can't worry about that right now.

So Jiang Yi left the two of them in the village, where they worked together to strengthen their bodies and study the "Taishang Laojun Shuo Chang Qingjing Jing".

So that their minds may soon be clear, and they may be able to clearly see the appearance of their father amidst the incense smoke.

Jiang Ming's whereabouts remain unknown, as if he has vanished to some remote, secluded place to repay a favor.

On this day, after the class at the ancestral hall ended and everyone was about to leave, Jiang Yi had just stood up when a thought suddenly came from the offering table behind him.

"Father, please wait."

Jiang Yi turned around and saw that the illusory image on the offering table was much more solid than it had been six months ago.

Amidst the rising smoke, it was no longer pure nothingness, but faintly tinged with a dark, earthy yellow, like newly sculpted clay, possessing a touch of human presence.

The face gradually took shape, with clear features and even subtle expressions.

The incense offerings over the past six months have ultimately not been in vain.

"What is it?" Jiang Yi asked casually, his tone indifferent.

Jiang Liang felt a slight warmth in his heart, and a smile appeared on his face: "Feng'er sent a letter to Wenya yesterday."

Li Wenya was already full of energy and vitality the year Jiang Qin and Jiang Jin returned to their hometown.

Before leaving, I also learned that visualization method.

Now, seven or eight years later, through daily practice, I have barely managed to reach the threshold of spiritual prosperity.

In her Luoyang residence, she also set up a family temple, where incense burned continuously, so Jiang Liang's thoughts naturally reached her.

Now his soul resides in the incense offerings, and Chang'an, Luoyang, and Liangjie Village are only a thought away from each other.

Sending a message or a message is actually more convenient and faster than using the fast horse relay stations of previous years.

Jiang Yi's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't interrupt, waiting for him to continue.

The now somewhat heavy, ethereal figure flickered slightly in the incense smoke, and the consciousness immediately connected with it:
"Feng'er said in his letter... that he wanted to go to the Western Sea to ask for a marriage proposal and asked if his family had any advice."

Jiang Yi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Yes, my eldest grandson is almost seventeen, and according to the local customs, he is indeed at the age where I should be worrying about finding him a wife.

However, he also found the marriage proposal somewhat troublesome.

Given the Jiang family's current situation, proposing marriage to the Dragon Palace of the West Sea is truly... a bit of a stretch.

The most presentable member of the family now is this son who has become a ghost or deity.

The Commander of the Ganying Division of Chang'an City—that sounds like quite a prestigious title.

But let alone the fact that Chang'an is just an ordinary city now, even if it were to become the capital in a few more years.

Such a position, even if presented to the Dragon Palace of the West Sea, would not be able to suppress any ripples.

Moreover, this child is currently not allowed to leave Chang'an, and cannot even go out for a proper ceremony.

Jiang Liang naturally understood his father's thoughts. A faint smile appeared on his face, which had only just begun to resemble a human being, and a sense of lightness crept into his expression.
"Father, there's no need to worry. Feng'er has already made all the plans himself."

He paused halfway through his sentence, looking both amused and wistful:
"That kid is really something. Such a big thing, and he didn't even tell his family. He was taken in as a disciple by the current Celestial Master more than half a year ago."

Jiang Yi was taken aback upon hearing this, and a genuine look of joy finally appeared in his usually calm and composed eyes: "Is that so?"

"I only found out this time after reading the letter."

Jiang Liang then slowly smiled and said, "My elder brother made a trip to Heming Mountain for my sake and gave Feng'er the stick I used in the past and the five copper rings."

"When the Taoist priests on Crane Cry Mountain saw the stick, they all vied to take Feng'er as their disciple, arguing fiercely until the Celestial Master was alarmed."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi already had some plans in mind.

Sure enough, Jiang Liang's lips curled into a smile, and he continued:

"As it turns out, the Celestial Master is very fair and didn't help either side, but Feng'er ended up becoming his personal disciple." "Now, the Celestial Master has spoken up and is going to personally propose marriage for Feng'er."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

His status as a direct disciple of the Celestial Master naturally made him a suitable match for the Dragon Girl of the West Sea.

Moreover, just recently, Xihai owed the leader of Heming Mountain a favor.

Feng'er and the dragon girl were childhood sweethearts, deeply in love, and now the Heavenly Master has personally intervened.

This marriage is probably already 80-90% done.

Jiang Yi then asked whether they should make some preparations and how.

The situation of the second branch of the Jiang family is indeed somewhat special.

One was a spirit in Chang'an, and the other was a servant in Luoyang.

If we really wanted to hold a grand celebration, we could probably only set up a few tables of wine in these two villages.

The thought within that phantom then came through again:

"Feng'er said in his letter that Xihai had suffered a great calamity and had not yet recovered, so it was not good to be too ostentatious. If the family agrees, they can have a simple wedding on Heming Mountain without any grand celebrations. After the wedding, they can bring their new bride back to the village to visit their parents."

Jiang Yi, who never paid attention to such formalities, nodded immediately.

But in my heart, it still feels somewhat unreal.

He was just an old farmer who toiled in the fields, and somehow he became related to the Dragon Palace of the Four Seas and even became the elder of the Dragon King of the West Sea without knowing why.

The word "fate" is indeed the most unfathomable.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi suddenly remembered something else and asked:

"By the way, how is the Third Prince of the West Sea doing these days? Have you heard anything from him?"

Although I know that the little white dragon should be alright, now that we are about to become relatives, it wouldn't be wrong to ask one more question.

My own son is now a deity in his own right, so it shouldn't be too difficult for him to inquire about news from the immortals.

Jiang Liang's expression carried a certainty: "This matter is hardly a secret among immortals."

"The Dragon King of the West Sea went to Heaven to plead guilty and accused his son of disobedience. Ao Lie has been arrested and brought to justice, sentenced to three hundred lashes, and will be executed soon."

They spoke of it so casually, as if it were just hearsay from across the river.

Fearing that his father might not understand the intricacies, he added a sentence:
"According to the City God, this was actually saved."

"If the Jade Emperor really wanted to execute him, he would have to be taken to the Dragon-Slaying Platform on the spot. Now, he is sentenced to three hundred strokes of the rod, one beating every day. One day in heaven is equivalent to one year on earth. This gives the Dragon King of the West Sea three hundred years to find a way to atone for his sins."

Jiang Yi already knew what was going on, and upon hearing this, he merely nodded slightly, then casually said:
“This… nephew is also a promising young man. If you have the opportunity, you can also look after him.”

He spoke casually, but he knew in his heart that with Jiang Liang's newly established position, it would be beyond his capabilities to take care of such a person.

Jiang Liang simply smiled and nodded in agreement.

The illusory figure gradually faded away, marking its departure.

Another month or so passed.

On this day, the morning prayers at the Jiang Family Ancestral Hall were missing one of the most eye-catching listeners.

It wasn't until the sun was setting that the incense on the altar began to burn again, and Jiang Liang's soul slowly drifted back.

Jiang Yi stepped forward, but before he could speak.

Jiang Liang's increasingly genuine face was filled with smiles, his joy barely concealed.

"It was Feng'er who came to Chang'an to see me with his new wife. I was so happy that I missed the morning class."

He also said that according to custom, after the young couple had paid their respects to him, their father, their next journey was to Luoyang to visit their mother, and then return to Liangjie Village.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled slightly and said calmly:

"Now that you can travel freely between Chang'an and Luoyang, let them go directly to Luoyang. Why bother going the extra way?"

“That’s what I said at first too.” Jiang Liang smiled with a hint of helplessness. “But Ao Yu has an uncle who is the Dragon King of the Jing River outside Chang’an. Since I was going to pay him a visit anyway, I went to the City God Temple on the way and offered incense for me.”

Jiang Yi was slightly taken aback when he heard the words "Jinghe Dragon King".

He had really forgotten about that.

That unlucky old dragon king of the Jing River is none other than the brother-in-law of the dragon king of the West Sea, and the uncle of Ao Lie and Ao Yu.

He slowly and deliberately reviewed that past event in his mind.

Only then did he raise his eyes to look at the illusory figure on the offering table, and said seemingly casually:

"Xiao Bai, have you mentioned how close she is to this uncle?"

Jiang Liang's illusory figure paused slightly, as if wondering why his father asked so many questions, but still answered truthfully:

"Feng'er did mention it once. The Jinghe Dragon King and Ao Yu's aunt had a falling out years ago, which led to them severing ties with the West Sea Dragon Palace. This time, it's just a matter of courtesy for the junior to go through the motions."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's brow twitched slightly, and he nodded imperceptibly. He then asked:

"What is the status and position of the Jing River Dragon King, who is currently located near Chang'an City?"

Jiang Liang replied rather casually: "As the saying goes, eight rivers surround Chang'an. In the current water palace of Chang'an, the Wei River is the most revered, and the clouds and rain around the city are mostly under the jurisdiction of the Wei River Dragon King. He is also the main deity worshipped in temples everywhere. The Jing River Dragon King is only worshipped as a side deity, with only a few incense offerings. In a way, it's not much different from my current position in the City God Temple."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's usually calm face suddenly showed a hint of something indescribable.

Others may not know, but he was well aware of it.

Today, Chang'an is just an ordinary large city; the Jing River is just an ordinary river surrounding Chang'an.

But several hundred years later, Chang'an will become the focal point of the entire Southern Continent.

The Jinghe Dragon King will also rise to become the Eight Rivers Chief Administrator, wielding power over the winds and rains of Chang'an, and enjoy incense offerings second only to the Four Seas Dragon Kings.

This is a rare opportunity to snag a bargain.

Most importantly, the Jing River Dragon King, who is currently sitting comfortably in his underwater palace, will...

There is no doubt that he will die.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi's weathered face lost its previous casualness and became more solemn.

He stared at the increasingly solidified phantom on the offering table and asked in a deep voice:

"If Feng'er and Xiaobai have a child in the future, that child will also be a half-dragon. Are you confident that the child... can enter the Water Palace and achieve a certain rank in the Jinghe Dragon Palace?"

This question was abrupt and somewhat far-fetched.

The phantom figure, which had begun to resemble a human, was also taken aback upon hearing this.

Seemingly unaware that his father's mind had drifted to his grandchildren's job, and that he had specifically chosen the Jinghe Water Palace, a place with scattered incense offerings.

He pondered for a moment, as if weighing the weight of this matter within his newly acquired divine realm.

After a moment, the thought returned, carrying a hint of composure and the confidence of a deity:

"Father is thinking far ahead."

He responded with this statement at first, before continuing unhurriedly:
"If there is a child, he will be the legitimate grandson of the Dragon Palace of the West Sea, with half of the West Sea's blood flowing through his veins. With this background alone, let alone the small Jing River, it would not be difficult for him to find a leisurely job in the East Sea or the South Sea."

The conversation then shifted back to Chang'an:

"Besides, I am now the Chief of the Chang'an Ganying Division, and I have to give some face to the waterways in the city. The Jing River Dragon King is my uncle. It shouldn't be difficult to find a job in the Jing River Water Palace."

(End of this chapter)