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

Chapter 164 Jiang Ming leaves home, joyfully welcoming a dragon son.

Jiang Ming spoke casually, feeling that it was just a place name and nothing to worry about.

Little did he know that these few simple words, when they fell into Jiang Yi's ears, were like a thunderclap from a clear sky.

The food in my mouth suddenly lost its flavor; even chewing slowly was tasteless, and even the bamboo chopsticks seemed to have lost some weight.

In the Eastern Continent of Divine Victory, in the Kingdom of Aolai.

He knew that name all too well.

Scattered memories from a past life quietly string together at this moment.

He not only knew where his eldest son was going, but he also vaguely guessed what he was going to do.

After all, if that monkey from the back mountain were to suffer a calamity, the remaining monkeys and their offspring would not fare very well.

With this thought, the ordinary worry that arose in my heart because of my son's departure was instead suppressed by another, heavier emotion.

In fact, over the years, he had never been able to figure out what the relationship was between his eldest son and the woman on the back mountain.

Master and disciple? Friendships despite age difference? Or just a tacit agreement?

He brought some food and drinks to cheer himself up, and the other man returned the favor by giving him some pointers on spiritual practices.

These various speculations lingered in his mind for more than 20 years, but he never came to a conclusion.

Now, this matter that has been weighing on my mind for so many years has finally been resolved.

Regardless of their previous relationship, now that they have decided to go to Aolai Kingdom to protect those monkeys and their offspring, their friendship has been solidified.

From that moment on, they were always one of us.

Moreover, he remembered it clearly.

That landscape is the ancestral vein of the ten continents and the source of the three islands, a rare and blessed land in the world.

If the eldest son really goes to that place, it will definitely be of great benefit to his future cultivation of refining essence into qi.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi naturally didn't say anything more.

Liu Xiulian sat to the side, but she was completely confused, thinking it was some faraway place.

Thinking to myself that my son is grown up and will eventually have to make his own way in the world, I didn't stop him, only nagging him from the side:
"Is Aolai Kingdom... far away? Is the road there safe?"

"When you're out and about, change your clothes frequently, don't get chilled, and don't skimp on a few coins for a hotel."

Her words were trivial, but they were those of an ordinary mother, expressing her concern for her children who had gone far away.

Jiang Ming listened with a smile, nodding in agreement without offering any further explanation.

A meal was quietly enjoyed amidst this atmosphere of warmth and care.

Returning to my room at night, the lamplight was as small as a bean.

Jin Xiuer was neatly folding several starched blue shirts and carefully placing them into her bag.

Upon seeing Jiang Ming enter, she looked up and glanced at him, her eyes warm and gentle in the firelight.

"Take this with you. Aolai Kingdom is by the sea, and I'm afraid it will be damp and cold at night."

She smoothed out a piece of clothing and said softly.

It seems that he knows more about Aolai Kingdom than anyone else in his family.

Jiang Ming stepped forward, put his arm around her from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and smelled the faint scent of soap in her hair.

"I'm not here, so you'll have to work hard at home."

"Why say all this?"

Jin Xiuer was still folding clothes, but her body softened slightly as she leaned against him. "I have parents and a younger sister at home. I'm just taking care of Jun'er. It's not hard work."

She paused, then said softly, "I just wonder... will you encounter any danger on your journey?"

She was no ordinary woman; she knew her husband's skills and that he was going to extraordinary places.

"It doesn't matter."

Jiang Ming smiled without answering, his tone calm yet reassuring:

"It's just a visit to an old friend's place to sort out some old matters. I'll definitely return in a year at the earliest, or three to five years at the latest."

He put down the clothes from her hands and instead took her hand in his.

Those hands, calloused from years of hard work, were warm and thick.

"Is Jun'er asleep?"

"Yes, I just went to sleep. I was studying with Grandpa today, and I'm very sleepy."

Jiang Ming led her to the bedside.

The little one was sleeping soundly, his cheeks were rosy, a trace of drool clung to the corner of his mouth, and his chest rose and fell peacefully.

Jiang Ming leaned down, gently kissed his forehead, and then tucked the blanket around him.

That night, the couple didn't say anything more about spiritual practice or the future.

Just like ordinary families, they chatted idly by the dim light of lamps until late at night.

The next morning, before dawn, the whole family got up as usual.

In the ancestral hall, Jiang Ming gave his parents, siblings, and several younger relatives his last lesson.

What I'm talking about today isn't some mysterious secret, but rather a detailed instruction on which books to read thoroughly, how to solve problems when encountering difficulties, and a clear general outline.

His speech was well-organized and his tone was steady, almost identical to his usual style.

After class, he did not linger. He had already changed into a slightly worn blue robe, with only a cloth bag slung over his shoulder containing a few changes of clothes and nothing else.

After saying goodbye to his family, he set off straight east onto the village road.

The village entrance was shrouded in mist, and the figure in the green robe gradually disappeared into the distance, eventually becoming a faint ink mark that vanished into the white fog.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Jiang Yi to turn around and return to the ancestral hall alone.

Smoke curls from the dark incense table.

Before the memorial tablet, Jiang Liang's increasingly solidified spirit had not yet dissipated, as if it were waiting for him.

Do you know why your elder brother went there?

Jiang Yi stood to one side with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the memorial tablet, his tone indifferent, without looking at him.

This youngest son is practically a god now, and having lived in a well-informed city like Chang'an for many years, he should know more about things in heaven and earth than he does.

As for the matter of that person on the back mountain, I suppose it's no longer like back then, where we were completely kept in the dark.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang's illusory soul hesitated slightly, his figure swayed slightly, and after a long silence, he finally nodded.

"...I do know a little. But my elder brother instructed me not to spread this matter outside, not even to my family."

His tone was gentle, but there was a hint of helplessness in his words.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's lips curled into a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.

There was self-deprecation in it, but also a touch of relief.

This little brat, after all these years, is still the same as before, listening to his older brother more than his own father.

He didn't press further, only saying calmly:
"Alright. If you hear any news about your elder brother in the City God Temple in Chang'an in the future, remember to send a message back."

Jiang Liang readily agreed this time: "Father, don't worry, I understand."

Jiang Yi then turned around, took his grandson who had been quietly waiting outside the door in his hand, and slowly walked towards their home at the foot of the mountain.

The morning light was just right, and the shadows of the grandfather and grandson were stretched long and thin, like a stroke of light ink splashed on the ground.

Upon entering the courtyard, they saw Jin Xiuer emerging from the orchard, carrying a large bamboo basket filled to the brim with all sorts of spiritual fruits.

The red ones were almost dripping with moisture, and the green ones were tinged with emerald green, gleaming with a lustrous sheen in the morning light.

"father."

When Jin Xiuer saw him, she called out softly. Jiang Yi simply nodded, his gaze sweeping over the overflowing bamboo baskets without leaving a trace, and said nothing more.

He led his grandson back into the house, picked up a book at random, and casually pointed out to the little one how to breathe and inhale.

"Grandpa, Jun'er's energy is depleted; he can't walk any further after getting here."

After fidgeting for a while, the little guy suddenly frowned, pointed to three inches below his lower abdomen, and looked very serious.

"No rush." ​​Jiang Yi didn't even lift his eyelids, but said calmly, "The breath is like flowing water. When water encounters a stubborn rock, it goes around it. Just remember that feeling, try it a few more times, and you'll naturally get the hang of it."

By noon, Liu Xiulian had prepared the meal, while Jin Xiuer brought out a plate of washed spiritual fruits.

There were only seven or eight pieces in that plate.

Although they were of good quality, they were far inferior to the full basket of vegetables we had picked earlier, both in terms of quantity and appearance.

Jiang Yi glanced at them, his expression silent, his eyes downcast, not uttering a single word.

He ate his meal by himself and then went back to his room for a short rest.

He had barely lain down on the couch when he heard some soft breathing sounds coming from outside.

That was the sound of a child deliberately walking lightly, but not being able to control the force, and unable to suppress the "rustling" sound of the soles of their shoes rubbing against the ground.

With Jiang Yi's level of cultivation, the sound was as clear as a whisper.

Jiang Yi did not move, nor did he change the rhythm of his breathing. He simply relaxed his mind and silently sensed.

Sure enough, it was that familiar scent.

Jiang Jun is only three years old, but he is carrying a small bamboo basket.

The basket contained the most carefully selected and most spiritually potent fruits from that particular bunch.

The little guy wasn't very strong, and he walked unsteadily while carrying the basket, but his steps were very steady.

That small figure exuded a stubbornness beyond its years.

The direction we were heading was towards the back mountain.

His appearance was just like his father's back then.

Jiang Yi quietly sensed the aura and entered the forest step by step, as if he knew the way well.

Only when he was completely obscured by the mountain's barrier and could no longer catch a glimpse of it did he slowly regain his composure.

He remained lying on the couch with his eyes closed, but a faint, extremely gratified smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Teaching by example ensures that future generations will follow.

The Jiang family line has never been broken.

……

After Jiang Ming left home, the responsibility of lecturing in the Jiang family ancestral hall naturally fell back on Jiang Yi's shoulders.

With his current level of skill, he can no longer teach juniors like Jiang Xi and Liu Zi'an who have already grasped the basics.

But he's more than capable of teaching a few grandchildren.

This time, however, there were two more faces among the people listening to the lecture on the prayer cushions.

The eldest daughter-in-law, Jin Xiuer, and little Jun'er, who had just learned to run around everywhere.

Kim Soo-ah remained as well-behaved as ever, finding a corner to sit quietly every day when she arrived.

Those who understood would silently bow their heads and write it down; those who didn't understand would only furrow their brows slightly and go back to ponder it on their own, never saying much.

Little Jun'er, however, is never well-behaved.

He swayed his head and shook his backside on the cushion like a little mudfish while listening to the lecture, and couldn't sit still for long.

Unfortunately, he had an excellent memory. The next day, when no one was looking, he would come over in a childish voice and point out a mistake or omission in his grandfather's sermon the day before.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi was taken aback at first, then smiled and shook his head, reaching out to pat his grandson's head and sighing:
"That's right. Grandpa's getting old, he still uses old methods to teach people."

He knew that although his grandson was young, he was already extraordinary, so he smiled and humbly accepted the instruction.

This back-and-forth gradually corrected some of the biases in his own cultivation, making his mind and soul clearer, and he even gained some unexpected benefits.

Life went on like this, neither hurried nor slow.

Spring came and autumn went, the pomegranate tree in the yard blossomed and bore fruit, and the ripe fruit fell to the ground, but no one picked it up.

In the blink of an eye, another half a year has passed.

There was still no news from Jiang Ming, and Jiang Yi had no idea whether his eldest son had even arrived in Aolai Kingdom.

On this day, as dawn was breaking, the family gathered in the ancestral hall.

Before the lessons began, Jiang Liang's spirit on the offering table suddenly flickered.

His illusory figure swayed unsteadily, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy.

Before Jiang Yi could ask, she spoke first, her voice light and cheerful:

"Father, Mother, I have wonderful news!"

The whole family was taken aback upon hearing this.

Jiang Liang then said, "It's from Heming Mountain. Your eldest grandson, Jiang Feng, finally sent a letter yesterday."

He paused deliberately, as if to build up the joy even more, before speaking loudly:
"Just a few days ago, your granddaughter-in-law, Ao Yu, gave birth to a son on Crane Cry Mountain!"

The room fell silent as soon as he said this.

Immediately, Liu Xiulian let out a soft gasp, her surprise mixed with a hint of trembling.

This child, who carries half the blood of the Western Sea Dragon Clan, is, by definition, the first legitimate great-grandson of the Jiang family.

A hint of satisfaction also appeared in Jiang Yi's eyes.

Jiang Feng and Ao Yu have been married for four or five years, but there had been no good news before. Although Jiang Yi didn't say it, he was still a little worried.

After all, it is not easy for dragons and mortals to unite.

Now it seems that it is mostly related to Ao Yulong's identity. I wonder how many months this little guy stayed in his mother's womb.

But now there is finally good news, and the faint gloom in Jiang Yi's heart has dissipated.

On his usually calm face, even the lines around his eyes seemed to relax.

Liu Xiulian, however, could no longer contain herself. She stepped forward and repeatedly questioned Jiang Liang's illusory figure:

"Then...that child, has he been named yet? When can we bring him home so this old woman can see him?"

Jiang Liang smiled broadly and continued:
“Feng’er said that this child is half dragon blood and is naturally connected with water. So he added a water element to the name. He also remembered the kindness of Dahei protecting me back then, so he gave the child a single name, Jiang Hong.”

"Jiang Hong... the 'Hong' in 'ambition'?"

Liu Xiulian chewed repeatedly, her face beaming with joy, "Good, good name!"

The whole family was overjoyed. After finishing the lessons, they naturally had to celebrate in a grand way.

Even Jiang Xi, who had been in seclusion for many days, was pulled out from behind the house and given a good nourishing meal of spirit chicken soup.

Since the bloodbath that night in Liangjie Village six months ago, the Gujin Gang suffered heavy losses.

Her lazy and unambitious nature was completely washed away, and she became determined to improve herself.

Those twin nephews and nieces are almost thirteen now, even older than she was when she became the deputy gang leader.

In the past six months, I have gradually taken over the affairs of the gang.

Although she was still somewhat inexperienced in handling affairs, it allowed her and Liu Zi'an to be freed from the trivialities of helping out, enabling them to focus on their spiritual practice.

Jiang Xi then plunged into the treehouse behind the house, using the spiritual energy of the water and wood to calm her mind and spirit, either to temper her muscles and bones or to study scriptures.

In terms of talent and comprehension, she was far superior to her father.

With the knowledge she gained from listening to the teachings and seeking enlightenment with her elder brother over the years, she now appears to be subtly ahead of Jiang Yi, her mind clear and her talent beginning to shine.

(End of this chapter)