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

Chapter 202 A Visitor from Heaven, A Personal Disciple

The aura of Lingsu Temple was initially very faint, just a wisp of extinguished incense smoke, almost imperceptible.

If Jiang Yi's soul hadn't been as clear as a mirror, he probably would have just thought it was a fleeting illusion in the night breeze.

But in the blink of an eye, the wisp of smoke suddenly condensed, transforming into a deep, still, and majestic stillness.

Silent and unassuming, yet firmly entrenched within the small space of Lao Jun Temple.

Jiang Yi's outstretched mental energy barely touched the edge of that breath, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

They retreated at the slightest touch, not daring to disturb even the slightest ripple.

He knew perfectly well who was inside and what they were doing, but he didn't bother to find out.

Knowing too much about the world is not necessarily a blessing.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of warm tea, that profound aura returned as it had when we first arrived.

Like thick ink dissolving in water, it slowly spreads, leaving no trace in an instant.

Once the mountain was moved, the three small pebbles that had been pressing down underneath surfaced in my mind like leaves floating on water.

It was the Liu family, spanning three generations.

A moment later, Master Liu came out first.

His face showed no sign of joy or sorrow, and his steps were neither hurried nor slow. He didn't even turn his head back, and went to the village on his own.

Liu Zian arrived shortly after, carrying the infant in his arms, his steps neither too light nor too heavy, heading straight for the Jiang family's courtyard.

Today, the Jiang family courtyard is full of spiritual energy, far surpassing the Liu family village.

Unfortunately, this child has excellent genes and is able to withstand such nourishment.

After discussion, the two families decided that it would be safest to leave such a promising talent to the Jiang family for nurturing.

Jiang Yi already knew the truth.

Even his good-for-nothing son can borrow a memorial tablet from the ancestral hall so that his spirit can return home.

The old ancestor of the Liu family who serves in heaven occasionally descends to show his divine power through the incense offerings of a clay statue. What's so rare about that?
This is a hidden opportunity, a family matter for that old in-law.

As an outsider, if I see it, I'll just treat it like seeing the moon in the sky; once I've seen it, that's it.

Once the thought subsided, all I felt was the clear breeze of the night.

As for anything else, I know nothing.

Silent all night.

As dawn broke, the morning light poured down from behind the mountain, casting long shadows of the three peach trees beside the Spirit Spring Pool.

Jiang Yi finished his work and strolled back into the house from the backyard.

A bowl of Polygonatum porridge was warming on the stove, its aroma of rice carrying a hint of medicinal scent—a taste he had been accustomed to for years.

First, I went to the study, took out the old scriptures I was going to talk about today, brushed off the thin layer of dust, and then slowly picked up the bowl of porridge.

Just as I was about to find a seat, I could faintly hear my daughter and granddaughter talking from the fields outside the courtyard.

Jiang Yi looked up and was slightly taken aback.

Jiang Xi was squatting in the field, her movements clumsy yet careful as she pinched a medicinal herb.

Jiang Jin, the girl, followed behind carrying a small bamboo basket. The two, aunt and niece, asked and answered questions earnestly.

Several clumps of dark green leaves had already piled up on the ridges, their tips glistening with dew, indicating that the workers had been busy for quite some time.

This scene is truly rare.

My daughter has always had a bad temper and has always kept her distance from the smell of soil.

Let alone gathering herbs by hand, even the decoctions that the family painstakingly brewed, when brought to one's lips, must be swallowed with a frown, as if it were bitter medicine.

Now that he's actually willing to work in the fields, it must be like the sun rising in the west.

Jiang Yi felt a surge of joy.

He didn't rush to sit down, but instead held the bowl of porridge and leaned against the threshold.

A bowl of warm porridge, a sip of morning breeze, watching two figures busy in the fields—it's quite a pleasant experience.

Before long, the herbs were gathered into two piles.

A cluster of thick, dark-colored rhizomes, clearly indicating that they are quite old;
The other pile, though also lush and vibrant, was ultimately a bit too immature.

Jiang Xi didn't even glance at the ordinary pile; with a flick of her sleeve, she put the old medicines into the pot.

After exchanging a few words with Jiang Jin, she lifted her skirt and headed straight for Liu's village, her steps revealing an unusual urgency.

Jiang Jin then carried the bamboo basket back to her own courtyard.

These herbs were indeed just ordinary in the Jiang family's medicinal garden, growing haphazardly and they were too lazy to harvest them.

But if you were outside, a single plant would be enough for a noble family to treasure and cherish.

Jiang Yi finished the last mouthful of porridge in his bowl, gently tapped the bottom of the bowl against the doorframe, and then spoke slowly and deliberately:
"What kind of show is this? When did your aunt ever get involved with this kind of earthy stuff?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jin put down the bamboo basket, wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, and smiled:

“It’s the son-in-law. Yesterday, while sorting through old things at the estate, he somehow found a few prescriptions for medicine. As soon as Aunt saw them, she got interested and came over early this morning to dig up some herbs to try her hand at it.”

As she spoke, she patted her bamboo basket, raised her chin, and smiled:

"These are just ingredients for making medicinal soup. We'll distribute them to the young men in the gang later so they can test their effects. As for what Aunt took away, that's the real stuff. She said she's going to refine new pills."

Jiang Yi had just witnessed three generations of a family appearing in the Lao Jun Temple last night, and now he "coincidentally" found the old prescription?

What a coincidence!

Although he didn't believe it in his heart, he remained outwardly calm, and even showed some genuine interest, laughing as he said:
"Since it's such a good thing, don't forget to save some for the family after you've cooked it, so everyone can benefit from it."

"I understand, Grandpa."

Jiang Jin readily agreed, picked up the basket, and turned to go to the kitchen.

Jiang Yi shook his head, tidied up the scrolls, and went to the ancestral hall as usual.

When he returned from lecturing, he stepped into his own courtyard and was immediately enveloped by a rich aroma of herbs.

The aroma is not as bitter as that of ordinary medicinal soups; instead, it carries the fresh fragrance of herbs and trees, which makes one feel relaxed and refreshed.

With his current cultivation level, coupled with his years of dealing with herbs and elixirs, his perspective has long since broadened.

With a slight twitch of the nose, one could tell that the heat and ingredients of this medicinal soup were expertly prepared, and could not be made by ordinary old recipes.

Just as I was pondering this, Jiang Jin came forward with a smile, holding a rough porcelain bowl, as if presenting a treasure:

"Grandpa, come and try it, it's fresh out of the pot."

Jiang Yi took it, not minding the heat, and drank it down in one gulp from the rim of the bowl.

As the medicinal soup entered my throat, a warm and soothing current slowly spread, like the warm spring sun, comforting my limbs and bones.

He closed his eyes and pondered deeply, and couldn't help but nod in agreement.

What I just saw were all ordinary herbs, but after being combined in this way, they seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

For someone as worldly-wise as him, it wasn't much of a tonic.

However, for those in the family who have not yet achieved their goals, and even for those young men who have been training and developing their skills throughout history, it is nothing short of a panacea.

He couldn't help but think to himself that even if the stuff that came out of the Tushita Palace was just an ordinary prescription for strengthening the body, it was indeed extraordinary.

Jiang Yi opened his eyes, handed the bowl back to his granddaughter, and gave a casual instruction:
"Since this prescription is so effective, I will brew it often in the future to help the young men in the village strengthen their foundation."

The tone shifted slightly, and another sentence was added:
"And don't forget your aunt and sister-in-law, it's always good to have them drink some too."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jin's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter, and she replied in a crisp voice:

"Okay, I understand! I'll thank you on behalf of the boys. You're so generous, Grandpa."

Just as Jiang Yi was about to speak with a smile after hearing his granddaughter's light but not overt flattery, a soft laugh suddenly came from outside the courtyard:
"You two in-laws have really come together in generosity today." Before the words were finished, Liu Xiulian stepped in from outside the door, smiling, clearly there to tease them.

Jiang Yi used to preach the scriptures in the ancestral hall, and now she also teaches in the school.

Firstly, to teach those young men in the Gujin Gang some basic principles and rules, so that they would not go astray;
Secondly, reviewing the past to learn the new is also an excellent way for her to improve herself.

Now that the Liu family has some free time, they often go to the school, carrying a small stool and listening more attentively than anyone else.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi turned around with a smile, placed the empty bowl he was holding on the stone table, and slowly asked:

"Oh? How do you say this?"

Liu Xiulian smiled, sat down at the table with composure, and then continued:

"Today at the school, your old in-laws specially summoned Da Niu, Yu Xiaodong, and a few other elders over."

She paused, a meaningful look appearing in her eyes and brows:

"Not only did he break down and explain the key points of visualization in the 'Taishang Laojun Shuo Chang Qingjing Jing' (Scripture of Constant Purity and Tranquility Spoken by Laozi) in detail, but he also explained them very clearly."

"The Supreme Method for Eliminating the Three Corpses and Nine Insects, which we had previously agreed to pass on only after Xi'er's engagement, will now be passed on as well."

At this point, she smiled faintly and added:
"At the end, he even promised that he would provide all the elixirs needed for cultivating this method in the future."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's expression faltered slightly.

This is no ordinary act of generosity.

The Pure Land Sutra is relatively easy to understand, since it has long been a semi-public Dharma. Whether it is passed on or not is merely a matter of saving face.

However, the "Method for Eliminating the Three Corpses and Nine Insects" was the Liu family's most treasured secret, their lifeline, and it had always been passed down only within the family.

But now they've brought it out?

He pondered for a moment, then his gaze fell upon the empty bowl on the stone table.

Formulas, medicinal soups, secret methods... This time, the Liu family has put out a considerable amount of their wealth.

He said it was because of those few drinks at the full moon banquet? He would never believe it.

It's highly likely that the meeting at Lao Jun Temple last night had an effect.

With this thought in mind, he looked up at Liu Xiulian and said calmly, "Did your father-in-law ever mention any conditions?"

Liu Xiulian pondered for a moment, then gently shook her head: "I didn't hear it."

This makes it even more intriguing.

Jiang Yi was also unsure of what Master Liu was really up to.

He turned his head and saw Jiang Jin carrying a wooden bucket, laughing and talking as she headed towards the school.

Once the thought was cleared, the question was dropped.

Some things will eventually come to light.

Instead of worrying, try to look at things from a broader perspective.

Several more days passed in this manner.

Back at Liu Family Village, the newly refined pills were finally ready, and the young couple delivered them over immediately.

Jiang Yi harbored a certain amount of expectation in his heart.

The prescription that came from the Tushita Palace must be quite extraordinary, and he wanted to see it for himself.

When Liu Zian opened the wooden box and presented a jade bottle with both hands, he took it and examined it closely.

With a tilt of the palm, several pills the size of soybeans rolled out, their color warm and their fragrance faint.

However, the spiritual energy within the pill was not particularly abundant; instead, it possessed a gentle and mellow quality.

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling somewhat surprised.

This amount, however, was still somewhat lacking compared to the "supreme elixir" he had envisioned.

Seeing his father-in-law's expression shift slightly, Liu Zi'an quickly explained with a smile:
“Father, these pills are all for laying a foundation for the children. For example, this ‘Warm Marrow Pill’ strengthens the foundation and nourishes the essence, cleanses the tendons and changes the marrow; this ‘Nourishing Spirit Pill’ calms the soul and nourishes the spirit, so that the children’s spirits are stable and they will not go astray when they are meditating in the future; as for this ‘Spleen Strengthening Powder’, it is even more ordinary, it just strengthens the spleen and improves the appetite, and helps them grow taller.”

He added, then said in a slightly relaxed tone, "It wouldn't be of much use to you, sir."

Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Xi had already swiftly and efficiently divided up the several bottles of pills.

He first handed two bottles to Jin Xiuer and Zhao Qiqi, while reminding them:

"Remember to feed the baby on time, don't forget."

Then he picked out a few more bottles and handed them to Jiang Yi:

"Father, please keep these items. I'll have my second brother take them to Yingchoujian for Chao'er later."

Jiang Yi nodded and casually put the bottle into the Pot Heaven.

He simply said, "It's kind of you to still be thinking about that place."

After all that distribution, the mahogany box in Liu Zi'an's hand was still quite heavy.

Inside, porcelain vases of all sizes were neatly arranged.

Judging by this, even if Xiao Chengming were to use them as candy, he probably wouldn't need this many.

Jiang Yi glanced at the box out of the corner of his eye and casually asked:
"What's the use of these remaining ones?"

Liu Zian closed the box lid and smiled calmly:

"These were specially left by my father. He will deliver them to each household later, saying they are for his newly accepted disciples."

"Personal disciple?"

Jiang Yi frowned slightly; those four words carried considerable weight.

Seeing this, Liu Zi'an quickly smiled and explained:
“Father, you’ve been busy lecturing these past few days, so you probably don’t know. A few days ago, my father picked out a few promising students in the village and officially accepted them as disciples, saying he would take them under his wing and personally train them in cultivation.”

Just then, Jiang Xi looked up at the sky, waved her hand casually, and said:
"It's getting late. Go and deliver the pills quickly, don't delay important matters. I'll talk to Father here."

Liu Zian smiled and agreed, then bowed to Jiang Yi before picking up the wooden box and turning to leave the courtyard.

Once his figure turned and disappeared from sight along the village path, Jiang Xi turned around, sat down on the stone bench, poured herself a cup of tea, and slowly said:
"The disciples that my father-in-law took in aren't exactly outsiders. There are two grandsons from the Da Niu family, Yu Xiaodong's youngest son who was born two years ago, and the great-grandson from the Li family who's still wearing open-crotch pants."

Jiang Yi was very familiar with the list of names.

After all the twists and turns, they are still the direct descendants of those old buddies from the Ancient and Modern Gang.

He thought to himself that although these children were all of good character, they were not particularly outstanding.

What they had in common was another thing: none of them were older than three years old.

Jiang Xi continued:
"This time, my father-in-law is really serious. From cultivation methods to elixirs and food, everything is done according to the rules of his own descendants. He also said that if any of these families have new members in the next three to five years, they should all be sent over and accepted into the family. They will all be counted."

At this point, a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips:
"After a few years of training together, we'll observe each person's character and talent, and then determine who will be the second senior brother and who will be the junior brother."

There's no need to elaborate further now.

Jiang Yi had already figured it out.

The positions of the second senior brother and the junior brother have been filled, but the position of the "eldest senior brother" is still vacant.

Who else could it be left to?

Jiang Yi finally had a general idea of ​​what was going on with Master Liu's unusual behavior these past few days.

These past few days, that old fellow has been spreading his teachings, giving out medicine, and taking on disciples, seemingly doing a great job of doing favors.

But after going around in circles, the focus still fell on his one-month-old grandson.

It's likely that he received guidance from that ancestor in heaven.

While the child is still an infant, they take early action to prepare capable assistants for him in the future, cultivating a deeply rooted group of trusted confidants.

This arrangement can be considered a wise and prudent strategy.

(End of this chapter)