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

Chapter 204 The Vast Righteous Path, the Just and Impartial Way of Heaven
Jiang Chao's clear laughter echoed through the mountain valley, warming the hearts of those who heard it.

However, before the laughter subsided, the black bear, as big as a millstone, suddenly stiffened slightly.

The trembling that had been somewhat clumsy earlier suddenly subsided completely.

The bear's eyes, as large as copper bells, lost all their former docility, a dark glint appearing as it slowly swept across the forest.

With a slight shift of its massive body, it subtly shielded the child on its back behind it.

This turning point happened silently.

The gray wolf that had been wagging its tail suddenly stopped, its tail drooping, and a low whimper rolled from its throat. The sound was not like a sign of weakness, but more like a warning sign that an arrow was about to be released.

The large white snake, coiled on the bluestone, slid down silently, its tongue flicking rapidly, its vertical pupils menacing, staring directly at Jiang Yi.

The once peaceful mountain valley suddenly felt eerily cold, as if even the mountain breeze had turned chilly.

Suddenly, a deep, yet not coarse, voice slowly rang out:
"May I ask which fellow Daoist is passing through the woods?"

The sound came from the mouth of the big black bear.

At that very moment, the black bear's gaze landed steadily on Jiang Yi.

Just that one glance.

Jiang Yi felt a chill run down his spine, as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over his head in the dead of winter, from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.

There was no murderous intent, nor any deliberate attempt to intimidate.

Just a wisp of energy that casually leaked out pressed down heavily, as if weighing a thousand pounds on his shoulder, making his limbs and joints stiffen.

There's no escaping it, no way to avoid it.

In a flash, Jiang Yi realized that he had underestimated him.

This bear's cultivation level is far superior to mine.

He simply suppressed the sharpness within him.

If we're talking about spiritual attainment, we should have shed our animal form long ago, taken human form, and walked the mortal world.

Yet it still maintains this bear-like appearance.

Jiang Yi's thoughts shifted slightly, and his gaze immediately fell on the small figure protected by the bear's back.

Jiang Chao was seen peeking out curiously, picking at a tuft of thick bear fur.

In an instant, he had a sudden realization.

It's not that they can't, but that they're unwilling.

This furry, warm body is more likely to be approached by the child than a human form, and it's more likely to make him laugh.

The wind in the mountain valley seemed to hold its breath, and the forest was so quiet that only the low whimper of the gray wolf could be heard. The taut string was about to snap.

Just then, a baby's hand gently patted the thick fur on the bear's head.

The massive black bear remained motionless, only glancing down slightly out of the corner of its eye.

"Great-grandfather!"

A clear, childlike call, yet crisp as jade striking jade.

The child finally recognized the person and leaned half his body out from the bear's back, shouting loudly at Jiang Yi.

Those eyes instantly curved into crescent moons, and she laughed carefree, her smile still carrying the childishness of her incomplete baby teeth.

Having mastered the art of summoning clouds, the mountains and rivers between Eagle Sorrow Gorge and Two Realms Village are no longer considered the ends of the earth.

A trip here, even if it's just a journey of two or three days, would only take two or three days.

In the past two years, Jiang Yi and Liu Xiulian arrived on clouds to celebrate their child's first and second birthdays.

In little Jiang Chao's heart, this quirky great-grandfather, who always had a faint smile and could pull out candy from his sleeve, left a deep impression.

Now, with the cry of "great-grandfather," the heavy atmosphere that had been building up in the mountain valley instantly dissipated.

The large black bear lowered its massive head slightly, as if considering the weight of those two words.

Then, he lowered his body a little and carefully placed the baby on his back steadily on the ground.

The wolf beside him had its tail wagging in a circle and kept rubbing its head against Jiang Chao's trouser leg.

The white snake on the blue stone also slowly lowered its head, curled up into a ball, and became as docile as an ordinary straw rope.

Looking at the black bear again, it had long lost its sinister appearance.

It took two steps forward, its steps so light as if afraid of disturbing the fallen leaves on the ground.

Then, standing upright, it brought its large, fan-like paws together in front of its chest and, mimicking human etiquette, respectfully bowed.

"This little demon Black Wind was blind and did not recognize Mount Tai. He offended the immortal just now. Please forgive me, please forgive me."

The previous deep and powerful tone in his voice had completely disappeared, replaced by a flattering and smooth manner, and his words were very refined.

If you only hear his voice and don't see his appearance, you might mistake him for a well-read scholar.

As it spoke, it glanced quickly at Xiao Jiangchao, who was trotting towards Jiang Yi, and its tone immediately became even more respectful:

"We were unaware that it was an elder of the Little Immortal Master who had arrived just now, and we have been very rude. We, the lowly demons, have been cultivating in this mountain and have been blessed by the local gods. Recently, we have also gained the favor of the Little Immortal Master, who often comes to keep us company. It is truly a blessing."

In an instant, that heavy, mountain-like aura vanished completely, like the receding tide.

Jiang Yi felt a sense of relaxation throughout his body.

The black bear before him, whose cultivation was far superior to his own, was now calling him "Immortal Master" obsequiously, bowing low.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity.

If I were to actually accept this title of "Immortal Master," I would feel my meager cultivation level make my face burn with embarrassment.

Jiang Yi's mind raced with thoughts, but his expression remained impassive. He simply cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said gently:

"You're too kind, fellow Daoist. It's getting late; I've come to take Chao'er home."

Before he could finish speaking, the little figure had already nestled into his arms with a "plop," tilting her head up and asking in a childish voice:
"Great-grandfather, which home are we going back to?"

"Back to Liangjie Village."

Jiang Yi smiled and reached out to rub his soft little head.

"Oh."

Jiang Chao responded, seemingly unconcerned about where he was going, feeling that wherever he was with this kind elder was home.

He then turned his head, raised his chin, and arrogantly gave orders to the three-headed monsters:
"I'm going home! You three, keep a close eye on that jujube tree in the mountains. Don't let any of the other animals steal a single fruit. I'll eat them when I get back!"

His tone was so matter-of-fact that it sounded as if he were ordering his own family servants to guard the house.

Upon hearing this, the black bear showed no displeasure whatsoever; instead, it nodded its enormous head vigorously, responding repeatedly:

"Immortal Master, Little Immortal Master, rest assured! Let alone a single jujube tree, even the entire mountain, this little demon will keep a close watch on it, ensuring that not a single blade of grass will be missing!"

Beside him, the wolf's tail swayed rapidly, leaving afterimages, and it nodded repeatedly.

The white snake imitated this, nodding its head little by little, which looked rather comical.

Seeing the demon's overly attentive manner, Jiang Yi couldn't help but feel a little awkward.

He was too lazy to waste any more words, so he simply bowed slightly to the black bear as a farewell, then took Chao'er's little hand and turned to walk back the way they came.

"Great-grandfather, those sour jujubes will take a long time to ripen."

After taking only a few steps, the little one in my arms tilted his head up and mumbled softly.

Jiang Yi looked down at him, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes, but he didn't answer. The little boy persisted, tugging at his sleeve, his eyes sparkling with expectation.
"Do you have something sweet hidden in your sleeve?"

Jiang Yi responded softly, and the child laughed cheerfully. They sang in harmony, their voices carried by the mountain breeze, drifting far into the depths of the forest.

In the woods, only the three spirits remained, standing neatly in place, respectfully watching the backs of the old man and the child until they disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

Once everyone had disappeared, the woods were so quiet that only the chirping of birds and the sounds of insects could be heard.

"call……"

The white-flowered snake was the first to relax, sliding down the bluestone and sprawling lazily on the ground. Even its flicking of its tongue was weak, as if its previous respectful demeanor had been performed with great effort.

The gray wolf also went limp, rolled over on its back with its four paws in the air, covered its eyes with its two paws, and refused to move an inch.

Only the black bear spirit was different from them.

Once he confirmed that the old man and the child's auras had faded away, he gently shook his head, and black mist swirled around him, revealing a half-human form.

His upper body was still robust and strong, with thick black hair covering his shoulders and back;
Its lower body transformed into a pair of sturdy, thick human legs, and it still had two short ears on its head, giving it a strange appearance.

He took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, and examined it closely in the setting sun.

The paper was covered with dense text, but it wasn't talismans or scriptures; rather, it resembled a roster or register used in the marketplace.

After reading it, the black bear spirit grinned, seemingly extremely satisfied.

"The young immortal returned early today, which saved us some trouble. You two brothers can take a break. We'll head to East Mountain again when it gets dark."

As it spoke, it tapped the paper with its stubby fingers:

"Tonight, let's help the mountain god of Dongshan to reshape the mountain range. The work isn't too heavy, just a bit tedious."

“In that case, we can head to Guanyin Temple early tomorrow morning and, as usual, run errands for those believers who come to fulfill their vows.”

The gray wolf, with its eyes half-closed, lazily raised its head and looked at the black bear, its eyes revealing a hint of confusion:

"Brother... if we just keep doing this, day after day, helping these powerful figures by smoothing things over, will we really be able to earn a reputation and gain legitimacy?"

His voice was full of weariness and doubt.

The white snake beside it also propped itself up, hissing and flicking its tongue, its voice tinged with resentment:

“Yes, brother. Those tigers and leopards on the next mountain, none of them can compare to us. They gather in the mountains and forests, rule the mountain, have a bunch of followers, eat big chunks of meat, drink big bowls of wine, and live a very happy life. We are like laborers working for others, struggling to make a living.”

The black bear spirit remained unperturbed despite listening to his two brothers' complaints.

It simply turned around slowly, its half-human, half-bear face hardened with unwavering resolve in the twilight, and its calm gaze silenced the wolf and snake.

"Happy?" it asked in a low voice.

Although the voice was not loud, it carried a heavy force, causing both demons to fall silent.

"How long can such joy last?"

It spoke slowly, without any anger in its tone, as if stating an old truth.

"The laws of Heaven are strict. Today you may rule the mountain, but tomorrow you may be beaten to death, your cultivation turning into nothingness."

It paused, its brows relaxing slightly, as if it were reciting a very common ancient saying from its heart:
As the ancients said: "If you sow in spring, you may not reap in autumn; but if you don't sow a single grain, the granaries will be empty."

Having said that, it reached out and beckoned, and a dark cloud floated in from the sky.

His previous serious expression vanished, replaced by a grin:
"Alright, brothers, take a rest. Today, I will ride the clouds."

As it spoke, it shoved the wolf and the snake onto the clouds. The dark clouds rolled up and slowly rose, heading towards the eastern mountains.

……

The small boat glided across the water and drifted leisurely back to the temple.

Jiang Qin moored the boat, and Jiang Yi, holding the little child's hand, slowly walked up the stone steps toward the ancestral hall.

Smoke curls from the temple, the aroma of food mingling with the lingering scent of incense, wafting through the air and bringing a sense of peace.

Gui Ning was waiting at the door. As soon as she saw her son return, the coldness in her eyes melted away.

He quickly stepped forward, first calling out "Grandpa," then bending down to pat Chao'er's head and gently brushing the dust off his clothes.

His movements were gentle, but he didn't say much.

The curtain to the inner room was lifted, and Lao Gui lazily peeked out with a half-smiling face.

"Our in-laws have arrived." He smiled even more broadly when he saw Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi nodded, without any further formalities, found a chair and sat down, replying:
"Yes, come and see the baby."

Old Gui first sized up Jiang Yi a few times, then his gaze shifted to the little boy who was skipping and hopping into the house with his mother. He chuckled and called out to the inside in a low, moderate voice:
"Ning'er, go to the stove and prepare a few side dishes to go with the wine. I'll have a couple of drinks with your grandfather."

A voice immediately responded from inside, with a hint of a smile: "Understood."

Before the words had even faded, Lao Gui had already slipped into the back room and soon returned with a jar of old wine.

The mud seal on the jar was broken open, and a rich aroma of wine wafted out, instantly filling the room.

After a few drinks, they naturally started talking.

Jiang Yi picked up a piece of freshly fried small fish with his chopsticks and casually mentioned it:

"My dear in-law, who are those three people from the mountains across the river?"

Old Gui took a sip of wine, his smile undiminished:
"They are just three wild demons with some skill. Especially that black bear, which has an extremely unusual talent."

As he spoke, he slightly raised his chin, but the direction was towards Eagle's Sorrow Gorge.

His voice was low and carried a hint of meaning:
"In terms of sheer brute strength and cultivation alone, I'm afraid even your relative from the Western Sea might not come out on top."

Jiang Yi's hand, holding the wine glass, paused for a moment in mid-air.

The vague guesses in my mind suddenly became clear, as if someone had gently pointed them out.

If it really is that person...

Let alone Ao Lie, even if the person from the back mountain came in person, he probably wouldn't dare to say he could easily win.

Jiang Yi's mind was in turmoil, but his face remained calm and composed.

Old Gui didn't notice anything amiss, taking it as a casual inquiry, and continued speaking to himself:

"I don't know where that blockhead learned his ways of dealing with people. He never causes trouble or harms anyone. All he does all day is either help the mountain god solidify his energy or add some incense to the temple to enhance its efficacy. He's single-mindedly trying to squeeze onto the right path."

Jiang Yi raised his hand, finished the remaining wine in his cup, and then slowly refilled it, as if asking casually:
"Can they truly embark on the righteous path and become gods or immortals?"

Upon hearing this, Lao Gui simply smiled.

He raised his wine glass, lightly clinked it against Jiang Yi's, drank it first, and then slowly began to speak:
"Heaven's way is impartial, regardless of one's origin or background. As long as one is wholeheartedly good and willing to accumulate merit through perseverance, all things and spirits in the world will have the hope of ascending to heaven."

He paused here, slammed his wine glass on the table, and a hint of something indescribable appeared in his smile.

"However... the difference between the right path and the right path is like heaven and earth."

He reached out his chopsticks and pointed at the peanuts on the plate, as if giving a subtle hint:
"For wild spirits like them, who have no roots, even if they were to stumble upon an opportunity and be noticed by some deity and given a job... they would most likely be in the least lucrative positions, doing the hardest and most tiring work."

At this point, Lao Gui chuckled, his laughter revealing a worldly wisdom tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible self-deprecation:
"If you put in ten percent effort and only receive one percent of the merit from incense offerings, then you can be considered to have a kind heart from the superiors."

Jiang Yi heard this and his heart stirred.

He nodded thoughtfully, picked up his wine glass, but his gaze fell on his in-law.

If we put it that way...

Old Gui now lives in Eagle's Sorrow Gorge. His life may seem simple and austere, but he does the kind of job where putting in just a little effort can yield ten or even a hundred times the reward.

(End of this chapter)