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

Chapter 208 The Turbidity Divides into the Five Internal Organs, the Liang and Qiang Meet

The autumn wind sweeps away the last withered leaf, and winter snow follows, draping the world in pristine white.

In the blink of an eye, it's the Lunar New Year again.

As the old year departs amidst the crackling of firecrackers, this year's courtyard is more lively than ever before.

Jiang Chao, that little guy, has lived here for more than half a year and is no longer as reserved as when he first arrived.

Although Liu Chengming often stayed at the Jiang family's residence, he was still a member of the Liu family and should return to his own estate for the holidays.

But he still came here every few days, ostensibly to exchange knowledge, but in reality, he was eyeing Liu Xiulian's excellent pastry-making skills.

Add to that Jiang Han, who loves to join in the fun, and the three kids, all grown up together, create an endless show.

They chased and played, trampling the thin snow in the yard into scattered pieces, their shouts filled with vibrant energy.

That lively atmosphere was just like the fuse of a firecracker lit during the New Year, crackling and popping, carrying a joyful spirit of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, according to tradition, daughters always have to visit their parents' home.

Before the light snow of early morning had completely melted, congratulatory voices rang out at the entrance of the courtyard.

Jiang Xi, dressed in a simple cotton dress, couldn't hide the joy in her eyes as she walked side by side with Liu Zi'an.

The red paper at the door was still fresh, and the smell of firecrackers had not yet dissipated. She stepped across the threshold, as if bringing back all the worries of the year.

Liu Zian carried a gift box in his hand and offered polite New Year's greetings.

This son-in-law has always been kind and mature, and in the eyes of the Jiang family, he is considered a reliable and dependable person.

Jiang Yi'an sat in the hall, his expression indifferent.

The moment the young couple entered, their presence was extraordinary.

It was harmonious and self-consistent, full of spirit and energy, like a gentle spring breeze that dispelled the chill in the hall.

He understood in his heart that this was the difference in "background".

Our generation has truly weathered the storms of life.

Living a life of hardship and struggle, one's breath inevitably becomes somewhat tainted.

By their generation, they were naturally gifted and had the support of their families, so their path of cultivation was smooth sailing.

Before the age of thirty-five, they both overcame the hurdle of "living and dying".

In this way, the turbidity in the body gradually decreases, and the dust in the soul also thins out.

To embark on the path of "refining essence into qi" again is merely like sailing on water, going with the flow.

Amidst the constant chatter in the hall, Jiang Yi subtly raised his eyes, his gaze lingering on his gentle son-in-law.

"Zi'an," he said in a calm tone, "has your skill of refining essence into qi made any progress lately?"

His voice was normal, showing no hint of testing.

It's more like an ordinary family where the father-in-law finds his son-in-law agreeable and casually asks if business is going well.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zian, who had been relaxed, unconsciously sat up straighter.

He put down his teacup, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, and spoke with a tone that was polite yet not at all reserved:

"Thanks to my father-in-law's concern, I have made some progress recently."

He paused for a moment, as if weighing his words, before continuing in a gentle voice:
"I am currently refining the earthy and turbid energy in my spleen. If nothing unexpected happens, with another year or two of painstaking work, I may be able to achieve a 'clean spleen'."

Jiang Yi was about to raise his cup when his hand paused slightly in mid-air.

"Is the spleen's earth element turbid?"

He pondered to himself, finding the four characters somewhat novel.

Having cultivated myself for half a lifetime, I have only known about the process of refining turbid energy into qi, but I have never broken it down to this level.

Although that hint of doubt was fleeting, Jiang Xi noticed it nonetheless.

She covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes crinkling as if she had stolen a joke.

“Look at my head,” she said, patting her forehead lightly with a laugh, “I forgot to tell Father about it.”

"A few days ago, Zian was flipping through that old prescription in his study when, for some reason, he pulled out a thin booklet from the inner compartment."

There weren't any proper cultivation methods listed, only some miscellaneous discussions about cultivation. The concept of "turbid qi in the five internal organs" came from there.

After she finished speaking, she stuck out her tongue, her expression a mix of playfulness and innocence.

"I was planning to tell my parents about it when I had some free time, but I got so busy at the end of the year that I forgot."

The winter sun slanted in through the windowpane, casting a gentle shadow on her face.

The atmosphere in that room softened slightly.

Upon hearing this, the doubt on Jiang Yi's face faded, but a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

"Old prescriptions"...

Over the past two years, as Liu Chengming has grown up day by day, his muscles and bones have gradually become stronger.

The son-in-law, Liu Zi'an, would occasionally "coincidentally" find a few old ancestral prescriptions in his own estate.

Coincidentally, these prescriptions had no other uses, but they were all suitable for the child's age.

It is either to strengthen the body's foundation and nourish its vital energy, or to strengthen muscles and bones.

When Jiang Yi first heard it, he found it novel;

After hearing it many times, you'll naturally get a better understanding.

Hearing Jiang Xi mention "old booklets" again, he wasn't surprised at all; instead, he found it somewhat amusing.

Seeing that her father remained silent, Jiang Xi knew he was intrigued, so she picked out the most important points from the booklet and recounted them one by one.

"The booklet says that the primordial turbid energy in a cultivator's body appears as a single mass, but in reality, it varies in weight."

"With prolonged practice, the turbid qi is gradually refined, and one can then perceive the areas where the stagnation is heaviest. These are precisely the five internal organs of a person."

Her voice was clear and bright, and she spoke logically and clearly, obviously having memorized the words thoroughly.

"The turbidity of the five internal organs corresponds to the five elements."

"For example, Zian just mentioned the spleen, which belongs to the earth element, and its turbidity is called 'resentment.' The book describes this turbidity as being extremely sticky and entangled, like swampy mud, making people unable to think clearly, causing them to be full of worries and adding a lot of trouble out of nowhere."

"If one can purify the turbid earth in the spleen, not only will one's mind be clear and one's thoughts be unobstructed, but one will also be able to harmonize with the earth's energy. At that time, one's body will be as solid as a mountain, one's lower body as stable as a rock, and one's breath will be long, deep, and profound. One can achieve twice the result with half the effort when practicing earth-based magic."

She paused, as if sorting out her thoughts, and then gave another example.

"For example, the lungs belong to the metal element in the Five Elements theory, and their turbidity is 'fear'. This qi is stern and has a sharp edge, like the autumn wind penetrating to the bone. It can wear down a person's courage and make them timid and uneasy."

"If one can refine away the turbid metal in the lungs, courage will naturally arise, and willpower will be firm and concentrated. When one combines with the metal element of heaven and earth, one's breath will carry a hint of the sharpness of a sword. One's cultivation of metal element techniques will then progress by leaps and bounds."

"As for the heart, liver, and kidneys, the same applies; each has its own corresponding function and its own impurities. If one can refine and transform each of them, they will all become wondrous."

Jiang Yi remained calm, but he had already memorized every word of those words.

Although my own cultivation has not reached such a refined level, this line of reasoning is like a map guiding the way, which I have long kept in my heart.

Seeing that her father was listening attentively, Jiang Xi continued.

"The turbid qi of the five internal organs cannot be refined wherever you want; there is a method to it."

"We must follow the principle of mutual generation of the five elements and proceed step by step to avoid disrupting the flow of energy."

At this point, she changed the subject slightly, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"However, where to begin the training can vary from person to person."

“Zi’an is already familiar with the Earth-based methods, so it’s safest to start with the spleen, which is associated with turbidity.”

She pointed to herself again, smiling broadly:

"As for me, my soul is close to plants and trees, so I chose to refine the liver wood turbidity. It can be said that each of us has our own advantage."

After listening, Jiang Yi's mind raced, and he smoothly continued the conversation, speaking in a normal tone:

"If that's the case, your mother will probably start by treating the turbid fluid in your kidneys."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xi's eyes lit up, and she giggled, displaying a touch of girlish charm.

"Father is the most perceptive; he understands everything immediately."

Jiang Yi merely smiled and did not respond to the flattery.

He knows what he's doing.

What one visualizes in one's own soul is the endless cycle of Yin and Yang energies, emphasizing "completeness and harmony".

Unlike his daughter and the others, who were biased towards one of the five elements from the very beginning.

He then inquired about the mysteries of the heart, liver, and kidneys, and wrote them down in detail.

The map of spiritual practice in my heart has been further enhanced, becoming clearer and clearer.

The hall fell silent for a moment, except for the sound of sparrows flapping their wings outside the window.

Jiang Yi, holding his teacup, shifted his gaze from his daughter's smiling face to his ever-gentle son-in-law beside him.

His tone was casual, as if he were just chatting casually:
“Your soul inherently carries the steadiness of the earth. Now you are refining the turbid earth in your spleen, one internal and one external, mutually reinforcing each other.”

He paused slightly as he spoke, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Using that earth-based technique again should go more smoothly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zian remained unmoved.

At this point, he didn't try to be modest. In front of discerning people, too much politeness would only make him a laughing stock.

He nodded slightly, his voice gentle yet steady and powerful:
"My father-in-law has discerning eyes."

"Nowadays, walking among the earth and stones is no different from standing in a hall."

His words were simple, yet they carried an air of profound composure.

With his current cultivation level, the difference between above and below ground is only a step.

Jiang Yi then slowly said:

"Speaking of which, the earth has been turning over more and more frequently in recent years."

He took a sip of tea, his tone unhurried:
"If you can really move freely between those rocks and soil as if it were a smooth road, you might as well go down and take a look at what it's like underground."

Upon hearing this, a hint of shame flashed across Liu Zi'an's face, but he was not embarrassed; he simply cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.
"To be honest, father-in-law, I went down to investigate without permission some time ago."

His voice was gentle, tinged with a hint of helplessness.

"But my cultivation level is ultimately a step behind. The deeper I go, the heavier the turbid earth-evil energy becomes, like a quagmire stretching on and on, making it difficult to move an inch. I suppose it's because the turbid earth in my spleen is not cleansed, and it resonates with the turbid evil energy underground, thus causing me to be unjustly shackled."

He paused slightly and sighed softly, "Only when the work is completed can I explore the depths of that place again."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi laughed instead.

"No rush, no rush."

He waved his hand casually, his tone calm, "No matter how big the problem is, it has to be solved step by step. Just focus on your work and don't let this get you flustered."

He paused, then said casually, "These earth dragons, it seems, won't be able to settle down in just a year or two."

Before she could finish speaking, Liu Xiulian's clear voice suddenly rang out from outside:
"It's time to eat!"

The people in the hall exchanged smiles, then got up and went to the side hall.

The eight-immortal table was already laden with dishes.

These past few days, during the New Year holidays, even Jiang Jun, who usually meditates in the mountains, has come down from the mountain. He is leaning against the table, watching his children making a ruckus.

Jiang Han and Liu Chengming were secretly vying for a seat by the brazier, their brows furrowed in a tight knot.

Jiang Chao sat obediently next to Jiang Yi, his eyes fixed on the pot of stewed chicken, not even daring to blink.

The clinking of cups and chopsticks, the laughter of children, the aroma of food, and the mingling of steam and lamplight create a harmonious atmosphere.

In this small hall, the warmth of the world is just right.

……

The warmth that only existed during the New Year holidays had not yet been completely blown away by the chill of early spring, and the alcohol residue on the villagers' faces had only just faded.

Peaceful days never last long.

That afternoon, the sunlight was slanting, and people were feeling lazy.

Suddenly, a deep, muffled roar came from the depths of the earth.

The ground beneath my feet trembled slightly, like a sieve shaking, and the bowls and cups on the table clinked together.

In an instant, the entire village seemed to be violently shaken by an invisible hand.

Liangjie Village was immediately thrown into chaos.

Tiles shattered, beams snapped, and the sounds of breaking echoed, mingled with women's screams and children's cries, creating a cacophony of noise. Those who had heeded advice years ago and diligently reinforced their houses had now lost a few tiles and developed a few cracks in the walls, but remained unharmed.

But those who took a chance or were short of money suffered a loss immediately.

Half of the house wall collapsed with a roar, smashing a family's house to pieces and raising dust that blocked half the road.

Fortunately, there were warning signs before the earthquake, and most people were outside the compound, so they managed to escape in time.

A few people were unable to dodge in time and were hit on the hands and feet by flying stones. They bled profusely, but they were still breathing and none of them died.

Before the dust had settled, the air was filled with the pungent smell of freshly turned soil, the acrid tang of broken wood, and a faint, almost imperceptible stench of blood.

Jiang Yi's figure was already walking amidst this mess.

He remained calm, showing neither alarm nor anger.

But his eyes looked more somber than usual.

As Jiang Yi passed by a courtyard wall that had collapsed halfway, he paused.

At the base of the wall, a man was groaning, clutching his legs, his face a mixture of ash and blood.

He glanced at it, took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, and casually tossed it over.

"Apply it first."

His tone was flat, as if giving an order, or as if he were just saying something casually.

Further on, we came across a woman who was hugging her own doorstep and wailing.

He simply offered calm advice:

"It's a blessing that no one is hurt. After crying, I still have to clean up the house."

He knew in his heart that there was very little he could do in this situation.

The heavens are about to move and the earth is about to shake; such things are beyond the control of a mere mortal.

All we can do is leave a bottle of wound medicine for the injured and a few beams for those who have lost their homes.

Then, the remaining corners of the wall, which were still able to hold up, were reinforced little by little with newly felled timber, and tamped down repeatedly.

These days, we hear plenty of rumors about war and chaos, and there are also quite a few stories about demons and monsters.

But those things can still run, there's always hope.

The misfortune that arises beneath one's feet is real; there is no way to avoid it or escape it.

The world is vast, but where is there a pure land where people can live in peace?
Instead of wasting time thinking about "escaping," we should prepare more timber and mix more mud to make the ground beneath our feet even more solid.

Half a day later, the lingering shock gradually dissipated.

The crying and shouting in the village stopped, replaced by the clanging and banging of things being packed away.

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried a numbness and weariness from surviving a catastrophe.

Jiang Yi walked into the ancestral hall.

The place was sturdy enough; there was some dust on the beams and the incense burner was leaning against the altar, but other than that, there seemed to be no major problems.

Before long, Jiang Liang's wisp of soul appeared.

His figure was faint, standing behind the fragrant mist, like someone from an old dream.

Jiang Yi's gaze swept over the memorial tablets, his tone flat:

"Any new news from outside?"

Jiang Liang stepped forward and replied in a low voice:

"The biggest commotion yesterday came from Liangzhou. I heard that several towns were completely destroyed by the earthquake."

He gestured and then said:

"Chang'an and Luoyang were only briefly affected this time, and nothing major happened."

Jiang Yi nodded slowly, his expression so calm that it showed no emotion whatsoever.

"Where is Li, the guy who helped appease the refugees before?"

Jiang Liang's face showed a hint of certainty.

"Don't worry, Father. Those people didn't go far. They've been stationed in the nearby towns. The earthquake last night probably caused them to get up and leave overnight."

"By now, everyone has probably reached the disaster area. Some are starting fires, some are building shelters, and everyone is busy with what needs to be done. There won't be any chaos."

These words were spoken in a well-organized manner, clearly indicating that he had already planned them out in his mind.

Jiang Liang paused, then took half a step forward, lowering his voice slightly:

"The Qiang region is now relatively stable. Further expansion will only take time and cannot be accomplished in a short period of time."

"Rui'er seems to be quite idle over there."

He raised his eyes, cautiously probing Jiang Yi's expression.

"What do you think? Should we send him back to Liangzhou? Let him personally step in and reassure the people."

Jiang Yi didn't answer immediately.

He reached out and dusted off the incense ash on the offering table; the ash scattered lightly and floated in the air.

People who believe in God need something to hold onto.

Only when I can see it and hear it can I feel at peace.

If we were to build a shrine or statue for Jiang Rui someday, we would first need to have a design.

Otherwise, the bricklayers below probably wouldn't even know where to begin.

He withdrew his hand, wiped the ash from his sleeve with his fingertips, and then gave a soft "hmm".

"Let him go. You know what's going on in these matters, so handle things as before."

The tone shifted, becoming somewhat relaxed:
“I’ll go ask your daughter-in-law what her plans are.”

Having received the message, Jiang Liang naturally responded, and with a flicker of his soul, he vanished as a wisp of green smoke.

Jiang Yi stood in the hall for a few more moments before turning around and leaving.

Once outside the ancestral hall, the scent of incense mixed with the smell of aged wood faded somewhat.

A breeze blew from the mountain pass, carrying the chill of early spring, and also blew away the lingering dust on his sleeve.

As I turned back to my own courtyard gate, before I even stepped inside, a series of shouts rang out.

Interspersed among them were a few whooshing sounds of wind, which added a touch of murderous intent.

In the courtyard, Zhao Qiqi stood in the middle, holding a smooth wooden sword in her hand.

There was no sign of true energy surging within her; in the path of cultivation, she was ultimately not considered proficient.

But when he stood there, his back was straight, and his eyes and brows exuded a certain battlefield air.

After all, he came from a military family and had handled all sorts of weapons.

Jiang Han and the two boys in front of her each held a twig, some long and some short, and they were mimicking her gestures with great seriousness.

What Zhao Qiqi taught was not the clumsy skill of stance training, nor the family's traditional staff techniques, but rather some skillful sword flourishes and shadows.

They emphasize spinning fast and dancing in circles, creating a whooshing sound that is quite intimidating.

This approach would be useless in a real fight.

But in the eyes of a few teenagers, it was more impressive than any fist technique or swordsmanship.

If you learn a couple of moves and show them off at the village entrance, you'll be the envy of your peers.

Jiang Yi stood outside the courtyard gate, hands behind his back, without saying a word, just watching.

Sunlight fell into the courtyard, making the branches of the trees flutter up and down, their shadows intertwining like small fish playing in the water.

He looked at it and couldn't help but smile slightly.

After the seemingly correct but actually flawed sword technique ended, the younger ones even struck a pose with great seriousness.

Her breathing was uneven, and her little face was flushed red.

Jiang Han was the first to break down. She threw away the branch, ran over with a grin, and jumped into Jiang Yi's arms.

His little face was tilted up, his eyes sparkling, as if trying to extract a golden word from his mouth:
"Great-grandfather, great-grandfather, which of us is the best at training?"

Jiang Yi laughed heartily, reaching out to ruffle Xiao Han'er's messy hair, his smile almost overflowing.

"If we're talking about what looks best, then it has to be our Xiao Han'er. Her moves are the most exciting and beautiful."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Chao and Liu Chengming's eyes lit up at the same time.

One of them pouted with a defiant look, while the other stared expectantly.

Jiang Yi saw this and found it amusing, so he changed the subject:
"The trendy one wins out because of his 'spirit'; he's meticulous and serious, and he seems to put in the most effort."

"As for Chengming, he has a solid foundation, his moves are deep and powerful, and he does possess some true qi. If it really comes down to a fight in the future, he will probably be the most useful one."

His words were so eloquent that the three little ones beamed with joy.

Seeing this, Jiang Yi took out several large coins from his pocket and gave two to each person.

"Good job, you'll get a reward. Go, go buy some sugar figurines."

Having received praise and a reward, the three children scattered like sparrows.

Even after running outside the courtyard, you can still hear laughter echoing back in the wind.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

The wind passed under the eaves, carrying a few fallen leaves that swirled gently.

Zhao Qiqi sheathed her wooden sword, her expression immediately becoming serious. She bowed slightly and called out in a solemn voice:
"Grandpa."

Jiang Yi stepped forward slowly, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, his expression revealing a hint of unspoken emotion.

“These past few years, Rui’er has not been home often. You have been the one to hold things together, both at home and outside.”

Zhao Qiqi quickly shook her head, a faint smile on her lips.

"Grandpa, what are you saying? It's Han'er and I who have benefited greatly from the care of the family."

Jiang Yi glanced at her, said nothing more, and simply changed the subject, speaking in a flat tone:

"Rui'er may be returning to Liangzhou soon."

Zhao Qiqi's body stiffened slightly, as if she hadn't heard clearly, or as if she had heard it all too well.

Those usually calm eyes suddenly lit up with a glimmer of light.

Jiang Yi took in her expression, smiled faintly, and continued:
"He has important business to attend to this time, and may not have time to go home."

"However, now that he has returned to the vicinity of Liangqiang, he will stay for some time. Pack your things, take Han'er, and go find him. Husband and wife, father and daughter, should reunite once in a while."

The radiance on Zhao Qiqi's face could no longer be hidden.

A gentle light emanated from her eyes, brightening the entire room.

Overjoyed, she didn't know what to say, only gave a graceful curtsy and softly replied:

"Yes."

That same day, she packed her bags neatly.

A few clean clothes and a few packets of snacks that Han'er likes to eat, nothing extra.

That decisive and efficient manner made him seem more like a general ready to break out of camp at any moment.

However, even though the luggage was packed, the definite news was still nowhere to be found.

The initial fervor has slowly transformed into a quiet expectation over the past few days.

She spoke less, but her needlework quickened, and her gaze kept drifting towards the courtyard gate.

Two days later, Jiang Liang finally brought definite news.

An unremarkable carriage was parked in front of the gate. The carriage itself was ordinary, but the driver had a solemn expression, exuding a military aura.

Zhao Qiqi took Han'er's hand and got into the car.

The wheels swayed and bumped as they rolled over the village road, which was still uneven after the disaster.

Han'er was at an age where she loved novelty, and she kept looking out through the carriage curtain.

Zhao Qiqi simply sat quietly, listening to the sound of the wheels rolling away inch by inch.

She knew that the sound was heading towards the Liangqiang border, towards the place where the earth was most violently turning over, and also towards where her long-lost husband was.

(End of this chapter)