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

Chapter 212 Breathing Bottleneck
Inside the ancestral hall, the incense smoke curled around, and the atmosphere returned to a relaxed state.

After Jiang Liang finished discussing his family matters, his figure was swept away by the wisps of smoke and disappeared.

Jiang Yi sat quietly for a long time before slowly getting up and walking back to the back of the house.

The spring in the backyard still gurgles, steam rises, and carries the fragrance of grass and trees.

It's as if it can cleanse your mind and soul as well.

Two peach trees stand on either side of the pond.

Its branches are thin and its leaves are green. I don't know if it's because its roots are proud or because it thinks the spiritual energy in this courtyard is not pure enough. It always grows a step slower than the common peaches outside.

This year, things have finally improved somewhat, with clusters of green fruit already forming among the branches and leaves.

It's not big, and the fine down hasn't faded yet. Just looking at it gives off a slightly sour vibe, but it's full of vibrant life.

Jiang Yi sat cross-legged, his breathing long and even.

With each breath, my mind returned to a clear, still state.

Like a bluestone washed by a spring rain, it is moist and untouched by dust.

The body's energy flows through the meridians, slowly refining itself.

The scattered turbid air was gradually eliminated.

The five clumps of stagnant, turbid energy within the five internal organs finally surfaced.

Like a stone falling into a deep pool, it sinks but does not disperse.

Previously, they were obscured by fine, turbid air, making them difficult to distinguish;

Now, every bit of heaviness is crystal clear.

……

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

The two spirit peach trees by the spirit spring pool have finally come out on top.

The plump, pink fruits hung heavily on the branches, bending the slender twigs slightly.

Some of them hung even lower, almost touching the water's surface. When the wind came, the branches and leaves swayed gently, and the water shimmered in response.

The fragrance wafts from the peach grove, unlike the usual sweet and cloying peach scent.

On the contrary, it is as clear and refreshing as wine, subtle, as if advising people while also teasing them.

Jiang Yi had instructed that no one in the family was allowed to pick these peaches when they were in bloom.

It's for that kid Jiang Jun, to take into the mountains.

However, that kid went to the back mountain this time and has been gone for more than ten days without showing up at all.

But this tree of fruit, hanging so heavily, is a daily source of annoyance.

Jiang Yi remained seated cross-legged on the blue stone by the pond.

The hem of his robe drooped down, fluttering gently in the wind, his aura peaceful and silent, blending seamlessly with the misty spring.

This sitting position should have been for entering a meditative state.

Forget both self and external things, and find peace and tranquility in your heart.

But after an unknown amount of time, an unusual solemnity gradually appeared on that face, which was as serene as an ancient monument.

His brows were slightly furrowed, as if weighed down by a thousand pounds.

That energy surged within my chest, initially subtle, then raging.

Suddenly, a fleeting ferocity flashed across Jiang Yi's face, and he opened his eyes abruptly as if struck by lightning!
At that moment, a demonic shadow seemed to appear in my mind, and wild thoughts arose.

Jiang Yi suddenly circulated his energy, causing the Yin and Yang energies within his soul to surge, thus severing that wisp of distracting thought.

His chest heaved violently, and his breathing was heavy, which sounded particularly jarring in the quiet courtyard.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, sliding down his temples in a cool line that meandered down his neck.

Only when it reached my spine did a chill, tinged with lingering fear, creep up my entire body inch by inch.

Jiang Yi gently patted his chest, his breath gradually becoming more concentrated.

Just a moment ago, it seemed calm on the surface, but in reality, his foot had already reached the edge of the cliff. One more step and it would have been annihilation.

Fortunately, they pulled back quickly enough to avoid falling.

The energy from the spiritual spring and the peaches had long since worn away most of the turbid energy in his body.

Those that wander about vanish like smoke.

Only those five clumps, deep within the five internal organs, were heavy and lifeless, like five stones that had taken root inside the body.

No matter how much spiritual energy he tried to cleanse it or how much divine will he used to temper it, it showed no sign of loosening; it simply stood there silently and stubbornly.

This is the key point, the bottleneck.

The water arrived, but the channel failed to form.

As time goes by, even the most composed mind will inevitably develop a sense of restlessness.

Today, it was that one sliver of light that spurred him to a powerful resolve.

As a result, the flow of qi and blood reversed, and the mind almost went berserk.

He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and forced the churning energy back into his dantian.

When I opened my eyes again, a face was reflected in the pool water.

There was no joy in his expression, only a chilling aura, as if struck by autumn frost.

Jiang Yi looked down at his hands, which were covered with fine lines.

Quietly, without uttering a sigh.

A voice inside my head was speaking very softly and slowly:

This road has probably come to an end.

He wasn't unaware.

I know my own limitations best.

However, he was just a country bumpkin who stumbled into this situation halfway through his life, with unclear background and improper roots.

The reason we have achieved what we have today is simply because of that one lucky break back then—we obtained a clever method of breathing exercises.

But clever methods are ultimately just clever methods; they are not the true path of spiritual cultivation.

No matter how miraculous a breathing technique may be, it will eventually come to an end.

With daughters and sons-in-law having such pure and clean constitutions, light turbidity, and smooth energy flow, they might be able to use this clever momentum to go further.

But when it came to him, to Liu Xiulian...

The chronic illness in his body had long been intertwined with his flesh and blood, and the turbid qi in his five internal organs was as solid as stone.

To fully master it using only one breathing technique...

It's like trying to hollow out a mountain with a small spoon.

It's not that the method is ineffective, but rather that the mountain is too heavy and the spoon is too small.

At his age, Jiang Yi didn't have any complaints about fate.

As soon as you slowly close your eyes, the Yin and Yang energies flow according to your will, like combing silk, inch by inch, from the depths of your soul.

The chaotic thoughts and lingering restlessness from before were gently smoothed out by this energy, returning to calm.

The cultivator lost track of time, and the sun lazily turned over a few more times.

The peaches on the branches by the pond were all ripe and translucent, reddish-pink with a hint of light. Underneath their thin skins, it seemed as if nectar was flowing.

A breeze wafted by, carrying a delicate fragrance that softened the heart.

A ripe peach trembled slightly in the wind, as if it would fall off the branch and into the water at any moment.

Just then, a figure finally appeared on the path behind the mountain.

Jiang Jun has gone down the mountain.

Her green robe was damp with dew, and her hair was slightly loose, which added to her carefree and rustic air.

He walked at a leisurely pace to the edge of the pond, and as usual, bowed to Jiang Yi first, his voice clear and bright, carrying a long-lost smile:
"Grandpa."

As he spoke, he glanced at the tree and saw that the peaches were perfectly ripe, so he picked one.

He casually wiped his hand on his clothes, ignoring the fuzz on them, and then opened his mouth and bit down.

Sweet juice flowed from between my fingers, splashing a few drops onto the bluestone.

He squinted, chewing slowly, but suddenly stopped.

Those clear eyes fell on Jiang Yi.

In the past, when Grandpa sat by the pond, his breathing was calm and gentle, like the spring water, bottomless and silent.

But today... seems a little different.

There was a hint of stagnation in that aura, something indescribable and inexplicable.

"Grandpa."

He held half a peach in his hand and tentatively asked, "Are you... feeling tired?"

Jiang Yi didn't lift his eyelids, but only let out a soft "hmm" through his nose.

A slight twitch appeared at the corner of his mouth; it was hard to tell whether it was a smile or something else.

“When you get old,” he said casually, “your energy and blood are not what they used to be, and they are always a bit disobedient.”

He stopped abruptly there, clearly unwilling to elaborate further.

He raised his eyes, glanced at Jiang Jun, and his tone suddenly changed:

"You little rascal, what treasure did you find in the mountains this time, or were you bewitched by some mountain spirit? You don't even recognize your own home anymore."

Jiang Jun finished the peach in a few bites, casually tossed the pit aside, and grinned from ear to ear:
"I had reached a certain point in practicing that 'Sleeping Arhat Kung Fu' when I lost focus and forgot the time."

"Sleeping Arhat Skill..."

Jiang Yi gently chewed the five words on his lips, his expression calm and composed, smiling without saying a word.

"Alright," he said, slowly rising to his feet and brushing the dust off the corner of his robe.

"Your grandma has been talking about you several times these past few days. Let's go back and have dinner."

Having said that, he took the first step.

The figure swayed briefly amidst the steaming spring water.
She still appeared composed, but there was a hint of loneliness, like someone swaying in the wind, more than usual.

Jiang Jun followed behind, the grandfather and grandson walking slowly, their shadows lengthened by the setting sun.

"How many days are you staying this time?" Jiang Yi asked casually, his steps steady.

“Just for one night.” Jiang Jun’s voice had a youthful decisiveness. “I’ll come back, take a hot shower, change into clean clothes, and get a good night’s sleep. I have to go up the mountain early tomorrow morning.”

If a young man didn't return home for half a month, it would be a very serious matter for Liu Xiulian.

So this dinner took on a festive, holiday feel.

The aroma of cooking fires mingled with the fragrance of oil in the kitchen, tempting one's mouth from afar.

The dinner table was bustling with activity.

Several teenagers gathered around, chattering excitedly.

This one needs to climb onto his lap to listen for any talking old foxes in the mountains;

He was to be held up with both hands, like the heroes in the storybooks, and fly high into the sky.

The youngest one was the most honest; she simply snuggled into his arms, stretching out her greasy little hands and heading straight for the chicken leg in his bowl.

Jiang Jun didn't find it annoying at all, and just laughed and let them fool around until nightfall when he finally had time to take a bath and change clothes.

The next day, at the first crow of the rooster, the sky was still a deep, dark black.

Jiang Yi then got up, moving as lightly as a cat, without disturbing anyone in the room.

With a gentle thought, he moved towards his grandson's room and sensed that the boy was breathing evenly and soundly, clearly having had a very good night's rest.

He didn't disturb them, and quietly went to the corner of the wall to get a bamboo basket. Alone, he quietly went around to the back of the house.

The cool morning air, still carrying a hint of dampness, mixed with the refreshing fragrance of peaches, wafted over, instantly clearing one's mind.

Jiang Yi walked to the tree, but instead of starting, he picked some large peach leaves nearby and carefully laid them out at the bottom of the basket.

Only then did I raise my eyes to look at the fruits that appeared even more pink and lustrous in the hazy sunlight.

With two fingers pinching the stem, a gentle twist, and a ripe peach falls into the palm of your hand, heavy and cool with the dew of the night before.

He picked them carefully, and placed them even more carefully.

Each one was stacked neatly, as if afraid of bumping or scratching any delicate skin.

Before long, the two trees that were full of leaves yesterday were left with only a few scattered green leaves.

Jiang Yi, carrying a basket, stood at the entrance to the path leading to the back mountain.

He neither sat nor leaned against anything, but just stood there, like an old pine tree that had grown by the roadside its whole life.

In life, there are always some hurdles that you just can't overcome no matter how hard you try.

That's how it is for him.

Since this door to my own home can no longer be opened, sitting here in vain is just a struggle with myself, which is a bad idea.

It would be better to save that effort and light another lamp or lay another brick for our children and grandchildren.

We hope they can go to places we couldn't reach, to see just how cold and free the wind is at higher altitudes.

Just as I was thinking this, the first hint of dawn appeared on the horizon.

A ray of morning light crossed the mountain ridge and landed right behind him, casting his long shadow onto the misty mountain.

He squinted and looked over.

That mountain is still the same mountain.

It's been there since he was a young boy.

Now, his temples are gray, and even his spirit has been worn down, yet he still retains that shrouded, mysterious appearance.

He has watched this mountain his whole life.

In the end, they still couldn't see through the secrets of these mountains.

Jiang Yizheng stared blankly, his mind filled with old memories, which swirled around like the morning mist in the mountains.

Suddenly, I felt a sinking sensation in my lower back.

It felt like I'd been kicked.

That blow, though not heavy, came with an extremely tricky and sudden force, landing precisely on the spot where he had let down all his guard and his energy was at its most dissipated.

Jiang Yi let out a "uh" sound, and his body uncontrollably lurched forward.

He stumbled, and his right foot landed firmly on the back mountain path he had seen countless times but never thought of walking into again.

(End of this chapter)