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

Chapter 234 Daoist Protector, Serpent Hunting God General

That wisp of thought, mixed with a hint of shock and a touch of realization, silently entered Jiang Yi's heart, following the curling smoke of the cigarette.

Jiang Yi sat upright on the futon, his eyebrows and eyes half-closed, his expression as usual.

He seemed to have expected this, yet he remained silent for a long time.

The fire flickered gently, the sandalwood incense wafted softly, and time stretched out silently, inch by inch.

After a long while, Jiang Liang's divine thought resounded softly again, carrying a hint of unease and inquiry:
"Father...did you foresee this all along?"

In fact, Jiang Liang had already guessed this when he heard the banner that read "The Yellow Heaven shall rise."

However, he simply couldn't understand it.

Even the Dragon King of the West Sea had not known such heavenly secrets, and there was no sign of such a deeply rooted and powerful being as the Ghost Mother and Son Gods.

Even the Supreme Dao Ancestor, who dwells high above the Thirty-Three Heavens and is in a state of tranquility and inaction, merely goes with the flow.

How could my father, who only knew three acres of meager land his whole life, have known his fate so early?

When he was young, he might have actually believed his father's casual guess.

But now, he is a deity officially appointed by the underworld.

I've seen plenty of gods, Buddhas, ghosts, monsters, and the coldness and warmth of human relationships.

How can we believe such frivolous nonsense again?

The ancestral hall was extremely quiet, with only the soft sound of incense ash falling like rain.

Just as the faint sounds were about to fade away, Jiang Yi finally spoke softly.

He didn't open his eyes, but his voice came from the depths of his calm and composed heart.

"Just a guess."

He paused, then added softly:
"It just so happened that what I said came true."

Jiang Liang was naturally unwilling to give up after such a perfunctory answer.

His illusory figure flickered slightly in the cigarette smoke, and just as he was about to ask another question, his soul suddenly froze.

After a long pause, he seemed somewhat helpless and had no choice but to change his words.

"Father, Hong'er has come to the City God Temple. He said that Feng'er has spoken from the West Sea and has something important to discuss with me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi simply nodded slowly.

Seeing this, Jiang Liang said no more. The soul shadow then dissipated, vanishing like smoke and mist.

Inside the ancestral hall, silence returned once more.

The lamplight flickered, the sandalwood incense burned softly, and even the faint crackling sounds of burning seemed to be swallowed up.

However, this time, the silence lasted less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

That wisp of soul materialized once more.

When he reappeared, his illusory face already carried a strange look, as if surprise was mixed with hesitation, and hesitation concealed a hint of something unfathomable.

Jiang Yi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze indifferent.

"What business do they have with you in the Western Sea?"

Jiang Liang's illusory figure swayed slightly in the cigarette smoke, as if he was carefully considering his words.

After a long silence, he answered in a complicated tone:

"It was Feng'er who asked Hong'er to deliver a message, saying... the Celestial Masters Sect will reopen its gates today."

"Those high-ranking Taoist priests who had been idle for several years, recuperating and building up their strength, have all gone down the mountain to fight against the rebel Huang."

As soon as these words were spoken, the small flame in the ancestral hall flickered slightly.

Jiang Yi, however, remained calm, as if he had already heard about it.

He understood perfectly well.

This time, it's likely that it's not just the Celestial Masters sect that's involved.

The slogan "The Yellow Heaven shall rise" was tantamount to cutting open the old traditions of the world.

The various sects that have been suffocated by oppression over the years are now determined to seize the opportunity to turn the tide and rebuild their power through this divine chaos.

As for the results.

How many people in this world truly stand for the sake of Heaven, and how many only scheme for their own benefit?

Jiang Yi asked calmly, "What does this matter have to do with Feng'er?"

Mentioning this, the expression on Jiang Liang's illusory figure became even stranger.

He hesitated for a moment before replying in a low voice:

"The first thing the Celestial Masters sect did upon reopening its gates this time was to announce it to the world."

"The achievement of eradicating locusts was not a divine intervention, but rather the work of an unparalleled disciple of their current Celestial Master."

As he spoke, his spirit trembled slightly, and his tone became increasingly cautious.

"They have also found, from who knows where, numerous pieces of evidence that the Taiping Dao concealed the truth and obstructed disaster relief back then. Based on this, they expose the falsehood of the Taiping Dao, denounce the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and call on the world to jointly punish the traitors."

His words were so unexpected and surprising that they left listeners stunned for a long time.

The Celestial Masters sect has been lying low for many years, secretly harboring such ruthless methods.

The knife is not in hand, but the intent of the knife arrives first.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi pondered for only a moment before he had clearly grasped the situation.

The West Sea Dragon Palace played a significant role in enabling Feng'er to refine that locust-exterminating pill.

Such a heavenly secret naturally could not escape the discerning eyes of his father-in-law, the Dragon King.

Given the relationship between Xihai and Heming Mountain, if Tianshi Dao wants to turn the tide and launch a counterattack, Xihai will go with the flow, present some evidence, and take the opportunity to promote their son-in-law's reputation.

That is indeed reasonable and there's nothing wrong with it.

Just as he was pondering this, Jiang Liang's voice rang out again.

"After the Celestial Masters sect reopened its gates, the first thing they did was to find two of Feng'er's closest teachers and send them to the Western Sea to plead for him."

"They want to invite Feng'er back to Heming Mountain."

He paused slightly, then continued:

“Feng’er himself is undecided, so he asked me to come and ask for your opinion.”

As he spoke, Jiang Liang's illusory figure swayed slightly in the cigarette smoke, his posture lower than usual.

Ever since he witnessed the banner proclaiming "The Yellow Heaven shall rise," he had completely surrendered to his father, who seemed to be a farmer and meditator but was actually a man who understood the secrets of heaven, and dared not doubt him in the slightest.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi remained calm and composed.

He already knew what was going on.

During that severe drought, the Celestial Masters sect lost popular support and its fortunes declined. It closed its doors and its incense offerings ceased, leaving it nearly crippled.

Now that an opportunity has presented itself, how could it be passed up?

By leveraging Feng'er's "locust eradication" achievement, they could rebuild their old business and restore the prestige of the Taoist sect. This move was brilliant, both in terms of human relationships and strategic calculations.

He didn't say much, but slowly reached out and took out a letter that had been prepared beforehand from the pocket of the faded old cloth shirt.

The envelope was made of ordinary hemp paper, unsealed and without a stamp, just neatly arranged.
"Take this letter to the Western Sea."

He handed over the letter, his tone calm and his expression gentle.

"Give it to that Dragon King and tell him that it would be best if the old man himself spoke about Feng'er's matter."

Jiang Liang took the flimsy letter, and a few doubts inevitably arose in his heart.

This time, however, he did not ask any further questions.

He simply bowed his head respectfully, uttered a "Yes," and then slowly dissipated with the wisp of smoke.

The incense inside the ancestral hall was still burning quietly, and amidst the swirling smoke, only Jiang Yi remained.

He looked in the direction where the blue smoke dissipated, his expression calm, as if he had put down a major matter.

The weight that had been hanging over my heart has finally been lifted.

He slowly got up, shook his sleeves, yawned, and turned to go home.

The cobblestone path beneath our feet is bathed in the gentle glow of the setting sun.

As soon as the courtyard gate was pushed open, his voice rang out:

"Old woman, go to the back, pick out two of the fattest chickens, kill them, and then prepare some good dishes."

"Tonight, our whole family will have a proper celebration." Liu Xiulian was just coming out of the kitchen when she heard this. She was taken aback for a moment, then looked up and asked with a smile:

"What a wonderful day it is today! Why are you so happy?"

Jiang Yi just chuckled and kept everyone in suspense.

"Let's wait for news from Liang'er."

That night, a sumptuous feast was set up under the old locust tree in the courtyard.

The aroma of wine mingled with the fragrance of flowers, wafting gently.

The whole family sat around the table, laughing and chatting non-stop.

Even the daughter and son-in-law, along with the Liu family, came together, making the feast lively.

During the meal, Master Liu frequently raised his cup, showing great hospitality.

One cup after another, his mouth full of praise.

"My in-law is truly a divine being..."

His admiration was practically overflowing from his wine cup.

Jiang Yi smiled without saying a word, only glancing at him sideways once, and he already understood.

It seems that the ancestor who is hidden in the heavens has already secretly revealed all the news from the outside world to him.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet was at its most lively.

Laughter, clinking glasses, and the aroma of rooster mingled with the night breeze, swirling around the old locust tree.

Suddenly, the shadow at the courtyard gate stirred slightly, and a wisp of smoke quietly condensed into a human shape.

Jiang Liang's spirit appeared silently.

This time, his face was no longer as reserved as before; his joy was almost overflowing from his eyes.

He held a gold-embossed invitation in his hands, so shiny that one could immediately see its extraordinary nature.

As soon as he appeared, he bowed repeatedly to the elders at the table, his lips already trembling with barely suppressed laughter.

"Father, mother!"

"It's all settled with Feng'er!"

Everyone at the table fell silent, with only the firelight flickering on the wine cups.

Jiang Liang took a deep breath and raised his voice:
"Feng'er has decided to return to Crane Cry Mountain!"

"The current Celestial Master of the Celestial Masters sect will personally come down from the mountain to welcome him, and at the grand ceremony of his return to the mountain, in front of all fellow Daoists, he will be bestowed the title of Protector General of the Daoist sect!"

The moment the words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of voices.

Master Liu nearly dropped his wine cup.
"The guardian deities of the Taoist sect..." he murmured, his expression changing several times before he finally couldn't contain his excitement.

He turned to look at Jiang Yi, his expression almost tinged with awe.

He thought to himself, "This old relative of mine is truly no ordinary person."

The Dao fruits that their family had cultivated and pursued for generations seemed to come easily to them in this other person's house.

Jiang Yi simply smiled faintly, his expression perfectly calm.

He knew in his heart that the path for this had already been paved in that letter.

The so-called "Taoist guardian deities" are not ordinary imperial titles.

That requires accumulating great merit and good fortune, and most likely, one must receive this command after death.

His grandson is still alive and young, yet he has been granted a physical title. How can outsiders know the significance of this?

The Celestial Masters sect has been closed for many years. Now that it has reopened its gates, it is determined to create a dazzling brand and restore its reputation in the hearts of people all over the world.

Jiang Feng's victory in quelling the locust plague and helping the common people was so great that it could almost be recorded in the annals of Taoism.

Moreover, he was personally taught by the Celestial Master, and his lineage was impeccable.

Given his background and experience, it is only natural that he be granted the title of a guardian deity.

Moreover, the Celestial Masters sect has been cold to him for many years, and they are in the wrong.

Now that there's an opportunity to smooth things over and make things look good for both sides, we certainly won't pass up such a chance.

As everyone at the table was enjoying themselves, Jiang Liang's spirit, seeing the lively atmosphere, smiled even more broadly and his tone became a bit lighter:

"The Celestial Masters sect was even more anxious than we were when they received the news."

"This matter hasn't been finalized yet, but the imperial decree has already been prepared, and even this invitation has been sent along with it."

Having said that, he gently unfolded the gold-embossed invitation with both hands.

When the candlelight shone on it, golden light shimmered, and the vermilion characters leaped vividly from the paper.
Eight large characters, flowing like dragons and phoenixes, written with the power of wind and thunder:

"Yichen, the Divine General who averts disaster and hunts vipers."

Everyone was shocked.

Some people muttered to themselves, while others just clicked their tongues in silence.

Those eight characters seemed to truly contain the power of wind and thunder, making one's heart tremble at a glance.

Master Liu was the first to come to his senses, repeatedly praising the poem as wonderful. He then raised his cup and toasted the master three times, his face flushed with laughter.

Jiang Yi simply smiled, watching the invitation sway slightly in the candlelight, his expression serene, as if he had known this outcome all along.

After staring for a long time, he finally spoke again:

"Regarding the matter I asked you to prepare, is there any progress so far?"

His tone remained flat, as if he were asking about the harvest in the fields.

Jiang Liang was startled, and then he understood.

That was a few months ago, when the Way of Peace was at its peak, when his father ordered him to secretly prepare for the construction of a temple for Jiang Feng.

At that time, he was still full of doubts.

Hearing the title "Guardian General of the Taoist School" now, I feel enlightened, as if my blood and energy have been restored.

The guardian deities of Taoism are the most revered and exclusively worshipped deities who receive incense offerings.

The bestowal of this title signifies that Jiang Feng will not only be a disciple of the Celestial Master, but a deity who will receive incense offerings from the people and have temples built to worship him.

Even the Zhang family's Celestial Master and the immortal ancestors who attained enlightenment throughout the ages had to retreat to the side of the temple and serve as attendants.

The more Jiang Liang thought about it, the more amazed he became.

The state of the world couldn't be clearer.

The Taiping Dao was nearing its end, and the Yellow Turban Army suffered repeated defeats.

The sacred sites they had occupied for so many years were gradually becoming empty, like unclaimed clouds, waiting for a new deity to take them over.

Eight provinces, half of the world.

If the fortune emanating from that single cigarette truly gathers together, it will bring boundless blessings.

At this moment, it all comes down to who reaches out first, and who dares to reach out.

Jiang Liang now understands that "establishing a temple and spreading incense" is not just a name.

That set of rules is easy to say, but extremely meticulous to implement.

Choosing a site, selecting an auspicious time, requesting talismans, and consecrating them—each step is extremely time-consuming and energy-intensive, and must be done in accordance with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people.

One wrong step and the incense will be gone faster than the wind.

In recent years, the Way of Peace has been at its zenith, with the personal permission of the founder of the Way. Who would dare to compete with them for the Heavenly Incense?
But now, the tide has receded.

With the winds shifting, aren't those vacant divine positions and pledges waiting to be filled?

However, their own family had already made preparations months in advance.

Having seized the initiative, this time, heaven and earth will surely lend a hand.

As soon as Jiang Liang thought about it, his chest felt like it was burning with embers, and even the ghostly figure trembled a few times.

He quickly bowed, his voice barely concealing his joy:
"Reporting to Father! Some preparations have been made, but they are not yet perfect. I will go and take care of it immediately!"

Before the words were finished, the soul transformed into a wisp of green smoke and quickly dissipated, as if afraid that if it was a step too slow, it would miss the blessing that had fallen from the sky.

Jiang Yi gazed at the empty cigarette, a smile spreading across his wrinkled face.

After the smoke cleared, he picked up his wine cup and raised it to the still dazed Master Liu at the table.

"Come on, my dear in-law, let's keep drinking."

(End of this chapter)