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

Chapter 241 Jiang Hong's Experiences, The Foundation of the Immortal Peach

Seeing the scene unfolding in the arena, Jiang Xi suppressed her laughter and waved in that direction.

"Chao'er, Ming'er, come here quickly."

Upon hearing the sound, the two little ones immediately stopped fighting and ran over as fast as they could.

Jiang Xi, with one arm around each of them, smiled and introduced them:
"This is your cousin, Liu Chengming."

"As for this one, it is your younger brother, Jiang Chao."

Jiang Chao tilted his head back, his eyes darting around, and called out in a clear voice, "Big Brother!"

The tone was bright, with a touch of innocence and a hint of smugness.

Liu Chengming, however, seemed somewhat troubled. He scratched his head, staring at his "nephew," who was a head taller and had an extraordinary air about him. After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke hesitantly:
"...Nephew?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xi could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.

Jiang Chao, that kid, has been close to three demons since he was a child. He's very wild, but also very shrewd.

He circled around Jiang Hong, his dark eyes darting around before finally settling on Jiang Hong's empty hands.

The meaning in his eyes was self-evident.

Jiang Hong was startled by those clear eyes before he came to his senses.

His mind was still preoccupied with the two children, amazed by their extraordinary physiques and impressed by their fiery spirits, and for a moment he forgot that he should have paid his respects.

Thinking of this, he smiled and flicked his sleeve.

Several exquisite jade boxes landed in front of everyone on the wind, their jade light shining and surrounded by spiritual energy.

"I've prepared some small gifts for our first meeting," he said gently, with a hint of humility in his voice. "I hope my aunt, cousin, and brother Chao won't find them offensive."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Chengming's eyes lit up, and Jiang Chao beamed with joy.

Everyone did as instructed and opened the jade box.

The pair of beads in Jiang Xi's hand were as green as spring water, shimmering with a bright light.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, followed by a refreshing vitality that seeps into the heart and soul from the palm, as if delicate vines are unfurling and growing deep within the soul.

She glanced down and a slight thought crossed her mind.

This bead perfectly matched the wood element within her soul.

Inside Jiang Chao's jade box lay a small, crimson coral, its flames rising and swaying gently with each breath.

The fire was extremely intense; the moment it appeared, ripples appeared in the surrounding air.

The little guy reached out to touch it, hissed as he was burned, and quickly pulled his hand back.

As for Liu Chengming, his box contained a set of arm and leg guards forged from deep-sea iron.

Its dark, somber color gleamed with a cold light, and it felt extremely heavy in his hand, making his arm feel slightly sluggish.

Such a treasure is just right for his style and temperament.

It can be worn on the body, and it can also add invisible burden, allowing you to exercise your muscles and bones with every move.

All three gifts were given with care.

Its material, aroma, and function all resonate with each person's path.

Clearly, these were not things that Jiang Hong decided on a whim, but rather things that his parents had carefully considered and prepared for them long ago.

The ceremony was over, and the room fell silent for a moment.

A strange sense of tension rose in Jiang Hong's heart.

He would occasionally steal glances to observe the expressions of the crowd, his fingertips twisting slightly inside his sleeve.

Before coming to Liangjie Village, he was naturally full of confidence.

The spiritual objects produced by the West Sea Dragon Palace are far more than rare in this mortal world.

Even a single item could be enough to make cultivators fight tooth and nail for it.

But after seeing these cousins ​​and uncles in person today, and seeing their subtly surging aura, his confidence couldn't help but wane a bit.

As expected, the two little ones thanked them politely.

But when they opened the jade box and examined it, their expressions remained indifferent.

There was neither surprise nor joy, nor the elation one would feel upon seeing a rare treasure.

Jiang Hong was a little embarrassed and stood there, not knowing where to put his hands.

Her face flushed slightly, and she thought to herself: Even in the West Sea Dragon Palace, where treasures abound, these fire corals and heavy iron arm guards would not be considered undignified.

Why do I feel like I'm poor and shabby when I get here?

He was still pondering what to say when he suddenly heard a rustling sound beside him.

Little Jiang Chao had already quietly crept over, his eyes darting around. He glanced back, and seeing that Master Liu wasn't paying attention, he tiptoed closer to his sleeve and asked mysteriously:

"Brother, do you... have any money on you?"

Jiang Hong was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly reached out to grab it.

He grew up in the Western Sea and worked in the Jinghe Water Palace. He had never used these mortal copper coins before.
He fumbled around in his sleeve, pulling out some talismans and shell patterns, before finally shaking out a few large coins.

It was half-worn, with incense ash still clinging to the sides.

That was the offering money he casually took from the altar when he inspected the Dragon King Temple a few days ago.

Jiang Chao's eyes lit up, and he grabbed the coin, which jingled in his hand.

"Hey, big brother is really generous!"

He muttered something to himself, and then his feet disappeared.

The little guy took off running towards the village entrance, stirring up a gust of wind.

Liu Chengming grew anxious and turned back to shove the heavy iron pieces into Jiang Xi's arms, shouting:

"Mother, please keep this for me!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already chased after them, shouting as they ran:

"That was given to me by my nephew! We have to share half when we meet!"

That desperate effort was just like protecting some rare treasure.

Jiang Xi chuckled and gently shook her head.

He reached out and put the heavy iron into the pot, then looked back at Jiang Hong, who looked slightly stunned, as if he hadn't yet recovered from the gust of wind.

"Don't take it to heart," she said with a gentle smile, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"At their age, even the best treasures can't compare to a sugar figurine."

Jiang Hong listened intently, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The smile was faint, yet it carried a hint of warmth.

He was born in the Dragon Palace of the West Sea, and his playmates were mostly crab spirits and shrimp soldiers. He listened to the ebb and flow of the tide and watched the shadows of the palace lamps every day. He had never seen such fun that was touched by the human world.

Watching the two little ones run away one after the other, I felt a gentle tug at my heartstrings.

Jiang Xi glanced at him, seemingly understanding, smiled without saying a word, and continued to lead the way forward.

Passing through several old locust trees, the stone steps underfoot gradually level out, and in the distance, one can see that old courtyard.

Before even reaching the door, she called out loudly, her voice carrying a hint of joy and a touch of smug satisfaction:

"Father, Mother, look who I've brought back!"

There was a rustling sound inside the room, and then Liu Xiulian hurriedly came out to greet them.

Despite her advanced age, she walked with a light step and her eyes crinkled with laughter.

"Oh my, this child is so spirited!"

She grabbed Jiang Hong's hand, looked him up and down, her joy evident.

Standing by the courtyard gate, Jiang Yi stood with his hands behind his back, his temples graying, yet his imposing presence was as restrained as a mountain.

He didn't utter a sound, but only probed slightly with his divine sense.

In that instant, a smile appeared between his brows.

This great-grandson possesses a dignified bearing and clear, refined features. His spirit is imbued with a rich sense of water and the light of incense, indicating that his lineage is unbroken and requires no further explanation.

"Okay, okay." He just nodded repeatedly, his smile hidden deep within.

Jiang Hong felt a surge of warmth in his heart and quickly stepped forward to bow.

After the ceremony, he took out several jade bottles with talismans attached from his sleeve and presented them with both hands.

"Father has learned that Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother are practicing refining essence into qi and purifying their impurities, which requires the assistance of the Five Elements," he said, his tone gentle yet solemn.
"He specially ordered his son to bring a few bottles of pills that he personally refined, as a small token of his appreciation."

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight movement of spiritual energy stirred in the courtyard.

Jiang Yi glanced at it briefly, raising an eyebrow. The elixir in the bottle was extremely pure, with the five elements intertwined and seemingly ready to transform.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiulian smiled even more broadly, nodding repeatedly and praising, "So filial! So filial!"

She held those bottles of pills in her palms, as if afraid of bumping or damaging them, and carefully put them into her magic pot.

Then she turned back, took Jiang Hong's hand, chatted for a few minutes about everyday things, her tone full of pity.

"You two are meeting for the first time, so have a good chat. Your great-grandmother will go and make you something nice to eat."

After saying that, he went to the kitchen with a smile.

He had only taken two steps when he suddenly turned back and said to Jiang Yichen at the courtyard gate:
"Old man, what are you standing there for? Take the kid to the back garden and pick some fruit to try."

Hearing her words, Jiang Yi couldn't help but smile and raised his hand in response, "Understood."

He then waved, signaling Jiang Hong to follow, and the old man and the young man slowly walked towards the back of the house.

Seeing this, Jiang Xi straightened her sleeves and smiled as she took her leave.

"I have to go to school; those little brats are waiting for me to preach."

The voices faded into the distance, and as you turned the corner of the courtyard, only a wisp of the fragrance of books remained, carried away by the wind.

The yard became quiet.

Jiang Hong followed behind his renowned great-grandfather, his footsteps so light he barely dared to make a sound.

He felt a slight tightness in his chest.

Having grown up in Xihai, the story I heard most often from my parents was about this old man.

Knowing that he was just an ordinary farmer in his past, he raised a family of outstanding individuals.

For generations, his family has produced extraordinary individuals, all of whom have a connection with him.

His own father was able to eradicate the locust plague and return to Heming Mountain, and was bestowed the title of "Guardian Deity of Taoism," with incense burning brightly and temples springing up throughout the county.

Ultimately, it was all because this great-grandfather had brought back a "secret recipe for eliminating locusts" from who-knows-where.

He was sent to Jinghe back then entirely because of his great-grandfather's insistence, who said, "Jinghe is a place to live, and the opportunity is not shallow."

Sure enough, a few years later, the Dragon King of the Wei River lost power due to his greed for merit, and his water palace collapsed.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Jing River rose to become the foremost of the eight rivers in Chang'an.

Such methods are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Jiang Hong felt an increasing sense of awe and fear towards this great-grandfather whom he had never met.

Jiang Yi walked ahead, his tone indifferent, as if asking casually, "Are you getting used to life in the Jinghe Water Palace?"

Jiang Hong quickly took two steps forward and respectfully replied:
"Thanks to my great-grandfather, I am doing well."

This time, I was fortunate to win the battle for the prefecture of the eight rivers; I was able to secure a place entirely thanks to my great-grandfather's strong recommendation. Without that favor, I would probably be buried under the mud of a tributary long ago.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi simply shook his head slightly, his gaze passing over the bamboo forest and looking towards a wisp of pale sunset on the horizon.

The tone was gentle, yet it didn't sound like idle chatter.

"Don't slack off. Your opportunity has only just begun."

Jiang Hong was taken aback, his heart tightening slightly. Just as he was about to ask further, Jiang Yi changed the subject.

"What is your official rank now in Jinghe?"

Jiang Hong, with a respectful expression and not daring to be negligent in the slightest, immediately cupped his hands and replied:
"In the Jinghe Dragon Palace, the Dragon King is the most revered. Below him are various water gods and dragon kings, each in charge of a section of the river and its tributaries. My child, you are now one of them, and nominally, you are directly under the Dragon King's jurisdiction."

He paused briefly, then, knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, added a few more words of truth:

"However, in the main dragon palace, there are no fewer than several legitimate sons and grandsons of the dragon, as well as old ministers from the Western Sea, who have followed us all the way to this day."

"In addition, the old gods such as the Shad Strategist, the Mandarin Fish Junior Minister, and the Carp Grand Minister hold high positions and wield great power, overseeing both civil and military affairs."

“In terms of real power, I am naturally below them.”

Jiang Yi was not surprised upon hearing this, and simply nodded slightly.

He stood with his hands behind his back in the shadows of the trees, but his gaze seemed elsewhere; his tone was flat, yet went straight to the point:

"In your opinion, if one wants to go further and surpass all of these people, is there a way?"

The question was so direct that it momentarily stunned Jiang Hong.

He glanced at the calm old face, a sudden shock rising in his heart, before lowering his head in contemplation.

"In response to my great-grandfather..."

"The divine palaces remain unchanged for thousands of years with very few changes. The gods live too long and their positions are stable. Unless there is a great upheaval, they cannot even move their place by half."

He paused for a moment, then said softly:
"If one wants to be promoted beyond the usual ranks, there are only two ways. First, someone above has committed a transgression and been stripped of their rank by the laws of Heaven; second, one has performed an extraordinary feat and been granted a title by Heaven."

"Without these two approaches, even a thousand years of arduous cultivation will hardly yield any progress."

After listening, Jiang Yi simply nodded slightly, showing neither sadness nor joy, as if he had expected it.

He patted Jiang Hong on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Do your job well. The Jing River is deep, but there will always be a place for you to anchor."

Jiang Hongsu knew that his great-grandfather always kept his word, so he nodded solemnly and kept those words firmly in his heart.

The grandfather and grandson strolled through the woods and picked some ripe fruit.

Amidst the swirling spiritual energy and the gentle swaying of branches and leaves, these mundane spiritual fruits were naturally not considered rare in Jiang Hong's eyes.

In the blink of an eye, we had arrived at the heart of the forest.

Jiang Yi led him to see the treehouse built on the old tree, and rambled on about old stories.

His parents fell in love and got married in that house.

As Jiang Hong listened, he felt a little dazed. Looking up at the treehouse, he felt as if time had stood still among the branches and leaves.

He walked around inside and outside the house, thinking to himself that it was truly fate that allowed this man and the dragon to come together.

If there had been even the slightest deviation back then, I fear I would have lost this very body.

The treehouse tour was over, and the two were preparing to return.

Suddenly, Jiang Hong's gaze was drawn to something.

That was a small, slender peach tree beside the spring under the treehouse.

The tree trunk was grayish-white, and the branches were sparse. When the wind blew, fine dust fell lightly.

Since the last locust eradication, this peach tree has been damaged by being uprooted and its vitality has almost withered.

If it weren't for the spring's spiritual veins secretly nourishing it, it would probably have withered away long ago.

But Jiang Hong was suddenly stunned when he looked at it.

Jiang Yi had already noticed that his great-grandson's expression was strange, so he followed his gaze and looked at the sickly peach tree.

Its branches are thin and weak, and its leaves are slightly yellow. When the wind blows, it seems as if the whole plant will be blown away.

"What," he said casually, "have you seen this peach tree before?"

Jiang Hong paused for a moment, then quickly shook his head.

"In response to your question, great-grandfather, no."

He paused slightly, but his eyes remained fixed on the peach tree, his expression growing deeper.

"But... I have sensed an aura that is extremely similar to it."

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, his voice deepening: "Where?"

Jiang Hong remained silent for a moment, then swallowed, as if recalling some kind of taste.

“Several years ago,” he said very softly, “my grandfather was invited to a banquet in Heaven.”

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying a hint of fruity fragrance, and Jiang Hong's voice lowered as well:
"When he returned, he brought with him a peach pit."

He treasured the peach pit, nourishing it only with spiritual spring water, and later brewed it into a pot of wine. That pot of wine... was only tasted by his closest dragon sons and grandsons.

At this point, he raised his head, his gaze returning to the small peach tree, his expression somewhat dazed.

"Although I am not of pure blood, I have been close to my maternal grandfather since I was a child, and I was fortunate enough to taste a cup of wine."

His voice trailed off, almost becoming a murmur:

"And that aura is exactly the same as that of the peach tree in front of us."

(End of this chapter)