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

Chapter 57 Straight to the Top Three
Springtime is in full bloom, apricot blossoms are newly opened, and when the wind blows, the pink petals fly like snow along the roadside.

The entourage of the Longshan County Lieutenant had packed their bags early and, led by the county lieutenant himself, set off for Liangzhou Prefecture.

The journey was neither fast nor slow, and the scenery along the official road gradually changed from fields and mulberry trees to a vast and open landscape.

Within a few days, the city walls of Liangzhou Prefecture came into view in the distance.

The city wall was two zhang higher than Longshan Mountain, and the streets were wide enough for four horse-drawn carriages to run side by side. People and vehicles came and went, creating a bustling scene.

Without further ado, the county magistrate waved his hand and led everyone directly to the military affairs office.

This time, the state election will most likely be held here.

The yamen gate was already crowded with people, the sound of horses' hooves mixed with shouts and voices, as teams from various counties arrived one after another.

Some people were dressed in fine clothes, with jade pendants tied around their waists, and had indifferent eyes, clearly indicating that they came from extraordinary backgrounds;
Some people were dressed in short, neat clothes, with steady steps and a calm, focused breathing, looking like they had been immersed in the mountains and forests.

As they sized each other up, there was something hidden in their eyes; they were neither warm nor distant.

The old county magistrate presented the roster and exchanged a few official words with the clerk on the other end of the military circuit.

After receiving a voucher, they were led to the temporary accommodations.

The courtyard wasn't big, but it was kept quite clean.

A group of teenagers squeezed in, their voices rising in the air, and their talking and laughing made the place a bit noisy.

There was food, just congee and pickled vegetables, not a big meal, but at least we weren't hungry.

Each family had already found a way in the prefecture. As soon as one person brought in a pot of deer antler soup, someone else handed them a whole basket of old ginseng.

Jiang Liang, however, came up empty-handed.

Firstly, he was short of money, and secondly, he had never been used to being so meticulous.

I was just hoping to get some porridge and find some peace and quiet, but before noon even arrived, someone came to my door.

Li Wenxuan, leading his servant, smiled politely and held a food box in his hands.

I said I accompanied my sister to the prefecture to visit our aunt, and while I was there, I thought of Brother Jiang, so I troubled the kitchen to brew some medicinal soup.

The food box was made of sandalwood; when the lid was opened, a fragrant aroma of medicine wafted out.

Inside were several side dishes and a medicinal soup, all with a warm and mellow color and a slightly golden sheen in the broth.

Jiang Liang glanced at it, didn't exchange many pleasantries, just nodded, said "Let's get together again after the exam," and then reached out to take it.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the preliminary screening for the state election arrived.

The venue was a drill ground behind the military administration office. The ground was covered with fine sand, and the surrounding area was spacious. The sunlight was dazzling.

Jiang Liang followed the crowd and entered the venue.

First, the yamen runners would search everyone's belongings one by one, removing all pills, talismans, and protective items to prevent anyone from cheating.

Having just passed this hurdle, two paths diverged before us.

A straight road, paved with fine sand, leads directly to the martial arts arena ahead, bustling with noise and clearly the most secure and reliable path.
The other one was surrounded by a dark cloth curtain, its undulations indistinct, making it difficult to see clearly inside.

A middle-aged official stood at the crossroads, thin with slightly graying temples, his face expressionless, and he simply said:

"Those with a calm and composed mind can take the side path. If they can pass through it, they will directly enter the top three."

The sound wasn't loud, but somehow it traveled extremely far and immediately dominated the scene.

Upon hearing this, the crowd was taken aback for a moment, then immediately began to discuss it, buzzing like bees.

Some whispered their guesses, some stood on tiptoe to peek, and others shook their heads and chuckled, saying it was "bluffing" and "mostly a test of courage."

After all, even though those top three were the lowest, they had still stepped into the threshold and gained the title of prefecture.

The crowd hesitated for a moment, and then a few people slowly walked out.

He was dressed neatly, adorned with jade ornaments, and his demeanor exuded a composure beyond his years.

Some people recognized them as scions of several prominent families from Liangzhou.

The group walked straight to the curtain, lifted a corner, and entered without looking back.

The curtain swayed gently, like ripples receding on water, and one could not tell what lay within.

After waiting for a long time, there was still no sound from inside.

A stir began to rise in the crowd.

Finally, one person couldn't hold back any longer.

The young man was well-dressed, with shiny boots and a stubborn, defiant look on his face.

She pursed her lips, as if making a decision, and walked towards the curtain.

Before entering, he looked back once more, his eyes filled with an expression that was hard to tell whether it was fighting spirit or just empty bravado.

As he lifted the curtain and entered, the room fell silent for a moment.

Before half a cup of tea had been brewed, a series of clanging and clattering sounds were heard from inside, like porcelain shattering or someone stumbling and falling.

The commotion was chaotic, and soon the curtain was lifted, revealing the boy being carried out. He was covered in mud, his hair was disheveled, his expression was blank, and his eyes were lifeless, as if his soul had not yet returned.

Judging from his appearance, even if he doesn't miss today's election, his condition will be greatly affected.

The room fell silent instantly.

The few who were initially eager to try quietly withdrew their feet.

Most people no longer hesitated and headed towards the other end of the road.

Although he muttered some complaints, saying things like "empty talk" and "backdoor access for the powerful," he was surprisingly quick on his feet.

The curtain was still swaying slightly, as if nothing had happened, or as if it was waiting for the next thing to happen.

Only a very few people remained standing in the same spot.

Their gazes fell on the path, filled with doubt, contemplation, or a subtle stirring of emotion.

Jiang Liang was among them.

When the official mentioned "a calm and composed mind," he took note.

I wouldn't say I'm particularly outstanding in terms of achieving inner peace.

But these days I've been reading the "Treatise on Sitting in Oblivion" quite a bit, taking the Tranquilizing Pills frequently, and spending another half month grinding away in that Illusory Shade Grassland.

Although he can't compare to his father, he is still considered "mature" among his peers of this age.

Having already made some guesses in his mind, he no longer hesitated.

He clasped his hands in greeting to his companions, his smile gentle yet not overly formal, and then lifted the curtain and stepped inside.

As soon as the curtain was lifted, a chill swept over me.

Dizziness came over me, as if I had suddenly entered a different world, and my feet felt light and airy.

Jiang Liang remained calm. He regulated his breathing, took a deep step, tensed his muscles like a bow, and focused his mind like iron.

The chill hit him like hitting a wall; it swayed for a moment, then was slowly pushed back.

The dizziness only brushed against his skin, and then it could no longer reach his mind.

Once the scene before me had settled down, I could finally see the true nature of this path.

The road wasn't narrow, but it was quite secluded.

Every few feet, a ceramic basin was placed.

The grass growing inside was pure white, with thin, pointed leaves that resembled withered bones. Its heart was tinged with bluish-gray and was emitting wisps of cold air.

Jiang Liang recognized it at a glance; it was indeed the Illusionary Yin Grass.

He knows this stuff very well.

The grass here now, in terms of both age and quantity, is far inferior to the grass in his own vegetable garden.

For him, such a spectacle was merely a repetition of old lessons.

But for ordinary people who have never practiced sexuality, it is a real challenge.

Jiang Liang walked forward step by step, but in his mind he had already figured out most of the path.

This is not the shortcut to power and privilege that people talk about.

Beneath this veil lies another layer of selection.

Specifically designed for selecting seedlings with specific characteristics to be improved.

There are roughly two types of people who can get through here.

One type cultivates both body and mind, achieving a high level of skill and understanding at a young age.

The other type is even rarer.

Before cultivation, they are already stable; they are born with a resilient mind and are not afraid of illusions. They can be called a special kind of person who cultivates their nature. They are blessed by God.

Either of these types of people would be excellent prospects if placed in the prefecture.

The fact that the top three made it straight in wasn't a special exception, but rather a sign of good judgment.

Having figured this out, Jiang Liang's steps became a little heavier.

Just now at the crossroads, those elegant young men from prominent families walked very steadily.

It's likely that they had some early exposure to the practice of cultivating both body and mind.

Making it straight into the top three is only considered entering the gate.

In the upcoming competition, I'm afraid I might not be able to gain the upper hand.

Thank you to Zhi Baili, Hou Hui Wu Qi, Shui Bu Zhuo Bu Kan Shu, Book Friend 20201101220258651, Book Friend 20200802154224377, and Book Friend 20250515230224376 for their donations.

May all my dear readers live forever and enjoy endless revelry!
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(End of this chapter)