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

Chapter 63 Mountain Hunting Dog
There were about ten fruit seedlings, some as tall as Jiang Ming's waist, others barely reaching his knees, each with a different shape and a variety of leaf colors.

They stood there, high and low, lined up in a row, squeezed onto that small patch of land at the foot of the mountain, yet they were arranged neatly.

Jiang Ming personally selected this piece of land.

He spoke with conviction: "Plant it in a corner, and its roots will grow into the back mountain, where it will be rich in earth energy."

Jiang Yi stood a few steps away, his hands behind his back. Upon hearing this, he simply hummed in response and did not ask any further questions.

My mind couldn't help but change.

If it's good for the roots to grow into the back mountain, then why not just move them there and plant them?

But the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he swallowed them back.

She glanced at her eldest son, who was tamping the soil bit by bit with his toes, and decided to trust him this time.

Seeing that the seedlings were planted firmly, Jiang Yi wanted to fetch water to water the roots.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ming had already blocked his way, raising his hand and saying:
"I'll take care of watering, Dad, you can go and rest."

Seeing his confident expression, Jiang Yi didn't interfere any further.

Only the key points were explained: how much to water, when to water, and which plants to water first and which to water later, nothing was omitted.

He then straightened his sleeves, dusted himself off, and turned to go home.

The next morning, Jiang Ming went to school with his schoolbag on his back.

As Jiang Yi drove the livestock up the mountain, he glanced casually at the newly planted field as he approached the bend.

The saplings are still there, not a single one missing, their branches and leaves standing tall, looking very healthy.

The soil around the roots was very dry, without even a trace of water, as if it had never been watered or cared for.

Just as Jiang Yi had a thought, he glanced to the side and caught sight of a corner not far away.

A large area near the waterline separating their property from the hill behind them was wet.

The water seeped into the soil, turning it a darker color and carrying a cool, damp feel.

It was like a rainstorm that lasted all night, but only fell on that one spot.

That area is already considered part of the back mountain region; once you step into it, you can't just come out as you please.

Jiang Yi stood still, calmed his mind, and focused his attention on sensing the energy of the fruit seedlings.

Sure enough, the roots all bent and burrowed towards that damp spot, their posture urgent like thirsty horses rushing to a spring, constantly drawing water.

A faint glow emanated from the branches and leaves, like a well-fed child, refreshed and cheerful.

The doubt that had been lingering in my mind was now resolved.

It seems that the water in the back mountain is indeed a magical thing, capable of nourishing seedlings, but one should not easily cross the boundary.

If you cross the line to fetch water without authorization, you'll most likely get into trouble.

However, if we change the method and plant the seedlings on the side, we can water them from the other side of the mountain, allowing the water to seep into the ground and the roots to find moisture on their own.

It absorbs spiritual energy without breaking the rules.

This arrangement is quite ingenious.

Jiang Yi tilted his head slightly, first looking at the row of fruit seedlings, then glancing at the blurry mountain boundary, and suddenly a smile appeared on his lips.

"This brat..."

Although his tone was displeased, there was a clear hint of smugness in his eyes.

Jiang Yi tucked his sleeves in and drove the livestock into the mountains.

He patted the dust off his palms and turned to check on the rows of tender seedlings.

As soon as I turned my foot, I saw a figure moving at the foot of the mountain.

Upon closer inspection, it was the young man from the Liu family.

Ever since that last time, this kid was wearing a cassock, chanting scriptures, and fiddling with a string of prayer beads, he was full of ambition and said he wanted to explore the back mountain.

In the end, he was still lost in the back mountain and didn't even see a trace of him. After that, he disappeared for quite some time.

Jiang Yi thought he had finally learned his lesson and given up on that idea.

Who knew they'd come back today, this time with a dog by their side.

The dog's fur was shiny black, smooth and glossy, without a single blemish.

Its four hooves tread lightly on the ground, as if it were stepping on thin clouds and passing through grass, without the slightest hint of the rusticity of an ordinary dog.

What stood out most were his eyes, clear and bright, sparkling as if they could speak. The Liu boy saw Jiang Yi from afar, and with a burst of energy, he ran up to him, respectfully cupping his hands in a salute, calling out frequently:
Good morning, Uncle Jiang.

Then he took out a strangely shaped fruit from his pocket. It was reddish-green and glistening with juice.

They said it was picked from the mountains and brought it especially for Jiang Xi to try.

Jiang Yi took the fruit, sniffed it briefly, and knew what he was getting at.

He simply smiled and responded, but his eyes never left the dog.

"This dog is nice."

He spoke casually, as if it were just a casual remark.

"Its fur is glossy, its steps are light, and its eyes still reveal a wildness from the mountains."

Upon hearing this, the young man from the Liu family's face immediately brightened, and his tone became more cheerful:

"Uncle Jiang is indeed discerning! This is a dog that my father asked someone to find from a thousand miles away. It is named 'Mountain Hunting Dog'."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and gently patted the dog's forehead. The dog obediently lay down, its tail swaying gently, and remained quiet, showing a remarkable intelligence.

"He is skilled at finding tracks and has a nose as sharp as a dog's and a foot speed as fast as a horse's."

He added smugly, "With it by my side this time, I'm determined to venture deep into the back mountains and figure out some tricks of the trade."

Jiang Yi nodded, his expression neither teasing nor praising, and simply said:
"Then, I wish you a smooth journey."

After saying that, he said no more.

He stood there with his hands behind his back, watching the man and dog walk away into the distance, stepping through the dissipating morning mist at the edge of the forest.

The dog walked lightly as the wind, its tail swaying freely.

He was a bit heavy, but his feet moved with energy, and his back revealed a stubbornness that refused to admit defeat.

Jiang Yi ignored him, picked up his hoe, walked around the field a few times, bent down to loosen the soil, and pulled up a few weeds.

Only when the sun was high in the sky did he put down his hoe and go back inside for dinner.

After dinner, I sat by the door for a while, gazing at the foot of the mountain, but the young man from the Liu family still hadn't shown up.

After a moment's thought, he took out an old book with a faded cover and headed down the mountain.

The dozen or so newly planted saplings by the orchard trembled slightly in the wind, as if they were breathing.

Jiang Yi found a shady fruit tree, sat down, opened his book, and the fragrance of ink wafted up, calming him down.

The earlier statement about looking after the Liu family was just a polite remark.

But now I really have to take care of them.

These spiritual seedlings are still shallow in their roots. If they are trampled by dog ​​paws or their spiritual energy clashes with the child, it will inevitably cause trouble.

The mist over the distant mountains has not yet dissipated, and the insects chirp softly in the nearby forest.

With a book in hand, Jiang Yi watched the wind rustle through the branches, and time quietly slipped by.

When I looked up again, the sun had already set in the west, the sky was getting dark, and the shadows of the orchard were blown askew by the wind. There was a sense of stillness in the setting sun.

The livestock in the mountains emerged from the forest one after another, their cries rising and falling as they were led back to their pens.

Just then, a series of light footsteps came from afar.

Jiang Xi swayed over carrying a food box, handed the food to her father first, and then ran into the woods to look for ripe fruit.

She moved nimbly, her little face hidden in the shadows of the leaves, picking out the reddest and ripest fruits, pinching and examining them, a hint of smugness on her lips.

Before long, the Liu family boy slowly emerged from the direction of the back mountain, followed by his shiny black dog.

Although the person walked out, their eyes still looked unfocused.

On the contrary, the dog was full of energy.

Its tail wagged happily, its nose was close to the ground, its steps were steady, and its fur was as smooth as if it had just been stroked, showing no signs of fatigue.

Jiang Xi had sharp eyes and spotted the dark figure early on, her eyes immediately lighting up.

She has loved these furry animals since she was a child. This dog's fur is black and smooth, and at first glance it looks like a dark cloud that can walk on its own. How could she resist?
He rushed over in three quick steps, his hands reaching directly to touch the dog's head and ears.

The hunting dog whimpered, shrank back, and shifted its body slightly, trying to avoid the danger.

But how could he avoid Jiang Xi, whose strength was astonishing?

It had no choice but to stick close to its master, lower its head, tuck its ears in, and quietly retract its tail.

(End of this chapter)