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

Chapter 65 There is a demon in the mountain
When Jiang Yi arrived at Liu Family Village, he raised his hand and knocked on the copper ring. After knocking twice, footsteps were heard from inside the gate.

A moment later, the servant pushed open the door and came out. Upon seeing that it was Jiang Yi, he quickly smiled and bowed.

Only after asking did I learn that the owner of the estate had not yet returned and was still wandering around in the mountains.

Jiang Yi wasn't in a hurry, so he simply chatted with the two servants in the courtyard, slowly revealing his intentions.

It was just helping to buy some fruit seedlings, which was hardly a problem for Liu's village.

Moreover, the two families have a long-standing and friendly relationship. The host and the child get along well, and the neighbors all know about their friendship.

Before he could finish speaking, he had already agreed.

As they were chatting, a noise suddenly came from outside the village.

The barking of dogs grew louder as they approached, mingling with the rustling of the grass and trees.

The group looked in the direction of the sound and, sure enough, Master Liu was leading the hunting dog back through the forest.

The dog rushed in first, covered in mud, its hooves darting about, but its eyes still shone like fire.

Upon seeing its own courtyard gate, it swung its tail like a windmill, sweeping left and right, almost overturning the small urn by the threshold.

The manor owner then entered, his steps steady and his expression calm, though he looked rather disheveled.

His clothes were torn in several places, his chest was exposed, revealing a body of muscular, bronze-skinned, iron-boned muscles, and some grass clippings were still stuck to his shoulders.

Upon seeing this, the two servants hurriedly came forward. One went to fetch the clothes, and the other brought a basin of water, serving the servants with utmost attentiveness.

Jiang Yi stood under the corridor, remaining silent upon seeing this, but his gaze lingered on the manor lord's face.

The manor lord before us remains a mystery, but we know he is no ordinary person.

Although he wasn't injured on this trip into the mountains, his clothes were torn in several places, and he looked a little tired.

I'm afraid this mountain road might not be safe.

Jiang Yi's mind raced, and he quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in a respectful greeting and smiling:
"You've returned so late, Master. Has something happened in the mountains?"

Lord Liu didn't mince words, raising his hand to brush aside the stray hairs at his temples, his voice sharp as the clanging of metal:
“Brother Jiang is indeed discerning. You said earlier that the tiger, bear, and ox were gaining some traction, and now it seems that your words were true.”

Jiang Yi was startled but not surprised.

After glancing at him a few times and seeing that he was disheveled but composed, I felt relieved and then asked:

Could you elaborate?

Master Liu shook the hem of his robe, chuckled, and spoke in a relaxed tone:

"On this trip into the mountains, we crossed three ridges and braved the cold wind for several days. We only saw some rabbits and birds. We didn't see a single one of those creatures that usually show their teeth."

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow: "Where have they all gone?"

"They really have shrunk down."

Master Liu raised his hand and pointed southeast, slowly saying:

"They were all gathered together in that remote hill, huddled together by those three animals."

He paused, a hint of mockery playing at the corners of his mouth:
"They looked fairly well-behaved, some were grinding their teeth, some were pouncing on trees, and some were biting each other to test their strength. It looked like they were training troops."

Jiang Yi gave a soft "hmm," his eyes darkening slightly, and he didn't rush to reply.

Master Liu, however, was not in a hurry. He patted the dog's back and continued:
"I'm not used to this kind of thing, so I thought I'd go up and knock on their gates to teach them a lesson."

His tone was indifferent, but the end of his sentence carried a hint of annoyance:
"However, those three beasts, though no match for us, were incredibly clever. As soon as the fight started, they scattered in a flash and went their separate ways to hide."

At this point, he seemed somewhat disheartened, and with a flick of his sleeve:
Seeing that he couldn't gain any advantage, and worried about not having anyone to look after him at the village, he turned back first.

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes in thought, and after a moment casually asked, "In your opinion, Master, is there anything going to happen?"

This question is no small matter.

He truly couldn't bear to part with this small plot of land in Liangjie Village, with its orchards, medicinal herbs, and opportunities found in the mountains.

But if disaster really strikes, one must grit one's teeth and find another way out.

The lives of an entire family cannot be gambled with.

Upon hearing this, Master Liu raised an eyelid and merely snorted:

"With me in charge, we should be able to hold on for another ten or eight years. But this matter is still a knot in the knot, and if it is left unresolved for too long, it may turn into a poison."

"Yes."

Jiang Yi responded, his tone calm but carrying a hidden weight:

"Today they're holed up on the southeast ridge, but tomorrow they might change their minds. The three old monsters will keep the village head occupied, while the smaller ones will rush into the village, kidnapping people and setting it on fire. Who knows?"

After hearing this, Master Liu glanced at him sideways.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.

It is indeed a potential problem, and we need to make plans for it as soon as possible.

He stopped responding, his brows slowly furrowing as if he were mentally calculating the steps involved. Jiang Yi didn't urge him, but continued slowly and methodically:

"If we really have to talk about it, the best course of action is to eliminate the demons and evil spirits, cut the weeds and eradicate them at the root, which is both convenient and quick."

He paused, raised his hand to wipe the fine sweat from his forehead, and his tone softened:
"It's a pity that my current strength is not enough to solve anything."

As he spoke, he sighed softly, as if brushing away some thought, and casually came up with a compromise:
"Then let's take a step back. The middle course... teaching people to protect themselves is better than just waiting around."

These words are easy to say, but they weigh heavily on the heart.

Jiang's eldest son is now teaching boxing and stance training in the village, and his father sees it all more clearly than anyone else.

It's supposed to be a way to strengthen the body and build courage, but the kids don't have that kind of free time.

When I was little, I could be coaxed into practicing a few stances and kicking a couple of times.

As they grew a little older, they had to fetch water and chop wood, working from dawn till dusk, with no time to worry about their tiger-like gait or monkey-like steps.

Not to mention training the power-consuming god Fermi, which requires food, supplements, medicine, and someone to guide him.

These ordinary families couldn't afford even one.

Jiang Yi paused abruptly at this point.

He knew perfectly well what the worst option was, but he never came up with a solution.

They left their homes and villages, fleeing far away.

The road may not sound pleasant, but it may still be a way to survive.

Master Liu did not answer, but his fingers fell on the dog's back, stroking it gently, as if grooming its fur.

His gaze lingered on the verdant hills behind the forest, as if he had other plans in mind.

The hunting dog had already yawned and lay down, but its eyes were still fixed on the distant mountains.

As they were talking, the two servants brought hot water and clean clothes to help the master bathe and change.

Seeing this, Jiang Yi did not linger any longer. He stood up, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.

The following evening, when the Jiang family was having their dinner.

Jiang Ming had just taken a couple of bites when he couldn't help but blurt out something interesting.

"Dad, that boy from the Liu family came to the village school this morning without saying a word and joined our gang."

Jiang Yi paused with his chopsticks and looked up at him.

"He also brought a big bag of medicinal herbs, packed full, wow, it looks very substantial."

Jiang Ming clicked his tongue as he spoke: "They say they want to 'pay tribute to the gang members,' but they won't take a single penny."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's brow twitched slightly, but he said nothing and simply lowered his head to drink his soup.

Jiang Ming got more and more excited as he spoke: "Those medicinal herbs are no ordinary stuff. The pharmacy at the entrance of our village doesn't even have a few of them all year round."

"I could tell this kid knew his stuff, so I immediately gave him the position of 'vice gang leader'."

Jiang Yi didn't show it on his face, but he listened carefully and managed to understand the whole story.

As soon as these words got out, the boys in the village school were in an uproar.

Some were secretly dissatisfied, while others were eager to show off their skills.

Jiang Ming didn't hide anything and slammed his fist on the table, declaring:

"Anyone who disagrees? Fine! Go and spar with the vice leader. If you win, this position is yours."

The afternoon sunlight is at its best, and the open space next to the school becomes lively.

One after another, the hall masters and protectors of the Ancient and Modern Gang jumped out, each exuding an imposing aura.

Even the "Great Protector" who followed Jiang Ming the earliest, rolled up his sleeves and trousers, and made a grand entrance.

He was eleven years old, and in terms of age and strength, he was top-notch.

The result was quite straightforward.

They were all defeated within three moves.

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Some people muttered that the young master of the Liu family was as fast as the wind, some said that his leg techniques were strange, and others grumbled that his smile was too mature for a six-year-old.

Jiang Ming merely raised an eyebrow, stepped forward, patted the child on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "You're a solid deputy leader."

None of the children in the courtyard spoke.

They glanced at him first, then bowed in unison, each took their share of the medicinal herbs, and went home in different directions.

(End of this chapter)