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

Chapter 74 The new house is completed
Jiang Yi sat in the courtyard listening, already knowing what was going on.

Ultimately, it's not that I haven't mastered any particular move or technique, but rather that my foundation is still lacking.

My daughter, though born with good fortune, has a smooth breathing pattern and strong bones; she's definitely a good prospect.

But that Liu family boy is no ordinary person either.

He comes from a family with a strong academic background and has a very solid foundation.

He has abundant vital energy, strong muscles and bones, and has cultivated his sexual skills to a high level.

If we encounter this now, we're bound to suffer some losses.

However, Jiang Yi was not in a hurry.

After a period of further cultivation, once her Qi is fully developed and she reaches a state of sufficient Qi, she can be sent to live near the Spirit Fruit Forest.

Using the earth's energy to nourish muscles and bones, and to clear the meridians and orifices, is not necessarily inferior to any miraculous medicine.

Once one's vital energy is replenished and one's foundation is solid, then it's time to discuss the skill level of martial arts; victory or defeat will be uncertain.

With that in mind, Jiang Yi decided to stop resting.

He got up, went inside to get his tools, and headed straight for the foot of the mountain.

The new house was only half-built, with a few beams and pillars missing, leaving it exposed to the wind.

Now that I have this skill, doing the work is much easier.

With a light touch of his foot, his figure moved like a swallow darting through the clouds, his clothes fluttering slightly, and in a flash he was on the rafters, landing silently.

Walking between the beams was like walking on flat ground. Occasionally, with a flick of the finger or a lift, the heavy crossbeam would be placed perfectly, saving even a few drops of sweat.

In this way, the house was built much faster.

Jiang Yi worked until it was almost dark before unloading his tools and going home.

The whole family took a break from their work and gathered around the stove, adding firewood and chatting idly.

Taking advantage of her mother's inattention, Jiang Xi secretly took some crispy pork from the stove, stuffed one piece into her mouth, and offered another piece to her second brother's mouth.

Seeing her father come in, she covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

After calming down, Jiang Liang lost that fierce determination to focus on his studies.

For the next two days, they stayed home quietly and didn't venture out into the cold.

He simply stayed with his parents, siblings, and friends, fetching water, chopping wood, cooking, and chatting as they did chores.

Unfortunately, the days for family reunions are always too few.

With the New Year holidays almost over, the military equipment department's family visit leave was also coming to an end.

Jiang Liang then packed his luggage again and went to the village entrance to wait for the bus as usual.

Liu Xiulian stood by the roadside, holding her child's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

Though her voice was soft, there was an underlying sense of nagging and admonition in her words, ultimately circling back to the same point:
"Now that you've calmed down, go back to the prefecture and see the captain. Ask him if you can switch jobs with that fellow student surnamed Ma. It would be better to find something more stable."

Jiang Yi stood to the side, his lips twitching slightly, and he coughed lightly, but he didn't say anything, only hiding his eyes under his brows.

He knew in his heart that his wife's words were for the sake of their son.

I fear he might be relegated to the position of scout, facing a life of constant danger, and that one day he might lose his life if he couldn't catch his breath.

Jiang Yi must have thought of this worry as well.

Although the child has the ability to calm his mind and is somewhat composed, he ultimately lacks the talent to observe situations and make decisions.

If he really wants to take this path, no one can stop him.

Thinking of this, he neither tried to persuade her nor argued back, but simply let his wife and children sing along until they were satisfied.

Before long, Grandpa Yu drove his oxcart slowly over.

The cow's horns were tied with red rope, and several fruit baskets were tied to the cart, the weight of which made the hemp rope frayed.

Jiang Liang picked up his bag, moved the basket, and jumped onto the car.

After settling in, he glanced back, waved to his parents, and smiled gently.

The wheels creaked and rolled past the old locust tree at the village entrance, swaying and rattling all the way out of the village. With the New Year over, the snow hadn't completely melted, and the village gradually returned to its usual appearance.

The biggest difference is that the Jiang family's "lightning-fast" movement technique, combined with the breathing and mental techniques passed down from the Liu family's manor, is the key to their success.

Its appearance in the school immediately caught people's attention and made them eager to try it.

Within a few days, the trend of practicing martial arts sprang up like weeds growing in the fields.

The group of teenagers in the school were all sitting cross-legged, jumping over roofs and walls.

Even the strong young men who usually farm and carry firewood were tempted.

During the off-season, they would gather in small groups to quietly inquire about the rules of the "Ancient and Modern Gang":

"Do you accept people? If you do, do you need a formal letter of introduction? And if you do, do you need to pay taxes?"

He spoke with righteous indignation: "Learn a few skills, then teach your kids."

But the glint in his eyes was already thinking that if he were ten years younger, he could also turn his life around, learn some skills, and embark on a life of adventure.

Jiang Yi didn't take it to heart, treating it as just watching the fun.

All I know is that when my eldest son came home these past few days, his mouth was grinning even wider than at the beginning of the year, his sleeves were bulging, and he looked like he was on top of the world.

It seems that the training in that movement technique was excellent, and the offerings received were also quite generous.

March arrived in the blink of an eye, and the house at the foot of the mountain was finally brought to a slow and leisurely end thanks to Jiang Yi's methodical efforts.

The front room served as the main hall, while the back rooms were arranged along the orchard, staggered like vines growing naturally on the hillside.

With its twists and turns, it has a unique charm.

Although Jiang Yi built the house brick by brick, the villagers also helped a lot with the materials.

Logically, when a new house is completed, a few tables of food should be set up to hold a housewarming banquet, so that the neighbors can share in the joy.

But this house, though called a "home," is actually more like a "place of quiet meditation."

Jiang Yi then made up an excuse, saying that the family had not yet divided their property and the new house did not have a stove, so the banquet should be held at the old house.

The new house wasn't fully furnished with tables and chairs yet. When the villagers who came to offer their congratulations arrived, they were only led inside for a quick tour.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they were ushered out and not even allowed to sit down for a moment.

The Jiang family was very courteous and their conversation was well-paced, which made people feel a little suspicious, but they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

What was most surprising was that the Liu family head from the front mountain had also brought his son to the banquet.

It should be noted that Liu Family Village is known for its seclusion; they never even show their faces at weddings or funerals in the village. This time, however, they have come to visit in person, which is truly rare.

Upon seeing this, everyone was taken aback at first, and then their hearts were filled with a mix of emotions.

After the breathing method was introduced to the village school, the children practiced it and their breathing became smoother and their movements more agile, which really brought them a lot of benefits.

So they all stepped forward, holding bowls to offer toasts and express their gratitude, their words warm and friendly.

The housewarming party was over, and most of the people had left.

Master Liu, however, was in no hurry to leave. He smoothed out his sleeves, smiling casually, as if it were just a casual remark:
"I've heard that Brother Jiang's new house is quite unique. Would you be willing to take a look?"

Jiang Yi didn't refuse. He waved his hand and said with a smile, "The house is very simple. If the master doesn't mind, please come in."

The two walked slowly down the slope towards the new house, one in front of the other.

A mountain breeze caressed my face, and the roof tiles still held the warmth of the lingering sunlight.

But as soon as they reached the front of the house, Master Liu suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His expression remained unchanged, but a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He was always very observant, and the moment he stepped into the area in front of the house, he sensed something was wrong.

The earth vein at the foot of the house was slowly surging, like a dragon turning over.

From the depths of the earth, a spiritual energy quietly seeped out, unhurried yet refreshing and rich, gentle and mild.

(End of this chapter)