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

Chapter 24 The Great Flood Long Fist
Li Langzhong was naturally very clear about the Jiang family's background.

He didn't seem anxious at all, only smiled familiarly, and smoothly changed the subject:

"We're practically family, why are you bringing up money? That's too formal, isn't it?"

As he spoke, he pointed to the medicinal herb garden at the foot of the mountain, his tone as if he were talking about the green beans he grew in his own field:
“Your five acres of medicinal herbs are growing well, aren’t they?”

Jiang Yixin immediately understood, but remained silent, holding his teacup and listening to him finish his story.

"How about this, half a bag of tiger bones, I'll give you twenty taels, put it on your tab first."

Doctor Li counted on his fingers and said:
"If I ever need medicine in the future, I can pick some from your garden and have it deducted from the price on my account."

They've got their hands on that scheme so well that they've even set their sights on the few rows of medicinal herb seedlings that haven't even started growing yet, belonging to the Jiang family.

The price wasn't outrageous; Doctor Li clearly knew what he was doing.

Tiger bone is a valuable item, but these fragments are hard to find buyers for in the short term.

Jiang Yi was secretly tempted.

Exchanging a few immature medicinal seedlings for a batch of tiger bone medicinal materials that can be used immediately is a worthwhile trade.

Liang is about to go home, so if he can take this opportunity to strengthen his body, that would be great.

If he is indeed selected to enter the prefecture, that would be another great opportunity.

Compared to the child's future, this little debt is insignificant.

Seeing that Jiang Yi's expression softened, Doctor Li didn't even lift his eyelids, and casually took out an oil paper package from his bosom.

"This tiger bone base, with two roots of Polygonum multiflorum, plus this secret ingredient of mine..."

He lowered his voice, but his manner became even more solicitous.

"This is a proper body-strengthening herbal soup, not just some fancy chicken or duck stew."

After saying that, he gave Jiang Yi a meaningful look:

"This material isn't easily shared. Considering our friendship, I'm giving you this as a bonus."

Jiang Yi knew perfectly well that Doctor Li was extremely accurate in judging the value of a deal.

They're willing to "give in" this opportunity, and they've even put it right in front of them.

He simply smiled and accepted the tiger bone and the oil paper package.

Two more days passed.

The mountain path was shrouded in a light mist at midday.

A small figure followed Grandpa Yu's creaking oxcart back to the village.

The Jiang family members waited at the village entrance early in the morning, their eyes following the mountain path inch by inch forward.

Before the oxcart had even come to a complete stop, Jiang Liang, that kid, braced himself and nimbly jumped off the cart.

Liu Xiulian's eyes reddened. She quickly stepped forward, put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his cheek, looking him up and down.

Seeing that he was a bit darker but much stronger, I felt at ease.

Jiang Yi also cupped his hands in greeting to Grandpa Yu, and after a few pleasantries, led his family slowly home.

Back in the courtyard, Jiang Liang didn't even have time to rest.

First, he took off the bundle from his back, knelt on the ground, and took things out one by one.

The shoes for my father were newly made cloth shoes, with sturdy soles, clean uppers, and very fine stitches.

For my mother, it was a box of rouge. Although it was the cheapest brand in the county, the color was perfect and the fragrance was strong.

I brought my older brother some sugar figurines and candied hawthorns; one was bright red, and the other was rolled with shiny sesame seeds.

Finally, he took out a sugar figurine and a cloth tiger in his other hand, and went up to his little sister, shaking it back and forth to amuse her.

Her small eyes were full of pride and affection.

The food was already laid out, and the bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged. The family sat down around the table and enjoyed a proper reunion dinner.

Jiang Liang chewed as he spoke, a chicken leg dangling from his mouth, while gesturing with his hands.

One moment they say the main hall of the county command is so high that the wind can blow through it.

A moment later, someone was practicing martial arts when he accidentally caught fire in his crotch, causing him to run around in panic.

They were all telling interesting stories.

Jiang Yi knew in his heart that a young man like him, all alone in a strange land, could not possibly enjoy all the glory.

I just wanted to pick something nice to say so my family wouldn't have to worry about me.

Jiang Yi didn't say anything, just listened quietly with his bowl in hand, occasionally responding with a sound, his expression even more serious than usual. Liu Xiulian's chopsticks never stopped; while listening, she added meat to her son's bowl, soon piling it into a small mound.

After the meal, Liu Xiulian went to clean up the kitchen.

Jiang Liang was bursting with energy, and immediately set up his stance in the courtyard.

He said he wanted to show his father and elder brother the "proper martial arts" he had learned in the county commandant's office.

He stood firmly on his feet, delivered powerful punches, and performed a set of Da Hong Chang Quan (a style of Chinese martial arts) with great vigor and skill, his arms and legs moving with impressive form.

Compared to how he looked like a little chick before he left home, he really does look a bit like a teenager now.

When finishing the posture, heels come together, hands are clasped in fists, face is not red, breath is not out, and he stands upright, without missing the method of circulating qi.

Jiang Yi and Jiang Ming stood to the side, nodding their heads and casually offering a few words of praise.

Jiang Liang was still young, and as soon as he heard those words of praise, a smile couldn't help but spread across his face.

As they talked, they tugged at their father's and older brother's sleeves, wanting to practice together.

Although the name of Da Hong Chang Quan is well-known and it is said to be a relic from ancient times, it is widely spread and is not a rare thing.

However, when you are a beginner, you need an expert to watch over you to prevent you from going astray.

Jiang Yi wasn't uninterested in such serious martial arts, but he quickly declined.
“Your older brother is young and agile, so it’s perfect for him to learn from you.”

Although the words were simple, they were actually quite clear in their minds.

After all the travel, Liang Xiaozi only spent a total of three days at home this time.

Although Jiang Yi practiced diligently without stopping, his age was still a factor.

In terms of comprehension, memory, and even the smoothness of one's movements, they can't even come close to these two little ones.

Instead of rushing to learn something superficially.

It would be better to let Jiang Ming learn first, and then I can follow along later. That way, it's a safer approach.

Besides, Jiang Yi had other important matters to attend to.

We need to hurry up and start simmering that pot of tiger bone and he shou wu soup.

This herbal soup isn't complicated, and it doesn't contain many ingredients.

But extracting the medicinal properties from tiger bones is a very delicate process, requiring meticulous attention to detail and precise control of the heat.

Jiang Yi took out the newly bought earthenware jar, picked out a few of the biggest and hardest bone fragments and threw them in, added enough spring water, and then sat it steadily on the stove.

This soup needs to be simmered over a low flame for a whole day and night.

Once the marrow and qi in the bones have been completely expelled, then add he shou wu zi (Polygonum multiflorum) and other auxiliary ingredients to complete the process.

Inside the house, the stove burned brightly, and the aroma of medicine grew stronger. Outside, the sounds of fists clapping and shouts echoed continuously.

Hearing it, it's as if the scenes of the old days have come back to life.

The two brothers practiced back and forth in the courtyard until late at night.

Jiang Ming's set of boxing was based on a good foundation and he had someone to guide him. Although it didn't have a particularly spirited style, it was still somewhat disciplined.

Jiang Yi stayed by the stove without moving until late at night when Liu Xiulian came out to take over the shift. Only then did he rub his eyes and get up to rest.

The next morning, Jiang Yi woke up a little late and Jiang Ming was nowhere to be found.

In the courtyard, only Jiang Liang remained, holding his younger sister's hand and meticulously demonstrating the boxing moves.

The little girl is almost a year and a half old, but she can already understand a few words of what adults say. She can't be called clever, but she is very quick-witted.

Over the past two months, I've been taking medicinal baths constantly, and my muscles and bones have become frighteningly strong.

With a slam of his little fist, he even dented the bed frame.

Nowadays, when older women come to visit and sit for a while, Jiang Yi doesn't dare to let them hold his baby easily.

They were afraid that if this little rascal caused trouble, he might hurt his aunt.

Inside the kitchen, the earthenware pot was still bubbling away.

The broth, reduced to half a pot, had turned reddish-yellow and carried a strong, unpleasant bone odor.

It wasn't until nearly noon that Jiang Yi added the auxiliary herbs, covered the pot, and continued to simmer.

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Jiang Ming returned.

Covered in dew, with bits of grass still clinging to the soles of their shoes.

Judging from the direction they were going, they were clearly not going to the private school; it seemed they were going over the back mountain.

(End of this chapter)