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

Chapter 28 Establishing a Sect, Unparalleled Sect Techniques

The letter was delivered to Master Cen just as the school was closing time.

A group of young students ran out noisily, while Master Cen stood with his hands behind his back, a smile plastered on his face.

With a light step, he followed the village road straight to the Jiang family's house.

The Jiang couple received the letter and read it in the setting sun. Their brows relaxed and they nodded repeatedly.

He naturally offered plenty of thanks, praising Instructor Lin for his excellent teaching and Master Cen for his skillful recommendation, saying only polite and courteous things.

Master Cen sat in the hall, stroking his beard, a constant smile on his face.

They hadn't exchanged more than a few casual words when the conversation suddenly shifted to the eldest son of the Jiang family.

Master Cen's smile receded like the tide, leaving only ripples.

Since the story of that martial arts technique spread throughout the village, more and more boys started learning martial arts at the academy.

Jiang Ming already had some basic skills, and now that he had learned a proper boxing style, he naturally became the focus of attention at the academy.

Not only did he show off his martial arts skills every day, but he also gathered a group of boys from the village, set up his own gang, and proclaimed himself the leader, calling it the "Ancient and Modern Gang".

They even divided into different branches and appointed protectors, talking animatedly and seriously about the rules of the martial arts world.

From then on, the school was in chaos and could no longer find peace.

Master Cen sighed as he finished speaking, and gently set down his teacup with a crisp sound.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi couldn't help but feel a slight chuckle.

If he had acquired such skills at that age, he probably wouldn't have been much better than Jiang Ming. He wouldn't dare to be the gang leader, but he would at least be a protector.

But with the teacher as an example, a father can't just go along with the corrupt practices.

He had no choice but to composed himself and reply with a stern face:
“The Master’s teachings are correct. I’ll give that boy a good scolding later and tell him to behave himself.”

After saying that, he got up and went out of the courtyard. He went to the chicken coop and caught a plump old hen with glossy feathers and a loud clucking voice.

They brought him back, bound his feet, and handed him to the teacher with both hands, saying only:
"Thank you for your introduction, and thank you for making this trip today. I have nothing else at home, but this is just a small token of my appreciation."

Master Cen waved his hand repeatedly, but did not push it too hard, and accepted it with a smile.

Only after seeing the teacher off and leaving the couple alone in the courtyard did Jiang Yi breathe a sigh of relief.

As soon as Jiang Ming got home, before he could even sit down, he was given a scolding.

"Practicing martial arts is fine, and playing around is fine too, but the school rules must not be broken."

Jiang Yi sat in the center of the main room, his expression unchanged, but his voice was deep and resonant like a drum:
“Deceiving others is absolutely unacceptable. If one becomes arrogant and disrespectful just because of a few punches and kicks, then that is not practicing martial arts, but nurturing the seeds of disaster.”

These words, spoken neither too harshly nor too lightly, were more unsettling than anger itself.

Jiang Ming is a troublemaker outside, but he's always been afraid of his father at home.

He kept his head down, his hands rummaging around in his sleeves, and mumbled a couple of responses.

Seeing his appearance, Jiang Yi felt much of his anger subside.

"Alright, the punishment has been given and the reprimand has been completed."

He paused, then suddenly changed the subject, took off his outer robe, rolled up his sleeves, and walked into the courtyard.

"Now that you've learned that boxing style, come on, show me a demonstration."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming's eyes darted around twice.

"Ahem, Father, you don't know... my fist technique is not an ordinary one."

He coughed lightly, stood up, straightened his clothes, and said in a very serious tone:
"This is the ultimate martial art of the 'Ancient and Modern Gang,' and it cannot be taught to anyone other than a hall master. Even though I am the gang leader, I must still abide by the rules, mustn't I?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi was first taken aback, then his eyes twitched, his gaze darkened, and his hand subconsciously reached for his waist.

Unfortunately, my belt is all floppy today.

So he turned around, walked steadily, and went straight to the kitchen to find the fire tongs.

……

Since that day, whenever Jiang Yi had some free time, he would pull Liu Xiulian aside in the courtyard and stretch her muscles and bones, one move at a time.

That boxing style wasn't mysterious at all. The starting and ending moves were all quite ordinary. After practicing a few rounds with some pointers, you could be considered to have entered the door. Although the boxing stance was clumsy, the posture was correct, and there was a sense of composure in the steps and movements.

Once Jiang Yi had mastered the basics, he became even more determined.

The set of boxing techniques that his eldest son taught him was clearly different from the moves his younger son had demonstrated that day, with many modifications made.

The little girl, Jiang Xi, wasn't going to be left out. Seeing her parents practicing their martial arts, she wobbled over and joined them.

She was only a year and a half old, and her legs were still unsteady.

But they insisted on imitating adults, waving their little arms and legs, babbling incoherently, looking very serious.

Anyway, they've already made a show of force.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Yi was happy to agree and intentionally or unintentionally guided her to regulate her breathing.

It's a bit early to start practicing stance training and boxing, but this breathing technique can be developed into an instinct sooner and build a solid foundation.

There was never a break in the family's herbal medicine.

The remaining tiger bone scraps and he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum) roots were boiled a few more times.

Although not as potent as the first pot, the medicinal power was refined through fist techniques, making it more effective than the previous practice.

After several bowls of herbal soup, Jiang Yi felt his breathing become smoother and his whole body more energetic. He even looked a few years younger.

The ten acres of land outside the courtyard had already been thoroughly plowed and had been allowed to recover its fertility for half a year. Now, the late rice planted there looked to be growing well.

Every morning, they would drive the livestock up the mountain to fetch water to irrigate the seedlings.

In the afternoon, I practiced boxing in the yard, drank a bowl of herbal soup, and listened to my little girl humming a couple of times.

Life was simple, yet steady.

The only thing that troubled Jiang Yi was that Physician Li, who had been coming more and more frequently lately.

The Liu family village truly put in a tremendous amount of effort in raising their descendants.

Ever since that child turned one year old, all sorts of rare and precious materials, medicinal herbs, and animal bones have been used like water.

As a result, Doctor Li benefited greatly, and all sorts of medicinal herbs, animal bone scraps, and other materials, whether he had seen them before or not, were sent to the Jiang family's courtyard in a hurry.

Jiang Yi claimed he was short of money, but Doctor Li waved his hand repeatedly:
"It's all recorded in the books. With the income from your five acres of medicinal herb fields, we can make a steady profit over time, and it won't be bad in the end."

At first, Jiang Yi would take out his abacus and calculate how many medicines from his own land could cover the cost of medicine.

I fear that one day, before the medicine from Doctor Li is fully prepared, he will pass away before he has even finished preparing it.

But as the ledgers grew thicker and thicker, he became increasingly arrogant.

If you have too many lice, you won’t be itchy. If you have too many debts, you won’t have to worry.

He accepts anything that can be used, without hesitation.

Doctor Li chuckled, not caring at all, picked up his medicine box, and turned to leave.

It was only later, through Master Cen's words, that I gleaned some clues.

Although Physician Li did not say it explicitly, his mind was probably not on that little bit of money.

After all, the news that Jiang's youngest son had been given an important position in the county and had a promising future had already been leaked by Master Cen.

Debts in the form of money can at least be clearly calculated.

But debts of gratitude can never be completely settled.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi was at a loss for words, feeling neither amused nor exasperated.

My own son is only six or seven years old, and he can't even fasten his belt properly. Even his father isn't relying on him yet, so why are other people eyeing him first?
But thoughts are just thoughts; life goes on.

From that day on, when Doctor Li came to deliver medicine again, Jiang Yi did not refuse, but only accepted the medicines that were effective immediately and useful.

They kept that debt within their means of repayment.

Thank you Arrietty, The Newspaper Painter, and Qiongzhu for the donations.

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