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

Chapter 48 Erlang Returns Home
The boy, carrying a long stick on his back, walked from the village entrance.

He stood tall and straight, his steps were light and energetic, and the sunlight shining on him gave him a spirited air.

Just as they stepped outside the courtyard, a small figure darted out from the gate and pounced forward like an arrow.

It was their own little girl, Jiang Xi.

"Second brother... second brother!"

The shouts were crisp and clear, a smile played on the corners of their mouths, and the wind seemed to rush from their feet.

But her round eyes kept sneaking glances at the bundle behind her second brother.

This entourage and enthusiasm weren't entirely for his beloved second brother.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Liang's eyes lit up with a smile, and he reached out and ruffled her little head.

He casually pulled a sugar figurine from his bundle; it was crystal clear and had a slightly sweet aroma.

The little girl received the treasure with great joy.

Holding her second brother's hand in one hand and skipping happily on her feet, the two siblings plunged into the courtyard.

Inside the house, the parents had already come out after hearing the commotion.

After greeting his parents, Jiang Liang didn't stop. His eyes darted around, and he kept peeking in and out of the house, looking anxious.

"Your brother is still in school, he hasn't left yet."

Jiang Yi understood immediately, and spoke of it calmly and casually.

The boy couldn't help but show some disappointment. He grunted, turned around and went into the house. He had only rested for a short while when he couldn't sit still again.

He hoisted the long staff onto his shoulder, stepped out of the courtyard gate, twisted his foot, and leaped into the open space. With a few swift movements, he began to wield it.

The stick moved with the force of a gust of wind, cutting through the air like a knife. The young man's waist and spine were as straight as a pine tree, and his hands and feet were steady. Although he was not perfect, he already showed a bit of ruthlessness.

With the state election approaching, it's understandable that he's worried.

Under the eaves, Jiang Yi stood with his hands behind his back, watching quietly.

The boy's every move seemed to have undergone a complete transformation since he left home.

His muscles and bones were more solid, and his breathing was more concentrated; he was starting to look quite presentable.

Inside the house, Liu Xiulian paid no attention to any of this.

Before anyone knew it, he had already squatted in the corner of the cabinet and pulled out the few packets of medicinal herbs he had saved up.

While busy picking and washing, he muttered to himself:

"It's good that you're back. You should take good care of yourself."

After saying that, he rushed into the kitchen, making a racket with pots and pans.

When Jiang Ming returned to the academy, the stick in the courtyard was still flipping rapidly.

Jiang Liang's eyes lit up immediately when he saw his elder brother.

He slung the stick over his shoulder, took a few steps forward, and immediately asked for guidance.

There was no small talk, but the tone was urgent and undisguised.

One asked a question with great enthusiasm, while the other answered with composure.

You take one move, I take another, we break them down carefully and explain them clearly. Amidst the clash of sticks, we become so engrossed in the conversation that everyone else has long forgotten about it.

Jiang Yi was usually preoccupied with cultivating his health and temperament, and didn't care much about this kind of fighting and killing with stick techniques, so he didn't want to interrupt at this time.

He simply leaned against the door frame and watched with a smile. With his hand behind his back, he quietly picked up the half-eaten sugar figurine that his little girl had placed on the table, savoring it carefully, his mouth full of sweetness.

When dinner was served in the evening, the table didn't look like it had been in previous years with lots of meat and oil, but there was something special about it.

The Polygonatum porridge was golden and thick, with the addition of black scaly roots, giving it a faint medicinal aroma.

The old hen simmered with aged ginseng has a rich and mellow broth. Even before tasting it, the aroma alone is enough to warm the chest and invigorate the spirit.

Even the eggs were round and plump, steaming hot when peeled, carrying an unusual vitality.

Jiang Liang looked at the table, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, as if he suddenly did not recognize the food or the family's style.

I've only been away from home for a few months, but how come the house looks completely different?
Seeing his younger brother's expression, Jiang Ming gently patted his shoulder and smiled:
“There have been many changes at home. Don’t think that you’re the only one making progress outside.” Jiang Yi listened without saying anything, but looked at his youngest son’s astonished face and felt a surge of indescribable pride.

The medicinal wine warmed her abdomen, giving her a rosy complexion, and her eyes and brows were filled with joy.

During the meal, Jiang Yi and Liu Xiulian took turns eating with their chopsticks and spoons, piling their two sons' bowls high like small mountains.

Jiang Liang ate until his lips were greasy, then shook his head and said with a smile, "That's enough, that's really enough."

Although he spoke eloquently, his chopsticks never stopped moving.

Jiang Ming, being more mature, buried his head in his rice, looking calm and composed. However, the pace of his chewing was much faster than usual.

Only the little girl, Jiang Xi, wrinkled her nose, complaining that the Polygonatum porridge and Blood Ginseng soup had a very strong medicinal taste.

She ate a few bites of stir-fried vegetables as a token gesture, then jumped off the stool to look for her sugar figurine, which made everyone at the table laugh.

This meal was almost too nourishing.

The two brothers ate until their foreheads were sweating, and they both felt a slight warmth in their stomachs, as if their blood was churning. Even their eyebrows and eyes revealed a hint of excitement.

A glance was exchanged, and before a word was uttered, an unspoken understanding naturally arose.

One wiped his mouth and got up, while the other picked up a stick, rolled up his sleeves, and went out the door, heading straight for the open space outside the courtyard, looking aggressive.

They start with fists and feet, engaging in a head-on clash right from the start.

His punches were swift and powerful, his footwork was quick and decisive, and after just a few moves, a thin layer of sweat had already seeped from his forehead.

Before the heat of battle had subsided, the two found a suitable wooden stick each, swung it around in circles, and started another round.

The sticks clashed and fell, accompanied by several dull thuds.

The night was still and the wind was cold, so the sounds were unusually crisp and clear, instantly invigorating the listener.

Jiang Yi stood under the eaves, his hands behind his back, watching the two figures leap and bound, their shadows swirling endlessly in the lamplight and moonlight.

He remained calm and composed, feeling a sense of peace in his chest.

At that moment, he suddenly understood something.

I'm afraid my skills are no match for those two kids.

But there was no sour feeling in my heart; instead, it was like a spring breeze blowing through the branches of an old tree, and a warm feeling slowly rose up.

However, the progress of these two brothers was not a smooth one.

In previous years, when watching them compete, the eldest son, Jiang Ming, was always calm and composed, as if he were leisurely walking his dog and teasing his younger brother to practice.

But tonight is different.

Although Jiang Ming still had a slight advantage, his posture was no longer as relaxed as it used to be. After a few rounds, sweat beaded on his forehead.

Her original composure was actually forced to reveal a bit of real anger by her younger brother.

It's not hard to guess.

Since his youngest son, Jiang Liang, went to the county commandant's office, he has devoted himself to martial arts, wishing he could even sleep with a training post.

Although the rules state, "Practice martial arts for three days, and read books for one day."

But from his own mutterings, ever since the state election was put on the agenda, the teachers have either been sick or out attending weddings.

With the large characters gone, the empty time slots were naturally filled by the instructors.

On the contrary, Jiang Ming, although he also does not practice cultivation, does not rely solely on fists and feet to get by.

Besides practicing martial arts, one also has to study scriptures and discuss doctrines, working day and night, which is not necessarily easier.

In this way, when it comes to progress in martial arts alone, the younger brother is naturally catching up faster.

However, Jiang Yi saw it all, but didn't care at all.

There are countless paths to success. Some people walk steadily step by step, some rush about quickly, and some stumble upon opportunities in a daze.

Each person's fate and their own strength are separate; there's no need to force them to be equal, nor to argue over who wins or loses.

(End of this chapter)