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

Chapter 52 Making Friends and Visiting Others
The days of family reunion always seem to pass too quickly.

Before we knew it, our son Jiang Liang had turned ten, and the annual leave was almost over.

It was time to report to the county commandant again.

Jiang Yi noticed that his complexion was rosy these past few days, and the look in his eyes was more composed than when he returned before the Lunar New Year.

Although I was reluctant to part with them, I also felt more at ease.

After dinner, while we were sitting idly, I casually asked about the date of the state election.

He was secretly planning to bring his whole family to cheer the kid on.

To everyone's surprise, Jiang Liang waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head like a rattle drum, his expression unusually serious.

He said he was afraid that if his whole family went, he would be worried and feel restricted, unable to unleash his full potential.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi simply smiled and did not press the matter.

She simply took out a small jade bottle from her bosom and placed it in his hand.

The jade bottle is warm and smooth, small and delicate, just the right size to hold in the palm of your hand, yet slightly cool to the touch.

"Inside are several pills that can stimulate potential."

Jiang Yi spoke casually, seemingly not caring much:

"It's fine to keep it around all the time, there's no rush to use it. If you really encounter an insurmountable obstacle, then we'll see if we need it."

These few pills were secretly prepared for this day when he was picking herbs in Liu Family Village.

Jiang Liang held the jade bottle, glanced down at it, and then looked up at his father.

My gaze swept across the corner of the yard and landed on the older brother and younger sister who were peeking out.

Without saying a word, he solemnly put the jade bottle into his bosom and nodded emphatically.

Carrying the package, his back was ramrod straight, like a little adult.

He bid farewell to his parents, siblings, and other relatives, waved goodbye one last time, and then turned and jumped onto the newly purchased oxcart belonging to Uncle Yu.

The cart wheels creaked and groaned as it slowly rolled away along the path leading out of the village.

After leaving the village, the oxcart swayed slowly for half a day until it reached the edge of the market, where it was finally transferred to an old horse-drawn carriage with worn-out hooves.

Although we walked quickly, it wasn't until the sun was setting that we finally entered the territory of Longshan County.

The afterglow of the sunset had not yet faded when the gray and dusty government office of the county magistrate's office stood quietly in front of me. The gate tower was old, but it had its own kind of majesty.

Jiang Liang, carrying his bundle, paused slightly before stepping over the threshold.

Before the luggage could be properly placed, a familiar figure quickly approached.

A bright smile was on his face; it was none other than the county magistrate's nephew.

Judging from Li Wenxuan's posture, he was probably waiting at the door on purpose.

The two became friends after a fight.

After that sparring match at the company, Li Wenxuan would often run over to Jiang Liang's place every few days, constantly calling him "Brother Jiang" or "Brother Jiang."

Sweet-talking, and always busy.

They either bring soup or some nourishing food from home, saying it's homemade and they want to share it with Brother Jiang.

Over time, the two became more familiar with each other. While they weren't exactly life-and-death comrades, they did develop a certain level of friendship.

"Brother Jiang is finally back! I knew it would be today!"

Li Wenxuan grinned and patted Jiang Liang on the shoulder:

"We just happened to have some he shou wu and black chicken soup at home. Let's go, let's go warm up a bowl first, and let my uncle see if the new moves I've been practicing these past few days are any good!"

He kept talking non-stop, and before he finished speaking, he grabbed Jiang Liang's arm and half-pushed, half-dragged him out.

Look at these movements, they're completely at ease, clearly not the first time.

Jiang Liang let him pull him a few steps, glanced down at his bundle, hesitated for a moment, and then stopped struggling.

Actually, a year ago, although the two had frequent contact, they were not particularly close.

In particular, Jiang Liang's boxing skills improved day by day, and his physique became more solid, widening the gap in martial arts skills.

At first, they could exchange a few moves, but later it was mostly Jiang Liang giving instructions. Li Wenxuan also realized that he was far behind, and gradually stopped mentioning the word "exchange of skills".

When Jiang Liang returned from leave last year, he brought with him a large stick with copper rings around it. As soon as he made a move, he astonished all the new and old soldiers in the county command.

That staff technique was ingenious in its execution and swift in its execution. Seeing it was believing; everyone felt that its momentum was like a dragon and its moves were like a painting.

From that day on, Li Wenxuan treated him with even more respect and became even more attentive.

We would invite him to our home every few days, and there was never a shortage of medicinal soups on the dinner table.

Chicken stewed with Polygonum multiflorum and mutton stewed with Angelica sinensis are said to replenish qi and blood, and they are not exaggerating at all.

Jiang Liang was initially a little awkward, making excuses and speaking with a polite tone.

But the Li family, from top to bottom, were truly warm and welcoming to everyone.

Especially Li Wenxuan's uncle, a dignified county magistrate, often appeared at the dinner table. He spoke eloquently, had a gentle demeanor, and was surprisingly unpretentious.

They didn't talk about power or social status, but rather offered casual advice to the younger generation, speaking lightly and without any sense of restraint.

The Li family always says that Wenxuan's vitality has greatly improved, all thanks to Jiang Liang's effective guidance, and they never forget to mention this during holidays.

As the visits became more frequent, Jiang Liang grew accustomed to this kind of interaction.

Thinking of my elder brother in the village, he set up a martial arts gang and often taught people some kung fu.

He didn't hold back at all, and apart from the breathing method and staff technique, he taught me all the other stance training and boxing techniques, just as a way of returning the favor.

The only thing that gave Jiang Liang a headache and even made him feel troubled was...

For the past six months, whenever Li Wenxuan sought his advice, he always brought his older sister along.

She was a year older than the other two, and was said to be the apple of the Li family's eye, raised to be gentle and well-mannered since childhood.

He was indeed gentle in nature, spoke softly, and had a smile in his eyes, making him quite pleasing to the eye.

Unfortunately, he's not cut out for martial arts.

I've been practicing stance training for a month or so, but I still stand crookedly.

The moves became a mess after being practiced, with hands and feet going their own way and steps as unsteady as if stepping on cotton.

Every time Jiang Liang accompanied her to practice boxing, his nerves were more tense than those on the boxing ring.

He was afraid that if he accidentally moved even half an inch faster or used even half a bit more force, he might hurt her in the slightest.

You can't throw a punch, and you don't dare kick. You have to anticipate every move, and if you take a step back, you have to be careful that she doesn't trip you up.

It was so restrictive, so uncomfortable, so clumsy.

The Li family mansion wasn't located at the busiest intersection in the county town, but it occupied a quiet spot.

There are no plaques or paintings at the entrance, but as soon as you enter, you are greeted by a strong smell of books mixed with the fragrance of medicine.

At the other end of the front hall, servants could be seen moving about. Occasionally, a pot lid would clatter, bringing with it a rich aroma—a mixture of medicinal and meaty scents.

Jiang Liang followed Li Wenxuan into the house and greeted him.

Both of Mr. and Mrs. Li were gentle-looking, their smiles polite and courteous, without much small talk, their manners just right.

After a few casual words, he waved his hand and said:

"Children, go play in the back. The soup still needs to be cooked a little longer."

Upon hearing this, Li Wenxuan grabbed Jiang Liang and started walking towards the back, muttering to himself as they went:

"My sister is off today, but she's been thinking of asking you for some tips."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang's steps became unsteady.

The Li family's backyard features a winding path leading to a secluded spot, a babbling pond, and artificial hills.

Turning past a corridor wall, I saw a figure standing in the open space.

It was a slender figure, dressed in simple clothes, with long hair tied in a low bun, intently wielding a three-foot-long whip.

The moves look like moves, and the footwork is also correct, but the force is too light and the hands and feet are too soft.

The whip cracked, but before the wind even stirred, it made the hem of my clothes flutter.

(End of this chapter)