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

Chapter 55 Nourishing Essence Pill

After the meal, it was already dusk.

As soon as the medicinal food entered his stomach, Jiang Liang felt a warm sensation in his dantian, which soothed his internal organs and then emanated from his pores.

Every breath you exhale carries a powerful energy that seems to emanate from within.

After the meal, they sparred a few times in the courtyard. Their movements were light and graceful, stopping short of causing any disturbance.

After a short rest following the exercise, a gentle evening breeze caressed my face, dissipating the heat from my body. The moon had not yet risen, and the last rays of sunset still lingered on the eaves.

Li Wenxuan stood under the shade of the locust tree for a moment, then sighed and said:
"It's been three years since the state election, and Longshan County hasn't won a single seat."

His voice was low, as if afraid of disturbing someone, but his gaze remained fixed on the pale golden afterglow on the horizon, with a hint of unspeakable melancholy in his eyes.

“My uncle…has been smiling less lately.”

The state election is not just a matter for the county magistrate's office; it concerns the reputation of the entire Longshan County.

Although the county magistrate does not wield military power, he is still the chief official of a county and must submit a report to the prefectural government every year.

No one made the list each time, and even the most thick-skinned person would feel embarrassed.

Not to mention that Lord Tian, ​​who has always valued "reputation" the most.

The atmosphere became a bit somber, and the post-dinner comfort faded considerably.

Jiang Liang listened quietly without saying a word, only raising his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, his expression slightly somber.

Li Wenxuan turned his body slightly to the side, his gaze settling on Jiang Liang's face, and the slight slackness he had just shown suddenly became focused.

He paused for a moment before chuckling softly:

"Brother Jiang, please don't take offense at what I'm saying..."

His voice was extremely low, as if he were speaking only between the two of them, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes:
"This time, the reputation of Longshan County will probably rest on your shoulders alone."

His tone was as light as a feather, yet as heavy as a stone.

He stared at Jiang Liang and added:
"You'd better put in your best effort for the state election."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang merely smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:
"Brother Li, you flatter me. All the senior brothers in the department are experts; I am merely the lowest in rank."

His voice was calm and composed, without a trace of impatience, exuding an air of ease.

He said that, but his mind was racing with calculations.

In terms of pure physical strength, I am only barely on par with him. If I were to say that I am outstanding, I would have to rely on the staff technique I have.

But this time when I returned to my hometown, I practiced the methods of cultivating my nature diligently. I had already used up more than half a bottle of the elixir left by my father, and I also practiced the theory of sitting in oblivion every day without fail.

Although I haven't reached the state of "not having a single thought and being completely untouched by worldly dust," my mind is indeed several times clearer than before.

If he really goes all out and makes his move, with this level of clarity and composure, he should be 70% confident of not being at a disadvantage.

However, this state election is no child's play.

Those who can stand out are all outstanding figures in their respective counties and prefectures.

Furthermore, there are several respectable families in Liangzhou, each with a foundation as solid as a mountain.

These so-called "sons of prominent families" in Longshan County are worlds apart from true aristocratic families.

That distance was predetermined from the moment we were born.

I believe I've put in just as much hard work as anyone else.

But he also knew in his heart that if he were to run into a scion of a powerful family who also happened to have practiced the method of cultivating both body and spirit...

That wouldn't be something that could be overcome with a single breath or a set of stick techniques.

As he was pondering, Li Wenxuan suddenly stopped, as if he had remembered something.

He turned around, looked at Jiang Liang, and said:

"Brother Jiang, please wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."

Before he finished speaking, he had already turned into the backyard, walking hurriedly. Not long after, he turned back, this time with something in his hand.

It was a small, plain white porcelain bottle, about the size of a palm, with the mouth sealed tightly, indicating that it had not been used for many years.

Li Wenxuan approached, looking somewhat uneasy. He weighed the bottle in his hand and said in a low voice:
"This was given to me by my uncle when I first joined the county commandant's office. He said he would save it for use during the prefectural general election..."

At this point, he sighed and shook his head slightly.

"It's a pity I'm useless; I didn't even qualify to run for office. This bottle of stuff has just been gathering dust at the bottom of the box."

As Jiang Liang listened, he vaguely understood what was going on, but he didn't say anything and just looked at him.

Sure enough, Li Wenxuan shoved the porcelain bottle into his arms with such speed that it seemed as if he was afraid the boy would change his mind.

"This thing is like a pearl being buried in dust if it stays with me. Brother Jiang, you should keep it."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if afraid that Jiang Liang would refuse, he quickly added:
“It’s not just for you. It’s for my uncle, and for the reputation of Longshan County.”

"nonsense!"

Before the words were finished, a clear voice reached my ears first.

However, Li Wenya had already stood beside the two of them without them noticing.

His eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of reproach in them, and fell directly on Li Wenxuan.

"How can you say such things? It's disgraceful to burden Master Jiang with such a heavy responsibility for no reason!"

When she looked at him, Li Wenxuan's expression froze, and he immediately fell silent.

Without waiting for a response, Li Wenya stepped forward, stretched out her arm, and the porcelain bottle landed neatly in her hand.

He didn't hand it over, but instead pressed the bottle straight into Jiang Liang's palm.

"Master Jiang, don't listen to his nonsense. What nonsense about the county magistrate's uncle and the reputation of Longshan County? Just put it aside for now."

She smiled brightly, but her hand still wouldn't let go of the porcelain vase, holding it tightly in Jiang Liang's palm, as if afraid he would refuse again.

"Consider this a gift from your elder sister as a token of your acceptance into my apprenticeship. Please don't refuse it because I'm a disciple with limited knowledge."

His smile was hearty, but his eyes held an undeniable seriousness.

Jiang Liang felt the warm, smooth texture in his palm. Although the porcelain bottle was small, it carried a heavy weight.

Looking up, Li Wenxuan's eyes held a sense of relief, but also a hint of expectation. Li Wenya's gaze was clear and honest, making it hard to refuse her.

Thinking back to when I left home, those ambitions and vows I never uttered...

In the end, he did not refuse again, but simply nodded slightly.

When Li Wenxuan saw that he had taken it, his expression relaxed slightly.

The voice also softened, slowly explaining the origin and intricacies of the pill.

"This is no ordinary herbal pill that ordinary people casually make; it is the essence that a proper alchemist refines step by step according to the alchemy manual."

"This medicine... well, let's just call it the 'Essence Nourishing Pill' for now."

"It contains only the essence of medicinal herbs that nourish bones and muscles and refine blood and qi."

He pointed to the bottle, his words carrying a hidden meaning, and then added:
"The method of taking it is to hold it under the tongue. With the surge of qi and blood during the exercise, it will slowly dissolve and seep into the muscles, bones and meridians."

"It can't be rushed. It takes one or two months of hard work to fully understand it and make it your own. Only then can you cleanse your body and mind, leaving no impurities behind."

Jiang Liang listened quietly without uttering a sound, taking every word to heart.

Seeing that daylight was fading, he didn't linger. After saying goodbye, he took his baggage and went straight back to the county command.

This group of martial arts performers were mostly sons of well-to-do families in the county, each with their own residences.

He was the only one who had been genuinely dug out of the countryside, which made him stand out somewhat.

Fortunately, the county magistrate was considerate and allocated him a separate room, which was quiet and conducive to training, and would not cause any disturbance.

(End of this chapter)