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

Chapter 58 The Victory Lies in Stillness

Jiang Liang slowly stepped out of the curtain. The chill and dizziness had long been sealed off by his mind, not even causing a ripple.

The scene before them suddenly changed; it was no longer a martial arts training ground, but a quiet courtyard.

There weren't many people in the courtyard, just a handful, all of whom were young men who had walked this path before him.

They were all dressed impeccably, with jade belts around their waists, and their speech carried an air of refined elegance. They gathered in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones.

As soon as Jiang Liang stepped in, everyone's eyes swept over him.

That look wasn't aggressive, but it did reveal a hint of suspicion.

It's like someone who's used to seeing people in the industry suddenly seeing a stranger and having to guess who they are and why they haven't met them in all these years.

However, since they were still in the selection process, no one was in a hurry to go up and chat.

Jiang Liang was happy to have some peace and quiet, and only glanced outside.

Through the gaps in the courtyard wall covered with vines, one could see a large crowd of people struggling under the scorching sun in the training ground.

Someone was carrying a heavy stone lock, the veins on their necks bulging like ropes;
Some people walked on the plum blossom stakes, swaying with every step, sweat pouring down their faces;

Some were practicing boxing and swordsmanship; their movements were fast, but their eyes betrayed their panic.

A gentle breeze rustles through the small courtyard, and the falling leaves fall silently, creating a world of its own in the stillness and movement.

Jiang Liang chose a corner, sat down with his back against the wall, closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, and calmed his mind.

The sun climbed past its zenith, and the heatwave swept over everyone; the initial screening on the training ground had finally come to an end.

The group of outstanding individuals who had emerged from the main road were finally led in and joined the group of people who had "taken the side path" in this quiet little courtyard.

This group of people were all drenched in sweat, their bodies radiating the heat of a furnace, and their steps were heavy.

His gaze swept over the composed and impeccably dressed young men from prominent families in the courtyard, half of which showed the smug satisfaction of having passed the test, while the other half concealed a burning desire.

Like a blade that has been hard-polished, it is bright and ruthless.

Among the crowd, the Hongdu sect member also came in.

He was brisk and capable, with sharp eyes. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he looked around as if he was looking for someone.

A moment later, their gaze settled on the person in the corner.

Jiang Liang.

He remained seated with his eyes closed against the wall, his expression serene.

When Hongdu saw him, his eyes paused, his eyebrows twitched slightly, and a strange look flashed across his face.

There was a mixture of surprise and a hint of realization.

Earlier, County Magistrate Tian had asked him to help the young man during the general election.

He had searched for him, but he couldn't find the person at the martial arts arena.

It turns out that this kid didn't take the busy road at all; he came in through a side path.

After a moment's thought, he became even more certain of his suspicions.

This Jiang Liang is definitely not from an ordinary farming family.

This temperament, this foundation... it's all hidden too well.

Hongdu Sect sighed inwardly. Looking at Old Man Tian's appearance, he had actually found a treasure.

His gaze shifted, and he suddenly thought of his niece at home, who was still unmarried...

Once everyone had arrived, Hong Dujiao flicked his sleeves, his expression returning to its usual sharp and composed demeanor.

A quick glance revealed the youths in the arena, whether they had emerged from the scorching sun or traversed the chilly path.

They were all the best selected in this round of elections in Liangzhou.

He bowed respectfully, his voice clear and resonant, carrying the distinctive strength of someone with a military background:

"Congratulations everyone, you've passed the first hurdle and have now entered the door."

The conversation sounded cheerful, but it wasn't actually very warm.

He paused, then a sharp glint flashed in his eyes:
"Next comes the real showdown." The words were spoken with absolute certainty, and the officials had clearly explained the rules.

The teams are drawn by lot, and they face off in multiple matches. There are no redundant rules, and the outcome is not determined by the winner.

The examiners will evaluate the candidates on the spot and select the best to be admitted to the second class.

Upon hearing this, the eyes of everyone present lit up even more.

After all, being among the top three only secured a place in a prefecture-level city; their future remains uncertain.

However, if one can squeeze into the second tier, then one has already taken a step into an official career.

Among the crowd, some people tugged at their sleeves, while others secretly tightened their belts twice, instantly making the quiet atmosphere in the courtyard even more intense.

The drawing of lots took place in the courtyard. As soon as the lot was drawn, the air was filled with the scent of swords and spears.

Meanwhile, outside in the martial arts arena, a fighting stage had already been set up.

The three high platforms stand side by side, all with yellow cloth covering their tops and red stone paving their surfaces, giving them a somewhat somber appearance from a distance.

There were also many more onlookers than before.

In addition to the officials from various places transferred from the prefecture and the county constables who led the teams, there were also some well-dressed men and women.

The fabric and tailoring of their clothes clearly indicated they came from a prestigious family; they were either relatives or retainers, each with a sharp eye.

They neither cheered nor booed; with just a glance, they knew who was the mule and who was the horse.

A slight breeze stirred in the stands, but the atmosphere off the field was tense and heavy.

The boys sat quietly, secretly gathering their strength, waiting for the drumbeat to sound so they could each display their unique abilities.

Jiang Liang drew a good lot; his first opponent was a young man from the county.

Before the person stepped onto the stage, the sword was drawn first; with a flick of the longsword, a cold light shot out a foot or so.

He walked quickly and nimbly, making quite a show of himself, which made the young men watching below the stage squint their eyes.

On the arena, the two clasped their hands in a gesture of respect.

At the referee's command of "Start," the boy shot off like an arrow.

With a light step, he darted forward, his sword flashing and twisting three times, its cold light aimed straight at his throat.

Jiang Liang remained calm. He shifted his feet slightly, swung his long staff horizontally, and though the strike wasn't particularly fast, it neutralized the opponent's fierce momentum.

The sword launched three rapid attacks, all striking the shadow of the staff with crackling sounds, but like rain hitting the eaves, it was all show and no damage to the roof.

There were quite a few people watching the spectacle from below the stage, but one seasoned veteran couldn't help but murmur a sigh:
"What a fine heavy stick move! It seems like he's playing it safe, but he's actually controlling the rhythm perfectly."

Jiang Liang remained as steady as a rock, his stick seemingly moving slowly but actually moving fast.

Every parry was perfectly timed, neither retreating nor advancing, waiting for the opponent's energy to become disordered before unleashing one's own power.

As expected, the young man attacked very quickly at first, but he had practiced his deadly moves too much. Although he had many tricks up his sleeve, his routines were still somewhat artificial.

After about ten moves, the sword's momentum slowed down, revealing a weakness amidst its sharpness.

Jiang Liang remained calm and collected, observing that his opponent was full of openings.

With a flick of his eyelids, the force within his body surged from his dantian straight to his arm, instantly changing his stance from defense to offense, aiming directly at the opponent's elbows, knees, shoulders, and wrists.

The boy felt a heavy shadow of sticks before his eyes, and before he could change his move, he was blocked.

After several exchanges, he finally lost his grip and was struck on the shoulder with a "thud".

The blow wasn't heavy, but it was extremely accurate, causing his shoulder to go numb. He almost lost his grip on the sword, staggered back three steps, his face pale and sweat beading on his forehead.

He readily admitted defeat, knowing he was no match for his opponent and fearing injury, and quickly bowed to concede and stepped off the stage.

Although there was some resentment on his face, there was also a hint of admiration.

Jiang Liang put away his staff and said calmly:

"Concession."

He knew in his heart that this victory was not by chance. The two were evenly matched in strength, and the outcome depended on the word "stillness".

(End of this chapter)