Chapter Nineteen: Trouble in Mount Chang

This was a most wondrous sensation.

In that fleeting instant, it seemed as if the world around me had undergone endless transformations, leaving only myself and the Night-Lit Jade Lion before my eyes. It felt natural that I should step forward, mount the steed, and gallop across the realms upon its back, venturing wherever I pleased.

“System, how much does horsemanship cost?”

“Level 1: Barely Adequate—200 experience points.
Level 2: Some Proficiency—500 experience points.
Level 3: Free and Easy—800 experience points.
Level 4: Skilled and Unhindered—1000 experience points.”

Since there were no stirrups, for safety’s sake, Zhang Yu immediately exchanged for the level of Some Proficiency and strode slowly toward the white horse not far ahead.

“Master, aren’t you—” Han Long began, only to pause mid-sentence as he watched Zhang Yu mount the steed with a practiced movement, utterly stunned into silence.

“Remember this: there is nothing in the world your master cannot do.
If there is, it’s merely because he lacks experience.”

Indeed—merely lacking experience points, nothing more.

The Jade Lion lacked stirrups and even a saddle, yet its broad back was surprisingly comfortable. Zhang Yu grasped its flowing mane lightly, leaned down to whisper in its ear, “Come now, let us see what’s about.”

The horse seemed almost to understand, snorting excitedly, then trotted around the creek, prompting the nearby herd to rise and scatter in surprise.

The magnificent steed, the unspoiled scenery—Zhang Yu was utterly intoxicated, and could not help but sing aloud to express his noble feelings:

“The boundless horizon is my love, beneath the rolling green hills the flowers bloom! What rhythm is most swinging, what song brings the greatest joy!”

“Yah!” The Jade Lion quickened its pace, leaving Zhang Yu feeling both exhilarated and sore from the bouncing.

“Guard Han, do you know what manner of song the master is singing? Why does it sound so strange?” Xiahou Lan asked quietly.

“Hm… There is nothing our master cannot do; it’s only natural we don’t know!”

After circling around, the rider and horse returned to their companions. Zhang Yu tugged gently at the mane, and the horse stopped, even lowering itself slightly to facilitate his dismount.

His first ride, and upon such a peerless steed—Zhang Yu felt as if he were soaring among the clouds.

“Brother Ziru, is this the so-called, ahem, ‘fierce horse’ you spoke of?”

“Pfft!” The Jade Lion looked at Xiahou Lan with almost human intelligence, snorting sharply.

“I find it quite gentle!” Zhang Yu shook his head with a smile, and the Jade Lion mimicked the motion. Any onlooker would surely laugh at such a display of spirit.

“If it were anyone else, I would never believe it. But with someone like the master, it makes perfect sense.” Xiahou Lan’s smile was sincere, clearly pleased for Zhang Yu.

Servants brought tack and reins for the Jade Lion, and Xiahou Lan selected a steed of blue coat, just slightly inferior but still splendid, for Han Long.

Zhang Yu and Han Long each led their steeds to the gate and took their leave of Xiahou Lan, feeling deeply satisfied with their fruitful visit.

“Master, I’ve already thought of a name for my horse—since you have a poem called ‘Song of the Artemisia Fields,’ I’ll call mine ‘Song of the Waves!’ Your Jade Lion is so beautiful; have you named it yet?”

“With the master’s poetic talent, I’m sure this white steed will have an elegant name!” Xiahou Lan praised, just right.

“That’s easy enough—it’ll be called ‘Little White!’”

“Pfft!” Both men and horse burst out laughing.

They returned with their steeds as dusk settled, the deepening night broken only by the sound of hooves.

Little White truly lived up to its Night-Lit name; in the darkness, its white coat shone as if bathed in moonlight, so Zhang Yu let it lead the way, illuminating their path.

When Zhang Yu and Han Long brought their horses to the stable, they happened upon Zhang Shiping, who was about to leave. Having witnessed many marvels from his son, he was only mildly surprised, then cheerfully offered praise, more delighted than if he himself had acquired a fine horse.

Zhang Yu had considered fashioning stirrups for Little White, but knowing full well from countless tales of time travel that such an invention would dramatically enhance cavalry’s combat power, he hesitated. He was, after all, merely a handsome youth and nothing more; were he to reveal such a discovery, he might soon be swept up by warlords, so he abstained.

His daily runs were now replaced by rides; “The handsome Jade Gentleman, elegant and free, clad in white robes and riding a white horse,” became a famous sight in Zhongshan City. The streets grew busier morning and evening, with men and women, young and old, wandering in hope of a chance encounter, eager to glimpse the Jade Gentleman’s charm.

When the first autumn leaf fell to the ground, beginning its mission to nourish the soil and protect the flowers, Zhang Yu had fully assimilated into the society of the late Eastern Han.

Here were honest folk, kind-hearted citizens.
Here were greedy officials, helpless brigands.
Here, there were no computers, no phones, no internet.

Here, though, were parents who cherished him as their very life, and devoted companions—Ying’er, Han Yan, and Han Long—who served faithfully by his side.

With winter yet to arrive, it was time to venture out.

Zhang Yu was awakened by the chill, the autumn cold penetrating even the four corners of his blanket.

He added another layer to his robes, groomed and dressed, then went to the main house as usual to pay his respects to his parents.

This custom, originating in the Ming and popularized by Qing court dramas, had become Zhang Yu’s habit; his proud father spread the practice, and soon it became the morning ritual for nearly every household in Zhongshan—children and juniors rising and paying respects, enhancing the Jade Gentleman’s reputation for virtue and integrity.

Passing by the hall, he overheard Zhang Shiping and Zhang Shuo in conversation. Deciding to greet his father first, he returned to the door.

Just as he was about to enter, he heard Zhang Shiping say, “…Changshan, must pay a visit…”

The creak of the door—

Hearing such an important place name, Zhang Yu could not help but push the door open quietly and step inside.

“Good morning, Father!”

“Good morning, Yu’er. Up very early today, I see.”

“Is it? Hehe… I don’t know, I just woke naturally.”

Time, indeed, was a challenge—no clocks in ancient times, and sundials rare in households. Apart from the city’s timekeepers and night watchmen, judging by the sun and sky was the simplest way.

“All right, go find your mother; I have matters to attend to.”

Zhang Yu did not leave, but asked, “What important affairs, Father? May I hear of them?”

Zhang Shiping never denied his son’s requests, and agreed, “Ah, nearly forgot my Jade Boy has grown up!
It’s nothing major, really. I had an agreement with a horse merchant from beyond the frontier to deliver horses to Changshan before autumn. Yet now autumn has come, and there is no news from Changshan.
I don’t know whether the merchant failed to arrive as promised, or if there’s some issue with our shop in Changshan. So I plan to send someone to investigate and find out where the problem lies.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yu looked at his father with obsidian-bright eyes and asked, “Father, may I go to Changshan on your behalf, to investigate?”