Chapter 84: The Five Friends of the Bamboo Grove

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“When Ruan Yu praised the talents of the Pavilion Master, Cai Yong laughed and said, ‘All the talent under heaven amounts to one stone. Zhang alone has eight pecks of it, while the rest must share the remaining two.’ Thus, the Pavilion Master became famous far and wide as one ‘of surpassing talent.’”
——History of the Later Han, Biography of Cai Yong

“Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have activated the Literary Milestone Badge: ‘Talent of Eight Pecks’ (Few in the world are unaware of your renown; your essays and poems enjoy the highest esteem among scholars). Prestige points +1500, Experience points +1000. Current Prestige: 7300 (of 16100), Experience: 4200.”

It was only when Cai Yong’s words began to spread throughout the land that Zhang Yu realized just how swiftly ancient rumors could fly, as if whispers turned into thunder. Cai Yong had meant merely to praise a promising youth in his eyes, but once the tale caught on, it seemed to overshadow the reputation of every scholar under heaven.

Moreover, given Cai Yong’s immense prestige, all scholars in the empire simply had to accept it. No matter how exceptional one claimed to be, could one compare to Master Cai? Thus, this flamboyant title of “Talent of Eight Pecks” fell upon Zhang Yu’s head as if by some mischievous spirit. Unparalleled learning? He merely had a system on his side...

Goblets clinked and laughter rang out; guests and hosts alike were thoroughly delighted as night drew deep. Some guests returned home by carriage, while others stayed to rest within the Cai residence.

As he was still a guest at the Minister’s mansion, Zhang Yu could not return directly. If he tried to go back to the guesthouse, he would risk disturbing everyone’s sleep at such a late hour, so he and Han Long chose to stay at Cai Yong’s manor for the night.

The next morning, as guests departed one by one, Zhang Yu awoke and tidied himself, only to be stopped by the smiling steward.

“If you are not otherwise engaged, Young Master Zhang, please remain in the residence a while longer. The master wishes to discuss some matters with you upon his return.”

“It’s not bad to stay here; anywhere is the same for me. Though Chang’an is vast, it’s not my home after all.”

Stretching, Zhang Yu sighed and took another look at the layout of the Cai residence, finding it far superior to Lord Wang Yun’s estate—especially the bamboo grove in the back courtyard, lush and gentle in its fresh greenery.

The morning mist still lingered, shrouding the green, upright bamboo in a dreamlike haze, enchanting Zhang Yu at once. Birds flitted and sang, the wind whispered through the leaves, and he couldn’t help but recall the bamboo forest fight scene from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

He stepped forward gracefully, body swaying as he drifted toward the bamboo grove—this, his one unique ability: the Free Roaming Step.

That night in the guesthouse, Zhang Yu had tried to follow the original text in secret, and found himself growing light as a swallow, as if blessed by a spell of wind, his agility suddenly unmatched.

Just as he was reveling in this, the book in his hand dissolved into specks of light and vanished into his body.

“Could it be, I truly am a once-in-a-generation martial prodigy?”

“Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have mastered the special lightness skill: Free Roaming Step.
[Free Roaming Step (Ultimate): Prestige task reward—no comprehension or talent required, a lightness technique tailored for the host, ideal for showing off, scouting, spying, and escaping. This is a one-of-a-kind skill.]”

“I’d like to thank you, but must you keep stressing that no talent or comprehension is needed? Is that really so important?!”

Zhang Yu stamped his foot indignantly, then vaulted onto a tall bamboo stalk.

“No matter what, do I not have the bearing of a peerless master?”

At the front of the Cai residence—

“Young Lord Xu, please wait!”

“Hm? Brother Yu.”

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Xu Gan saw it was Ruan Yu and bowed in greeting.

“My teacher invites us to gather for a chat in the bamboo grove,” Ruan Yu said, now far more amiable than his prickly self yesterday.

Xu Gan had no objection, and followed Ruan Yu back into the residence, heading toward the bamboo grove.

There, the world felt clear and green; everywhere the eye fell was verdant.

Cai Yong was occupied with court matters that morning and had not yet returned, leaving only two men seated and conversing with laughter.

And who were these two if not Zhang Yu and Wang Can?

Each sat upon a stone stool, a large stone table placed between them, Cai Yong’s Jiaowei zither resting atop it, neither presuming precedence.

“Your elegance last night still fills me with admiration,” Wang Can said.

“You flatter me, Zhongxuan. You may simply call me Yu-lang. But I notice you have already taken a style name despite not yet reaching adulthood—how is that?”

Wang Can smiled. “As a boy, I found style names fascinating and pestered my father for one, but to no avail. Then, once, when he was drunk, I seized the chance and extracted a promise. From then on, I’ve always used my style name.”

“Haha! You were a mischievous child, and it’s a wonder your father did not erase your name when sober.”

“Ah, but, Yu-lang, after that my father not only never spoke my style name—he stopped addressing me by my given name as well.”

“Then how did he address you?”

“Brother, don’t laugh!”

“I won’t, I won’t!”

“Because as a child, for some reason, I loved the sound of donkeys braying, so my father called me... Little Donkey.”

...

“Huh, who’s laughing? That was loud enough to startle half of the Cai estate,” Xu Gan and Ruan Yu exchanged looks.

“In my view, this can’t possibly be Master Cai himself,” said Wang Tang, who had followed along with them. When Ruan Yu invited Xu Gan, Wang Tang happened to overhear and insisted on joining, curious to see what was happening.

Being the eldest son of a high official, Ruan Yu couldn’t refuse him. Besides, if the gathering was for scholars, what harm was there in listening in?

A ruffian is one thing; a cultured ruffian is another matter entirely.

And so, the three of them had come together.

Ruan Yu and Xu Gan shot Wang Tang a look of disdain. “As if we needed you to point that out.”

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“If I didn’t say it, no one would,” Wang Tang replied.

“Yesterday, I never noticed you were so—”

“Renew yourself daily, and day after day renew—people must improve,” Wang Tang said.

After a few verbal exchanges, Ruan and Xu got nowhere with him, so they simply ignored him.

Entering the bamboo grove, the three greeted Zhang Yu and Wang Can and sat down together. A maid served fragrant tea to dispel the aftereffects of last night’s drinking.

Zhang Yu tasted it, found nothing strange, and drank in peace—though his lips twitched now and then, and he kept his head down, not wanting to look at Wang Can.

“Was it you, Zhongxuan, who laughed just now?” Xu Gan asked with a smile.

“Me? Why me?” Wang Can looked baffled.

“It was, it was,” Zhang Yu answered with a smile.

Wang Can turned to him, confusion turning to panic, but Zhang Yu raised a hand to his mouth and whispered, “If you say I laughed, how will you explain it? Your childhood nickname will be revealed to all.”

Wang Can, now understanding, looked at him with gratitude. “It was I who laughed.”

“And what made you laugh, Zhongxuan? Will you share it with us?” Ruan Yu seemed to have overheard Zhang Yu’s words and pressed Wang Can.

“Yes, joy is best shared—” Wang Tang began, but Xu Gan cut him off. “It’s ‘joy shared is greater joy’!”

“Well done, Brother Wei Chang, you spotted the flaw I left on purpose. You’ve passed the test,” Wang Tang quipped.

“Bah!” Xu Gan was both irritated and amused. Zhang Yu stared at Wang Tang in surprise. “Could this fellow be a transmigrator like me? Are ancient scholars really so shameless?”

“Let’s not quarrel,” Ruan Yu said. “Let’s hear what Zhongxuan has to say.”

Wang Can turned to Zhang Yu, as if to say: Now I’ve taken the blame for you, and even my nickname is about to be exposed—how will you explain yourself?

Zhang Yu arched a brow in response, as if to say: Fool, just don’t answer!

...

Just as Wang Can hesitated, Wang Tang piped up:

“Since today five great scholars are gathered here, why not call ourselves ‘The Five Sages of the Bamboo Grove’?”

Zhang Yu started. “Are you sure you’re not a transmigrator?”

Before he could say anything more, Wang Can hurriedly seized the opportunity as if grasping a lifeline. “We are but humble scholars, hardly worthy of such a title. Let us simply call ourselves friends.”