They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 23 The Opportunity Arrives

"Brother!" Chen An's voice sounded abrupt and stubborn in the post station.
"Then...the Dragon King's supernatural powers are real! The old man's earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic that allows one to escape from the earth) is real too! Could you...teach me? I want to learn too!"

His gaze burned intensely at Chen Guangrui, as if he wanted to see through all the hidden secrets of his elder brother.

Yesterday, that enormous, ferocious dragon head pierced through the world he had built up over a decade of dominance with his fists and kicks, shattering all his understanding. Now, all that remained was an urgent desire: to touch that higher, stronger, and more mysterious realm!
Chen Guangrui was slowly organizing the few notes he had written the night before by the window when he heard this, and his fingers paused slightly.

Dragon! Immortal! Escape Technique!

I want to learn too.

I'm the one in a dead end! If I had some great supernatural power, would I need to go to such lengths?
You must understand, in the world of Journey to the West, I, Chen Guangrui, am currently... empty-handed!

But who will teach me?

His heart was in turmoil, but his expression remained as calm as a breeze on still water. He glanced at Chen An, but instead of directly answering his impulsive request, he spoke in a flat tone, as if it were merely childish play.
"Supernatural powers are great, we should learn them."

As for how to learn it? Chen Guangrui could only chuckle.

"Bang! Bang bang bang!"

At that moment, a rapid yet deliberately restrained knocking sounded, abruptly interrupting the conversation.

"Brother Guangrui! Is Brother Guangrui there?"

A deliberately familiar voice squeezed through the door and into the room. It was none other than Zhang Changling, the second-place scholar who had just predicted at the Eight Immortals Restaurant that Chen Guangrui would "have no chance of escaping" yesterday!
As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face; he peeked in, already smiling.

Chen An's face instantly darkened, a surge of anger rising to his head. He stepped forward to block the door, but Chen Guangrui stopped him with a hand. Chen Guangrui slowly shook his head at him, his eyes holding a profound meaning.

Chen An was resentful.

Brother! This kind of scum doesn't even deserve to come here! Have you forgotten how he slandered Lord Wei Zheng and how he climbed up the ladder by stepping on you? You're practically drowned in spittle from all over Chang'an! This kind of person should have his face thrown into the moat to feed the fish!
However, due to Chen Guangrui's obstruction, he could only let out a heavy "humph," withdraw his hand, and stand back behind Chen Guangrui, but his tiger-like eyes were still fixed on the door, as if he wanted to burn it through.

"Squeak."

The door was opened by Chen Guangrui.

Standing outside the door was Zhang Changling, dressed in a brand-new apricot-colored round-necked robe, his face bearing a stiff smile that seemed to be both trying to ingratiate himself and desperately trying to maintain his composure. In his hand, he carried a rather exquisite double-layered bamboo box, from which a faint aroma of soy milk wafted.

"Brother Guangrui!"

Zhang Changling's smile looked like it had been brushed on.
"Oh dear, I just passed by Zhang's Pastry Shop in the West Market, and the aroma of their freshly baked 'Jade Cake' wafted for miles! Thinking that such a soft, sweet treat is perfect for a morning's appetite, I specially... specially brought you two boxes, made with freshly ground rice and dripped with the finest acacia honey..."

He spoke rapidly, as if afraid of being interrupted, and handed the box forward as he spoke.

Chen An couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, like an ice cube hitting a hot iron.

Zhang Changling's expression froze for a moment, but soon his smile became even more warm and bright, as if he hadn't seen Chen An at all.

If he weren't shameless, he wouldn't have come today. Being an official isn't shameful!

At that moment, he was rapidly analyzing the current situation in his mind.

It was Chen Guangrui who told him to open the door!

Could it be... that there really is a intention to return to the world?
Zhang Changling grasped at this lifeline, his embarrassment instantly replaced by an even more fervent attempt to please, his voice rising three octaves, almost as if declaring:
"Brother Guangrui, your hearts are as vast as the sea! How could we presume to fathom them? Come, come, have a taste! The hotter the better..."

He said this and started to step inside.

"No need."

Chen Guangrui's voice was not loud, but it was like an invisible door, keeping Zhang Changling outside the threshold.

"I appreciate the second-place scholar's kindness."

Chen Guangrui spoke calmly, his face showing neither arrogance at being praised nor resentment at being humiliated. His eyes were as clear as two deep wells, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

The forced enthusiasm on Zhang Changling's face froze instantly. He didn't know whether to accept the pastry box he had offered or not. The last vestige of hope in his heart felt like it had been doused with ice water. The other party wasn't pursuing the matter, but they also completely rejected his advances! This calm was even more suffocating than a sudden outburst of curses!
"Brother!"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his voice, slightly raised with urgency, carried a deliberate hint of regret.

"Last night...last night I tossed and turned, deeply regretting my words! Lord Wei Zheng's loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon! He is a pillar of the state! It is the will of the people to appoint him to a high position as Crown Prince! As for that day...that day at the Eight Immortals Tower..."

He spoke incoherently, eager to explain himself.

"Those were just some drunken, reckless words, not to be taken seriously! Not to be taken seriously at all! It was not my intention! I was young and ignorant, with limited knowledge..."

"Reckless words?"

Chen Guangrui slightly raised her eyelashes, her gaze calmly falling on Zhang Changling's face. Her indifferent eyes seemed to penetrate his carefully crafted mask of repentance.
"With just the phrase 'there's no escape,' half the wards and markets of Chang'an probably know about it. Zhang Bangyan's words are as sharp as a blade, quite swift indeed."

These words were like an awl, piercing Zhang Changling's supposedly impeccable apology!
"!!!"

Zhang Changling's heart clenched suddenly! Chen An's cold snort behind Chen Guangrui was particularly grating. His face turned deathly pale for a moment, his forced composure crumbled completely, and his voice trembled slightly.
"This, this... Brother Guangrui, please understand! It was all... it was all those scoundrels stirring up trouble! I... I only... I only misspoke for a moment..."

His eyes darted around, as he tried his best to shift the blame to someone else.

Behind him, Chen An gritted his teeth, staring at the back of Zhang Changling's head, his eyes practically spitting fire, and he was already cursing under his breath.

Bullshit! Why didn't you say anything when you and your bunch of useless idiots were spouting nonsense? Why are you acting like a coward now?
He looked at Chen Guangrui, his meaning clear: Brother, you should make this kind of person kneel outside the door and kowtow eight times! Make him crawl out of the inn! Let's see if he still has the nerve to stay here.
"Speechless..."

Chen Guangrui didn't look into Chen An's eyes, but repeated a sentence in a tone that was neither praise nor criticism, but made Zhang Changling even more uneasy.

Just when Zhang Changling thought all hope was lost, his heart sank to the bottom, and he even began to regret the humiliation he had brought upon himself, Chen Guangrui shifted his gaze away from him as if he had lost interest, and instead turned to the sky outside the corridor where the gloom was gradually dissipating.

He remained silent for a few breaths.

This brief silence felt like an eternity for Zhang Changling, like climbing a mountain of knives or being plunged into a boiling oil pot.

Before coming, he had already assessed the situation. Chen Guangrui's poem had revealed his character, and someone with such a character would not hold a grudge against him.

But seeing Chen Guangrui deep in thought, he didn't dare to breathe loudly, waiting for the result.

Finally, Chen Guangrui let out a soft sigh, a sigh so light it seemed to carry a weariness and helplessness born of a keen understanding of the ways of the world, breaking the deadlock.

"All right."

His voice softened, no longer carrying the invisible pressure it had before, but instead carrying a hint of... indescribable meaning. It was no longer a rejection, but more like a detached and calm observation.

He looked at Zhang Changling's face, tense with nervousness yet rekindled with hope by that sigh, and slowly said,
"Right and wrong, success and failure, all turn to nothing. Zhang Bangyan, you and I are both newly promoted officials, why cling to the past and imprison ourselves in a cage?"

This statement shows great magnanimity. Both of them had just entered officialdom and could make friends, but they should not make enemies.

Therefore, Zhang Changling couldn't help but praise Chen Guangrui when he heard his words.

Zhang Changling felt as if that invisible door had opened a crack because of that sigh! A surge of immense joy mixed with uncertainty made his voice tremble.

"Brother Guangrui is so magnanimous! I am far inferior to him! But... but the situation in Chang'an is so volatile right now, and I am too foolish to..."

He bowed deeply again, this time lower, with an unprecedented humility, filled with complete, almost pleading, trust.

This time, Chen Guangrui's political opportunism opened his eyes.

Now that Wei Zheng has been given an important position, but there is no word from Sun Fujia, Zhang Changling is somewhat uneasy.

Now that the successful Chen Guangrui is right in front of him, he naturally wants to learn from him. After all, he hasn't been officially appointed yet, so there's still time.

“Brother! I am filled with extreme fear! Like a blind man riding a blind horse, I am approaching a deep pool at midnight! In this turbulent Chang'an, I am truly… at my wit’s end! I beg you… for the sake of our shared studies in the imperial examinations, for the sake of… for the sake of…”

He tried to find more reasons, but found that only this one was somewhat plausible.
"Out of our shared school days, please offer some guidance! Show me the way!"

He used the words "elder brother" and "affection" to position himself as a "junior classmate," almost as if he were a student seeking guidance.

Chen Guangrui looked at his anxious posture, as if he were gambling his entire life and future on a single sentence from her. This desperate, humble attempt to learn from him filled her with respect.
This guy is so shameless. Before we'd even exchanged a few words, Zhang Changling was already treating him like an old friend.

And this was the opportunity that Chen Guangrui had been waiting for.

"I dare not presume to be the right path."

His voice softened, carrying a deliberate, persuasive quality, like a teacher finally deciding to offer some guidance to a stubborn student.

"but,"

He abruptly changed the subject, as if he had piqued everyone's interest.
"There is a rare opportunity, which may... be just right for Zhang Bangyan's temperament, talent and current situation."

He specifically emphasized "temperament", "talent" and "circumstances", each word seemingly hitting Zhang Changling's sore spot.

"If we miss it..."

Chen Guangrui shook his head regretfully; the lingering aftertaste was more alluring than anything explicitly stated. "It's truly a pity."

"An opportunity?!"

Zhang Changling's eyes suddenly lit up, like a hungry wolf smelling blood. His breathing became rapid involuntarily. All his previous unease and fear were temporarily dispelled by the light of this "clear path." He took a step forward, almost touching the threshold, and asked urgently, "I hope my elder brother can enlighten me! What opportunity is it?"

Chen Guangrui nodded slightly, the faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips seeming to deepen slightly, carrying a sense of complete control and composure. He spoke clearly, word by word:

"Yin Kaishan, Minister of Works Yin. He holds one of the Three Dukes positions, has distinguished himself in military affairs, and is deeply trusted by His Majesty. His only daughter is of marriageable age, gentle and virtuous..."

He paused, as if choosing the most suitable word, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Zhang Changling's face, which froze in shock.
"I heard that the family is already making preparations. In eight days, they will erect a decorated tower and, following ancient customs, throw colorful ribbons to select a virtuous and talented son-in-law."

"Your chance has come."

(End of this chapter)