Chapter Two: The Trio of Peach Garden

Not just one person came, but three.

One wore a jade-like headpiece, not exactly handsome, with long slender hands and unusually large ears.

Another had a red face, phoenix-shaped eyes, eyebrows resembling silkworms, and a long beard reaching his chest.

The last looked a bit rough—dark-skinned, with an unruly beard.

Such distinct features instantly brought to Zhang Bo’s mind a familiar trio.

The Peach Garden Three!

He had to admit, these men cosplayed the roles perfectly.

“You, shopkeeper, are so slow—are you even going to do business or not?”

The speaker was “Zhang Fei,” the same voice Zhang Bo had heard earlier in the courtyard.

“Third brother, don’t be rude,”

“Liu Bei” said to Zhang Fei beside him.

Hey, it really did look like them!

As for the second brother, “Guan Yu,” his gaze kept scrutinizing Zhang Bo.

“Shopkeeper, my three brothers are passing through here. We hope you can prepare some food for us.”

After calming Zhang Fei, Liu Bei cupped his hands politely toward Zhang Bo.

Faced with such courtesy, Zhang Bo naturally responded with equal politeness.

“Of course, of course. Please, come inside.”

Zhang Bo led the three into the courtyard.

There, Zhang Fei noticed Liu Ju already seated at the stone table.

“Hey, shopkeeper, you don’t look old, yet you have descendants of such an age?”

Zhang Fei clicked his tongue in amazement.

“Brother, you flatter me. That is not my child; he is a guest,”

Zhang Bo explained while guiding the trio toward the dining room.

Watching the three enter, Liu Ju sitting at the stone table felt a strange sensation.

He took out the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and began scanning its opening chapters.

Seven feet five inches tall, hands reaching past the knees, ears drooping to the shoulders.

Descendant of King Jing of Zhongshan, great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing.

Liu Bei?

Nine feet tall, beard two feet long, face like a ripe jujube, lips as if painted, phoenix-shaped eyes, silkworm eyebrows.

Guan Yu?

Eight feet tall, leopard head and ringed eyes, swallow chin and tiger whiskers, voice like thunder, force like a charging horse.

Zhang Fei?

How was this possible!

Shock was written all over Liu Ju’s face.

One person resembling them might be coincidence, but all three appearing together was problematic.

After careful thought, Liu Ju decided to move closer and see if they were indeed the figures described in the book.

“What would you like to eat?”

Zhang Bo approached the three holding a menu.

“Bring us all your best food and drink. Don’t worry—we come from a wealthy family,”

Zhang Fei patted his chest, exuding extravagance.

Wow, those who can afford cosplay are never poor.

Liu Bei added from the side.

“Shopkeeper, we have urgent matters, so just prepare something simple—no need for fuss.”

“All right, please wait a moment.”

Watching Zhang Bo walk away, Zhang Fei bounced on the bench like a child, chatting with Liu Bei and Guan Yu beside him.

“Hey, big brother, second brother, never thought dining like this would be possible. Honestly, this is way more comfortable than kneeling.”

“Indeed.”

Guan Yu stroked his magnificent beard, his eyes roaming the restaurant.

Since entering the eatery, he sensed it was vastly different from others he’d seen before.

“Third brother, don’t fidget. Sit still and wait. After we finish, we’ll head to Wolong Ridge for the third time. I wonder if this time we’ll meet the Wolong gentleman.”

No sooner had Liu Bei spoken than a look of displeasure crossed Guan Yu’s face.

“Brother, twice you’ve visited Wolong Ridge to pay respects to Kongming, but your manners were too excessive. Perhaps Zhuge Liang is all reputation without real skill, which is why he avoids you.”

Zhang Fei’s eyes widened fiercely, clearly disagreeing.

“Exactly, exactly! Who is this Kongming that big brother troubles himself to visit so many times? I’d rather prepare horses and ropes and drag him here myself.”

“Third brother, no. Haven’t you heard the story of King Wen of Zhou visiting Jiang Ziya? Even King Wen showed such respect to the worthy. How can you be so rude? If that’s the case, don’t go. The two of us, I and Yun Chang, will go together.”

Instantly, Zhang Fei fell silent, then helplessly said,

“If my two elder brothers go, how can I lag behind?”

“Third brother, if you come along, do not be rude!”

Zhang Fei promptly nodded in agreement.

Eavesdropping outside, Liu Ju listened attentively.

Wolong Ridge! The Wolong gentleman!

The Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage!

Wasn’t this from Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Liu Ju looked at the book in his hands, frowning deeply with confusion.

In the novel, the three visits happened in the twelfth year of Jian’an, but wasn’t it already the fifth year of Yuanshou now?

With that thought, Liu Ju decided he would follow these men to the legendary Wolong Ridge.

About five minutes later, Zhang Bo carried out a tray.

The tray held various cold dishes meant to accompany drinks.

“Hey, shopkeeper, your eatery may be small, but your food isn’t bad. Didn’t expect there’d be beef.”

Huh?

Beef? Why did that sound so surprising?

Zhang Bo didn’t know how to respond, so he said,

“Gentlemen, would you like some wine?”

Hearing this, Zhang Fei’s face lit up excitedly.

“Shopkeeper, what are you waiting for? Bring it on.”

“Third brother, we’re going to see the Wolong gentleman later. Don’t drink and cause trouble.”

With big brother’s warning, Zhang Fei reluctantly began picking at the cold dishes.

Zhang Bo, somewhat incredulous, rubbed his ears, wondering if he’d misheard.

Going to see the Wolong gentleman? No way!

It was the twenty-first century now; Zhuge Liang had long since turned to dust. His tomb was in Hanzhong—going to see a ghost?

Or was this part of their playacting?

Shrugging helplessly, Zhang Bo decided to just let them be.

Within fifteen minutes, the several pounds of cold dishes were devoured as if swept away by a storm.

Zhang Fei burped contentedly, a satisfied look on his face.

“Shopkeeper, I must say, your cooking is impeccable. I, Zhang Fei, come from a pig butcher’s background, yet I’ve never tasted pig head meat prepared so deliciously.

The cucumber dish is also refreshing and tasty. As for these things called peanuts, though I’ve never seen them before, their crispy flavor lingers delightfully.”

Zhang Fei’s praise made Zhang Bo, reclining on a chair outside, feel a little embarrassed. He had merely prepared some braised beef, pig head meat, fried peanuts, and smashed cucumbers. Was it really necessary to extol them as if they were heavenly delicacies rarely tasted by mortals?

Liu Bei led Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to their feet, stepped out of the dining room, and bowed deeply to Zhang Bo in gratitude.

“Thank you for your hospitality, shopkeeper. The payment is on the table. We have urgent business and will not disturb you further. Farewell.”

With that, the three mounted the horses in the courtyard and departed from the farmhouse inn together.

After seeing the guests off, Zhang Bo rose from his chair and returned to the restaurant to clear the dishes.

However, upon seeing the money left on the table, Zhang Bo was stunned.