Thanks to the one-hour time difference between Japan and home, there was no need to adjust to a new time zone.
Luo Jianhui woke at 7 a.m. and went for a 3-kilometer run. When he returned, planning to grab breakfast, the production team informed him there wouldn't be any.
Zhang Ning and Min Jeongbae got up around 7:30. Cai Jia, who had a habit of snacking late at night, didn't rise until 8, practically woken by her own hunger pangs.
"I'm starving. Why isn't breakfast here yet? Don't tell me the production team isn't feeding us at all," Min Jeongbae groaned.
"You guessed it. Breakfast costs 3,000 yen," Luo Jianhui replied.
Min Jeongbae collapsed onto the sofa like a withered vegetable. Hungry women were not to be trifled with, and Zhang Ning shot up, ready to storm outside and confront the directors.
"Wait, that 3,000 yen is the hotel's standard breakfast set," Chu Zhi explained. "I checked out the area this morning. The production team isn't covering breakfast, but they haven't inflated the price either."
3,000 yen – roughly 150 RMB – was already the cheapest option, and it was clear that the group was now feeling the pinch of Japanese prices. At five sets, that would eat away 15,000 yen from their shared budget. Granted, it was a luxury hotel, so the rate made sense.
"Let's wait for a mission. Maybe it'll come with food. I think the real concern today is lunch," Chu Zhi said.
That snapped everyone to attention. If breakfast cost that much, how expensive would lunch be?
"The captain is right," Cai Jia suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone turned to her in confusion. Just minutes ago she had been brooding in silence, and now she burst out like that?
Clink, clink, clink.
The sound came from the balcony, like pebbles tapping on glass.
Chu Zhi stepped over to find a plastic dart embedded in a wooden stool, with a rolled-up letter attached.
The next mission had arrived. Chu Zhi showed it to the others.
"Congratulations on thwarting the Gold Thief's schemes. However, enraged, he has summoned his brother: the Illusion Thief. You must find the three hidden martial arts scrolls concealed by the Illusion Thief. If you fail, the people of Jozankei will remain under his spell and refuse to share any food."
So the show had a storyline now. Thinking back to last night's masked intruder, it all fit.
"The Jozankei hot spring district is huge. We can't possibly search the whole thing. There must be a clue," said Cai Jia.
Chu Zhi turned the letter over. In the lower-left corner on the back, written in barely visible script, was a postscript:
"P.S. Word has it the Illusion Thief is drawn to scenic places."
Cai Jia immediately slipped into gamer mode. "Then we're meant to visit tourist spots. Our show is called Journey Among the Stars right? We must be filming at local scenic points. Captain, any famous sites nearby?"
"It's not autumn or winter, so we're not in maple or ski season," Chu Zhi said. "So based on this morning's scouting, we've got the Jozankei Shrine, Futami Suspension Bridge, and Kappa Valley."
"Perfect! Three scrolls, three sites. Let's split up," said Cai Jia. "It's still a variety show, so the scrolls should be near hidden cameras. Just look for filming equipment, and we'll find them."
"Camera gear is big. You can't really hide it," she added.
"Bravo!" Min Jeongbae clapped. "The two aces in our group solved it in seconds. Honestly, without you two, I wouldn't dare reveal my true identity."
"And that is?" Chu Zhi played along.
"I am the Prince of Slackers. I command the 72 Lazy Arts of Earth and the 36 Celestial Techniques of Doing Nothing," Min Jeongbae declared proudly.
"A worthy rival indeed," Chu Zhi replied with a polite fist salute.
Jokes aside, they now had a clear plan.
They divided into three groups. Cai Jia insisted on going solo, trying to make up for yesterday's blunder. She wanted to prove herself.
Assignments:
Kappa Valley: Cai Jia
Futami Suspension Bridge: Chu Zhi and Zhang Ning
Jozankei Shrine: Min Jeongbae and Luo Jianhui
"Be careful on the suspension bridge," Chu Zhi reminded them. That's why he hadn't let Cai Jia go there alone.
"We're all close by. If anything happens, call. Press and hold '1' to reach me directly," he instructed, handing out 2,000 yen to each person just in case.
"We haven't had breakfast. If someone crashes from low blood sugar, it'll be bad. Here, I brought some emergency rations."
He pulled out four portions of chocolate and a small packet of milk candies, each with one square of chocolate and four candies.
"Captain, you legend! Where did this come from? Did you sneak it in? Should we hide it from the cameras?" Min Jeongbae whispered dramatically.
"Don't worry. I made a little deal with the crew. It's allowed," Chu Zhi said with a smile.
"Thanks, Captain," Luo Jianhui nodded.
Zhang Ning popped a candy into her mouth and practically melted. She hadn't had sweets in ages. She made a note to buy a few packs once they got back.
The team set out, fueled by chocolate and determination.
Though the sun was mild, Zhang Ning and Cai Jia applied sunscreen before heading out.
"Aren't you going to put on any makeup?" Zhang Ning asked.
"If I don't need it, I skip it," Chu Zhi said casually. He was aiming for another low-effort achievement.
Zhang Ning looked at his flawless skin and fell silent. Not many A-list stars could pull off being camera-ready barefaced. But Chu Zhi did.
Ten minutes later, they reached Futami Park. The suspension bridge lay just beyond.
And they didn't have to search long. A production staff member was already waiting at the bridge. He wore a martial arts costume and had a plastic dao strapped to his belt.
In front of him stood a stone tablet with an inscription:
离离上原の草,
Riri jougen no kusa,
Lush grasses spread across the plains,
一歲に一度枯荣す.
Issai ni ichido ko'ei su.
Withering and flourishing once each year.
野火やけども尽きず,
Yaka yakedo mo tsukizu,
Wildfires may burn, but they never consume all—
春風ふいてまた生ず.
Harukaze fuite mata shouzu.
When spring winds blow, life returns once more.
遠芳古道を侵し,
Enpou kodou o okashi,
Their fragrance creeps along the ancient road,
晴緑荒城に接す.
Seiryoku koujou ni sessu.
Their emerald green touches the ruined walls.
また王孫のさるを送れば,
Mata ouson no saru o okureba,
Again, I bid farewell to a noble friend,
せいせいとして別情みつ.
Seisei toshite betsu jou mitsu.
My heart brimming with parting's sorrow.
"Greetings, travelers. I am the Legendary Hero of Qiyi. While wandering this land, I discovered this ancient poem and have since studied it in depth," the staff member said with a bow.
So this was a monument, not just a sign. And "Hero of Qiyi"? What a name.
Chu Zhi leaned in. The poem was in Japanese. He recognized it instantly: it was Bai Juyi's "Grass," translated. Japanese editions even added hiragana pronunciation guides.
Bai Juyi was actually more well-known than Li Bai or Du Fu in Japan, so most of his poems had local versions.
"Still, this translation?" Chu Zhi cringed internally. It wasn't good.
"If either of you can recite the poem aloud, I'll reveal where the scroll is hidden," said the Hero.
"Reading it out in Japanese..." Zhang Ning murmured. "Let me try. I memorize lines for acting, so I should be pretty good."
===
This is a famous Tang Dynasty poem by Bai Juyi (白居易), titled "Farewell on the Ancient Grassland" ("赋得古原草送别").
Bai Juyi wrote this at age 16, showcasing his genius nature.
The grass symbolizes enduring vitality (surviving fires/seasons). Decay and rebirth mirror human farewells and reunions. The "noble youth" (王孙) represents friends/ambitions leaving, while the grass embodies lingering attachment.
"野火烧不尽,春风吹又生" (Wildfires can't destroy the grass; spring revives it) → Symbolizes endurance and renewal. This line also are proverbial in Chinese for unyielding hope.
"王孙" (ouson) → Refers to a noble friend, emphasizing the poignancy of farewell.
Used "jougen" (上原) for "upland plains" to preserve the original imagery.
"Seisei" (せいせい) captures the overflowing emotion of "filled with parting grief."
Here is the original Poem:
离离原上草,
Lí lí yuán shàng cǎo,
Lush, lush, the grassland's weeds,
一岁一枯荣.
Yī suì yī kū róng.
Wither and flourish, year by year.
野火烧不尽,
Yěhuǒ shāo bù jìn,
Wildfires cannot burn them all—
春风吹又生.
Chūnfēng chuī yòu shēng.
The spring wind blows, and they revive.
远芳侵古道,
Yuǎn fāng qīn gǔdào,
Their distant scent veils the ancient road;
晴翠接荒城.
Qíng cuì jiē huāng chéng.
Sunlit green tangles with ruined walls.
又送王孙去,
Yòu sòng wángsūn qù,
Again I bid the noble youth farewell—
萋萋满别情.
Qī qī mǎn bié qíng.
Luxuriant grasses, heavy with parting grief.