Chapter Eleven: Sworn Brotherhood

“To be honest, we don’t know where they threw Yang Kai’s horse, either. Judging by the chaos of the fight, aside from the few horses that were tied up, the rest likely scattered. And horses are a scarce resource—not everyone can travel by horseback,” Uncle Yang explained.

“So that’s how it is. I thought I’d be able to ride a horse from now on—just the thought of it had my heart racing with excitement! But given our current situation, I suppose I’ll have to postpone that dream…” Zhang Xuan spoke with a hint of regret. He had already begun picturing himself galloping across the battlefield, but reality had other plans.

“Let’s go! I’ll take you to see Old Master Tong. Whether it works out or not depends on you. Of course, I’ll put in a good word; otherwise, with just me and Old Master Tong on the road, the journey would be dreadfully dull.” As Zhang Xuan thought of spending every day with the stoic Old Master Tong, being criticized or even struck for no reason, he couldn’t help but shiver.

After such a fierce skirmish, there was little left to salvage. Yang Zaixing and the others gathered what they could and followed Zhang Xuan to seek out Old Master Tong.

As they walked, a thought stirred in Zhang Xuan’s mind: If Yang Zaixing was truly the legendary Yang Zaixing of Xiao Shanghe, then the fabric of time here was more twisted than anything “Ultimate Three Kingdoms” could describe. Wouldn’t that mean many people had crossed over as well? This world would be utterly mad!

As the idea took root, Zhang Xuan decided to test his theory. “Uncle Yang, may I ask—do you know Yang Ye or Yang Jian?” He chose two of the most renowned members of the Yang clan to probe further.

Uncle Yang pondered. “The Yang Ye you mention—is that General Yang Ye, the one guarding Yanmen Pass? And as for Yang Jian, I feel like I’ve heard that name before. I think Lord Han Fu has a subordinate called Yang Jian, but whether they’re the ones you mean, I cannot say. Zhang Xuan, it seems you aren’t so ignorant after all, knowing the names of such prominent figures.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xuan stood rooted to the spot, his mind blank. Only one thought echoed within: This can’t be real! If this was truly the case, then the end of the Han dynasty would be far more dramatic than any ordinary telling—breathtaking, even. But another anxiety surfaced: if things really were this way, how was he to survive here without a cheat or advantage?

The three noticed Zhang Xuan’s odd demeanor.

“Zhang Xuan, what’s wrong? What are you thinking about? General Yang Ye has done great things defending the people of the border from the Xianbei. He’s revered as the ‘Guardian Deity’ by the people of Yanmen Pass. But how do you even know of Yang Jian? I only learned of him by chance while accompanying my master to Jizhou City. Have you spent time there before? And why did hearing their names leave you like this?” As Uncle Yang spoke, he waved a hand in front of Zhang Xuan’s eyes.

Zhang Xuan’s unfocused gaze finally sharpened. “It’s nothing—I just thought of something shocking, that’s all.” His eyes sparkled as he looked at Yang Zaixing, finding the man increasingly pleasing to the eye, which made Yang Zaixing uneasy—was Zhang Xuan perhaps inclined toward such affections?

Had Zhang Xuan known what Yang Zaixing was thinking, he would have erupted in protest: What nonsense! I’m a perfectly normal young man—how could I possibly have that kind of inclination!

“Brother Yang, how about this—we seem to get along so well, why not become sworn brothers? We’ve already survived life and death together! Though I’m not from a noble family and may not be your equal in birth, don’t look down on me. As they say, never underestimate a young man in humble straits; who knows, I may make something of myself yet, perhaps even build a powerful family of my own. Anything is possible. So, Brother Yang, would you consider it?”

The three were stunned by Zhang Xuan’s sudden proposal, especially since Yang Zaixing had just been wondering about his intentions. They all stared at him blankly, nearly reaching out to check if he had a fever.

“Brother Yang, I’ve already started calling you ‘brother,’ haven’t I? Say something—let’s be decisive, not coy like some bashful maiden. Let’s at least make it official with a simple oath: three bows to heaven and earth, and it’s done. Come on, just accept me as your younger brother.”

Seeing Yang Zaixing’s nonresponse, Zhang Xuan urged him on.

“Zhang Xuan, it’s not that I’m being coy,” Yang Zaixing replied, “but as you heard, I carry a heavy family vendetta. If we become sworn brothers, I’d only be dragging you into it. Though those chasing us are gone, more will surely come. As for you, no one knows you here—if we part ways, they’ll never find you…”

But Zhang Xuan impatiently cut him off before he could finish.

“You make it sound so serious—it’s just a family vendetta! Didn’t I just say, never underestimate a poor youth? Who knows what the future holds? We might both achieve greatness; I’m confident I’ll help you avenge your family, though it might take some time. That settles it, then.”

Without further ado, Zhang Xuan pulled Yang Zaixing to his knees and solemnly recited:

“Heaven above and earth below, today I, Zhang Xuan, and Yang Zaixing become sworn brothers. From now on, Yang Zaixing is my elder brother, and I am his younger brother. His matters are my matters; his vendetta, my vendetta. We do not ask to be born or to die on the same day, but we vow to share fortune and adversity alike. Should we break this oath, may heaven strike us down with thunder and grant us no peaceful death.”

With that, Zhang Xuan placed a hand on Yang Zaixing’s shoulder, and together they bowed three times.

“It’s done! Brother Yang, from now on you’re my elder brother, and I am your younger brother. Please look after me in the days to come!” Without waiting for a reply, Zhang Xuan stood and bowed to Yang Zaixing.

“With a big brother like this, I feel emboldened already!”

Yang Zaixing had meant to say more, but looking at Zhang Xuan, he was at a complete loss for words. Hoping for some guidance, he glanced at Uncle Yang and Yang Hu, but both were equally stunned, their faces a mix of bewilderment and disbelief. Was this really how one formed a sworn brotherhood—so forcefully and without ceremony?

Clearly, Zhang Xuan was not someone to be judged by common sense.