Chapter Fourteen: Little Xuan

As Zhang Xuan ran, he found himself in the small town, where he picked up some steaming hot breakfast to bring back for Old Man Tong and the others. After all, Zhang Xuan was no longer the penniless youngster he used to be! He remembered the days when he could only drool over the piping hot steamed buns by the roadside, all the while gauging Old Man Tong’s mood. After last night’s “baptism,” Zhang Xuan now had a bit of money to his name and could finally afford to treat himself.

When Zhang Xuan returned, Old Man Tong, Uncle Yang, and the others had already packed up and were sitting together chatting. Seeing Zhang Xuan, Old Man Tong grinned, “Back already? Well, look at you, striking it rich and buying breakfast for once! What’s wrong, is the flatbread I give you not good enough? If you don’t like it, you can cook for yourself.”

“Enough of that,” Zhang Xuan replied, handing over the breakfast. “I bought this for all of you. Only when you eat well will you have the strength to travel, especially a growing kid like me. I need something warm and nourishing so my body can absorb it. No offense, Old Man Tong, but your flatbread is really nothing to brag about.”

He continued, “It’s been sitting a while, so it’s cooled down a bit, but it still tastes fine.”

Uncle Yang took the breakfast and asked, “Xuan, you’re up so early—where did you go? Next time, take your big brother with you.”

“Xuan? What’s with that name? I object!” Zhang Xuan froze at the sound of it. That address made him feel as if he were a eunuch in the palace. Couldn’t they call him ‘Little Brother Xuan’ or ‘Second Brother’? Why insist on ‘Xuan’? He strongly objected!

But before Zhang Xuan could voice his protest, Old Man Tong chimed in, “I think ‘Xuan’ is just fine. Objection overruled.” Seeing Zhang Xuan’s speechless expression, Old Man Tong mused that this might be the first time he’d ever seen the boy bested in a battle of words, so he raised both hands in support of the name.

Uncle Yang and Yang Hu also seemed to approve, saying nothing in objection.

Zhang Xuan silently flipped Old Man Tong the middle finger. Old Man Tong didn’t know exactly what that gesture meant, but after seeing Zhang Xuan use it often enough, he could guess. “Xuan, yes—let’s stick with that. It’s decided. From now on, you’ll be in charge of breakfast since you’re always up early.”

“You hear that, Xuan?”

“We’re talking to you, Xuan!”

Zhang Xuan glared at Old Man Tong, but the old man just called him by the name even more gleefully. In the end, Zhang Xuan could only swallow his protest and accept it.

“Pay up! Don’t think you’re getting a free meal. You only got breakfast today because I was in a good mood. Don’t count on that happening every day.”

He rubbed his fingers together in the universal gesture for money.

Old Man Tong ignored him, turning to the others. “Finished eating? Let’s get moving. We lost some time over the past few days, so we’ll need to make up for it. Let’s leave early.”

“Come on, Old Man Tong, don’t change the subject! Let’s settle the breakfast money first!” Zhang Xuan protested.

Old Man Tong waved him off. “Sort it out yourself. Can’t handle such a simple thing? Well, looks like everyone’s ready. Let’s go. Xuan, are you going to keep running, or what?”

This seemed to be a throwaway question as Old Man Tong mounted his horse and took the lead. Uncle Yang and the others followed suit.

Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but suspect that during his absence, these people had made some secret pact just to gang up on him.

“After all I did, buying breakfast for you lot, you just ride off without looking back, not even waiting for me to pack up my things. Ungrateful bunch! Why is my life so hard?” he grumbled while gathering his belongings. Once ready, he warmed up and set off running to catch up.

Uncle Yang noticed Zhang Xuan running alongside. “Old Man Tong, has that boy always run like this? Doesn’t he get tired?”

“At least for the past few days, yes. I ride, he runs. I never asked him to; he just does it. Running won’t kill him. If he gets tired, he’ll rest. That kid is sharp, don’t worry about him,” Old Man Tong replied, turning to Yang Zaixing.

“Young man, what’s your name again? My memory isn’t what it used to be—don’t mind me.”

“Master Tong, my name is Yang Zaixing. Thank you—” Yang Zaixing began, bowing respectfully from his horse, but Old Man Tong cut him off.

“If you want to thank someone, thank Xuan. I didn’t do anything. If there’s any real trouble, I’d be the first to get out of the way! So, you practice with the spear too? You and Xuan can spar sometime. But when you do, be prepared to risk your life—only then can you truly improve. Oh, and you could try running like Xuan. But take it slow—heal your leg first. Don’t expect to keep up with him right away. Building stamina is good for you. I ramble on, don’t mind me.”

“Thank you for your advice, elder. But how did you know my leg was injured? I thought I’d hidden it well,” Yang Zaixing asked.

“What? The young master’s leg is injured? When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me? Get off your horse, let me see,” Uncle Yang exclaimed, preparing to examine the wound.

Yang Zaixing was about to explain when Old Man Tong interjected, “Enough, Brother Yang. It’s nothing serious—just a minor wound, no bones or tendons hurt. Just be careful for a few days and you’ll be fine. It won’t interfere with his training. See how lively he is?”

“Alright, but young master, you must tell me right away if you’re hurt again, or else—”

“Alright, Uncle Yang, I’ll tell you next time. Yesterday was a special case—no big deal, just a scrape. Like Old Man Tong said, it’ll heal in a few days. And Uncle Yang, we agreed last night—stop calling me young master. Call me Zaixing or whatever you like. I’m not a young master anymore. Same for you, Brother Yang Hu.”

“You’re right. When traveling, it’s best not to attract unnecessary trouble,” Uncle Yang nodded, reminding Yang Hu as well.

“Finally caught up with you lot! Why did you leave so early? After all that running, my breakfast was for nothing. How am I supposed to live like this?” Zhang Xuan finally caught up, fuming as he watched the others chatting and laughing while he struggled to keep pace. The injustice burned within him.

Old Man Tong, seeing Zhang Xuan arrive, called out, “Let’s get moving again—we’ve lost some more time. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be camping in the wilderness again tonight.”

With that, he urged Uncle Yang and the others to ride on.

“Hey, have a heart! Remember to leave a mark! And catch some extra game tonight—I used up a lot of energy today and need a good meal to make up for it!” Zhang Xuan shouted at Old Man Tong, flipping him the middle finger as the old man’s back receded into the distance.