Chapter Forty-Six: A Scene Revisited

"Alright, we'll talk about it when you return. In the meantime, while you two are at home, spend more time with your family. Also, offer guidance to those at home who practice martial arts. Xiongfu, if you find anyone with talent for martial arts, take them with you when you return to your sect. After all, whether you teach one or many, it's all the same. If the world truly becomes chaotic and we find ourselves on the battlefield, those you've trained will surely be highly sought after. Earlier, you mentioned Yang Zaixing and Yuwen Chengdu—do you think they'll become great generals? If I recall, Xiongfu, you have two other disciples, don't you?"

"Yes, Yang Zaixing and Yuwen Chengdu will be formidable on the battlefield in the future. As for my other two disciples, I lost touch with them after I left. I never settled anywhere, so they couldn't find me. Last I heard, one went to Yizhou and the other returned to Liangzhou."

"That’s another path," Yan Mao said, smiling after listening to Tong Yuan's words.

The three—father-in-law and sons-in-law—continued their discussion in the room for a long time, setting the course for the Yan family’s future. As for Zhang Xuan and the others, arriving in a new environment always called for a fresh mindset and a new beginning. Zhang Xuan dragged Yang Zaixing and Yuwen Chengdu out to wander the area, while Zhao Yun chose to stay in the courtyard to practice what he had recently learned. Yang Bo and Yang Hu remained behind to clean and prepare their new lodgings, readying themselves for a longer stay.

Led by Yuwen Chengdu, Zhang Xuan and his companions wandered aimlessly through the streets, observing the local customs and culture. Zhang Xuan, as he strolled, wondered if his experience would mirror those described in novels: perhaps he would meet a "celebrity" like Yang Zaixing, or encounter a group of ruffians bullying a girl, allowing him to play the hero and win her heart. Maybe, after saving her, she would be forever grateful and a romance would blossom, or he might meet a girl with whom he seemed incompatible, only for her to be won over by his protagonist’s charm and insist on marrying him. Thinking of these familiar tropes, Zhang Xuan couldn’t help but grin, his smile stretching ear to ear. Yang Zaixing and Yuwen Chengdu, walking beside him, at times looked at him as if he were a fool.

"Xuan, what are you thinking about, grinning like that? Or has something gone wrong in your head?" Yang Zaixing asked, unable to resist commenting on Zhang Xuan’s lecherous smile.

"Big brother, don’t use your sordid thoughts to judge my pure, unblemished heart. I was merely imagining how, once my martial arts surpass yours, I’ll pin you to the ground and rub your face in it. The thought alone makes me happy, even if you beg for mercy."

"Give it up—your dream will never come true. I won't give you the opportunity. Honestly, I think you’ll be pinned to the ground by young Zhao Yun, and repeatedly, at that. Just look at how much he practices. So, Xuan, you’d best befriend him now, lest it really happens! Haha!"

"Pfft, with enough effort, even an iron rod can be ground into a needle. Just you wait, big brother—I’ll pin you to the ground someday," Zhang Xuan said, gesturing enthusiastically. "As for young Zhao Yun, he’s my protégé. He’s destined to stand on my shoulders and grow. If I’m knocked down by the next generation, I’ll be glad and proud!"

Yuwen Chengdu watched as Zhang Xuan and Yang Zaixing bantered, and couldn’t help but laugh as well.

"Yuwen, you should smile more. With a face as handsome as yours, don’t be one of those cold city boys—no one wants that. What if you can't find a wife in the future?"

"Xuan, I think you're jealous that Yuwen is more handsome than you," Yang Zaixing teased. "But speaking of which, what exactly is a 'cold city boy'?" After asking, Yuwen Chengdu also turned to Zhang Xuan, curious about the term.

Zhang Xuan looked at his two eager companions, cleared his throat, adjusted his clothes, and adopted the air of a scholarly lecturer.

"If you have something to say, spit it out. No need for theatrics."

"I’m not being dramatic. Big brother, do you even know what ‘dramatic’ means? Using words you don’t understand—ignorant! Let me give you a bit of knowledge. A cold city boy is someone who appears aloof, whose face seems to keep others at arm’s length—like Yuwen here. Just looking at him makes you feel inferior, afraid to approach. Girls see people like this and stay away. How could he ever find a wife?" In truth, Zhang Xuan was thinking the opposite: with such looks, charisma, martial skill, and style, Yuwen Chengdu was far too attractive, whether in the past or present.

"Yuwen, I haven't asked—how old are you?" After explaining ‘cold city boy,’ Zhang Xuan, with his own schemes in mind, asked Yuwen Chengdu.

"Thirteen..." Yuwen Chengdu began, but Zhang Xuan interrupted him, walking up to him and shaking his head. He tried to put his hand on Yuwen’s shoulder, but found him taller, so it didn’t feel right and he gave up.

"Yuwen, our conversations shouldn’t be so formal. You can’t bully someone educated, so can we speak plainly? Thirteen is thirteen—no need for flowery language; everyone understands."

"Alright, I’ll keep that in mind," Yuwen Chengdu replied, thinking Zhang Xuan was about to say something important.

"Big brother, you’re older than Yuwen, right?" Zhang Xuan asked Yang Zaixing.

"Yes, by a year. Why?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized, "Wait—are you trying to make me recognize a little brother, or get yourself a second brother?"

"Why not? Yuwen, would you like to be my second brother? As for big brother, you don't have a chance. After all, he's older and a bit better at martial arts, so let him have the spot. Besides, as big brother, you have to lead by example and look out for your younger brothers—it’s a lot of work, so you can keep that role!"

Yang Zaixing, seeing Yuwen Chengdu’s shocked expression after Zhang Xuan’s proposal, pulled Zhang Xuan aside and whispered, "Xuan, you just rattled off all that—why didn’t you ask my opinion first? I am your brother, after all. And did you ask Yuwen himself? What if he disagrees? You’ll be in an awkward spot, and that would be hilarious."