Heaven and earth bear witness.

In high spirits, Wang Bo and his two companions led their horses into the mountain forest. They had barely taken a few steps when a sudden shout rang out. Two men stood up about seven or eight paces ahead, both burly, dark-faced fellows with yellow headbands.

The man on the left, a rough and imposing brute, swung the two large, indistinguishable iron hammers in his hands and bellowed, “Drop your horses and water skins! Spare your lives!”

Startled, Wang Bo quickly thrust his weapon forward, but seeing the two did not advance, he steadied himself. Beside him, Xu Chu was displeased and swung his long blade with a forceful “whoosh,” shouting, “Where did these petty thieves come from, hiding in the grass and pretending to be wolves? Let's see if Second Master permits such nonsense!”

“Such insolence!” the brute gripped his hammers, ready to fight Xu Chu, but Wang Bo stopped him.

“Wait! I see you are poorly dressed, not like government troops. Are you, too, Yellow Turban brothers scattered by defeat?” Wang Bo stepped half a pace toward the lean, middle-aged man on the left and asked. After a pause, he added, “We too were scattered by the government forces and fled here!”

The rough man glared, about to retort, but the middle-aged man patted his shoulder and replied, “If you are truly Yellow Turbans, why do you lack the army insignia? Have you betrayed the Celestial Master?”

“We lost them while fleeing for our lives,” Wang Bo answered.

“Lost them, you say? Clearly, you abandoned them on purpose! I've been watching you for a while. If you hadn’t ambushed the government troops, I’d have cut off your heads myself!” the middle-aged man said grimly.

Wang Bo glanced at Xu Chu, then at the man, and answered with a hint of amusement, “With just the two of you?”

“Hahaha! Arrogant brat! I, Yang Feng, move freely amidst thousands of soldiers and horses. How dare a handful of destitute peasants think so highly of themselves?”

“Times change, General. If you are so capable, why have you fallen to such straits? Could you not bear to kill that old dog Huangfu? And what of Celestial Master Zhang and ‘General Rengong’? Where do you place them now?”

“Enough!” The brute tried to rush forward again, but Yang Feng restrained him.

“Very well! You have a sharp tongue and clear mind, calm even in peril. No wonder you led dozens to escape the slaughter of the government forces. A youth of uncommon talent!” Yang Feng praised.

Wang Bo secretly scoffed, then continued smoothly, “If the General has nowhere to go, why not rest at our camp?”

After a moment's thought, the middle-aged man nodded. “Very well, I’ll trouble you to lead the way.”

Wang Bo again scoffed inwardly, thinking: He clearly wanted to join us all along, putting on this display just to save face. Why else wait until we returned with water to block the path?

Noting their tattered armor and hair like birds’ nests, Wang Bo guessed they had suffered much. He handed over the water skin and, taking out two pieces of Xu Chu’s hidden dried meat, offered them. The two men ate and drank in silence.

“If you’ve been hungry too long, best not to eat too much at once,” Wang Bo advised. “We’ll sort things out at camp.”

The brute mumbled, “Not that hungry. Just terribly thirsty. There’s plenty of wild food in the mountains, but we dared not fetch water…”

Wang Bo chuckled and said no more, waiting for them to finish.

On the way, Wang Bo learned that Yang Feng was among the earliest followers of Zhang Jue. Quick-witted and brave, he was made a regional commander after the Yellow Turban uprising began, serving under Grand Commander Liao Hua. After the fall of Guangzong, he escorted the young “Saintess” Zhang Ning to Quyang to join “General Digong” Zhang Bao, but they were ambushed by government troops and scattered. Forced to flee, they ended up in these mountains.

The burly black-faced man was called Ping Han, a name given by Liao Hua. When asked his real name, he looked blank. He was Yang Feng’s close retainer.

Returning to the cave, they saw at once the forlorn figure of Li Damu, tied to a lone tree stump in front of the cave, looking utterly dejected. It was hard not to smile at the sight. Li Damu sat there, head hung low, lost in thought.

By the time everyone had returned, dusk was falling. Several fires were lit, and a stew of wild vegetables and meat was set to boil—not horse meat this time, but rabbit, rat, and some other unknown creatures, even a small boar with tusks. Clearly, there was no shortage of animals in these mountains.

For the sake of survival, everyone worked hard, not a single slacker among them. Even the twenty or so timid ones, under Chen Rong’s leadership, were diligently laying out straw for bedding.

At the cave entrance, piles of wild vegetables and bundles of short spears tied with grass ropes were neatly stacked.

Before long, the scent of roasting meat wafted across the clearing. Joy was evident on every face, and for a moment Wang Bo was transported back to the happy days of childhood outings in the mountains.

Xu Chu brought a heap of unfamiliar red mountain fruits in his helmet, kicked Niu Feihu aside, and sat next to Wang Bo with a wide grin. “I’ve tasted these before—they’re delicious! Niu Da picked them!”

Wang Bo took a handful, passed some to Yang Feng and Ping Han, and slowly ate while tending the sizzling wild boar over the fire.

Once they’d eaten their fill, Wang Bo considered organizing watches, but seeing some people stumbling about, he realized many suffered from night blindness—a common ailment among the poor due to long-term malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency. This was also why night attacks in ancient times were often so deadly. Eating more meat, especially liver and fish, would cure it.

He beckoned Xu Chu over, who gathered Zhou Xiu, Wang Qi, the Niu brothers, and Chen Rong’s group, seating them in a circle. “This is Commander Yang Feng and Leader Ping Han,” he introduced.

The group merely glanced coldly at the newcomers and said nothing. Seeing Ping Han’s anger rising, Yang Feng quickly interjected, “I am grateful for your shelter. Brother Wang, please, no more talk of commanders—my brother here is rough, but means well. I hope you’ll forgive his temper.” He bowed slightly.

Wang Bo stopped Xu Chu from speaking and said, “We’re all just trying to survive. Let the past be past. I know some of you still resent the Yellow Turbans for what’s happened. But tell me, is there anywhere left in this land untouched by suffering? Besides, these two are not to blame! Better to think about what to do next, and where our path lies.”

A heavy silence fell, broken only by sighs. Xu Chu thumped his chest and declared, “Why not come to my Xu Family Village? We’re not rich, but we have a few acres—enough to feed a few more mouths!”

Wang Bo laughed, “You’re a deserter now, wanted for a capital crime. If you return home, you’ll only bring trouble to your family. Besides, we’ve all crawled out of heaps of corpses together. Wherever we go, we go as one! There are too many of us for your village alone…”

Xu Chu looked up resolutely. “If I have no home, then I’ll follow you, Big Brother! Wherever you go, I go! At least there’s food and a chance to strike back at those corrupt officials. Better to die fighting than live in fear!”

The Niu brothers exchanged glances and nodded to Niu Da, who said, “Tomorrow we want to visit home, bury our family, and then entrust our worthless lives to you, Big Brother. We’ll never abandon you, even in death!” The others echoed, “Never abandon, even in death!”

Zhou Xiu slapped his thigh and, glancing at Wang Qi, declared, “I have no family left—nothing to hold me back. I’ll follow you forever!” Wang Qi agreed, “I won’t leave either!”

Wang Bo surveyed the rest, then clasped his fists as he’d seen in dramas and bowed deeply. “If you will not abandon me, I swear to stand by you in life and death—heaven and earth bear witness!”

Xu Chu, the Niu brothers, Zhou Xiu, and Wang Qi did likewise, shouting, “If you will not abandon me, I swear to stand by you in life and death!” Their eyes shone with resolve, their heads bowed.

Chen Rong murmured, “I am alone in this world too, except for my poor nephew… I wonder… oh…” Tears streamed down his face.

After a moment, Wang Bo said quietly, “Don’t grieve too much, elder. If you have nowhere to go, stay here for now. When the chaos subsides, I’ll go with you to Zhongqiu and help you find your kin.” Chen Rong nodded, “So be it… alas…”

Wang Bo sighed, “The court is corrupt, the powerful run rampant, war never ceases, and people’s lives are worth less than dogs.”

Yang Feng, silent until then, clenched his fist and announced, “In this damned world, all beings are like straw dogs! We should follow the late ‘Great Teacher’—raise the banner in revolt, slaughter all corrupt officials and landlords, and restore peace for the people! I’d die for it without regret!”

“Exactly!” Ping Han agreed.

Wang Bo replied, “Such matters are grave. We should consider carefully before acting, don’t you think?”

“Very well. Let’s rest for now.”

Back in the cave, Wang Bo lay on a soft straw mat, covered in a beast pelt Xu Chu had found who knows where. But though exhausted, sleep evaded him—memories of the day swirled in his mind.

His previous life was vivid as yesterday; the sinister smirk of the man with the triangular eyes echoed in his ears. Never one to believe in ghosts or spirits, Wang Bo felt as though he were trapped in a nightmare.

Thinking of his kindly parents, his nagging but gentle wife, and his lively son, Wang Bo couldn’t help but weep. He wanted to cry out, but this was not the place. Truly, forbidding him the “soup of forgetfulness” was a cruel trick.

Thrown into this blood-soaked era, Wang Bo felt little fear now, having survived death, faced horrors, and endured rebirth. What more could shake his heart or steel his will?

He thought of Xu Er’s guileless smile and the desperate crowds fleeing the soldiers’ blades. Wang Bo swore bitterly: Since that man with the triangular eyes had cast him into this wretched world, he would live with gusto, live boldly, and turn the world upside down! Let that villain regret it, let him go mad! If he could, let him try killing Wang Bo again! Now that he had the Tiger Fool on his side, what did he have to fear?

But what should he do? How could he survive and thrive in this age of heroes? Tossing and turning, Wang Bo finally sat up, lost in thought.

In the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Jizhou should be the Hebei of his previous life. Which mountain was this? Julu, Changshan… The names floated through his mind. Yes, this must be the Taihang Mountains. Beyond these hills lay Shanxi—then called Bingzhou. At its northern tip was his old home, perhaps now called Yanmen or Shuofang.

Wang Bo had always loved history, especially Chinese history, and could talk endlessly about famous battles and generals. He had watched the TV adaptation of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” countless times, much to his wife’s annoyance, who called it “dogs fighting.” But Wang Bo was no expert—he only knew rough locations of ancient places, not their precise sites. Still, this was closer to home than being stranded in the south.

Thinking of his homeland, Wang Bo’s spirits soared.

For the nomads to the north to raid the Central Plains, they had to pass through Yanmen Pass, except perhaps via Beijing. The area around Yanmen was a vast, goose-wing-shaped triangle formed by the Lüliang, Heng, and Taihang Mountains. To the north, the Yin Mountains nearly sealed the gap.

If he could seize this area and establish fortifications in the mountain passes, he could live in peace. In the center stood the formidable Hongtao Mountain—perfect for attack or defense—a veritable land tailor-made for him.

If he could take the fertile Hetao region to the west, fortify the Yin Mountains, and rely on the Yellow River to the south, he could block the horsemen of the steppe. There would be grazing lands and croplands alike. Ha! Wouldn’t that be the first step to ruling the land?

With newfound clarity, Wang Bo fell into a deep and contented sleep.

At dawn the next day, the Niu brothers, armed with bows and mounted on horses Wang Bo provided, prepared to set out. Wang Bo offered them provisions, but they declined, saying the village was close and they’d be back by midday. With Wang Bo’s reminder to hide in the woods at any sign of troops, they rode off at full speed.

After instructing Xu Chu to station sentries at the forest’s edge and the cliff top, Wang Bo was about to gather everyone when he heard Li Damu, still tied to the tree stump outside, crying out, “Chief! I yield! I truly yield!”

Wang Bo approached with a smile. “You truly yield?”

Li Damu forced a grin. “I truly yield! Chief, might I have a drink of water?”

Wang Bo gave a light snort, and at once Li Damu puffed out his chest and declared loudly, “I am willing to take you as my lord, never to abandon you! I’ll serve you like a beast of burden without complaint! If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down and leave me unburied!”

Feigning contemplation, Wang Bo replied, “Very well. Someone untie him.” Chen Rong stepped forward, and as soon as the ropes were off, Li Damu collapsed in a dead faint.

After much pinching of his philtrum, Li Damu eventually woke. Eyes rolling, he seized the wild greens, dried meat, and cool water prepared for him, wolfing them down.

When he’d finished, he wiped his mouth and knelt before Wang Bo, fists clasped. “Thank you, my lord!”

“Get up,” Wang Bo said, patting his shoulder with a sigh. “In times like these, none of us has it easy. I’m no bloodthirsty killer. If you wish to return to the government forces, stay here a few days until they withdraw, and you can go safely.”

“A true man stands by his word! What I said just now still holds. Besides, those greedy superiors of mine have always stolen my rewards and sent me to die. I’d sooner kill them myself. Since I’ve pledged myself to you, I’m yours in life and death!”

“Good! Good!” Wang Bo helped him up, then, in deliberate imitation of ancient speech, declared, “Since you will not abandon me, I swear to stand by you in life and death! From this day forward, we are brothers!” The big-eyed man was moved to tears.

“Everyone, gather round! The chief has something to say! Hurry!” At Xu Chu’s thunderous call, the group quickly assembled in the clearing, all eyes on Wang Bo standing at the center.