If Yi Tianxing had intervened to stop them, their decision might have been easier. But now, with him doing nothing to prevent them and even making things easier for them, they felt even more conflicted—touched, guilty, and torn. It was a feeling born from being trusted.
They could still recall that when they first joined, Yi Tianxing had promised that if one day they wished to leave, he would not stop them. They would be free to go.
Now, it was clear that Yi Tianxing was keeping that promise.
Stay or leave—it was up to them.
A choice.
A hard one.
It truly was a dilemma.
And the more freedom they had, the harder the choice became.
"Let's go, Third Brother. Let's meet Big Brother first. Since he's come, we have no reason not to see him," Guan Yu finally said, making a decision. What to do next—they would decide after the meeting.
"Alright. I'll do as Second Brother says." Zhang Fei didn't overthink it either. This kind of headache could wait.
The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge!
Either way, this meeting was inevitable.
It represented the bond they once shared.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, said nothing more, and walked out of White Crow City. No one in the city stopped them. No one even questioned them. It was clear that the order had already been given.
They were free to come and go as they pleased.
Outside White Crow City, atop a mountain of white bones, a figure stood—pacing restlessly. His face bore a look of anxiety as he walked back and forth at the summit.
Looking closely, it was none other than Liu Bei.
When Liu Bei had seen Guan Yu and Zhang Fei before, he'd made up his mind: he had to come to White Crow City and bring his sworn brothers back. If he could get them to return, he was confident that the Three Brothers United could strengthen the Great Shu Dynasty, expand its power, and rise to dominance—contributing to the resurgence of humanity. Most importantly, it would strengthen his own kingdom.
But the problem was… he wasn't sure he could achieve that goal.
"Why haven't they come yet? I've already sent the message. If they really are my Second and Third Brothers, they'll definitely receive it. But after all this time... could it be that the Emperor Yi found out and won't let them go? If so, this will be troublesome."
Liu Bei muttered anxiously to himself.
The three of them had once sworn their brotherhood in the Peach Garden. During the merging of the Myriad Worlds, three peach blossom petals had appeared in each of their bodies—nine petals total. If combined, they would form a full flower.
This peach blossom was not physical, but symbolic of their sworn bond. It had unique effects. First, it could be used to communicate with sworn brothers nearby. Each petal could transmit one message before vanishing.
Secondly, it allowed power-sharing. So long as they were willing, one could borrow the power of the others—strengthening oneself temporarily to become almost invincible.
Third, it provided shared life force. Within a certain range, if one of them suffered a fatal injury, the damage could be spread among them, potentially avoiding death.
Each petal was a one-time treasure—testimony to their Peach Garden oath. Its symbolic meaning was greater than any material value.
That's how Liu Bei had contacted Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. By right, they should have received his message. But the real issue was whether Yi Tianxing would allow them to leave.
As for their bond? Liu Bei had absolute faith. Nothing could sever the ties between them. Not even death.
But if Yi Tianxing refused, there would be no meeting.
He could understand that—it would be hard to let them go.
Still, he couldn't help but worry. If Yi Tianxing didn't let them go, the three brothers wouldn't even get the chance to see each other.
As for going to Yi Tianxing to demand their release—Liu Bei had zero confidence.
Clip-clop! Clip-clop!
Just then, the sound of galloping horses echoed.
Liu Bei raised his head immediately, looking toward the source of the sound. His eyes lit up with joy.
In the distance, two riders approached on horseback. He didn't care about the horses—he only cared about the men riding them. Even if they turned to ash, he would recognize them.
It was Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
"Big Brother!"
When Liu Bei saw them, the two riders also spotted him atop the bone hill. Their faces filled with excitement, their entire bodies trembling.
"Second Brother! Third Brother!"
Tears welled in Liu Bei's eyes. He cried out, "My beloved brothers, I've missed you so much! I thought we might never meet again. Today's reunion—Heaven has not forsaken me!"
He bawled as he spoke, lifting his sleeve to wipe his tears.
"Big Brother!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were deeply moved. They whipped their horses into full gallop toward Liu Bei.
But at that moment, a figure in white suddenly appeared in the distance.
He was an old man in white robes, smiling with satisfaction as he gazed at Liu Bei. He said, "What a fine specimen of the Heaven's Weeping Physique. A marvelous treasure indeed. The first cry touches hearts, the second stirs the souls of ghosts, and the third makes heaven and earth weep."
"Come now—into my medicine basket!"
The white-robed old man cheerfully swung his bamboo staff and bonked Liu Bei on the head.
Liu Bei, still crying dramatically, was struck dumb—literally. Stars danced before his eyes, his mind went blank.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What was I doing?
His thoughts scattered. Unconsciousness followed.
His body swayed like a toppling puppet. Under an unseen force, he shrank until he was palm-sized, then leapt by itself into the basket on the old man's back.
This happened so fast that no one had time to react.
"Big Brother!"
"Second Brother, Big Brother's been taken!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had been rushing forward to reunite. But before they could reach him, they witnessed Liu Bei getting knocked out and snatched away.
Their hearts nearly burst from the shock. Blood seeped from their eyes. They roared with rage and charged the white-robed elder.
"Hm? These two are fine medicinal herbs as well."
The old man's eyes sparkled. His smile deepened. Clearly, he had plans for them too.
"Kill!!"
Guan Yu roared as flames surged around him. He urged his scarlet-scaled horse forward.
Boom boom boom!
With each step, the horse's speed grew—creating the illusion of an entire cavalry force. Every hoofbeat echoed like war drums, rattling the sky.
Each stomp crushed the bones beneath.
Hiss!!
The horse leapt into the air, a blazing streak, headed straight for the white-robed man. Guan Yu's phoenix eyes blazed with fury. His Green Dragon Crescent Blade shimmered with killing intent, a blue aura flickering along the blade like a dragon's breath.
One could even hear a distant dragon's roar within the blade.
"You dare abduct my brother? Take my blade!!"
Guan Yu unleashed his Five Tribulation Blade Intent, which under the pressure of his rage, even pushed beyond its normal limits.
The blue glow intensified, the dragon on the blade seemed alive.
Crack!!
The blade cleaved through the air, the void itself tearing apart.
This strike could split a sacred mountain in two.
Spring and Autumn Blade Art – Cleaving Mount Hua!!
It was Guan Yu's full power—every ounce of strength channeled into a single blow.
Clang!!
Yet the white-robed man merely raised his bamboo staff casually—and blocked the strike with a clear ring of metal on wood.
Guan Yu's face changed instantly.
He had thought to cut through the old man like paper—but instead, his blade vanished into a sea of nothingness.
Bad!
A thought flashed through his mind.
A powerful force surged from the bamboo staff and blasted him and his horse backward. They smashed directly into Zhang Fei.
"Too strong," Zhang Fei's expression turned grim.
"Retreat to White Crow City. Find the Emperor!"
Guan Yu coughed up blood—a chunky mess with bits of flesh. The strike had wounded him deeply.
Swish!
Without hesitation, he summoned a portal. Zhang Fei grabbed him and dragged them both inside—vanishing in an instant.