Chapter 324: What Does It Mean That the Peach Garden Oath of Three Has Four People?

This sudden action left all three of them stunned.

Liu Bei was the first to come to his senses; though surprised, seeing Yu Lin's extraordinary bearing and not looking like a scoundrel, he rose, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Liu Xuan De, my respects. Who are you, brother?"

Yu Lin returned the bow, his tone relaxed: "My name is Yu Lin."

He scanned the three of them with his gaze and explained, "Just now outside the gate, I happened to overhear you three discussing state affairs, your ambitions lofty, which I admired; therefore I took the liberty to come in, hoping to get to know some heroes and gentlemen."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu's guarded expressions instantly faded, replaced by hearty smiles.

Zhang Fei laughed heartily, his voice shaking the roof tiles: "So you're also a man of loyalty who wishes to serve the nation! Good! I, Zhang Fei, love a straightforward fellow like you! Come, sit and drink together!"

"Not bad," Guan Yu said, stroking his beard and nodding slightly, as if acknowledging the uninvited guest.

The four of them sat down again, and Zhang Fei loudly called for the bartender to refill wine and add dishes.

At the table, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Yu Lin chatted merrily, mainly Zhang Fei talking at length about recruiting village warriors and forging weapons, with Guan Yu occasionally adding concise remarks.

Yu Lin mostly listened with a smile, interjecting occasionally, yet always hitting the key points, making Guan and Zhang think this person was far from ordinary.

However, Liu Bei did not fully blend into the lively atmosphere.

Since Yu Lin sat down, his gaze involuntarily drifted repeatedly toward the long sword hanging at Yu Lin's waist.

The sword's design was antiquated and elegant; its sheath appeared plain, yet subtly exuded an indescribable grace and majesty.

The more he looked, the more his heart raced, as an absurd yet strikingly clear thought whirled in his mind.

"This… the sword's shape and aura… how could it be so similar to the Gaozu's Sword—Chi Xiao, as depicted in our clan's secret illustrated manuals?!"

As a Han Clan Kin, though his family had long declined, he still knew some core inheritances and secrets.

He clearly remembered the clan elder saying that the true Chi Xiao Sword did not rest with Gaozu, but after assisting the Guangwu Emperor in restoring the Han, it was reclaimed by Gaozu's mentor, a true immortal who descended to the mortal world, and taken back to heaven.

This matter was secret; outsiders could hardly know, let alone forge a replica so alike!

But… if it truly is Chi Xiao, how could it appear on Yu Lin?

Yu Lin naturally sensed Liu Bei's complex and probing gaze; he gave a slight smile, his finger lightly brushing the sword sheath, and proactively asked, "Brother Liu seems to like my sword quite a bit?"

Liu Bei, having his thoughts exposed, felt a bit embarrassed, quickly composed himself, and chose his words carefully: "It's just… hmm, it's just that seeing your sword, Brother Yu, it is rather… rather reminiscent of the Gaozu's Sword Chi Xiao described in the ancient texts."

"May I ask, Brother Yu, where did you obtain this sword?" he stared intently at Yu Lin, trying to read clues from his expression.

Yu Lin's face remained unchanged, and he casually uttered a lie: "Brother Liu, you have a keen eye; this sword of mine was indeed forged by imitating Chi Xiao."

His tone was natural, with a perfectly measured sigh, "After all, a hero like Gaozu, who swept the six realms and laid the foundation of our great Han, how could anyone not feel admiration? Wearing this imitation sword is merely a modest expression of reverence."

He paused, then lightly added another sentence, fully dispelling Liu Bei's doubts: "It is merely a shell without power, so I hope I haven't embarrassed you, Brother Liu."

Under the invisible influence of Yu Lin's 【Lie】 trait, the Chi Xiao Sword in Liu Bei's eyes seemed to exhibit subtle differences from the illustrations in his memory, and the faint aura of majesty was softened, making it appear more like a finely crafted, meticulously designed replica.

Liu Bei's lingering doubt quickly vanished, replaced by a sense of "I see" relief; he nodded repeatedly: "I see, I see! Brother Yu truly harbors great ambition and admires the ancient sages! Such sentiment alone commands respect!"

With his reservations gone, his heroism surged, and he immediately lifted a bowl of cloudy wine, proclaiming loudly, "Here, I toast you, Brother Yu!"

Having said that, he tilted his head and drank it all in one gulp.

Yu Lin, seeing this, also smiled and drank a cup alongside him.

The four of them clinked cups and exchanged drinks, and the atmosphere grew ever more harmonious.

Perhaps people of this era truly could not tolerate alcohol as well as later generations; after a few large vats of wine went down, Liu, Guan, and Zhang were already flushed, tipsy, and their words took on an even more unrestrained, bold tone.

They saw Yu Lin drink the same amount, yet his demeanor remained unchanged, his eyes clear, and they couldn't help but raise thumbs, praising his great capacity.

As the wine warmed their ears, Zhang Fei suddenly slammed the table, causing bowls and plates to jump, belching loudly, he looked around at Liu Bei, Guan Yu, then Yu Lin, and in a coarse voice said, "Today… today is truly exhilarating! Since the four of us share the same aspirations and all wish to serve the nation…"

He waved his hand broadly, pointing toward the manor courtyard: "Behind my old Zhang's manor lies a Taoyuan; the flowers are in full bloom now! Tomorrow… tomorrow we shall, in that garden, perform the Ritual of Offering to Heaven and Earth, and we four will become brothers, cooperate with one heart, then we can plan great deeds! What do you think?"

As soon as he spoke, Liu Bei and Guan Yu, though their eyes were blurry with wine, were invigorated, finding the proposal brilliant, and their gazes, filled with inquiry and expectation, turned toward Yu Lin.

Yu Lin merely twitched the corner of his mouth.

What does it mean that the Peach Garden Oath of three has four people?

But… it should be quite interesting.

He smiled, "Then so it shall be."

The next day, the sky was bright and clear, and a gentle breeze blew pleasantly.

The Taoyuan behind Zhang Fei's manor indeed matched his words; the flowers were in full bloom, pink clouds radiant, like clouds and brocade, and the fragrance was overwhelming.

In the garden, a ritual altar had already been set up, displaying offerings such as black oxen, white horses, and other ceremonial items, solemn and dignified.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei had bathed and changed clothes, their expressions solemn.

However, when they saw Yu Lin had somehow summoned a statue from nowhere, they couldn't help but show surprise.

That statue was not the usual Buddha, Daoist, or immortal figure; its image was imposing and magnificent, face like a heavy jujube, lips as if painted, vermilion phoenix eyes, reclining silkworm eyebrows, clad in a green robe, hand stroking a long beard; though made of clay and wood, it exuded an aura of stern, inviolable loyalty and righteousness.

What puzzled Guan Yu even more was that the statue's visage bore a six‑ to seven‑tenths resemblance to his own!

"Brother Yu, this is…" Liu Bei pointed at the statue, asking in confusion, "When we take the oath, we offer the Ritual of Offering to Heaven and Earth to the Emperor of Heaven and Empress of Earth. I wonder which realm's deity you have brought?"

Zhang Fei also scratched his head: "Indeed, brother Yu, this statue looks mighty, but how come I, Lao Zhang, have never seen one before?"

Yu Lin looked at the three, especially at Guan Yu whose gaze flickered uncertainly over the statue, grinned, and in a tone with an indescribable nuance, loudly said:

"This is the Holy Emperor Guan!"

"Holy Emperor Guan?" Liu, Guan, and Zhang looked at each other, all bewildered.

Yu Lin, however, did not rush to explain; he simply placed the statue solemnly at the center of the ritual altar, then smiled: "Brothers, you need not doubt; this is a God of Loyalty and Righteousness that I worship on my side, most discerning of faith."

"Today we pledge brotherhood before him, thereby expressing our hearts and praying for protection."

His words were vague, yet the three present inexplicably felt that he made sense.

If we are to become brothers, then we must not doubt the brother's words!

At that moment, they asked no further.

The four, with clean hands and incense burning, amidst fluttering peach blossoms, knelt together before the altar.

On the altar, on one side stood the divine seat of Heaven and Earth, and on the other stood the mysterious "Holy Emperor Guan" statue.

Liu Bei first spoke: "Considering Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Yu Lin, though of different surnames, now that we are brothers, we shall cooperate with one heart to rescue the distressed and aid the endangered; we will report to the nation above and bring peace to the common folk below. We do not ask to be born on the same year, month, and day; we only wish to die on the same year, month, and day. Heaven and Earth, Holy Emperor Guan above, truly witness this heart. Those who betray righteousness and forget gratitude, Heaven and humans shall punish together!"

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Yu Lin followed closely, likewise proclaiming their oath aloud:

"Heaven and Earth, Guan Holy Emperor above, truly examine this heart, betraying righteousness, forgetting gratitude, Heaven and mortals shall slaughter together!"

The words fell.

Yu Lin heard the voice of the Dragon Lord beside his ear: "It still has to be you."

"Let Guan Yu worship Guan Holy Emperor, loyalty and righteousness!"

Yu Lin smiled, gave no reply, and simply addressed the three—Liu, Guan, and Zhang—with titles:

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother!"

"Eldest brother, third younger brother, fourth younger brother!"

"Eldest brother, third brother, fourth younger brother!"

"Eldest junior brother, second brother, third junior brother!"

"Great................"

"Eh eh, it's a mess, a mess!"

Take a day off tomorrow