The Yang Family's Tiger Generals: Ninth Son Smashes the Heavenly Gate Formation

The Yang family has eight sons and one daughter. The ninth son, Yang Yanhe, was an exceptionally gifted young marksman and a handsome youth. When his father and elder brothers joined the imperial army on its northern campaign against the Liao, Yang Yanhe refused to stay behind at Tianbo Mansion and secretly left. Yang Ye had no choice but to order Yang Yanzhao to serve at the front. Yet Yang Yanzhao was gravely wounded in the battle at Chenjiagu, Jinsha Shoal. Fortunately, he was saved by Liu Shiji, an old friend and sworn brother of Yang Ye from his youth. After the Northern Han fell, Liu Shiji had become a monk at Shaolin, concealing his identity and mastering Shaolin martial arts and formations. Just then, the Liao army marched south, and Yang Yanzhao, the sixth son, was defeated by the Liao's Heavenly Gate Formation beneath the Three Passes. With no way to turn the tide, he was saved in time by his ninth brother, Yang Yanhe, who helped him smash the formation. They then avenged their father and brothers by burning Youzhou, capturing the earthen city through stratagem, and ambushing Xiao Tianzuo. In court, Yang Yanhe denounced the Zhao dynasty for relying on the bones of Yang family sons to prop up its rule. Yet Wang Xian, the true culprit, was merely exiled. Enraged, Yang Yanhe bade his parents farewell and became a monk.