"Then what about King of Might?"
"I only heard you mention King of Sorrow, Heavenly King, but not King of Might. Could it be... there’s some enmity between you and him?"
Xu Xing kicked Chang Ji under the table, and Chang Ji, understanding instantly, voiced the question.
With his background as a military general and a rebel official, Chang Ji foresaw that once he entered Mount Siming, he wouldn’t integrate as smoothly as Xu Xing. Mount Siming already had three Heavenly Kings; they weren’t lacking for men who could lead troops. And with his title of Fifth-Rank Dingyuan General, it would be difficult for him to accept a subordinate position. Xu Xing, on the other hand, was different. As a civil official, he wouldn’t arouse too much suspicion from the established factions on Mount Siming and could easily assimilate into their upper echelons. Therefore, after his release from prison, Chang Ji had made up his mind to align himself with Xu Xing, who was also a rebel official. Though he hadn’t explicitly stated his willingness to become Xu Xing’s subordinate, the intention was already there.
This aligned with Xu Xing’s earlier speculations while he was in prison: once released, Chang Ji would inevitably seek to ally with him for mutual support.
At this moment, there were some questions Xu Xing couldn’t conveniently ask himself, so he had to prompt Chang Ji to ask them. Only by understanding the dynamics among Mount Siming’s leadership could the two of them move forward with their plans.
"My Second Brother..."
Heavenly Kun King snorted a few times. "If he hadn’t become sworn brothers with Big Brother a few years before I did, how could I be ranked beneath him? That man is quite unyielding when it comes to business. The last time I overindulged in wine, he went straight to Big Brother to complain about me, going on about how we need military discipline now that we’ve rebelled..."
"He made me lose face in front of all our brothers."
"It’s precisely because of that incident that Big Brother punished me by sending me on this trip to Shenjing."
He thus explained his reason for coming to Shenjing.
"King of Might was acting for the greater good," Xu Xing interjected respectfully, offering Heavenly Kun King a cup of wine with a smile. "Heavenly King, you needn’t dwell on it."
From these few remarks, Xu Xing gained a general understanding of the situation on Mount Siming. King of Sorrow was calculating, adept at cultivating relationships, and skilled at winning people over, while King of Might seemed to function more like a steward in the Mountain Stronghold. The discord between King of Might and Heavenly Kun King was likely fueled, at least in part, by King of Sorrow Yao Dang’s machinations. If he were to join Mount Siming, it was almost certain he would find himself in opposition to King of Might. A struggle for control over Mount Siming’s internal affairs!
"No matter how you look at it," Gui Yishou chimed in at an opportune moment, his expression rather helpless, "you and King of Might are brothers, Heavenly King. You shouldn’t let such trivial matters bother you. It only gives others something to laugh about."
During Heavenly Kun King’s time in the Capital, he had frequently complained to Gui Yishou about King of Might. His determination to find a ’failed scholar’ stemmed from his desire to find someone capable of managing internal affairs, thereby counteracting King of Might’s influence and causing his ’Second Brother,’ King of Might, to lose face. Otherwise, Heavenly Kun King could have simply recruited any scholar to fulfill the task. Why insist on finding someone of Xu Xing’s extraordinary abilities?
"In my opinion, arguments between brothers are much like arguments between a husband and wife," Xu Xing took a sip of wine, chuckled, and said, as if offhandedly, "When a husband and wife quarrel, outsiders shouldn’t try to break them up. If they reconcile—as couples often do, making up as quickly as they fight—anyone who tried to split them or took sides will look extremely foolish. No matter how you see it, that outsider will be in the wrong. When you brothers argue, the rest of us should just enjoy the show..."
"Heavenly King, at the end of the day, you and King of Might are brothers," he concluded earnestly.
"That’s right!" Chang Ji chimed in. "You’re brothers; you should stick together!"
"’No wonder,’ Heavenly Kun King mused. ’The brothers in the Mountain Stronghold saw me at a disadvantage but didn’t step in to help. So that was the reason.’"
It was a classic case of words spoken idly but taken to heart by the listener. These words struck a chord. Heavenly Kun King began to see the affairs of the Mountain Stronghold in a new light, pondering deeply.
Only then did he truly understand why King of Might could consistently get the upper hand. Firstly, King of Might was his elder, his nominal older brother. Secondly, King of Might always acted under the guise of the greater good; thus, even if Kun King had valid reasons for complaint, the unaffiliated warriors and adventurers in the Mountain Stronghold wouldn’t dare support him. They feared that he and King of Might might later reconcile and present a united front, leaving them to suffer the consequences. Thirdly, he himself hadn’t shown much improvement or initiative, and Big Brother King of Sorrow tended to heed King of Might’s counsel more often...
"Mr. Xu," Heavenly Kun King declared, his mind made up as he decided to find an external ally, "when we return to the Mountain Stronghold, I will ensure my Big Brother acknowledges you as one of us, as a brother."
Gui Yishou and the others in the Mountain Stronghold were merely coarse warriors, men of the Jianghu. Though they might call each other ’brother’ affectionately, he, King of Sorrow, and King of Might all viewed them as subordinates. But if Xu Xing joined the Mountain Stronghold... his status would surely be significant. If there were four Heavenly Kings... then his own words wouldn’t be so easily dismissed. If a conflict arose with King of Might, there would be someone to stand up and support him.
"I felt an instant connection with you from the moment we met, Heavenly King," Xu Xing replied, his face filled with emotion, tears welling in his eyes. "It’s just... Heavenly King, you saved my life. If you are willing, Heavenly King, this very moment is a most auspicious time..."
"Excellent!" Heavenly Kun King exclaimed. "We shall burn the yellow paper and become Oath Brothers! Mr. Xu, I acknowledge you as my brother!"
Heavenly Kun King was ecstatic. Throughout their days together in Shenjing, his admiration for Xu Xing had grown immensely. That Xu Xing, a man of such great talent, was willing to become his sworn brother showed true regard. Furthermore, Xu Xing possessed an outstanding moral character and deeply valued loyalty. If he weren’t loyal, why would he have risked his own life to ensure the rescue of his friend, Chang Ji?
To become Oath Brothers with Xu Xing—Heavenly Kun King felt he had struck gold. A massive gain! As for this matter of becoming sworn brothers... should he inform King of Sorrow beforehand? Why should he? Did he, Heavenly Kun King, need his Big Brother’s permission just to make a friend? No matter how much he admired King of Sorrow, he didn’t believe such a thing required prior notification. Moreover, by binding Xu Xing to Mount Siming through this oath of brotherhood, he felt confident that even if Big Brother King of Sorrow found out, he would approve of the action. He wouldn’t be punished; he’d likely be commended.
The wine and meat were cleared from the private room, replaced by a small table, an incense burner, and a jar of fine Burnt Knife liquor.
"I, Chang Kun, today swear an oath of brotherhood with Mr. Xu!"
Gui Yishou poured two bowls of wine; Heavenly Kun King and Xu Xing each took one. They stood together before the incense table and began to declare their ages. Heavenly Kun King, evidently familiar with the ritual, took the lead in reciting the oath: "I, your elder brother, am thirteen years your senior. Among my sworn brothers, there are two ahead of me, making me the third. Thus, you shall be the Fourth Brother... What does Mr. Xu think?"
Heavenly Kun King was meticulous in ensuring Xu Xing’s dignity was respected in every word and gesture. Their new bond would define their direct relationship, irrespective of other hierarchies. He addressed Xu Xing as ’Mr. Xu,’ showing no condescension.
"’I, Xu Xing, lost my mother at a young age and have lived a solitary life for many years. Born into one of the Commoner Families, I was wrongfully imprisoned. If not for Third Brother’s selfless act in saving my life, I would now be a victim of Flaying Grass, my name reviled for ten thousand years... That Third Brother has acknowledged me, Xu Xing, as his brother touches me to the very core."
Xu Xing raised his wine cup, looking at Heavenly Kun King with profound gratitude on his face.