Mount Siming was one of the Eighteen Rebel Kings.
It was ruled by the Three Great Kings.
The reason Xu Xing tricked the Heavenly Kun King into becoming sworn brothers with him wasn’t because he enjoyed making such alliances. Rather, it was because he had seen through the power structure within Mount Siming at a glance. If I don’t beco sworn brothers with the Three Great Kings, then my best outco would be to beco soone like Zhang Liang or Xiao He.
Zhang Liang and Xiao He, despite their great contributions, were rely marquesses to Liu Bang. But what about Lu Wu, born in the sa year, sa month, and on the sa day as Liu Bang? In terms of rit, he was essentially a freeloader within the Han group, with no significant achievents. Yet, when Liu Bang divided the realm, Lu Wu was enfeoffed as the King of Yan. Unless one beca a sworn brother to the Three Great Kings, entry into Mount Siming’s high-level mbers was impossible. This was self-evident. Becoming a sworn brother ant becoming a partner, not a subordinate!
Xu Xing understood this clearly.
However, his sworn brotherhood with the Heavenly Kun King didn’t only bring benefits; it also entailed risks. Currently, Mount Siming is just a ragtag outfit, hardly a coveted prize. Under siege by the Imperial Court Army, who knows when it might collapse? Few would gamble everything by investing heavily in Mount Siming... My move is simply to avoid laboring in vain.
Furthermore, I am already a disgraced and rebellious official; the path to amnesty is closed to . There’s no retreat. I can only brace myself and be a rebel for life.
The Heavenly Kun King was no fool. If the benefits Xu Xing stood to gain from their sworn brotherhood were greater, why would I readily beco sworn brothers with him? So what if he becos my sworn brother? There’s no Imperial Throne to inherit within Mount Siming. Being a rebel king is just temporary glory. As for having the true capability to attack Shenjing... The future is still uncertain!
「...」
Next, the Heavenly Kun King and Xu Xing each offered incense and perford eight kowtows, completing the final ritual. They vowed, "We swear to share life and death, and support each other through adversity."
"Fourth Brother!"
"Third Brother!"
"Fourth Brother!"
"Third Brother!"
The two n called out to each other several tis, their hands clasped, overco with emotion.
"We pay homage to... the Fourth King."
Gui Yishou, Lu Xiaohou, and the others also bowed to Xu Xing, acknowledging his new status.
A brother’s brother is also a brother.
Even if King of Sorrow Yao Dang was displeased that the Heavenly Kun King and Xu Xing had beco sworn brothers, once the Heavenly Kun King and his n returned to Mount Siming—for the sake of preventing a split and for the future of Mount Siming—King of Sorrow Yao Dang would have to grudgingly accept Xu Xing as this "Fourth Brother"...
The group took their seats again, and the Heavenly Kun King said to Xu Xing, "We three brothers all have titles we use in the outside world.
"My surna is Chang, and my given na is Kun, so I am called the Heavenly Kun King.
"Big Brother’s surna is Yao, and his given na is Dang. However, due to his hatred for the Imperial Court and to mourn his family and friends who died on Big Snow Mountain, he calls himself the King of Sorrow. Second Brother is called the King of Might because he earned a fearso reputation, ’Tiger’s Might,’ in the Jianghu.
"Fourth Brother, you can also choose a title to be known by externally."
To prevent trouble from reaching their families, these Jianghu heroes of the greenwood all used titles to refer to themselves and conceal their real nas.
Previously, when Xu Xing had rely joined Mount Siming, the organization wouldn’t announce his na externally, so a title wasn’t crucial. But now that Xu Xing had effectively beco Mount Siming’s Fourth King, he would need a new title so his subordinates could trumpet the fa of the Four Great Kings to the outside world.
"Regarding the matter of a title..." Xu Xing hesitated for a mont. "I am new here and shouldn’t be too conspicuous. I can’t think of a good title right now. How about, after we reach Mount Siming, I ask Big Brother to bestow one upon ?"
Having secured tangible benefits, I should take a step back. Letting King of Sorrow Yao Dang bestow a title upon would, firstly, solidify the fact that I am his sworn brother, thereby maintaining my status and identity within the Mountain Stronghold. Secondly, it’s a gesture of deference to King of Sorrow Yao Dang, establishing a distinction akin to that between lord and minister. Thirdly, by respectfully deferring to King of Sorrow Yao Dang in this way, I can also win the Heavenly Kun King’s goodwill.
"Fourth Brother makes a good point," the Heavenly Kun King said, a smile touching his lips. "It is indeed more appropriate for Big Brother to give you a title."
I hadn’t thought as deeply as Xu Xing initially. But after he said that, I realized in hindsight that his reasoning was sound. This respect shown towards Big Brother, King of Sorrow Yao Dang, makes quite satisfied with Xu Xing.
「...」
「...」
「Instance World.」
In a flash, ti had flown to April of the 24th year of Guangxu.
April 15th was the date of the Prefecture Exam for Jingzhao Prefecture.
"Brother Xu," Chen Jian’an began, "this is mint for invigoration. Carry it with you. You must stay focused during the examination."
Early in the morning, just as the cocks began to crow, candlelight flickered in Earth-Character Room Three of the Huaiyuan Inn. Chen Jian’an and Li Mingda, Xu Xing’s roommates, approached him as he was dressing and handed him a small silk pouch.
Xu Xing opened it, found mint leaves inside, nodded, and accepted it.
The Prefecture Exam searches are much stricter than those for the County Exam. I need to nip any potential problems in the bud and ensure no minor issues arise. Although I’m more resourceful than others my age, who knows if my two roommates harbor so hidden dissatisfaction and might deliberately try to fra ? One should not harbor intentions to harm others, but one must always be on guard.
Xu Xing finished packing his exam basket. Seeing Li Mingda’s pale face and hearing his occasional cough, he spoke out of camaraderie, "Brother Mingda, if you’re unwell, you can always try again next year. There’s no need to push yourself too hard."
Before Xu Xing enrolled at Weijing Academy, Chen Jian’an and Li Mingda had shared a room.
Li Mingda was the student Zheng Zhaifu had ntioned, the one who had returned ho to attend a funeral.
One month before the exam, Li Mingda ca back to Weijing Academy. Much like Chen Jian’an, he had passed the County Exam in his registered county and successfully qualified for the Prefecture Exam in Jingzhao Prefecture.
Consequently, the three of them had rented a room together at the Huaiyuan Inn in Jingzhao Prefecture half a month in advance.
"It’s alright," Li Mingda said, shaking his head and declining Xu Xing’s well-intentioned advice. "I can still endure it. I can’t let this opportunity go to waste."
Xu Xing simply nodded and said no more.
The Prefecture Exam lasts an entire day. If soone seriously ill were to undergo such pressure, they would beco physically and ntally exhausted; it could even lead to a sudden, severe downturn in their health. With my martial arts training, I can tell Li Mingda’s condition isn’t good. Proper rest might lead to recovery, but forcing himself through the exam... if sothing were to go wrong, it would be hard to say. However, the Prefecture Exam is too important, and Li Mingda and I aren’t close friends. A brief reminder was sufficient. Saying more might only make him resent , and I’d end up in a no-win situation.
After so brief pleasantries, the three of them collected their exam baskets and descended the inn stairs.
Before they even reached the exit, a shop assistant hurried over, hands clasped in a bow. "With red lanterns hanging high, this humble one wishes you three masters the best of luck and success in having your nas grace the Golden List!"
"Thank you," Xu Xing and the others replied casually. Glancing towards the inn’s entrance, they saw a display of red lanterns. These were octagonal palace lanterns, adorned with auspicious images of carps leaping over the Dragon Gate.
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