Chapter 43

Zong Zi Heng found Zong Zi Mo in the back garden.

From a distance, he could see Zong Zi Mo playing and laughing with some palace maids, and the sound of their voices rippled far away, causing people to frown.

When he came close, they didn't even notice him. As a cultivator, their vigilance is so low

Zong Zi Heng loudly coughed once.

Only then did Zong Zi Mo see him. He froze for a moment, his face changing from surprise; from embarrassment to a quickly armed self-possession. He smiled, "It's big brother ah, what a coincidence."

The palace maids bowed, "Your Highness."

"Second brother." Zong Zi Heng nodded. Although he was the elder brother, there was a ranking difference between the son of the first wife and the son of the concubine, so he’s always very polite to Zong Zi Mo.

"Oh, I'm teaching them to practice Qi." Zong Zi Mo explained.

Most of these palace maids and inner eunuchs were ordinary commoners, but those who had little roots disguised and whitewashed in order to join the immortal sect, preferring to work as fire-burning disciples in the alchemy room rather than as subordinates, so it was far-fetched to say that he was teaching these people to practice Qi, who will never have a chance of immortality in their lives.

But Zong Zi Heng didn't expose him. He couldn't teach his playful and lazy brother as much as he did Zong Zi Xiao. When they were similar in age and didn't know any better, they could still play together, but when they grew up, they gradually drifted apart.

"Second brother, I especially come to see you."

Zong Zi Mo said, "All of you go back."

Zong Zi Heng looked at Zong Zi Mo calmly, suddenly realizing that the two of them were in the same Wuji Palace, yet they had not seen each other for at least half a year. After growing up, they had not only slowly drifted apart because of their positions, but their temperaments and preferences were also far apart. In fact, this younger brother was not bad, but he was just promiscuous by nature, which he was not used to seeing.

Before Zong Zi Heng could say anything, Zong Zi Mo had already rushed to say, "Big brother, I know why you came to find me. I was going to explain it to you even if you don't come to me."

"..."

"It's because of Hua Yu Xin, isn't it?" Zong Zi Mo showed a difficult expression, "In fact, at the Jiaolong assembly three years ago, I really fell in love with Miss Hua at first sight. I also told Queen Mother, at that time, Queen Mother said that both of us were still young, and that we would…talk about it two years later. I didn't expect it to be like this."

Zong Zi Heng was silent.

"Big brother, it seems like I'm making excuses when I say it now, but what I said is true. In fact, it's not that I have to marry her, but Mother said that she has always liked Miss Hua too and had to … you know, Queen Mother's character is like that, I can't even persuade her." The more Zong Zi Mo said, the more embarrassed he became.

At that point in time, Zong Zi Heng couldn’t tell whether Zong Zi Mo was lying or not. Three years ago, it’s true that he and Hua Yu Xin were both present at the Jiaolong assembly. It’s true that he will hit upon an idea when he becomes lustful. It’s true that he’s scared of his own mother, but whether Li Xiang Tong really likes Hua Yu Xin or not is worth a good guess.

Based on Li Xiang Tong’s character, if she really wanted something, she would not have waited quietly for three years. There has been a continuous flow of people who went to Huaying Sect to propose a marriage, so isn’t she afraid that the daughter-in-law she has fixed upon will be taken by someone else on a first come first serve basis? He’s afraid that it’s really what his mother had said before, Li Xiang Tong just doesn’t like them.

Zong Zi Heng's heart swirled with anger. Since he was a child, he and his mother had suffered many injustices and grievances, harsh treatment and ostracism. He did not want to live in hatred all day long, and only advised his mother to endure. When he grew up and had his own world, everything would be fine. But why, when he had never wanted to compete with his second brother for anything, was Li Xiang Tong so intolerant?

Could it be, could it be that the ambush he and Xiao Jiu were subjected to in Gutuo Town three years ago was really related to her?

Zong Zi Heng drew a backward breath, admonishing himself for indulging this type of terrifying hypothesis without evidence, just that his chest was clamouring, and unable to calm down. He whispered, "Second Brother, Huaying Sect wants me to tie the knot because they were grateful that I guided* their sect’s guard. You have heard about this right?”

"I have heard." Zong Zi Mo grabbed his hair, "This matter makes it seem like we, as brothers, as if I am going to rob of something you cherished. I really, really didn’t mean it. But I also really dare not to disobey Queen Mother. But don't worry, Father has also said that this matter still depends on what Miss Hua wants." He smiled, "Big brother, although I can't stop thinking about Miss Hua, but if Miss Hua's heart belongs to big brother, I will never steal it from big brother, and on your wedding day, I will definitely send you the most generous congratulatory gift."

Zong Zi Heng secretly clenched his fist. His face was hot, but his heart was cold.

Zong Zi Mo was right. He didn't have to steal from him, because he always got everything and he had nothing, so maybe he didn't purposely want to "steal", but he didn't care about "stealing" either. To say accurately, in this person’s heart, there was no ‘stealing’ in the first place. He can get what he wants naturally.

As sons, why must they be so different?

---

Zong Zi Xiao searched for a long time and finally found Zong Zi Heng in the Orchid Garden.

By now, it was late at night, and the courtyard, after the flowers had withered, was only lit by a thin lamp, making it seem a little bleak. Zong Zi Heng was still turning the soil and laying the grass alone, silent as if he was a spirit that had grown up on the land and just burying his head in tending to his own acre of land.

"Big brother." Zong Zi Xiao called out in a very small voice. He was not close enough to see Zong Zi Heng's face in the darkness, but he could already feel Zong Zi Heng's despondent mood accurately.

Zong Zi Heng paused in his movements, "It's so late, why aren't you in bed?"

"I couldn't find you, and I wanted to sleep with my big brother."

"You're twelve years old, it's time for you to be independent."

"I don't want to be independent."

Zong Zi Heng didn't say anything.

Zong Zi Xiao walked over and crouched down next to Zong Zi Heng. He narrowed his eyes and said indignantly, "You haven't even met that woman. Is she worth being so upset about?"

Zong Zi Heng did not know how to make his younger brother, who’s inexperienced in life, understand exactly why he was upset.

This silence was considered a tacit acknowledgment in Zong Zi Xiao's mind, and he was so angry that his eyes were on fire.

"Xiao Jiu." Zong Zi Heng called out softly.

"What." Zong Zi Xiao said in a vicious voice.

"When you grow up, will we still be like this?"

Zong Zi Xiao froze for a moment, "We could have been like this all our lives. You were the one who wanted to take a wife."

"It has nothing to do with that, I mean ... when you grow up and find out that big brother isn't as good as you thought, is limited in what he can do, and isn't really an unrestrained and open-minded man, will you still think that big brother is better than anyone?"

"Of course!" Zong Zi Xiao said without hesitation, "Big brother will always be the most powerful, the best and the most loving in my heart."

"And what if one day, you are better than big brother?"

Zong Zi Xiao was frozen. It wasn't that he hadn't fantasized about it, and had often defiantly dropped a bold statement when he was being trained on all fours, but Zong Zi Heng's cultivation was like a thriving tree; when he grows taller, the tree also pumps higher, and he could never seem to beat big brother. He was competitive, so he worshipped his big brother who is even stronger. He had never actually thought seriously about what would happen if he really did defeat his big brother one day.

This was also the first time Zong Zi Heng said this possibility.

Zong Zi Xiao blinked, "Even if, even if I'm better than you, you're still my big brother." He suddenly laughed, "I'll be better than you sooner or later. I warned you long ago. How’s that? Now you know how to be scared? Do you regret being so mean to me?"

Zong Zi Heng smiled faintly, "Big brother believes in you, that one day you will surpass big brother." The gap between him and Zong Zi Xiao nowadays all originates from age. Every step Zong Zi Xiao took was higher than his own at the same age. He loved his youngest brother, but feared being caught up by him, so he dared not to slack off for a moment. But he also knew it was futile; good swords, magical treasures, immortal pills, he had none of them, and these things would eventually fill the age gap. One day in the future, representing the highest combat power of the Daming Zong clan, bring the Zongxuan Sword Technique to its contemporary peak, perhaps it will not be him, it will be Zong Zi Xiao.

He had never delved into this before, but it turned out that it had already been influenced by what his mother had instilled in him.

Zong Zi Xiao heard the difference in Zong Zi Heng's words, and he stood up, lying on Zong Zi Heng's back like he did when he was a child, and wrapped his arms intimately around his big brother's neck: "Big brother, why are you saying this? Anyway, no matter which of us is more powerful in the future, the two of us together will be the most powerful in Jiuzhou!"

Zong Zi Heng's heart felt like it had been punched hard, dispelling the foggy air that had been blocking his chest.

This was an enlightening statement.

What was he thinking? He’s actually jealous of his brother, who was seven years younger than him? He prided himself on his open-mindedness, but he still ended up with the narrowest of thoughts. He and Zong Zi Xiao are blood brothers, so why should they compare themselves to each other? If they worked hand in hand, they would surely be able to dominate the world in the future. He had even used this reason to advise his mother. How could he be so confused when it was obvious that even a child knew this?

Zong Zi Heng felt guilty for Zong Zi Xiao. He stood up, turned around and hugged Zong Zi Xiao, saying shamefully, "Xiao Jiu, you are right, if we join forces, no one will be able to beat us in the future."

Zong Zi Xiao grinned, "Big brother, then don't be unhappy."

"Okay." Zong Zi Heng pinched his face and laughed, "Why are you so happy?"

"I'm happy that you can't get a wife."

"Saying nonsense again."

"Hmph."

"However, since there is no further information on this matter for now, I should be able to leave the palace." Zong Zi Heng muttered to himself.

"Leave the palace, where are you going?" Zong Zi Xiao brightened up.

"I'm going to Chunyang Sect to find Xu Zhen Ren. He found traces of the Lion Alliance again, and this time, I'm going to hunt down those beasts myself."

"Take me, take me!" Zong Zi Xiao said urgently.

"Don't even think about it." Since the attack on Gutuo Town three years ago, Zong Zi Heng no longer dared to take Zong Zi Xiao outside.

"I've been holding it in for three years, I really want to get out of the palace so badly. Big brother, please, take me with you."

"No." Zong Zi Heng stroked his head, "You stay in Wuji Palace obediently, don't be lazy in your readings and sword practice, prepare well for next year's Jiaolong Assembly. Big brother will bring you a present when I return."

Zong Zi Xiao pouted his lips, indignant.

Zong Zi Heng had forgotten for a moment that this younger brother of his was never one who could be honest and obedient.

 

----

guided*[度化]---the ‘guide’ mentioned here is related to Buddhism. https://zhidao.baidu.com/question/145562526.html

 

Edited on 24 Mar. 21 (Emzie)

 

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