Chapter 11: Don't Stand in My Way

Ji Huo burst into laughter and then, rubbing his nose, said, “I’m a sentimental sort—I find that old thatched hut comfortable, so I won’t be moving.” Ji Junhong nodded with a smile. “I thought as much.”

The two sipped their tea at a leisurely pace, completely at ease—as if they were brothers reunited after many years apart. Even though Ji Huo had lived two lives, he found himself accepting this elder brother who had appeared in his life. Compared to Ji Xiaoxiong, who was always intent on instructing his son, he discovered he got along much better with this conveniently acquired elder brother.

“So, why have I been summoned back to the capital this time?” Ji Huo asked.

Ji Junhong sighed, clearly troubled. “It’s a complicated matter. The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince are fighting for the throne. Father, as the leading general, had maintained neutrality, while the remaining civil officials fell in behind one prince or the other. Securing the support of the military is a critical vote.”

“Somehow, the Fourth Prince learned about you, which is why all this chaos has come about.”

Ji Huo paused for two seconds, understanding at once. He said, a little sourly, “So the Fourth Prince sent the Imperial Guards to fetch me, while the Crown Prince’s faction tried to intercept and kill me midway, causing all this commotion.”

“That’s right.” Ji Junhong narrowed his eyes, his tone even. “In fact, it’s hard to say whether it was really the Crown Prince’s people who tried to kill you, or whether it even mattered if you survived the journey. If you died, the Fourth Prince could pin the blame on the Crown Prince and curry favor with the generals. If you survived and he helped Father find you, he’d still win their support. Either way, he loses nothing.”

Ji Huo shook his head, not expecting to be dragged out of his peaceful refuge in the mountains of western Sichuan over such a matter. His tone grew colder. “If my guess is right, the whole city must know by now that the Fourth Prince found me.”

“Exactly.” Ji Junhong nodded. “Rumors started flying in the capital the moment the Imperial Guards set out. Since Father is so highly regarded in Zhou, the people are delighted you’ve been found. Even the Fourth Prince’s standing has risen noticeably in the public’s eye. He’s won popular support and the goodwill of the military—no matter how you look at it, he’s come out ahead.”

Ji Huo took a sip of tea, squinting. “But having been used like this, I can’t say I’m particularly pleased.”

“There’s not much to be done,” Ji Junhong replied, sipping his tea slowly, his eyes once more half-closed as he murmured, “The time just isn’t right. With two dragons vying for the throne, the capital is tense and everyone’s watching. We can’t afford any rash moves.”

Ji Huo shook his head. “We’re just a couple of ruffians from the backwoods—I don’t care for all this courtly intrigue. I just want to know: does the Fourth Prince have any masters at his side?”

Ji Junhong nearly choked on his tea, coughing for real this time. “What are you up to? There are experts by his side, and even if something happened to him, everyone would know we were behind it.”

Ji Huo shrugged. “Fine, I’ll leave him alone for now.”

He stood, inhaling the city air, but found it nothing special after all.

“By the way, big brother, are you skilled in martial arts?” Ji Huo suddenly asked.

Ji Junhong was momentarily taken aback, glancing at his younger brother before replying lazily, “I know a little.”

Why do I have trouble believing that... Ji Huo pressed on, “Between the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince, who do you support more?”

In the quiet courtyard, the leaves rustled noisily. Ji Junhong sipped his tea, half-smiling as he answered, “Neither.”

Ji Huo’s eyes narrowed, then he opened them wide, waved a hand, and walked out, laughing. “I’m heading out for a stroll. I’ll be back later.”

Ji Junhong watched his brother’s retreating figure, and a smile crept irrepressibly onto his lips. “No wonder he’s my brother.”

After lingering over his tea in the small courtyard for a while, he saw Master Wen approaching from a distance. Exhausted from the journey, Master Wen’s backside still ached; he longed to lie down, unlike the young Ji Huo, who still had the energy to go out exploring.

He cupped his hands to Ji Junhong, glanced around, and asked, “Master, has the second young master just left?”

“Yes.” Ji Junhong asked casually, “What’s your impression of my younger brother?”

How should I view him? Lying down would be best… Master Wen hesitated. “The second young master’s martial talent is astonishing, and his conduct is mature beyond his years—a man of great promise.”

Ji Junhong blinked and teased, “No need to be so formal, Master Wen. I don’t see much maturity in his conduct—have you picked up the soldiers’ vulgarities after your time with the Flying Bear Army?”

Master Wen pictured Lü Shui’s booming laughter in his mind and quickly shook his head. “I would never imitate them, absolutely not!”

Ji Junhong’s smile faded. He glanced at Master Wen and asked, “Sir, your skills in divination are renowned—have you ever cast the lots for my younger brother’s fate?”

“I have,” Master Wen replied with a bitter smile, “but to no avail.”

“What do you mean?” Ji Junhong asked, intrigued.

“Exactly that,” Master Wen answered. “Master, just as when I first met you, I couldn’t see your fate. Only after we became acquainted did I catch a glimpse of your fortune. As for the second young master, I can’t see a thing. In fact, I have a feeling that anyone who tries will suffer ill luck. All I can say is, he is no ordinary man.”

Ji Junhong stared for a moment, then couldn’t suppress a smile. “How interesting—truly interesting. No wonder he’s my brother; he takes after me.”

Master Wen hesitated. “Do you think the second young master will affect our grand plans?”

Ji Junhong waved his hand and laughed. “So what if he does? If my brother actually manages to thwart me, so be it—this world is vast, and there’s always somewhere to go.”

Your heart is broad indeed… Master Wen thought to himself.

“And besides…” Ji Junhong’s eyes glimmered with amusement. “I doubt he’ll stand in my way. He and I are cut from the same cloth.”

…

Meanwhile, as soon as Ji Huo left home, he realized he had no idea where to go. He knew there were strongholds in the city—he’d even met his own people on the way—but he’d never been to the capital before. Knowing the general location wasn’t the same as finding it, especially without a map or guidance system.

Forget it, he thought. I’ll just wander—if they want to find me, they’ll come. He picked a direction and plunged into the crowd.

Little Brown Sugar would probably arrive in the capital before long. Even if he got lost, she’d be able to find him.

So Ji Huo ambled from stall to stall, eating his way along. The capital’s snacks were truly abundant, reminiscent of those bustling food streets of later ages. Even in broad daylight, the aroma of grilled meat was heavier than in western Sichuan, and the streets far livelier.

After just one street, Ji Huo’s hands were full—several skewers in one, a chicken leg in the other. But the crowds were thick, and since he preferred quiet, he slipped into a less crowded alley.

The alley was almost empty, save for a burly man made entirely of fat, also clutching an armful of food, approaching from the opposite direction.

A man from the Kingdom of Liang, surprisingly—the capital’s international flair was impressive. In all his years in western Sichuan, Ji Huo had rarely seen foreigners.

“Get out of the way!” As they brushed past, the big man gave Ji Huo a shove.

He didn’t budge.