Era of Mist

’Recognize me as his big brother?’

Whatever, makes no difference. I’ve been ordering him around smoothly enough anyway; taking on a little brother is no big deal.

He was getting thirsty from eating the large skewers, so Shi Tiexin grabbed the cup and started drinking. He didn’t care that the water in the cup was still steaming. He chugged it down, GULP GULP, then wiped his mouth and slammed the cup onto the table with a THWACK. "I accept."

"Excellent! My brother is straightforward!" Zhou Xiong was overjoyed. He waved his hand gleefully, "Boss! Bring out all the best food and drinks! I’m treating my brother to a proper feast today!"

"Coming, coming! I guarantee you’ll eat and drink well!" a voice called out, full of vigor.

"More chili, more cumin! Grill them till they’re fragrant!" Having bowed to his big brother and established his status, Zhou Nan seemed to let go of some burden and immediately became enthusiastic. A moment later, he darted back with several fragrant skewers in hand. "Big Brother, these are fresh!"

With Zhou Nan’s liveliness, the other underlings also started laughing and joking, and the tense atmosphere from just moments before dissipated. These underlings started bullshitting and boasting, their wild claims flying everywhere. Smoking, drinking, laughing and joking—none of them looked remotely serious. Shi Tiexin paid them no mind and focused on eating the large skewers in his hands.

Before long, another wisp of Primordial Essence was added, bringing the total to ninety-nine. The speed was truly fast.

But it made sense when he thought about it. With the garbage-class meal sets from the school cafeteria, the lean meat from five people’s plates combined probably didn’t amount to what was on a single one of these skewers. In just a short while, dozens of large skewers had gone down his gullet. He had no idea how deep Zhou Xiong’s pockets were, but he was definitely going to be out a pretty penny.

"Buddy, since Zhou Nan has recognized you as his big brother, you’re now the rightful big brother of Class 28." Liu Shufeng, as if possessed, winked at Shi Tiexin. "You have no idea how big a sacrifice Little Nanzi made."

"Sacrifice?"

’What sacrifice? Did he bleed? Lose a limb? Go bankrupt?’

"That’s right. You probably don’t know, but only the big brother of each class is qualified to succeed one of the Four Celestial Kings. Zhou Nan has always been obsessed with this. By handing over his position as the big brother of Class 28, he’s completely withdrawn from the succession race."

"Oh..."

’Damn it. Just more of this weakling-level playing house. And here I thought it was some great sacrifice.’

"Since we’re on the topic, let’s discuss the second matter of the day." Zhou Xiong put down his cigarette, skillfully flicked the ash, and looked at Shi Tiexin seriously. "The senior from the third year is about to step down. This last exam made him think very highly of you. He’s busy preparing for the college entrance exams and can’t show up. Chen Yuanlong has a training session today and couldn’t make it either. So, the two of us, as representatives, are inviting you—to become one of the Four Celestial Kings."

"Me?" Shi Tiexin was a little surprised. "Why?"

"Because you’re the most badass, Big Brother Tie!" Zhou Nan shouted excitedly from the side. "Big Brother Tie, you’re on another level. So many people rack their brains trying to make a move, but only you did it without a sound, and ended up getting first place in the whole school, on par with the third-year King Zhou. No one but you could pull that off. If you don’t take the spot, who will?"

"On par?"

"That’s right. The third-year King Zhou is named Zhou Zhengyang. He’s the other one who got a perfect score, just like you." Zhou Xiong wore a profound look. "Brother, the Four Celestial Kings are responsible for managing and restraining all the delinquents at Fengming First Middle School, but that doesn’t mean the Four Celestial Kings are just a bunch of brawling, good-for-nothing losers. The third-year Zhou Zhengyang is first in his grade, and he’s one of the Four Celestial Kings all the same."

"Zhou Zhengyang..." Shi Tiexin mulled it over. Zhou Nan, Zhou Xiong, Zhou Zhengyang. "Are you guys all related?"

"We probably were, eight hundred years ago. As for now, no relation. Just a coincidence." Zhou Xiong chuckled. "So, what do you say, brother? You in?"

The underlings all around them were grinning. In their eyes, joining the Four Celestial Kings was the highest honor. So many people would kill for the position. Now that he’d been invited, this Big Brother Tie was expected to accept with tears of gratitude.

But contrary to everyone’s expectations, even Zhou Nan’s, Shi Tiexin immediately and flatly refused. "Not interested."

"Not interested?!" The underlings cried out in shock. But Zhou Nan’s eyes darted, and he chuckled knowingly. ’Shallow. So shallow. Did you really think my big brother would just gratefully scramble to join? Big Brother Tie is on another level!’

’First, a refusal to show his stance. Then, after playing hard to get a few times, he’ll finally agree to join. That way, he’ll have more prestige among the Four Celestial Kings and won’t be seen as a yes-man.’

The underlings were all lost in their own thoughts. Zhou Xiong took a drag from his cigarette and tried to persuade him. "The honored position of the Four Celestial Kings has a long history. You..."

’A long history?’

"How long?"

"...Two years."

"You call two years a long history?" ’A long history, my ass!’

"For high school students, two years is long enough. It’s a title with real weight, one that lets you manage and control all the delinquents in the school. You’re not going to take it?"

"Not interested."

Zhou Nan stood by, looking completely unfazed. ’Mm, that’s the second refusal. One more, and it should be about time.’

"But why?" Liu Shufeng chimed in from the side, a look of complete bewilderment on his face. "The Four Celestial Kings! How prestigious! Why wouldn’t you want to be one?"

Shi Tiexin didn’t reply. ’Prestigious my ass! It’s just a game of house for a bunch of kids who’ve had it easy for too long. Why would I want any part of it? Besides, managing delinquents sounds like way too much trouble. I still have to study.’

But a moment later, something occurred to Shi Tiexin. He looked at Zhou Xiong and asked, "You said the Four Celestial Kings manage all the delinquents in the school."

"That’s right."

"Does Teng Chaoguo fall under your jurisdiction?"

"He does."

"Teng Chaoguo used to beat, intimidate, humiliate, and extort me. Does that align with the rules of the street?"

Zhou Xiong fell silent, just smoking his cigarette incessantly.

With a steely expression, Shi Tiexin delivered the longest sentence he had uttered since crossing over to this worldline: "If that’s within the rules, then the rules are bullshit. If it’s not within the rules, then the Four Celestial Kings are bullshit. So I won’t be a Celestial King, and I won’t follow your rules—I’ll follow my own."

Zhou Xiong fell silent. Liu Shufeng fell silent. The underlings fell silent. The atmosphere immediately grew heavy again. Zhou Nan looked left and right, at a loss. ’Boss, what you said was a bit too decisive! It’s going to be hard to back down from this later!’

"And your rules are..." Zhou Xiong, after a moment of silence, was about to speak when someone abruptly cut in from the side. "Little brother, time to pay up." As he spoke, a thick, greasy hand stretched out right in front of Zhou Xiong.

"Huh?" Zhou Xiong turned his head and saw the skewer boss standing beside him with a business-is-business smile, hand outstretched. "You’re treating, so you pay."

"We’re not even finished eating yet!" one of the underlings protested loudly.

Zhou Xiong, also annoyed, waved his hand dismissively. "Later. You’ll get your money." ’What the hell is this? Can’t you see we’re discussing something important?’

But the boss showed no intention of moving. He just kept smiling. "No, no, better pay up now. I’m afraid I won’t be able to collect later."

"Hm?" The words made Zhou Xiong freeze for a second. Then, he suddenly felt that something was wrong with his surroundings.

SLAP! Liu Shufeng grabbed Zhou Xiong’s shoulder, his expression grave. "Killing intent."