Chapter 44: Brothers Like Wolves

“Fifth Brother, how impressive you are today—you’ve truly opened my eyes!” Wei Wuji had just finished beating someone when he overheard this remark, and it instantly irritated him. Who does he think he is? Mind your own business! But Wei Wuji didn’t let his temper get the better of him. The words “Fifth Brother” stung a little—after all, in his previous life, he’d never had any family.

While Wei Wuji was lost in his thoughts, the man speaking outside walked in. Wei Wuji looked closely and saw a figure clad in black armor, a pure black cloak fluttering behind him. The man shone as brightly as the midsummer sun. As his gaze traveled upward, Wei Wuji recognized the broad-shouldered man—it was his second brother, Wei Chengze, the second son of the state of Wei. Behind Wei Chengze stood a squad of armored soldiers, radiating murderous intent.

With Wei Chengze now present, Wei Wuji knew he could no longer keep up his domineering manner. He offered a slight bow with a courteous smile. “So it’s Second Brother. May I ask what wind has brought you here today?”

Truth be told, Wei Wuji didn’t feel much affection for this brother. In fact, their enmity ran deep. Not to mention that Lady Wei, Wei Chengze’s mother, had made his own mother’s life miserable, but even his recent disastrous encounter with the people of Chen had Wei Chengze’s fingerprints all over it. Wei Wuji had learned that the thirty thousand troops he’d originally led had all been under Wei Chengze’s command. He would never believe his abandonment had nothing to do with Wei Chengze.

Of course, this was all just his speculation. Wei Chengze shook his head and smiled. “What else could I be doing? I heard there was a commotion in the quartermaster’s office and thought I’d come join the excitement.”

Yet Wei Wuji felt something was off. Was this man really so idle? With the states of Wei and Qin at a standoff and war about to break out, could the commander of thirty thousand troops really have time to meddle here? Moreover, Wei Wuji had heard Qin was making frequent moves as though plotting something big—the day of the decisive battle couldn’t be far.

The thought made Wei Wuji envious. He was stuck risking his life with just three thousand men while his brother commanded great armies and coordinated from the center. Same father, such a vast difference! Sourness welled up in Wei Wuji as he remarked, “Second Brother, aren’t you busy with state affairs? How do you have time to bother with our trivial squabbles?”

His question was rather abrupt—Wei Chengze had already said he was just here for the spectacle, but Wei Wuji pressed further. Wei Chengze chuckled. “How could I neglect the affairs of state? But you, Fifth Brother—at such a young age, to have Father’s trust and be entrusted with such responsibility.”

Entrusted with responsibility? Wei Wuji wanted to laugh. If his mother hadn’t begged and fought for it, he wouldn’t have gotten this position at all. He had little fondness for his father. Still, since these were just pleasantries, he kept smiling.

After exchanging a few more empty words, Wei Chengze finally turned his attention to the matter at hand.

He pointed at the group of detained military officers, feigning surprise. “Fifth Brother, what are you doing here?”

Unfazed, Wei Wuji replied calmly, “These men were disobedient. I’m teaching them a lesson.” He shot the officers a baleful glare. They shrank back, terrified he might snap again.

Wei Chengze noted their fearful expressions, surprised at his younger brother’s newfound authority. His own smile faded and his tone grew stiff. “Fifth Brother, there are military laws and regulations. You can’t do as you please!”

To him, Wei Wuji was simply too reckless. Even with him standing here, the boy showed no restraint. But Wei Wuji ignored his brother’s change in demeanor and kept his smile. “The army does have laws, but my hands were itching—what else could I do? They provoked me.”

Before Wei Chengze could respond, Wei Wuji continued, “And it wasn’t just me—they targeted my men too. If I don’t finish them off, I’m letting them off easy.”

Wei Chengze fumed. This brat dared act so arrogantly in front of him! He’d thought his arrival would make Wei Wuji wilt and slink away. Instead, the boy was more brazen than ever.

Wei Chengze had never experienced such insolence. He was the legitimate son and heir of the Marquess of Wei, born to the principal wife. Who in the state didn’t cower before him? He’d always considered himself sufficiently overbearing, but today he’d met his match.

He’d even tried to use the people of Chen to get rid of Wei Wuji. Who could have guessed the boy would survive and earn great merit? Realizing Wei Wuji’s fate was not yet sealed, Wei Chengze had temporarily set aside thoughts of dealing with him. Now they’d crossed paths again, though not without Wei Chengze’s own scheming.

Wei Chengze’s voice grew grave. “Fifth Brother, I came to persuade you to stop. If you continue like this, you’ll only harm yourself.”

Wei Wuji turned his head, not even looking at Wei Chengze, and pointed at Chen Qian and the others. “Second Brother, are you here to speak for them?”

“I speak for the laws of Great Wei,” Wei Chengze declared, hands clasped behind his back, his tone righteous.

Wei Wuji let out a cold laugh, eyeing both Chen Qian and Wei Chengze. He didn’t believe a word of it. If this were really about upholding the law, why so many empty words? Besides, Wei Chengze didn’t seem the selfless type. And his timely arrival gave the whole thing the air of a prearranged scheme.

“So, are you here to arrest me?” Wei Wuji glanced at the soldiers behind Wei Chengze.

Wei Chengze showed no sign of anger at Wei Wuji’s rudeness. In his eyes, Wei Wuji had already committed a grave error and wouldn’t last much longer. He spoke slowly, “Fifth Brother, take your men and withdraw at once. There might still be a way out.”

Wei Wuji loathed nothing more than Wei Chengze’s sanctimonious lecturing—much like at the recent council of war, where he’d publicly undermined him. Wei Wuji shot back immediately, “What happens to me is none of your concern, Second Brother.”

Wei Chengze flew into a rage. “Wei Wuji, how dare you!”

Wei Wuji dropped his smile and shouted, “Mind your own business!”

In truth, he’d restrained himself long enough. He could already sense that his brother was connected to this whole affair. Considering their longstanding enmity, the fact that he’d held his tongue this long was generous.

“You—” Wei Chengze was utterly shocked that Wei Wuji dared speak to him this way. Was this really the timid boy who used to have no opinions and survive only under his mother’s protection?

For a moment, Wei Chengze felt he barely recognized his younger brother, and the unfamiliarity unsettled him. He’d always thought his mother’s concern for Wei Wuji and his mother was overblown—what threat could a concubine’s son pose? Yet now, gazing at that face so reminiscent of their father’s, Wei Chengze felt an unprecedented sense of danger.

Wei Wuji had no time to spare for his brother’s inner turmoil. He strode up to Chen Qian and raised his whip once more, curious to see how the master would react to his dog being beaten.

“Master, save me!” Chen Qian, seeing Wei Wuji approach, turned pale and cried out to Wei Chengze for help.

Wei Chengze’s expression flickered with uncertainty. He wanted to intervene but feared getting entangled himself, since he was already implicated in the affair. His original plan had been to utter a few grandstanding words and scare Wei Wuji off. Who could have predicted this outcome?

Wei Wuji’s whip lashed out, drawing screams from Chen Qian. Then a second lash, a third…

Seeing that Wei Chengze still hadn’t moved, Chen Qian grew resentful. If not for Wei Chengze’s orders, he’d never have provoked this madman. But he still had to beg for help, and he tried a little trick. Amid his cries he shouted, “Second Master, save me! I did it all for you—for Great Wei!”

What did he mean by that? Everyone understood acting for Great Wei, but for the master? Wei Wuji quickly realized his suspicions were correct.

Wei Chengze understood too. He knew he had no choice but to intervene, or Chen Qian would reveal even more.

As Wei Wuji’s whip continued to fall, Wei Chengze prepared to step in.

“Everyone cease immediately! All personnel to the central command tent to await orders from His Lordship!”

Outside the tent, a thunderous voice roared out this command.