As soon as Hun Xiu's words fell, murmurs immediately rippled through the younger generation gathered around.
Everyone quietly agreed—Hun Xiu was absolutely right. Even if someone is older by just an hour, they're still considered the elder. And this Hun Feng, who was born a full day after Hun Xiu, was still trying to play the big brother? That was definitely overstepping.
Wasn't this common knowledge? Even the son of the clan leader should know something so basic.Whoever is older should be called "big brother." That's just the rule.
Hearing the discussions all around him, Hun Feng's face darkened. He felt utterly humiliated.
Ever since he was a child, Hun Feng had been the center of praise and admiration. No matter where he went, people flattered him. No one had ever dared say anything against him.
But now, these whispers in the crowd made his face burn with shame.He had to admit—Hun Xiu made a good point. Hun Xiu was indeed older by a day, which meant he should be addressed as "big brother." Hun Feng was technically the younger one.
Still, to lose face like this, especially in front of so many people, was hard to accept.Though they were all still young, children raised in great clans matured early. Just look at how in the original novel, Gu Yuan sent his four-year-old daughter to the Xiao clan as a spy—clearly, early maturity was expected in these families.
These children enjoyed privileges far beyond the norm, and with that came burdens other kids their age could never bear.
Hun Feng narrowed his eyes at Hun Xiu and snapped, "Hun Xiu, this is a world where strength rules!So what if you're older? Does that mean you're stronger?"
"Hmm…"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Hun Feng froze.
He had just reminded himself—Hun Xiu wasn't only older. He was also stronger.
He wasn't just a step ahead in age—he had already become a Dou Ling, a battle spirit realm expert.Meanwhile, he, Hun Feng, was merely a Dou Shi, a battle master.
Realizing he'd just dug his own grave with that argument, Hun Feng cursed himself internally for being an idiot.
Hun Xiu looked at him with a bright smile and said, "Feng-di, I'm sorry. Not only was I born a day earlier than you, I'm also stronger than you."
He waved his fingers at him, cracking his knuckles as he added, "Come on, little brother. Be good and call me 'big brother'—or else…"
Crack. Crack.The sound of Hun Xiu flexing his fingers was crisp and threatening.
It was clear: if Hun Feng didn't address him properly, Hun Xiu was ready to "educate" him with his fists.After all, one must respect their elders.
Gulp.Hun Feng instinctively stepped back, swallowing hard. He stammered, "Hun Xiu… If you hit me, Father will punish you!"
He wasn't bluffing. At his level, as a Dou Shi, he couldn't possibly withstand even one punch from Hun Xiu.That wouldn't be a fight—it'd be a beatdown.
Actually, he realized he should be more confident. He didn't even need the word "possibly."He would be knocked down with a single punch, and probably wouldn't be able to get up afterward.
Hun Xiu smiled, stepping forward slowly, his fists still flexing. "Whether or not Father punishes me is my business. But if you don't call me 'brother' now…"
"I'll make sure your face swells like a pig's head. Let's see how you explain that in front of everyone."
His tone was casual, but the threat was real.
Hun Xiu wasn't the type to go looking for trouble—but when trouble came knocking?He didn't mind knocking back.
He had wanted to keep a low profile, train quietly, and one day amaze everyone without warning.But if others insisted on dragging him into the spotlight…Then so be it. He could be "high-profile" too, if he had to.
Hun Feng kept retreating, but Hun Xiu just kept advancing. All the bystanders quickly cleared out of the way, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
After all, these weren't just any two children—they were both sons of the clan leader, Hun Tiandi.Everyone knew the future patriarch of the Hun Clan would likely be one of them.
Conflict between them? It was practically expected.
Eventually, Hun Feng had nowhere left to run. His back was pressed against a wall.As dozens of eyes landed on him, his cheeks burned with shame.
He hadn't meant for things to go this far. He had just seen Hun Xiu ignore Hun Huan'er and thought he could jump in and act superior for a moment.
Just to look cool.
But now?Now he was just humiliated. His "cool" plan had completely backfired.
He hadn't gained any face—he'd lost it all.
Especially now, with so many people watching… he wished he could just disappear into a crack in the ground.
Hun Xiu stepped right up to him, grinning. "Feng-di, you'd better decide quickly.Because once this fist moves—there's no stopping it."
He clenched his fist and held it up, ready to strike.His eyes gleamed with pressure and warning.
Gulp.Hun Feng swallowed again. After a quick round of mental calculations, he finally gave in—reluctantly, but wisely.
"…Brother… Brother Xiu," he muttered, barely audible.
"Good."Hun Xiu looked very pleased. He patted Hun Feng on the shoulder and said, "Feng-di, since you've accepted me as your big brother, from now on, I'll cover for you. You'll be able to walk through the Hun Clan sideways if you want."
Hun Feng thought to himself, I don't need you to cover for me. My father is the clan leader—I can walk however I want.
Of course, he wisely kept that thought in his head and didn't say it out loud.
Instead, he said awkwardly, "Then… thank you, big brother."
"No need for thanks between brothers."Hun Xiu gave him another pat on the shoulder and then said, "Let's switch spots, shall we?"
"…Oh."
Without even thinking, Hun Feng nodded and moved aside, giving up his spot to Hun Xiu.
Hun Xiu leaned back against the wall and once again closed his eyes, looking perfectly at peace.As if none of that had ever happened.
Hun Feng: "…"
He just stood there for a moment, dumbfounded. So that's why he made me move… just to take my spot?!
As realization dawned on him, he knew one thing for sure: this little farce was over.
Everyone else slowly came to the same conclusion.
They looked at Hun Feng, then at Hun Xiu, who was quietly resting again like nothing had occurred.The scene gradually returned to normal.
Back in his group of friends, Hun Feng glared at Hun Yu and asked, "Why didn't you say something when we went up to him together? You could've spoken first!"
Hun Yu looked sheepish. "I was scared…"
Hun Feng: "…"
He wanted to argue—but he couldn't.Damn it, Hun Yu actually made sense.
Hun Feng had no comeback.