He was the only main ally of King Narapati II of Ava in the latter's 25-year struggle against the Mohnyin-led Confederation of Shan States, Prome and Toungoo.
[3] The Burmese chronicles mention Hkonmaing as a supporting figure—albeit an important one—in King Narapati II's reign.
At the time, Onbaung–Hsipaw was a major Shan state, which controlled (or claimed to control) the entire stretch of eastern Shan Hills west of the Salween river: Bhamo,[5] Yawnghwe (Nyaungshwe),[1] Mong Nai (Mone)[1] and Mong Pai (Mobye).
Chronicles mention Hkonmaing and Narapati II as thwethauk brothers[7]—men who have ritually entered into "a sacramental brotherhood" by drinking each other's blood.
Narapati II, who came to power in 1501 amidst major rebellions, desperately tried to retain the loyalty of remaining "vassal" rulers like Hkonmaing of Onbaung and Mingyi Nyo of Toungoo.
[9] In late 1505, he sent an army (4,000 men, 300 horses, 60 elephants) led by his younger brother to assist Narapati defend the town of Sale from the forces of Prome and Toungoo.
[4] Hkonmaing likely stayed in the alliance because he and Narapati were fighting against a common enemy: Sawlon the ambitious expansionist leader of Mohnyin.
[10] In 1511, Hkonmaing lost Bhamo, its northernmost possession, to Sawlon whose army simply seized the border town between the two Shan states.
But the Ava army was ambushed en route at Myedu by a smaller Mohnyin force (4,000 men, 200 horses, 100 elephants), and was driven back with heavy losses.
According to the chronicles, Narapati was truly grateful that Hkonmaing remained loyal till the end, and is said to give the saopha many jewels.