The Blood Crown - Chapter 160

Before dawn, news of the prison break had already spread throughout the capital. Emperor Zhao Wu was both furious and anxious, sending five thousand troops from Jing Mountain to search for Feng Ye, eager to overturn every blade of grass in the outskirts of the capital.

The Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Imperial Guards, and the prison were all implicated. The prison warden was executed that very day.

The next day, Yan Sikong appeared with the guise of a hangover. His face was pale, his eyes swollen, and he looked as though his soul had been drained. Though it was hard for people to believe, he had indeed sustained light injuries to his chest, abdomen, back, and arms the previous night. His mood was at its lowest, and it was a struggle to hide his wounds and act nonchalant.

He “learned” from the butler about Feng Ye’s escape, and was greatly shocked. The newlywed Princess Wanyang, still young, was filled with mixed emotions upon hearing that Feng Jianping had committed suicide and Feng Ye had escaped.

However, she still had a cold demeanor towards Yan Sikong. Seeing his physical discomfort, she ignored it, and the servants whispered among themselves.

Yan Sikong dismissed everyone and summoned Ah Li.

Ah Li, who had fled after secretly starting the fire due to his conspicuous physique, was also eager to know what happened the previous night.

Yan Sikong quietly told him about the events.

Ah Li gestured anxiously: Could Feng Ye be found?

Yan Sikong shook his head. “She Zhun is very meticulous. He has already sent someone to impersonate Feng Ye and leave the city. Feng Ye’s hiding place is very well concealed. Once the situation calms down, he can leave safely.”

Ah Li nodded and asked: So who is that black-clad person who helped? Why did they help you?

Yan Sikong shook his head again. “I’ve been thinking about it all night and can’t figure out who they are. This person has remarkable martial skills and has clearly been tracking me, knowing our every move.”

Ah Li “said”: It seems that Zhu Lanting wasn’t lying after all. It really wasn’t him.

“Yes, Zhu Lanting was also pursuing us last night. The voice and figure weren’t his.” Speaking of Zhu Lanting, Yan Sikong was worried. Zhu Lanting, if not foolish, would definitely guess that the prison break was their doing. As the commander of the Imperial Guards, though the prison was not under his jurisdiction, such a major event in the capital would surely implicate him. He wondered how Zhu Lanting would act.

Ah Li gestured: Should I investigate further?

“No need. She Zhun is dealing with the aftermath and is currently occupied. Since that person is helping us, we don’t need to worry about it for now. After Feng Ye is safely out of the capital, we can plan our next steps.”

Ah Li nodded, looking at Yan Sikong with concern, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Yan Sikong, with a blank expression and an emotionless tone, said, “I’m fine. It’s just minor injuries.”

Ah Li hesitated, pointing at his heart.

Yan Sikong felt a sudden pain in his chest. He took a deep breath, turned his gaze to the empty wall, and murmured, “It’s nothing…”

In fact, it might be for the best. From the beginning, he and Feng Ye should never have been entangled. Feng Ye had added a fatal weakness to him. Without Feng Ye… without Feng Ye… he wondered what his life would be like now.

They were originally strangers on different paths. Forcing them together was against the will of heaven. Parting ways now was for the best. Each should look after themselves.

Ah Li sighed, placing the medicine at Yan Sikong’s bedside, and silently left.

Yan Sikong lay in bed, thinking that at this very moment, Feng Ye was probably also suffering on his sickbed. His heart was filled with sorrow and despair, making it hard for him to breathe.

Unlike him, Feng Ye, as the heir of Prince Jingyuan, had never experienced hardship or humiliation. Yet, at the prime of his life, he had fallen from the clouds into the mire, wrongfully imprisoned, subjected to torture and indignities, and lost everything in an instant. Over these six months, he couldn’t bear to think about how Feng Ye endured each day or imagine how Feng Ye would cope with life afterward.

He often dreamed of their best times, of Feng Ye’s spirited demeanor, of his arrogant and confident eyes, of his majestic presence on the battlefield, of his warm lips, strong hands, and broad chest, and of their once-sweet moments together.

After waking from such dreams, his heart was trapped in nightmares with no escape.

Yan Sikong covered his eyes with his hand, feeling the heat and moisture of his palm, the pain in his heart unbearable. This was his fate: everyone he cherished would eventually leave him. That Feng Ye was still alive was already… fortunate.

After staying in his room for the day, at dusk, the door was pushed open rudely.

In the Yan residence, who would dare push the door open like this? It was obvious without looking.

Princess Wanyang entered with a plate of food, impatiently placing it on the table and coldly saying, “The old lady asked me to bring you food.”

Yan Sikong responded quietly, “Thank you, Princess. I’m not feeling well and cannot get up to welcome you. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“Stop pretending.” Wanyang squinted at him. “Do you know that my cousin has escaped?”

“I’ve heard about it.”

“He will come back. He is the Little Wolf King with divine strength.” Wanyang looked down at Yan Sikong from a superior position. “He will definitely kill all the eunuchs and their lackeys to avenge my uncle. You won’t have many good days left.”

Yan Sikong replied calmly, “If he returns for revenge, then wouldn’t Your Majesty also be in danger?”

Wanyang was taken aback, rebutting, “My father was deceived by the eunuchs. My cousin will definitely clear the Feng family’s name!”

“I hope so.”

“You…” Wanyang, hearing Yan Sikong’s sarcastic tone, was helplessly enraged, gritting her teeth.

Yan Sikong finally looked up at her, seeing the resemblance to Feng Ye in her picturesque eyebrows and eyes. A touch of softness arose in his heart. He slowly said, “Princess, being caught between the Feng family and the royal family must be very painful. The struggle in the court has nothing to do with you. I hope you live a simple and peaceful life.”

Wanyang was taken aback, snorted, and said, “No need for your concern.” She finished speaking and left in a huff.

Emperor Zhao Wu turned the capital and its outskirts upside down, even sending people to follow the false information released by She Zhun all the way to Datong, but still, Feng Ye was not found.

Half a month after the prison break, Yan Sikong finally met with She Zhun. She Zhun said that Feng Ye’s injuries were not healed, so he had left without saying goodbye. According to those who took care of Feng Ye, he had left with a masked man and was now missing.

Yan Sikong told She Zhun about the black-clad masked person he had encountered that night. Comparing the figures and characteristics, they confirmed it was the same person.

Since that night when Yan Sikong discovered this person, She Zhun had sent people to investigate for a long time but found no results. This person not only had high martial skills but was also adept at hiding. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t understand who could make a fugitive like Feng Ye, who should be extremely cautious, leave with him. Eventually, they guessed that the person might be an assassin sent by Feng Ye’s uncle in Datong.

Since the two had left, they were at least safer than hiding in the country house outside the city. Yan Sikong thought that with the vast sky and ocean, Feng Ye would eventually find freedom. Wanyang was right. He believed that Feng Ye would spend his life avenging the Feng family. In this regard, he and Feng Ye were similar.

As for him, he could finally devote himself entirely to a desperate struggle with Xie Zhongren.

For he had no more attachments in this life.

A/N – This volume is now finished!

The next volume will gradually shift from the court to the battlefield. Ah, I’m so excited and can’t wait to share what kind of story this will be! (End of Chapter)