The Blood Crown - Chapter 180

Feng Ye tore open Yan Sikong’s loose inner garment, exposing his snow-white chest. He bit down on the slender neck, sucking fiercely, while his large hand roamed over the dry, smooth skin.

Yan Sikong grabbed Feng Ye’s hair and roared in a low voice, “Feng Ye, stop!”

Feng Ye raised his head, his eyes red with rage. He grabbed both of Yan Sikong’s wrists and bound them together with a belt. Yan Sikong’s fever had not subsided, leaving him weak. His futile attempts to struggle were in vain, and he could only let Feng Ye bind his hands. Despair and fury made him tremble all over. “Feng Ye, you fool! Are you so blind that you don’t even recognize the person you’ve spent so much time with?”

“I know very well,” Feng Ye said, his fingers tracing Yan Sikong’s chest and finally pressing down on his heart. “He is honest and kind-hearted, ambitious, and had the spirit to dedicate himself to his country from a young age. He is nothing like your shameless face.”

Yan Sikong gritted his teeth. “I can recount every detail of the time we spent together…”

“You think that just because you shared food and bed, talked about everything, you can deceive me again?” Feng Ye said coldly. “From the moment I met you, I felt you were not like him. Que Wang was like the person he was back then. Besides, I once asked if you remembered the promises we made, but you forgot.”

“I haven’t forgotten. I…”

“Shut up!” Feng Ye grabbed Yan Sikong’s face, staring at him with cold eyes. “You are not worthy to speak of it. Those were my promises with him. Heaven has eyes. Even if he forgot, he came to my side, fighting through hardships and achieving merit alongside me.”

Yan Sikong felt as if he were pierced by a thousand arrows. The grand ambitions he shared with Feng Ye on the Guanning racetrack seventeen years ago were never forgotten by him, yet now, he was not even worthy to mention them in front of Feng Ye?

Feng Ye leaned in closer to Yan Sikong, “Back then, I was so obedient to you, and you took advantage of me. Now that you are in my hands, I will use you to the fullest. I want you to watch me look down on the world, to see me control everything. I want you to use everything you have to please me.”

“You…”

Feng Ye covered Yan Sikong’s lips again, sealing his cries with a rough and passionate kiss. He tore away the obstructive clothing, leaving marks of biting on Yan Sikong’s pristine chest.

“Feng Ye!” Yan Sikong shivered from the torment. “Are you human or beast? The heir to Prince Jingyuan title, and you act so vile.”

Feng Ye laughed dismissively, his eyes filled with wildness and arrogance, tainted by desire. “Prince Jingyuan’s heir died along with the Feng family. Now, I am nothing more than a bandit rebel. I can’t compare to the cultured Duke, but in terms of vileness, I’m no worse than you!”

Yan Sikong’s thick black hair fell loose, making his slender body appear even more snow-white and pure. Bound and with red-rimmed eyes, he weakly tried to curl up, his delicate and stunning appearance inciting all of Feng Ye’s madness.

Yan Sikong trembled. “We once knew each other well… Don’t do this to me.”

Feng Ye leaned in, gently biting Yan Sikong’s ear, using the softest tone to utter the most cruel words: “I insist on treating you this way.”

Yan Sikong closed his eyes, his face ashen.

Feng Ye’s lips covered Yan Sikong’s, passionately kissing his soft, red lips until he couldn’t breathe.

For three years, he hadn’t spent a single day without thinking of this person. Whether love or hate, Yan Sikong belonged to him. The despair of falling from the mountains into the abyss, the pain of losing everything, and the torment day and night—Feng Ye was determined to make Yan Sikong experience all of it!

That chaotic and frenzied night eventually pushed their hearts further apart…

After that night, Yan Sikong’s fever continued for several days and even started to lead him to speak nonsense. Fortunately, with Yuan Nanyu’s expertise, he was force-fed high-quality medicinal soups for several days and constantly had his body wiped down to reduce the fever, finally bringing him back to health.

When he woke, his mind was still unclear, and he needed several more days to regain the strength to get out of bed.

The madness of that night still filled him with dread. The humiliation and deliberate revenge Feng Ye inflicted upon him stirred up his deep resentment and broke his heart.

At this point, he no longer had the intention to justify himself. He finally understood that from the moment they parted three years ago, they had truly severed all ties. The Feng Ye standing before him now was no longer the person who had treated him so well, whom he had cherished and longed for. He was just the Wolf King, merely the Wolf King. Therefore, whether he was truly Yan Sikong or not, it no longer mattered.

And he could finally let go of Feng Ye. He had deceived and used Feng Ye, and Feng Ye had shown no mercy in return. In his heart, they were even now. From now on, he owed nothing to Feng Ye and felt no affection for him. As Feng Ye said, the Jingyuan heir was long dead, and his heart had died with it. Why should he torment himself further? Why should he be heartbroken?

He had long known that he should never let himself fall for anyone again; it was nothing but a burden. It was best this way. Without Feng Ye, his heart could truly become as solid as a rock.

He still had Yu’er and his unfulfilled ambitions. His life was worthless, but as long as he had breath, he should not stop. Otherwise, why live?

When Yuan Nanyu visited him, his eyes showed an unmistakable avoidance.

Yan Sikong, however, had already calmed down. He had awakened from the overwhelming pain and said calmly, “You don’t need to avoid me. Feel free to ask whatever you want.”

Yuan Nanyu took his pulse and shook his head. “I don’t want to interfere in your affairs, but he was too reckless. You…” He stuttered for a long time, unsure of what to ask.

“No need for diagnosis,” Yan Sikong withdrew his hand. “I’ve examined myself. It’s not serious.”

“You know medicine?”

“A little,” Yan Sikong said with a wry smile. “Haven’t you heard all the rumors about me in the capital? Didn’t you hear about my supposed relationship with the Wolf King?”

Yuan Nanyu paused for a moment and said, “At first, I didn’t take it seriously, but after following the Wolf King for these years, I’ve guessed that whenever he mentions you, it’s always…”

Yan Sikong didn’t care what came after the “always”—it was no longer relevant to him. “I am indeed someone who stops at nothing. What of it?”

Yuan Nanyu was unable to restrain his anger. “You truly are…”

“This skin of mine caused the Jingyuan heir to be infatuated with me back then, and it is this very skin that led His Majesty to marry his beloved daughter to me.” Yan Sikong laughed softly. “Beneath the skin, it’s nothing but bones. People only see the surface. I’ll use every means to achieve my goal—why not take advantage of a mere skin?”

Yuan Nanyu’s chest heaved with anger. “You pride yourself on being clever, but you act immorally. Don’t you understand that eventually, such actions will bring harm upon yourself? The principle of ‘those who act unjustly will perish’—don’t you understand?”

“Hahaha.” Yan Sikong laughed three times to mask his inner bitterness. “There’s no need to speak of ‘eventually.’ I’ve suffered enough retribution. Yet, heaven still allows me to live. There must be unfinished business awaiting me.”

Yuan Nanyu shook his head in disappointment.

The tent’s curtain was roughly lifted, and Feng Ye strode in with a cold expression, his gaze fixed intently on Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong met his gaze, his eyes equally cold.

Feng Ye said, “Que Wang, you may leave now.”

Yuan Nanyu said, “Wolf King, don’t trouble him further. He has just recovered from illness.”

“I know. You may leave.”

Yuan Nanyu hesitated for a moment before rising and leaving.

Feng Ye sat down in front of Yan Sikong’s bed, examining his face, which had recently regained some color. Compared to the pallor from a few days ago, he indeed looked much better. Feng Ye mocked, “You should really make use of this skin. With you around, it’s somewhat more bearable.”

“If I’m around you, how can it be bearable?” Yan Sikong said with an expressionless face.

“It’s unbearable because you brought it upon yourself.” Feng Ye sneered, “When I treated you well back then, you used me as a stepping stone.”

“So what?” Yan Sikong smiled. “You did it willingly.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes dangerously, laughing without anger. “Yes, I did it willingly. Blame my youthful ignorance, naivety, and stupidity. But you can’t deceive me anymore. Now that you’re in my hands…”

“Oh, is that so?” Yan Sikong said calmly. “Without me, do you think you’d suffer so much loss in soldiers and horses to capture the Hexi Corridor?”

“Whether or not you’re here, I will capture the Hexi Corridor regardless of the losses.” Feng Ye squeezed Yan Sikong’s chin. “With you, it becomes much easier.”

“At this point, do you think I still want to help you?”

“Help me?” Feng Ye laughed loudly. “Help me? That’s absurd. Everything you’ve done has been for yourself. You wanted to use me to seize power, to help Chen Mu ascend to the throne, and then control the world. I’m merely a pawn to you, and so is Chen Mu.”

Yan Sikong looked at the scornful expression on Feng Ye’s face, and despite his calm demeanor, his heart ached with sharp pain. He still tried to remind himself not to care, but the overwhelming sadness was unavoidable.

When did he become so weak?

Feng Ye noticed Yan Sikong’s gradually pale face and felt a pang in his heart. He pursed his lips, suddenly removing his light armor and starting to undress.

Yan Sikong leaned back, his voice trembling. “You…”

Feng Ye glanced at him sideways. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“Sleep.” Feng Ye removed his outer garments, climbed onto the bed, and embraced Yan Sikong despite his resistance.

Yan Sikong was stiffly trapped in Feng Ye’s embrace, not daring to move. He couldn’t forget the wildness that erupted from Feng Ye; it terrified him.

Feng Ye rested his nose against Yan Sikong’s black hair, wanting to say something but finding himself unable to speak. He simply held on tightly, as if nothing could make him let go.

Yan Sikong’s back pressed against Feng Ye’s broad, warm chest, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions. He had been embraced by this very person countless times before. He once thought it was the safest place in the world, had wished time would stop just to seek a moment of peace in this embrace. But now, this place was only left with cold wind and rain.

There was no longer any peace for Yan Sikong in this world.

**(End of Chapter)**