The Blood Crown - Chapter 194

After a month of arduous travel, the group of thirteen finally arrived in Yunnan.

This region is remote, with most of the twenty-four provinces of Jiuzhou being either poor and desolate or mountainous and treacherous. The terrain is dangerous, and the local people are very fierce. Many large and small bandit groups and tribes hide in the layers of mountains, still unconquered by the imperial court. They rely on their knowledge of the terrain to rob and pillage, causing immense suffering to the local Han people.

Historically, this area has been barren and wild. The officials sent here by the court are usually those who have been demoted for their mistakes, and Prince Chu being assigned here shows that Emperor Zhao Wu had no regard for the father-son relationship.

However, there is one advantage here: it’s easy to recruit soldiers. The local people are not very educated, and as long as you provide them with food, you can enlist them to fight for you.

During their journey, the group endured considerable hardship due to the long distance and cold weather. They also encountered a highway robbery, but fortunately, Yuan Nanyu’s martial skills were exceptional, and they escaped safely. By the time they reached Zhongqing, everyone had lost some weight.

Due to the constant harassment from bandits and savages, the city gate of Zhongqing was guarded day and night. They had to disguise themselves to avoid drawing too much attention. Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu entered the city first, leaving the others outside.

At the gate, the guards stopped Yan Sikong and pushed him back. “Where are you from? Haven’t seen you before.”

“From outside, visiting relatives.”

“Outside? Where?”

“Yanzhou.”

“You don’t have a Yanzhou accent.” A nearby guard came over. “My wife is from Yanzhou. Where are you really from? Let me search you.”

Several guards approached to search them.

Yuan Nanyu narrowed his eyes and looked at Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong signaled him not to act recklessly and quickly took out a bag of silver from his bosom. “Gentlemen, we are all Han people, not bandits. Please make it easier for us.”

Seeing the silver, the guards’ attitudes changed immediately. One of the guards gave a signal to his colleague, who left and soon returned with a man who looked like a commanding officer, holding a ledger.

The officer looked Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu up and down. “What are you doing in Zhongqing? Speak honestly.” He glanced occasionally at the money bag in Yan Sikong’s hand.

Yan Sikong pulled him aside and whispered, “Brother, if you can help me with a small favor…” He took out a heavy silver ingot. “This is for you.”

The officer’s eyes widened. Such a poor place rarely sees such generous patrons. He swallowed hard. “What do you need me to do?”

Yan Sikong looked at the ledger in his hand and tore off a page. “Give this to Prince Chu and say someone requests an audience.”

The officer immediately understood that these were not ordinary people and responded respectfully, “Do you need to write something on it?”

“No need, a blank page is enough.”

“Uh, I’ll take care of it right away.”

The two entered the city and found a tea house to rest. After only a short while, someone came to escort them directly to the residence of Prince Chu.

Yan Sikong looked at the residence, which was the most humble and shabby princely residence he had ever seen in his life, even smaller than his own home. He couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental. He wondered how much Chen Mu had accumulated over the years, given that war consumes money.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps were heard in the distance. As they drew nearer, they deliberately slowed down, becoming measured and composed. Yan Sikong, being very perceptive, immediately guessed that it was Chen Mu, the former Crown Prince and now Prince Chu.

Soon, a figure appeared at the door. Yan Sikong first saw the person’s black patterned cloud sleeves and white-bordered dragon robe. He was momentarily stunned, unable to recognize the person before him.

Yan Sikong’s impression of Chen Mu was still from four years ago when he was just coming of age. He had been shorter, thin, and youthful with bright and sharp eyes. Despite having sharp claws and teeth, he was still too weak, like a young tiger.

But now, the person was tall and robust, with a dignified and handsome appearance. His forehead was smooth and full, his eyebrows slanted elegantly, and his eyes were deep and dark, as if they had no bottom. His nose had a slight hump, giving him an air of wisdom and depth. The jeweled belt emphasized his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs, while a simple jade hairpin neatly arranged his hair. This was a figure of inherent aloofness, yet it exuded a subtle royal aura.

Chen Mu’s features hadn’t changed much, but his demeanor had transformed completely.

Chen Mu stood still, looking at Yan Sikong with trembling lips and eyes full of thoughts.

Yan Sikong turned around, dusted off his robes, knelt on the ground, and prostrated, saying loudly, “I, Yan Sikong, have come to see His Highness the Crown Prince. Long live the Prince, long live the Prince, long, long live the Prince.”

Yuan Nanyu also knelt down.

Chen Mu clenched his fist, stepped forward, and grabbed Yan Sikong’s arm to help him up. Yan Sikong was surprised by Chen Mu’s strength, and the next moment, he was embraced by Chen Mu.

Yan Sikong was completely stunned.

Chen Mu held him tightly, and unlike their previous embraces, he was now half a head taller than Yan Sikong, holding him firmly with his manly chest.

In Yan Sikong’s ear, Chen Mu whispered softly, “Teacher, I missed you so much.”

Yuan Nanyu looked at the two with some surprise.

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment, then gently patted Chen Mu’s broad back and deliberately choked up, saying, “Your Highness, you’ve grown up. To see Your Highness again in this lifetime, I have no regrets even if I die.”

Chen Mu finally released Yan Sikong, his eyes unwilling to move away from his face, scrutinizing him without restraint. His eyes were slightly moist. “Being able to see you again is something I have longed for over these past four years.”

“How are you, Your Highness?”

“…What is ‘good’ and what is ‘bad’? The people might think that having enough food and clothing is already very good, but I have not had a single day without resenting such ease…” Chen Mu shook his head. “Teacher… how are you?” He asked while closely observing Yan Sikong’s expression.

Though Yunnan is remote, news of significant events, especially those in the capital, had already reached here.

Yan Sikong forced a bitter smile and downplayed the situation. “Being able to see Your Highness again makes any hardship worthwhile.”

“Please sit down, sir.” Chen Mu gestured for Yan Sikong to take a seat. He then noticed that there was still someone kneeling on the ground. “Is he your guard? Let him get up.”

Yuan Nanyu spoke softly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Yuan Nanyu was highly skilled in disguise, and Chen Mu could not discern his true appearance. He did not pay him much attention. “You may leave. I need to speak with Sir Yan alone.”

“This person is my trusted personal guard,” Yan Sikong explained.

Chen Mu waved his hand dismissively. “Leave us.”

Yuan Nanyu cupped his hands, glanced at Yan Sikong, and then withdrew.

Chen Mu personally poured tea for Yan Sikong. “You’ve lost quite a bit of weight. Is it due to the hardships of travel or… too much worry?”

Yan Sikong sighed. “It’s both. I worry about the country and the people, and I haven’t had a peaceful night’s sleep.”

“I’ve heard about what you’ve done in the capital,” Chen Mu said with embarrassment. “At first, I had doubts when your infamous reputation reached Yunnan. But later, when you killed Xie Zhongren and eliminated the Eunuch Party, it was truly commendable. I finally understood your determination and perseverance in enduring humiliation over the years. You… don’t hold any grudges against me, do you?”

“Why would I blame Your Highness? The fact that you have always remembered me is already deeply touching.”

Chen Mu looked at Yan Sikong earnestly. “You have sacrificed so much but have been misunderstood by the world. It truly pains me.”

“Others see me as a fickle and opportunistic person, but I don’t mind. The things I want to accomplish won’t be swayed by gossip,” Yan Sikong said firmly. “If Your Highness understands me, that is enough.”

“For the past four years, I have kept your teachings in mind. Although I have been ‘exiled’ to this remote and barren place, I have diligently studied and trained, never allowing myself a single day of idleness, biding my time and waiting for the right moment.” Chen Mu narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp. “I believe in what you said. I am the most legitimate heir to the Da Sheng throne.”

“Indeed!” Yan Sikong emphasized. “In my heart, Your Highness is always the Crown Prince and will surely rule the world in the future!”

Chen Mu clenched his fists. “After receiving your secret letter, I have started recruiting troops and making covert arrangements. This place is remote and far from the emperor, and the officials and generals here have already been bought by me. Now I am just waiting for the right time. Your visit is to assist me, isn’t it?”

“Yes, I am here to help Your Highness ascend the throne, and I am willing to go all out.”

Chen Mu was delighted. “With someone like you, a talent for governance, assisting me, I will certainly achieve my wish.”

“But that is not enough,” Yan Sikong said seriously. “Your Highness still needs another person’s strength.”

“Who?” Chen Mu frowned, as if he already had an inkling in his heart.

“Feng Ye, the Wolf King.”

Chen Mu’s expression changed slightly. He stood up, turned his back to Yan Sikong, and looked out the window, remaining silent for a long time before speaking. “I heard that you tried to persuade Feng Ye to surrender but failed, losing the cities of Mao Ren and Qianzhou, and were even imprisoned by Feng Ye. I had doubts. With your intelligence and resourcefulness, how could you be deceived and used by Feng Ye? Indeed, you and Feng Ye have long been in collusion.”

“Your Highness, if you have me as your strategist and Feng Ye’s troops, your grand undertaking will be accomplished.”

Chen Mu suddenly turned around, staring at Yan Sikong with a hostile tone. “People have mixed opinions about you, and harsh words and criticisms are endless, but I have always believed in the person I know. There is only one thing I want to hear from you directly, or… directly deny.”

Yan Sikong’s chest heaved. He felt an unexpected sense of guilt. “Please ask, Your Highness. I will answer truthfully.”

“Do you and Feng Ye, indeed, have a romantic relationship?”

Yan Sikong looked at Chen Mu unblinkingly, his bright eyes showing a myriad of emotions, but his gaze conveyed everything.

Chen Mu’s face showed anger. “It’s true!”

“I have no feelings for Feng Ye,” Yan Sikong said with a pained heart. “It was merely… an act.”

“Why? Why!” Chen Mu’s anger was overwhelming. “Do you dare to say that you don’t like him?”

Yan Sikong stood up and bowed deeply. “Your Highness, Feng Ye is of great use.”

Chen Mu silently looked at Yan Sikong. “Do you prefer men over women?”

Yan Sikong sighed. “Please, Your Highness, don’t ask any further. It is very uncomfortable for me. Just know that I am with Feng Ye to support Your Highness in your return to the capital and reclaiming the palace. That is enough.”

“I trust you, but I do not trust Feng Ye.” Chen Mu’s tone turned cold. “You must be tired from the journey. Rest well. I will reward you properly tonight.”

With that, Chen Mu waved his sleeve and left.

“Your Highness…” Yan Sikong’s brows were deeply furrowed.