The Blood Crown - Chapter 224

While Feng Ye was recuperating from his injuries, Yan Sikong managed all military affairs within Yan Prefecture(State).

The subordinate generals of Feng Ye were not convinced. They were aware of Yan Sikong’s capabilities, but they also knew about his relationship with Feng Ye and the infamous reputation he carried. When Yan Sikong was by Feng Ye’s side, offering strategies, no one dared to speak out. But now that they had suffered a defeat, the blame naturally fell on Yan Sikong rather than their wise and valiant Wolf King. With Feng Ye’s intimidating presence gone, their disdain and suspicion toward Yan Sikong were brazenly displayed.

Fortunately, Wang Shen understood the bigger picture. Although he had a fiery temperament, he was one of the old Feng family army soldiers who had escaped Datong with Feng Changyue years ago. His loyalty to the Feng family was unwavering. He helped Yan Sikong suppress the rebellious generals, ensuring that orders were executed, but Yan Sikong still faced constant difficulties and scorn.

However, Yan Sikong did not take these military officers seriously. He had faced far more dangerous enemies in the past and was merely waiting for the right moment to teach them a lesson.

What truly troubled him was Yuan Shaoxu’s relentless behavior. He took advantage of the situation to ask Yan Sikong for Zhang Rong’s position. Yuan Shaoxu had indeed contributed to ambushing Luo Ruoxin and attacking Yan State alongside Wang Shen, and Feng Ye had rewarded him and given him a slight promotion. But Yuan Shaoxu was still dissatisfied with being subordinate to Wang Shen and believed he deserved to replace Zhang Rong.

Yan Sikong decisively rejected his request. Most of Zhang Rong’s soldiers had followed him from Shu when they first raised their banner in rebellion, and later they submitted to Feng Ye. These soldiers typically spoke only their native dialect, were fierce and combative, and the person who would replace Zhang Rong had already been decided by him and Feng Ye. Yuan Shaoxu was not in consideration.

After being refused, Yuan Shaoxu threw out a few sarcastic remarks and left in anger.

As Yan Sikong watched him leave, he felt a twinge of sentiment. Even after twenty years, Yuan Shaoxu’s resentment toward him hadn’t changed. No one in the army, except Feng Ye, knew about their brotherhood, but Yuan Shaoxu himself knew. His pride as the elder brother of the Yuan family was being tormented by the favor shown to Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu. Yan Sikong didn’t like him, but if Yuan Shaoxu had true abilities, he wouldn’t have stood in the way of Feng Ye promoting him. Unfortunately, his talents were insufficient, and Yan Sikong knew he would have to be cautious of him in the future.

To stabilize the morale of the troops, Feng Ye gathered the generals for a meeting, allowing them to see that he was recovering. Meanwhile, he secretly spread false information to Taiyuan, suggesting that Feng Ye was gravely injured and might not live much longer.

Given the current situation, they couldn’t rashly engage in battle and needed to prepare for a prolonged standoff. They didn’t yet have a good strategy to confront the enemy, but it wouldn’t hurt to lower the enemy’s guard.

Not long after, Yan Sikong heard that Wang Mei’s trusted aide, whom they had bribed, had been hanged on the city walls of Taiyuan, his body left exposed for three days and nights as a warning to others.

They also received intelligence that Shen Hexuan had volunteered to come to Taiyuan. Initially, Luo Ruoxin didn’t pay him much attention, but after Shen Hexuan saw through their ploy and used it to ambush the Feng family army, Luo Ruoxin now obeyed his every word.

Yan Sikong realized that standing before them was not just the towering walls of Taiyuan but also a truly formidable opponent. This battle would be even more challenging and difficult than they had anticipated.

But no matter what lay ahead—be it mountains of swords or seas of fire, whether demons or gods barred the way—he believed that he and Feng Ye would overcome all obstacles. Some people were born with extraordinary talents, destined to dominate the world and manipulate the course of history. He believed he was such a person, and Feng Ye was as well.

One day, Yan Sikong returned to the tent to find Feng Ye lying on the bed, reading a book.

“Why are you up again?” Yan Sikong walked over and snatched the book from his hands. “The doctor said you need to lie down and rest properly.”

Feng Ye complained, “Lying around like a corpse all day—how could I bear that?”

“Your wounds haven’t healed yet. Moving around carelessly might reopen them.” Yan Sikong gently lifted Feng Ye’s inner clothing to check the white gauze wrapped around his shoulder. Although there were still bloodstains, it was much better than before. He said, “The faster you heal, the less time you’ll have to spend lying down.”

“It’s nothing, just a minor wound. It won’t get the better of me.” Feng Ye grabbed Yan Sikong’s hand. “You’ve been handling military affairs these past few days. How does it feel?”

Yan Sikong smiled wryly. “Exhausting.”

“These people are not easy to deal with. Did they give you a hard time?” Feng Ye asked.

Yan Sikong smiled lightly, “It’s nothing. If I couldn’t handle them, I would have died countless times in the past.”

“I trust you have a way.” Feng Ye silently gazed at Yan Sikong. “I heard that Shen Hexuan hanged Wang Mei’s uncle on the city wall.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “Three days and three nights, letting all the soldiers and civilians of the city witness the fate of a traitor.”

“This man might be the greatest obstacle to my ambitions,” Feng Ye said coldly. “It’s a shame that the assassin failed to kill him. Now the city’s defenses are too tight to make another attempt.”

“We have other ways to defeat him. Although he is extremely knowledgeable, he has many fatal flaws. I know him well,” Yan Sikong said confidently. “I told you, I will take Taiyuan for you, and I will not break my word.”

“Have you considered,” Feng Ye’s eyes were deep and unreadable, “that Chen Mu might have let him go on purpose?”

Yan Sikong was stunned.

“Chen Mu let him go, perhaps not out of respect for their former teacher-student relationship, nor because he feared being hindered, but to use him to restrain me?”

Yan Sikong stared deeply at Feng Ye. “Why would you think that?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Chen Mu has always been wary of me. Can’t you see that?”

Yan Sikong frowned. “Chen Mu’s only reliance now is you. What reason would he have to guard against you? If you fail, he wouldn’t even be able to leave Yunnan. Why would he deliberately send Shen Hexuan to block us?”

“Is that so? Back when you were in Yunnan, you helped him choose the daughter of Prince Ning. If he had really become Prince Ning’s son-in-law, Prince Ning, with his strategic position and immense wealth, could have gathered tens of thousands of soldiers to help him resist the imperial forces. As long as he could leave Yunnan, with his legitimate claim as the eldest prince, why would he worry about not having feudal lords rally to his cause? At that point, would he still need me?” Feng Ye’s eyes were cold. “At the time, he didn’t expect that fate would take a turn, and Prince Ning would choke to death on a jujube pit.”

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye in a daze, running through everything that had happened. Feng Ye’s reasoning made sense. How had he not considered this before? But he still didn’t want to doubt Chen Mu. He said in a low voice, “Perhaps you’re overthinking. Chen Mu doesn’t have much ability. Without me, he wouldn’t even have the troops he has now.”

“In your mind, he’s always been the little prince who obeyed your every word and admired you greatly. You’ve never thought he truly grew up or that he might break free from your control because you’re used to manipulating him. He’s also deliberately submissive in your presence,” Feng Ye said coldly. “What if you’re underestimating him?”

Yan Sikong felt uneasy. “I know he’s grown up and isn’t as easy to control as before, but he still trusts and relies on me. He’s constantly seeking our help. You say he’s wary of you—what could he possibly be guarding against?”

Feng Ye squinted his eyes. “You tell me, what could he be guarding against?”

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled. In Feng Ye’s sharp wolf-like eyes, he saw an unfamiliar emotion. A terrifying thought flashed through his mind, though it was gone in an instant, it was enough to make him feel dread. But he quickly dismissed it, shaking his head. “Even if Chen Mu doesn’t want to be controlled by us, he has no other choice. He knows who can help him ascend the throne. He wouldn’t do something foolish.”

Feng Ye’s expression remained cold. “I hope you’re right. But this man is a significant hidden danger. If I can’t control him, I will kill him.”

Yan Sikong placed his hand over Feng Ye’s. “As long as we can storm the capital, Chen Mu will have no choice but to follow our orders. There’s no need to worry about him now. The most important thing is to take Taiyuan. If our swords are sharp enough, we can make the whole world submit.”

Feng Ye’s expressionless face seemed to be brewing a terrifying storm. He said in a cold voice, “No one can stop me.”

Yan Sikong looked into Feng Ye’s ambitious eyes, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

Feng Ye was right. He had underestimated Chen Mu. When you watch someone grow up, when they’ve always been respectful and loyal to you, when any moment of rebellion is quickly followed by repentance, it’s hard for anyone to suspect such a person. But now, Yan Sikong also began to question the true intention behind Chen Mu releasing Shen Hexuan.

What troubled him even more was Feng Ye’s words. Feng Ye had long harbored the intent to kill Chen Mu, but had kept him alive only to use him to check the feudal lords. Chen Mu, on the other hand, was already deeply resentful of Feng Ye, driven by personal feelings alone.

Perhaps Yan Sikong had been too shallow in his thinking, or perhaps he simply didn’t want to consider the deeper implications of what hadn’t yet occurred. That’s why he had always avoided the delicate relationship between Feng Ye and Chen Mu, even though he knew in his heart that this matter had sown the seeds of future trouble.

But the troubles in this world come one after another. He hadn’t even dealt with the problems before him, let alone those of the future. Right now, the priority was to take the Central Plains and storm the capital. The deer was still running through the forest; there was no need to discuss who it would belong to. As long as they held the military power of the entire realm, even if Chen Mu had a thousand schemes, he wouldn’t dare disobey.

Yan Sikong’s gaze pierced through the tent, through the city of Yan State, through the mountain wilderness, as if he could see the towering city of Taiyuan. They had once suffered great losses and retreated in disgrace there, but someday, he and Feng Ye would stride proudly atop those city walls, overlooking the Central Plains and eyeing the capital.

AN – Another volume finished~

The next one will be the march to the capital! (End of this chapter)