The Blood Crown - Chapter 231

Yan Sikong followed Feng Ye deeper into the forest, growing more puzzled with each step. “Feng Ye, what exactly do you want to show me?”

Feng Ye gently shushed him, signaling him to follow.

Yan Sikong quickened his pace, catching up.

Feng Ye looked back at him, somewhat reluctantly saying, “This, I’m only showing to you.”

Yan Sikong grew even more curious. “What is it?”

Feng Ye led him across a patch of wild grass, and before them appeared a low cave. Feng Ye gestured. “Come.”

The two of them crouched and entered the cave, where a low rumbling sound echoed, like a beast’s growl.

“Hun’er?” Yan Sikong found the sound familiar, but he didn’t dare to confirm it was really Feng Hun. If he was mistaken and they had just wandered into a beast’s lair, wouldn’t that be…

With that thought, Yan Sikong hesitated a bit, but Feng Ye grabbed his hand and led him deeper into the cave.

In a corner where sunlight barely reached, Yan Sikong saw a majestic one-eyed giant wolf. Beside it lay a slightly smaller female wolf, and a few newborn wolf pups were suckling at her belly!

Yan Sikong’s eyes lit up. “This!”

They were lying on a thick, soft mat, with expensive copper bowls for food, clearly prepared in advance by Feng Ye.

Feng Ye sat beside Feng Hun, stroked its head, and pretended to scold, “You’re really leaving your mark everywhere, even more carefree than me.”

Yan Sikong carefully approached the female wolf, delighted. “Are they all Hun’er’s pups?”

“Yes, they were just born a few days ago.” Feng Ye pulled a chicken out of the bag in his hand and tossed it to the female wolf, who ate while nursing her pups.

Feng Hun nudged Feng Ye’s back, then lowered its head to lick the female wolf’s fur, gently and tenderly.

Yan Sikong cautiously reached out, wanting to touch the tiny, fluffy wolf pup that was barely the size of his palm, yet afraid of hurting it.

Feng Ye poked one of the little pups on the head, saying with emotion, “Back then, Hun’er was just this small. Now, he’s an old wolf.”

Yan Sikong, who considered himself to have a heart of stone, unexpectedly felt moved to tears by these wolves. Perhaps it was the sight of these newborns that made him feel the continuity of life—like a flickering candlelight at the end of a long, dark night. No matter how faint, it still conveyed a deep sense of hope.

Gently stroking the soft fur of the pup, Yan Sikong said with joy, “Hun’er, you now have seven more children. You’re truly thriving.”

“Indeed. In Datong, it probably already has several generations of descendants. Even back in Jingshan, it likely didn’t sit idle. And now, it still remembers to ‘sow seeds’ here,” Feng Ye patted Feng Hun’s head, teasingly, “With such charm, I wonder who it learned from.”

Yan Sikong watched the wolf pups, now done nursing, crawling slowly on the ground. He picked one up, cradling it gently in his palm. “They’ll grow up quickly, won’t they…” He stroked the pup’s face with his fingers, chuckling. “Will you grow as big and strong as your father?”

“No.” Feng Ye said. “This one is female.”

Yan Sikong flipped the pup over to check, laughing, “How can you tell at a glance?”

“I grew up in a wolf’s den. How could I not tell?” Feng Ye grabbed a pup that was still nursing, “This one will probably grow the best—born big, good at eating, good at competing.”

The little pup let out soft whimpering noises, its eyes still not fully open, its mouth covered in milk.

Yan Sikong murmured, “So wonderful, so wonderful.”

Feng Ye put the little wolf cub back down. “Do you know why I brought you here?”

Yan Sikong looked steadily at Feng Ye.

“In Hun’er’s eyes, you are also family.” Feng Ye rubbed Feng Hun’s thick fur with one hand. “It must want us all to see its children.”

Yan Sikong smiled softly. “I’m very happy.”

Feng Ye hesitated for a moment, then reached out and stroked Yan Sikong’s cheek. “In this world, there are very few people that Hun’er truly acknowledges. Only if I acknowledge them, will it do the same. Do you understand? So, I won’t allow you to doubt me.”

Yan Sikong held Feng Ye’s hand and said with shame, “Never again.”

Feng Ye opened his arms and pulled him into an embrace. “You’ve also been exhausted these days. To capture Taiyuan, we’ve exhausted all our efforts. Once this battle is over, let’s stay in Taiyuan, rest the troops, and restore the land. What do you think?”

Yan Sikong nodded. “Okay.” He knew that resting the troops and restoring the land was merely a hope, a vision. At least imagining it allowed them to take a brief breath from the pressure of success or failure. In reality, perhaps on the day they took Taiyuan, they would have to press their advantage and march straight to the capital.

But that was not something to think about now. He didn’t even want to think about Taiyuan at this moment. He only wanted to enjoy this brief tenderness in the simple cave with a den of wolves who regarded him as family and the one person in this world for whom he felt true emotion.

The two of them nestled together, petting Feng Hun and playing with the wolf cubs. It was the most relaxed they had felt in days.

—

As Yan Sikong had expected, it wasn’t long before rumors of Feng Ye’s ambition to seize the throne spread throughout the Central Plains. It wouldn’t be long before the news reached Yongzhou.

Yan Sikong knew this was definitely Shen Hexuan’s doing. They were trying to win over Prince Yong, and these rumors at such a time were very detrimental to them. When the rumors reached Chen Mu’s ears, who knew what trouble would arise.

Chen Mu, now allied with the Heir of Prince Ning, was no longer what he used to be. Prince Ning’s military strength was weak, but his wealth was considerable. Now, they were recruiting soldiers everywhere, and the army of Prince Chu was growing stronger. Who knew what unpredictable events might occur as things continued.

Soon, they received news that Chen Mu had already taken Yongzhou. After Yongzhou, all he needed to do was cross Shu and capture the old capital of Chang’an. Then, he would be just steps away from the Central Plains. Chen Mu’s rapid advance was alarming to Yan Sikong.

When Feng Ye heard the news about Chen Mu, his expression turned grim. Clearly, what he sensed was not just the triumph of an “ally” but a threat. Chen Mu’s swift advance, while Feng Ye remained at a standstill in Taiyuan, created a contrast that left him irritable for days.

Yan Sikong was also anxiously waiting for the trap they had set to finally close. At last, in the chilly winds of late autumn, they received a piece of news even more important than the thousand taels of silver they had spent.

=

=

=

Thank you all for your support (ㄒoㄒ)