The Blood Crown - Chapter 245

” Kong’er…”

That one word, “Kong’er,” pierced through Yan Sikong ‘s chest like a sharp knife, making everything before him turn red.

Since their reunion, Feng Ye had refused to acknowledge him as Yan Sikong , rarely using that name to call him, let alone calling him “Kong’er.” That was a nickname only those closest to him would use. After Yuan Mao’s death, Feng Ye had been the only person in this world who would call him that, but Yan Sikong thought that this “only” had already been lost.

Now, it seemed that it hadn’t been lost, it was just that Feng Ye was unwilling, disdainful, and refused to use it for him…

With bloodshot eyes, Yan Sikong stared at the scene inside. Feng Ye was holding his younger brother, who looked very much like him, tightly in his arms, not holding back, not sparing any affection as he repeatedly called out, “Kong’er,” each time with such passion, calling out the nickname that Yan Sikong had once longed to hear someone say again in his dreams.

Meanwhile, Yuan Nanyu was sighing softly, gently patting Feng Ye’s back in comfort.

Yan Sikong suddenly felt a strange sensation. He felt as if he didn’t exist, as if he wasn’t a real person. Perhaps he was just a drifting soul from the real Yan Sikong . He watched as the real Yan Sikong and Feng Ye embraced passionately, drinking and sharing their feelings, while he—what was he?

He hadn’t expected that one day, he would even question his own identity. Since all those close to him told him that he wasn’t Yan Sikong , that he didn’t deserve to be Yan Sikong , then perhaps he truly wasn’t?

There couldn’t be only one person named Yan Sikong in this world. Who was Yan Sikong ? Who was he? If he changed his name, he would still be himself, but he wouldn’t be Yan Sikong anymore. So, it was just a name. Since everyone he cared about didn’t even acknowledge him as a person, why should he cling to a name?!

The scene inside made him realize that he was an outsider because Feng Ye already had his “Yan Sikong ” in his heart.

Yan Sikong staggered back a few steps, holding the wine jug, and silently walked away.

He didn’t want to speculate on what was going on between Feng Ye and Yuan Nanyu. What did it have to do with him? He just didn’t know when the cold wind brushed past him, and his face felt icy. When he reached up to wipe it, he found half-dried tear stains.

Yan Sikong forced a bitter smile.

This was fine. He had already made up his mind not to get involved with Feng Ye anymore. Feng Ye no longer needed to pretend to be deeply affectionate and bind him. He no longer had to worry, to be cautious, fearing to hurt Feng Ye’s heart or owe him a debt of gratitude. This was just a mutually beneficial scheme; all he needed was the power he sought. Beyond that, he no longer had any expectations from Feng Ye.

No more expectations.

Back in his room, Yan Sikong drank alone under the waning moon, emptying the two jugs of wine into his belly. He had a large capacity for alcohol, and mere weak wine couldn’t trouble him, but wine doesn’t intoxicate everyone. In this moment, he had reason to drink, and soon he became drunk, falling into a dreamless sleep for the night.

—

When he woke up the next day, Yan Sikong felt as if he had slept not just for a night, but for a long, long time. His head was heavy, and most importantly, as soon as he opened his eyes, Ah Li hurriedly told him two pieces of news, two shocking pieces of news that made it feel as if “the world had changed overnight.”

The first was that Emperor Zhao Wu had issued an edict to depose Chen Chun as the Crown Prince for a minor mistake and had conferred the title of Prince of Qing. The second was that Chen Mu would be coming to Taiyuan in the spring, in response to Feng Ye’s invitation.

The deposing of the Crown Prince by Emperor Zhao Wu, especially the fact that it was the son of the most favored concubine who had been removed, made his intentions extremely clear. This was an indication of sincerity toward Chen Mu. The deposing and replacing of a Crown Prince was no trivial matter—it was a crucial matter that could shake the foundation of the state. Emperor Zhao Wu must have secretly reached some sort of agreement with Chen Mu. Chen Mu had also responded immediately, declaring he would come to Taiyuan.

It was believed that in a few days, the letter from Chen Mu persuading Feng Ye to surrender would arrive. If Emperor Zhao Wu had promised the throne to Chen Mu, then Chen Mu’s rebellion would no longer be justified, and Feng Ye’s rebellion would lose its grounds. “Logically,” Feng Ye would then be expected to submit to Chen Mu and the court.

But everyone knew it wasn’t that simple. Who could, with an army of over 200,000 soldiers, just give up and submit?

Thus, even though the court had deposed Chen Chun, they didn’t immediately name Chen Mu as the new Crown Prince. The condition for announcing the new heir was likely that Chen Mu had to first subdue Feng Ye.

If Chen Mu came to Taiyuan, he would face Feng Ye head-on. Whether they would make peace or fight, the course of the situation would depend on how they maneuvered. No one dared to make rash predictions at this point.

These two pieces of news immediately cleared Yan Sikong ’s hangover.

Ah Li seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. While assisting Yan Sikong with his wash, he gestured: Could the Wolf King be surrounded on all sides?

Yan Sikong took the cloth Ah Li handed him and slowly wiped his pale and haggard face in the copper mirror. He muttered softly, “Yes.”

Ah Li anxiously made sounds from his throat, gesturing wildly: What should we do?

“The Wolf King has been conquering from Sichuan to the Central Plains for years, almost unstoppable, rarely tasting defeat, and has grown increasingly arrogant and self-confident. He doesn’t place anyone in his eyes.” Yan Sikong stared at his reflection in the mirror and said, “If it weren’t for this, Chen Mu wouldn’t be so afraid of him. Chen Mu knows that even if he enters the capital and takes the throne, he still won’t be the true ruler of the world. How could he dare to conspire against him?”

Ah Li sighed.

Yan Sikong ’s gaze was vacant, his face expressionless, as if the painful torment of the previous night had never happened: “If I were him, I would lower myself and gain Chen Mu’s complete trust first. When the moment comes to enter the capital, when everything is settled, then I would reveal my claws. But the Wolf King can’t do this.”

Ah Li lowered his head.

Yan Sikong turned his face, staring intently at Ah Li, but there was no one in his eyes: “He was born the son of the King of Jingyuan, with a noble position, never having lowered his head to anyone. He can’t even pretend to be humble. I thought I could mediate between them, though it would be difficult, perhaps it could still be tried. But in the end, I failed. Ah Li, I failed again.”

Ah Li looked at Yan Sikong with sorrow, shaking his head vigorously, gesturing: Young Master, you’ve tried your best.

“What’s the use of trying my best? There are too many things in this world that one can try hard at, but still fail to achieve.” Yan Sikong smiled bitterly, “I’ve experienced more than enough of such things in this life. I watched my biological parents die of a plague, saw my foster father wrongfully killed, watched my brothers be exiled, saw my mentor die with resentment, saw loyal ministers forced to commit suicide… I gave everything, even my life, but couldn’t change a thing. I should be used to it…”

Ah Li’s face wrinkled with sadness, gesturing frantically, but his hands became so disordered that even Yan Sikong couldn’t understand them.

Yan Sikong grabbed Ah Li’s hand and pressed it down gently, saying softly, “It’s alright, Ah Li, it’s alright. I’ve long seen through my fate, and I no longer pity myself. I’ve lost too much, and now it seems there’s nothing more to lose. So, I’m not afraid of anything. I’ll do whatever I want.” His eyes gradually grew deep and sharp, “As long as Heaven doesn’t take me, I’ll fight until the end, fight until my breath is gone, fight until the heavens fall, fight until nine lifetimes pass, and I still won’t submit. Then, I’ll keep fighting.”

Ah Li stared at Yan Sikong , eyes full of awe and sorrow.