The Blood Crown - Chapter 256

After Ah Li finished eating, Yan Sikong called him aside and shared his plan.

 

When Ah Li heard that Yan Sikong was going to send him away, he was stunned and immediately shook his head, frantically gesturing that he didn’t want to leave.

 

Yan Sikong persuaded him, “Ah Li, it’s too dangerous to follow me. I can’t protect you.”

 

Ah Li still shook his head vigorously: “I want to serve you, young master. I’m not afraid of death. I won’t go anywhere.”

 

“Ah Li, you’re not young anymore. I will prepare enough silver for you to live the rest of your life. I’ll have She Zhun find a good girl for you, and you can start a family…”

 

Ah Li fell to his knees, frantically waving his hands: “Please don’t send me away, young master. I don’t want a family. I only want to serve you for the rest of my life.”

 

Yan Sikong sighed quietly. He tried to help Ah Li up, but Ah Li remained kneeling and wouldn’t rise. Yan Sikong squatted down, gazing into Ah Li’s eyes, and said softly, “Ah Li, the debt you owe me has been repaid. You’ve risked your life for me, and it’s all been repaid. There’s no banquet that doesn’t end, you should live for yourself now.”

 

Ah Li, teary-eyed, continued to kowtow, making soft sobbing sounds.

 

Yan Sikong hurried to support him, feeling a pang in his heart. He knew that Ah Li’s reluctance to leave him wasn’t just out of loyalty, but because, as someone who struggled to integrate with others, Ah Li had found his place with him, found his purpose, and feared that if they were to part ways, he would lose all of that.

 

It was like a child who has never been away from home, suddenly forced to leave. Seeing the fear in Ah Li’s expression, Yan Sikong knew how much he was afraid.

 

Sighing helplessly, Yan Sikong changed his tone, “Ah Li, I’m running for my life right now, and you’re too obvious. If I take you with me, we’ll easily be discovered.”

 

Ah Li looked at him sorrowfully.

 

“I’ll have She Zhun hide you for now. Once I’m settled, if you still want to follow me, I’ll bring you back. How about that?”

 

Ah Li’s lips trembled, his eyes unusually bright and clear.

 

“Really. Once the danger has passed and I’m safe, I’ll have She Zhun bring you to me. Otherwise, if we keep going like this, we’ll both be caught.”

 

Ah Li remained silent for a moment, then nodded through his tears.

 

Yan Sikong patted Ah Li’s shoulder, fully aware that this time, it might truly be their last farewell.

 

—

 

After discussing with She Zhun, the three of them left Pingliang as soon as dawn broke.

 

Several days later, they finally left the reach of Feng Ye’s influence, and it was time for them to part ways.

 

She Zhun was to take Ah Li to a remote and secluded place, far enough away to ensure his unusual appearance wouldn’t reach Feng Ye’s ears. At the same time, he was to leak Yan Sikong’s whereabouts, as Chen Mu’s army was already getting close.

 

They agreed that once Ah Li was settled, She Zhun would return to find Yan Sikong, no matter where he was.

 

Ah Li cried and kneeled to say goodbye to Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong watched them leave, filled with sorrow. He couldn’t help but push everyone who was kind to him far away, partly to avoid burdening them, and partly because he feared he couldn’t repay them. Someone like him, alone, was, in his mind, the kindest thing he could offer.

 

On the way, Yan Sikong learned that Chen Mu’s army had reached Huai An, only three or four hundred miles from Qingyang. The surrounding cities were still under the imperial court’s control, and Feng Ye’s army didn’t dare to cross into these areas, but Chen Mu could move freely.

 

With She Zhun intentionally leaking his whereabouts and Yan Sikong deliberately exposing his identity, he encountered the Chu Wang army in a nameless village between Qingyang and Huai An.

 

After a brief escape, he was eventually captured and bound, sent to Huai An.

 

Soon, he would meet Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan—the student he had nurtured, who had turned on him, and the enemy he had repeatedly spared. Allowing these two to trap him was his own fault, but he wouldn’t let it end like this.

 

—

 

Upon arriving in Huai An, Yan Sikong was immediately brought to the residence where Chen Mu was staying. Unlike before, Chen Mu didn’t come to greet him from afar. Yan Sikong walked through the long corridor, across the snow-covered courtyard, and finally arrived at the main house.

 

When he stepped through the door, he saw a young man sitting in the main seat—handsome and imposing, with a dignified and steady air. His deep-set eyes were filled with a calm and cool demeanor, far beyond his years.

 

Upon seeing Yan Sikong, Chen Mu unconsciously tightened his grip on the armrest of his chair. His eyes seemed to spark, but he still restrained himself from standing.

 

The guards knelt, loudly calling him, “Chu Wang.”

 

Chen Mu’s face darkened. “Bastards, who told you to tie up my master? Untie him, quickly!”

 

The guards hurried to untie the ropes around Yan Sikong. Yan Sikong said nothing, staring coldly at Chen Mu.

 

Chen Mu waved his hand. “Everyone, leave.”

 

Once everyone had exited, leaving only the two of them in the room, Chen Mu stood and quickly crossed to Yan Sikong. He was visibly agitated and called out, “Master…”

 

Yan Sikong slapped him across the face, the sound of the blow echoing in the room.

 

Chen Mu was caught off guard, his face a mix of surprise, anger, and sadness. In the end, though, only helplessness remained. He gently pressed his tongue to his burning cheek and said calmly, “Now, only you would dare treat me like this.”

 

Yan Sikong coldly responded, “Do you still remember I’m your ‘master’? You’ve probably already forgotten who you are.”

 

“You’ll always be my ‘master’, and I’ll never forget who I am.” The youthful innocence that had once been on Chen Mu’s face was long gone, replaced by the composed look of the “Chu Wang.” He smirked slightly. “I’m the Great Sheng’s crown prince, the heir, and the future emperor.”

 

“You can continue to play the crown prince or future emperor, but don’t forget, everything you have now, I planned for you. You repay me with betrayal, and now you’ve captured me. Do you want to make it worse?”

 

Chen Mu sighed, his face showing regret. “Master, I’m sorry.”

 

“Enough nonsense, let me go, or kill me.”

 

“Sir…” Chen Mu’s chest heaved with a deep breath, “The thought of seeing you again kept me awake the entire night. In the more than a year we’ve been apart, I’ve been thinking of you every moment… I know you’re angry with me, I know I’ve wronged you, but… but all of this was part of Master Shen’s scheme. When I found out, it was too late to stop it.”

 

Yan Sikong squinted, “You think I’ll believe these lies?”

 

“It’s the truth. I did want you by my side, but how could I bear to harm you?” Chen Mu shook his head. “Besides, if Feng Ye trusted you, how could we have succeeded?”

 

The words pierced Yan Sikong’s heart, and he gritted his teeth, “I don’t want to hear any of this. Whether it’s Feng Ye or you, I never want to see either of you again. I’d rather lose my title, retreat from the world, and never get involved in these troubles again.”

 

“Sir…” Chen Mu’s voice was filled with sorrow. “I never intended to harm you. If you can’t forgive me, then strike me, curse me, but I have waited day and night for this moment, hoping to have you by my side. I… I won’t let you leave.”

 

“Why should I stay?” Yan Sikong took two steps back, trying to run.

 

Chen Mu suddenly pulled Yan Sikong into an embrace. From the moment he saw him, he had wanted to do this. He held him tightly, as if he wanted to fuse Yan Sikong into his body, so no one could separate them.

 

Yan Sikong, however, used one hand to lift his chin and pushed him away, striking his chest with the other.

 

Chen Mu was startled and blocked the blow. The two of them exchanged a few more moves at close range. Although Chen Mu suppressed Yan Sikong’s strikes, due to his surprise, Yan Sikong still managed to land a blow.

 

Chen Mu staggered back, steadying himself, and his face darkened. “Back when you saved me from the fall, I suspected you knew martial arts. Now that I know your true identity, I no longer have to hide it. But I wonder, what else do you have that I don’t know?”

 

Yan Sikong coldly replied, “Why should I tell you?”

 

Chen Mu sighed, his face showing guilt. “You entered the court for revenge, plotting for many years to defeat the one who wronged your adoptive father. This loyalty, this intellect, this determination makes me admire you even more. You are the person I respect most and admire most in my life. What must I do for you to forgive me?”

 

Yan Sikong retorted coldly, “How did you learn about my background? Was it Yuan Shaoxu who told you?”

 

“No,” Chen Mu shook his head. “It was General Zhao Fuyi who wrote to Master Shen.”

 

“General?” Yan Sikong’s expression darkened. He had always respected Zhao Fuyi, even grateful for his justice in the matter of Yuan Mao, but since Zhao Fuyi learned of his betrayal of the court and his help to Feng Ye’s rebellion, he could no longer tolerate him. He didn’t blame Zhao Fuyi; it was just that everyone had their own aspirations.

 

“After Master Shen learned about your background, he immediately sent someone to Guangning to investigate, and found out that Yuan Shaoxu was also under Feng Ye’s command. We had heard rumors that you and Yuan Shaoxu didn’t get along, but we never knew the full extent of your relationship. So, Master Shen secretly contacted Yuan Shaoxu. The dagger incident was also informed by Yuan Shaoxu. He spent a lot of money to have it retrieved.”

 

Yan Sikong’s tone grew cold. “So, you collaborated with that person from the Jianghu to set a trap and sow discord between me and Feng Ye.”

 

Chen Mu feigned regret. “I knew, but how could I bear to put you in danger? By the time I realized what Master Shen had done, it was already too late…”

 

Yan Sikong gave a cold smile.

 

“At this point, Sir, if you resent me, I accept it. But didn’t you also see the truth about Feng Ye?” Chen Mu suddenly said with excitement. “You and he grew up together, made promises in your youth, and now you serve him in every way, plotting and planning. After all these years, he could be manipulated by such a scheme? How can such a heartless person be worth your affection?!”

 

Yan Sikong’s body swayed slightly, his pupils dimming with a layer of melancholy. He sneered. “You’re not wrong.”

 

“Feng Ye took the daughter of Naha Khan as a concubine and then married the daughter of the Brave King. Where does that leave you? You think I don’t know? Haven’t you two already grown distant in appearance and spirit?”

 

Yan Sikong replied indifferently, “You’re wrong. We’re not just distant in appearance. We are, from the inside out, already ‘apart.'”

 

Chen Mu’s face was filled with undisguised pain as he slowly walked towards Yan Sikong. “I have always treasured you, while Feng Ye has treated you so poorly. Do you know how much pain, hatred, and helplessness I feel, thousands of miles away from you? If you stay by my side, I will trust you completely, respect you, care for you in every way. When I ascend the throne, I’ll make you second only to me, above all others.” He seized Yan Sikong’s hand, his eyes sincere. “Anything you want, I will give it to you!”

 

Yan Sikong coldly sneered inwardly. Feng Ye was heartless and treacherous. How could someone who set traps to harm him dare talk to him about respect and care?

 

But he didn’t let his disdain show on his face. He just coldly pulled his hand away from Chen Mu’s. “If you won’t let me go, then take me to see Shen Hexuan. He won’t want me to stay.”

 

Chen Mu hesitated for a moment. “Fine. Even if I don’t want you to see him, he will come to find you. But although Master Shen was once my teacher, he is different from you. He can’t control me. I’m also very angry that he betrayed you. But I still need his help.”

 

Yan Sikong glanced at Chen Mu. “You haven’t forgotten that Shen Hexuan is a rare genius who has achieved three top rankings. Do you really think he can’t control you? You might already be playing into his hands.”

 

Chen Mu pursed his lips. “That’s why I need you even more.” He grabbed Yan Sikong’s hand again. “Sir, I only trust you.”

 

Yan Sikong once again pulled his hand away, his voice cold. “Take me to see him.”

 

—

 

Midnight. In the depths of the mansion.

 

In a grand room, a silent man sat in a grand chair, still as a statue, the room pitch black with no lights on.

 

Suddenly, the door was knocked open, and a guard entered, quickly kneeling and greeting. His legs were slightly trembling, his pupils flickering, likely not from the cold but… from fear.

 

“Reporting to the Wolf King, we… we have news of Lord Yan.”

 

In the darkness, Feng Ye clenched his fists tightly, his heart constricting sharply. “Speak.”

 

“Lord Yan… was… was captured by the Prince of Chu…”

 

The room fell into a terrifying silence.

 

Suddenly, Feng Ye slammed his palm down on the nearby table. There was a loud crash, and the expensive, solid wooden table was split in two by his immense inner strength!

 

The guard was so frightened he kowtowed repeatedly. “I failed, Wolf King, I failed! Please forgive me!”

 

“Get out.” Feng Ye’s voice was hoarse and muffled.

 

The guard, trembling, quickly ran away.

 

In the darkness, Feng Ye’s eyes glowed with a dangerous green light. His face was contorted with anger, his expression vicious.

 

Yan Sikong had been captured by Chen Mu. He was with Chen Mu.

 

With She Zhun’s ability, it made no sense that he could avoid his pursuit for half a month but could not escape Chen Mu’s search for just a few days. The only possibility was that Yan Sikong willingly went to find Chen Mu.

 

His people had fled from him and gone to Chen Mu.

 

Feng Ye felt his heartache beyond measure. The Wolf King, who had never bowed his head in his life, now felt as though he had to bend over just to barely ease the crushing fear and breathe.

 

“Yan Sikong…” Feng Ye murmured his name, as if he needed to chew it up and swallow it whole to keep him by his side.

 

In the darkness, Feng Ye, with eyes full of hatred and pain, sketched out the figure of the one he had been thinking about day and night and then savagely tore it apart.

 

His heart, as though stabbed by countless knives, now held only one desire: to torture Chen Mu to death and scatter his bones!

 

Chen Mu, the throne, and Yan Sikong—everything was Feng Ye’s. He would make them watch as all of them fell into his hands!

 

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Another volume is complete~ A new volume begins tomorrow. The next plot will be even more intense. Can you handle it?~~