The Blood Crown - Chapter 258

In the past ten days of fleeing for his life, Yan Sikong had endured hardships, sleeping on the ground and hastily traveling. Now, with a comfortable and warm bed to sleep in, and having eaten and drunk his fill, he collapsed into bed and slept soundly until dawn.

When he woke, a maidservant gently and carefully helped him dress and wash up, even bringing his breakfast to his bedside. He couldn’t help but think of Shen Hexuan’s words the day before, when he met him in the humble room and said he needed to “reflect.” It wasn’t entirely without reason. Once a person has enjoyed the best, it becomes difficult to accept anything less—whether it’s food, clothing, or, more importantly, power and wealth.

After finishing breakfast, Yan Sikong saw the sun shining brightly outside, a rare good winter day. He decided to practice his martial arts in the courtyard.

After days without exercise, he threw himself into the punches, feeling invigorated. As he moved, his mind wandered, thinking about the past—about Feng Ye, Yuan Nanyu, Chen Mu, Shen Hexuan, and many others. His punches flowed from controlled and restrained to flexible and skillful, then forceful and aggressive.

He sensed someone approaching and caught a glimpse of Chen Mu in his peripheral vision, but he paid him no attention, continuing his routine. After finishing the set, he was covered in sweat but felt much clearer in mind.

Chen Mu clapped three times and casually walked over. “Good punches.”

Yan Sikong wiped the sweat from his brow and said indifferently, “Your Highness.”

“It seems you’ve calmed down a bit, but you can still address me by name,” Chen Mu said, his gaze full of deep affection. “Only you can do so.”

Yan Sikong didn’t respond. Instead, he went into the room to get some water, and Chen Mu followed him inside.

“Yesterday, you met with Shen Hexuan. What did you talk about?”

“We just caught up,” Yan Sikong replied. “Shen Hexuan and I were both promoted in the same year, entered office in the same year, and we studied under the same teacher. It’s really a long-standing bond.”

“Unfortunately, you two are on different paths,” Chen Mu remarked. “But now, you both have the same goal—hoping I become emperor.”

Yan Sikong looked at him coldly. “Oh? Do you think that after everything I’ve been through, I would still be willing to assist you? I’m tired. I don’t want to get involved in your struggles anymore. You have Shen Hexuan now. That’s enough. Let me go.”

A glint flashed in Chen Mu’s eyes. “Could it be that you still can’t let go of Feng Ye? Even after what he did to you?”

“I have already severed all ties with Feng Ye,” Yan Sikong said with a look of disgust. “But this has nothing to do with him. I’m just tired. I don’t want to fight anymore.”

“If I had your help, I could defeat Feng Ye. Once I take Taiyuan, my father will announce to the world that I am the rightful crown prince. I’ll have control of the army, and no one will be able to shake my position.” Chen Mu stared at Yan Sikong intently. “I wouldn’t have come this far without you. When I ascend to the throne, I will reward you greatly. Do you want all your efforts to be in vain?”

Yan Sikong stared back at him. “Your Highness, I am a traitor. Even if you become crown prince, how will you justify protecting a man who betrayed the country?”

Chen Mu narrowed his eyes. “Then I won’t be crown prince. I’ll take the throne directly.”

Yan Sikong was momentarily stunned.

Chen Mu leaned closer to Yan Sikong, lowering his voice despite the lack of anyone else around. “Do you think I truly want to be some worthless crown prince? As soon as I enter the capital, I’ll force my father to abdicate. Once I’m emperor, who would dare touch a hair on your head?”

Yan Sikong remained silent.

“Sir,” Chen Mu grasped Yan Sikong’s shoulder, “In this world, the only person I hold dear is you. Feng Ye has wronged you, but I have not. Didn’t you always want me to be emperor? Didn’t you teach me to rule the empire since I was young? Now, we just no longer need Feng Ye. Everything else remains the same. Let go of that heartless, ungrateful man. I will rule the world, and I will restore the glory of our great Sheng dynasty, just as you envisioned.”

Yan Sikong pushed Chen Mu’s hand away and turned his head, seemingly in hesitation.

“My campaign this time is to join forces with the court to eliminate the Wolf King’s rebel army. If Feng Ye surrenders, I may spare his life. If he remains stubborn, he will inevitably be defeated in the siege.” Chen Mu stared unblinkingly at Yan Sikong, hoping to read his expression and gauge his thoughts.

“Why do you think you can defeat Feng Ye?”

“Because he only has Prince Yong, whereas once I deploy my troops, not only will I unite with the court, but my father will also order the lords of all the regions to support the king, and we will wipe him out in one fell swoop.”

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled. He maintained a calm exterior, snorting lightly, “In my opinion, Feng Ye’s military strategies are unmatched. Who will be the victor is still uncertain.”

“Feng Ye is indeed a brilliant general. Others may not be able to defeat him, but you can,” Chen Mu’s gaze was sharp. “You are smarter than him and understand him and the Feng family army better.”

Yan Sikong turned his back.

Chen Mu walked around to the front of him, his tone stern, “Do you still have feelings for him?”

Yan Sikong looked up at Chen Mu, his eyes as calm as water. “Your Highness, I did have feelings for Feng Ye, but emotions like that, for me, are like a flower I can pick up at any time. Beautiful as it may be, it will eventually wither. Why hold onto it? Emotions have never been a matter of importance to me. I don’t even care much for my wife and daughter, why would I care about a man? Especially one who has humiliated and betrayed me.”

Chen Mu smiled faintly. “I know, I’ve always known. You are someone who considers the greater picture. How could you be mired in romantic entanglements? This only makes me admire you more. But if that’s the case, why won’t you stay and help me? Are you still angry with me?”

Yan Sikong snorted. “I’ve said it before, I’m just tired. I don’t want to engage in any more power struggles.”

Chen Mu keenly picked up on something, his eyes flashing. “Could it be because of Shen Hexuan?”

Yan Sikong didn’t answer. He knew that Chen Mu had taken the bait.

Yan Sikong’s silence made Chen Mu realize the truth. He smiled lightly. “So you’re worried about Shen Hexuan, right? You two are equally matched opponents, and two tigers can’t share the same mountain. You fear that with him around, your hands will be tied and you won’t be able to act freely.”

Yan Sikong turned around, his face cold. “Since you know, if I ask you to kill him, will you do it?”

Chen Mu exhaled deeply, showing a comforting smile. “How could you compare yourself to him? Yes, both of you were once my teachers, but to me, he is just a subject. As for you, you are the most important person in my life. I trust you, I admire you. Anyone besides you is just an outsider. He doesn’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as you.”

“I’m only asking if you’re willing to kill him for me,” Yan Sikong’s gaze was sharp, pressing forward. After their meeting yesterday, he knew that as long as Shen Hexuan was alive, he would never find peace or be able to act freely. Shen Hexuan must have thought the same about him. He didn’t hate Shen Hexuan—it had nothing to do with past grievances—but this person couldn’t be allowed to live. Still, he knew Chen Mu wouldn’t agree immediately.

Chen Mu nodded. “Alright, the person you want dead, I won’t keep alive. As long as it gives you peace of mind. However…” he spoke gently, “looking at the bigger picture, as you know, he still has great value. To kill him now would waste that. Let him serve his purpose, and once I enter the capital, I will leave him to you to deal with. Then, your hatred will be resolved. How about that?”

Yan Sikong sneered inwardly. If he truly wanted to relieve his hatred, it wouldn’t just be Shen Hexuan who should die. Chen Mu’s claim of not wanting to harm him and blaming everything on Shen Hexuan—he wouldn’t expose it, but he certainly didn’t believe it. The sweet words of affection were only words. This elegant, tall youth before him had blood that ran cold; he was a natural-born ruler.

Seeing Yan Sikong’s displeased expression, Chen Mu patiently coaxed, “You know, Shen Hexuan is acting as a bridge between the court and me. If I kill him now, the court will become suspicious. If you can’t calm your anger, then we won’t wait until I enter the capital. Once we secure Taiyuan, you can deal with him however you like.”

Yan Sikong paced a few steps in the room, then stared at Chen Mu. “Actually, whether he lives or dies isn’t my main concern. What I can’t tolerate is him hindering me between you and me. To put it simply, if you want me to stay, you must choose between me and him to handle matters. Otherwise, I’d rather live a quiet life and not get involved in this mess!”

“I naturally choose you,” Chen Mu said without hesitation. “What else is there to think about?”

Yan Sikong gazed at Chen Mu for a moment, as if assessing how much sincerity he had. Chen Mu met his gaze without flinching, a look of earnestness in his eyes, even with a hint of affection.

Yan Sikong lowered his eyes, paused for a moment, and said, “There’s one more thing.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“I won’t get involved in any more romantic entanglements. Those useless things only weigh me down. Your Highness, you must not force me.”

Chen Mu smiled, the light in his eyes sharp. “Alright, I respect your wishes.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. He knew Chen Mu wouldn’t give up so easily, but dealing with all kinds of people had long been a part of his life. Since he had decided to return, he would do so without hesitation.

Moreover, what Chen Mu wanted from him wasn’t particularly important. He wasn’t a woman. He just couldn’t, and didn’t want to, imagine another man besides Feng Ye doing those things to him—it was disgusting. But that was a trivial matter, something he was already indifferent to. What mattered to him was whether it was worth it and necessary.

For now, the important thing was to help Yuan Nanyu through this crisis.