The Blood Crown - Chapter 262

Pingliang did not hold out for long. The defending general, seeing that the defeat was inevitable, surrendered.

 

After taking Pingliang, Chen Mu was elated. He pointed to the shattered and ravaged city walls and said to Yan Sikong, “Sir, look. This is the Pingliang that Feng Ye wanted to use in exchange for you—so fragile, so easily taken. He belittles you, and he belittles me. Why should I exchange with him? What I want…” Chen Mu sneered, “…I will take piece by piece from his hands.”

 

Yan Sikong glanced at Chen Mu and cupped his hands. “Congratulations, Your Highness.”

 

“Sir doesn’t seem too happy?”

 

“Feng Ye has clearly abandoned Pingliang and Fengxiang, concentrating his forces on Qingyang. Although we have won this battle, it is still difficult to advance.”

 

“If I can take Pingliang now, I can take Taiyuan in the future.” Chen Mu straightened his chest and said proudly, “Does Sir think that just because Feng Ye’s forces are three times mine, I can do nothing against him? The court is gathering troops to join forces with me. Feng Ye has become the target of everyone’s attacks and is doomed to lose.”

 

Worrying about Yuan Nanyu, Yan Sikong’s heart was in turmoil, but he forced himself to remain calm, smiling faintly. “That is beyond doubt. However, Your Highness must not underestimate the enemy, nor rush forward recklessly. We must advance step by step.”

 

“I understand.” Chen Mu couldn’t help but glance southwest. “I wonder what the situation is at Dazipo.”

 

Yan Sikong followed his gaze. Apart from the boundless gray and white winter landscape, there was nothing else. His heart sank with a foreboding sense of dread.

 

It wasn’t until dusk fell that the messenger returned with the news—news Yan Sikong feared most.

 

The Feng family army suffered a crushing defeat at Dazipo. Yuan Shaoxu and three thousand soldiers were captured, and Yuan Nanyu, leading troops to rescue them, was now besieged on a high hill. He had attempted to break through three times, all of which had failed. Fearing heavy losses in a frontal assault, the Prince of Chu’s army was in a stalemate with them.

 

Yan Sikong felt a chill surge from his feet to the top of his head, his whole body plunged into an icy abyss, and his vision went dark.

 

Chen Mu was overjoyed, clapping his hands heavily in excitement. “Excellent!”

 

Shen Hexuan was also very pleased. “Well done. I thought that ambushing their few thousand troops would be worthwhile, but we’ve ended up surrounding Que Wang. He is far more significant than Pingliang.”

 

Chen Mu paced back and forth in the room, exclaiming, “Heaven is helping me! Heaven is helping me!” He suddenly turned, “Sir.”

 

Yan Sikong forcibly pulled his chaotic thoughts back, but he didn’t have time to conceal the expression on his face, staring blankly at Chen Mu.

 

Chen Mu seemed to notice something, frowning, “What are you thinking about, Sir? You’ve been distracted ever since the Feng family army fell into the ambush.”

 

Shen Hexuan looked at Yan Sikong coldly, his gaze hostile.

 

Yan Sikong said, “Your Highness is the true Son of Heaven and naturally blessed by the heavens. I was merely thinking about Yuan Shaoxu… and feeling a bit sentimental.”

 

“What’s this? I captured him alive for you, yet you’re not happy?”

 

“No.” Yan Sikong smiled bitterly. “He and I were once like brothers. His birth father, Yuan Mao, granted me a great favor, one I could hardly repay even by sacrificing my life. I thought after escaping, we would never meet again in this life. Never did I imagine it would happen so soon… Though I hate him, I don’t know how to deal with him now.”

 

“Sir is not usually so indecisive.”

 

“Perhaps not with others.” Yan Sikong held his forehead and shook his head.

 

“Is Lord Yan reluctant to kill him because of his father?” Shen Hexuan sneered. “Keeping him alive might be good. He is not a loyal or righteous man. If we persuade him to surrender, he might be useful to us.”

 

“Good point,” said Chen Mu. “In any case, he is in our hands. It’s up to you, Sir, how to deal with him.”

 

“In that case, please have Your Highness transfer him to Pingliang,” Yan Sikong’s eyes turned cold. “I will personally interrogate him.”

 

“He is of little importance,” said Shen Hexuan. “What matters most now is Que Wang. What are Your Highness’s plans?”

 

“Que Wang is as close as a brother to Feng Ye and is known for his loyalty and righteousness. He probably won’t surrender. Perhaps we could use him to force Feng Ye’s hand?”

 

Yan Sikong shook his head. “He would rather kill himself than drag Feng Ye down.”

 

“If we just kill him, it would be a waste. Even if we must kill him, it should be a public execution to deter the entire nation.”

 

Shen Hexuan said, “There are still several thousand soldiers trapped with him. They are already desperate and will fight to the death. If we attack directly, even if victorious, we would lose thousands of troops, which is not worth it.”

 

“Just surround them for a few days and starve them out,” Chen Mu said.

 

“They know their supplies are running low, and they will certainly try to break out again. Feng Ye will definitely send troops to rescue them. Dragging this out may not be in our favor.”

 

“Then use fire.” Chen Mu said coldly, “Burn them with a single blaze.”

 

Yan Sikong shook his head. “It is early spring, and the snow is melting. The ground is muddy, and it doesn’t seem like the sun will come out in the next few days, which is not suitable for a fire attack. Even if Que Wang refuses to surrender, his subordinates might not. Your Highness currently lacks soldiers. Burning thousands of elite troops would be a pity, wouldn’t it?”

 

Chen Mu stroked his chin. “Then what should we do?”

 

“First, set an ambush on the route that the reinforcements would take, preventing Feng Ye’s aid from reaching them. Then, send someone to persuade them to surrender.” Shen Hexuan glanced at Yan Sikong.

 

Chen Mu also looked at Yan Sikong, hesitation evident on his face.

 

Yan Sikong had been waiting for them to suggest this plan. If he had brought it up himself, it might have aroused suspicion. He said, “Your Highness wants me to go and persuade them to surrender.”

 

Chen Mu thought for a moment. “No. What if he captures you and uses you to threaten me?”

 

“He wouldn’t dare…”

 

“Bring Que Wang back to Pingliang,” Shen Hexuan interrupted.

 

Yan Sikong clenched his fist.

 

“Tell Que Wang that as long as he surrenders, his soldiers will be spared.”

 

“What?” Chen Mu’s eyes widened.

 

Yan Sikong wished he could strangle Shen Hexuan on the spot. He originally planned to help Yuan Nanyu break out during the negotiation for surrender, and if that failed, they could switch identities so that Yuan Nanyu could walk out of the encirclement alive. Now, he could only follow Shen Hexuan’s words: “To Feng Ye, Qu Wang, his right-hand man, is worth more than a thousand or ten thousand men. If he dies, it will only incite the wrath of the Feng Family Army. But if he is captured alive, it will severely damage the morale of Feng Ye and the Feng Family Army.”

 

“Exactly, Qu Wang is a bargaining chip. If he dies, it will only increase hatred and be of no use,” Shen Hexuan narrowed his eyes. “If he lives, Feng Ye will always have to be wary of him. This man has great value.”

 

Chen Mu remained silent for a moment: “Very well, given his current predicament, he probably won’t dare to do anything to you, sir.”

 

Yan Sikong replied solemnly, “I will not disappoint Your Highness’s expectations. I will bring Qu Wang… back to Pingliang.”

 

It seemed he would have to act at the right time on the return journey.

 

—

 

Chen Mu assigned his trusted general, Qu Jiao, to escort Yan Sikong to Dazipo, and then escort the prisoners back to Pingliang. This man was both intelligent and brave, and fiercely loyal to Chen Mu. Yan Sikong knew that helping Yuan Nanyu escape during the return journey would be nearly impossible.

 

Arriving at Dazipo, they saw white smoke rising from the hillside in the distance. Knowing that Yuan Nanyu was so close yet trapped in such a dire situation, Yan Sikong felt an overwhelming heaviness that made it hard to breathe.

 

“Lord Yan, I will send a few guards to escort you up the hill. If you haven’t brought Qu Wang down by nightfall, we will launch a full assault.”

 

“Understood, thank you, General Qu.”

 

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, mounted his horse, and galloped up the slope.

 

The paths leading up the hill were guarded by Yuan Nanyu’s troops, who pointed their spears at them as soon as they were seen.

 

Yan Sikong said, “I have come by order of the Prince of Chu to request a meeting with General Qu. We are just a few men; please pass on the message.”

 

The guards conferred in low voices, and one went to deliver the message.

 

After a while, he returned: “Only you may proceed.”

 

“Very well.” Yan Sikong left the guards behind to wait and followed the sentry up the hill.

 

Climbing the slope, Yan Sikong was met with a scene of defeat—thousands of soldiers scattered across the hillside, faces grimy with exhaustion and despair, with wounds visible everywhere. It was a scene of utter desolation.

 

Many recognized Yan Sikong. They stood up, staring at him with eyes full of disdain, hatred, and a murderous glare.

 

Feeling their predatory gazes, Yan Sikong’s hair stood on end. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he forced himself to keep walking without looking around.

 

“Traitor,” someone among the soldiers muttered.

 

That word was like a spark in dry tinder, igniting the emotions of those in despair. The shouts of “Traitor!” grew louder, and they moved step by step towards Yan Sikong, eyes red with fury, seemingly ready to tear him apart.

 

Yan Sikong clenched his fists, uncertain if he could survive the day.

 

Just as the soldiers surrounded him, a loud, metallic clang rang out, piercing everyone’s ears like the toll of a midnight bell, waking them instantly.

 

The crowd parted to create a path. A tall and familiar figure walked through the throng, his face still hidden behind the cold mask. But seeing him alive and standing before him, Yan Sikong felt a warmth thaw his frozen limbs.

 

“General,” a voice called out loudly, “I beg you, kill this shameless traitor!”

 

“Kill the traitor! Kill the traitor!” the soldiers roared in unison.

 

Yuan Nanyu raised a hand, and silence fell instantly.

 

Yuan Nanyu looked deeply at Yan Sikong, his gaze complex. He said in a low voice, “Come with me.”

 

“General…”

 

“No more words.”

 

Yuan Nanyu turned and walked away.

 

Yan Sikong followed with quick strides.

 

Yuan Nanyu led Yan Sikong to the crude command tent made of wooden logs. He sank heavily onto a tree stump, his head bowed, and asked in a low voice, “Why are you here?”

 

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, “Did you receive my letter?”

 

“…I did.”

 

“You don’t believe me, do you?” Yan Sikong’s voice trembled. “Do you know why I went to Chen Mu? For you.”

 

Yuan Nanyu looked up, staring blankly at Yan Sikong for a long moment, his voice hoarse, “Is that true?”

 

Yan Sikong’s voice shook, “Feel it with your heart, trust your instincts. Even if you remember nothing, in the depths of your heart, do you really believe I would harm you?”

 

Yuan Nanyu let out a long sigh, “I don’t know. I truly don’t… I feel like a fool. Because I remember nothing, I’m left at the mercy of you all. Who is lying? Who is sincere? You are all my brothers—how am I supposed to tell?”

 

Yan Sikong said hoarsely, “You have to judge for yourself.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s hand ran through his messy hair, looking deeply pained: “I don’t dare ignore your information, but I don’t fully trust it either. Yet, my elder brother doesn’t believe you. He thinks you’re helping Chen Mu deceive us, planning to seize Fengxiang while sneaking through Dazipo to attack from the rear.”

 

“So you let him lead the troops out?” Yan Sikong gritted his teeth. “I don’t believe you could be so foolish!”

 

“It’s my fault… Out of brotherly feelings, I never openly contradicted him, giving him confidence to go so far as to falsify my military orders…”

 

“Yuan Nanyu!” Yan Sikong was so furious his whole body shook. “You’ve followed Feng Ye for years with strict discipline, never making a mistake. Feng Ye values you for this and trusted you with leading the army. He’s not one to play favorites! How could you let personal ties override your duty?!”

 

Yuan Nanyu was full of regret, “I… In my memory, I have never had any family…”

 

“Even so, you should never—never have come to save him!”

 

Yuan Nanyu lowered his head as if under immense pressure, “As the commanding general, I cannot absolve myself of responsibility if my men fall into an ambush.”

 

Yan Sikong was both heartbroken and enraged. Everyone has weaknesses, and Yuan Nanyu’s greatest flaw was his deep affection. Before they came into his life, he had never made a mistake because of this flaw. But suddenly, brothers appeared, and to him, who had no memory of the past, they were too important. So he acted foolishly, with consequences that were nearly irreparable.

 

Yuan Nanyu looked up and slowly removed his mask. His eyes were bloodshot, tears on the verge of falling, his face full of remorse.

 

Yan Sikong felt immense sorrow. He crouched down, cupping Yuan Nanyu’s face, and said softly, “Don’t be afraid. With your second brother here, I will get you out of here.”

 

Yuan Nanyu shook his head, “I am unworthy as a general, unworthy of the Wolf King and my soldiers. I will stay with them to the end.”

 

“Nanyu.” Yan Sikong gazed deeply into his eyes. “No one is perfect, but only by staying alive can you correct your mistakes, avenge your men, and make amends to the Wolf King. Isn’t that right?”

 

Yuan Nanyu stared blankly at Yan Sikong.

 

“Listen to me,” Yan Sikong said in a low voice, “Today, Chen Mu sent me to persuade you to surrender. He wants you to go alone to Pingliang, promising to release your soldiers in return.”

 

“Really?” Yuan Nanyu’s eyes widened, “Would he really let the others go?”

 

Yan Sikong nodded, “I had originally planned to help you escape during the journey, but the escort is one of Chen Mu’s fiercest generals. There’s no way he’ll give us such an opportunity. Go with me to Pingliang, and I’ll find a way to help you escape. Otherwise, if you stay here, there’s only a dead end.”

 

“But…” Yuan Nanyu hesitated, “What if he forces me to remove the mask?”

 

“There’s no time to worry about that now. We’ll adapt as we go.” Yan Sikong said firmly, “If you delay surrendering any longer, they’ll burn the mountain once the snow melts.”

 

Yuan Nanyu’s lips twitched stiffly, “Alright, I’ll surrender, as long as he spares the others.”

 

Yan Sikong said solemnly, “Nanyu, you must not have any thoughts of suicide. Yuan Shaoxu and three thousand soldiers have already been escorted back to Pingliang. Chen Mu has countless ways to threaten you. You must stay alive, understand? I swear on everything, I will do whatever it takes to help you escape.”

 

Yuan Nanyu bit his lip and nodded heavily.