The Blood Crown - Chapter 268

When the prison guards came to take Yan Sikong, he refused to move, insisting that Shen Hexuan come personally to ask him, or he would rather die than leave.

Seeing his weak and blood-soaked figure, the guards were afraid that he might die before they could report it, so they went to seek Shen Hexuan’s permission.

After a while, Shen Hexuan arrived, and without hesitation, he asked, “Does General Que have any demands?”

“Yes.” Yan Sikong whispered weakly, “If you want to use me to lure the Wolf King, you must at least leave me a breath. If you don’t agree, I will end it myself.” The pain from the wounds on his body was overwhelming with each breath.

Shen Hexuan narrowed his eyes. “Speak.”

“I want to take Yuan Shaoxu with me.”

Shen Hexuan raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“He violated military law, and should be dealt with according to military law to maintain the army’s authority.”

“Whether he lives or dies actually doesn’t affect the larger situation, but His Royal Highness, Prince Chu, has already sent him to Yan Sikong for punishment. Unless Yan Sikong gives in, even if I want to take him along, it will be impossible.”

“Getting ‘Yan Sikong’ to give in is easy.” Yan Sikong took a deep breath and said softly, “Just tell them I will spare Yuan Shaoxu’s life, and he will spend the rest of his days guarding the tomb of Yuan Mao.”

Shen Hexuan frowned, thinking carefully, without speaking.

“Yan Sikong won’t kill Yuan Shaoxu, or else he would disgrace his adoptive father. Let Yuan Shaoxu go to Yuan Mao’s tomb and atone for his sins with the rest of his life, which is a way to satisfy both sides.”

“Are you truly going to send Yuan Shaoxu to guard the tomb? Will Feng Ye agree?”

“This is just an excuse to convince Yan Sikong.” Yan Sikong’s tone was cold, “The Wolf King might flay him alive, otherwise, how else could he repay the three armies?” Yuan Nanyu would certainly agree to let him take Yuan Shaoxu, and this request made sense to Shen Hexuan. After all, “Que Wang” had to bring someone back to take the blame for the “sudden defeat,” and Yuan Shaoxu was not innocent.

Shen Hexuan nodded. “Fine, I’ll give it a try.”

Yan Sikong had made up his mind. If he couldn’t take Yuan Shaoxu, then he wouldn’t leave either. Otherwise, leaving Yuan Shaoxu behind would expose Yuan Nanyu’s secret at any moment.

As expected, Yuan Nanyu agreed, and Yuan Shaoxu would be sent along to Fengxiang with him.

When Yan Sikong was taken out of the prison, he saw the sun that he had not seen in a long time. The bright light was so blinding that he could barely open his eyes. He was thrown into the prisoner cart, paraded through the streets like cattle, all for Chen Li and Feng Ye to exchange “goods.”

Yuan Shaoxu’s cart followed right behind. He could hear Yuan Shaoxu calling to him, but he pretended to be unconscious, lying limply without moving. It wasn’t entirely an act; he truly had no strength left. The whipping had nearly taken his life, but now, nothing mattered to him anymore. He just hoped Yuan Nanyu was smart enough to seize the opportunity to escape. Only if Yuan Nanyu escaped could he be free of worry.

He was so exhausted that he didn’t even want to think about how he would face Feng Ye or how Feng Ye would treat him.

—

Shen Hexuan personally escorted the war prisoners, and the slow-moving procession took three days to reach Fengxiang.

Scouts reported that Feng Ye had only brought thirty thousand troops, stationed within the city of Fengxiang. Feng Ye was to withdraw his forces from Fengxiang as per their agreement, after which Shen Hexuan would return the prisoners.

Meanwhile, Chen Li’s ambush troops had already been marching day and night, taking a detour to surround Feng Ye’s rear route, and another army was bypassing Fengxiang to march directly toward Taiyuan.

With only thirty thousand troops, Shen Hexuan didn’t believe Feng Ye was unprepared. He was sure that Feng Ye had reinforcements waiting somewhere. Shen Hexuan didn’t aim to capture Feng Ye but to trap him, giving Chen Li enough time to join forces with the court and King Han to attack Taiyuan.

As long as Taiyuan fell, Feng Ye would be forced to retreat to Datong, unable to cause any more trouble for years.

To delay time, Shen Hexuan set up camp outside Fengxiang and didn’t rush to return the prisoners. Instead, he first established his position and sent an envoy to meet Feng Ye to discuss exchanging people for the city.

Armies typically camp on sunny hillsides, as the clear view is ideal for gathering intelligence, and the abundant sunlight is good for the health of both men and animals. Not far from Fengxiang, there was a strategic hill that was easy to defend and hard to attack. Though it was Shen Hexuan’s first time commanding troops, he was well-versed in military strategy. He had troops stationed at the water source and along key routes, with sentries atop the hill. From the selection of the site to the camp defenses, everything was flawless, effectively preventing any surprise attacks from Feng Ye.

The envoy sent to Fengxiang returned the next day, bringing with him someone who claimed to be Que Wang’s personal attendant. He came to verify Yan Sikong’s identity to ensure that Shen Hexuan wasn’t using a mask to deceive them.

When the attendant saw the weak and bloodied Yan Sikong, he immediately knelt, crying out, “General!”

Yan Sikong had a photographic memory and immediately called out the name of the man in front of him. He comforted him with a few kind words, and was about to ask about Feng Ye’s situation when he was taken away by the guards.

Thinking that soon Shen Hexuan would send him to Feng Ye, Yan Sikong felt a deep sense of unwillingness, especially towards Shen Hexuan, who had disrupted all his plans. He both regretted and hated it.

If he were just sent back to Feng Ye, he would have gone in a huge circle only to return to square one, carrying with him a body full of wounds. Yuan Nanyu was trapped in Pingliang and unable to escape, while Feng Ye was also being delayed by Shen Hexuan. Taiyuan was in danger, yet Yan Sikong could not stand by and watch Shen Hexuan succeed while he was retreating step by step.

How could he swallow this humiliation?

But now, locked in a prisoner’s cart, what could he do?

Even if he returned to Feng Ye’s side, he couldn’t use Feng Ye’s army to deal with Shen Hexuan, because Feng Ye must be furious with him now. Moreover, what was being sent back wasn’t the person Feng Ye wanted most, Que Wang, so it was likely that Feng Ye had every intention of killing him.

He had always prided himself on being smart, calculating every step, yet he ended up in this dire situation. It was the greatest irony.

He could not die without a plan.

No, he couldn’t meet Feng Ye like this. He couldn’t imagine how Feng Ye would humiliate and torment him. He also couldn’t let Shen Hexuan have everything go smoothly.

After thinking for a long time, he came up with a bold plan. If it failed, the day this time next year would be his funeral.

But he no longer cared about life or death.

At dusk, Yan Sikong asked his attendants to report that he wanted to meet Shen Hexuan alone.

After an incense stick’s worth of time, the attendant returned, saying that Lord Shen was inspecting the terrain on the mountaintop and would take him up.

For the first time in days, Yan Sikong was taken out of the prisoner’s cart. Although his wounds hadn’t fully healed, the medicine had improved his condition slightly, though he still appeared weak and on the brink of death. He was carried up the mountain.

Shen Hexuan, along with several generals, was standing at the edge of a cliff, holding a map, discussing something. Yan Sikong guessed they were probably planning how to encircle Feng Ye’s army. Since they weren’t familiar with the terrain of Fengxiang, an on-site inspection from a high vantage point was essential.

When Yan Sikong was brought over, Shen Hexuan said, “You’re just in time. Fengxiang was conquered by you, no one is more familiar with this place than you.”

“Familiar… what of it? I won’t divulge military secrets,” Yan Sikong said weakly.

Shen Hexuan sneered. “You wanted to meet me alone, you must have something to ask. Let me hear what you want, and what you’re offering in exchange.”

Yan Sikong glanced at the generals and surrounding attendants. “Tell them to step aside.”

Seeing his broken and bloodied appearance, and assuming he was on the verge of death, no one was on guard. Shen Hexuan raised his chin, signaling them to retreat.

Yan Sikong forced himself to sit on a low stone stool. Shen Hexuan lifted his long robe and sat facing him on a small stool.

Shen Hexuan’s eyes were sharp and firm. “Tomorrow morning, I will send you to the outskirts of Fengxiang. Feng Ye will withdraw his troops, and I’ll return the prisoners. But he shouldn’t think of leaving easily. His Highness sent me to tie down Feng Ye.”

“Are you so confident? He is the Wolf King.”

“He’s just a defeated man. Without Yan Sikong, he’s just a brute.”

Yan Sikong sneered coldly.

“Speak. Why did you seek me out?”

“Lord Shen, aren’t you curious to see my face?”

The words came out like a cold arrow, sudden and without warning, catching Shen Hexuan off guard.

“…What?”

“Aren’t you curious, Lord Shen?”

Shen Hexuan narrowed his eyes. “What are you up to? Didn’t you say that if I removed your mask, you would die from shame and anger?”

“That’s right, but I only want you to see it, Lord Shen.”

“Why?” Shen Hexuan asked warily.

“You only need to say whether you want to or not. If you don’t, then forget it and have someone carry me back.”

Shen Hexuan couldn’t figure out Yan Sikong’s intentions. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “I want to.”

“Then Lord Shen must promise me that even after seeing it, you will keep it a secret.” Yan Sikong glanced at the guards standing in the distance.

Shen Hexuan followed his gaze. “Fine, only I will see it. They are far away, and the sky is getting dark, so they won’t be able to see clearly.”

Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “Lord Shen, you are proud and upright, with unparalleled integrity. You won’t go back on your word, right?”

“I swear by my integrity that I won’t.”

“Good. Then Lord Shen, take a good look.” Yan Sikong slowly moved his hand toward his mask. He stared into Shen Hexuan’s eyes, slowly removing it, watching as Shen Hexuan’s look of suspicion turned into one of shock.

“You—” Shen Hexuan pointed at Yan Sikong, stunned, unable to speak. Despite his disheveled appearance, pale and emaciated, no trace of his former self, that face was unmistakable.

Yan Sikong no longer lowered his voice, but instead returned to his usual tone, chuckling lightly. “Lord Shen, it’s been a few days, but it feels like a lifetime.”

“Yan Sikong…” Shen Hexuan’s face turned pale, and he began to stammer, “Impossible, how could you… I saw you just before I left, how could you…”

“Heh, even someone as brilliant as Lord Shen, who has passed the imperial examinations and is wise beyond measure, can be caught off guard sometimes,” Yan Sikong said, watching Shen Hexuan’s panic with delight. However, this sense of satisfaction was also accompanied by the threat of death, making his heart race.

Shen Hexuan took a deep breath, his eyes growing sharp and vicious. He said in a harsh voice, “Yan Sikong, what have you done? You actually disguised yourself as Que Wang?! Then the person I saw before I left…”

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and his expression became almost terrifying, as if he had just figured everything out. “The scouts said the Yuan family has three brothers, but the youngest has been missing for years…”

“The Yuan family’s three brothers, separated for many years, reunited because of Feng Ye,” Yan Sikong said with a smile, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. “Even if you’re a master of strategy, you can’t always foresee things that are unknown to you.”

Shen Hexuan’s chest heaved with anger. “Yan Sikong, you are truly insidious… I always thought there was something wrong when you came to Prince Chu’s side, and now you’ve shown your true colors. You’re doing this to…”

His eyes bulged, “You and Feng Ye, are you using a scheme to turn us against each other, or are you pretending to be weak? Que Wang and Yuan Shaoxu’s capture, was that also deliberate?”

“I don’t have the power to make them be captured on purpose,” Yan Sikong said harshly, “But don’t think that just because you’ve caused a rift between me and Feng Ye, you’ve won.”

Shen Hexuan quickly ran through all the events in his mind and immediately figured it out. His eyes flickered, and he suddenly laughed, a mix of pride and madness in his tone. “I see now, I see. Luckily, I’ve always been on guard against you. You switched places with Que Wang so he could escape to Huai’an, but I sent a letter to the Crown Prince of Ning, asking him to persuade King Han to cut off your escape route. Your whipping was in vain, hahaha—”

Yan Sikong glared at Shen Hexuan, his eyes bloodshot.

“Yan Sikong, in the end, I’ve won. Que Wang will eventually be exposed, he won’t escape. You’re about to be sent to Feng Ye, and who knows what your fate will be? After all, Feng Ye will soon be preoccupied with his own problems, hahahaha.”

Yan Sikong forced a faint smile, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Shen Hexuan’s laughter faded, and he stared at Yan Sikong. Their eyes met, and they had crossed paths countless times before.

“Lord Shen, aren’t you going to ask why I want you to know all of this?”

Shen Hexuan clenched his fists, a chill crawling up his spine, reaching his brain.

Yan Sikong continued, “Lord Shen, you’re well-versed in the classics, you can see through things like an open book. You’ve won here, but you’ve lost here when it comes to people.”

Shen Hexuan’s lips trembled as he sensed something ominous. “What are you planning?”

“Bees are poisonous, and so are people. You’ve been too careless today, leaving me unguarded,” Yan Sikong smiled, “But I don’t blame you. How could you have known that I am Yan Sikong?”

Shen Hexuan felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, his scalp tingling.

“Lord Shen, Brother Shen,” Yan Sikong said with mixed emotions, “We’ve known each other for more than ten years, from close friends to rivals. I can’t help but feel nostalgic. You’ve harmed me terribly, but I’ve never hated you because I know you were only being loyal to your own principles. But I do regret letting you go.”

Shen Hexuan trembled and was about to stand.

“Don’t move,” Yan Sikong’s gaze was dark, “Otherwise, you won’t hear this last sentence.”

Shen Hexuan trembled. “You dare…”

“I dare,” Yan Sikong said calmly, “And I can.”

Shen Hexuan glanced at the distant guards, cold sweat running down his forehead.

“It’s useless. They’re too far away,” Yan Sikong said softly, “I’m telling you all this, Brother Shen, firstly to make you understand, and secondly to say goodbye.”

Shen Hexuan’s face turned as pale as paper. He regained his composure and whispered, “You kill me, then what?”

“After I kill you, I will still be Yan Sikong, Prince Chu’s trusted aide,” Yan Sikong said with regret in his voice. “I’ve spared you three times, hoping that one day we would both assist the wise ruler and restore the great Sheng dynasty to its peaceful glory. But alas, now everything has changed. I once considered you a confidant, but in this life, it’s a matter of either you or me surviving. I hope that in the next life, we can be like Boya and Ziqi, high mountains and flowing waters, playing the zither in harmony.”

As he finished, he felt a deep sense of loss.

Shen Hexuan’s eyes changed, and he suddenly leapt to his feet, running.

He was a delicate scholar; how could he outrun Yan Sikong? Yan Sikong, though injured, was not fatally wounded, and his deathlike appearance was just an act. Gathering all his strength, he leapt up, took one quick step, and lunged at Shen Hexuan, grabbing his arm and, with a swift motion, threw him off the cliff—

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Sorry, I misjudged. Feng Ye will appear tomorrow, tomorrow!