The Blood Crown - Chapter 284

Feng Ye’s plan was to feint in the east and strike in the west.

Chen Mu was highly guarded now, making a camp raid unwise. So, they would go steal Prince Ning’s camp instead.

In fact, given the current situation, not engaging and holding their ground would be the best strategy. The capital had abundant supplies, and with the emperor as a hostage, the reinforcements surrounding the city would hesitate to attack, fearing that Feng Ye might threaten the imperial family. Besieging them would eventually deplete their resources. As long as they waited it out, the opposition would be the first to break.

But if they could deal a heavy blow to the heir of Prince Ning, the morale of the reinforcements would surely wane, and Yuan Nanyu could become a bargaining chip too valuable for Chen Mu to ignore. Only then could true negotiations take place, and perhaps the war could end sooner.

Yan Sikong frowned and said, “Even if we manage to steal Prince Ning’s camp, it will only enrage Chen Mu. What if he, in his fury, kills Que Wang?”

Feng Ye replied coldly, “You and I both know that doing nothing and waiting is the best tactic right now, but neither of us can bear to let Que Wang continue to… to suffer humiliation. I’m willing to take the risk. What else can we do?”

Yan Sikong sat stiffly, silent for a long time.

Over the past few days, he had thought of countless plans, only to reject each one himself. As Feng Ye had said, remaining still and responding to their moves was the best way to fend off the enemy. Chen Mu had threatened to dismember Yuan Nanyu and send him back, even delivering a letter specifically to provoke Feng Ye into action. They shouldn’t fall for this goading tactic, yet how many choices did they really have?

Perhaps exchanging himself for Yuan Nanyu was the only way to secure his safety, but Feng Ye adamantly refused. If raiding the camp angered Chen Mu and Yuan Nanyu faced retaliation, Yan Sikong could only hope he might escape…

After a moment of silence, Yan Sikong nodded. “All right. When?”

“The sooner the better. Within three days.”

“I need to write a letter back to Chen Mu.”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes.

“Just to placate him, so he won’t harm Yu’er.”

“As you wish, but I think it’s unnecessary,” Feng Ye said coldly. “Que Wang’s fate is not in your hands now.”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. He knew that all too well. He stood up and said calmly, “I take my leave.”

“Wait.” Feng Ye softened his tone. “Stay… have lunch with me.”

Yan Sikong did not respond.

“What, is even having a meal with me too much to ask?” Feng Ye raised his voice, his tone unsteady.

“…Fine.”

Feng Ye ordered the servants to bring in the dishes one by one. Yan Sikong glanced at the food; it was all his favorites.

Feng Ye said, “You haven’t gained any weight since recovering from your injuries. Eat more.” He piled half a bowl of meat onto Yan Sikong’s plate.

“Thank you, Wolf King. I’ll serve myself.” Yan Sikong picked up his bowl and focused on eating.

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong intently, his gaze flickering, and several times he seemed on the verge of speaking, only to swallow the words back.

Even with his head lowered, Yan Sikong could feel the heat of that gaze, making the meal taste like ashes in his mouth.

“My birthday is coming up. Do you remember?” Feng Ye suddenly said.

Yan Sikong froze slightly but continued eating.

He remembered. His memory was so good, almost photographic. Sometimes, it felt like a curse.

“I was only eighteen when we met in the capital,” Feng Ye murmured. “Now I’m twenty-eight.”

Yan Sikong’s breathing slowed.

“Ten years have passed. Ten years ago, did you ever think we’d end up like this?” Feng Ye asked.

Yan Sikong finally raised his head and looked at Feng Ye quietly. “The world is unpredictable, and people are even harder to fathom. It’s just fate.”

Feng Ye’s voice trembled. “I, Feng Ye, have never bowed to fate.”

“To defy fate leaves one battered and bruised. It took countless falls for me to realize that sometimes, accepting it makes life easier,” Yan Sikong said softly. “But people differ, and so do destinies. The Wolf King’s fate is one in a million, exceptionally blessed.”

“My fate blessed?” Feng Ye scoffed. “Do you not see the price I paid to reach the peak?”

“That’s fate too.”

“Don’t talk to me about fate anymore. I led an army of three hundred thousand to seize the capital, not to obey fate but to control the fates of others—like yours.” Feng Ye’s eyes narrowed. “I am the Wolf King, the one even the emperor bows to. Yan Sikong, what do you really want? You give me this cold attitude every day—how does that benefit you? Or are you playing hard to get? Just say what you want!”

Yan Sikong’s face was expressionless. “I want Que Wang back safely. That’s all.”

“I will bring him back!” Feng Ye clenched his fists. “Anything else? Don’t you want to be Grand Tutor? I could make you a minister if you want power.”

Yan Sikong said coldly, “I’m already a disgraced traitor as a Grand Tutor. Being among the Three Excellencies is shameful enough. The court is full of my former colleagues. You want me in the cabinet? Have some mercy on my reputation.”

“Isn’t this what you always wanted?” Feng Ye ground his teeth. “You said you wanted to serve a wise ruler, save the nation, and fulfill your ambitions in the court.”

“Are you a wise ruler?” Yan Sikong retorted icily.

“Do you think Chen Mu is?” Feng Ye roared in fury. “Do you want him on the throne?!”

Yan Sikong said calmly, “Chen Mu framed me, and even the last vestiges of our master-disciple relationship have been exhausted. With such deep grievances between us, even if he truly became emperor, I couldn’t assist him. However, he understands the ways of an emperor better than you do, making him more suitable to be one. As for you, after entering the capital, you’ve been ruthlessly killing to eliminate your enemies. You may be unmatched in war, but you have no talent for governance. You are belligerent by nature, and if you were to take power, the land would never see peace, as you would endlessly pursue military expansion.”

Feng Ye slammed the table hard, making the dishes and bowls jump and the soup spill across the table. He said harshly, “You finally dare to speak the truth.”

“What have I ever been afraid to say? You just never asked.”

“If you think I can’t be a good emperor, then assist me.” Feng Ye stared directly at Yan Sikong. “Isn’t that what you once dreamed of?”

Yan Sikong shook his head. “The current situation has long strayed from my original intent. You have already provoked all the warlords to rise, something I never wanted to see. Now General Zhao has also withdrawn from Liaodong to aid the capital. If Zheletai seizes this opportunity to attack Liaodong, Da Sheng will face internal and external crises. What will you do then?”

“Soldiers will fight when enemies come, and dams will be built when floods arrive.” Feng Ye sneered, “Or do you expect me to invite Chen Mu into the palace to be emperor?”

“I wish you would never proclaim yourself emperor and remain loyal to the Chen dynasty.”

Feng Ye’s expression shifted repeatedly, his eyes full of rage, almost as if he wanted to bore holes into Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong wiped the corner of his mouth. “I’m full.” He stood up to leave.

At that moment, one of Feng Ye’s guards hurried in, dropping to his knees. “Wolf King, King Chu has sent something.”

Both of them turned their gaze toward the guard’s hands.

It was a wooden box.

Yan Sikong’s face instantly turned pale, his whole body trembling. In warfare, boxes of this size usually contained…

Feng Ye’s face also grew deathly pale. Gritting his teeth, he ordered, “Bring it here.”

The guard presented the box in front of Feng Ye, who slowly reached out with a trembling hand to open it.

Yan Sikong watched Feng Ye’s face intently. At that moment, he felt as though he was in purgatory, his heart scorched by the flames of torment.

Feng Ye took one look and closed his eyes, a feral, murderous look crossing his face.

Yan Sikong sprang up, nearly in a frenzy, and grabbed the box.

Inside lay a bloody, severed ear.

Yan Sikong stared for a moment, then let out a low, anguished roar, his whole body flushed red, and his eyes brimmed with blood.

Feng Ye took the box, set it aside, and pulled Yan Sikong into his arms.

Yan Sikong trembled violently in Feng Ye’s embrace.

Feng Ye’s voice was vicious. “I will make Chen Mu pay for every bit of suffering Que Wang has endured!”

—

While Feng Ye was planning to raid Prince Ning’s camp, Yan Sikong was also plotting his escape.

What Chen Mu had sent nearly drove him mad, but once he calmed down, he knew that if Feng Ye succeeded in the raid, Chen Mu would vent his anger on Yuan Nanyu. Even if he kept Yuan Nanyu alive, he would torture him endlessly.

He couldn’t wait any longer. The only way to save Yuan Nanyu was to bear Chen Mu’s wrath himself.

Taking advantage of Feng Ye being occupied with military preparations, Yan Sikong went to find She Zhun.

She Zhun was still recovering from his wounds, but he was slightly better and able to sit up.

Yan Sikong dismissed the servants and told She Zhun about Chen Mu cutting off Yuan Nanyu’s ear.

She Zhun was furious. “That ungrateful beast, Chen Mu!”

“I can’t sit by and do nothing. Feng Ye plans to launch a night raid on Prince Ning’s camp, and that night may be my only chance to escape.”

“But…” She Zhun glanced out the window. “Feng Ye has assigned several skilled guards to stay close to you at all times, and I’m in no shape to fight them off.”

“No need,” Yan Sikong whispered. “The secret tunnel we used to smuggle Feng Ye out of the capital back then—is it still there?”

“I sealed the entrances, just in case. I can have someone dig it open, but Feng Ye knows about it too.”

“When you led us through the alleys back then, we took so many twists and turns. There’s no way he remembers. As long as I can deal with those guards, I can use the tunnel to escape.”

She Zhun frowned. “I have a few people left in the capital, but without me, they might not be reliable. This isn’t like before; the timing is tight, and we’re completely unprepared. It’s risky.”

“The worst-case scenario is being caught by Feng Ye again. But if I succeed, I have a chance to save Yu’er.”

“You’re acting recklessly. Even if you reach Chen Mu, he’ll just imprison you both!”

“He won’t.” Yan Sikong’s gaze was firm. “If he doesn’t release Yu’er, he’ll be left with two corpses instead.”

She Zhun’s eyes widened. “Sikong, you…”

“No need to persuade me.” Yan Sikong gripped She Zhun’s hand. “I’ve made too many mistakes in this life. I’m not afraid of death, but what I must do—no one can stop me. Besides, I wouldn’t walk into a trap without confidence.”

She Zhun took a deep breath. “You should never have gone to Chen Mu in the first place.”

“If I hadn’t, he still would have laid traps for Yuan Shaoxu and captured Yu’er. I’d still have to rescue my brother.” Yan Sikong smiled faintly. “It’s all fated.”

She Zhun sighed. “Sikong, I won’t stop you. I never could. I’ll help you as best I can, but I have one condition. Swear on your parents and General Yuan Mao.”

Yan Sikong’s voice trembled. “Say it.”

“Come back alive to see me.” She Zhun stared into Yan Sikong’s eyes.

Yan Sikong’s eyes burned with unshed tears. His voice quivered. “I swear, I will come back alive to see you.”

They clasped hands tightly, needing no more words.