The Blood Crown - Chapter 301

“Sikong,” Feng Ye murmured, his voice trembling with fear rising from his heart. “Is it really… you?”

He had desperately prayed to the heavens to see Yan Sikong again, even if only once. But now that the man stood before him, he couldn’t believe it and dared not reach out.

Yan Sikong tilted his head slightly to look past Feng Ye. Behind him were Liang Huiyong and the others, including Yuan Nanyu. Yan Sikong’s eyes flickered as if he wanted to speak, but before he could, Feng Ye suddenly swung the scabbard of his sword backward, slamming the door shut with a loud “bang.”

Yan Sikong was forced to look at Feng Ye, his demeanor calm as he said, “It’s me. I didn’t manage to die, much to the disappointment of the world, I’m afraid.”

Feng Ye stared at Yan Sikong, his gaze intense and piercing.

Feeling uneasy under Feng Ye’s stare, Yan Sikong quipped, “The Wolf King has traveled far and must be weary from the journey. Why not rest first?”

Feng Ye stepped closer to Yan Sikong, who instinctively retreated. But after three steps, his back hit the table.

Feng Ye came to a halt before Yan Sikong, slowly reaching out toward his face.

Yan Sikong’s expression turned cold as he slightly turned his head away.

Feng Ye felt a pang in his chest. His hand trembled slightly before finally touching Yan Sikong’s cheek.

Feng Ye’s hand was icy cold, while Yan Sikong’s cheek was warm, like the sun in May. Yet for someone long frozen, the first sensation of warmth was not comfort but pain.

When Feng Ye’s hand confirmed that the person before him was no illusion, his heart ached as if eaten by ants. Without warning, tears began to fall, streaming down his face uncontrollably.

Yan Sikong was stunned. He had never seen Feng Ye cry like this, like a child. Frowning, he turned his face away again, but in the next moment, Feng Ye pulled him forcefully into his arms.

“Wolf King…” Yan Sikong struggled.

Feng Ye’s arms were like iron clamps, unyielding. The armor he wore carried the chill of Liaodong’s harsh winter, cold to the bone, and Yan Sikong trembled all over.

Through sobs, Feng Ye called out, “Kong’er…”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and said in a steady tone, “Let go of me.”

“Why do you treat me like this? You said you didn’t hate me, so why do you treat me like this?” Feng Ye seemed overwhelmed by grievances and pain, his tears pouring forth as he held Yan Sikong tightly, using all his strength. He was terrified that if he let go, the person in his arms would disappear. He vowed never, ever to release him.

Yan Sikong replied calmly, “Wolf King, you are too cold. Could you release me first?”

Hesitating, Feng Ye loosened his grip. Yan Sikong seized the chance to push him away, but Feng Ye grabbed his wrist tightly.

Yan Sikong tried to pull his hand back but failed. He said in a low voice, “Wolf King, why persist like this?”

Feng Ye’s eyes roamed Yan Sikong’s face as if afraid to miss a single detail. He was filled with words yet didn’t know where to begin. Finally, he uttered the most profound thought in his heart: “I missed you so much.”

A flash of anger crossed Yan Sikong’s face, fleeting but noticeable. His tone remained even as he asked, “Has the Wolf King achieved his desires?”

Feng Ye was momentarily speechless.

“You’ve achieved your goal, but I haven’t. I still have much to accomplish. Thank you, Wolf King, for sending troops to save Liaodong.” Yan Sikong tried again to pull his hand back, but Feng Ye held on firmly. His tone grew colder. “Let go of me.”

“Do you even know what I want?” Feng Ye stared at him with red-rimmed eyes.

“I’m a man who has died once. I have nothing to give to the Wolf King,” Yan Sikong said expressionlessly. “Whatever the Wolf King still wants from me, abandon the thought.”

Feng Ye stared blankly at Yan Sikong. The cold indifference and distance emanating from him were even more chilling than Liaodong’s harsh winters. Panic overwhelmed Feng Ye, and he blurted out, “I… I wronged you. It’s all my fault—everything was my fault. Que Wang, Que Wang remembered everything, Kong’er. It’s my fault. I…”

“He remembered?” Yan Sikong’s eyes widened. “Yu’er remembered?!”

“Yes, he told me everything,” Feng Ye admitted, his face full of remorse. “I’m sorry… I misunderstood you. You are Yan Sikong. You are my…” He was too guilt-ridden to finish his sentence.

Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye silently. There had been a time when he wanted nothing more than to prove his identity, a time when he yearned for Feng Ye to recognize the truth. He had imagined that if the misunderstanding were ever resolved, he would feel immense relief.

But now, hearing Feng Ye personally admit his mistake, he felt nothing, not even a ripple of emotion.

It was too late. Even he no longer cared who he was. It was far too late.

Yan Sikong said coldly, “Who I am is irrelevant. The Wolf King doesn’t need to put on this act.”

“I know you blame me,” Feng Ye choked out. “You blame me, which is why you’re treating me like this… I thought you were dead. I truly thought you were dead. Do you know how I survived these 213 days? Day and night, every single moment, I thought of you. If not for Liaodong, would you have hidden away for the rest of your life? Kong’er, do you really hate me that much?”

“All my life, I, Yan Sikong, have been of little worth, with no control over anything. The only thing I could decide for myself was my own death. Therefore, my life or death has nothing to do with others, and there’s no need for me to report it to anyone.” Yan Sikong looked coldly at Feng Ye. “As for the Wolf King, you once said you hated me, and your actions matched your words. So whether you feel regret or guilt today means nothing to me. Let’s set it aside and talk about serious matters instead.”

Feng Ye stood frozen, staring at Yan Sikong. The cold indifference in his gaze pierced Feng Ye’s heart like a dagger. From this face, which had captivated him for half his life, he had once seen deep affection and joy meant only for him. Even when sadness and resentment later replaced those emotions, they were still because of him. But now, those eyes were as cold as if looking at a stranger.

Was this still his Sikong? Had he turned his Sikong into this?

Over the years, what had he done to reduce the person he loved most to a stranger?

Feng Ye took a deep breath. His vision blurred so much he could barely make out Yan Sikong’s face. Shaking his head, he said, “You blame me. You should blame me. It’s my fault—everything is my fault. You always thought of me in everything you did, even until the very end. But I never believed you.”

Yan Sikong said nothing.

“But… but I, Feng Ye, have only ever had you in my heart my whole life. No matter how much I hated or resented you back then, it was nothing compared to how much I love you… as if my life depends on it.”

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled slightly as he looked at Feng Ye’s face, twisted with pain. He turned his head away.

Tears streaming down his face, Feng Ye said, “Kong’er, what will it take for you to forgive me? Now I have everything. I can give you anything you want.”

Yan Sikong softly replied, “The Wolf King is exalted, his favor and disdain a benevolence in themselves. I am truly unworthy of discussing forgiveness with you. The past… I really don’t want to think about it anymore. Let’s just consider it all burned away in that fire. If the Wolf King truly wishes to give me something, all I want is ‘peace.’”

Feng Ye’s face turned ashen. “Kong’er, I will never let you go. I—”

“Don’t call me ‘Kong’er’ anymore!” A flash of rage crossed Yan Sikong’s face as he snapped, “That name was only for the dearest people in my life to call me. I beg the Wolf King to spare me.”

Feng Ye was overwhelmed with pain. He closed his eyes to block out the rejection in Yan Sikong’s expression, if only for a moment.

Seizing Feng Ye’s moment of distraction, Yan Sikong pulled his hand free. His fair wrist bore bright red marks from Feng Ye’s grip. Adjusting his clothing, he said, “The Wolf King has a family now, with heirs to bring joy to his knees. It’s truly improper for you to entangle yourself with a disreputable male concubine. Even being alone in the same room might sully your reputation.” With that, he turned to leave.

Feng Ye raised an arm, blocking his path.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and moved to sidestep him.

Feng Ye extended his arm, pulling Yan Sikong by the waist and holding the back of his neck. He leaned in, attempting to claim those indifferent lips.

Yan Sikong grabbed the hilt of his sword and drew it in one swift motion. In the next moment, the blade was pressed against Feng Ye’s neck. Yan Sikong said coldly, “Let go.”

Feng Ye stared deeply into Yan Sikong’s eyes, unwilling to even blink. His voice was hoarse as he said, “Then do it.”

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes.

“My life is in your hands. Take it if you want,” Feng Ye murmured, leaning closer to Yan Sikong’s lips. “But as long as I’m alive, I want you. What I want most in this life isn’t the world—it’s you.”

Caught off guard, Yan Sikong’s eyes darkened as Feng Ye’s lips claimed his, greedily tasting every bit of him.

Yan Sikong’s grip tightened on the sword hilt, and he struck Feng Ye’s neck hard with the pommel.

Dizzy with pain, Feng Ye staggered. Yan Sikong shoved him away with force.

Feng Ye stumbled a few steps, looking wretchedly at Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong threw the sword to the ground at Feng Ye’s feet with a loud clang. Speaking slowly, he said, “If anyone saw this, they’d think the Wolf King was truly hopelessly in love. But unfortunately, I have a good memory. Every word you’ve ever said to me, every act you’ve ever done—I remember them clearly.”

Feng Ye’s face was filled with sorrow.

“Of course, remembering is just remembering. It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Yan Sikong said calmly. “But once bitten by a snake, one fears ropes for ten years. I am still the scheming, cunning Yan Sikong, and you are still the proud, unruly Wolf King. It’s not as though you haven’t been tender and loving before. But what came of it? You’re right. If not for Liaodong, I would never have wanted to see you again in my life. Thank you, Wolf King, for sending troops to Liaodong. That is all there is between us.”

Yan Sikong stepped past the stunned Feng Ye, pushed open the door, and strode out.