The Blood Crown - Chapter 323

Chapter 323

As soon as these words were spoken, the three of them reacted differently, but without exception, their faces looked grim.

Yan Sikong said coldly, “Is Chen Mu personally leading the army?”

“According to reports, yes.”

Yan Sikong clenched his fists tightly. He had considered before whether the Chu army might pull a “mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.” If it were him, he might have done the same. But Shen Hexuan was not him.

He was more inclined to believe that Chen Mu had ignored Shen Hexuan’s advice, acting willfully on his own, rather than Shen Hexuan advising Chen Mu to secretly ally with the barbarians, leak military intelligence, send troops to the capital to block Feng Changyue from dispatching reinforcements, watch Feng Ye and Zhuo Letai fight to the death, and then launch an attack on Liaodong to reap the benefits. Such a scheme would not only damage Chen Mu’s reputation but also risk the destruction of Guangning City and countless deaths.

Such a vicious plan did not seem like something Shen Hexuan would resort to.

However, according to She Zhun, it was also Shen Hexuan who sowed discord between Datong and the Chahar. Who else could have devised such a seamless, flawless series of schemes?

At this moment, Yan Sikong couldn’t tell whether he had overestimated Shen Hexuan or underestimated him.

Feng Ye said in a deep voice, “So the crisis in the capital has been resolved?”

“No. Chen Mu split his forces. Prince Ning is still besieging the capital. He has brought 80,000 troops to Guangning.”

“He dares to take such a risk?”

Dividing his forces would weaken his strength. For Chen Mu to take such a gamble, he must have full confidence in this campaign.

Yuan Nanyu said harshly, “He wants to defeat Zhuo Letai while we’re both weakened, then coerce the Wolf King to withdraw from the capital. This way, he gains a reputation for saving Liaodong while seizing control of the capital. That traitor…”

Yuan Nanyu’s words were correct. Chen Mu was indeed calculating such a plan. Given the current situation, they had no means to retaliate.

She Zhun looked at Feng Ye. “Chen Mu’s true target is you. If you don’t want to be coerced by him, the only option… is to leave.”

Yan Sikong drew a sharp breath, his mind buzzing.

Just as She Zhun said, if Feng Ye stayed, he would likely fall into Chen Mu’s hands and be used to coerce Feng Changyue to withdraw from the capital. But if Feng Ye left…

What would Zhuo Letai do upon hearing that Chen Mu was heading to Liaodong? After all, Chen Mu’s intentions in this campaign were as plain as day.

Zhuo Letai had bided his time for twenty years and, at the age of sixty, personally led this campaign. Spending massive military resources, crossing the Huang River, and attacking Guangning with the goal of reclaiming Liaodong—he had already lost 70,000 to 80,000 troops. If he returned empty-handed, he would not only fail his people but also carry the regret for the rest of his life. With Guangning on the verge of falling, if Zhuo Letai were in his position, he would certainly risk everything to take the city, using Feng Ye and the tens of thousands of innocent civilians in Guangning as leverage against Chen Mu. Only then would it not be considered a defeat.

Thus, Zhuo Letai would soon attack the city.

In this massive game of chess, the critical moments were within the next few days. Zhuo Letai, to make his efforts worthwhile, would have to attack before Chen Mu arrived. Similarly, Feng Ye would have to leave before Chen Mu arrived.

But if Feng Ye left, Guangning would be doomed.

This situation was unlike when they learned that Chen Mu was marching on the capital. At that time, although Feng Ye’s situation was also dangerous, as long as they could hold Guangning, there was still room to maneuver. But now, even if they could fend off Zhuo Letai, how could they possibly fend off Chen Mu after him?

Yan Sikong dared not meet Feng Ye’s gaze, fearing he would see hesitation in his eyes.

To trade a border city for a vast empire—who wouldn’t hesitate?

Everyone fell silent. No one had the confidence to ask Feng Ye to abandon the capital to save Guangning. The cost was simply too great.

After a long while, Feng Ye finally spoke slowly, “Let me think about it.”

Yan Sikong’s heart trembled. He lifted his head slightly, hesitantly looking toward Feng Ye.

Their gazes met in the air, and as Yan Sikong had feared, Feng Ye’s eyes were filled with struggle.

For the first time, Feng Ye avoided Yan Sikong’s gaze and turned his face away. He called for a servant to escort him back to his room.

After he left, Yuan Nanyu said hoarsely, “Second Brother, even if… even if the Wolf King leaves, I will stay.”

“I will stay too,” She Zhun said without hesitation.

Yan Sikong felt a lump in his throat but said nothing.

If Feng Ye truly intended to leave, Yan Sikong hoped Yuan Nanyu and She Zhun would leave with him. Otherwise, staying in Guangning would only mean pointless death. But he knew they wouldn’t leave, just as he wouldn’t leave. There were too many things in this world more important than life itself.

Yan Sikong said softly, “Yu’er, go check on the movements of the Jin army. If Zhuo Letai has received the news, he may attack suddenly. Tell the soldiers to be fully prepared.”

“Yes.” Yuan Nanyu cupped his fists toward the two and then got up to leave.

Yan Sikong looked at She Zhun and was about to speak when She Zhun suddenly raised his hand to stop him. “Were you about to say that Liaodong is not my homeland, and I don’t need to die for it? If you say that again, I will truly be angry.”

Yan Sikong gave a bitter smile. “I wouldn’t dare.” He had once thought She Zhun was just a mercenary intelligence dealer, greedy for wealth. But She Zhun had repeatedly saved him from peril, showing deep loyalty and affection. Yan Sikong felt profoundly indebted. What he feared most in his life was owing others.

She Zhun seemed to see through his thoughts. “In the past, when you hired me, I took your money. You didn’t owe me. In our youth, we roamed the martial world together, depending on each other. Without you, I would have died long ago. Later, you eradicated the Eunuch Party and avenged my people. So when I save you or help you now, you still don’t owe me. And as for my coming to defend Liaodong, it’s not for you—it’s for the people of Liaodong, to safeguard the northern frontier. You still don’t owe me.”

Yan Sikong gave a faint smile, his heart filled with gratitude and emotion.

“However,” She Zhun suddenly appeared a bit uneasy. “There is one thing I’d like to ask of you.”

“Speak.”

She Zhun took a deep breath, as if summoning great courage. “Before coming to Guangning, I went to the capital. I… I want to ask you for someone.”

Yan Sikong looked at She Zhun, faintly guessing what he meant.

“If I make it back to the capital alive,” She Zhun said straightforwardly, meeting Yan Sikong’s gaze, “I want to take Princess Wanyang away.”

Yan Sikong blinked, surprised. Questions surged to his lips, but he didn’t know where to begin.

She Zhun immediately clarified, “I have always maintained propriety with the princess. There has been no impropriety between us.”

“How… is she now?”

“There are rumors in the capital that you’re still alive, but they’re just rumors. Like most others, she believes you’re dead.” She Zhun lowered his eyes, his tone heavy. “She’s had enough of life in the imperial city, enough of being controlled and judged. She said that being a princess of Dasheng means a life destined for tragedy, and she no longer wants to be a princess.”

“Will you take Jinyu with you as well?”

“Of course.”

Yan Sikong said guiltily, “She married me, but she’s never known the joy of being a wife. If you can treat her well, share a peaceful life, and bring her happiness and stability, I would be endlessly grateful.”

She Zhun’s tense expression finally softened. With deep emotion, he said, “I will treat her well. She may no longer be Dasheng’s princess, but she will always be mine.”

Yan Sikong sighed softly with emotion. He no longer dared to hope for the joys of love in his own life, but if those he cared about could find it, he would be happier than anything.

—

Yan Sikong stayed awake all night, thinking that in Guangning Guard, he was probably not the only one tossing and turning.

At dawn, they hastened their preparations for the city’s defense. The battle that would decide Liaodong’s fate was fast approaching.

As expected, Zhuo Letai launched an attack late the following night. His forces advanced aggressively, clearly prepared to stake everything on this battle.

The battle for Guangning began again.

According to She Zhun’s estimate, Chen Mu’s army would arrive at Guangning within three days.