The Blood Crown - Chapter 327

Chapter 327

Hanging on the walls of Guangning was the memorial tablet of the founding Emperor of Da Sheng, the Great Ancestor Emperor.

Everyone knew that this memorial tablet was merely a few characters written on a tattered piece of cloth, but those characters were the posthumous title of the Chen family’s ancestors. How could Chen Mu dare to have arrows and cannonballs aimed at it in front of thousands of people?

Chen Mu’s grip on the reins suddenly tightened, his knuckles cracking. His eyes became cold and fierce, and then, unexpectedly, he began to laugh.

Shen Hexuan, with an expressionless face, gazed at the city walls and coldly said, “Yan Sikong, always resorting to these sneaky tricks.”

Fu Zhanqing, however, had a glimmer of light in his eyes. He quietly asked, “Teacher, do you have a solution?”

“Not yet. However, Guangning’s food supply won’t last many more days. There’s no need to force an assault.” Shen Hexuan said, “Your Highness, why not divide the troops and chase after Que Wang?”

“It’s too late.” Chen Mu said coldly. “If he’s leading troops, he’s likely already succeeded.”

“Then we cannot ignore it. It may help our army break through. By using this trick, Yan Sikong is proving that there are indeed no troops left in the city, and there’s no need to worry about Feng Ye escaping.”

Chen Mu remained silent for a moment and then ordered his generals to take ten thousand soldiers and head towards Huangshui.

On the city walls, Xu Feng shouted, “The Chu army has divided its forces! They’ve divided their forces!”

Yan Sikong said in a low voice, “He won’t attack the city for now, but he has sent troops to pursue General Que.”

Liang Huiyong shook his head, his expression still serious.

Feng Ye said, “By the time they get there, it will probably be too late.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “As long as he captures the Chu army, he’ll be able to return safely.”

Everyone watched as Chen Mu gave the order, and the Chu army began to withdraw.

Though this was just a temporary retreat, no one dared to relax. After all, this was merely a delay tactic. Guangning’s food supply wouldn’t even last a month, and both Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan must surely know this.

—

By dusk, Yuan Nanyu returned. The outcome of the battle had exceeded everyone’s expectations. With only ten thousand troops, he had captured three thousand Chu soldiers and fifty thousand Jin soldiers in one fell swoop!

Taking advantage of the two armies weakening each other, he launched a surprise attack. The Chu army was surrounded from both sides, immediately collapsing, while the Jin soldiers were attacked by the Chu army midway, with only a few managing to escape to the opposite shore. Most perished in the frigid waters or were slain on the banks of Huangshui. The morale of the troops completely disintegrated, and they scattered like headless flies, ultimately being picked off one by one.

Tuo Letai, filled with hatred, took his own life on the banks of Huangshui. This barbarian, whose lifelong ambition was to seize the Central Plains, had ultimately been defeated, his army of two hundred thousand destroyed, and he died in a foreign land.

Feng Ye ordered a feast to welcome Yuan Nanyu back, and She Zhun, who had just arranged matters for the allied forces, was also present at the table.

Yan Sikong placed a hand on Yuan Nanyu’s shoulder, his eyes filled with pride and admiration. “I knew it, with you leading the charge, victory was inevitable!”

Yuan Nanyu happily said, “I am honored not to have disappointed the Wolf King and Second Brother’s expectations.”

She Zhun laughed heartily. “With such a victory, tonight we must drink to our heart’s content.”

Feng Ye praised, “Que Wang, your tactics in this battle were truly brilliant. Come, tell us all the details.” He was still suffering from his injuries and could not ride a horse, feeling quite frustrated.

Yuan Nanyu, unable to hide his excitement, began recounting the battle. The clash of metal and the slaughter on the battlefield were exhilarating beyond words!

“Well done! Well done!” Yan Sikong couldn’t help but clap.

“Second Brother, your clever plan on the city walls was extraordinary.” Yuan Nanyu said with satisfaction. “Chen Mu must be furious!”

“It was just a delaying tactic.” Yan Sikong served everyone wine. “Come, drink up while we can.”

The four of them raised their cups and drank.

Feng Ye took the wine jug and refilled their glasses.

At that moment, a knock came from behind the door. “Wolf King, it’s me, Xu Feng.”

“Come in.”

Xu Feng pushed open the door, bowed to everyone, and then said, “Wolf King, I come to report on how to handle the prisoners.”

Feng Ye glanced at Yan Sikong, signaling for him to make the decision.

Yuan Nanyu and She Zhun also turned to look at Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong stared at the golden and jade wine cup he was playing with in his hands and said, “Keep an eye on the Chu soldiers. They still have their use.”

“Understood.”

“As for the Jin soldiers…” Yan Sikong’s gaze grew cold. “The city has no more food. How can we feed thieves… Bury them.” After speaking, he drained the wine in his cup.

“Understood.”

One sentence, and in one night, fifty thousand Jin soldiers were massacred.

Twenty-one days after the defense of Guangning, the battle ended in victory once again, but the few lines in the history books could perhaps be stained with rivers of blood.

—

Three days later, Feng Ye, accompanied by Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu, met with Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan at the foot of Guangning City.

A king must meet a king.

And this meeting was destined to change the entire landscape of the country.

The city gates opened wide, and Feng Ye, riding his fiery red Tianshan warhorse, was the first to step out. Yan Sikong and Yuan Nanyu followed closely behind, and the Feng family army, orderly and unified, marched out and arranged their forces at the foot of Guangning.

Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan, surrounded by their army, slowly approached. Once they reached the outer edge of the city, their trained soldiers retreated neatly behind them.

The three of them, riding their horses, advanced until they stood before Chen Mu and Shen Hexuan.

At last, they met!

The five men had different expressions and secret motives, standing face to face. For a moment, none of them spoke.

Looking back at the past ten years, the grudges and affections between them were too numerous to count, and they would never be fully unraveled.

Finally, it was Chen Mu who spoke first. With his sharp and deep gaze, he scanned Feng Ye, Yan Sikong, and Yuan Nanyu, and then stopped on Feng Ye’s face. “I heard the Wolf King was heavily wounded by an arrow, but it seems you’re not dead yet.”

Feng Ye said in a deep voice, “I was born to shake the heavens, even Yama dares not take me. I won’t disappoint Prince Chu.”

Chen Mu sneered coldly, then turned to Yan Sikong. “Sir, still alive and well, I see.”

Yan Sikong calmly replied, “I can’t claim to be well, but Prince Chu seems to be in better spirits than ever.”

“You should thank me for giving you your last lesson.” Chen Mu’s eyes flashed with a twisted, hateful look. “I placed you in a position where you were between life and death, yet you emerged alive.”

“Once a teacher, always a teacher.” Yan Sikong stared at Chen Mu, trying to find any trace of the young man who had once relied on and trusted him, but found nothing.

“I was soft on you.” Chen Mu said coldly, “Everything you taught me, I will use for the rest of my life.”

Yan Sikong nodded slightly. He couldn’t help but feel some regret, but he didn’t regret his past actions.

Finally, Chen Mu’s gaze shifted to Yuan Nanyu’s face.

The two locked eyes from a short distance. Yuan Nanyu’s gaze was ice-cold, full of murderous intent, but Chen Mu smiled in a smug and contemptuous manner, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of cruelty.

Shen Hexuan spoke, “There’s no need to reminisce.” He glanced at Yan Sikong. “You came here requesting this meeting because you wish to surrender, right?”

Yan Sikong smiled slightly. “Does Lord Shen like the painting I sent you?”

“I do.” Shen Hexuan replied. “Thank you.”

“Lord Shen has a good student, which makes me envious.” Yan Sikong continued.

“I’m not here to talk to you about that.” Shen Hexuan said coldly.

Yan Sikong shook his head with a smile. “Perhaps this will be the last time we meet in this life. It’s rare to meet someone on par with me, I must admit, I’m a little reluctant.”

Shen Hexuan paused for a moment, then fell silent.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and turned to look at Feng Ye.

Feng Ye clearly didn’t intend to waste any more words. He arrogantly locked eyes with Chen Mu, not hiding the disgust and killing intent in his gaze. “Chen Mu, from the moment I decided to stay in Liaodong, you’ve won. You’ll get what you want, but first, you’ll give me what I want.”

“What do you want?” Chen Mu tightened his grip on the reins.

“From the northwest to the northeast, from Qianzhou, Datong, Xuanhua to Liaodong.” Feng Ye said without hesitation, “I want the entire Northern Border!”