The Blood Crown - Chapter 42

The horses and the wolf appeared exhausted, so they sought shade under a large tree.

However, Drunken Red wasn’t in a hurry to lower its head and graze. Instead, it tensed its muscles, and its right front hoof nervously stomped the ground. It flared its nostrils, emitting a puffing sound, while keeping a vigilant eye on Fang Hun. If it weren’t for the reins, it might have taken the initiative to confront the wolf.

Fang Hun, in turn, bared its teeth, crouched low, and emanated a fierce aura. Its sharp fangs were intimidating.

A horse and a wolf stood a few yards apart, neither relaxing their guard.

Sitting nearby, Yan Sikong couldn’t help but feel nervous. He remarked, “Feng Ye, they seem like they’re about to fight.”

“No worries,” Feng Ye reclined on the grass, enjoying the gentle breeze. “They’re just playing around; it’s not the first time.”

Yan Sikong looked at the two animals, still in a tense standoff. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was mere play.

Feng Ye opened one eye and glanced ahead, saying, “One is a horse king, the other is a wolf king. Neither wants to yield to the other. It’s quite a spectacle – truly worthy of my Feng family’s beasts.”

“Are you sure you want to see them compete for dominance?” Yan Sikong asked.

“I want to,” Feng Ye smirked. “But if they really start fighting, I’m afraid I won’t be able to control them. It would likely be a vicious battle without end. So, let’s skip it.”

He waved his hand and called out, “Hun, come here.”

Yan Sikong immediately tensed up.

Fang Hun shook its massive wolf head and trotted over to Feng Ye, then lay down beside him.

Feng Ye reached out with his long arm, pulling Yan Sikong’s waist and bringing him closer. Yan Sikong stared at Fang Hun, his hair standing on end, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

Feng Ye chuckled, “Hun, look, look closely. This is my person. You must never harm him in your lifetime. You must also protect him well.”

Fang Hun let out a low “woof” and fixed its one-eyed gaze on Yan Sikong.

“Hun, listen, I’m serious,” Feng Ye pinched Fang Hun’s ear.

Fang Hun finally moved its head closer, bumping it against Yan Sikong’s embrace.

Yan Sikong felt like he’d been hit in the chest and had trouble breathing as the hard and sturdy wolf skull pressed into him. Fang Hun struggled for a few moments in his embrace, and its thick wolf fur piled up around his mouth and nose, making it hard to breathe. His body seemed ready to collapse.

Feng Ye teased, “See, it recognizes you.”

Fang Hun wriggled a few times, then lifted its head and turned its face away, as if the previous display of affection had been an illusion. It remained unyielding in its posture, proud as ever.

Yan Sikong chuckled awkwardly.

“Go on, give it a hug.”

“No need, really.”

Feng Ye sighed, “Why are you so timid? I told you, it won’t bite you. Hun has been raised by me since it was a cub, incredibly intelligent. It understands everything I say.”

No one wants to be called timid, and Yan Sikong considered himself cautious. He pursed his lips and decided to go for it. He approached and hugged Fang Hun’s neck.

Fang Hun turned its head, giving Yan Sikong a faint glance. Yan Sikong, still anxious, watched it closely, sensing a hint of impatience in its gaze.

However, Fang Hun didn’t make any additional moves and allowed itself to be hugged.

Yan Sikong breathed a sigh of relief. In that moment when their eyes met, a silent understanding seemed to have formed. He no longer felt as scared of Fang Hun. Yet, this wolf was as proud as its master, just like the horse.

Feng Ye leaned against Fang Hun and happily pinched Yan Sikong’s face. “Good, from now on, Fang Hun will consider you one of us.”

Yan Sikong mimicked him, half-laying down on the grass. “Aren’t you worried about causing trouble by bringing it to the capital?”

“I didn’t intend to bring it back, but it insisted on following me. It’s worried about me,” Feng Ye played with Fang Hun’s large paw. “Plus, it has been with me since birth and is used to being around people. It knows what not to do and where not to go.”

“How many wolves have you raised in Datong?”

“The whole mountain’s wolves recognize it as their king. When it leaves, its son becomes the new wolf king,” Feng Ye proudly declared. “So, all those wolves listen to me.”

Yan Sikong was witnessing the remarkable trust and connection between humans and animals. He couldn’t help but marvel, “No wonder they call you ‘Little Wolf King.'”

Feng Ye shot him a sidelong glance, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with wildness. “They call me ‘Little Wolf King’ because I’m wolf-like.”

Yan Sikong was captivated by that wild look in Feng Ye’s eyes, feeling a shiver down his spine.

Suddenly, Feng Ye rolled over, and Yan Sikong sensed a hint of danger. His scalp tingled, and he tried to move away.

However, Feng Ye placed both hands on his sides, trapping him between Fang Hun and himself.

Yan Sikong was forced to look into Feng Ye’s wolf-like eyes. “What’s going on?”

“I suddenly thought of a question.”

“What is it?”

“Did you do it?” Feng Ye cocked his head, his gaze wandering across Yan Sikong’s face.

Yan Sikong’s brows furrowed. “Why are you asking that?”

“I asked, so answer. Come on, don’t lie to me,” Feng Ye sneered.

Yan Sikong hesitated for a moment before responding, “No.”

Feng Ye chuckled. “Really?”

“I’m not married,” Yan Sikong said with a hint of embarrassment. “What about you? Have you?”

“I haven’t either,” Feng Ye bit his lower lip, squinting with a sly grin. “Wouldn’t you like to try it?”

“I don’t want to.” While most young men might experience the stirrings of desire during their adolescent years, Yan Sikong was going through a significant upheaval. His mind was far from the realm of romance. He had no desire for those courtesans. He had been steeped in the teachings of etiquette and music for years, and although he felt the restlessness, he believed that someone with a strong will shouldn’t be controlled by base desires. This restraint was his way of self-discipline.

Feng Ye’s gaze shifted downward and he raised an eyebrow. “I don’t believe you. Maybe you’re just not well-endowed and not very useful?”

While Yan Sikong wasn’t focused on such matters, no man wants to be called “not very useful.” He lifted his chin in response, saying, “When the time comes, it will be useful.”

Feng Ye smirked, “But I want to try.”

Yan Sikong suddenly froze.

Feng Ye leaned closer to his ear, suggesting, “What if we try it together?”

Yan Sikong used his hand to push against Feng Ye’s chest in a silent refusal.

It wasn’t that he was repulsed by the idea of intimacy with a man, but rather, he didn’t want to enter into a complicated and uncontrollable relationship with Feng Ye.

Feng Ye laughed as he let go of Yan Sikong. Just when Yan Sikong had sighed in relief, Feng Ye suddenly leaned over and quickly pecked his cheek.

Yan Sikong’s face instantly turned red.

Feng Ye laughed heartily, patting Fang Hun as if he’d succeeded in a cunning plan.

Yan Sikong watched Feng Ye’s cheerful demeanor and found that he couldn’t be angry with him. Instead, he felt a hint of envy. Who wouldn’t want to live as carefree and unrestrained as Feng Ye?

He, too, reclined on Fang Hun and gazed at the clear blue sky above, where the dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves gently warmed his face. Even his loose hair, stirred by the light breeze, felt soothing against his skin.

He hadn’t felt so at ease in a long time. He could almost drift off into a good dream right there.

A warm and calloused hand grasped his. The rough texture brought an unusual sense of comfort. Yan Sikong moved slightly, but he didn’t withdraw his hand. He simply allowed it.

Feng Ye’s clear voice carried on the wind. “You didn’t sleep well last night. If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep. I’ll watch over you.”

Yan Sikong blinked and felt completely at ease. He didn’t resist closing his eyes and drifting into slumber.

Yan Sikong slept until dusk. When he woke up, he found Feng Ye gazing at him with a smile, making him feel somewhat awkward.

“You’re finally awake,” Feng Ye said cheerfully. “I would have woken you up even if you hadn’t. Sleeping more would have made you catch a cold.”

Yan Sikong sat up and yawned. “I slept for two hours?”

“Yes, it seems I scared you so much last night that you couldn’t sleep,” Feng Ye teased.

“I told you, I wasn’t scared,” Yan Sikong chuckled. “Don’t underestimate me.” He stood up and noticed that Fang Hun had also woken up, shaking off its fur.

“Let’s go, we’ll head back for dinner.”

The two of them mounted the horse again, and Fang Hun followed them for a while before veering off and disappearing into the woods.

“You plan to let it stay on the mountain?”

“Yes, I’m usually in the main camp, so I can visit it anytime. It’s better than keeping it confined in the mansion.”

“That makes sense.” Yan Sikong had been worried about Fang Hun being confined, and he knew it could cause trouble in the city.

The two returned to the estate, where dinner was already prepared. Here, they didn’t have to think about anything, just enjoy themselves. It was no wonder the aristocrats and nobles enjoyed coming to such places for leisure.

After the meal, they played with birds and fed the fish in the courtyard. Yan Sikong felt that after less than a day, he was starting to feel uneasy.

As bedtime approached, Yan Sikong reminded Feng Ye, “What time should we wake up tomorrow for the summit?”

Feng Ye smiled, “You can wake up whenever you want.”

“I’m not one to linger in bed. Early morning?”

Feng Ye nodded, and then a mischievous idea crossed his mind. “How about we go to my room? You and I can have a night of deep conversation.”

Yan Sikong smirked, “No need for that.”

Feng Ye didn’t mind and showed a confident smile. “You’ll come around, sooner or later.”