The Blood Crown - Chapter 5

The young boy’s reaction caught Yuan Sikong by surprise. After Yuan Sikong pulled him back, the boy lowered his head, swiftly spun around, and delivered a quick kick to Yuan Sikong’s knee.

Yuan Sikong winced in pain and instinctively stepped back, releasing his grip on the boy.

The boy touched his wet and sticky neck, his hand coming away covered in foul-smelling horse blood. His round face turned bright red as he said, “You… you’re asking for trouble!”

Yuan Sikong’s heart trembled slightly. He had been puzzled about why he hadn’t seen the boy’s actions clearly, and now he was intimidated by the anger on the boy’s face. The anger of a filial child typically manifested as testing boundaries or throwing tantrums, but this boy’s anger was genuine, like that of a young wild animal baring its teeth.

Despite the boy’s young age, Yuan Sikong didn’t take him lightly. He used a threatening tone, saying, “You’re not allowed to tell anyone.”

The boy’s small chest heaved as he replied, “You’ve violated Great Sheng’s laws, and you dare to threaten me?!”

“I did it for…” Yuan Sikong began to explain, but he realized that explaining wouldn’t make a difference. He clenched his fist and spoke sternly, “Anyway, you’re not allowed to tell anyone, or I’ll kill you!”

Being just 13 years old, the weight of the words “breaking the law” shook Yuan Sikong to his core. Being caught in an act like this was terrifying for him. If the person confronting him had been an adult, he might not have been as fearful because he knew that adults could be swayed, and manipulating them through various means was often effective. However, the individual before him was an exceptionally willful child who had yet to grasp the concept of reason and wasn’t motivated by material gain. Dealing with such a child required instilling fear as the most effective approach.

Yuan Sikong’s thinking could be considered correct, but he had encountered the wrong person.

The young boy, provoked and furious, yelled and lunged at Yuan Sikong, throwing a punch at his chest.

Yuan Sikong used his left hand to block the punch and tried to grab the boy’s clothes with his right hand, but he missed.

They exchanged several moves, and Yuan Sikong began to feel a bit overwhelmed. Although he had trained in martial arts for four years, his focus was not on combat, and his skills were inferior even to Yuan Wei Ling. The young boy, despite his tender age, displayed remarkable agility and a solid foundation in martial arts that was not inferior to Yuan Nan Yu.

Despite his efforts, their height difference played a role, and Yuan Sikong managed to seize an opportunity to push the boy to the ground. He delivered a couple of slaps to the boy’s ears and sternly said, “You’re not allowed to tell anyone.”

The young boy, without any fear, shouted back, “Disgracing the horse’s corpse deserves military punishment! Go to hell!” He kicked and struggled vigorously, refusing to cooperate with Yuan Sikong.

Both of them were filled with anger and forgot about any martial arts techniques. They rolled and wrestled in the muddy ground near the horse stables.

It had rained the night before, and the ground was wet and muddy, with horse dung scattered everywhere. Soon, both of them were covered in filth, and their clothes were unrecognizable due to the mud.

When Zhao Dayou and several guards finally arrived, they were shocked by the scene and almost couldn’t believe their eyes.

The two boys were fighting furiously, their faces red with anger, but they were separated by strong arms. Despite being held back, they continued to kick and struggle in each other’s direction.

“Second Highness, are you alright?” The guards were terrified, their faces turning pale.

Zhao Dayou fell to his knees in the horse dung, repeatedly kowtowing while sobbing, “Your Highness, this humble servant deserves to die, deserves to die.”

Yuan Sikong watched as Zhao Dayou trembled in fear and realized the true identity of the young boy. He was Prince Jianping’s youngest son, Feng Ye.

In truth, Yuan Sikong had a vague sense of familiarity when he first saw the boy, but due to the distance and his own emotional turmoil, he hadn’t made the connection. Now he cursed himself for not recognizing Feng Ye earlier.

Feng Ye pointed at Yuan Sikong, his voice distorted with anger, “Seize him! I… I want to chop him into pieces!”

Zhao Dayou looked at Yuan Sikong, his eyes filled with regret and remorse, his expression tearful yet helpless.

Yuan Sikong was now completely composed. He silently mouthed to Zhao Dayou, “Burn it.”

“One of the princes is injured!” one of the guards exclaimed, noticing the blood on Feng Ye’s neck. He felt that his own life was hanging by a thread and hoped his family wouldn’t be implicated.

Feng Ye seemed to recall, “The horses!” He pointed at the horse stables. “He desecrated the horse corpse!”

Yuan Sikong closed his eyes.

—

Yuan Sikong had always hoped to get a close look at the revered King of Jingyuan, but he hadn’t expected his wish to come true in this manner. Covered in filth, disheveled, with bruised eyes, and a bleeding mouth, he was a wretched sight.

Of course, Feng Ye looked even more disheveled than Yuan Sikong. He had taken several punches from Yuan Sikong and his face was swollen.

Feng Jianping, in his prime years, had a full head of hair, a nose that resembled a hanging sword, sharp eyebrows that slanted into his temples, and a pair of eagle-like, sharp eyes. He was a handsome and dignified figure, carrying an aura of authority without showing anger.

Feng Jianping glanced at Yuan Sikong, who was kneeling with his head down, and then at his own son, who resembled a mudball. He burst into hearty laughter.

Feng Ye, feeling indignant, said, “Father, are you mocking me?”

Feng Jianping, still chuckling, replied, “You lost in a fight. Can’t I tease you?”

Feng Ye protested, “He’s taller and stronger than me!”

“Yeah, you know he’s taller and stronger. I’ve taught you, what should you do when facing a stronger opponent?”

Feng Ye pressed his lips together, silent.

“Run,” Feng Jianping smiled, half-jokingly. “You knew you couldn’t win, yet you chose to fight. That’s reckless courage. Someday when you lead troops into battle, facing a stronger enemy with fewer soldiers, will you still recklessly risk your life and the lives of your soldiers? This is a great taboo for a commander.”

Tears welled up in Feng Ye’s eyes, partly out of anger and partly out of frustration.

Feng Jianping gestured, “Come here, my wolf cub.”

Feng Ye reluctantly walked over to his father.

Feng Jianping wiped off the mud from Feng Ye’s face and said with a smile, “No crying allowed. If you cry, I’ll mock you, and I’ll have your older brother join in on the teasing.”

Feng Ye widened his eyes and forced back the tears that were welling up. His pitiful appearance was truly heart-wrenching.

Feng Jianping then turned his attention to Yuan Sikong and said, “Kid, lift your head up.”

Yuan Sikong raised his face, looking at Feng Jianping with fear, his heart as cold as ashes.

First, he offended the horse’s remains, and now he had offended the prince’s son. He had no idea what his fate would be. Even if it meant death, he only hoped it wouldn’t bring disaster to the Yuan family.

“You’re the son of Yuan Mao, the commander of the Guangning Guard.”

“Your Highness, I am just an adopted son.”

“I heard you were dissecting a horse’s carcass. Why?” Feng Jianping teased, “Is Yuan Mao not feeding you properly?”

Yuan Sikong’s slightly protruding Adam’s apple moved up and down as he calmly replied, “As a commoner, I’ve been raising horses for four years. I thought that if I could understand a horse’s internal organs, bones, veins, and arteries, I might be able to cure some difficult ailments. I never had any intention to disrespect the horse’s remains, let alone for consumption.”

Feng Jianping raised an eyebrow and extended his hand.

One of his subordinates handed him a bloodstained book, and he opened it to take a look. To his surprise, he raised an eyebrow again and said, “You wrote all of this?”

“Yes.”

“You…”

Before Feng Jianping could say anything, hurried footsteps approached, and Yuan Sikong didn’t need to turn around to recognize that it was Yuan Mao.

With a thump, Yuan Mao knelt heavily on the ground and loudly said, “This humble officer has failed to teach his son properly and is willing to accept military law punishment. Please, Your Highness, impose the penalty!”

Yuan Sikong’s eyes welled up, filled with regret. For four years, he had been cautious and diligent, but these past few days, he had made consecutive mistakes, and he couldn’t face Yuan Mao.

Feng Jianping pointed to Yuan Sikong and said, “Yuan Mao, your son first disrespected the horse’s remains, then threatened and assaulted my son. What punishment should I impose on him?”

“It’s up to Your Highness to decide. I only ask Your Highness to consider his youth and allow me to bear his punishment.”

Yuan Sikong didn’t hesitate, saying, “This matter was done by me alone, and no one else is to blame. I am willing to accept any punishment.”

“Shut your mouth,” Yuan Mao angrily whispered.

Feng Jianping tossed the book in front of Yuan Mao and said, “Take a look at this.”

Yuan Mao flipped through a few pages. They were all records of Yuan Sikong’s dissection of the horse’s remains, including the weight of various organs, the direction of tendons and bones, joint positions, and more, all meticulously documented with illustrations. Yuan Mao wasn’t surprised that his son was capable of such a thing. This child had exceptional talents, remarkable intelligence, and deep contemplation, often making it difficult for people to predict his actions.

“This child is intelligent and responsible; he will surely become a great talent,” Feng Jianping praised.

Yuan Mao, feeling anxious, replied, “Your Highness, you overpraise him.”

Feng Jianping leaned in slightly and said, “Yuan Mao, raise your face and talk to me.”

Yuan Mao lifted his head and met Feng Jianping’s determined gaze, feeling apprehensive.

Feng Jianping chuckled softly, “I’ll ask you again, what crime should I charge him with? This is Guangning’s territory, and you are the host while I am the guest. I will follow your lead.”

Yuan Mao prostrated himself, saying, “This humble officer dares not. I will follow Your Highness’s judgment.”

Feng Jianping sighed lightly, “My boy.”

“Father, I’m here,” replied Feng Ye.

“You discovered the desecration of the horse’s remains and were the one beaten. What do you think should be done?”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes, glaring fiercely at Yuan Sikong. He was about to speak, but Feng Jianping raised his hand to stop him.

“Let military law be military law, and personal grievances be personal grievances. We must not confuse them,” Feng Jianping emphasized.

Feng Ye took a deep breath and, with his tender voice, haughtily declared, “Yuan Sikong has desecrated the horse’s remains and should be punished according to military law. Considering his youth and ignorance, his father, Yuan Mao, will bear the punishment, serving twenty days in the military and forfeiting three months’ pay.”

Yuan Sikong was about to speak, but Yuan Mao pressed his head, forcing him to bow and say, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Feng Jianping looked at Yuan Sikong and said with amusement, “What’s this? You don’t seem to agree with the decision?”

“I dare not, and I thank Your Highness for your generosity,” Yuan Sikong replied with a heavy heart.

Yuan Mao added, “Your Highness, my son’s misconduct towards His Highness was a grave mistake. I hope I can share in his punishment.”

Feng Jianping laughed heartily, “Family squabbles and fights happen all the time; it’s nothing too serious.”

Relieved, Yuan Mao expressed his gratitude and bowed deeply, saying, “Your Highness is merciful, and I am eternally grateful.”

“Very well, you can go collect your rewards now.”

“Yes.”

“Oh, wait a moment,” Feng Jianping pointed at Yuan Sikong, “I grant you permission to dissect the horse’s remains for your studies, of course, you must also ensure they are properly buried afterward.”

Yuan Sikong looked up in excitement, his eyes filled with disbelief as he gazed at Feng Jianping.

Feng Jianping chuckled, “If you can truly study and develop a remedy for treating horses, your achievements will last for generations. Just don’t let your father’s twenty days of military service be in vain.”

“Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!” Yuan Sikong felt as if Feng Jianping was radiating divine light, appearing majestic like a deity. He had never seen Feng Jianping in battle or training the troops, but based on this one act alone, he could tell that Feng Jianping was a brilliant general who excelled in strategy, was just to himself, administered rewards and punishments fairly, and had both kindness and authority – the embodiment of the principles of military strategy.

It was no wonder this man had achieved such extraordinary feats.

Feng Jianping playfully tapped his son, Feng Ye, on the chest with a large fist, “My wolf cub, this person beat you and insulted you. Remember to train diligently so you can return the favor someday, alright?” He winked at Feng Ye.

“Yes!” Feng Ye clenched his small fists tightly and declared, “Yuan Sikong, just you wait. Sooner or later, I’ll beat you until you’re searching for your teeth all over the ground!”