The Blood Crown - Chapter 64

Due to the advance of the Luoyang army, which first gathered provisions from the Central Plains region, Zhao Fuyi, leading the Jingshan garrison army, only prepared marching supplies, saving the consumption of supplying food over a thousand miles. Their speed was swift, arriving in the Two Lakes region earlier than anticipated.

With the Luoyang army just forty li away, Zhao Fuyi delegated the task of setting up camp to Fengye. He himself, along with his deputy and personal guards, went to meet the commander of the Luoyang army.

Despite Fengye’s youth, he commanded respect in the military not only due to his status but also because of his strict discipline, precise military governance, and clear rewards and punishments. He was well-versed in all military affairs, often displaying insights surpassing Zhao Fuyi, given his upbringing in a camp of two hundred thousand troops. Having personally faced the fiercest enemies, his breadth and depth of experience surpassed even Zhao Fuyi at times.

Initially concerned about Fengye’s potential inappropriate behavior in the army, Yan Sikong was relieved to find Fengye maintaining strict discipline, enforcing military regulations, and refraining from any misconduct, aside from occasionally sending extra food to Yan Sikong and teasing him verbally.

On the day Zhao Fuyi went to meet the Luoyang commander, Fengye inspected the soldiers’ camp, while Yan Sikong recorded various military matters. Only after ensuring all arrangements were in order did Fengye “invite” Yan Sikong to share dinner in his tent.

Xuebo placed a simple meal on the table and moved to help Fengye remove his armor, but Fengye gestured for him to leave. Xuebo chuckled and respectfully exited.

Fengye spread his hands, winking at Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong sighed and walked over, helping Fengye remove his armor.

Lowering his head, Fengye whispered teasingly in his ear, “On the day we marched, I said I wanted to personally take off your riding attire, but unfortunately, I never found the chance.”

Yan Sikong removed his shoulder armor, smiling, “Fortunately, you know when to be serious.”

“I know when to be serious, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to.” Fengye, using his newly liberated right arm, embraced Yan Sikong’s waist. “So I can only let you take off my armor to console yourself.”

“What kind of consolation is this?” Yan Sikong raised an eyebrow. “I think you just want to show off in front of me.”

“Do I not appear impressive in front of you?” Fengye’s strong arm pulled Yan Sikong into his embrace, lightly licking his ear. “This consolation indeed falls short. I wish I could strip off your clothes, press you in the tent, and then…”

Yan Sikong inserted his hand into the gap in Fengye’s chest armor, twisting his waist. “Shut up.”

“Then properly enjoy the moment. By then, this military tent will be like a boat on the water, carrying us to Wushan Yunyu together.”

“Fengye.” Yan Sikong removed his chest armor, fist against Fengye’s chest, playfully nudging. “I think you’re becoming more outrageous.”

Fengye’s hand slid from his waist to his hip, playfully pinching. “I haven’t finished speaking yet. Can’t I satisfy my desires a little?” Lips lingered on his, “When your passion is high, it sounds so pleasant. What if the soldiers outside see or hear it? Hmm… I really want to hear. How about you shout a few times in my ear?”

Yan Sikong stepped on Fengye’s instep.

Fengye winced, letting out a low cry.

Yan Sikong chuckled, “Listen, you can shout well enough yourself.”

Pouting, Fengye complained, “Sikong, I miss you.”

“I’m right in front of you.” Yan Sikong finally removed his kun (armor), hanging them to the side.

“In front of me, yet I can’t taste you.” Fengye said dejectedly.

Yan Sikong pulled him, kneeling in front of a low table. “Hurry up and eat.”

However, Fengye stared directly at Yan Sikong, his eyes both aggrieved and longing. “It seems you don’t want me at all.”

Suppressing a smile, Yan Sikong approached him, gently caressing his cheek, and whispered, “I miss you too. When I miss you… my body gets really warm.”

Fengye’s eyes lit up, instantly delighted but feigned anger, “Don’t tease me anymore. Eat your meal.”

“Hey, what do you want from me?” Yan Sikong teased, “It’s truly challenging to serve the future heir.”

Fengye forcefully covered his lips, passionately kissing him, “I’ve said it before, dare to call me ‘future heir’ in private, and I’ll kiss you.”

Yan Sikong’s chest heaved, staring at Fengye’s brows and eyes, softly calling, “Future heir.”

Fengye felt a rush of heat to his head, and he pressed Yan Sikong onto the bamboo couch, covering his lips once again. Their entwined tongues ignited a fiery kiss, arousing a passionate fire within both of them.

“If I keep calling… hmm… when will you stop kissing?” Yan Sikong embraced Fengye’s neck, feeling the intense warmth in their bodies.

“Until you forget everything, and all that’s left in your heart and eyes is me.” Fengye stroked Yan Sikong’s elegant temples, his tender gaze wandering between his charming brows and eyes. “Sikong, is your heart and eyes only filled with me?”

“Naturally, only you.” Yan Sikong’s fingertips traced the delicate contour of Fengye’s cheek. “No one can compare to you.”

Fengye wore a satisfied smile, kissed Yan Sikong’s nose, and whispered, “Tonight, at midnight, I’ll be waiting for you in the rear storage.”

“This…”

“This is an order.” Fengye bit Yan Sikong’s ear, playfully saying, “Your husband’s order.”

Waves surged in Yan Sikong’s eyes.

After Zhao Fuyi returned from the Luoyang army’s camp, he convened the generals to discuss military matters, while Yan Sikong recorded the proceedings.

Currently, the Luoyang army was stationed about thirty li from Kuizhou. They had a hundred warships gathered from the Huguang region. However, both the Luoyang and Jingshan armies were not adept at naval warfare. To capture Kuizhou, they needed to secure the strategic positions upstream.

Currently, Kuizhou had Bao Yunyong and the original Kuizhou garrison, totaling over sixty thousand troops, outnumbering the total rebellion forces. Not to mention, in the rear, the city of Jingzhou, where Prince Liang was eagerly watching. Once Kuizhou faced difficulties, Prince Liang would undoubtedly come to the rescue. With enemies on all sides and the imperial decree behind them, they had no choice but to fight.

Zhao Fuyi believed that the current strategy should focus on disrupting the alliance between Bao Yunyong and Prince Liang, isolating Kuizhou, and then defeating them separately.

The generals reconsidered various strategies, suggesting sowing discord, attempting to turn the loyalists, and promising substantial rewards to attract courageous individuals. Under the promise of rewards, there would surely be brave souls, and under the lure of benefits, there would be traitors. These strategies were all correct; the art of war emphasized defeating the enemy’s plans, alliances, and finally, the forces. Fighting was always the last resort after exhausting all other options. Not fighting was the highest form of warfare.

Zhao Fuyi, indeed a renowned contemporary general, had capable subordinates. Yan Sikong, though just a small accompanying military scribe, was as diligent as a royal secretary recording edicts. Because he occasionally recalled the numerous military discussions during the defense of Guangning, where his father faced death with unwavering determination while others harbored hidden intentions and self-preservation fears. The fate of the country and the people’s destiny, at the moment when the military orders were handed over, was fully entrusted to the generals. Encountering loyal and brave commanders was a stroke of luck; otherwise, it was a great sorrow.

Zhao Fuyi decided to send Liang Guang as an envoy to enter the city and pacify Bao Yunyong. Of course, the pacification was a pretense, as they had already experienced a lesson – the Emperor’s private treasury funds were squandered, and Yang Yue lost his head for it. No one dared to mention pacification again. Sending Liang Guang served two purposes: to sow discord between Prince Liang and Bao Yunyong and to bribe the original Kuizhou soldiers. The Kuizhou garrison commander had been assassinated, and there were many unwilling individuals who had no choice but to turn against their own. With substantial monetary incentives, Kuizhou could potentially be breached from within, just as Bao Yunyong had conquered it in the past.

After the council concluded, each soldier carried out their duties – those on night watch remained vigilant, and those resting took their rest. Yan Sikong didn’t forget his arrangement with Fengye and confidently walked towards the storage room. Sneaking around wasn’t possible within the camp; there were guards every fifty steps, watchtowers every hundred steps, and constant patrols day and night, eliminating the possibility of enemy ambushes under the cover of darkness.

The night watchman encountered Yan Sikong and was provided with an impeccable reason – the future heir summoned him to the storage room.

The rear storage was where supplies were stored. Yan Sikong could already see Fengye waiting outside the tent as he approached.

Yan Sikong’s heart couldn’t help but quicken. He approached, bowed, and said, “Future heir.”

Fengye, with a smirk, said, “I had some doubts about the inventory list submitted by the storage clerk a few days ago. Come with me to recheck.”

“Sure.”

Once inside the tent, Fengye pulled Yan Sikong close and passionately kissed his lips. “Sikong, I miss you.”

“Fengye…” Yan Sikong’s slender fingers caressed Fengye’s nape as their tongues intertwined eagerly.

While kissing and moving towards the supply area, Fengye eventually pressed Yan Sikong against the wall made of piled bedding. He began undressing him.

“Be gentle, please…”

“Hush…” Fengye chuckled. “It’s as exciting as stealing. Better than secret affairs, considering we’re in a military camp.” Yan Sikong’s breath became increasingly rapid.

“This is my first time being so indulgent. If my father finds out…” Fengye flipped Yan Sikong over, facing away from him. “He’ll probably reward me with a military punishment.” Fengye’s tone was surprisingly filled with delight.

“I think you deserve it.” Yan Sikong felt Fengye undoing his waistband, slipping into his clothes, pulling down his undergarments, and exposing his bare lower body.

“For you, facing punishment is worth it.” Fengye bit down on the exposed half of Yan Sikong’s fair shoulder.

“Ah…” Yan Sikong felt Fengye’s hand exploring.

Both of them, at the peak of youthful vigor, met daily but couldn’t physically touch each other. The pent-up frustration was palpable. Instead of tender affection, Fengye skipped foreplay, lifted Yan Sikong’s garment, pressed his waist, and entered from behind.

Yan Sikong gasped for breath, feeling a tingling sensation climbing his spine, rushing to his brain, and finally spreading to every limb and bone, making him go limp.

Fengye moved urgently, pouring all his longing and desire into the primal act of release.

With their upper bodies still clothed, only their lower halves were exposed. They dared not make too much noise, so they restrained their movements and suppressed any sounds. The stifled moans and impacts seemed even more tantalizing.

The tension of being discovered lingered, enhancing the excitement. The contradiction between restraint and indulgence made the intense pleasure surge within them. The restrained and uninhibited actions intensified as the restrained and uninhibited sounds were muffled, creating a fantasy-inducing atmosphere.

Afraid of being discovered, the nervous atmosphere surrounded them, making everything more thrilling. The profound contradiction between restraint and indulgence allowed the pleasure to intensify, and they felt each other more clearly, realizing the wondrous and crazy connection of their minds and bodies.

I apologize for keeping you all waiting! I’m back!!

I’ll do my best to update regularly!!! (End of this chapter)