The Blood Crown - Chapter 87

Upon hearing the words “Guangning,” Ge Zhong felt as if struck by lightning. The myriad expressions on his face, shifting like the seasons, first showed shock, then anger, followed by fear, and finally, a sense of guilt, all observed keenly by Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong slowly clenched his fists to control his trembling body. He took a step closer to the prison cell, making sure not to miss any trace of fear in Ge Zhong’s eyes. He spoke softly, “It seems Lord Ge still remembers.”

Ge Zhong trembled all over, staring fixedly at Yan Sikong’s face. Distant memories emerged from the dusty haze, and the once blurry images gradually became clear. Yan Sikong’s handsome yet icy face slowly overlapped with that of a twisted and hateful young man, whose loud accusations resounded like thunder in Ge Zhong’s ears.

“It’s you…” Ge Zhong stepped back, his voice barely audible, lacking confidence, “It’s you…”

“Yes, it’s me.” Yan Sikong revealed a sinister smile. “I am Yuan Sikong, the son of Yuan Mao, the Guangning guard commander, who you unjustly killed!”

Ge Zhong retreated to the bed, with nowhere else to go, and sat down heavily. His eyes darted around in a mix of shock and madness. He stammered, “You… you’re not supposed to…”

“I’m not supposed to be dead, right?” Yan Sikong said coldly. “My brother sacrificed himself to save me, taking my place in exile. Ge Zhong, you falsely accused my father, you killed my brother…” Yan Sikong grabbed the iron bars, veins bulging on his forehead, glaring at the man in the cage with bloodthirsty eyes. He roared, “You destroyed my family!”

Ge Zhong curled up as if facing a wild beast outside the iron bars. He murmured weakly, “Yuan Mao… Yuan Mao conspired against Lord Li, the evidence was conclusive…”

“Yes,” Yan Sikong sneered, “Just like the evidence against you is conclusive!”

Ge Zhong raised his voice, “I didn’t… I didn’t kill your father, it wasn’t me, it was… it was Xie Zhongren, it was Han Zhaoxing!”

“But you chose to be their lapdog,” Yan Sikong said softly. “For your promotion and wealth, for your fame and fortune, you killed a loyal hero with a forged letter, sentenced him after only three days of trial…” Yan Sikong’s voice trembled, “You made him bear the stigma, cut off his head in front of the forty thousand people he protected, in front of his son.”

After saying these words, Yan Sikong’s voice choked up. It felt as if something was being forcibly pulled out of his body. He felt weak in the legs, his eyes almost bulging with blood. Despite seeing Ge Zhong’s cowering and pitiful appearance, he could not relieve the hatred in his heart or heal his fatal wounds.

Ge Zhong no longer exuded the aura of a high-ranking official. He looked defeated and terrified, like a stray dog. He muttered incoherently, “You… you’ve been planning for ten years, entering the court just for revenge… You tell me all this, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Zhao Fuyi, tell the Emperor?”

Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes. “You know I’ve been planning for ten years, taking careful steps. If I dare to tell you, I’m not afraid of you knowing.” His eyes were as venomous as snakes. “The Emperor is kind, he probably won’t punish your family, but if you utter another word, I can leave the letter in your study, or burn down your entire family, reunite you underground, how about that?”

“You…” Ge Zhong pointed at Yan Sikong, trembling all over like chaff, his pupils contracted. Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsed on the bed, weak as if on the verge of death.

The smile on Yan Sikong’s face deepened as he leaned closer to the iron bars. His exquisite face, illuminated by the flickering flames, appeared alternately bright and dark, like a ghostly apparition, captivating the heart.

“Ge Zhong, you are shameless and despicable, harming the loyal and righteous. Your death is not regrettable. Why not leave a way out for your family?” 

Ge Zhong slowly turned his head. Under the disheveled hair, his eyes were lifeless.

“Xie Zhongren has already abandoned you. He fears being implicated by you. You colluded with him, did all the dirty work for him, but at a critical moment, he kicked you away like a dog,” Yan Sikong tempted him gently. “Your fate today is all thanks to him.”

Ge Zhong said hoarsely, “What… do you want…”

Yan Sikong bent down, picked up the confession book, and fully unfolded the last part of the scroll. “I have prepared two charges for you. One is your confession, detailing how you conspired with Xie Zhongren and Han Zhaoxing to falsely accuse Yuan Mao, the Guangning guard commander. I want you to sign it in blood. The other is the current charge. If you sign, the General and the Chief will go easy on your son, and I will spare your family.”

Ge Zhong chuckled bitterly twice, “Do you think, with this, you can bring down Xie Zhongren?”

“I’m not in a hurry. If that eunuch has grandchildren, I’m younger than them,” Yan Sikong said coldly. “Sooner or later, I will take everything from him, push him into desperation, make him die a miserable death. Then, this confession will be the evidence to clear my father’s name.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“I swear on my father’s name. You sign it, and I’ll spare your family.”

Ge Zhong laughed incessantly, nodding, “Fine, I’ll sign, I’ll sign.”

Yan Sikong tossed the confession into the iron bars.

Ge Zhong tremblingly picked up the confession, looking at each word accusing him of the crime he committed eleven years ago. He stiffened for a long time before biting his fingertip and signing.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath, eyes tinged with bitterness, tears almost falling.

Father, can you see this from heaven, can you see it?

Ge Zhong threw the confession back, saying in a low voice, “I want General Zhao Fuyi to promise to go easy on my son before I sign.”

“Fine, I’ll report to General Zhao,” Yan Sikong picked up the confession, carefully rolled it up, and put it in his sleeve. Then, he once again scrutinized his defeated opponent.

Eleven years, everything before him felt like a dream. All the pain and humiliation he endured were to drag these beasts into hell.

Ge Zhong also looked at him from the prison cell, his eyes pitch black, revealing no thoughts, as if his soul had been drained.

Yan Sikong said softly, “Ge Zhong, have you ever regretted?”

Ge Zhong remained motionless, showing no response.

“Do you regret not… killing me back then?” Yan Sikong suddenly grinned, “Is that it?”

Ge Zhong gritted his teeth and said viciously, “Yes, I regret not killing you on the spot, to root out the weed!”

Yan Sikong burst into laughter, stepping back as if reluctant to let go of the sight of Ge Zhong’s miserable appearance. He retreated until he reached the stone steps before turning on his heel and leaving.

“Yan Sikong—” Ge Zhong suddenly rushed to the iron bars as if revived, gripping them tightly, leaning forward. “What’s the difference between you and me now? You’re more vicious, more cunning, more shameless than me! When you taste the power, you’ll become like me, like Han Zhaoxing, like Xie Zhongren!” He screamed frantically, “You’ll meet your end in hell, I’m waiting for your downfall!”

Yan Sikong slowly turned around. His tall and graceful figure, exuding indescribable charm, yet his eyes were as sinister as a demon’s. He smiled and said, “You’re right, but I will win.”

He turned and walked away.

Quickly leaving the prison cell, he tightly grasped the scroll in his sleeve, as if it were more important than his life. It wasn’t until he turned into a dark alley that he gasped for breath, knees weak, sliding down the wall to sit on the ground.

The evening breeze passed through the alley, his face felt cold. He wiped it with his hand, tears streaming down his face.

Father… wait a little longer, just a little longer. I will surely clear your name and restore your innocence.

Faint footsteps approached, Yan Sikong sternly said, “Who’s there?”

A simple-looking man emerged from the shadows.

Yan Sikong took a deep breath and said, “She Zhun, why are you still in Jingzhou?”

She Zhun reached out and tore off his disguise mask, squatting in front of him, looking at the tears on his face. He restrained his usual familiarity and mockery, and said in a deep voice, “I’m worried about you.”

Yan Sikong wiped away his tears and shook the scroll in his hand, saying, “I’ve obtained Ge Zhong’s confession. With this, one day I’ll be able to clear my father’s name.”

“Very good.”

Yan Sikong looked at She Zhun and the bruises on his face, saying, “She Zhun, thank you. Without you, this wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.”

“No need, I’m seeking revenge too. I believe only you can overthrow the eunuchs.”

Yan Sikong nodded. “It’s my lifelong ambition.”

She Zhun asked, “Did the young prince cause you trouble?”

“I’ve become suspicious of him. I managed to fool him this time, but in the future…” Yan Sikong trailed off. “We’ll talk about it later. How about you? Are you injured?”

She Zhun shook his head. “I’m fine. This person is exceptionally talented. Despite his young age, his martial arts skills are formidable. I almost couldn’t escape from him.”

“He is indeed exceptionally talented. Haven’t you heard the rumors?”

“I thought they were exaggerated.”

“We’ll depart for the capital tomorrow. What are your plans?”

“I still have unfinished business. After taking care of it, I’ll return to the capital. But from now on, I’ll have to disguise myself when in the capital.”

“Alright, better safe than sorry.” Yan Sikong tried to stand up using the wall for support, but his legs felt weak.

She Zhun supported him, helping him up from the ground.

Yan Sikong took a breath. “She Zhun, before you return to the capital, please visit my mother and siblings for me, and try to leave them some money.”

“Okay, leave it to me.”

“Be careful, and after you return to the capital, let’s not meet for the time being. Contact Ali if there’s anything.”

She Zhun nodded, still staring at Yan Sikong without blinking. Suddenly, he reached out and touched Yan Sikong’s face.

Yan Sikong was surprised. “What’s wrong?”

She Zhun snapped out of his daze, withdrew his hand, and said softly, “Your face is covered in tears. Wipe them off before going back.”

Yan Sikong wiped his face again. “Alright.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen you cry…” She Zhun said, “I mean, real tears.”

Yan Sikong smiled bitterly but didn’t reply.

She Zhun stepped back. “I’m leaving, take care, Nanyu.”

Yan Sikong clasped his fists. “Take care.”

Watching She Zhun’s graceful figure disappear into the night, Yan Sikong wiped his face clean, tidied himself up, and walked towards the inn.

Tomorrow, the army would return to the capital triumphant. Not only would they return victorious, but they would also have Ge Zhong at death’s door and the confession he personally signed.

Yan Sikong had a premonition that more challenges awaited him in the future, but he was fearless and determined to forge ahead.

The third volume is finished~~ Finally reached this point, so happy!!! (End of this chapter)