When the jailers came to carry Yan Sikong, Yan Sikong refused to move and demanded that Shen Hexuan come in person to invite him, otherwise he would rather die than leave.

Seeing his weak appearance covered in blood, the jailer was afraid that he would die and he would have no way to explain, so he had to ask Shen Hexuan for instructions.

After a while, Shen Hexuan came and asked directly, "Does General Que have any request?"

"Yes." Yan Sikong lowered his voice and said weakly, "Now you want to take me... to lure the Wolf King, you have to leave me a breath. If you don't agree, I will cut it off myself." The wounds on his body caused waves of pain with every breath he took.

Shen Hexuan narrowed his eyes: "Speak."

"I want to take Yuan Shaoxu with me."

Shen Hexuan raised his eyebrows: "Why?"

"If he violates military law, he should be dealt with according to military law to restore military authority."

"Whether he is dead or alive is actually irrelevant to the overall situation, but His Royal Highness the King of Chu has already sent him to Yan Sikong for disposal. Unless Yan Sikong agrees, even if I want to take him with me, I will be powerless."

"It's easy to make Yan Sikong give in." Yan Sikong took a deep breath and whispered, "Just tell him that I will spare Yuan Shaoxu's life and let him guard Yuan Mao's spirit for the rest of his life."

Shen Hexuan frowned and thought without saying anything.

"Yan Sikong will not kill Yuan Shaoxu, otherwise he would be ashamed of his adoptive father. Let Yuan Shaoxu... go to Yuan Mao's spirit and use the rest of his life to atone for his sins. This is the best way to achieve the best of both worlds."

"Do you really want to send Yuan Shaoxu to guard the body? Can Feng Ye agree?"

"This is just an excuse to convince Yan Sikong." Yan Sikong said in a cold tone, "The Wolf King might skin him alive, otherwise how can he thank the three armies." Yuan Nanyu would definitely agree to let him take Yuan Shaoxu away, and his request was reasonable in Shen Hexuan's opinion. After all, he "forgot" that he would have to bring back someone to take the blame for the "ambush and defeat", and Yuan Shaoxu was not wronged at all.

Shen Hexuan nodded: "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Yan Sikong made up his mind that if he couldn't take Yuan Shaoxu with him, he couldn't leave. Otherwise, if he left Yuan Shaoxu here, Yuan Nanyu would be in danger of being exposed at any time.

Sure enough, Yuan Nanyu agreed, and Yuan Shaoxu would be sent to Fengxiang with him.

When Yan Sikong was carried out of the cell, he saw the sun after a long absence. The sunlight was so bright that his eyes were almost blinded. He was thrown into a prison van and paraded through the streets like an animal, allowing Chen Yi and Feng Ye to engage in a barter "transaction".

Yuan Shaoxu's prison van was right behind him. He heard Yuan Shaoxu calling him, but he pretended to be asleep and lay there motionless. In fact, it was not all "pretending". He really had no strength. The beating almost took half his life. But now nothing mattered to him. He just hoped that Yuan Nanyu would be smart enough to find a chance to escape quickly. Only when Yuan Nanyu escaped could he be free of worries.

He was too tired, so tired that he didn't want to think about how he should face Feng Ye, and how Feng Ye would treat him...

——

Shen Hexuan personally escorted the prisoners of war, and the team walked slowly for three days before arriving in Fengxiang.

The spies reported that Feng Ye only brought 30,000 soldiers this time and stationed them in Fengxiang City. Feng Ye had to withdraw his troops from Fengxiang as agreed, and Shen Hexuan would return the prisoners of war to him.

Chen Yi's ambush troops had been marching day and night, bypassing Fengye's rear route, preparing to encircle Fengye when he withdrew. Another large army was passing by in a circumnavigation zone and heading straight for Taiyuan.

Feng Ye only brought 30,000 soldiers and horses. Shen Hexuan naturally did not think that Feng Ye was unprepared. Feng Ye's reinforcements must be waiting somewhere. He did not seek to capture the bandit or the king, but to trap Feng Ye and give Chen Yu enough time to join forces with the court and King Han to attack Taiyuan.

As long as Taiyuan was lost, Feng Ye would have no choice but to retreat to Datong in disgrace, and would not be able to cause any trouble for several years.

In order to delay time, Shen Hexuan arrived outside Fengxiang City. He was not in a hurry to return the prisoners of war, but set up camp first and sent an envoy to ask for a meeting with Feng Ye to discuss in detail the exchange of people for the city.

Military strategists often choose sunny high ground when setting up camp. Firstly, the field of vision is broad, making it easy to detect military intelligence; secondly, there is plenty of sunlight, which is beneficial to the health of people and animals. Not far from Fengxiang City is such a hill. The terrain is strategic, easy to defend but difficult to attack. Although Shen Hexuan is leading troops alone for the first time, he is familiar with the tactics of war. He has deployed troops at water sources and important roads, and there are also sentries on the top of the mountain. From selecting the site to defending the camp, it can be said that the plan is flawless, and there is no thought of a surprise attack in the wilderness.

The messenger sent to Fengxiang returned the next day, and brought back a man, saying that he was Quewang's personal bodyguard, who wanted to come to the camp to verify Quewang's identity to prevent Shen Hexuan from using a mask to replace him.

When the guard saw Yan Sikong, who was still injured, weak and frail, he immediately knelt on the ground and burst into tears, crying "General".

Yan Sikong had a photographic memory, so he immediately called out the man's name and comforted him with a few kind words. He wanted to ask more about Feng Ye's situation, but was taken away by the guards.

Thinking that Shen Hexuan would give him to Feng Ye soon, Yan Sikong felt unwilling in every way, especially because Shen Hexuan had disrupted all his plans, he felt regretful and resentful.

If he was sent back to Fengye like this, then he would have gone around in circles and returned to the same place with injuries. Yuan Nanyu was trapped in Pingliang and couldn't escape, and Fengye would also be held back by Shen Hexuan. Taiyuan was in danger. How could Yan Sikong watch Shen Hexuan being complacent while he was defeated?

How could he swallow this?

But what can he do now that he is locked in a prison van?

Even if he returned to Feng Ye, he would not be able to use Feng Ye's troops to deal with Shen Hexuan, because Feng Ye must hate him very much now. In addition, the person sent back was not Que Wang, whom Feng Ye wanted most, so he might want to kill him.

He prided himself on being extremely intelligent and well-planned, but he ended up in this situation. It was a great irony.

He can't rest in peace even if he dies.

No, he couldn't go to see Feng Ye like this. He couldn't imagine how Feng Ye would humiliate and torture him. He also couldn't let Shen Hexuan get his way.

After thinking for a long time, he came up with a bold plan. If this plan failed, this day next year would be his death anniversary.

But he no longer cared about life or death.

At dusk, Yan Sikong asked the guards to inform him that he wanted to meet Shen Hexuan alone.

After an incense stick of time, the guard came back and said that Lord Shen was exploring the terrain on the top of the mountain and wanted to take him up.

This was the first time Yan Sikong left the prison car in these days. Although his injuries had not healed, he had taken medicine and was slightly better than before. However, he still pretended to be dying and was carried up the mountain by the guards.

Shen Hexuan and several generals were standing on the edge of the cliff, holding maps in their hands, discussing something. Yan Sikong guessed that they were probably discussing how to besiege Feng's army. They were not familiar with the terrain of Fengxiang, so they needed to conduct on-site exploration and it was essential to overlook the situation from a high place first.

After Yan Sikong was brought here, Shen Hexuan said, "You came at the right time. You were the one who defeated Fengxiang. No one knows this place better than you."

"Familiar... so what? I won't leak military secrets." Yan Sikong said weakly.

Shen Hexuan sneered: "You want to see me, and only see me, then you must have something to ask of me. Let me hear what you want to do and what you are prepared to give in exchange."

Yan Sikong looked at the generals and the guards around them: "Tell them to leave."

Seeing his tattered appearance and the blood all over his body, it was obvious that he would not live long, so the crowd did not take any warning. Shen Hexuan raised his chin and signaled them to retreat far away.

Yan Sikong struggled to stand up and leaned against a low stone pillar, while Shen Hexuan lifted up his long gown and sat on the stool facing him.

Shen Hexuan's eyes were bright and his expression was firm: "Tomorrow morning, I will send you to the outskirts of Fengxiang City. If Feng Ye withdraws his troops, I will hand over the people, but he can't leave easily. Your Highness sent me here to restrain Feng Ye."

"Are you so confident? He is the Wolf King."

"He is just a loser. If it weren't for Yan Sikong, he would be nothing more than a reckless man to me."

Yan Sikong smiled coldly.

"Tell me, what do you want from me?"

"Lord Shen, do you want to see my face?"

These words were like a cold arrow, without a beginning or an end, and came too suddenly, leaving Shen Hexuan stunned.

"…What?"

"Isn't Lord Shen curious?"

Shen Hexuan narrowed his eyes: "What are you trying to do? You said at the beginning that if I took off your mask, you would commit suicide out of shame."

"Not bad, but I only want Lord Shen to see it."

"Why?" Shen Hexuan asked vigilantly.

"Just tell me if you want to go. If not, I'll just consider it a wasted trip and have someone carry me back."

Shen Hexuan couldn't figure out what the person in front of him was thinking. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Yes."

"Then Lord Shen needs to promise me that even if he sees it, he won't make it public." Yan Sikong looked at the guards standing in the distance.

Shen Hexuan followed his gaze and said, "Okay, I'm the only one watching now. They are far away, and it's getting dark, so we can't see clearly."

Yan Sikong curled his lips and smiled: "Lord Shen is a man of integrity and integrity. He will not break his promise, right?"

"I swear on my honor that I won't."

"Okay, then Lord Shen, please take a close look." Yan Sikong slowly moved his hand towards the mask. He stared into Shen Hexuan's eyes, slowly took off the mask, and watched Shen Hexuan's eyes change from suspicion to shock in an instant.

"You——" Shen Hexuan pointed at Yan Sikong, almost speechless in shock. Although Yan Sikong was disheveled, haggard and pale, without any trace of his former charm, how could he mistake that face?

Yan Sikong no longer lowered his voice, but restored his voice and chuckled, "Master Shen, it feels like a long time since we last met."

"Yan Sikong..." Shen Hexuan's face turned pale and he began to stutter, "Impossible, how could you... I just saw you before I set off, how could you..."

"Haha, even Lord Shen, who has won three top honors in a row and is extremely intelligent, can be stumped sometimes." Yan Sikong felt extremely happy when he saw Shen Hexuan's panic, but this happiness was also accompanied by the threat of death, which made him terrified.

Shen Hexuan took a deep breath, his eyes fierce and sharp, he said in a stern voice: "Yan Sikong, what did you do? You pretended to be oblivious?! Then who was the person I met before I set out..." He suddenly widened his eyes, his expression was almost terrifying, as if he understood everything in an instant, "The spies said that the Yuan family has three brothers, but the youngest son has been missing for many years..."

"The three brothers of the Yuan family have been separated for many years, and they are reunited because of Feng Ye." Yan Sikong smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, "No matter how well you plan, you can't predict what you don't know."

Shen Hexuan's chest rose and fell vigorously: "Yan Sikong, you are so insidious and cunning... I originally thought that there was something wrong with you coming to the King of Chu. You really did it on purpose. You did it for..." His eyes were wide open, "You and Feng Ye, were you trapped in a plot to sow discord or a torture? The capture of Que Wang and Yuan Shaoxu, was it also intentional?"

"I don't have such extraordinary abilities, nor can I let them be captured on purpose. It's true that you alienated Feng Ye and me, but don't think you can win by doing so." Yan Sikong said viciously.

Shen Hexuan went over everything in his mind and immediately figured it out. His eyes flashed and he suddenly laughed. His smile was so proud that there was even a hint of madness. "So that's how it is, so that's how it is. Fortunately, I have always been on guard against you. You exchanged identities with Quewang so that he could borrow the envoy to escape to Huai'an, but I went to Xinning Prince and let him lobby King Han, cutting off your way out. You got this beating in vain, hahahahaha——"

Yan Sikong stared at Shen Hexuan with red eyes.

"Yan Sikong, I won in the end. Que Wang will be exposed sooner or later. He can't escape. You will be sent to Feng Ye soon. I don't know what will happen to you. After all, Feng Ye will be unable to take care of himself soon. Hahahaha."

Yan Sikong also forced a faint smile, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Shen Hexuan was filled with murderous intent.

Shen Hexuan's laughter gradually faded, and he stared at Yan Sikong. When their eyes met, they had already had countless confrontations.

"Master Shen, why don't you ask me why I let you know this?"

Shen Hexuan clenched his fists and felt a chill running up his spine and rushing straight to his brain.

Yan Sikong continued, "Shen has learned from ancient and modern times. He can see things as clearly as if he were looking at fire. That's where you win. But he can see people as clearly as seeing flowers in the fog. That's where you lose."

Shen Hexuan's lips trembled slightly, and he had a vague premonition of something: "What do you want to do?"

"Bees and scorpions are poisonous, let alone humans. You were too careless today and didn't guard against me." Yan Sikong smiled and said, "I don't blame you. How did you know that I was Yan Sikong?"

Shen Hexuan felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, and his scalp was tingling.

"Sir Shen, Brother Shen." Yan Sikong's "Brother Shen" was full of mixed feelings. "We have known each other for more than ten years, from close friends to fierce enemies. I can't help but sigh in my heart. You hurt me so badly, but I never hated you, because I knew you were just being loyal. But I do regret letting you go."

Shen Hexuan shuddered and was about to stand up.

"Don't move." Yan Sikong's eyes were terribly gloomy, "Otherwise, you won't even be able to hear these last words."

Shen Hexuan shuddered: "You dare..."

"I dare." Yan Sikong said calmly, "and I can."

Shen Hexuan glanced at the guards in the distance, and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.

"It's useless. They are too far away." Yan Sikong said softly, "I told Brother Shen this, firstly, so that you can understand, and secondly, to say goodbye to you."

Shen Hexuan's face turned pale as paper. He calmed down and whispered, "You killed me, and then what?"

"Even if I kill you, I am still Yan Sikong, who is valued by the King of Chu." Yan Sikong's tone was full of regret. "I have spared you time and time again, hoping that one day, you and I can assist the wise master together and revive the prosperous era of our Da Sheng. Unfortunately, things have changed now. I regard Brother Shen as my confidant, but in this life it is a life-and-death battle between you and me. I hope that in the next life, you and I can be like Boya and Ziqi, enjoying the music of the zither and the sound of flowing water in the mountains." He couldn't help feeling lost when he said this at the end.

Shen Hexuan's eyes changed, he suddenly jumped up from the ground and started to run.

How could he, a weak scholar, be faster than Yan Sikong? Although Yan Sikong was injured, his injury was not fatal. The look of near death was completely fake. At this moment, he gathered all his strength, jumped up on the spot, rushed towards Shen Hexuan, grabbed his arm, pulled off the military token hanging from his waist with one hand, turned around and pushed him off the cliff——