Chapter 37: Madness
When Zhongshan led his army to Yange, it only took a few days to rout the millions-strong Yongzhao forces. Under such a formidable commander, even weak soldiers became fierce warriors. The Yuenliao army's morale soared as they cut the Yongzhao forces to pieces, inflicting heavy casualties. Fang Guangda watched helplessly as over a dozen of his stalwart generals were torn apart by a pair of iron hammers. Realizing the consequences of continued fighting would be catastrophic, he retreated from Yange in haste, abandoning his armor and fleeing into Guansiao Ridge. The Yuenliao army wanted to press forward and launch a decisive assault, but the marshlands and wetlands along Guansiao Ridge made the terrain unfamiliar and impassable. The Dingguo forces were also exhausted from the long march. In the end, they could only set up camp in the neighboring county of Yanzhuo to rest and recover.
After several days of staying in Yanzhuo, Zhongshan's thoughts were consumed by Mancheng, who was left behind in Qiuting. Anxiously, he urged General Gu Jie of Dingguo to lead the way for an assault on Guansiao Ridge, but Gu Jie kept finding excuses, claiming his soldiers were too exhausted to continue.
That day, Jin Lu entered the tent with a helpless shrug and said, "I don't understand what game Gu Jie is playing. He's stalling again."
Zhongshan could no longer hold back his frustration. He stood up, his face darkening.
All the Yuenliao generals were alarmed. Cold sweat broke out on their backs—this demonic warrior who had been invincible these past few days had become completely unlike himself. He wandered around with blood-red eyes, silent and taciturn. In the past, he would leave some enemies alive when fighting, but recently, the moment he charged onto the battlefield, he became like a wild beast, slaughtering the enemy until they were completely routed. Where his twin hammers fell, flesh and blood flew everywhere. No one could possibly survive. Truly, even demons feared him and gods were惊惧!
He took a step forward, and the generals instinctively stepped aside, creating a path.
Jin Lu, having been close friends with him for years, forced a dry laugh. "Zhongshan, you're not planning to punch Gu Jie, are you? With your fists, you'd probably smash his skull into pulp. You'd better hold back..."
Hold back?
Zhongshan clasped his hands behind his back and took another step forward. Killing intent radiated from him like a palpable aura.
How was that person in Qiuting? Had his drug cravings returned? Was he still suffering, unable to sleep?
I can't sit still. I can't sleep at night. Each day feels like a year!
Zhongshan strode up to Jin Lu, his blood-red eyes gleaming with an unsettling, murderous intensity. "Move."
Jin Lu froze in shock, a powerful sense of fear suddenly washing over him.
A soldier rushed in and knelt, announcing loudly: "Report from Qiuting! The army stationed there has already departed. General Xia is hurrying over by fast horse and will arrive at Yanzhuo today..."
A tender, dazed expression immediately softened Zhongshan's features, his eyes filled with痴情的温存.
That fool—I told him to rest properly!
FLASHBACK
A commotion broke out in the kitchen. Someone shouted: "Dammit! I said I want to eat it, so just make it! Why all this nonsense?"
The cook stammered acknowledgment and hurried to work, grumbling to himself: How many meals does this guy want? I'd better hurry up. If I'm too slow, I'll get beaten again!
"Hurry up!" Mancheng stamped his foot in frustration.
Dao Chun heard him cursing from a distance. Smiling, he sauntered over and called out to him.
Mancheng rolled his eyes. "What?"
"I had Gui Du send over some good food by fast horse..." Before Dao Chun could finish, Mancheng's eyes lit up. Dao Chun almost burst out laughing: This kid is adorable! Give him a little food and he takes the bait—he's even easier to trick than a dog!
Mancheng swallowed hard, his words contradicting his desire: "Damn it, I don't care!"
"Oh... you don't care? I remember you've never tried it before. The ones I mentioned to you last time..." Dao Chun approached step by step, "Braised abalone, dried oysters, crispy shrimp..."
Mancheng couldn't hide his covetous expression. His eyes darted around as he苦恼地 said: "Peng Hong will scold me..."
Dao Chun had already taken his hand, gazing at him with a smile.
Mancheng scratched the back of his head. Looking at this exceptionally handsome man, his feet不听使唤地 followed him to the Xiongzhou military camp.
The soldiers in Xiongzhou camp watched speechlessly as that troublesome young man who had disappeared from the camp for two days was casually led in by His Highness the Prince once again. They exchanged glances, both amused and helpless.
But this was the Prince—one person below all, above all. Who would dare say anything?
Mancheng entered the tent and snorted. "The expressions on your soldiers' faces are really strange!"
Dao Chun still wouldn't release his hand, afraid he might run away again. Softly, he asked: "Why do you care about them? Mancheng, why have you been avoiding me?"
Mancheng nodded toward the tent entrance. "Peng Hong says the entire camp, from top to bottom, is watching us make a spectacle. He says we're shameless, carrying on our indecent affairs so openly. He says there are rumors in the Xiongzhou army that Zhang Zhou ordered me to seduce you into bed, and that I've made Zhang Zhou lose face. He also says..."
Mancheng grew increasingly dejected, his eyes reddening. "He said some really harsh things."
He also said Zhang Zhou would be very hurt.
Dao Chun was deeply moved. "Mancheng, that kid Zhang Zhou cares more about face than about you. But I'm different. Since I met you, I don't want anything else. I only want you! If you're willing to be with me, I'll be so happy I'd die. Why would I care what others say? Mancheng, I love you more than he does!"
Mancheng gazed at him silently, deeply touched.
Zhang Zhou, since you said you don't despise me being a man, why do you still care about others' gazes? Why do you pretend to be unrelated to me in front of others?
I see you every day, yet I can't hold your hand, can't embrace you, can't even look at you more than twice! Peng Hong talks to me far more than you do!
If only you were more like Yang Daochun!
"Mancheng!" Dao Chun kissed his forehead, his voice tender and warm: "Mancheng, I've missed you so much in just two days. Don't you miss me?"
"I do..." Mancheng委屈地 puckered his lips.
Daochun, without you these two days, I don't know how lonely I've been!
Satisfied with his answer, Dao Chun's heart was content.
Mancheng looked around. "Where's the food?"
"Ha..." Dao Chun smirked. "I only said I had them send it over. I didn't say it had arrived yet."
"You!" Mancheng jumped up.
Dao Chun quickly tried to appease him: "It'll definitely arrive tomorrow! Definitely!"
"I want to eat now!" Mancheng wouldn't give up. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He pounced and wrapped his arms around Dao Chun, grinning mischievously: "Then I'll eat you tonight instead!"
Dao Chun was overwhelmed with joy, grabbing Mancheng's face and kissing him greedily. Mancheng was burning with desire—how could he possibly control the冲动 below? Peng Hong's scolding had long been forgotten.
The two of them tumbled from the bed to the floor, engaging in frantic, unrestrained lovemaking, their moans and gasps loud and passionate. The guards outside the tent blushed and their hearts raced.
Yang Dao Chun lost all sense of reason. His mind held not a shred of理智. His only desire was to keep this priceless treasure by his side forever, to enjoy him for a lifetime, with no other wishes.
Having him beside me for this lifetime is enough!
"Mancheng..." Dao Chun panted, asking: "Have I been good to you?"
"Yes..."
"Then come back to Gui Du with me, okay?"
Mancheng gasped in response: "No."
"Mancheng, I'll accompany you every day, I'll listen to everything you say. Whatever you want, I'll give you. Do you like that?"
Mancheng's body began to tremble violently. "I... like it..."
"Then come with me, okay?"
"I can't..."
Dao Chun could only force a bitter smile: We're back to the same point again! Fine, there's still time to persuade him! With that thought, he put in even more effort below.
Mancheng couldn't quite适应 the immense pleasure coursing through every pore of his body. He索性 closed his eyes, frowning, moaning for a moment—then suddenly, tears poured down his face.
"Mancheng?" Dao Chun panicked, wiping his tears continuously, confused: "What's wrong? Mancheng?"
Mancheng covered his eyes with his hand, breathing gently, sobbing as he spoke: "Zhang Zhou... Zhang Zhou... I miss you so much..."
Good heavens! Dao Chun painfully closed his eyes: I've never met anyone like you! You dead kid... You really are something else!
The early winter in Yanzhuo was much colder than in Yuenliao. The damp, cold air outside the tent made one want to stay curled up in blankets, nestled in a loved one's arms, gazing at that beloved face.
Mancheng stared into those gentle yet exhausted bright eyes, utterly captivated.
"Zhongshan... why are your eyes so red?" I know why, but I still want to hear your answer.
Zhongshan smiled, closing his eyes. "Because I haven't been able to sleep."
"Why can't you sleep?" I also know why, but I want to hear you say you missed me.
"Because I've been thinking of you desperately." Zhongshan slid down a bit, burying his face in Mancheng's embrace.
Mancheng reached into Zhongshan's collar, gently stroking his shoulders and back, feeling countless deep bite marks and scratches. It was heartbreaking—tears fell silently.
Zhongshan leaned against Mancheng's chest, his face against his thin clothing, sensing the cold dampness. "Mancheng, you're still sweating... Why didn't you stay in Qiuting properly?"
"Because... I was also thinking of you desperately."
Zhongshan smiled faintly, but it was filled with endless desolation: Miss me? Who would believe that?
Who was it crying in my arms, begging for that person? Who called out that person's name so deeply while being intimate with me? Who, despite my desperate pleading, still said they missed that person?
It was you... It's you who ignore my heart-wrenching pain, who casually trample on my passionate devotion!
"Zhongshan, when I jumped off my horse and hugged you just now, was it embarrassing for you?"
Zhongshan kept his eyes closed, his voice soft: "I'm so happy I could die. Why would I care how others see it?"
Mancheng's tears flowed even more fiercely, yet his heart felt complicated.
"Mancheng, your body hasn't recovered yet. When we attack Guansiao Ridge in a few days, don't go, okay?"
Slowly, tremulously, gently—words that could make one's eyes grow warm: "I'll listen to everything you say."
Zhongshan tightened his arms, holding him fiercely.
Mancheng, I really don't understand you! If you don't love me, why do you always give me such tender compliance? It makes me even more blindly obsessive, even more devoted to you!
I really want to merge you into my body so you'll never be able to leave me.
"Mancheng, I'm really tired."
FLASHBACK
The Xiongzhou army assisted Zhang Zhou in marching directly toward Yuenliao's capital from the northeast. Along the way, countless generals surrendered, rapidly expanding their forces. Finally, they broke through the strategic stronghold of Wang County. However, rifts between the two armies gradually emerged. On one hand, the Xiongzhou army insisted on reclaiming jurisdiction over Liqi. But Zhang Zhou was evasive on this topic, infuriating the Xiongzhou generals who forced down their rage, secretly cursing Zhang Zhou for being greedy. On the other hand, Zhang Zhou was also helpless: At the time, to win Xiongzhou's support, he had unilaterally decided to return the Qu River region to Xiongzhou, which had already caused dissatisfaction among many old ministers and veteran generals. These men had once served his father loyally. Now they all raised arms against Zhang Shun and joined Zhang Zhou without hesitation. He couldn't afford to offend them. Moreover, Liqi was a strategic fortress southwest of the capital. If handed over to Xiongzhou, Yuenliao City's southwestern natural defense would become as fragile as gossamer.
Yang Dao Chun was even more helpless. He only wanted to spend his days playing and being intimate with Mancheng. But several respected old generals, full of self-importance, repeatedly begged him with tears, demanding he confront Zhang Zhou and obtain a promise to reclaim Liqi. Otherwise, they said, how could he face the Xiongzhou soldiers who had fought alongside him through life and death?
Despite千般不愿万般不甘, Dao Chun made an exception and appeared at the military meeting, demanding Zhang Zhou immediately clarify his position.
The moment Zhang Zhou saw Yang Dao Chun, all his resentment surged up. Without even noticing Peng Hong beside him desperately signaling with his eyes, he blurted: "Your Highness the Prince is being too hasty, aren't you? Even setting aside that Liqi hasn't been reclaimed yet—what about the fact that Yuenliao City is still in Zhang Shun's hands? Yet you keep harassing me about something that hasn't even begun to take shape. How ridiculous!"
Seeing Zhang Zhou also put Dao Chun in a foul mood, his jealousy and disgust intensifying. Anger flared within him, but thanks to his excellent cultivation, he merely coldly snorted: "The Third Prince is even more ridiculous. Now it's already difficult enough to get a simple promise from you. If you ever hold sole power, would it be easy to get you to cede even a single city to me? It would be harder than climbing to heaven!"
Zhang Zhou naturally wouldn't back down, his voice surly: "The Qu River region is rich and fertile. I've already yielded it to you. Why are you still insatiable?"
"You yielded it to me?" Yang Dao Chun wore an expression of disdain, mocking: "The Third Prince speaks so lightly, as if the Qu River was some favor you bestowed upon Yang Dao Chun! If it weren't for Zhang Shun's extreme unpopularity and my father's desire to help you accomplish your great enterprise, how could you have secured Xiongzhou's support so easily? If I took advantage of the weakness and forcefully attacked Qu River and Liqi, obtaining them would be as easy as pie."
Zhang Zhou snapped angrily: "Yang Dao Chun, what I could yield has already been yielded to you!"
The generals of Yuenliao's Duding army nodded repeatedly, admiring this young prince's fearless resolve. They were convinced he would surely seize power.
Dao Chun's temper also flared. He斥道: "What is there in this world that Yang Dao Chun cannot obtain by force? Why would I need you to yield anything!"
The Xiongzhou generals vented their complaints internally, secretly pleased that their future monarch possessed such extraordinary魄力.
Only Peng Hong was caught between laughter and tears. He felt these two authoritative men weren't fighting over Liqi at all—they were merely acting childishly while fighting over that little rascal who had just peeked his head into the tent a moment ago, then immediately shrunk back.
Ignoring Peng Hong beside him coughing violently, Zhang Zhou coldly smiled: "You think you can snatch things from my hands? Do you have the ability?"
Dao Chun stood up, his expression proud and aloof. In a low, stern voice, he said: "Try me!" Then he turned and walked out, hands clasped behind his back.
The moment he entered his own tent, Dao Chun's brows relaxed and he smiled. His anger had completely dissipated.
"Mancheng..." He called out. "What are you spacing out about?"
There was a hint of worry on Mancheng's face. Softly, he asked: "Did you argue with Zhang Zhou?"
Dao Chun nodded, gently brushing the hair from Mancheng's temple.
Mancheng pouted and advised: "It's just a small Liqi. Why don't you just let it go?"
"Mancheng! You foolish little thing, what do you understand?" Dao Chun sighed. "It's not as simple as me saying I don't want it. To be frank, I'm merely a prince. Everything is my father's will."
Mancheng hesitated for a moment, then asked: "What will you do now that you've fallen out with Zhang Zhou?"
"I'll lead the Xiongzhou army away from Wang County."
"What?" Mancheng was stunned. Anxiously, he asked: "Daochun, will we still be able to see each other?"
"No..." Dao Chun smiled faintly, intending to test his reaction. "Mancheng, if I leave, I'm afraid we'll never see each other again!"
Mancheng's eyes reddened. Dao Chun's heart filled with joy. Seizing the moment, he appealed to him: "Mancheng, come with me. From now on, I'll listen to everything you say."
But Mancheng shook his head firmly. "Daochun, Zhang Zhou can't do without me!"
Dao Chun's heart sank. He pleaded again: "Mancheng! Zhang Zhou pursues only fame and power. He doesn't put you in his heart at all! Your devotion to him isn't worth it! I love you more than he does! I don't care at all what others think. My whole heart yearns for you! It's not just about Liqi—even if you were exchanged for all of Xiongzhou, I would be willing!"
Mancheng remained silent.
Seeing him unresponsive, another sliver of hope rose in Dao Chun's heart. He took Mancheng's hand, speaking with absolute sincerity: "Mancheng, if you don't want to go to Gui Du, I can wander the world with you! Even if my father handed me the throne right now, I would never return to Xiongzhou. Mancheng, as long as you agree to be mine, I would abandon my family, discard my honor—nothing would be too great a sacrifice!"
This Xiongzhou prince had always gotten everything he wanted throughout his life, never needing to exert the slightest effort. He had believed that in this world, there was only what he didn't want—no what he couldn't obtain. But now, gazing at Mancheng's expression, an unprecedented despair suddenly struck his heart.
"I'm sorry, Daochun. I said something wrong just now. It's not that Zhang Zhou can't do without me—it's that I can't do without him." After saying this, Mancheng carefully glanced at Yang Dao Chun's ashen face. He pulled away his hand and turned to leave.
Yang Dao Chun stood frozen in place. It felt as if a ferocious, tyrannical hand was tearing and rending inside his heart, ultimately ripping away his very soul.