Chapter Thirty-One: The Ceremony—Young Master Yao Becomes a “Man”

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North of Shouchun, on the Ying River.

The Ying River traverses the provinces of Yu and Yan, merging southward with the Huai River and connecting northward to the Hong Canal, giving direct access to the State of Chen.

Yuan Shu’s army advanced by both water and land: Liang Gang, Li Feng, and Le Jiu commanded the flotilla, while Yuan Shu himself marched overland with Zhang Xun and a force of infantry and cavalry, heading straight for Chen.

From the perspective of later events, Yuan Shu did indeed claim an early victory, luring and killing Chen’s Prime Minister. Yet when Cao Cao swept in, Yuan Shu’s forces collapsed utterly. He fled, leaving four generals to defend a solitary city—all perished in battle. A severe drought struck the Jianghuai region, and most of his followers, disheartened and estranged, died in misery.

“Urgent report! An urgent message from the capital!”

The rider, having spurred his horse for some time, dismounted, produced Qiao Rui’s seal, and bowed deeply. “Master, urgent news from the capital! Your son Yao has been coerced by Chu Feng. General Qiao requests your immediate return to the capital!”

“What did you say? Yuan Yao has been taken hostage by Chu Feng?”

Yuan Shu was momentarily stunned, unable to process the news. He had only left a day ago, and already Chu Feng had turned against his own kin?

“Yes, General Qiao further reports: Young Master Yao sent assassins to kill Chu Feng under cover of night; when that failed, he summoned General Ji Ling and elite troops to slaughter the Chu family estate!”

The rider repeated anxiously.

“Yuan Yao made the first move?” Yuan Shu was furious.

That rebellious son—he not only acted rashly, but with command of ten thousand troops, failed to prevail and was captured by Chu Feng, utterly disgracing his father.

But how did Yuan Yao learn of all this?

Could it be he knew beforehand? So the truth could not be concealed; inevitably, brother would turn against brother.

It was time to confess everything to Chu Feng.

“Looks like I must return at once,” Yuan Shu muttered. Then, aloud, “All commanders, heed my order: Zhang Xun is appointed Grand General of the Northern Expedition. Bear my sword, command the three armies, continue advancing north. Any who defy my orders shall be executed.”

With that, Yuan Shu and his bodyguards retraced their steps. Fortunately, the army had only marched for two days, covering seventy or eighty li. With swift horses, they would reach home by dusk.

...

Dusk, Yuan Residence, rear courtyard.

Chu Feng lounged comfortably, holding a skewer of lamb—delicious, though lacking in seasoning. His men devoured their food with oily mouths, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

“Boy, why isn’t your father here yet?”

Chu Feng reached out and slapped Yuan Yao across the face, clearly growing impatient with the wait.

My father? Isn’t he your father as well?

“Big brother, I don’t—” Smack!

Before the sentence was finished, another slap landed. “Who the hell are you calling ‘big brother’? I don’t have such a stupid sibling. Try it again and I’ll cut off your balls!”

“Da—gulp!”

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“I—I don’t know!” Yuan Yao felt utterly aggrieved, but resolved that once rescued, he would repay today’s humiliation a hundredfold.

“You think ignorance excuses you? You’d better pray your father arrives soon. From now on, for every quarter hour that passes, I’ll remove one of your balls—until your father comes.”

Chu Feng drew his sword and stabbed it into the earth less than an inch from Yuan Yao’s groin. With that icy tone, Yuan Yao shuddered in terror—

And wet himself, soaking his trousers.

“Damn, he actually pissed himself?” Chu Feng sneered, taking a rag and stuffing it into Yuan Yao’s mouth. This coward was only good at bullying the weak.

Time slipped away.

The sunset was beautiful, but dusk was near.

At this moment, in the courtyard,

Chu Feng turned and said mockingly, “Time’s up. Looks like your father’s late. Don’t blame me, then. Men, strip his clothes!”

“Mmm, mm-mm!” Yuan Yao struggled, but was powerless.

He was truly terrified. Had he known it would come to this, he’d never have provoked this ‘big brother.’

In a blink, his clothes were ripped off.

Chu Feng clicked his tongue, then pursed his lips. Yuan Yao felt his dignity crushed. But as he sensed the chill of the dagger, he trembled violently.

Veins bulged on his forehead, fear mingled with rage. He, the legitimate son of the Yuan family, reduced to this…

Just then, a guard ran in shouting, “Master, the Yuan army has brought the head of the family. He’s outside, says he wants to speak with you.”

Hearing this, Yuan Yao breathed a sigh of relief; his manhood was spared. His father had finally returned. One day, he would avenge this humiliation.

He would carve Chu Feng into a thousand pieces!

“I heard.”

“Boy, you sure look happy!” Chu Feng glanced at Yuan Yao and said coldly. Yuan Yao hurriedly shook his head, as if denying all joy.

“No need to hide it! If you’re happy, say so. But I am a man of my word. Since I said I’d stop when he arrived, I won’t, uh—shhrrp.”

“Oh dear, my apologies. My hand slipped, and I cut halfway through!” Chu Feng shrugged with an innocent expression.

“Mmm, mm-mm, ngh, ahh!”

A jumble of muffled sounds escaped Yuan Yao’s lips. Cold sweat poured down his forehead, his veins bulged with pain, and he could distinctly feel—he had become a ‘grown man.’

“Sigh, look at that—half cut off, dangling there, so unsightly. Let me finish the job. That way, you can be a son, and…”

“You can serve your father as chief eunuch!” Chu Feng laughed and sliced again.

Shhrrp—a lump fell to the ground.

At this moment, Chu Feng rose slowly, his expression icy and devoid of humor. He tossed the dagger aside and wiped his hands.

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Taking a few steps forward, Chu Feng turned his head and spoke coldly, “Boy, those who plot to kill me always die horribly. I’m sparing your life for now. Once I’ve left with my father, I’ll make sure you—”

He did not finish, striding briskly toward the front courtyard.

...

Outside the Yuan residence,

“Master, that’s how it happened,” Ji Ling and Qiao Rui explained one after another.

“You mean Chu Feng took Yuan Yao hostage to save me?” Yuan Shu was astonished, hardly able to believe it.

“Yes, Young Master Feng likely doesn’t know the full story.”

Yuan Shu fell into deep thought. Feng’s abilities were impressive in every respect, yet—

Both hands are flesh and blood.

Moreover, Yuan Yao had been with him nearly twenty years; they shared a deep father-son bond. What should he do now? Even if things calmed today, war would surely break out between them in the future.

At that moment, the gates opened.

Chu Feng eyed the crowd warily, then barked, “Ji Ling, release my father at once, or I’ll kill Yuan Yao and take you all with me.”

Ji Ling tried to speak,

But Yuan Shu stepped forward, moved by emotion.

Alas, he was Yuan Shu, and Yuan Yao was his son.

He entered the residence and came to the rear courtyard.

Chu Feng hurriedly asked, “Father, the secret is out. Yuan Shu didn’t hurt you, did he? If he so much as touches a hair on your head, I’ll carve up his son alive!”

As he spoke, Chu Feng gestured toward Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao’s face was deathly pale, kneeling amid a puddle of blood and a lump of flesh. His gaze toward Yuan Shu was filled with, Father, save me!

“Feng, actually…” Yuan Shu was anxious.

“Father, you don’t need to be grateful. This is what I ought to do. Without your support, we wouldn’t have come this far. Besides, I’ve already planned it—”

“After today’s upheaval at the Yuan residence, you and I will be famous throughout the land. Then, we’ll cross the river and head south, first take Yuzhang, then seize Lujiang, forging alliances and achieving a king’s dominion!”

Chu Feng spoke passionately of his grand vision.

“Feng, actually I…”