SWHCBB 106

Chapter 106: Psychological Warfare

In the desolate countryside, inside an abandoned pavilion, sat a man dressed in plain white robes. His expression was haggard, his face shadowed and brooding. His fingertips tapped lightly on the stone table, each tap echoing in sync with Jiang Chuang’s approaching footsteps.

When Jiang Chuang stepped into the pavilion, the man finally lifted his eyes slightly. Seeing Jiang Chuang had come alone, he slowly revealed a satisfied smile. “You really came alone. Aren’t you afraid you won’t make it back?”

Jiang Chuang looked at him calmly, knowing full well that his smooth words concealed a venomous heart. He was adept at posing as a gentleman while doing the most ruthless things.

“Would you dare?” Jiang Chuang asked coldly. “If you still want the throne, you wouldn’t dare touch me now.”

The two locked eyes, tension lingering in the air. After a moment, Wen Yu lowered the shadow in his eyes and sighed faintly. “Yunchuan, you weren’t like this before. You once told me you longed for peace and prosperity, for the people to live in safety and happiness. You said you saw that hope in me. What changed?”

Jiang Chuang did not sit. He stood at a distance, staring at him coldly. “I haven’t changed. I still want the same things. You think I’ve changed because I saw through you. You speak sweetly but act with cruelty. You sacrifice anything and anyone for your own gain. Someone like you, how could you be worth following?”

Even as Jiang Chuang rebuked him, Wen Yu seemed unbothered. He raised an eyebrow slightly. “Is that what Fifth Brother whispered into your ear?”

“This has nothing to do with him. I simply saw your true nature and pulled out in time.” Jiang Chuang sneered. “Is there a point to this meeting? If not, I’ll be leaving.”

Wen Yu suddenly coughed twice. Though no one was beside him, Jiang Chuang still scanned the surroundings warily. But everything remained silent as before.

“No need to be nervous. Didn’t you say I wouldn’t dare touch you here?” Wen Yu was really just coughing. His face flushed slightly from it. “Yunchuan, Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother are already dead. Fifth Brother could die at any time from his illness…”

Before he could finish, Jiang Chuang interrupted furiously, “Shut your mouth! Zhiyu will live a long and healthy life!”

Wen Yu stared at him for a moment, then suddenly let out a derisive laugh. “You really do love him. I was wrong. A man like you can’t fake that kind of love.”

Jiang Chuang regained his composure. “Why would I fake it? I love him openly, without shame. I ask for nothing but his love in return, and I got it. As for all of you, you’ll never get what you truly want.”

That line seemed to cut Wen Yu deeply. He scoffed, “A man loving another man? Disgusting. And what, you’re going to go childless for the rest of your life? What man wants to be the end of his family line? Or are you just afraid to disobey? If I come to power, do you think it’ll be that easy to walk away?”

Jiang Chuang looked at him as if he were a fool. “So what if I don’t have children? It’s not like I’m inheriting the throne. What’s the big deal? I quite like the idea of ending my bloodline. You can just pretend I’m not a man.”

Only a fool would waste time arguing with him. It wouldn’t convince him and would only bring irritation.

Wen Yu froze momentarily, then laughed derisively again. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Chuang cut him off, “You love to play the benevolent ruler, promising everything to everyone just to manipulate them into dying for you. That’s despicable.”

Wen Yu smirked. “Interesting. Is this another thing your Fifth Brother told you?”

Jiang Chuang stared coldly. “He told me what you did to him.”

“Oh? And what do I owe him? Even blood brothers kill each other for the throne. He and I aren’t even that close. I didn’t kill him, that’s mercy.”

Wen Yu stood and slowly approached. “Yunchuan… this is your last chance. If you don’t take it, don’t blame me for being ruthless later.”

Jiang Chuang asked, “What about the Fourth Prince?”

“What?”

“Was his ‘suicide from guilt’ truly his decision, or did you coerce him? You know the answer better than anyone.” Jiang Chuang held deep contempt for men like Wen Yu. If Zhiyu hadn’t told him, he’d never have believed Wen Yu could be so cruel.

Wen Yu’s face darkened instantly. He glared at Jiang Chuang in silence.

Jiang Chuang chuckled bitterly. “The Fourth Prince was a degenerate who constantly bullied Zhiyu. And who allowed that? You did. You raised him that way on purpose, turned his life into a tool for you to use and discard.”

Wen Yu’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “So what? I protected him for over ten years. He owed me.”

Jiang Chuang cursed himself again for not seeing clearly in his past life. He said coldly, “That’s the biggest difference between Zhiyu and you. You ask why I chose him? Love is only part of the answer. You, who discard even your own blood, how could anyone ever give you their true heart?”

“True heart?” Wen Yu sneered. “I don’t need that. The only thing that lasts between people is profit. Since when did you become so fond of lecturing? Never mind. If you don’t value the opportunity I’ve given you, we’re done here. Leave.”

Though Wen Yu told him to go, Jiang Chuang didn’t move. He continued, “After the Fourth Prince’s suicide, I found some interesting things. He never consummated his marriage, yet his princess had a child. Before he died, he arranged an escape for mother and child. Do you know why?”

Wen Yu’s expression didn’t change. He already knew the truth. “Why?”

Jiang Chuang: “Because she was your woman. It was your child. You couldn’t bring her into your house, so he married her in your place, cared for her, and worried she’d be dragged down with him after his death. He even made arrangements to protect them.”

Wen Yu remained indifferent. “So? If someone stays by my side, they must work for me. Otherwise, what use are they?”

Jiang Chuang continued, “During his house arrest, you visited him. I imagine, knowing you, you wouldn’t have directly asked him to die for you. You’d use his desperation to save you and manipulate him through an advisor’s suggestion. Otherwise, how would a man like him think of such a drastic solution?”

Wen Yu brushed some dust from his sleeve, unbothered by being exposed. “Your mind’s gotten sharper. Or is this something else your Fifth Brother told you?”

Jiang Chuang didn’t answer directly. He laughed coldly. “Then why do you think the Fourth Prince didn’t see through it? You really believe he didn’t know you were leading him to his death?”

Wen Yu’s gaze lifted, intrigued. “Interesting. Go on.”

Jiang Chuang: “I have no hard evidence. But after so many years as brothers, he must’ve understood you to some degree. My people found something in his residence, old clothes, belts, seals, jade pendants, ornaments, notes, scraps of paper, letters, even a book of male romance stories.”

He fixed his gaze on Wen Yu. “The letters and notes, all in your handwriting. He treasured them. He loved you.”

Wen Yu’s expression remained unreadable. He stood motionless, not revealing a single thought.

“Don’t tell me you couldn’t see it,” Jiang Chuang scoffed. “You knew he loved you. And that made his love your most useful weapon, so useful, he’d die for you.”

Still, Wen Yu said nothing.

Jiang Chuang continued, “You think love between men is disgusting. But your actions are far more vile. A man like you is destined to be abandoned and meet a wretched end!”

With that, Jiang Chuang turned and walked away, not sparing a glance at Wen Yu’s reaction. It didn’t matter, he had done what Zhiyu had asked him to do.

Back in the carriage, Jiang Chuang immediately sought praise. Beaming, he said, “You should’ve seen it, his face turned green when I finished! But… he didn’t say a word. Who knows what he’s thinking?”

Wen Jue smiled and praised him, then explained, “I asked you to confront him as a gamble. A gamble that he still feels even a shred of guilt toward Wen Lang. If he does, it will eat at him. Once his will falters, he’ll spiral into despair. At that point, even without Sister acting, he’ll collapse on his own.”

Jiang Chuang’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “Zhiyu, you’re amazing! No wonder you could toy with me so easily!”

Wen Jue smiled and brushed his lips against Jiang Chuang’s cheek, his fingers running over the general’s armor. “Didn’t I end up toying with myself too? Still, even if Wen Yu doesn’t break so easily, letting you vent your anger on him feels pretty good.”

Jiang Chuang laughed. “Either way, we don’t lose!”

They exchanged a few more words, rested briefly, then resumed their journey.