Chapter 1402: He Isn't the Most Important

Chapter 1402: Chapter 1078: He Isn’t the Most Important

This is the call to battle!

The moment they heard the loud and majestic sound of the horn, everyone was startled, and Shen Tu Tai’s movements paused accordingly.

Yu Wenye immediately lifted his head and looked forward. The golden rays of the rising sun were more blinding than ever. He suddenly felt a darkness before his eyes and instinctively closed them, but even so, he glimpsed the banners fluttering on the horizon.

Despite being so far away, the murderous intent in the horn’s sound had already reached them.

Shen Tu Tai hadn’t clearly seen it, but he detected a clue from the murderous horn sound. Even though Shi Yutao was right in front of him, he stopped his actions and turned to look at Yu Wenye: “Your Highness?”

Yu Wenye ordered: “Retreat!”

Just one word, but his reaction was faster than when Shi Yutao charged with his men. Immediately, he turned his horse and gestured broadly to those around him: “Follow me!”

Everyone dared not delay and all turned their horses alongside him.

Shen Tu Tai was originally at the forefront of the team, but now he became the last person. His movements were the slowest, and he even glanced back at Shi Yutao from a short distance — merely a few yards apart, confident that he could easily capture this man if he acted.

But Yu Wenye was already retreating.

He gritted his teeth, sighed lightly in his heart, put away his long spear, tightened the reins, turned his horse, and sped away in the direction they came from.

In almost an instant, Yu Wenye led his troops to retreat from the riverbank, leaving behind a ground covered in corpses, the wounded writhing in pain, and Shi Yutao gripping his long axe. His palm wounds had fully ruptured, blood soaking through the bandages, flowing down the axe handle, slick enough to almost slip from his grip, but he seemed oblivious, constantly tightening his grip as blood continued to flow onto the grass.

Then the blood on the grass tips was scattered by a wind full of killing intent.

The sound of the horn in the wind gradually subsided, replaced by a deafening rumble, as a thousand-man squad came galloping down, quickly surrounding Shi Yutao and his men in a circle, with two people at the forefront.

It was Xiao Yuansui and Hua Ziyang.

Both rushed over with their faces looking grim, especially Xiao Yuansui who surveyed the mess on the ground and then turned his solemn face to Shi Yutao: “Good work.”

“…”

Shi Yutao finally came to his senses, and his face gradually turned pale: “You, how—”

Hua Ziyang, still holding his bow and arrow, was clearly ready for a battle but didn’t expect Yu Wenye to retreat so quickly. Despite this, he dared not slacken, moved forward several steps until Yu Wenye’s team showed no sign of returning, then turned his horse around, frowning as he looked at Shi Yutao: “The Great General worried you wouldn’t accept defeat and planned to talk to you today, but before dawn, you’d already brought people over.”

“…”

“Mr. Shi, since we’re on the same side, shouldn’t we discuss things first?”

“…”

“Your unauthorized actions, regardless of winning or losing, how can we manage the troops in the future? If everyone behaves like you, would there be any need for military orders?”

His words were unabashedly spoken, publicly reprimanding him in front of Shi Yutao’s subordinates. Shi Yutao felt embarrassed and protested: “You all are often in battle, can’t you see the need for unconventional success?”

Xiao Yuansui coldly replied from the side: “Did you win then?”

“…”

Shi Yutao fell silent, his face flushed red.

Xiao Yuansui continued: “You only know Yu Wenye came to the North Shore to graze horses, and you wanted to achieve unconventional success, but did you ever consider whether he was here to graze horses or fish? You want unconventional success, but doesn’t he as well?”

“…”

“If he could be easily manipulated, would we need to devise so many plans? Would your sister exert so much effort?”

At the mention of “sister,” Shi Yutao’s face turned even darker, yet he was completely speechless.

Seeing him speechless, Xiao Yuansui took a deep breath, finally suppressing the anger raging in his chest, then ordered: “Return to camp immediately!”

As Xiao Yuansui and his troops hurriedly came and quickly returned to the camp under close guard, Yu Wenye also led hundreds of well-grazed horses and troops whose muscles weren’t yet flexed back to Hulao Pass. Upon dismounting, he threw the reins to the approaching personal soldier and hurriedly returned to the tent, where he quickly found a map and spread it out, solemnly examining the mountains and rivers, his fingers tracing through cities and towns.

Shortly after, Shen Tu Tai also entered the tent.

Only he had participated in the recent skirmish, which was barely an exercise for him, leaving him hardly breathless, yet his face was extremely grim—he wasn’t one to crave battle or fame, but he had some doubts about Yu Wenye’s recent decision.

Spotting Yu Wenye studying the map, he instinctively wanted to say something but hesitated, opting to stand aside.

Yu Wenye, while studying the map, asked: “What do you want to say?”

Shen Tu Tai immediately looked up at him: “Your Highness—”

“Speak frankly, you’re not one to beat around the bush.”

“Your Highness retreated too quickly just now.”

“Xiao Yuansui’s men arrived, and they sounded the horn from so far away, not to fight us but to warn us. In such circumstances, if we don’t retreat, they will fight to the death.”

“Even so, I could’ve easily captured Shi Yutao just now.”

“He’s not the most important.”

Shen Tu Tai paused, then seemed to understand and continued: “But didn’t Xiao Yuansui come too?”

“…”

“Is Your Highness worried that he brought too many troops, and our few hundred who crossed the river couldn’t compete?”

Yu Wenye shook his head: “I’m not referring to Xiao Yuansui.”

Shen Tu Tai looked at him: “Then who—”

As they spoke, Yu Wenye’s finger finally rested on a spot on the map. Immediately, Shen Tu Tai heard him draw a sharp breath, as if finally certain of something, though that certainty seemed tinged with fear. He then exhaled heavily, lifted his head toward him: “I’m referring to Shi Yuxin.”