Chapter 1412 - 1088: Meritorious Deeds

"Yes!"

The soldier who came to deliver the message said, "Our General said she would arrive at Hulao Pass with Princess Qin by noon."

"Good, good, good!"

Xiao Yuansui was overjoyed, saying "good" three times in a row. He paused as if calming his emotions, and finally said to the soldier, "Alright, go collect your reward."

"Thank you, Great General."

The soldier immediately turned and left the main tent, and for some reason, Shi Yutao quickly moved to the side where the soldier couldn’t see him, then walked straight ahead.

After the soldier left, Shi Yutao reemerged with a serious expression.

The camp was very quiet; he could clearly hear the excited yet heavy breathing of Xiao Yuansui from the main tent. Although Xiao Yuansui generally didn’t hide his emotions well, upon hearing the news that Shi Yuxin captured Shang Ruyi, he seemed overly joyful and excited, as if a giant pie fell from the sky.

However, indeed.

Now guarding Hulao Pass was King Qin Yu Wenye, and capturing Princess Qin was indeed a great threat to Yu Wenye, while for them, it was a huge opportunity.

Shi Yuxin... has made great contributions!

Thinking of this, Shi Yutao’s face gradually turned gloomy. After a moment, he clenched his fist as if making a decision, turned around, and walked down.

Time passed little by little, and after 5:45 AM, sunlight already touched the walls of Hulao Pass. The soldiers who stood guard all night on the city tower yawned, ready to switch shifts with their brothers coming up when they heard rapid hoofbeats below. Looking down, they saw a scout galloping back, raising a token and shouting, "Open the gate!" even before reaching the gate.

Someone on the tower immediately shouted down, "Open the gate quickly!"

The gate opened slightly, and the soldier immediately spurred his horse through, galloping inside. Soon, Shen Tu Tai’s personal soldier brought the message from the scout and quickly knocked on his door.

"General, Shi Yutao has arrived with troops."

"What?"

Shen Tu Tai immediately awoke, dressed quickly, and went out.

Yesterday, he had just gone out of the city to fight the opposing force, though it was merely a skirmish between two parties for over an hour. Shen Tu Tai himself didn’t engage but watched from afar on horseback. Both sides suffered nearly equal losses. Then he led his troops back to Hulao Pass, closed the gates, and waited for news from Yu Wenye.

He thought that after yesterday’s battle, the enemy would lay low today, but didn’t expect Shi Yutao to return so soon.

Moreover, it was odd; these days, whether sending troops from their side or leading his army out, he didn’t see Shi Yutao. Clearly, the mishap on the north shore of the Yellow River made Xiao Yuansui cautious about sending him into battle again to avoid errors. Then why did he personally come today?

Shen Tu Tai asked, "Is he accompanied by anyone else?"

The personal soldier shook his head, "The scout saw clearly, he leads the troops alone."

"Oh? How many people?"

"Around two thousand."

"..."

Shen Tu Tai pondered for a moment, then said, "Regardless, we must not back down. Let’s see what this kid intends to do first."

With one command, an eight-hundred-soldier troop gathered inside Hulao Pass. With Shen Tu Tai’s loud shout, the gate gradually opened. He led the well-organized soldiers out slowly, and across the way, the large army had just assembled by the riverbank after crossing the Sishui River.

Despite the large numbers, Shen Tu Tai immediately spotted Shi Yutao.

It wasn’t because this kid was especially noticeable, but today he rode a particularly striking horse, over ten feet long, tall, and strong, with a distinct saddle and bridle, entirely red without a single stray hair. Bathed in the morning sun, it reflected a dazzling red light, as if aflame, standing at the forefront of the massive troops.

Shen Tu Tai instinctively exclaimed, "What a fine horse!"

Not only he marveled, but even the soldiers around him, even if they didn’t know horse appraisal, recognized a fine steed, clicking their tongues in awe. Shi Yutao on the horseback seemed to sense enviable gazes from all around and couldn’t hide his pride. Knowing that this steed, named Fiery Fire, was bought by his father at a high price from the Western Regions, originally meant for Shi Yuxin, but he insisted and coaxed until he got it. Rarely did he ride it out, fearing battle damage.

But today...

As he narrowed his eyes and coldly watched the troops emerging from Hulao Pass, his personal soldier flattered, "Young Master, riding Fiery Fire today, Shen Tu Tai will surely flee in terror!"

Shi Yutao also sneered, "I want them to know it’s not just my sister who can achieve glory."

Hearing the last sentence, the soldier was taken aback.

Shi Yutao, realizing something, lightly coughed to cover it, then raised his hand and shouted, "Forward!"

With that command, the troops followed him forward in unison, the heavy footsteps reverberating like thunder from below, reaching Hulao Pass. Shen Tu Tai and his men immediately felt a tremor on the ground, yet he showed no fear, simply watching as the fiery red steed carried Shi Yutao closer. The formations on both sides were separated by just an arrow’s shot, and only then did Shi Yutao raise his hand to halt his men.

Amidst the roar of the wind, muddy waves surged, flags flapped, and sturdy horses neighed long.

Though no action was yet taken, the air was already thick with stifling killing intent.

Shen Tu Tai gently shook the reins and rode forward a few paces, glaring at the arrogant Shi Yutao, coldly sneering, "I thought after that day, Little Shi General would be too scared to come out again, yet here you are today."

As soon as he heard "Little Shi General," Shi Yutao’s face immediately turned ashen.

"You—"

It seemed the horse sensed its master’s anger, its head shook uneasily, letting out a heavy huff.

Shi Yutao reached to soothe the steed’s neck, clenched his teeth, then sneered, "That day was merely falling into your trap; today, with real swords and spears, we’ll see who the real hero is, and who’s the coward!"

With that, he raised the long hand axe and spurred his horse ferociously toward Shen Tu Tai.

At the same time, in another camp, Xiao Yuansui had just heard Hua Ziyang report that before dawn, while unnoticed, Shi Yutao led his troops out of the camp, already crossing the Sishui.

Xiao Yuansui’s face immediately darkened, "That Shi Yutao!"