Chapter 1413 - 1089: Shen Wuzheng

Before Hulao Pass, the wind howled.

With a loud "clang," the battle at the pass commenced!

Shi Yutao charged ahead on horseback, his Fiery Warhorse galloping quickly, leaving only a fiery red trail behind. Shen Tu Tai naturally spurred his horse forward to meet the challenge, and the two riders raced towards the center of the battlefield like two meteors, ultimately crashing into each other!

The thunderous sound made soldiers at both ends of the formation cover their ears involuntarily, yet everyone widened their eyes.

The moment the two horses passed each other, Shi Yutao’s hand axe and Shen Tu Tai’s long spear fiercely clashed in mid-air, as if sparks were flying. After the sound faded, the horses galloped more than ten yards apart, then quickly turned around to charge at each other anew.

Shi Yutao’s personal soldiers shouted one after another, "Kill him!"

Faced with the ferocious demeanor of the opponent, Shen Tu Tai showed no sign of fear and continued urging his horse gallantly. Within an instant, the two sides engaged again; the long spear and hand axe clashed once more. This time, without waiting for their horses to run far, Shi Yutao abruptly spun on horseback, loosening his grip on the long axe and thrusting the handle towards Shen Tu Tai’s back!

"General, watch out!"

Someone in Shen Tu Tai’s camp shouted.

Although Shen Tu Tai did not turn around, it seemed as if he had eyes on the back of his head; just as the axe handle was about to hit his spine, he suddenly sidestepped and evaded the attack, simultaneously used his long spear to knock away Shi Yutao’s axe handle.

This seemingly dangerous attack was easily defused by him!

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, yet both men on the battlefield put all their energy into the fight, especially Shi Yutao. His steed reacted swiftly, instinctively turning without needing him to guide it, and had just rectified the momentary imbalance caused by Shen Tu Tai’s parry, sparing him from exposing his back to the opponent.

Shi Yutao felt a bit smug internally but knew not to be distracted in the heat of battle. As Shen Tu Tai gazed down, slightly surprised at his Fiery Warhorse, Shi Yutao shouted and raised his hand axe to strike at Shen Tu Tai’s head!

The strike, though not skillful, became a deadly blow at such close range; but Shen Tu Tai, seasoned in battle, easily blocked it with his long spear, appearing unfazed despite his heart sighing inwardly.

Clearly, compared to the last time they fought, Shi Yutao’s strength had significantly increased.

Moreover, his movement technique was much swifter than before.

Apparently, he hadn’t been merely hiding away in the camp in recent days.

Seeing the change in Shen Tu Tai’s expression, Shi Yutao coldly laughed to himself. His hand axe slid along the long spear, deliberately chopping down towards Shen Tu Tai’s right hand gripping the spear!

His swift action almost instantly threatened to sever several of Shen Tu Tai’s fingers!

Fortunately, Shen Tu Tai’s reactions were swift too. As soon as the opponent moved, he sensed the shifting force on his spear. Watching Shi Yutao move to slice his right hand, he immediately released his right hand, twisting his left wrist to spin the spear into a circle, forcefully striking the large axe head.

Another loud "clang" rang out, disrupting Shi Yutao’s full force attack, causing him to sway and nearly fall off his horse, but his remarkable waist strength allowed him to stay on. He countered with an axe aimed at Shen Tu Tai’s neck; Shen Tu Tai retracted his spear and lightly blocked it, sending the axe flying back. Shi Yutao refused to yield, sitting upright and unleashing several deadly axe strikes, each effortlessly deflected by Shen Tu Tai.

Following Shen Tu Tai, Xue Lin and others couldn’t help but shout praise aloud!

Seeing his string of lethal attacks thwarted, Shi Yutao became anxious; his movements grew distorted, Shen Tu Tai noticing his disordered form, firmly caught his axe, waited until Shi Yutao pressed down with force, and calmly approached him, observing his knitted brows and fierce eyes, then suddenly sneered, "It seems you’ve only practiced arm strength."

Shi Yutao’s movements stalled upon hearing this.

The temporary halt nearly broke his spirit, but instead of exploiting the opportunity, Shen Tu Tai shoved him forcefully, his extraordinary strength causing Shi Yutao to nearly topple off his horse. Luckily, his Fiery Warhorse instinctively retreated a few steps, allowing him to regain balance.

Seeing this, even Shen Tu Tai couldn’t help but widen his eyes, internally praising: What a horse!

Yet, he didn’t let his emotions show; looking again at Shi Yutao, he sneered, "You can fight me, but you’re far from defeating me. If you want to win, practice for a few more days. If it’s still not working—I can teach you."

"You—"

Shi Yutao’s face turned red then white from the teasing, having endured sleepless nights, training hard to settle the previous score at Hulao Pass and the one calculated against him on the North Shore of the Yellow River. Unfortunately, he still couldn’t win, and now he felt his previously healed palm wound throbbing again. Though unseen, the scabs likely split apart once more.

He gritted his teeth, "Shen Tu Tai, don’t be smug, I’ll defeat you one day!"

Shen Tu Tai sneered, "I’ll wait for you."

Having said that, he waved his hand, turned his horse, and walked away.

Xue Lin quickly approached him from behind, cautiously asking, "General, shall we not—"

"Not today,"

Shen Tu Tai turned his face to glance at Shi Yutao’s retreating back, clearly not intending to fight further, saying, "Before leaving, Prince Qin instructed not to deploy the army. I suspect Shi Yutao came on his own today; Xiao Yuansui will surely send the army to fetch him once he finds out. If large-scale combat arises, it will be disadvantageous for us."

Xue Lin recalled Prince Qin’s instructions that day and the lack of news regarding Princess Qin, and could only nod.

As they prepared to enter the gate, suddenly, Shen Tu Tai raised his head, seeing a familiar solitary rider hastily approaching from inside the city.

It turned out to be Shen Wuzheng!