Chapter 1416 - 1092: Success or Failure, It All Depends on Human Hearts

Upon witnessing this scene, Shen Tu Tai sneered coldly and immediately raised his long spear, saying firmly, "Let’s go!"

With that, he pressed the long spear to Shi Yutao’s throat, simultaneously pulling on the reins, truly dragging Shi Yutao along horse and all as he turned back. And as Shen Tu Tai began to trot, the steed named Fiery Fire followed suit, fear instantly turned Shi Yutao’s expression pale as he nearly cried out in shock.

After all, Shen Tu Tai’s long spear was still pressed against his throat, with only this long spear linking the two horses. If his force was even slightly off, his neck could be pierced!

However, after running a while, Shi Yutao’s heart began to settle slightly.

No matter how they ran, no matter the bumps of the horses, no matter the changes in distance between the two, Shen Tu Tai’s arm and the long spear held steady like a rock from start to finish, never once striking Shi Yutao’s neck, nor did it move away, always keeping him firmly under control.

Shi Yutao’s heart sank gradually.

Not only because of his capture but also because he realized that previously, whether in the battle with Shen Tu Tai at Hulao Pass or when Shen Tu Tai displayed prowess protecting Yu Wenye at the Yellow River’s North Shore, even now as Shen Tu Tai captured him from the army, his opponent never revealed his true skills. The steadiness of his hand revealed a glimpse of Shen Tu Tai’s real strength!

Thinking of this, Shi Yutao completely relinquished the thought of resisting or escaping, his stunned heart somewhat dejected as he was dragged along by Shen Tu Tai, while the soldiers around him were utterly shocked by the brief yet perilous battle, unable to react as they watched helplessly as their Little Shi General was taken by the miraculously armed Shen Tu Tai, about to leave the scope of their army.

Finally, a few people regained their senses and started shouting, "General!"

The shout also awakened others nearby, and several close ones saw the long spear in Shen Tu Tai’s hand pressed against Shi Yutao’s throat, tethered by reins, thinking it unsuitable to strike, thus they picked up their swords and knives, starting to move ambitiously.

Just then, Xue Lin and others rushed forward, and before the few enemy soldiers could even move, they saw a cold gleam flash before their eyes.

At that moment, several streams of fresh blood shot skyward, spilling onto the yellow earth.

Panic-stricken, those nearby hurriedly retreated several steps to grant Shen Tu Tai a large space, and he no longer focused solely on stability. Pulling his wrist backward, the long spear retracted, slackening the reins to his hand, and he tightly held the reins, shouting, "Go!"

Immediately, Fiery Fire followed him across the Sishui River, while Xue Lin and others stood resolutely on horseback by the riverbank, keeping a vigilant watch on the timid yet hesitant enemy forces until Shen Tu Tai brought Shi Yutao to Hulao Pass’s gate, then they quickly turned and crossed the river as well.

Soon, everyone entered Hulao Pass, the city gates closing heavily behind them.

Upon hearing the "boom," feeling the light vanish behind him, Shi Yutao suddenly seemed to awaken, the oppressive feeling of intense crisis causing him to tense up again, hurriedly grabbing the hand axe, yet surrounded by Sheng Country soldiers, he nearly slipped off his horse when Shen Tu Tai sharply jerked the reins, forcing him to grip the horse’s bridle tightly, saying, "You—"

Shen Tu Tai dismounted, then walked up to him, saying, "Little Shi General, come down."

"..."

Shi Yutao said nothing, merely tightened his grip on the hand axe, gritting his teeth, glaring fiercely at Shen Tu Tai.

Shen Tu Tai smiled slightly and remarked, "Already here, there’s no point struggling further, why not visit as a guest; considering your sister, we won’t trouble you."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yutao’s face turned even worse, "My sister..."

"Indeed, all for your sister,"

At this moment, a graceful figure descended from the nearby tower, everyone looked up to see Shen Wuzheng.

Having just gathered back the forces Shen Tu Tai had taken, then climbed the tower, he watched the battle across the river intently until Shen Tu Tai miraculously returned to Hulao Pass with Shi Yutao and his men unscathed, then he descended, first nodding to Shen Tu Tai then looking at Shi Yutao, calmly saying, "Your sister captured our Princess Qin, for Princess Qin to return safely, we must have something threatening to your sister."

At this moment, Shi Yutao finally understood why Shen Tu Tai returned to capture him.

He gritted his teeth and asked, "How did you know."

Shen Wuzheng said leisurely, "I had already investigated this news, so I sent someone disguised as General Shi’s subordinate to report her bringing Princess Qin here to stir things up."

Hearing this, even Shen Tu Tai was taken aback and asked, "Shen Canjun, you mean—"

Shen Wuzheng said, "The messenger General Shi truly sent is afraid only now reaching Xiao Yuansui’s camp."

"..."

"I considered that she, being a female general, not all under Xiao Yuansui would be obedient to her. Seeing her achieve such merit, someone may feel jealous and seize the chance to win merit by coming here to challenge before she arrives with Princess Qin. If we capture a leader from the other side, it would somewhat pose a threat to Xiao Yuansui."

After speaking, he cast a glance at Shi Yutao whose face paled instantly, "Yet unexpectedly, it turned out to be her brother."

"..."

"This, is indeed an unexpected joy."

Everyone couldn’t help but inhale sharply.

No one expected Shen Wuzheng to use the enemy’s capture of Princess Qin as leverage because the general was a woman, laying this strategy, only sending the news an hour early, and this timing allowed them to seize an important leader from the other side, using it to negotiate with Xiao Yuansui and Shi Yuxin.

Shen Tu Tai stared at Shen Wuzheng for a long while, finally breathing a sigh of relief, saying, "Shen Canjun indeed has divine foresight."

Shen Wuzheng smiled lightly.

Though appearing calm, at this moment, only he felt the wind passing brought a chill to his forehead, all from the cold sweat he had just shed—facing the capture of Shang Ruyi, he felt plunged into Hell; his only consideration was this risky, nearly unpromising scenario.

He said, "This was merely my assumption, success depends on human intentions."