Chapter 1443 - 1118: I Didn’t Expect You Would Really Come

A few riders and horses suddenly rushed out of Xiao Yuansui’s camp, which was already engulfed in flames and chaos, like arrows leaving the string. The clouds of dust raised by the horse hooves dissipated in the firelight.

Immediately, behind them, a large group of riders surged out of the camp gate and followed closely.

Xiao Yuansui and Hua Ziyang were almost neck and neck, leading the charge. One’s eyes glinted like a tiger that had spotted its prey, relentlessly pursuing. The other’s face was solemn, holding the reins with one hand while clutching a bow and arrow in the other, eyes fixed on Yu Wenye ahead, who was continuously urging his horse to gallop, occasionally swerving left and right. The agility of the Fiery Warhorse was evident under his command.

This made Hua Ziyang’s expression even darker.

At this moment, a few arrows whistled through the air, shot by a group of archers following them closely.

Yu Wenye had clearly anticipated that Xiao Yuansui would bring archers during the pursuit, so he kept changing paths. Several arrows brushed past him, while the girl behind him, called Wo Xue, continuously swung a rope in her hands. Despite her small stature, she wielded great strength, turning the rope into a shield that blocked several arrows aimed at their backs.

The other soldiers, like Yu Wenye, were also continuously dodging on horseback, avoiding the barrage of arrows.

However, this slowed their pace considerably.

Xiao Yuansui’s eyes were wide with anger, his gaze never straying from Yu Wenye, regardless of the arrows streaking over his head, the galloping warhorse, or the dodging ahead. If his gaze could become tangible, it would pierce Yu Wenye with a bleeding hole.

Seeing the person ahead evade another rain of arrows, he urged his horse forward, raising a hand to point left: "Block him!"

At his command, a team immediately veered out from behind, galloping ahead, while Xiao Yuansui waved a hand at the people behind him: "Fire again!"

The archers, already in haste and struggling to aim accurately while galloping, had failed to hit Yu Wenye. Yet, their arrow tubes were almost depleted, leading to some frustration. Feeling pressured by Xiao Yuansui’s orders, they hurriedly pulled out their last arrows and aimed at the fiery red warhorse ahead, with Xiao Yuansui’s command echoing in their ears—

"Shoot ahead, block his path!"

Understanding his intent, everyone quickly tightened their bowstrings and unleashed another rain of arrows!

A whooshing sound filled the air as arrows descended once again!

Hearing the whistling sound above, Yu Wenye seemingly sensed something, hurriedly pulling his reins. He raised his bloody and injured arm with difficulty, saying, "Be careful!"

As soon as he spoke, dozens of arrows embedded in the ground ahead of them.

Two soldiers riding alongside him failed to react in time. One was struck and fell, dead, while the other managed to rein in his horse, but it reared in shock, turning and galloping south.

In an instant, Yu Wenye was left alone with Wo Xue behind him.

As he stopped, the team ordered to block him earlier had maneuvered around the hill, cutting him off, while Xiao Yuansui’s men closed in from behind, about to encircle him completely.

"Your Highness, what should we do!?"

At this moment, Wo Xue was anxious, eyes red with worry. She wished to exchange her life for Yu Wenye’s safety, yet unable to rescue Shang Ruyi from Xiao Yuansui’s grasp. She was at her limit—having been injured when captured in Hu Yang Valley. Her wounds hadn’t worsened due to inactivity, but neither had they healed. After the recent clash, she felt her wounds tear open, blood soaking through her clothes, the pain almost unbearable, making it hard to hold the rope.

Is this the end?

She feared death not, but she was indignant that even in death, she couldn’t protect King Qin or rescue Princess Qin.

Yu Wenye glanced at the blood-soaked rope in her hands, eyes heavy with determination, saying, "It is not the time for despair."

"....!"

Wo Xue looked up at him.

Yu Wenye’s eyes, cold and calm, shone with a sharp glint, reflecting the chaotic figures of Xiao Yuansui and his men racing towards them. He said firmly, "I will not die until I rescue Ruyi. Nor will you."

"..."

"Hold on tight!"

With that, he turned his horse towards the north and galloped away.

Just as the two groups were about to encircle him, unexpectedly, he headed north. Xiao Yuansui turned his horse, observing Yu Wenye galloping away alone, sneering.

Hua Ziyang caught up immediately: "Great General!"

Xiao Yuansui said: "Follow him!"

No further words were needed, as it was impossible to give up now—everyone knew heading north led only to the Yellow River, practically a dead end. Even if Yu Wenye crossed the river, Xiao Yuansui, with so many men in pursuit, ensured Yu Wenye’s fate was sealed today, no matter his skills.

Thus, the two groups galloped in parallel, chasing after the lone rider ahead.

Soon, the roaring sound of the Yellow River could be heard on the wind.

Dawn was breaking.

Raising his head, Yu Wenye saw the rolling murky waves ahead, a river so full of life, yet now a line separating life and death before him. His retreat was entirely blocked, and he reached this apparent dead end.

Finally, at the riverbank, feeling the moist spray in the air, Yu Wenye stopped.

Looking back, Xiao Yuansui’s men were closing in, but instead of charging, they slowed and spread out, forming a semicircular encirclement, cutting off any escape for Yu Wenye.

At this moment, Xiao Yuansui rode up slowly.

Behind him was Hua Ziyang, mounted with bow and arrow, the cold gleam fixing unshakably on Yu Wenye’s brow, intensifying the pressure with each breath.

Yet, Yu Wenye remained unfazed, simply gazing coldly at Xiao Yuansui in front of him.

He said, "Unexpected."

Yu Wenye replied, "Unexpected what."

Xiao Yuansui chuckled, "I set this trap, but did not expect you to come."

"..."

"Clearly, she is very important to you."