Chapter 1450 - 1125: The Most Important Thing Is—

In an instant, that boulder wrapped with panic and confusion suddenly appeared again, heavily crashing onto Xiao Yuansui’s heart, even his breathing and heartbeat stopped at that moment.

Tonight, clearly everything had been calculated by him.

He knew Yu Wenye would come to rescue Shang Ruyi, so he deliberately appeared weak to lure him in. When Yu Wenye fell into his trap and, injured, fled in embarrassment, he would then lead his troops in pursuit, which he called countering with strength. Even though he knew Yu Wenye would arrange reinforcements in advance, as long as he killed him before those reinforcements appeared, even if thousands were prepared at Hulao Pass, it would be to no avail.

Who would have thought, it was Shantong’er who appeared unexpectedly and delayed the time, at the very moment he decided to act, Shen Wuzheng arrived.

As if aided by gods, these words filled his mind at that moment.

He might truly, really, be unable to contend...

"Great General? Brother!"

Suddenly, Hua Ziyang’s urgent and angry shout rang in his ears, Xiao Yuansui snapped back to reality, only to find the surrounding soldiers in chaos. Shen Wuzheng led his men to break through their defenses after a shower of arrows, then charged directly once again, tearing apart this encirclement just like when Shantong’er appeared earlier, but this time it was even easier.

In a brief period, they were twice ambushed from behind—in such circumstances, even though they still had the advantage in numbers and could immediately charge forward and kill Yu Wenye and Shantong’er, the army’s morale was already in chaos.

And Xiao Yuansui, caught in that inexplicable panic, did not immediately react to make the soldiers around him ready for combat and counterattack.

A moment of error on the battlefield can lead to total defeat.

Soon, their ranks were completely disorganized, and this chaos was different from the minor disturbance caused earlier by Shantong’er’s surprise attack and his own momentary hesitation. But this time, the entire unit fell into disarray, and under Shen Wuzheng’s order, several soldiers charged directly at them.

Seeing those men coming at them, Hua Ziyang reached back for arrows, but found none, remembering that the missed third arrow was indeed his last one.

In desperation, he swung his bow forcefully towards the front.

The man who had charged in front of Xiao Yuansui was about to swing his knife and suddenly felt a pain in his back, causing him to lean wildly on his horse, the blade slicing obliquely past Xiao Yuansui’s shoulder.

The cold wind thoroughly awakened Xiao Yuansui.

He suddenly opened his eyes wide, looking at the panic and anger in Hua Ziyang’s eyes amid the crowd, and seeing the several men already around him preparing to strike, he roared furiously, and swung his long arm wielding a large knife with force—

There was a sound of a slashing, a stream of bloody heat splashed onto his face.

The soldiers, caught unprepared, had their arms severed, and some were stabbed in the chest, screaming and reeling or falling back, all retreating. Xiao Yuansui raised his head again to look at the chaotic battlefield around him—Shen Wuzheng’s eyes were piercing, as soon as he arrived he saw Shantong’er protecting Yu Wenye along with others, and immediately ordered his men to clash with Xiao Yuansui’s troops, without penetrating further.

As long as they could hold them off, Yu Wenye’s safety would be assured, and even if they didn’t win tonight, they wouldn’t fail.

Yet, Xiao Yuansui now wanted to act, but could not.

He bit his teeth hard and finally raised his arm, shouting loudly, "Retreat!"

Hua Ziyang widened his eyes, filled with unwillingness, then turned back to see the night growing calm, and Yu Wenye watching them wrestle with indifference, gripping his teeth again.

Tonight, they were "defeated."

Therefore, Hua Ziyang also shouted with force, "Retreat quickly!"

The soldiers’ hearts had already conceived defeat, hearing this, they withdrew swiftly, and Xiao Yuansui calmed down immediately and sternly rebuked those soldiers hastily trying to turn and flee, ordering them to hold their ground, preventing Shen Wuzheng from charging again during their retreat—often, a disordered battlefield retreat is easily exploited for further massacre, leading to greater defeat.

Following his orders, the soldiers barely stabilized, continued fighting while slowly retreating eastwards.

Soon, this group retreated from the banks of the Yellow River.

Shen Wuzheng’s contingent clearly prepared, with one group pursuing, keeping Xiao Yuansui and his men occupied, unable to return, and the other led by Shen Wuzheng rushed to Yu Wenye’s side. Upon seeing him, Shantong’er’s eyes brightened immediately, and he said, "Brother Shen!"

Upon seeing him, Shen Wuzheng’s face also showed gratification.

During the days at Hulao Pass, he learned from Shen Tu Tai the reason for Shantong’er leaving, naturally feeling regretful and dismayed, and displeased with Yu Wenye’s ruthless actions. But since things had come to this, dismay was useless, and especially since Shang Ruyi had already been captured by Xiao Yuansui, he couldn’t bring the child back without settling the matter at hand.

Unexpectedly, the child returned himself.

Moreover, at such a critical moment, bringing back this group of skilled monks to protect Yu Wenye.

He immediately asked, "Shantong’er, are you hurt?"

Shantong’er shook his head, "I’m fine." Then quickly looked to the thirteen monks beside him and asked urgently, "Brother Jueyun, are you all hurt?"

Monk Jueyun shook his head and turned to others around him, who all shook their heads, though two had taken slashes on their bodies, bleeding from the back and thigh. But to martial artists, such superficial wounds are insignificant, yet Shen Wuzheng noticed, and immediately ordered soldiers to protect them, urging everyone to leave back to Hulao Pass promptly.

Of course, the most important was—

He looked up at Yu Wenye, remaining silent amid the crowd, particularly noticing the slender figure swaying behind him, breath almost stilled.

He said, "It’s—"

Wo Xue emerged from behind Yu Wenye, revealing a pale face, and softly and guiltily said, "Young Master Shen."

Seeing it was her, Shen Wuzheng’s bright eyes dimmed immediately.