Chapter 1451 - 1126: Shi Yuxin Has Been Captured!

As soon as he saw her, Shen Wuzheng’s bright eyes immediately dimmed.

In fact, from the moment Xiao Yuansui retreated so easily, not even glancing back as he left, Shen Wuzheng had felt a vague unease. Given his understanding of the man, coupled with his attitude towards Shang Ruyi, he more or less understood that since Xiao Yuansui had set an ambush to draw Yu Wenye in, he wouldn’t let them rescue the captive so easily, nor would he retreat so casually.

It turned out to be true that what Yu Wenye rescued was not Shang Ruyi, but rather Wo Xue.

At this moment, the energy that had sustained him the whole night seemed to vanish completely. Shen Wuzheng felt somewhat powerless, as anger and frustration surged in his heart, causing his eyes to redden. He glared hatefully at Yu Wenye.

As if sensing the resentment in his heart, Wo Xue hurriedly said, "Master, it’s all my fault."

Shen Wuzheng did not look at her.

Wo Xue continued, "Xiao Yuansui guessed that Prince Qin would break into his camp tonight to rescue the Princess, so he took her away early, locking her in his Central Army Tent, while setting traps in our tent. Prince Qin—has been seriously injured."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.

Even Shantong’er hurriedly turned back. When they charged in with the monks earlier, he was busy fighting those people. After securing Yu Wenye, he hadn’t looked back, especially as it was deep in the night. Only now did he see clearly that Yu Wenye had taken a severe blow to one shoulder, and at this moment, blood was gushing, staining half of his body red.

He sucked in a breath of cold air, "You are badly injured!"

Only at this point did Yu Wenye make a sound.

It wasn’t to explain or argue, but just a deep sigh. In that sigh was a release from the tension since Hua Ziyang’s third arrow, also mixed with indescribable frustration and resentment. But after a long silence, he only said deeply, "Tonight, I failed."

Upon hearing this, Wo Xue panicked and said, "Your Highness—"

Yu Wenye just gently turned his head, his gaze passing over Shen Wuzheng’s slightly softer but still heavy and solemn eyes, and said, "Let’s go back first."

They weren’t entirely safe just yet.

Shen Wuzheng only raised his head to glance at him, then turned to look in the other direction, the direction in which Xiao Yuansui had retreated—by this time, they had already gone far. The pursuing soldiers were also slowing their steps, some beginning to retreat in an orderly manner. Shen Wuzheng lifted his hand high and shouted, "Move out!"

Soon, this group of people and horses entered the Hulao Pass as planned, just as the first light of dawn shone on the Yellow River, which had churned with turbulent waves all night.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuansui finally returned to his camp.

In the dim morning light, he saw from afar a bustling scene in the camp. Last night, Yu Wenye had led a few horses and men, causing his encampment to turn upside down. Although this was partly due to his intentional allowance, he hadn’t expected them to make it to such an extent; they had even penetrated the deepest part of the military camp, entering into his trap.

Yu Wenye’s combat prowess was evident.

And thinking of this, he felt even more angry and regretful—the once-in-a-lifetime chance to kill him last night had been missed.

At this thought, he couldn’t help but tighten his grip, causing the horse he was riding to rear up with a long neigh, startling everyone around. It was Hua Ziyang, having dismounted first, who quickly stepped forward to help steady the horse’s reins.

He said, "Gr... Great General..."

Xiao Yuansui looked down at him, remained silent for a long time, and then gestured with his hand, "Make way."

Hua Ziyang lowered his head, released the reins, and stepped aside.

Xiao Yuansui dismounted and headed straight into the camp. After the chaos of last night, the soldiers in the camp were still somewhat shaken, but the destroyed tents and fences had been rebuilt and repaired. Xiao Yuansui glanced at them briefly, then continued towards his Central Army Tent.

Halfway there, several people suddenly interrupted, blocking his way.

"Great General!"

Xiao Yuansui stopped and looked closely to see that they were the elite soldiers he had dispatched the night before, and amongst them was the disheveled and battered Shi Yutao!

They had rescued him!

Upon seeing him, Hua Ziyang and several other generals breathed a sigh of relief, "Little Shi General!"

At these words echoing once more in his ears, Shi Yutao’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but the smoke and dust from his night of desperate escape, along with the dirt on his face, made it hard to see the change in his expression. In truth, his expression hadn’t seemed that important all along.

Xiao Yuansui’s gaze turned colder.

Facing his sharp and icy stare, Shi Yutao suppressed the fear and resentment in his heart and bowed his head, "I acknowledge my guilt."

Xiao Yuansui didn’t respond, merely waved for the elite soldiers to go rest and receive their rewards, and continued walking forward. After a few steps, he stopped again and, looking back at Shi Yutao, his eyes carried the cutting edge of a blade, "You will be dealt with according to military law; I will not show favoritism. But you also need to think about how to explain yourself to General Shi."

Shi Yutao bowed his head even lower.

But just as Xiao Yuansui was about to proceed, Shi Yutao finally looked up and asked, "Great General, where is my sister? I returned and couldn’t find her."

Behind him, Hua Ziyang softly said, "General Shi led the troops to Huilu Storehouse to provide support."

A glance at the sky, light was breaking in the east, and since they were back now, Hua Ziyang murmured, "By rights, she should be back soon too."

As if to confirm his words, just as he spoke, the sound of horse hooves, chaotic and panicked, along with cries of surprise, indicating some mishap, came from the entrance behind them.

Xiao Yuansui immediately turned back, exchanged a glance with Hua Ziyang, and quickly headed to the camp entrance.

Outside, indeed, a team of horses and men had arrived, but they were stopped by the soldiers at the gate because they looked unfamiliar, each one showing signs of injury and appearing suspicious. The leader, a young man, shouted, "We come from Luoyang, under General Chen Cai!"

Hearing Chen Cai’s name, Xiao Yuansui immediately stepped forward.

He knew that Liang Shide had sent Chen Cai to lead the troops to Huilu Storehouse to transport grain. By rights, if everything went smoothly, Chen Cai’s men should have already returned to Luoyang with the grain, and the assisting Shi Yuxin should have returned here.

Why was it his men who came?

He immediately asked, "What happened?"

The young man’s voice was hoarse as he said, "We were ambushed, General Chen was killed. Also, the female general who came to our aid has been captured!"

"What!?"