Chapter 1378 - 1054: Now, I’m Going to Hold You Accountable

"Lao Jiu!"

In Shen Tu Tai’s startled shout, only "clang" was heard as Shan Shiyu’s long knife struck the two raised copper hammers.

Although this strike lacked force of a thousand pounds, it was still extremely heavy, making both of them feel numb in their arms, their tiger’s mouth cracked, and Shan Shiyu was especially surprised, not expecting a child so small to wield such force to lift such heavy copper hammers. He was somewhat startled as he looked at the child blocking him.

At the same time, Mu Xian and Nie Chong, who had already run far, saw this scene and shouted in shock, "Shantong’er!"

But their cries could not reverse the trend, as Shantong’er shouted and fell off the horseback!

"Lao Jiu!"

This made Shen Tu Tai completely anxious, frantically wielding his long spear to strike at Shan Shiyu, and after a moment of shock, Shan Shiyu quickly regained his senses, raising his long knife to block. With a crisp sound, Shen Tu Tai’s fierce force nearly knocked him over, splitting the tiger’s mouth almost to the back of his hand, bleeding profusely, nearly unable to fight anymore; as Shen Tu Tai was about to stab again, Shantong’er’s cry of pain was heard from the ground.

Upon hearing his voice, Shen Tu Tai’s movements immediately stalled, and taking advantage of this moment’s opportunity, Shan Shiyu quickly turned his horse around to run back.

His horse was also a fine one, and in an instant, they ran afar.

At this moment, Yu Wenye also spurred his horse forward.

He did not pursue but stopped beside Shen Tu Tai, watching Shan Shiyu galloping away and waving his hand, the soldiers he took along dared not linger in battle, nor dared to advance, quickly circling behind him to protect him, speeding towards Hulao Pass.

Shen Tu Tai immediately looked at the bow in Yu Wenye’s hand.

He held on to the Divine Arm Bow, which could shoot farther than ordinary bows; at this moment, if he were to—

"Aiyo!"

Shantong’er’s voice again sounded in his ear. He rolled several times on the ground, barely avoiding the horse’s hooves, and upon looking up, he had several scrapes on his face and forehead, already bleeding.

He quickly said, "Your Highness, I—"

Yu Wenye only glanced at him without speaking, then looked ahead.

Shen Tu Tai solemnly asked, "Your Highness, not pursuing?"

"..."

Yu Wenye said, "It’s getting late, let’s head back."

Without saying any more, he shook the reins, turned his horse around, and began to leave. Shen Tu Tai glanced at him and then at Shantong’er struggling to his feet—though injured in several places, looking a bit embarrassed, he was able to stand, meaning he hadn’t been hit in vital areas—he sternly said, "Get on the horse quickly; it’s not suitable to linger here."

"...Oh."

Shantong’er seemed a bit disheartened, lowered his head slightly, responded with a single acknowledgment, and climbed onto the horse.

Elsewhere, seeing Shan Shiyu retreat, two groups chasing Mu Xian and Nie Chong dared not linger in battle, plus having gained little from the encounter, they quickly withdrew. Yu Wenye led his group, except for Shantong’er appearing slightly embarrassed and his Arrow Tube emptied, to return to the camp almost unscathed.

Upon entering the camp gates, the sky darkened.

Bonfires had been lit everywhere in the camp, and the cooks were enthusiastically preparing meals for the soldiers. Yu Wenye handed over Liuqing to a few minor soldiers and walked straight towards the large tent.

As soon as he sat down in the tent, hot soup and rice were sent in.

Shen Tu Tai and Shantong’er, along with Mu Xian and others, followed into the tent, everyone staring silently at him. Shantong’er hesitated for a long time before kneeling down with a thud: "Your Highness, I—I’ve realized my mistakes."

Shen Tu Tai softly said, "It’s a crime."

Shantong’er bowed his head, "I’ve realized my crime."

Yu Wenye looked at him and said, "I told you not to go, why wouldn’t you follow military orders?"

"I, I—"

"A soldier on the battlefield must not only fight but also learn to follow orders, is this something new for you today?"

"I’ve realized my crime, plea for your punishment, Your Highness."

Nie Chong glanced at him but said nothing. Shen Tu Tai and Mu Xian immediately stepped forward to plead for him, as under such circumstances, when both sides were desperate, indeed orders were somewhat neglected.

Mu Xian softly added, "Your Highness, we still have ways to deal with Shan Shiyu."

Yu Wenye was silent for a moment, then said, "Go down to receive twenty military sticks."

While punitive, twenty military sticks was indeed not too severe. Compared to usual harsh laws, Yu Wenye showed leniency towards this child; Shantong’er immediately gave a grateful head bow and went down, while Nie Chong also exited the tent.

Shen Tu Tai remained, looking solemnly at Yu Wenye: "Your Highness, that Shan Shiyu—"

Yu Wenye said, "Think of another strategy. You should all go and rest."

"Yes."

Shen Tu Tai bowed and exited the tent with Mu Xian.

The sky quickly became dark.

Shantong’er, having received twenty military sticks, limped back to his tent. Upon lifting the tent flap, he saw a straight figure sitting inside—it was Nie Chong.

He was somewhat surprised, "Brother Nie, why did you—"

Nie Chong said, "I came to see you. Does it hurt?"

Shantong’er sheepishly lowered his head and climbed onto the bed, saying as he did, "Of course it hurts, try taking twenty military sticks yourself. Aiyo, they know full well I’m just a kid, yet they showed no mercy. And to think I usually eat meat with them."

Nie Chong stepped aside, watched him climb onto the bed, and lay face-down, his buttocks swelling high, then said, "Your Highness only gave you twenty military sticks, already showing mercy; if the enforcers showed mercy, what army would this be?"

"Uh..."

"Lie down properly, I’ll apply medicine for you."

"Hey."

Shantong’er obediently lay flat, undressed himself, and saw his buttocks swollen red without bleeding; with a few days’ rest he should be able to walk, not affecting horseback warfare, so he took out the medicinal ointment to apply.

Shantong’er chuckled, "Brother Nie is always kind to me."

While applying medicine, Nie Chong softly asked, "Earlier, when you fell off the horse, what were you shouting?"

"..."

Shantong’er paused in silence and said, "I was shouting ’ah’, yes,"

Saying this, he raised his hand to show his hand before Nie Chong; his tiger’s mouth was split open revealing crimson flesh, he said, "It hurt terribly. But not expected, after returning must take beating too, hurts even worse. Aiyo..."

"..."

Nie Chong also paused in silence, then said, "Then, before you fell from the horse, what did you say to Shan Shiyu?"

"..."

This time there wasn’t silence, but suffocation.

Shantong’er even stopped breathing.

After a long while, he barely managed a smile and said, "I, I didn’t—"

His words were cut off; Nie Chong spoke, "You know my ears are sharp, right? Actually, up the mountain when all said those things about me, even under blankets, I could hear it, but didn’t bother."

"..."

"But now, I have to bother."