Chapter 1379 - 1055: Nighttime Stealth

The tent suddenly plunged into suffocating silence.

After what seemed like forever, Shantong’er finally lifted his head in resignation and met Nie Chong’s calm gaze in his reddened eyes: "Brother Nie, your ears are too sharp."

Nie Chong said, "Let’s talk business."

"Alright,"

Shantong’er sighed and said, "That Shan Shiyu seems to be my elder brother."

Though he already had some vague suspicions in his heart, hearing Shantong’er say it himself, Nie Chong couldn’t help but show a look of surprise. He frowned thoughtfully and asked, "But isn’t your family name ’Dan’?"

When they were calling each other brothers in Wanggang Village, everyone only knew the Ninth Master as Shantong’er, never delving deeply even when joking around; after they followed Shen Tu Tai and joined the Yuwen Family, they became more closely acquainted, learning about each other’s backgrounds and origins, that’s when Nie Chong found out. Originally, Shantong’er’s family name was ’Dan,’ but for some unknown reason, he changed it, altering it to the similar-sounding but different character ’Shan.’

However, Shan Shiyu genuinely bore the surname ’Shan,’ how could he be Shantong’er’s elder brother?

Shantong’er whispered, "I don’t know what happened either, actually, having left home for so many years, I already thought they were all... I really didn’t expect to ever see them again."

Nie Chong asked, "Is he really your elder brother? How long have you been apart?"

Shantong’er replied, "About, almost ten years."

"Then..."

"Although we’ve been apart for a long time, I still vaguely remember his appearance, very similar to what I just saw."

"..."

"Moreover, when he saw me, I felt as if he recognized me too."

"..."

Nie Chong fell silent.

Just now on the battlefield, he had only heard Shantong’er whisper a faint "elder brother" like a mosquito hum, not hearing what Shan Shiyu said. But in a flash, there was no time to say anything, and after knocking him over, Shan Shiyu did not immediately strike, seemingly having some reservations.

He was silent for a while, then said, "So, what are you planning?"

Upon hearing, Shantong’er sat up and looked outside; it was already dark by now, and they could only vaguely see some campfire lights with no one else outside, so he softly said, "Brother Nie, I want you to accompany—take me to Hulao Pass."

"What!?"

Hearing this, Nie Chong’s eyes widened in shock: "What are you up to?"

Shantong’er lowered his voice, "I think he recognized me too. I want to meet him."

Nie Chong gasped: "Are you crazy? Even if he recognized you, now we’re opposing armies, enemies, what difference does it make that you’re brothers? Are you—are you thinking of defecting?"

Shantong’er was startled upon hearing "defect," hurriedly waving it off: "Of course not!"

"Then why are you going to Hulao Pass?"

"If he is truly my elder brother, after we reunite, can’t I persuade him?"

"What?"

"Persuade him to join us."

Nie Chong felt like he heard something fantastical, refusing to agree no matter what. But Shantong’er clung to his coat sleeve, pleading: "Brother Nie, I’m begging you, if I can truly persuade him, we can avoid a major battle."

Nie Chong was both amused and frustrated, saying: "What if you can’t persuade him?"

"..."

"I’m just an insignificant nobody; it doesn’t matter if I live or die, but what if he detains you instead?"

"..."

"What about Prince Qin? What about Brother Shen Tu?"

Upon hearing this, Shantong’er thought seriously for a moment, then solemnly said, "If it really comes to that, rest assured, I will never let him use me to threaten His Highness nor Brother Shen Tu."

"..."

"Besides, Brother Nie, you are not an insignificant nobody."

"..."

"I just need you to ride and take me to Hulao Pass. You don’t need to go close, just take me there. I can’t ride alone right now."

"..."

"Brother Nie, I’m begging you..."

Listening to Shantong’er’s earnest plea, Nie Chong felt a bit softened. Moreover, if Shantong’er was so adamant that Shan Shiyu was his relative, if they could truly leverage this relationship to persuade the other side, conquering Hulao Pass would indeed be beneficial for them.

Still, it was a high-stakes gamble.

He hesitated for a long time before finally saying: "Alright, I’ll agree to it. But I won’t leave you behind, if you’re going to Hulao Pass, I’ll go with you. Live or die, we’ll face it together!"

Hearing this, Shantong’er brightened in delight.

He gripped Nie Chong’s hand tightly, joyfully saying, "Brother Nie, rest assured, as long as I’m around, I’ll fight with my life to protect you!"

Time quickly passed, and soon the deep night surrounded the camp like a black curtain, becoming pitch dark with only the overhead stars and the sparse campfire light depicting the tents in faint silhouettes, resembling endless mountains.

Among these shadows, two figures, one tall and one short, quietly emerged.

Having fought in battles for years, they were already familiar with the patrol routines in the camp, easily avoiding the patrolling soldiers, quickly slipping into the stables. Nie Chong stepped forward to untie the reins of his war horse, carefully guiding it out, holding its mouth.

Outside the camp, neither dared mount the horse immediately, continuing to lead it a fair distance away until the camp was completely merged into the night behind them, firelight barely visible. Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.

As soon as they relaxed, Shantong’er immediately winced.

Nie Chong asked, "Does it hurt?"

Shantong’er hurriedly waved his hand, "No, it doesn’t."

Seeing his forced smile, Nie Chong sighed, lifted him onto the horse, laying him face-down on the horse’s back like a saddlebag, then said, "If you feel uncomfortable, let me know."

Shantong’er shook his head, "I’m not uncomfortable, Brother Nie, be careful, it’s so dark, don’t fall."

"I’m fine, don’t worry."

Nie Chong took a deep breath and finally shook the reins, leading Shantong’er in a trot onwards.

Although his riding skills were quite proficient, with the night being pitch black and unable to light a torch to avoid attracting attention, he could only trot slowly. Luckily, the Yellow River flowed not far away, its waves guiding them eastward. Finally, after two hours, with the night as deep as ink, they saw Hulao Pass ahead.

Strangely, tonight Hulao Pass was well-lit.

The soldiers on the battlements held high torches, their light brightening the sky above Hulao Pass, and by the firelight they saw the city gate appeared half-open too.

As if waiting for something.

Nie Chong took a deep breath and continued riding forward.