Chapter 1384 - 1060: The Soul Is Being Torn Apart

"Your Highness, watch out!"

Nie Chong leapt forward, shielding Yu Wenye, catching Shan Shiyu off guard, who had no time to react. The short sword in his hand, sharp as iron, effortlessly pierced Nie Chong’s chest without a sound!

At this moment, everyone was stunned.

Including Nie Chong.

Because as he felt a cold sensation in his chest, he realized that Yu Wenye hadn’t completed the move; though he had reached out his hand, he had stepped back at that instant.

Yu Wenye’s face, usually composed and stern, now showed a look of shock, clearly not expecting Nie Chong to step forward at this moment. His eyes turned red: "Nie Chong—"

"Brother Nie!"

Louder than Yu Wenye’s voice was the sudden cry of agony from the side.

Shantong’er froze upon witnessing the scene.

His eyes widened, but those blood-red eyes became dark and lifeless, as if they had never clearly seen this world, nor the people before him, merely reflecting the chaotic silhouettes and the sudden appearance of a streak of blood red.

As his cry echoed, Shan Shiyu abruptly withdrew the short sword.

Blood gushed from Nie Chong’s chest, scattering as a mist of despair under the night sky, instantly staining everyone’s vision with red.

Yu Wenye, not retracting his outstretched hand, immediately grasped Nie Chong’s arms and stepped back two paces with him. Amidst the blinding blood mist, another flash of blade aimed for him—Shan Shiyu, after retrieving his sword, lunged forward to claim Yu Wenye’s life!

But this strike didn’t even get close to Yu Wenye.

As Shan Shiyu gritted his teeth, aiming for Yu Wenye’s chest, he suddenly felt a rush of wind from the side, too swift to respond, followed by a sharp pain in his wrist as Shen Tu Tai intervened with a kick.

A loud "crack" and Shan Shiyu’s wrist bent at an unnatural angle.

His wrist had been forcibly broken!

"Ah!"

A suppressed cry of pain escaped only for Shen Tu Tai to seize his arm, pulling fiercely, causing the entire arm to go limp. Shen Tu Tai swiftly twisted and pinned him to the ground.

Everything occurred in the blink of an eye. Even those aware of Shan Shiyu’s intentions, prepared to act, were caught off guard by this swift turn of events. As they reacted to resist, Shan Shiyu had already been subdued by Shen Tu Tai. Covered in blood with eyes bloodshot, he glared viciously at everyone like the Evil Ghost Shura: "Anyone moves, and I’ll snap their neck!"

"...!"

Upon hearing this, the Deputy Generals and personal soldiers were frozen in place.

Not only surprised by Shan Shiyu’s failure, but also by Shen Tu Tai’s presence, whose mere existence exerted an invisible pressure, coupled with his prowess, with even Shan Shiyu’s life in his grasp, what could the rest do?

As they hesitated, those behind Yu Wenye advanced, restraining these individuals.

The situation was momentarily under control.

Yet behind Shan Shiyu, the few thousand soldiers he had brought were beginning to stir uneasily. Though the night was dense, someone from Yu Wenye’s side held torches, casting faint light on the chaotic figures and the fierce conflict, making it all visible. Many from that group saw the scene, starting to move restlessly.

Although far away, and without Shan Shiyu’s command, they remained uneasy but did not immediately act, merely craning their necks toward the commotion.

Shen Tu Tai, holding Shan Shiyu down, turned to Yu Wenye: "Your Highness, shall we—"

"No need,"

Yu Wenye waved his hand, though now stained entirely with blood protecting Nie Chong, the intense smell of blood added a hoarse tone to his calm voice. He said deeply, "As long as we stay still, they won’t move."

"..."

Many were puzzled; the others had witnessed the altercation, why wouldn’t they move if they didn’t?

But indeed, the others hadn’t moved, granting them a brief moment. Yu Wenye, supporting Nie Chong with one hand, pressed his chest firmly with the other, yet the blood continued to gush from the wound, soon soaking half of him, staining his eyes red, murmuring deeply, "Quick, find the military doctor!"

Someone immediately rode away.

They came for "surrender" tonight, naturally without a military doctor in tow. Realizing this, listening to the distant hoofbeats, Yu Wenye’s eyes reddened further, yet he tried to maintain composure, calmly reassuring: "It’s alright, don’t worry."

These words were, of course, meant for Nie Chong.

Yet Nie Chong, normally sharp and perceptive to any movement, seemed somewhat dazed, lips pale, barely whispered, "Ah."

Beside him, Shen Tu Tai, eyes red, bowed his head.

Blood didn’t faze him; after years of campaigning, he’d seen more tragic casualties, accustomed to comrades dying on the battlefield. Yet, he hadn’t expected to witness this scene tonight.

Even less—

His reddened eyes cast a brief glance at Shantong’er beside him. Since calling out "Brother Nie," the child had been frozen, like losing his soul, now watching Nie Chong with bloodshot eyes, then his gaze shifted to Shan Shiyu pinned beneath him, like his small body, small soul, was being torn, shattered.

Only now did he speak, voice trembling for the first time ever: "Why, why..."

Uttering these words, he stepped forward dazedly, gazing at Shan Shiyu. The previous look of joy and hope shattered by despair, till even despair was exhausted, leaving only desolation, muttering in bewilderment: "Why, elder brother, why, why did you do this..."

Upon hearing his voice, Shan Shiyu immediately turned away.

Clearly unable to face the child’s gaze, yet not entirely avoiding, his unwilling eyes flickered, seeking the heavy night beside him, breath heavy, seeming to await something.

Then Yu Wenye’s cold voice sounded: "Stop waiting."

"...!"

Shan Shiyu startled, suddenly understanding something, looking up at him: "You—you know what I’m waiting for?"