Now under his command are tens of thousands of brothers. If he were to truly hand them over to Shangguan Jian, he indeed feels a bit uneasy. It’s not that he doesn’t trust Shangguan Jian, but according to "history," these men likely face a fate of dying on the battlefield. Ye Shikai doesn’t wish for that; at the very least, he wants to secure a good outcome for these brothers.

"Husband, you went to the government office for discussions today; how did it go?" Ling’er stepped forward to inquire.

"Haha, once I stepped in, what more could they say, you didn’t see my look of ’debating with the learned’ at the scene." Ye Shikai said proudly, taking off his battle robe and pulling He Linghan into his embrace.

"Husband, the servants are watching." He Linghan’s shy demeanor was enough to move countless men in the world. This bashful look made one feel tender love. Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling the servants to withdraw.

"Let them be."

"Alright, put me down now." He Linghan lightly pounded his chest, and Ye Shikai then put her down. At the dining table, they talked about many things, including matters concerning Mi Wen. He also learned from He Linghan that during his time training troops at the camp, Mi Wen often visited Ye Mansion. Every time, they would chat in the garden for four hours before she returned.

Suddenly, Ye Shikai realized some things. Today, in the hall, he had "roasted" the strategists and generals under Mi Wen’s command, no wonder these "veterans" didn’t lose their temper. It seems He Linghan was the reason. Mi Wen frequently visiting Ye Mansion must have made these important officials understand that the relationship between Mi Wen and Ye Shikai was exceptional, so they got "roasted" but couldn’t tear their faces. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Husband, what plans do you have next?"

"Ahem, I don’t really have any plans, just training troops for battle. The Qin Army is busy suppressing rebel forces in the Central Plains, without time to march south, we might as well use this time." Asked about this topic, Ye Shikai suddenly felt a pang of guilt, covering it up with a cough.

After hesitating for a long time, he hadn’t mentioned Mi Wen’s military order. The words were at the tip of his tongue but couldn’t come out, fearing that once spoken, He Linghan would insist on accompanying him to Southern County.

He still didn’t know how to answer.

"Husband, but Miss Mi told me that you’ll be going to Southern County soon." He Linghan suddenly said. Ye Shikai was shocked, his mind blanking as if struck by thunder.

Unexpectedly, Mi Wen directly told He Linghan about this matter. Ye Shikai suddenly felt a surge of anger. Mi Wen must have calculated that he would find it difficult to speak and so directly told He Linghan, letting her mentally prepare herself, acting first and reporting later. This wasn’t the first or second time she’s done this.

"You ended up finding out." Ye Shikai picked up the chopsticks on the ground and muttered.

"Husband, there’s really no need to hide this from me. As a General, going out to battle is quite normal."

"Ling’er, since we married, I haven’t allowed you to live a peaceful life. Although Linxiang City is currently safe, my trip to Southern County this time is bound to be a bloody battle, short for six months, long for... Sigh, how can I feel at ease leaving you behind?" Ye Shikai sighed deeply, draining his cup of wine. The burning sensation in his throat and chest eased his heartache.

"Since it’s like this, I’ll go with you to Southern County."

"Absolutely not." Ye Shikai shouted excitedly, angrily throwing the wine glass to the ground, shattering it to pieces, startling He Linghan.

"If the flames of war reach Southern County, you’ll be in grave danger. No matter what, you must not leave Linxiang City." Ye Shikai was very emotional, even yelling out loud.

"But..."

"No buts, Ling’er, you must listen to me on this matter."

"Alright then, I’ll listen to you." He Linghan remained silent for a long time before slowly standing up, approaching Ye Shikai, "I’ll agree to your request, but... I also have one request."

"Of course, just say it."

"I want you to return to Linxiang City alive. At that time, I want to greet you at the city gate."

"Alright, I promise you." Ye Shikai pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, unwilling to let go.

"The battlefield is unpredictable. Even though you’re a General, you must take care of yourself. I know your aspirations; you want to save the people. I won’t stop you, but remember, you’re the savior of the people and also my husband, He Linghan."

"Ling’er, since that’s the case, I’ll share some secrets with you." Ye Shikai said with a faint smile, stretching out his hand towards the rockery in the garden.

"What’s the matter?" He Linghan asked curiously.

"Just watch closely."

Suddenly, Ye Shikai clenched his hand, and the rockery exploded violently, as if there were explosives inside, with debris falling into the pond. The loud noise drew the guards outside to rush over.

"Sir, what happened?"

"It’s nothing, you all can leave."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

"This... what is this?" He Linghan looked at Ye Shikai in horror as if looking at a "monster," which was natural. In the eyes of ordinary people, cultivators could walk on walls, move with flash steps, which already pushes the limits of ordinary people. A cultivator like Ye Shikai could crush a massive rock from a dozen meters away into powder.

"Ling’er, there’s no need to panic; this is Inner Strength." Ye Shikai placed his hand on her shoulder, transmitting a burst of Inner Strength into her body. Instantly, He Linghan felt a surge of energy throughout her body, her previously frail body seeming to improve.

"In this world, ordinary people can cultivate Inner Strength through spells and manuals. Once they cultivate it, they become a cultivator."

"Curious... a cultivator, what is that?" He Linghan asked curiously.

"You’ll learn about it in time. To put it plainly, it’s like those ’mystics’ people talk about." Ye Shikai made a comparison. The Inner Strength of a cultivator can break the limits of the body, and through the practice of certain spells, one can learn secret techniques, such as swordsmanship, blade technique, or the Fire Manipulation Technique, and even manipulate a person’s mind.

"How can this be?" It took He Linghan a long time to accept the "concept" of a cultivator. If she didn’t believe Ye Shikai, she might have screamed and run away.

"Then why are you only telling me now?" He Linghan asked back.

"Previously, my Dantian was destroyed, my Inner Strength lost, no different from an ordinary person, so I kept this a secret. Yet, by a twist of fate, the energy from the East County Meteor repaired my Dantian. It’s a secret I intended to share with you at the right time." Ye Shikai eagerly explained everything, only for one purpose: to prove to He Linghan that he was a cultivator, not an ordinary person. In other words, ordinary people would find it hard to harm him. So, even though he would fight on the battlefield in Southern County, He Linghan wouldn’t have to worry about his safety in Linxiang City.