Recollecting Wang Li’s words just now, Ye Shikai couldn’t help but feel a tinge of "gloom". Could it be that there is truly someone behind the scenes secretly scheming? Although he indeed disdains focusing on this, and has contempt for such conspiratorial means, since ancient times, how many loyal ministers and valiant generals have perished due to rumors? He certainly didn’t want to die...

"Old Ye, what are you thinking about?" Ye Shikai was lost in thought until Shangguan Jian called him several times before he responded. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Ahem, it’s nothing." Ye Shikai steadied himself, staying calm; his relationship with Mi Wen was more than just monarch and minister; they were friends too. He didn’t believe Mi Wen would doubt him over a few rumors.

However... if nothing exceedingly urgent were happening, why would Mi Wen issue such secret orders to him?

"General Ye, General Shangguan, I shall take my leave." The messenger bowed and slowly exited the hall.

"Alright, you may leave now, I’ve seen the contents of the secret order myself. Inform the lord, I will carry it out."

"Yes."

After the messenger left, the entire hall plunged into silence. Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian remained speechless, staring blankly at the ashes in the fire pit...

"Old Ye, what do we do now?" After a long time, Shangguan Jian finally spoke.

"What else can we do? Prepare to set off now; the lord wants us to return to Linxiang immediately, and of course we must comply without delay." Ye Shikai continued, "Aside from the twenty thousand elite soldiers guarding Wan City, gather the rest of the troops swiftly, supplement the provisions. We must set out overnight." Ye Shikai commanded.

"Alright, I’ll take care of it immediately." Shangguan Jian hurried out, saying nothing more. He understood what the five words on the secret letter meant; it wasn’t just about returning to the city, the chill behind it was palpable to everyone.

Setting out overnight with the troops, Ye Shikai felt restless along the way, wondering what Mi Wen truly meant, what had befallen Linxiang City.

"Shangguan."

"What’s wrong, Old Ye?"

"You continue marching with the main troops while I lead the guards and cavalry on a forced march to Linxiang City."

"This... alright then, Old Ye, stay safe." Shangguan Jian nodded.

The guard squad under Ye Shikai and Wan Qi Yuan’s cavalry together amounted to five to six thousand cavalry. They traveled day and night, covering over three hundred miles in a day and night, reaching Changsha in just three days after departing Southern County.

"Excuse me, are you General Ye?" Upon entering Changsha, Ye Shikai and his party were stopped by a team of soldiers.

"Yes, that’s right."

"By order of the lord, we will accompany General Ye back to Linxiang City." The lead officer said.

"Alright, thank you." Ye Shikai nodded in agreement. They had been marching day and night without time to rest. Exhausted after the long journey, both people and horses were weary, and now was a chance for slow travel and respite.

"Wan Qi Yuan, pass the order for the brothers to march slowly and recover their strength."

"Yes."

"General Ye, I heard you won a great victory in Nanyang County, defeated Qin General Wang Li, and also killed thirty-four thousand Qin Army soldiers, is that true?" The lead officer suddenly asked.

"Indeed, it was a victory. But we lost many brothers too. Now that the battle is over, it’s about time for them to return. These soldiers haven’t seen their families in months." Ye Shikai replied blandly.

"Ha-ha, the lord has already prepared a celebration feast in the city."

"Is that so."

"Of course, in recent days, Linxiang City has been awash with tales of General Ye’s exploits. Wang Li is Wang Jian’s grandson, and who was Wang Jian? He destroyed many of the Six States back then, and our Chu State harbors profound hatred for the Wang Family."

Linxiang City adorned with festive decorations, celebrating the front-line victory, so... Ling’er should know as well, right? Thinking of this, Ye Shikai felt much relieved. He had left Linxiang for several months, leaving He Linghan alone at the residence. She must have been anxious, unable to eat or sleep, constantly worried. Now that the triumphant news has reached Linxiang City, she must be reassured.

After marching for half a day, the troops quickly reached the outskirts of Linxiang City.

"General Ye, the lord has ordered you to enter the city alone, the remaining troops must all station outside the city." At the city gates, they were stopped by the gatekeeper.

"These are the brothers who’ve fought life and death with me, valiant warriors who’ve battled enemies. Now the city folk are celebrating our victory, why can’t they enter?" Ye Shikai said coldly; it was unheard of for a returning army to halt outside the city, his once settled heart now stirred again.

"It’s the lord’s order; I’m merely fulfilling duties. Perhaps... the lord aims to wait until the main troops arrive before welcoming the brothers into the city."

"Wan Qi Yuan, lead all the brothers to the barracks and settle there. I’m heading into the city."

"General, this..."

"Say no more, execute the order."

"Yes."

Ye Shikai rode alone into the city, perhaps due to being alone, his arrival didn’t cause too much of a "stir". Numerous citizens didn’t recognize him, mistaking him for just an ordinary general. Obviously, Mi Wen deliberately concealed the news of the army’s return, otherwise, the citizens wouldn’t be unaware.

Arriving at Mi Wen’s residence, he saw hundreds of armored soldiers gathered outside, standing vigilant, seemingly waiting for something.

"I’ve returned to the city by order of the lord, now I need to meet the lord, please let me through." Ye Shikai said calmly.

"General Ye, please hand over your weapons."

"Why is that?"

"By order of the lord, please cooperate, don’t make things difficult for us."

Ye Shikai felt a hint of annoyance; this clearly showed distrust in him. However, the situation was different; this was Linxiang City, and if a conflict arose, he would be at fault.

"Take it." Ye Shikai handed his sword to a guard and walked alone into the residence.

"Not a single person." Ye Shikai scanned the empty hall but didn’t see anyone, and a cold feeling enveloped his heart. Though there appeared to be nobody nearby, he distinctly felt a murderous intent. There were individuals nearby, not just a few, numbering at least dozens, and all of them were cultivators. To have so many cultivators placed within Mi Wen’s residence, the only possibility was her guard squad.

Since they were Mi Wen’s guard squad, but why would there be a murderous intent, could it be...

As soon as Ye Shikai thought of turning around, dozens of figures in black emerged. Ye Shikai had clashed with them before; these were Mi Wen’s private guards, composed of elite cultivators whose strength was formidable.

"Gentlemen, you should recognize me." Ye Shikai didn’t panic; he merely wished to understand "given that, could you tell me where the lord is, why hasn’t she come out?"