Ye Shikai displayed great fearlessness. On one hand, he was not someone who liked to avoid things; as a man, a commander, he had the responsibilities that come with the role. On the other hand, Mi Wen wouldn’t want his life, nor could she take it...

"Withdraw all the guards. I’m only going to see the lord, why make such a big fuss." Ye Shikai waved his hand, signaling for the guards to disperse, and requested a fast horse for himself, intending to go alone to Mi Wen’s camp.

"Old Ye, hold on." Shangguan Jian suddenly whipped his horse forward, coming before Ye Shikai, blocking his path.

"Shangguan, what are you doing here."

"Nonsense, disbanding the troops was a decision made by both of us. Besides, you’re the commander, I’m the deputy commander, do you think I shouldn’t be going."

"Alright then, let’s go." Ye Shikai hesitated briefly but agreed to Shangguan Jian’s request. He understood his partner’s personality; even if he opposed resolutely, Shangguan Jian would still come along. He felt deeply gratified to have formed brotherly bonds with someone willing to face life and death together in this ’unfamiliar’ era.

..............................

The camp.

"Who goes there." As Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian arrived at the entrance, the garrison soldiers stopped them.

"Comrades, might trouble you to report in, saying we have important matters to discuss with the lord." Ye Shikai said calmly.

"You... you are General Ye, aren’t you."

"You recognize me." Ye Shikai was somewhat shocked, not expecting to be recognized.

"Salute, General Ye. The garrison was responsible for the lord’s safety. Back in Linxian City, I was fortunate to witness the general’s true form. I will report in immediately, please wait here." The soldier hurriedly ran into the camp and shortly returned.

"The two generals, please proceed, the lord is waiting in the camp for you."

"Shangguan, you wait outside the camp. There are some matters I need to discuss with the lord personally."

"Alright then, Old Ye, be careful. I’m right outside the camp; if anything happens to you, call for me anytime."

"Okay."

Ye Shikai intended to enter the camp alone to negotiate with Mi Wen, and he handed his sword to the guards outside the tent, walking in by himself.

"Coming to see me so late, it must be something major happening." Mi Wen dressed in plain clothes, was seated at the central position, with a sort of ’charm’ about her, but she was indeed very beautiful; even from the modern perspective, she could be deemed a great beauty. Yet... for a lord, dressing like this was not befitting her status.

"Having known, why ask again." Ye Shikai continued, "According to the local garrison commander’s report, you’ve been here since the morning, waiting for us, moreover, our every move is presumably clear to you." Ye Shikai said calmly.

"You got it half right, I indeed know your every move, but I didn’t arrive this morning. In fact, I reached here yesterday; today morning was when the garrison arrived." Mi Wen walked towards Ye Shikai, her tone laced with some contempt, and a confident smile graced her lips. Even though she’s not on the battlefield, everything falls ’under her gaze’, this was where her confidence stemmed from.

However, at this moment, this smile made Ye Shikai feel ’disgusted’.

"You truly are bold, daring to disband troops privately." Mi Wen suddenly scolded coldly, Ye Shikai felt an icy chill around his neck, looking down, Mi Wen’s sword tip was already pressed against his throat.

"Do you know that privately disbanding troops is a capital offense? Furthermore, your troops are the elite of the army, a formidable force I’ve trained over several years. Now they’re gone just like that."

"If you want to kill me, you can do it now." Ye Shikai raised his hands, not resisting, on the contrary, he raised his hands willing to ’surrender without resistance’.

"Haha." Mi Wen suddenly laughed out loud, withdrawing her sword.

"Why are you laughing."

"You’ve reckoned that I won’t kill you, or rather, can’t kill you. You are a cultivator, immensely powerful, even if I really made a move, you would have many ways to escape."

"Mi Wen, those soldiers were recruited by you personally, they have been following you for years. This battle is brutal, men who return are one in ten. As the commander, I not only bear responsibility for the success or failure of the battle but also for their fate. I cannot... let them all perish in a foreign land." Ye Shikai ’reasoned earnestly and well’, understanding now why ’mercilessness is essential to leadership’. Perhaps someone like him is destined not to be a great general.

"So, you wish for me to show mercy and allow these soldiers to return home."

"Ahem, you can think of it that way. If you saw this battle, I believe you would understand."

"Alright then, since you’ve already sent these soldiers home, pursuing them is meaningless. But... the charge of privately disbanding troops, how do you plan to bear it." Mi Wen shifted the focus back onto Ye Shikai.

"So, have you thought it through."

Ye Shikai slowly removed his armor, along with his helmet and battle robe, placing them neatly aside.

"What do you mean by this."

"I’m resigning due to accountability. From now on, I am no longer a general, merely a civilian. All the rewards given to me, I will have someone send back to the government office." Ye Shikai said calmly.

"No, I disagree." Mi Wen directly refused.

"Why."

"Disbanding the troops, and now losing a general, the loss is too considerable."

"Then what exactly do you want." Ye Shikai countered.

"You need to redeem yourself with meritorious deeds, or what else could you do." Mi Wen coldly laughed, "Could it be you truly wish for me to kill you."

"Let’s drop that then, it’s better to redeem myself with merits." Ye Shikai ’instantly surrendered’, taking a deep breath.

"Tch, I thought you were genuinely unafraid of death." Mi Wen sneered coldly, rolling her eyes hugely.

"Being human, naturally one fears death. Who is born wishing to die."

"However, just letting you go to the battlefield to redeem yourself is too lenient, avoiding a death sentence but not escaping punishment." Mi Wen shifted her tone, her piercing gaze causing him to shudder throughout.

"Otherwise, I could donate some money or treasures, considering it as expenses for recruiting new soldiers."

"Huh, when I was in business, you didn’t know where you were. Do you think some money can absolve you of your sins." Mi Wen sneered coldly.

"But I have nothing else to offer you; what I possess you’re already equipped with, otherwise tell me exactly what you want."