"So that’s it, it really is just an inn. We were overthinking it," He Linghan nodded and said. The group had been eating for a while without any issues, and the wine seemed normal. However, Ye Shikai still advised everyone to drink sparingly, as they had to resume their journey the next day.

"Gentlemen, here’s your chicken soup. Our humble establishment’s skills are not the best, please forgive us," the waiter said courteously. Having received Ye Shikai’s silver taels, he naturally remained polite.

"Alright, innkeeper, just bring us some fresh vegetables," Ye Shikai gestured.

"Got it, sir, please wait a moment."

"Ling’er, it’s been a long journey, eat a bit more." Ye Shikai said with care. He Linghan wasn’t used to riding a warhorse for so long, the jostling alone was uncomfortable. Man Cang and Xue San, sensing the situation, led their close guards to a nearby table, leaving the couple alone.

"I... I’m not that hungry. You go ahead and eat," He Linghan replied with the demeanor of a virtuous wife, waiting for Ye Shikai to take a bite before she ate.

"Sir, we’re full. We’ll wait at the door. If there’s anything you need, just call us," Man Cang and the guards quickly finished their meals and left, knowing they were not the main focus here and not wanting to disturb the newlyweds.

"Ling’er, once we reach East County, if there’s anything you’re not accustomed to, just inform the servants. If you wish to visit your grandfather in the village, let me know, and I’ll have Man Cang take you back," Ye Shikai said thoughtfully, offering her a piece of food and placing his left hand on her arm.

"Alright," He Linghan said after a few bites, putting down her chopsticks. "I’m full, I’ll go up and rest."

"Go ahead, be careful."

Ye Shikai sat alone at the table, sipping a few glasses of wine, feeling a bit tipsy. When no one was around, he took out his phone. When he first arrived in the Qin Dynasty, he felt nothing, but as days passed, his memories began to fade, especially those of the past. Sometimes, he would forget the phone’s unlock password. Eventually, he removed the password. By now, he had forgotten many things, and even the life-and-death missions in Dragon Teeth began to fade from his memory. At times, alone in his room, he would anxiously knock his head. Initially, he wanted to record all his memories on the phone, but when the phone ran out of battery, he now had to use a brush to write on hemp cloth.

At this rate, there would come a day when he would forget everything, forget where he came from, forget his past. By then, he would completely become someone of the Qin Dynasty.

"Husband, aren’t you coming up yet?" After some time, He Linghan’s voice came from upstairs. Ye Shikai looked up to see her leaning against the railing. Without realizing it, he had been sitting for two hours, and now it was deep into the night. In the stillness, He Linghan, seeing that he still hadn’t come up, came out to check.

"Oh, I’m coming right up." Ye Shikai snapped out of it, put the phone back in his pocket, and headed upstairs.

"Ling’er, it’s so late. If you’re tired, sleep first." He Linghan helped Ye Shikai out of his armor, warming his heart. From the looks of it, if he stayed downstairs all night, He Linghan wasn’t planning to sleep.

"If you don’t come back, how can I sleep peacefully? Come on, we have to continue our journey tomorrow. Husband, sleep early," she said. The two lay in bed silently. Though they had been married for a few days and had talked through the night, now they were tired and quickly drifted into sleep.

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

Thud, thud, thud.

"Who is it?"

In the darkness, Ye Shikai suddenly opened his eyes, his clothes soaked in cold sweat. He heard footsteps in the corridor outside. Instantly, he got out of bed. Awakened by the noise, He Linghan also got up, though unlike Ye Shikai, she lacked the sense to detect unknown threats.

"What’s wrong? What happened?"

"Someone’s outside. Be careful," Ye Shikai shouted. At that moment, several arrows shot through the window paper towards the bed. Ye Shikai hugged He Linghan and rolled to the other side, vigorously using the quilt to deflect the arrows.

"Ah!" They rolled together onto the floor. He Linghan screamed. Ye Shikai realized she was only in a thin silk garment. Suddenly having the quilt pulled off naturally startled her, but in this life-or-death moment, they couldn’t care about such things. The assassins outside were clearly premeditated, and Ye Shikai had to ensure He Linghan’s safety.

"Ling’er, stay here and don’t move," Ye Shikai said, wrapping He Linghan in the quilt before standing back up.

Bam.

"Kill that army leader!"

"Kill!"

Three black-clad assassins burst into the room. Ye Shikai grabbed his sword, charging like a fierce tiger. In a flash, he killed one of them. Before the remaining two could react, Ye Shikai kicked one in the chest, sending him flying, then swiftly turned and slashed the last one’s neck, killing him instantly.

"Sir, are you alright?" Suddenly, Xue San’s voice echoed from the corridor. He and the close guards, who stayed next door, must have heard the commotion. As he reached the door, Xue San saw the assassin kicked by Ye Shikai slowly getting up. Without hesitation, he took out a crossbow and fired, the three bolts hitting the assassin in the chest and killing him on the spot.

"What’s happening outside? Why are there assassins?" Ye Shikai asked coldly.

"Sir, we don’t know either. These assassins don’t seem to have come from outside," Xue San replied, puzzled. He had awakened at the first sound, but clearly, these assassins were targeting Ye Shikai and He Linghan.

Ye Shikai lit a candle and approached one of the assassins, removing his mask. Seeing the face, he was taken aback.

"Isn’t this the waiter?" He Linghan said in horror.

"Sir, this person is the cook from the inn, and this one is the odd-job man," Xue San said, uncovering the other two’s faces and verifying their identities.

"It seems this really is a shady inn. Quick, we need to leave here immediately and find the main forces outside," Ye Shikai said. With only Xue San, four guards, and He Linghan to protect, this place was unsafe for them to stay.

Bam.

Suddenly, there was a crash from downstairs. The doors and windows of the inn were smashed open, and dozens of black-clad figures stormed in from outside.