"Once General Ye meets our family head, everything will become clear." Huo Ziqing hinted, gesturing to the team behind him.

"General Ye leads the righteous army for thousands of miles to Chu Territory, evading the Qin Army’s pursuit. You must be exhausted. I’ve brought provisions and medicine, all of it is for General Ye."

"Thank you so much." Ye Shikai said excitedly, bowing repeatedly in gratitude. Right now, what he lacked the most were provisions and medicine. With these, his brothers would be settled, and Huo Ziqing’s arrival happened to solve his urgent needs.

"General Ye need not thank me; this was all arranged by my superior. I’m just carrying out my orders." Huo Ziqing waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to unload the provisions and medicine from the carriages. Seeing this, the Three Elders also instructed the villagers to disperse, preventing a potential conflict.

"General Ye, to speak candidly, your valiant battles with the Wolf Clan in Ji County achieved outstanding results. Also, your decision to forsake courtly wealth for the people’s safety and to raise arms in rebellion - I deeply admire you and have long wished to behold your demeanor."

"As General of East County, it is only natural to consider the people. The court’s decisions were so absurd that I had no choice but to rise in rebellion."

"This is not the place for conversation. I’ve prepared a feast in the county for General Ye and the righteous soldiers, and also arranged lodgings. Please, General Ye, come."

"Thank you for your kindness, General Huo." Ye Shikai finished speaking and turned to look at the soldiers.

"Attention all troops, break camp and set out."

"Yes."

"Yes."

Two hours later.

"Earlier was truly too dangerous. Those villagers surrounded the quarters of the injured brothers. I and the Iron Armor Army confronted them, nearly causing a conflict." Man Cang, alongside the Iron Armor Army, escorted the wounded brothers towards the county, appearing somewhat shaken. Ye Shikai repeatedly commanded not to harm the people. Had the villagers really stepped into the injured brothers’ quarters, given Man Cang’s character, he would surely have ordered the Iron Armor Army to clash with them.

Fortunately, Huo Ziqing arrived in time, explained, and then the villagers left.

"Well, there’s no other choice. Wearing this attire and coming to the territory of the rebel army, not being mistakenly injured is already a fortune." Ye Shikai sighed, entering the county where Huo Ziqing led him to the residence.

"General Ye, you’ve traveled a long way. Please, take the seat of honor."

"Thank you."

Ye Shikai sat down but noticed Huo Ziqing was still standing.

"Why doesn’t General Huo sit?"

"I suddenly have urgent business and cannot drink with General Ye, please forgive me." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Is that so? Well then, I shall visit another day." Ye Shikai was about to stand but was stopped by Huo Ziqing.

"General Ye need not be so formal. Although I have urgent issues, another friend will arrive shortly. Please wait a moment." Huo Ziqing explained.

"Friend? I don’t seem to know anyone here."

"Haha, you’ll see soon enough, General Ye." Huo Ziqing stood, bowed in farewell, and left the hall.

"General, what does Huo Ziqing mean by this? He invites us to drink and eat, yet leaves the guest alone." Man Cang curiously asked.

"I don’t know either. For now, don’t act rashly." Ye Shikai calmed down, instinctively on guard. He surveyed the surroundings and saw no soldiers lying in wait nor archers above, indicating that Huo Ziqing held no malice. However, as host, he suddenly claiming urgent business was also illogical.

Suddenly, a figure entered the hall, and Ye Shikai turned his head to look. To his shock, his mouth hung open, and his chopsticks fell to the floor.

"Long time no see."

"Hua... Hua Liandie."

"My real name is Mi Wen, don’t call me that name anymore."

The visitor was Mi Wen, wearing armor that should be a man’s battle attire, yet as a woman dressed in armor, she appeared energetic, possessing quite a female general’s demeanor.

"I never expected that the ’friend’ General Huo spoke of would be you." Ye Shikai chuckled bitterly. Mi Wen’s arrival was both unexpected and reasonable; Huo Ziqing mentioned following ’superior’s’ orders, now it seems this ’superior’ is Mi Wen.

"What? Are you not happy to see me?"

"Of course, I’m happy." Ye Shikai shifted his tone, teasingly remarked, "If you were also encircled by the Qin Army for half a month, you’d understand me now."

"Haha." Mi Wen poured Ye Shikai a cup of wine and poured herself one.

"Let’s toast to our reunion."

"Alright."

"Brother Man Cang, I wish to have a private conversation with your general. Could you excuse us for a moment?" Mi Wen remarked calmly, and Man Cang glanced at Ye Shikai. After obtaining Ye Shikai’s approval, he left the hall.

"We’ve just entered Southern County and encountered your subordinates; it seems your influence has grown rapidly." Ye Shikai noted, if he guessed correctly, the whole Southern County should be under Mi Wen’s control. Not only that, but several counties to the south should also be under her command.

"If you had come with me to Chu Territory back then, it wouldn’t be the current result."

"Do you regret it?"

"No." Ye Shikai hesitated briefly, then resolutely spoke. Upon reflection, perhaps if he and Mi Wen had returned to Chu Territory together, his followers could’ve avoided many casualties, but that’s an ’if.’ Life has no ’if.’ Looking at the past from the current perspective is a ’God’s view.’ It’s meaningless. If time rolled back one month and Ying Huo Shou Xin hadn’t arrived, Ye Shikai would still choose to stay in East County.

Moreover, from another perspective, had Ye Shikai and Mi Wen arrived in Chu Territory together then those twelve thousand people within fifty miles of East County Meteor’s Pit would indeed have ’died.’

"By the way, what about Ling’er and Xue San? Have they arrived in Southern County? And Shangguan Jian, have your subordinates seen him?" Ye Shikai seemed to suddenly remember, standing up and loudly asking.

"Rest assured, Miss He and Xue San are now in my residence; they were luckier than you, not pursued by the Qin Army. As for Shangguan Jian, I have no news of him. Wasn’t he with you? How is it that he’s gone now?"

"Long story." Ye Shikai took a deep breath. At least He Linghan and Xue San were safe, which was a constant concern for him.

"Once settled, I need to head north to find someone." Ye Shikai stated determinedly.

"No, it’s too dangerous now. The Qin Army in Nanyang County is numerous."