In times of chaos, heroes abound, tyrants rise, and the least lacking is ambitious individuals dreaming of uniting the world. They always keep their eyes on the land, viewing it as a "big cake," willing to stake their lives to compete for it.

Desire is the most frightening thing. If Ye Shikai were like them, then he wouldn’t have chosen to rise against the Qin to save the people; he would have remained in East County, biding his time, secretly recruiting troops, expanding his influence, and then seizing the best opportunity to replace Ma Yao, becoming a local tyrant. By then, he would be considered a "tyrant" competing for the world.

Ye Shikai doesn’t have the grand ambition to compete for the world. For the sake of one hundred and twenty thousand people, he might risk his life, but competing for the world is beyond him.

"Ling’er, you have traveled tirelessly with me. It truly makes you suffer." Ye Shikai murmured softly in her ear.

"Husband, I don’t feel wronged, but when you reach Changsha, do you really plan to guard the city for Miss Mi? Don’t you have other aspirations in your heart?" A hint of resentment flashed in He Linghan’s eyes. Instead, she felt unjust for Ye Shikai. As a general, one yearns for military achievements. Although He Linghan wants to be with Ye Shikai, she hopes they don’t delay his path to glory because of her.

"I joined the Qin Army because the Wolf Clan invaded, and the survival of the country is everyone’s responsibility. For millions of people in the Central Plains, I enlisted to resist the enemy. Later, the court appointed me ’General Yi.’ I led forces to eliminate rebel armies because they were committing atrocities. The local people were complaining bitterly, and getting rid of them ensured stable lives for the common folk. Lastly, the court issued an absurd ’imperial decree’ due to a celestial phenomenon, ordering the troops to slaughter one hundred and twenty thousand people. I rose in rebellion for the sake of the people."

While speaking, Ye Shikai seemed to have fallen into contemplation, remaining silent for a long time.

Ye Shikai and his brothers only changed their "flag," but their principles remained unchanged.

"Ling’er, I have risked life and limb for the people, as have my brothers, even sacrificing their lives, and I believe it worthwhile. But now, I only want to live for you; I don’t want to worry about the rest."

"Enough, you should speak less and rest more. Shangguan is still out of contact, so we won’t leave for now." Ye Shikai reached out, placing his hand on He Linghan’s wrist, circulating his inner strength to input energy into her body. He has now repaired his Dantian and can protect He Linghan’s heart meridian with inner strength. As a woman, He Linghan is physically weak; once she falls ill, it could become serious or even fatal.

"Ling’er, are you feeling better?" Ye Shikai asked softly.

"Yes, I feel a surge of energy in my body, and I suddenly feel much lighter."

"That’s good. You should rest well first. I’ll come back later." Ye Shikai nodded and said, as He Linghan’s body is weak and can’t handle too much inner strength transferred at once, otherwise, it could cause backlashes. It needs to be done gradually.

Military Camp.

Ye Shikai first went to the Wounded Soldier Camp; many brothers have recovered and returned to their ranks. Xue San led his guard to escort He Linghan to Southern County; they did not encounter any resistance from the Qin Army along the way. However, passing through the miasma-covered mountains, many brothers fell ill, but there were no wounded soldiers. Ye Shikai’s troops had more wounded because they were constantly evading the Qin Army’s pursuit, hence fewer sick than injured.

"Brothers, rest and heal well here." Ye Shikai personally poured water and served food to the wounded, deeply moving the brothers present. He established a rule in the military camp that the best food should first be given to the wounded; if the wounded haven’t eaten, not even the General can start his meal. Therefore, the army is united, and the soldiers are willing to serve Ye Shikai.

"General, are we going to stay here indefinitely?" one wounded soldier wrapped in white cloth asked.

"No, once you’ve recovered and rejoined the ranks, we will head to Changsha Commandery, where there isn’t much conflict, and we can temporarily say goodbye to this life of licking blood off blades." Ye Shikai chose not to hide the truth. This matter concerned all brothers present. As a commander, he had no right to conceal it, nor did he want to. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Changsha Commandery, that’s further south, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

The soldiers present were not noticeably excited upon hearing the news. Many lowered their heads, silently, appearing quite downcast.

Ye Shikai faintly heard sounds of crying from a distance and looked down to see a "teenager" of about fifteen or sixteen sobbing in the corner. At that age, going to war in ancient times was not uncommon. Ye Shikai was somewhat opposed to it, but recruiting soldiers was not his responsibility, but his subordinates’.

"Why are you crying?" Ye Shikai did not blame him, speaking gently as if afraid of scaring him.

"General, are we... never going back?" The "child" sobbed, and Ye Shikai’s face gradually darkened. This question was like a sharp knife piercing everyone’s heart.

Most ancient people were rooted in their homeland, with strong associations to it. Ye Shikai’s subordinates were mostly from the Central Plains, and now having traveled southward for two or three thousand miles, they found the unaccustomed environment unsettling. Ye Shikai understood this. Many of them missed their parents at home, and although Ye Shikai saved one hundred and twenty thousand people, they lost their original homeland. The soldiers seemed to have lost contact with their relatives back home, and in such circumstances, losing contact might mean never seeing them again in their lifetime.

"Brothers, I promise you, as long as I have a breath left, I will bring you back home." Ye Shikai said firmly, understanding this sentiment, akin to when he journeyed alone back to the Qin Dynasty, unknown to anything, with "not a penny," and without inner strength. An ordinary person might perish a hundred times. Back then, he missed home immensely.

"But the tyrant Qin still remains; we are still wanted. If we want to return home openly, we must first overthrow the tyrant Qin. So, the most important thing right now is to survive."

"The General is right."

"Indeed." The soldiers nodded, aware of the situation. With just a few thousand of them, even if they headed north now, the powerful Qin Army would stop them before Southern County, let alone on their way back to East County and He Nei County alive.

"Therefore, we must first go to Changsha, develop our strength there, prepare and regroup, and continue resisting the tyrant Qin." Ye Shikai declared loudly.