Chapter 1669: Chapter 1669: Curiosity
Ye Shikai certainly couldn’t tell the truth, moreover, even if he really did, Mi Wen wouldn’t believe it. The most crucial point was that the sword You Xi was the sword of Qin General Bai Qi, the renowned "Human Slaughter." His fame spread across six states, and if Mi Wen knew that Bai Qi’s sword was "hidden" here, it would likely bring countless troubles, without any benefit. At that time, not only would he become the focus of the Chu State, but various forces in the Qin Country would certainly pay attention to him as well.
Now it seems Mi Wen is still unaware that Ye Shikai’s weapon is the You Xi sword, she only sees this sword as having limitless power and feels curious. If she already knew, she would definitely make Ye Shikai reveal it immediately.
"Really." Mi Wen hesitated, doubting and believing. On one hand, she indeed believed the sword was gifted to him by a master; otherwise, how could a civilian youth obtain such a powerful weapon? But on the other hand, she also doubted Ye Shikai’s words.
"At this moment, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. Once out of this door, there won’t be a third person who knows. So, can you tell me now?" Mi Wen remained relentless, determined to get to the bottom of it.
"Mi Wen, for a true gentleman, promises must be kept. Moreover, the other party is an elder. I swore to the heavens I would never reveal anything about this sword or the elder. I hope you won’t make it difficult for me," Ye Shikai responded, adopting a "serious and solemn" demeanor, as if any revelation would bring about lightning and thunder.
"Your seriousness actually makes me more curious. I was already curious why I couldn’t find any information about your past identity, not even your birthplace. Not only that, everything about you is a blank slate." Mi Wen suddenly moved close to his ear and whispered, making Ye Shikai uncomfortable with the intimate proximity. Just as he was about to pull away, Mi Wen stopped him.
"My lord, men and women should not touch casually, moreover, you hold the status of a daughter, I hope you’ll respect yourself," Ye Shikai had no choice but to "impolitely" push her away, stepping back several paces, bowing as he spoke.
"Haha, I didn’t expect you to react this way. Let me ask you, you truly aren’t going to speak?" Mi Wen’s face suddenly turned icy, sending a chill down one’s spine.
"No, please don’t make it difficult for me any longer, my lord... I’ll return to the mansion now, please take care and rest well." After saying this, Ye Shikai quickly left, only exhaling deeply after walking out of the government office.
"What I want, I’ve never failed to obtain. Be it the world or you, none can escape..." Watching Ye Shikai’s retreating figure, Mi Wen muttered to herself.
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"Why are you running so fast?" Knife Soul asked curiously. After leaving the government office, Ye Shikai mounted his warhorse and rushed back home, instructing the house servants and guards to keep a close watch on the gates, acting as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Of course, I’m worried about Mi Wen."
"Mi Wen, what’s happening with her?"
"Knife Soul, do you really not understand, or are you pretending not to? Can’t you see she definitely won’t give up?"
"Indeed, given the Sword Power of You Xi sword, anyone would be tempted," Knife Soul continued, "Do you fear Mi Wen might take action against you?"
"Of course, I know her too well. She will certainly investigate the You Xi sword incident again." Ye Shikai showed a worried expression, most concerned that Mi Wen might use his "weakness" to threaten him, like He Linghan.
"Knowing this, I would never have used the You Xi sword back then, even with bare hands I was confident in subduing that person." Ye Shikai felt somewhat regretful, but things had already reached this point, regretting was useless now.
"It seems you don’t fully understand your lord’s position. Given the current situation, she must rely heavily on you for next year’s campaign against Ba Shu. So at least for now, even if she wishes to investigate you, she wouldn’t touch your bottom line. A sword and the two counties of Ba Shu, she understands which holds more weight." Knife Soul spoke calmly.
"So... you mean she won’t act impulsively now, but might take action later." Ye Shikai continued.
"That possibility can’t be ruled out. But you don’t need to worry, as that’s a future issue. Yet right now, your excessive vigilance makes Mi Wen suspect you, which might intensify her doubts."
"You’re right, I’ve been a bit sensitive." Ye Shikai took a deep breath to calm himself down.
"Husband." Suddenly, a tender voice sounded behind him. Just recovering his senses, Ye Shikai was startled nearly out of his skin, but upon turning, he saw He Linghan standing behind him.
"Ling’er, it’s you."
"Who else could it be? It’s home, of course I’m here. Husband, you don’t look very spirited, are you overworked lately?" He Linghan took out a silk handkerchief, wiping his forehead. Only then did Ye Shikai realize sweat had gathered and was running down his forehead.
"It’s nothing, just a bit of tiredness." Ye Shikai responded perfunctorily, having consumed a great deal of Inner Strength after using the You Xi sword, rest was necessary.
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After dinner, Ye Shikai sat alone in the study. Before entering, he instructed the house servants that no one was allowed inside without his permission.
Ye Shikai retrieved the Emperor Xuan Scripture from his Storage Ring. Ever since arriving in the Qin Dynasty, he rarely practiced. Last time, the energy from East County Meteor unexpectedly helped him restore his Inner Strength. Up to now, he had cultivated to the fifth layer of the Emperor Xuan Scripture, the Kun Level.
Upon reaching this realm, his abilities already surpassed many cultivators. The key point is, anyone’s cultivation has bottlenecks, limitations. But upon cultivating the Emperor Xuan Scripture, one can continually surpass personal limits, reaching realms many cultivators would struggle to achieve in their lifetime.
"You brat, you should have started cultivating long ago. If you practiced diligently before, you might’ve even broken through the sixth layer by the meteor last time." Knife Soul complained in his mind.
"Alright, don’t say that. Whether or not to cultivate depends on the situation. At that time, there was constant battling, and as a commander, how could I have found time to cultivate."
After a few breaths, Ye Shikai’s face flushed red, wanting to break through is no easy task. Even though he believed his cultivation talent to be quite decent, well-suited to the Emperor Xuan Scripture, Inner Strength continuously flowed from the Dantian, filling his meridians, causing intense pain throughout his body.
