The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1570: Wound

"General, did something occur?" Several personal guards soon entered the tent, their eyes questioning the overturned table.

"Don't fret, it's nothing, absolutely nothing. I merely... stumbled, causing the table to fall." Ye Shikai quickly fabricated an excuse to dismiss their concerns.

"Ahem, ahem, you may all depart. I am fine." Fearing the guards might notice the sword marks etched into the table, Ye Shikai hastily ordered them out.

"Yes."

"Yes."

Rising from the ground, Ye Shikai suppressed the pain. Fortunately, he had managed to conceal the sword wound; if it had been discovered, rumors would undoubtedly have swept through the army.

"Are you truly unharmed?" Mi Wen, realizing her earlier mistake, was quite flustered and moved to examine Ye Shikai's injuries, but he gently stopped her.

"It's fine, you needn't trouble yourself." Ye Shikai circulated his Inner Strength, and the bleeding from the wound soon ceased. A sense of relief washed over him; had he not recovered his Inner Strength, his life might have been in jeopardy, or perhaps the Sword Qi from moments ago was potent enough to end it.

"Allow me to examine the wound." Mi Wen persisted, still worried.

"Truly, there is no need." Shaking her off, Ye Shikai exited the tent without delay.

This sword strike was destined to create a chasm between them.

Back mountain.

"Did she have to be so ruthless?" Ye Shikai discovered a secluded spot and lifted the clothing beneath his battle armor. He had hastily attended to the wound in the tent earlier but had not inspected it thoroughly. Now, seizing the advantage of being alone, he raised his shirt. Despite the earlier treatment, the wound remained a 'terrifying' sight, the longsword having passed clean through his body, creating an opening at the front and another at the back.

Ye Shikai's body bore countless scars, in addition to blade and sword injuries, there were also bullet wounds. These were relics from past battles, the myriad of wounds resembling an intricate 'painting'.

"What are you doing here?" A voice suddenly echoed from behind him, startling Ye Shikai so profoundly he nearly lost his footing. The clothes in his hand slipped to the ground as he turned to see Mi Wen standing behind him like a specter, her gaze sweeping over him like a sharp blade.

"Damn it."

Ye Shikai couldn't help but curse, now exposed to Mi Wen's full view, bare-chested, with wounds marring his abdomen, chest, and back.

In a flurry, Ye Shikai swiftly retrieved the fallen clothes to cover his upper body, feeling as embarrassed as a young lady teased by a suitor.

"Why do you have so many injuries upon your person?" Mi Wen inquired.

"Since you joined the Qin Army, though you have faced numerous battles, you have rarely sustained such severe injuries, certainly not this many." Mi Wen's expression turned cold as she questioned him in a chilling tone.

"My curiosity regarding your true identity grows ever stronger."

"You are a lord yourself, yet you resort to spying. Do you not comprehend the principle that men and women should maintain distance?" Ye Shikai ignored decorum and rebuked her, though his lowered voice betrayed his concern of being overheard by patrolling soldiers.

"I... I was merely concerned for your well-being."

"Unless it pierces vital organs, for a cultivator, such wounds are but superficial. I am quite well, so you may finally set your mind at ease." As Ye Shikai spoke, he hastily dressed himself. Blast it all, even seeking refuge in the bushes had not been enough to evade detection. He suspected Mi Wen might have been trailing him. If the patrolling soldiers were to find him scantily clad, standing with Mi Wen amidst the foliage... such a sight would surely agitate them.

"Have you seen enough? Let us return to the camp." Ye Shikai straightened his attire and turned to depart. With no further words to offer, Mi Wen had no choice but to follow him.

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

No sooner had Ye Shikai returned to the military encampment than he received welcome tidings.

Shangguan Jian had made his return, albeit grievously wounded, his spirit remained unbroken, accompanied by only seven surviving soldiers.

Man Cang, without any delay, procured the finest local physician to attend to Shangguan Jian's injuries.

"What is the condition?" Ye Shikai hastened to the Wounded Soldier Camp, posing the question to the physician.

"General Shangguan's wounds are significant, primarily stemming from substantial blood loss and exhaustion due to traveling through the night without prompt medical attention."

"Be direct; can he be cured?" Ye Shikai inquired with palpable impatience.

"Rest assured, General, provided he finds a tranquil place for recuperation for a month or two, he will fully recover."

"Excellent." Upon hearing this, Ye Shikai finally exhaled a breath of relief. As long as his internal organs remained unharmed, Ye Shikai could lend his restored Inner Strength to aid Shangguan Jian's healing.

"Now, you can finally relax, can't you?" Mi Wen remarked lightly. Ye Shikai offered a soft nod, remaining silent.

"Xue San, word reached me from the soldiers at the camp's perimeter. They said you were the one who brought Shangguan Jian back. What transpired?"

"Reporting, General. I led a team back to Nanyang County. After days of diligent searching, we couldn't locate General Shangguan. It wasn't until yesterday evening that we found him in a small village. General Shangguan sustained severe injuries, likely from an ambush by the Qin Army."

At that time, to shield the main forces, Ye Shikai had planned to dispatch a small squad on a mission with a slim chance of survival – a diversionary tactic against the Qin Army. Those who volunteered for such a mission were expected to have little hope of returning alive. Shangguan Jian, however, volunteered for the task. Ye Shikai initially refused but eventually relented when Shangguan Jian became insistent.

Now that Shangguan Jian was safely back in the camp, a massive weight that had been pressing on Ye Shikai's heart was finally lifted.

Consequently, the entire unit managed to evade the Qin Army's relentless pursuit and successfully made their way south.

"So, you are now preparing to head to Changsha, is that correct?"

"Yes, absolutely."

Ye Shikai had originally intended to wait until Shangguan Jian's injuries showed signs of improvement before departing. However, Mi Wen disagreed with this plan. Ye Shikai did not press the matter further, recognizing that the medical facilities within the camp were vastly inferior to those available in the city. Arriving in Changsha sooner would ensure Shangguan Jian received prompt and effective treatment.

The following day.

All seven thousand troops broke camp and commenced their departure. According to the initial plan, Ye Shikai's family should have already set off for Changsha. However, He Linghan expressed her strong desire to remain in the camp with Ye Shikai.

"Your condition has only just begun to stabilize. Won't traveling with the army out in the open be too exhausting for you?" Ye Shikai wasn't accustomed to granting 'special treatment.' All ranks within the army, from the lowest soldier to the highest general, adhered to the same dietary standards. While he had bent the rules slightly for He Linghan by purchasing meals from roadside eateries, these were barely superior to the standard 'large pot meals.'

"Not at all. Being by your side, I don't feel weary. Besides, before this, we were constantly evading the Qin Army, fleeing for our lives. The situation is different now; we can travel at a leisurely pace. I believe it poses no issue."

"That's right, we have weathered the most perilous times. Once we reach Changsha, we can finally establish a stable life." Contemplating this, Ye Shikai felt a profound sense of comfort wash over him.