The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1575: Concealed Strength

"To be honest, this wasn’t something I particularly wanted to do. To compromise my principles for the life of a common soldier, yet repaying your favor could prove even more challenging. Thus, I might as well settle it with you now," Mi Wen stated nonchalantly. Ye Shikai had never imagined a favor could outweigh a life, but since Mi Wen was willing to spare the soldier, Ye Shikai found himself content.

"Regarding these men in black, they aren't just any soldiers; they are Death Soldiers I’ve personally recruited. The last time at my camp, I intended to assess your capabilities, but an unforeseen incident occurred. Therefore, this occasion will serve as another evaluation," Mi Wen remarked, a faint smirk gracing his lips as dozens of figures clad in black slowly advanced.

"Wait, you’re not actually planning to..." Ye Shikai felt a prickle of unease, his stance shifting defensively as he spoke.

"Combat immediately after meeting."

"Merely a test, no need for concern. Let us proceed," Mi Wen replied.

"Here I come."

Bang, bang.

In a flash, several Death Soldiers, blades in hand, surged forward. Ye Shikai retrieved a metallic sword from his Storage Ring, and amidst the ringing clash of steel, he wielded it continuously, deflecting a barrage of attacks. However, he began to show signs of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of assailants.

"Hey, didn’t we agree this was just a trial? This feels more like an attempt on my life," Ye Shikai couldn’t help but voice his complaint.

"Is that so? Well, I wouldn’t know," Mi Wen responded, gesturing casually as he observed with mock ‘keen interest,’ akin to watching a sparring match between his Death Soldiers.

"That’s quite something."

Whoosh, whoosh.

Even as he spoke, a few arrows suddenly streaked from the side. While ambush tactics might lack honor, their effectiveness was undeniable. Ye Shikai, preoccupied with deflecting the frontal sword assaults, was forced to evade these hidden threats as well. With a mere fraction of his attention diverted, an arrow grazed his armor, leaving a faint white mark.

"Not bad. You possess some measure of skill," Mi Wen acknowledged, clapping softly as he noted Ye Shikai’s proficient swordsmanship in holding his ground.

"Is that so? Allow me to demonstrate something more potent," Ye Shikai replied icily, seizing an opening to create distance from the surrounding attackers.

"Netherworld King Spell—Shadow Clone."

In an instant, more than a dozen identical avatars materialized within the garden, indistinguishable from one another. This not only baffled the Death Soldiers but also visibly surprised Mi Wen. This particular Main God Skill demanded a significant expenditure of Inner Strength, and having not employed it for some time, Ye Shikai couldn't unleash its full potential at once. Nevertheless, it effortlessly shifted the momentum of the engagement. In a one-on-one scenario, he would have held an insurmountable advantage.

"Disperse."

Ye Shikai issued a gentle command, dissolving his avatars. This caused the battle-hardened Death Soldiers to exhibit hesitation, wary of further hidden techniques and reluctant to press their attack.

"So, has the test concluded?"

"Adequate. You have not disappointed me, after all." In the space of a breath, Mi Wen had materialized directly before him, merely a step away.

"Now that the evaluation is complete, I shall take my leave." Ye Shikai turned, intending to depart. Should Mi Wen have sought to gauge the entirety of his strength, she would undoubtedly be disappointed. Ye Shikai had only revealed a single Main God Skill. He possessed numerous other ‘treasured items’ aplenty, numerous ‘secrets,’ any one of which, chosen at random, would leave her astounded.

"Take your soldier and depart. And regarding the incident in the market, I expect absolute silence from him. Not a whisper, not a hint," Mi Wen instructed.

"Understood." Ye Shikai nodded. Mi Wen had ingeniously arranged for a death row inmate to take the fall, effectively performing a clever sleight of hand. As a figure of authority, she naturally feared any scandal that might arise, tarnishing her reputation.

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

As dawn broke, a severed head was publicly displayed in the market square, attracting a considerable throng of onlookers. Mr. Sun stood nearby, ostensibly ‘lauding’ Ye Shikai’s ‘immense righteousness,’ eliciting waves of applause from the assembled crowd. To ensure his undetected departure, Ye waited until the following day to escort the soldier out of the city under the cover of night. To preclude any future identification, Ye Shikai provided him with a sum of silver and facilitated his relocation to a neighboring county, thus bringing the affair to a close.

One month passed.

In one aspect, Mi Wen’s earlier assertion proved accurate: the staged ‘execution’ of this soldier had garnered the fervent support of Linxiang City’s entire populace. Throughout the city’s arteries and hidden lanes, tales of ‘General Ye, who valiantly resisted the Wolf Clan, remaining steadfast and unyielding, sacrificing the offending soldier to uphold military discipline and reassure the populace,’ coupled with Mr. Sun’s ‘commendation,’ had cemented Ye Shikai’s image as a towering hero. Indeed, his actions and bearing were truly worthy of the ‘heroic’ appellation.

"I heard General Ye is currently recruiting in the southern district, offering five taels of silver for every willing enlistee."

"Indeed, recruitment notices have also been posted in the northern sector."

"General Ye is a true paragon of heroism; I shall enlist immediately."

"Add me to the count."

News of Ye Shikai’s recruitment drive in Linxiang City spread like wildfire, causing a stampede of eager young men who signed up as if possessed. The common folk, too, swarmed the barracks, offering gifts to the soldiers. Even the tireless blacksmiths, forging weapons, dared not slacken their efforts. Within a mere two days, the 5,000 recruitment slots announced by Ye Shikai were completely filled, an astonishing feat.

“Shangguan, how fares your recovery?” Ye Shikai inquired, entering Shangguan Jian’s tent with provisions of wine and meat.

“Haha, the heavens must be smiling upon me; I’ve been spared. Look, I’ve made a full recovery,” Shangguan Jian declared, demonstrating with vigorous punches and kicks. He was not only physically healed but also brimming with high spirits.

“Speaking of which, Old Ye, I’ve heard the townsfolk are flocking to enlist. Why are you only recruiting 5,000? This is the perfect moment to expand our army.”

“I am well aware of that. However, an army’s fighting prowess is not solely measured by its numbers; its overall cohesion and the soldiers' cooperation are paramount. Following the engagement in East County, our ranks were severely depleted, with veteran soldiers reduced to a mere fifth. If we are to grow, we must first ensure we have enough squad leaders and centurions. These individuals are directly responsible for the combat effectiveness of new recruits.”

“I grasp your meaning,” Shangguan Jian conceded. He understood that in large-scale conflicts, while generals devised strategies within tents, it was these vital “backbones” who executed the commands on the field.

“Therefore, we cannot afford to rush. Moreover, the new weaponry is not yet ready. We cannot send our brethren onto the battlefield armed with mere sticks,” Ye Shikai lamented. Despite Mi Wen’s full backing, the insurgent army’s might still paled in comparison to the Qin Army. He had personally witnessed the Qin military’s armory in East County, a standard the rebel forces could not yet match.

“Very well. Now that I am fully recovered, I’ve been idle for so long that my very bones are growing soft. If you require officers, count on me to help train them.”

“Excellent.”

“Furthermore, I predict that the Qin Army will refrain from marching south for at least another year. The conflict will likely remain a stalemate in the regions of Nanyang County and Southern County, affording us ample time.”

“A year? What makes you so certain?”