The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1582: About to Depart
Previously on The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife...
The rear of the mountain.
Alone on the ground, Ye Shikai sat in a cross-legged position, circulating the Emperor Xuan Scripture. He hadn't resumed cultivation since his Inner Strength vanished, and much time had been lost, necessitating a swift return to his practice.
"Settle your mind and regulate your breathing. Your Dantian has only just been mended; aggressive cultivation is not advised at this stage. All things must proceed gradually." The Blade Soul's voice echoed in his consciousness, offering guidance.
The Emperor Xuan Scripture, the very technique Ye Shikai practiced, was never designed for rapid advancement. It demanded patience, only allowing breakthroughs when the flow was natural, like water finding its course.
At merely twenty-five years old, Ye Shikai had already advanced the Emperor Xuan Scripture to the fifth layer, the Kun Level. This alone signified cultivation genius, possessed of extraordinary talent. While perhaps not the absolute strongest, Ye Shikai's unparalleled ability to transmute Inner Strength into combat power, converting every iota within him into fighting prowess, often granted him the advantage when cultivation levels were otherwise equal.
"I understand. Haste makes waste," Ye Shikai replied placidly.
"You've only reached the fifth layer thus far, yet it's sufficient for you to hold sway in a region of the Underworld. For further growth, a breakthrough to the sixth layer is essential. Only upon reaching the Xun Level can genuine progress be declared." The Blade Soul continued, his assessment accurate: reaching the Xun Level would usher in a qualitative leap for both Inner Strength and combat capability.
Rumble.
With a guttural cry, Ye Shikai caused all the rocks within a twenty-pace radius to disintegrate. A ferocious wind erupted outwards. Fortunately, the rear mountain remained deserted; any observer would have certainly caused complications.
He had cultivated for the entire afternoon. While his Inner Strength saw no increase, his meridians were thoroughly purified, which would enhance his ability to exert it. After all, his Dantian had been damaged for an extended period; restoring his former might necessitated a gradual approach.
"This meteorite harbors immense energy. Merely through your initial contact, it has already aided in restoring your Inner Strength. Should you manage to claim it as your own, it would undoubtedly prove invaluable to your future cultivation," The Blade Soul stated.
"That's a no-go. The volatile energy it contains still unnerves me. If all of that meteorite's power were channeled into my body, it would be more than enough to obliterate me a hundred times over," Ye Shikai remarked with a touch of self-deprecation. It wasn't a matter of lacking courage; he was simply stating the reality. The Storage Ring might possess infinite capacity, but the object's inherent energy itself could overwhelm both the ring and Ye Shikai.
"Any cultivator with aspirations actively seeks greater power. Kid, don't your people in Huaxia have a saying, 'The bold perish from overindulgence, the timid starve'? It is precisely because that meteorite's energy is so potent that you should strive all the more to possess it," The Blade Soul urged.
"Indeed, 'The bold perish from overindulgence, the timid starve' – there's truth to that. But whether one dies from eating too much or from not eating enough, the outcome is still death, isn't it? The result is identical. Our priority is to remain alive," Ye Shikai stated, mounting his warhorse and returning to the camp. Within the supply depot, preparations were in full swing, sorting provisions. Wagon after wagon was being loaded with grain; a single command from the military, and they would be ready to depart.
"Old Ye, most of the soldiers who went home for leave have returned, yet the lord has yet to announce a departure date. When precisely... are we leaving?" Shangguan Jian, spotting Ye Shikai's return within the command tent, immediately stepped forward with his inquiry.
"Have you still not discerned it? Setting forth is a significant undertaking – do you truly believe the lord has overlooked this?" Ye Shikai chuckled lightly and gestured dismissively.
"What do you mean by that?"
"The lord's 意思 is that the departure date is ours to determine. However, we must commence our journey within seven days." Ye Shikai clarified.
"I understand. So, when do we depart?"
"There's no need for haste. I estimate the Qin Army will not march south for several months. Even if we proceed to Southern County, we'll merely be waiting. Therefore, there's no urgency – departing a few days later allows for more thorough preparations."
"Very well, I shall relay the orders."
"Mm."
Ye Shikai was not one to procrastinate, nor was he deliberately delaying out of fear or apprehension. It was simply that... he wished to spend a little more time with He Linghan.
..................
"Husband, you are departing tomorrow?" Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and He Linghan's mood grew progressively somber each day.
"Yes. We will be setting off tomorrow at noon." Ye Shikai confirmed with a nod, reaching out to take her hand. "Ling’er, I'm heading to Southern County this time. It could be half a year, or it might take several years. You'll have to bear the hardship at home on your own." "Don't worry. No matter how long you're gone, I will wait. When you return, I'll personally be there to welcome you back." He Linghan's understanding response brought him comfort, as she neither cried nor caused a scene. "Mm." "Ling’er, we'll be departing directly from the army camp tomorrow. The city is a good thirty li away, so there's no need for you to come and see me off. Please just get more rest at home," Ye Shikai said gently. He Linghan nodded, understanding his sentiments. Why add to the sorrow at the moment of parting when separation was unavoidable? "Oh, right. Ling’er, I have a gift for you." Ye Shikai retrieved a pendant from his Storage Ring. It featured a small, exquisitely crafted piece of crystal-clear jade. "Husband, you know I'm not particularly fond of jewelry like this." "Ling’er, please wear this pendant. It will be very useful in a critical moment," Ye Shikai insisted, placing it around her neck himself. "Useful? Useful for what?" He Linghan inquired with curiosity. "You'll find out later. I'll keep it a secret for now." Despite her bewilderment, a delighted smile bloomed on He Linghan's face upon receiving the gift. "Alright then. Husband, I also have a gift for you." With that, He Linghan turned and went inside her house, returning shortly after. "What is it?" Ye Shikai was also quite curious about her present. "This." He Linghan presented what she held in her hands: a piece of soft armor, adorned with numerous inlaid iron scales. The craftsmanship was exceptional, a finely made set of soft armor. Ye Shikai recalled that in Shangshui Village, on the eve of his departure north, He Linghan had also given him a set of armor – that one had been 'fur armor'. "I made you a piece of fur armor myself back then, but it could only keep you warm. These past few days, I've had the city's finest Armor Maker custom-create this soft armor for you. Wear it underneath your clothes, and blades and swords won't be able to harm you." "Very well, I accept it." Ye Shikai nodded and put on the soft armor immediately before her. Truthfully, for a cultivator, such iron soft armor held little practical use at this stage, but he cherished He Linghan's heartfelt concern. "It fits quite well," Ye Shikai quipped with a teasing smile.