Free Web NovelChapter 1650: Chapter 1650: The True Purpose
War awakens the demon in everyone’s heart, the Demon Addiction within Ye Shikai’s body is merely dormant, not completely cured yet. In some respects, Chen Yuxin destroying his Dantian wasn’t entirely a bad thing. At the very least, as long as he keeps his mind stable, the Demon Addiction won’t flare up. Now, by a twist of fate, the East County Meteor helped him restore his inner strength, making him constantly vigilant of the abnormal energy within his body.
Hu Zi asked him if he wanted the Chu Army or the Qin Army to win, and Ye Shikai had no answer in his heart. According to the course of history, Mi Wen would eventually fail. Even if we set history aside for a moment, if Mi Wen truly conquered the world, would the war really end? This question remains unanswered.
"Hu Zi, thank you for showing me the way. I truly appreciate your help this time." Ye Shikai changed the subject.
"You’re welcome, benefactor. You cured the plague in our village, you’re the benefactor of us all. Yesterday I just hunted a fawn in the mountains, I’ll make roast venison for you when we return."
"Thank you." Ye Shikai nodded, and the two returned to Baimu Village along the path.
This was Ye Shikai’s second day in Baimu Village, and by his calculations, it had been four or five days since he left Linxiang City. Time could not be delayed; today he had memorized the route, and he planned to leave Baimu Village tomorrow to notify the Chu Army on the front lines.
The plague had been resolved, and the black cloth in front of many villagers’ homes had been taken down. Ye Shikai’s prescription had a miraculous effect, and the village was bustling as if it were New Year’s.
Thud, thud.
"Who is it?" Ye Shikai opened the door, and it was Hu Zi, holding roast venison in one hand and a jug of aged wine in the other.
"Traveling doctor, I just finished roasting this, let’s eat together."
"Oh, I see, thank you." Seeing this, Ye Shikai thanked Hu Zi repeatedly and let him into the room.
"Traveling doctor, where have you been before, and how many people have you treated?" They were eating the roast meat when Hu Zi suddenly asked.
"Haha, I’ve wandered the world, how could I remember? As for how many people I’ve saved, I don’t know either. A traveling doctor is no deity, one can only do what one can." Ye Shikai replied casually.
"I’ve heard there’s a General in the Chu Army who looks a lot like you. I wonder... could it be you, traveling doctor?" Hu Zi’s face was filled with murderous intent as he suddenly drew a sharp blade from behind, aiming it at Ye Shikai.
"It seems you figured out who I was a while ago." Although a bit shocked, Ye Shikai wasn’t panicked at all. On the contrary, he understood why Hu Zi had such a big reaction. Why would a great general of the Chu Army disguise himself as an ordinary traveling doctor? It couldn’t be for a "secret investigation." Definitely not. At the same time, the people of Baimu Village were also greatly suffering from the "chaos of war." They had no fondness for the tyrannical Qin Army but were also uninterested in the Chu Army mobilizing here. Instead, due to the arrival of the Chu Army, the war had spread to the village. Compared to the Qin Army, they probably hated the Chu Army even more. Now that Hu Zi knew Ye Shikai’s true identity, naturally, his anger was boiling over.
"What are your intentions in our village?" Hu Zi questioned.
"Hu Zi, I know you suspect me now, but I hope you can believe me. I came this time because of the front line’s war, and it won’t impact the village."
"You generals care only for immediate interests, never about the lives and deaths of common folks." Hu Zi accused angrily.
"So may I ask who cured the villagers? Was it you, or did they recover on their own?" Ye Shikai retorted, and Hu Zi was momentarily speechless. Indeed, the hundreds of villagers who had fallen ill were indeed saved by Ye Shikai’s prescription. If not for him, Hu Zi might not even be standing in front of him.
"This..."
"Alright, at this point, I’m being open with you." Ye Shikai no longer intended to hide. Since Hu Zi already knew, he might as well tell the truth, "I came this time precisely to evacuate the 100,000-strong Chu Army from Ba Shu."
"What did you say?"
"The Qin Army has cut off the Chu Army’s retreat. Fighting head-on would cause great casualties. So... I came here looking for a new retreat route, and as it happens, thanks to your help today." Ye Shikai explained.
"Are you talking about the path through the cave?" Hu Zi questioned back.
"Yes, that’s the one." Ye Shikai nodded in response.
"So many Chu soldiers retreating through the cave, and being so close to the village, absolutely not." Hu Zi immediately argued.
"Without this escape route, the 100,000-strong Chu Army would be stuck with the Qin Army, and without supplies, the situation would spiral out of control. The 100,000 soldiers could turn into a chaotic army, and by then, all nearby cities and villages would be plundered by the chaotic army. Baimu Village, being on the front line between Qin and Chu, do you think a few hundred villagers would be spared?" Ye Shikai said coldly. He speculated on Hu Zi’s thoughts, that he didn’t want the chaos of war to reach his village. He wanted to protect his home, his family. He worried that the 100,000-strong Chu Army retreating from his doorstep might do something "against military discipline." But just as Ye Shikai said, without supplies, the starving Chu Army would indeed become "robbers," and by then... they might not even spare the lives of the villagers.
"How can you ensure that the retreat of the 100,000-strong Chu Army won’t affect the villagers?"
"I can issue an order that if any breach of military discipline occurs, the offending soldiers, regardless of rank, will be executed without pardon. If any loss occurs, I will compensate tenfold. You know my identity and should understand that I have the power to do this." Ye Shikai continued, having already prepared how to respond to Hu Zi. By saying this, Hu Zi couldn’t possibly choose to refuse.
"Then... what makes you think I should trust that what you’re saying is true?"
"Because I cured the villagers’ plague. Isn’t that enough to make you trust me? If I were truly heartless, why would I bother with you?"
"Very well, I believe you. I hope, benefactor, oh no, I hope the General can keep his promise. If the Chu Army’s retreat truly leaves no harm, I will personally apologize to you." Hu Zi bowed and said.
"Alright, if that’s the case, you should leave for now."
"General, aren’t you afraid that I’ll go and inform the nearby Qin Army? If they find out you’re here, they’ll definitely send a large army to capture you." Before leaving, Hu Zi suddenly turned his head and asked curiously. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"Trust is mutual. Since you’ve chosen to trust me, I will also trust you, to be open and keep my word. If you truly want to seek riches, you can simply go to the Qin Army’s camp now. Just tell them that the commander of the Chu Army is alone in Baimu Village. If the Qin Army captures me, you’ll be set for life, receiving a reward from the Qin that’ll last for generations."
