Lin Ze confirmed that the operation against the Wolf Head Mercenary Group and the Flame Mercenary Group had been a complete success.
Only after ordering all the Death Soldiers under his command to return to Fire Wolf Town did he finally relax.
His taut nerves eased, and a wave of exhaustion surged over him.
Lin Ze didn't force himself to stay awake. He relaxed and sank into a deep sleep.
His mind and Soul Perception had been overtaxed, and what he needed most now was a sound, peaceful sleep.
Not to force himself to cultivate while his mind was exhausted.
With the Death Soldiers guarding him, Lin Ze wasn't worried about his safety.
If even the Death Soldiers, who could act on his behalf, were helpless, then there was little he could do while awake besides try to flee.
The scorching midday sun shone over the Small Courtyard. After finishing her chores, Xiao Yi Xian lightly wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.
"Whew, all done. I should go call Lin Ze for lunch."
Xiao Yi Xian washed her hands and wiped them on her apron.
She was wearing a light blue-green dress with an apron tied around her waist, giving her the air of a girl at home.
With light steps, Xiao Yi Xian came to Lin Ze's door and knocked gently.
The room was silent. Not a sound came from inside.
Xiao Yi Xian furrowed her brow and called softly.
"Lin Ze, are you all right?"
Just then,
the door to the East Wing of the Small Courtyard opened, and a short-haired man came out. He spoke quietly to Xiao Yi Xian.
"Miss Xiao Yi Xian, Young Master is resting. He overexerted himself earlier and asked me to tell you not to wait for him to eat."
A look of surprise crossed Xiao Yi Xian's face. They lived in the same Small Courtyard, with Lin Ze in the main house and Xiao Yi Xian in the West Wing.
So she was usually well aware of what Lin Ze was up to.
Lin Ze had been in the Small Courtyard this whole time. How could he have become so exhausted?
Xiao Yi Xian furrowed her brow.
"Could you let me take a look at him? I am a pharmacist, after all. If something is wrong with his health, I may be able to help."
The man watched Xiao Yi Xian with an expressionless face. His calm, detached gaze made her feel a little uneasy.
She wasn't quite sure where Lin Ze had found these loyal, somewhat unusual subordinates.
"Of course. You're Young Master's friend."
The man went to Lin Ze's door and knocked three times in a specific rhythm.
Before long, the door opened from within.
A man of average build, wearing a friendly smile, stepped aside to let Xiao Yi Xian enter.
Xiao Yi Xian wasn't surprised to see a subordinate guarding Lin Ze's room.
After spending time with him, she knew that Lin Ze was a cautious person.
She nodded to Ma Fugui and walked in quietly.
When she reached the bedroom, Xiao Yi Xian saw Lin Ze lying on the bed, eyes closed, breathing steadily as he slept peacefully.
Furrowing her brow, Xiao Yi Xian stepped closer and carefully studied his face.
He was fast asleep, yet deep exhaustion still showed between his brows, as if he had worn himself out mentally.
"It's rare to see you so completely off your guard."
Xiao Yi Xian murmured softly.
The young man on the bed had a handsome face that still carried a hint of boyishness, but he looked utterly exhausted. Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help feeling a little sorry for him.
A trace of tenderness entered her eyes. She shook her head, thought for a moment, then turned and walked out.
A while later, Xiao Yi Xian returned with a small sachet and hung it beside Lin Ze's bed.
It was a Calming Sachet she had prepared, and she hoped it would help Lin Ze sleep more peacefully.
"Get some good rest."
Leaving him with those gentle words, Xiao Yi Xian turned and departed the bedroom in a waft of fragrance, leaving Lin Ze in peace.
Lin Ze slept until dusk, losing all sense of time before he finally felt refreshed again.
He also had the faint feeling that, after being overtaxed and then recovering, his Soul Perception had grown a little stronger.
Was that because he was special, or could Soul Perception also be strengthened this way?
After all, physical training involved repeatedly pushing the body, allowing it to recover and thereby increasing its strength.
But could Soul Perception work the same way?
Setting aside his doubts, Lin Ze looked at the small sachet hanging by his bed.
He picked it up and held it beneath his nose, inhaling gently.
It had a faint herbal scent.
After a little thought, Lin Ze knew whose handiwork the sachet was.
Creak—
The door opened, and Lin Ze looked out into the Small Courtyard.
He saw Xiao Yi Xian sitting at the Stone Table in the courtyard, flipping through a book.
"Lin Ze, you're awake. Are you hungry? I kept the food warm in the pot. Would you like me to bring it over?"
Hearing the noise, Xiao Yi Xian looked up. The moment she saw Lin Ze, she smiled.
"I'm a little hungry. That was such a deep, refreshing sleep. It's been ages since I slept that well."
Lin Ze smiled.
He felt that he had slept so well not only because he had overtaxed himself, but also because he had finally resolved a major matter.
He sat at the table and watched Xiao Yi Xian bustle about by the stove. It gave him the feeling of watching his wife take care of things.
Resting his chin on his hand, Lin Ze savored this peaceful, warm moment.
Xiao Yi Xian set all the food on the table. When she noticed Lin Ze gazing at her, a little distracted, her pretty face flushed.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. I've just seen another side of you, and it surprised me a little."
"Another side?"
"That's right. Unlike the composed and serious pharmacist, you have the gentle, capable air of a homely young wife."
Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes slightly and chided him.
"Why do I feel like you're teasing me?"
"That's just your imagination. I'm only telling you what I think."
Lin Ze smiled and began to sample the dishes.
"By the way, we might be going back to Qingshan Town in a couple of days."
"One of my subordinates was exploring the Magical Beast Mountain Range and happened to learn that there's a ruin near Qingshan Town."
"I want to explore it before we go to take the Jia Nan Academy entrance exam."
"A ruin?!" Xiao Yi Xian exclaimed, surprised.
She lived in Qingshan Town and naturally knew about the treasures and ruins that mercenaries often talked about.
The Magical Beast Mountain Range was a dangerous place, but it was also a place of opportunity.
There were often stories of mercenaries finding ruins somewhere in the Magical Beast Mountain Range, seizing an opportunity, and rising to become mighty experts.
Nine out of ten mercenaries around the Magical Beast Mountain Range had dreamed of finding a ruin and rising to greatness.
"Wait, are you saying I can come with you too?"
"Of course. Didn't we agree to take the Jia Nan Academy entrance exam together? I can't just leave you behind halfway through."
Lin Ze smiled.
"But ruins often mean opportunities..."
"They also mean danger," Lin Ze said with a smile. "I was hoping to borrow some of your Medicinal Powder to deal with any dangers we might encounter on the way."
At his words, Xiao Yi Xian pressed her glistening pink lips together.
She knew he was saying this so she wouldn't feel like a burden.
After all, his loyal subordinates could deal with dangers along the way just as well.
Perhaps even better than she could.
Yet even so, Lin Ze had still invited her along.
Xiao Yi Xian silently made a note of it. If she had the chance, she would repay him someday.
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