Half a year, neither long nor short.
But since the Second Elder passed away, many things had been changing silently.
Within half a year, war had broken out again.
Without Ye Longlin, it seemed the formidable army had returned, the battles were constant, with victories and defeats alternating, but overall, they lost more than they won.
Even now, the Dragon Pavilion was still the most capable force.
However, the current Dragon Pavilion was completely different from when Ye Longlin was present. Or rather, the current Dragon Pavilion lacked its soul.
Of course, only a small portion of people could still remember this man who had once stirred up countless waves. As for the general populace, perhaps they had already forgotten him, or for them, Ye Longlin was merely a drop in the ocean.
Great figures had their own important matters to attend to, while ordinary people had to strive for mortgages and rent.
No matter how fierce the fighting at the border was, it was too far removed from the lives of ordinary people. If ordinary people's lives were truly shaken, it would only signify that the nation was on the brink of ruin.
In a small town in Jiangnan, the water flowed endlessly. People did not have to worry about their livelihoods. For them, as long as they were here, they would earn an income every day.
For example, the boatman Old Man Dong. He owned five boats, and his son was a boss in Jiangnan City. By rights, he should be enjoying his retirement. Yet, he still wished to ferry passengers on this river, to hear interesting stories from other cities, and to listen to their conversations.
For him, such a life was fulfilling and joyful.
The more people he met, the more his heart gradually calmed. It seemed nothing else mattered, as long as he himself was happy and content.
At the break of dawn, he would steer a black-canopied boat, drifting down the slightly rippling water, enjoying each day.
Who among the passing neighbors and tourists could have imagined that he was the former commander of the three armies who had retired half a year ago?
Mu Hanqi's pregnancy bump had already become noticeable. Although it was quite apparent, her already good figure made her look far from bloated. Instead, a maternal radiance emanated from her.
In fact, it made her even more attractive than before.
"Ye Longlin, Ye Longlin!"
"Uncle Dong is calling you!"
In front of a shop in the small town, Ye Longlin, with a scruffy beard, lay on a lounge chair, basking in the sun. He seemed to have fallen asleep from the extreme comfort.
Seeing that he could not be woken, Mu Hanqi, annoyed, kicked the lounge chair.
Ye Longlin then slowly awoke, muttering, "Got it, got it, coming."
Looking at Ye Longlin's retreating back, Mu Hanqi couldn't help but find it amusing.
If those people in the capital knew that the Marshal Ye they revered had such an ordinary side, they would be extremely surprised.
Scruffy-bearded, unkempt, yet possessing a unique charm.
Mu Hanqi found him increasingly exasperating now.
"Uncle Dong, you ferry passengers, just ferry them. Why are you pulling me along?"
Ye Longlin yawned. After getting onto the black-canopied boat, he immediately lay down and skillfully took out a bottle of wine from a hidden compartment, drinking it with relish.
"You scoundrel, having such a beautiful wife at home and still drinking every day. Let me tell you, if I find out you treat little Qi poorly, Uncle Dong will be the first to object. Watch out, I'll deal with you!"
Uncle Dong looked at Ye Longlin's demeanor disapprovingly and rolled his eyes.
This young couple was doted on by their neighbors. Most of the people who stayed in the town were over forty. Their sons and daughters lived in the city, only returning during holidays.
Ever since Ye Longlin and Mu Hanqi arrived in the town, the surrounding neighbors had grown very fond of them, especially Mu Hanqi, whose personality was incredibly endearing.
"Uncle Dong, do I need to say it? She's my wife." Ye Longlin retorted.
Dong Dahai scoffed, then continued, "I don't know why you're here, but I can tell your accent is from the capital. Hey, you kid, are you some young master from the capital hiding out here? Tell Uncle Dong clearly, or I'll toss you into the river."
Ye Longlin took a gulp, stood up from the boat deck, handed him a cigarette to light, then lit one for himself and lay down again.
"I once ascended to the peak, saw all beings, and I also resided in the lowlands, saw the mundane world..."
Uncle Dong: "Alright, alright, you've crossed mountains and seas, gone through crowds, right? You once had everything, and in a blink, it all vanished like smoke, okay?"
Ye Longlin remained silent, bursting into laughter.
He hadn't actually said anything wrong.
"Uncle Dong, if I told you I was once a general."
Uncle Dong, annoyed, took his oar and swatted at Ye Longlin, spraying him with water. "If you're a general, then I'm the commander of the three armies. If you dare to tease me again, I'll beat you to death today!"
Ye Longlin felt dejected. How could it be that people wouldn't believe the truth these days? He really was a general, and the commander of the three armies!
"Let me off up ahead. I'm going back to find my wife. What's this all about, being together all day?"
The boat slowly docked next to a landing, Ye Longlin jumped off and walked back.
"Little Ye, come to my place for dinner later. My wife caught quite a few fish today. Ask Xiao Qi if she prefers steamed or braised."
A woman from nearby came out and said to Ye Longlin.
Ye Longlin smiled. "Aunt Zhang, can't I just take it home to eat? Must I eat at your place?"
"Hey, you scoundrel, you just wait. I'll tell Xiao Qi to sort you out!"
None of the neighbors knew that Ye Longlin was completely henpecked. They all had good relationships with him.
Mu Hanqi was now pregnant, and everything was proceeding as they had envisioned. Everything felt peaceful and serene.
"Didn't you go running the boats with Uncle Dong? Why are you back?"
Mu Hanqi was stationed by the counter, with several books placed beside her.
"Childcare Essentials," "Baby's First Hundred Days," and so on, almost all related to children.
"Did the little one kick you today?"
Upon returning, Ye Longlin found Mu Hanqi reading by the counter. He immediately sat down on the small stool beside her, placing a hand on her belly.
Even though they were an old married couple, Mu Hanqi still felt a little shy and couldn't help but glare at him.
"She's only three months old, how could she kick?"
Ye Longlin sat beside her, looking at her profile. As she spoke about their daughter, she envisioned the happiness of their family of three in the future, a smile unconsciously curving her lips.
"Hey, you know, if the baby is born, will we still be here? Or will we move to another city to continue living?"
Mu Hanqi was somewhat conflicted.
"I'll listen to you."