Chapter 131:

The events that followed unfolded surprisingly smoothly.

Xu Xi had anticipated that breaking through the border pass would be just the beginning, with far more difficult challenges awaiting. Yet, ten days later, he found himself standing atop the walls of Pingshui County, a mix of surprise and disbelief etched across his face.

“Strange…”

“The counties within Daqian are so poorly defended that they fell to us this easily?”

“And after I breached that pass, no frontier troops came to pursue us.”

“What’s going on here?”

Xu Xi pondered deeply. Perhaps he had underestimated the internal chaos within Daqian. The empire was likely too consumed with suppressing other uprisings to divert resources his way. That alone could explain the unexpected success of the Qihuo Army.

“Well, it works in our favor,” he concluded with a faint smile before turning to leave.

…

[You successfully captured Pingshui County.]

[When you arrived, the county had no means to mount an effective defense. You easily blasted through the gates and led your “rebels” into the city.]

[Some people were terrified, suspecting you of trickery.]

[Others were indifferent, seeing it as nothing more than a change in rulers.]

[But you neither had the skills to sway the masses nor the desire to rule.]

[The reason your army was able to sweep through Daqian with such force wasn’t due to cunning or strategy—it was the desperation of the hungry masses.]

[These were people with nothing left to lose, willing to fight simply to survive.]

[No one is fearless, but when survival feels impossible, the fear of death ceases to matter.]

[In ten short days, your forces swelled once more, as waves of starving refugees drowned out the weak resistance in Pingshui County.]

[You found the county magistrates cowering in a luxurious house, trembling with fear. They called you a rebel who incited the people.]

[But you know this isn’t the truth.]

[The people of Qingniu Town and others who joined your army never sought wealth or prosperity from you. They only wanted to survive, to fill their stomachs, even if just barely.]

…

[After taking Pingshui County, the Qihuo Army was overwhelmed with emotion.]

[Exiles who had been cast out by Daqian wept openly as they walked through the city streets.]

[Some suggested launching further attacks on neighboring counties.]

[But you silenced such proposals.]

[You’ve never forgotten your true purpose: to lead these desperate people to safety, to keep them alive.]

[The winter grew colder, and the snow piled higher.]

[This harsh weather made further battles unwise. What the people needed now was food, shelter, and a chance to survive the winter.]

[Under your orders, refugees began moving into the vacant houses of Pingshui County. Packed together, they endured the winter winds and snow.]

[No one complained about the cramped conditions or lack of comfort. They were simply grateful to be alive, with a roof over their heads.]

[For them, you were their savior, the one who gave them a second chance at life.]

[As the New Year approached, some urged you to rest, worried that as the leader, Mr. Xu, you were pushing yourself too hard.]

…

Leading was far more than just fighting.

Back in Qingniu Town, the needs were simple. The population was small, and the main concern was food. Hunting monsters for their tough, chewy meat was enough to sustain everyone. Xu Xi’s responsibilities were straightforward—fight, kill, and bring the spoils back to the town.

But now things were different.

The Qihuo Army had grown too large. Xu Xi, as their leader, had to oversee every aspect of their survival: food, shelter, transportation, and even the training of Martial Arts That Even a Fool Can Practice.

He hadn’t sought this responsibility, but no one else commanded the trust of the army.

“I’m so tired…” he muttered, finally stepping away from the endless stream of tasks and letting out a deep sigh.

The room was warm, heated with precious black charcoal. For someone like Xu Xi, who was in the innate realm, such luxury was unnecessary, yet the people insisted on providing it for him.

Xu Xi often wondered if things would be simpler without their constant gestures of gratitude. Perhaps then he could refuse to shoulder these responsibilities. But there were no “what ifs” in this world.

“Sir, let me take over,” a familiar voice offered from beside him.

Wu Yingxue stepped forward with a determined smile. After days of rest and recovery, she had regained her former vitality. Always by Xu Xi’s side, she had taken on the dual roles of bodyguard and student, diligently learning the intricacies of leadership.

“Alright, Yingxue. I’ll leave it to you,” Xu Xi finally relented, realizing he had other pressing matters to attend to.

“Yes, sir! I promise to complete the mission!” she said eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

…

[The constant demands of leadership left you with little time for yourself.]

[Thankfully, Wu Yingxue proved to be a quick learner, taking much of the burden off your shoulders.]

[Your persistence in managing affairs has sharpened your mind and increased your efficiency.]

[But you’ve come to a realization.]

[The current size of your army can be managed with just “Mr. Xu” and “Ms. Wu Xiao.”]

[However, if you absorb more refugees and hungry people in the future, the two of you alone won’t be enough.]

[You’ll need more “nodes.”]

[You began selecting individuals from the army—people like A Niu—to act as these nodes. Each had their strengths, some excelling in combat, others in planning or raising livestock.]

[You avoided giving them elaborate titles.]

[They decided their own names.]

“From today on, I am Mr. Little Niu!”

In the snow-covered county, A Niu’s booming voice echoed as he proudly declared his new title. Around him, others followed suit, shouting names like “Mr. Little Puppy Egg” and “Mr. Little Pocket.”

Xu Xi was momentarily taken aback by the absurdity of it all. But soon, he couldn’t help but laugh.

The names were far from elegant—neither fashionable nor impressive. Yet, somehow, they inspired a sense of excitement and camaraderie.

“The New Year is coming,” Xu Xi said, gazing up at the cold, pale sun. In its light, he seemed to glimpse something greater, a glimmer of hope amidst the hardships.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.