The subsequent actions proceeded smoothly.
So smoothly that it was almost unbelievable.
In Xu Xi's initial plan, breaking through the border checkpoint was only the first step, with more and greater challenges lying ahead.
However,
despite his vigilance and caution,
Xu Xi stood atop the city walls of Pingshui County ten days later, his expression filled with doubt and uncertainty.
"Strange..."
"The defensive forces in the interior of Daqian are so weak that I managed to take this place so easily?"
"Moreover, after I breached that checkpoint, no other border troops came to pursue us."
"What exactly is going on..."
Xu Xi pondered.
Perhaps he had underestimated the extent of the turmoil within Daqian.
It was highly likely that Daqian was now too preoccupied with suppressing other rebellions to spare any attention for him.
Only this could explain the smooth progress of the Survival Army.
"This is a good thing, actually."
Xu Xi smiled and turned to leave.
...
【You have successfully captured Pingshui County】
【When you arrived, Pingshui County couldn't even mount an effective defensive counterattack. You effortlessly blasted open the city gates and led the vast "rebel army" inside】
【Some people were terrified, believing you to be a manipulator who had bewitched the masses】
【Others were numb, thinking it was merely a change of rulers】
【But you are neither skilled at manipulating people nor interested in becoming a ruler】
【The reason your army fought so fiercely, sweeping through the county like a storm, was not due to anything else but the desperate hunger of the people themselves】
【They were fools who only wanted to survive】
【No one is unafraid of death; everyone fears it. But if survival itself is impossible, then death becomes irrelevant】
【In just ten days, your forces grew once again】
【The tide of starving people seeking survival overwhelmed the feeble resistance of Pingshui County】
【In a luxurious mansion, you found the county officials hiding together. They looked at you in terror, calling you a rebellious traitor who had deceived and misled the people】
【You found their accusations to be unfounded】
【The people of Qingniu Town, and others who joined your ranks, never sought any promises of wealth or glory from you. You couldn't offer such things anyway. They simply wanted to follow you to survive and fill their stomachs】
...
【After capturing Pingshui County, the Survival Army was filled with excitement】
【These "criminals" exiled by Daqian wept as they entered the county town, crying as they walked】
【Some proposed continuing the offensive, attacking other counties of Daqian】
【But you suppressed such talk】
【You never forgot that the main purpose of teaching the Fool's Technique and leading the starving masses out of the border was to allow more people to survive】
【The winter grew increasingly harsh, and the snow piled higher】
【Clearly, such weather was no longer suitable for continued warfare】
【What people needed now was rest, food, and a stable way to endure the winter】
【Under your arrangements, the starving refugees moved into Pingshui County, filling the empty houses. It was the only way to survive the winter】
【Crowding didn't matter】
【Stuffy conditions were irrelevant】
【As long as there was a roof to shield them from the wind and snow, people were overjoyed】
【No one felt that such treatment was beneath them, for they were originally destined to die as worthless lives. It was you who allowed them to live and provided them with shelter】
【The New Year was approaching】
【Some advised you to rest more, as the "leader" of the Survival Army, the highly respected Xu Xi, often worked late into the night】
...
Being skilled in battle alone was not enough.
Back in Qingniu Town,
Xu Xi had only a small number of people to protect, and his concerns were limited to ensuring they had enough to eat.
The solution to hunger was simple: kill demons.
The tough, barely edible meat of demons could at least fill their stomachs.
All Xu Xi had to do was keep punching and slashing, then bring the dead demons back to Qingniu Town.
But now things were different.
The Survival Army had grown too large, and the needs of the people—food, clothing, shelter, and even the practice of the Fool's Technique—required Xu Xi, as the decision-maker, to make judgments.
It wasn't that Xu Xi wanted to be the decision-maker.
But the people of the Survival Army trusted no one else.
"This is exhausting..."
After what felt like an eternity of dealing with endless administrative tasks, Xu Xi finally took a break, letting out a long sigh.
The room was warm, heated by precious black charcoal.
For a martial artist at the Xiantian level,
such heating was unnecessary.
But the people kept giving it to him, over and over again.
Xu Xi often wondered if, without such endearing but foolish gestures, he could have justified refusing to handle these administrative matters.
However,
the world had no room for "ifs" or "what-ifs."
"Sir, let me take over," a proactive voice sounded beside him.
Wu Yingxue squeezed in.
After recovering from her injuries during this time, she had regained her former vitality. She stayed by Xu Xi's side, acting as his bodyguard while also diligently learning how to handle administrative tasks.
"Alright, Yingxue, I'll leave it to you."
Xu Xi had initially wanted to refuse.
But remembering that he had other matters to attend to today,
he handed over the administrative duties to her, watching as her face lit up with joy.
"Yes, sir! I'll make sure to complete the task!"
...
【The endless administrative tasks continued to eat into your free time】
【Fortunately, you were not alone. Wu Yingxue was quite intelligent and helped share much of the burden】
【Hard work pays off. Your long hours of managing affairs sharpened your mind, and your speed at handling documents improved】
【You realized something】
【For now, the Survival Army only needed "Sir Xu" and "Little Sir Wu"】
【But in the future, if more refugees and starving people joined, you and the girl alone would be far from capable of managing everything effectively】
【You needed more "nodes"】
【You began selecting people within the Survival Army, including Niu, to serve as the "nodes" you required】
【Some were responsible for combat, others for planning and coordination, and still others for raising livestock. Each had their own strengths】
【You didn't give them fancy titles or ranks】
【Because they had already come up with their own】
"From today on, I am Little Niu Sir!"
In the snow-covered Pingshui County,
a group gathered in an open area.
A burly man shouted with great excitement.
Around him, others joined in, calling themselves "Little Dog Sir," "Little Pockmark Sir," and so on.
The scene was somewhat comical, leaving Xu Xi momentarily stunned.
But after a moment,
he couldn't help but laugh.
The naming convention wasn't elegant or cool-sounding.
But somehow—
it stirred something in his heart.
"The New Year is coming, and with it, a fresh start," Xu Xi murmured, listening to the cheers around him. He looked up at the sky, his gaze seemingly piercing through the cold sun to see something more.
A faint smile crept onto his face.