Li Qing was also very puzzled and wanted to ask something, but he could only keep it to himself because there were so many people around.

Li Ru chuckled, "It's perfectly fine."

With her spatial assistance, the battle time was greatly shortened and casualties were greatly reduced. They only lost a few hundred men, but defeated the enemy's 50,000 elite troops and captured more than 10,000 prisoners. So what did it matter if they risked being exposed?

Moreover, the system does a pretty good job of checking how she receives items; no one could clearly see how she received them, otherwise there wouldn't have been such gossip.

It was also thanks to her placing the Ziwei Emperor's statue on the mountaintop in advance.

Because there were still many people who believed in Taoism during the reign of Emperor Da Yin.

So most of them probably think it's a divine intervention; as for those who have doubts, let them have their doubts.

How can we possibly care about all that?

"Fall back!" Li Ruo said to Yang Huahua and the others. "The women's army performed very well this time. We'll reward them according to their merits when we get back."

Everyone cheered, followed by a burst of shouts and screams.

Xie Xiao felt a bit of a headache.

Li Qing shook his head and ordered the army to sound the drums and retreat back to Ziyang Peak.

Those who returned victorious were warmly welcomed by the people of the mountains.

As soon as Li Qing returned, he couldn't wait to call his younger sister into the house.

"Tell me what happened to that boat? How did it suddenly disappear?" He was extremely curious.

Li Ru chuckled, "Big brother, you don't believe in divine intervention?"

"I don't believe you for a second. Is it some kind of effect from your Sumeru Mustard Seed?"

Li Ruochao gave him a thumbs up, "Nothing can escape your sharp eyes, brother."

"It really is! So amazing?"

“That Sumeru Mustard Seed is huge; it can hold a lot of things. I can take this room away anytime.” Li Ruodao looked at his expression. “Brother, you don’t think I’m a monster, do you?”

“Fool, how could that be?” Li Qing’s expression was a little serious. “But my brother is worried that if others find out, they might capture you and use you for their own purposes. You should be more careful in the future.”

Who wouldn't be tempted if they saw this?

One person is worth an entire division.

Li Ruo breathed a sigh of relief, a warm feeling washing over her. "Thank you, brother. I will. I've already asked the Taoist priest to spread the word about divine intervention, so don't worry."

Liao Fusheng built a large shed for the Ziwei Emperor, and many people outside were still kneeling and burning incense.

Because of the Emperor's arrival, the Black Wind Army defeated the Imperial Guard as well—a force of fifty thousand fierce warriors.

After discussing the matter, Xie Xiao and Li Qing decided to place the 15,000 Imperial Guard prisoners in Qinghua Mountain under Li Qing's leadership.

With this, the number of Li Jiajun's First Division increased to 40,000!

Li Ruo's Second Division of the Li Family Army at Ziyang Peak also numbered 10,000, including 3,000 female soldiers and 7,000 naval troops, respectively commanded by Yang Huahua and Xu Dafu.

Xie Xiao's Black Wind Army has more than 30,000 men. The third and fourth leaders are the commanders of the first and second armies of the Black Wind Army, respectively, each leading 15,000 men.

The entire force numbered nearly 80,000!

That night, a simple victory celebration was held. The key personnel were both happy and worried. "So many people, they are great in battle, but how are we going to feed them?"

This brings us back to the issue of food supplies. When there is no war, if each person needs half a jin of rice a day, that would amount to 40,000 jin.

The combined weight of Black Wind Village and Purple Sun Peak is six million catties, enough to last only six months.

Xie Xiao said, "We sent out many scouts to various places before, and they are returning one after another. The southwest and west are full of high mountains and dense forests, and the resources are abundant, but there are not many people there. We can send troops out to collect food and timber."

Everyone thought this was a good idea.

"At the same time, we can also take over those places." The fourth leader was particularly eager to get married.

Li Ruoxin thought this would work; besides food, she could exchange her points in her space for other things.

She glanced at Xie Xiao. "I agree."

Xie Xiao smiled, but Li Ruo saw little smile in his eyes.

After the meeting, they returned to their room at Black Wind Stronghold. Li Ru blinked and asked him, "We won! When the news reaches the capital, those people will probably be panicked. Shouldn't you be happy?"

"What's wrong with me?" Xie Xiao asked, hands on his hips. "I'm very happy."

Li Ruo looked at him, noticing his deep eyes and hesitant expression. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

"You noticed that too?"

"Telepathic connection".

"Oh."

Li Ruo knew exactly what he was thinking. "Is it about the ship disappearing?"

Xie Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly. "Is it because of that mustard seed?"

“Hmm,” Li Ruo said, “I’ve put it inside. Isn’t that amazing?”

"Amazing, but also dangerous."

"Isn't it dangerous to go into battle and kill the enemy? You can't see it, but if you could, I wouldn't be able to stop you."

Xie Xiao still felt like he was in a dream. "The weapons from the government offices, and the pawnshops and the like, just disappeared like that."

"You only understand now?"

Xie Xiao shook his head, "Don't use that in front of so many people in the future. Even if you say it's a divine intervention, not everyone will believe it, especially the Prince of Jiangning and those old foxes in the court."

Li Ruo was a little unhappy. "But this way we can reduce casualties. You also want fewer brothers to die, right?"

Xie Xiao's eyes were as black as ink, making Li Ruo feel a little uneasy. "What's wrong?"

After a while, he said, "It's nothing. I have to go out for a bit. I'll have someone bring some hot water later. You can take a shower and rest first."

Li Ruo watched him leave, a little puzzled. He seemed a bit unhappy. Why? This was the first time he hadn't kissed her without grabbing her.

She went to Qinghua Mountain for two days. Didn't he miss her? Wouldn't he stop appreciating her once he got her?

After taking a shower, rinsing her hair, and drying it, he still hadn't returned, so Li Ruo went to bed first. But she couldn't fall asleep. In the middle of the night, she felt someone enter the room. She turned around, and the person seemed to sit for a while before leaving. She heard the sound of water from the shower behind the screen, and then she crawled into bed, surrounded by a familiar scent.

Li Ruo turned her back and pretended to be asleep. She felt him move closer and pull her into his arms, as if he sighed.

"Is something on your mind?" Li Ruo didn't want to hold back her anger, so she turned around and asked him.

He seemed to pause for a moment in the darkness, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Li Ruo snuggled into his arms, "I can't sleep until the problem is solved."

Xie Xiao scoffed, his voice particularly clear in the dead of night, "What problem are you making such a big deal out of it?"

Li Ruo propped herself up slightly to look at him, and poked his chest with her finger. "I was wondering, now that you've gotten me, do you think you'll cherish me anymore?" As she moved, half of her shoulder below her neck was exposed.

Xie Xiao's Adam's apple bobbed twice, his eyes darker than the night. "Not tired, are you?"

The next instant, he flipped her over and pinned her to the pillow, his gaze burning with a hint of red at the corners of his eyes. How to describe the feeling? Li Ruo felt as if she were being stared at by a wolf that hadn't eaten for days.