As it turns out, He Yunxiao's food diplomacy has been very effective.

This move not only directly boosted the influence of the new Chu army among the surrounding Qi armies, but also attracted many Qi soldiers who were not former members of the Chu family army to come and pay homage to the Chu army and pledge allegiance.

The New Chu Army, which originally numbered around 10,000, grew in size accordingly.

With more and more former members of the Chu family army joining them, the number of new Chu troops surged from over 10,000 to over 40,000 in just half a month.

This was still the result of the new Chu army's policy of "better to have none than to have bad ones." If they had accepted all the Qi soldiers who came to join them, the number of the new Chu army at this time would probably be equivalent to the 70,000 men of the Yan Eastern Army.

Ruobao showed no mercy to the newly surrendered Qi army. High-ranking officers were reassigned, demoted, or promoted as appropriate. Basic soldiers were dispersed and reorganized for retraining. Those who disobeyed orders simply left. The new Chu army's rations and pay were only for the soldiers, not for the privileged.

The expansion of the new Chu army was certainly a cause for celebration, but the soaring military pay and weapons costs that followed posed a real challenge for He Yunxiao.

Raiding the Yandong army alone was no longer enough to cover the expenses of the new Chu army. After all, the Yandong army only numbered 70,000, and it would be difficult for them to support the more than 40,000 new Chu troops. Therefore, the new Chu army also had to take on the side of raiding the Yannan army, which numbered over 200,000. This included ambushing scouts and collecting tolls from Yan army supply convoys. In short, they didn't miss any opportunity to make money.

That morning, He Yunxiao emerged from Ruobao's room feeling refreshed.

Yesterday during the day, Ruobao severely criticized He Yunxiao's view of "supporting the New Chu Army's looting" in front of all the soldiers. That evening, He Yunxiao did not go to Youbao's place, but went to Ruobao's room to get his revenge.

Last night, Ruobao was handling military affairs by lamplight when He Yunxiao arrived. Knowing full well what was going on, she asked him, "Are you feeling resentful?"

He Yunxiao replied, "No, no, I just miss Ruobao."

Ruobao added, "Today is a carefree day."

He Yunxiao immediately straightened his face. "What do you mean by a carefree life? There's no such thing as a carefree life! I, He Yunxiao, am going to sleep in Madam's room tonight, and let's see who dares to object!"

Ruobao rolled her eyes at He Yunxiao. Only the three of them knew about their relationship. Therefore, whatever He Yunxiao said went.

Ruobao knew that He Yunxiao had come to vent his anger, but she believed that she had done nothing wrong, so she naturally couldn't apologize to He Yunxiao and left him standing aside.

He Yunxiao called "Ruobao" several times, but received no response. Seeing that Fan Ziruo didn't answer, he simply reached out, lifted her up by her legs, and blew out the lamp without a second thought!

Although Ruobao has a strong temper, she's delicate and frail, no match for He Yunxiao. No matter how unwilling she is to admit defeat, her body betrays her. A female lead thoroughly tamed by He Yunxiao can't cause any trouble.

...

The wind that night was exceptionally strong and howling. It lashed against the windowsill with a continuous "pattering" sound until dawn.

...

The "True Meaning of Freedom" practiced by Qing Yuzi or Bai Yufei and the "Formless Rebirth Technique" practiced by Xiao Xiao are both top-tier techniques of the Taixu Sect. The two techniques have different paths of practice, but when they are cultivated to the Mahayana level, they can both have the power to move mountains and overturn seas.

The "Formless Rebirth Practice" cultivates the "cycle of cause and effect," relying on continuous reincarnation to experience life, realize the true meaning, and thus "unite all dharmas into one, and transform one into all dharmas."

The true meaning of "Freedom" is to cultivate "the creation of heaven and earth", and to purify oneself through the practice of "freedom and ease", so as to achieve "unity of heaven and man, I am heaven and earth, and heaven and earth are me".

The reason Qing Yuzi couldn't defeat Xiao Xiao wasn't because "Zizai Zhenyi" was inferior to "Wuxiang Wangsheng Gong," but because Qing Yuzi's own cultivation talent differed from Xiao Xiao's. Therefore, Qing Yuzi's "Zizai Zhenyi" only possessed Hinayana (the lesser vehicle) potential, not Mahayana (the greater vehicle).

Both are top-tier techniques. The "True Meaning of Freedom" has aspects that far surpass the "Formless Rebirth Technique." For example, Qing Yuzi's agility is unparalleled and unpredictable. Even Xiao Xiao couldn't catch him because he borrowed the power of heaven and earth.

For example, after Qing Yuzi was injured, he could also use the vitality of heaven and earth to speed up his healing process.

However, this healing skill also has a downside: it increases Qing Yuzi's perception of her surroundings.

Unfortunately, Qingyuzi's room was not far from Ruobao and Youbao's rooms.

Therefore, her skill is basically useless every night.

It can't be said that she's completely ruined, but in short, every night in the middle of the night, Bai Gu Niang would be disturbed and unable to focus on healing. She would often need to rest and sleep, but most of the time she couldn't fall asleep in bed.

...

He Yunxiao emerged from Ruobao's room feeling refreshed.

With the Soul-Devouring Pill's blessing, even if he indulges in revelry every night, he won't experience any back pain. For He Yunxiao, who has a large family and business empire, it's an invaluable treasure.

"Daoist Master?" He Yunxiao asked in surprise when he saw Qing Yuzi waiting for him.

Qing Yuzi's veil cleverly concealed her haggard appearance and dark circles. She said in a weak voice, "I'm going to Yanyang City. Will you come with me?"

"Okay, sure," He Yunxiao agreed.

Qing Yuzi is a Grandmaster of unparalleled skill. He Yunxiao didn't think he was that familiar with Qing Yuzi, at least not to the point of "holding hands and going shopping." So, when Qing Yuzi came to him to "go to Yanyang City together," it was most likely because he had something to say.

The two rode their horses on the road to Yanyang City.

Qing Yuzi hinted, "Young Master He, you are young and strong, you should focus more on martial arts."

He Yunxiao was about to use the same excuse he gave his brother-in-law to fob off Master Bai. He shamelessly said, "Master is right. I practice my sword every night."

Qing Yuzi: ...

Don't you know what you do every night?

Although Qing Yuzi was aware of the situation, there were some things that women really couldn't say, especially since He Yunxiao and Chu Fan were of the same generation, and she was considered He Yunxiao's "elder," so it was even more difficult for her to speak.

She could only continue to hint.

"While the Soul-Devouring Pill can enhance the body's recovery ability, it cannot last."

"Yes," He Yunxiao said confidently, based on his countless experiences.

Qing Yuzi: ...

"The Soul-Devouring Pill is neither purely good nor purely evil; you should use it with caution." (cascoo.net)

He Yunxiao thought for a moment. He was indeed cautious, always keeping the doors and windows tightly closed and erecting an internal energy barrier, making it impossible for others to detect him. So he said with relief, "Thank you for your teachings, Daoist. I am well aware of the principle of moderation and have been very careful when using it."

"You..." Qing Yuzi hesitated, almost blurting out the truth.

He Yunxiao: "Taoist Master?"

"fine."

"Does the Taoist priest seem to have some obsession with the Soul-Devouring Pill?" He Yunxiao asked curiously when he saw Qing Yuzi always mentioning the "Soul-Devouring Pill".

A hint of melancholy appeared on Qing Yuzi's charming face hidden behind the veil.

"This pill gathers the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making it a supreme treasure. The reason why ordinary people suffer a shortened lifespan after consuming it is because their bodies are too weak to withstand the power of the Soul-Devouring Pill. I cultivate the 'True Meaning of Freedom' and can use the power of heaven and earth to harmonize this pill and unleash its maximum potential... Although you do not know my cultivation method, you have other ways to weaken the power of this pill and achieve balance... It is simply that I am not destined to have the Soul-Devouring Pill."