Sir, the rain is so heavy

[You have accomplished an incredible feat]

[You have conquered a prefecture, becoming the nominal ruler of Xuanqi Prefecture]

[Your followers rejoice in celebration]

[The young lady is happy for you]

[But you just smile, not taking it to heart]

[For you, the biggest change is merely the location of your office, moving from Pingshui County to the capital of Xuanqi Prefecture]

[Meanwhile, your feat of controlling a prefecture has reduced the Great Qin's thirteen prefectures to twelve]

[The civil and military officials in the Imperial Capital are shocked and enraged, while rebels in the other twelve prefectures are dumbfounded. Your name spreads throughout the Great Qin]

[Whether they are high-ranking nobles]

[Or lowly commoners]

[All have come to know of your existence]

[You understand deeply that with just yourself and the current Survival Army, you are no match for the Great Qin. So, you actively spread the original Fool's Technique, letting it permeate throughout all regions of Great Qin]

...

[Simulation Year 11, you are 26, Wu Yingxue is 20]

[Your plan is very successful. With the widespread distribution of the Fool's Technique, resistance across Great Qin reaches unprecedented levels]

[There are priorities in all matters]

[Clearly, for the Emperor of Great Qin, suppressing internal rebellions takes precedence over crushing Xuanqi Prefecture at the border]

[The Great Qin army that was originally sent to attack you suddenly turns to fight other rebels instead]

[This gives you and the Survival Army more time to develop]

"Sir, what should we do next?"

"Continue fighting. The spark has been lit, now is the time for it to spread across the plains."

"A wildfire across the plains? Hehe, I like that phrase."

No need for hesitation.

No need for consideration.

The current Survival Army has no path of retreat.

Even the impetuous young lady can see that only through continuous fighting can people truly survive.

If they slow down even a bit, rest for just a moment.

Then deadly fate would strangle everyone.

Either die in silence or explode in rage - facing this choice, those who follow Xu Xi choose the latter.

...

[That same year, after the autumn harvest, you lead the greatly strengthened Survival Army on an expedition to Jiangdao Prefecture, a region rich in waterways]

[As time passes, the advantages of the Fool's Technique become increasingly apparent]

[No need for deliberate cultivation]

[No need for innate talent or comprehension]

[Although the Survival Army remains "inferior" in the eyes of officials, just a bunch of laughable peasants]

[These so-called hungry refugees now possess strength no less than ordinary warriors, with eyes burning with intense flames]

[They no longer pray for heaven's protection, but rather seek survival for themselves and others]

[As the Survival Army marches majestically into Jiangdao Prefecture]

[Your name once again spreads among the civil and military officials]

[Whether in bewilderment, shock, or anger]

[The Emperor and officials of Great Qin simply cannot understand why you would be so bold as to target the wealthy Jiangdao Prefecture, not satisfied with just one prefecture]

"It must be for power!"

"It must be for money!"

"A wolf's ambition, surely aiming for His Majesty's throne!"

In the Imperial Court at the capital.

The officials curse and shout, spittle flying.

Yet even so, none of them agree to prioritize sending troops against the Survival Army.

The Survival Army is too far away, mostly in the remote Xuanqi Prefecture, while some rebellions have already reached near the capital.

Great Qin has twelve prefectures.

This so-called Master Xu only has one prefecture.

The advantage is ours!

"After the court suppresses all other rebellions, we can deal with this Master Xu at our leisure," all the court officials think this way.

...

[Simulation Year 12, you are 27, Wu Yingxue is 21]

[Under your leadership, the Survival Army advances like an unstoppable force, breaking through Jiangdao Prefecture's checkpoints and walls, striking directly at the capital to capture it]

[After the decisive battle, sudden heavy rain falls]

[The rain is heavy, soaking you, the young lady, and countless common people behind you]

Pitter-patter—

Pitter-patter—

The downpour continues, with fierce winds aiding its tyranny.

The wind and rain combine to form heaven's fury.

The rapidly falling raindrops create striking splashes as they hit the ground and bodies, countless droplets seemingly venting some nameless anger.

Wu Yingxue lies on her back, quickly becoming drenched, water running all over her body.

Xu Xi pulls her up from the ground.

He also wraps her in energy shields, protecting her from the slanting rain.

"Sir, the rain is so heavy today."

The young lady leans against Xu Xi's back, quiet and still, holding his neck.

She curiously gazes at the increasingly violent rain beyond the energy shield.

"Sir, I'm so tired..."

Perhaps it's the lulling sound of the rain.

Or perhaps it's exhaustion from battle.

Before Xu Xi can answer, the young lady on his back falls into deep sleep, her head resting on his shoulder, letting out soft snores.

"Thank you for your hard work," in the pouring rain, the man softly thanks the already sleeping young lady.

The Survival Army's innate fighting strength is limited.

Far from matching the Great Qin's vast resources.

In every battle, Wu Yingxue gives her all, and Xu Xi has always noticed her exhaustion from gritting her teeth and persevering.

...

[Simulation Year 13, you are 28, Wu Yingxue is 22]

[The Survival Army's influence expands again, from the original Xuanqi Prefecture to include Jiangdao Prefecture]

[Using Jiangdao Prefecture's intricate network of waterways]

[You spread the Fool's Technique even faster]

[Gradually, the Fool's Technique spreads throughout Great Qin, forming a truly massive movement, a surging tide that even you find heart-stopping]

[That same year, Wu Yingxue enters the Second Realm of the Innate Stage, and the technique you created specifically for her seems to have surprisingly good effects]

[Under your guidance, the young lady quickly masters the internal heaven and earth of blood energy]

[It is a realm that burns fiercely yet is full of vibrant life]

[Good news continues to arrive. In the second month after the young lady's breakthrough, you receive another message that humble Niu has successfully advanced to the Innate Stage]

[You are dazed for a long while, then break into a smile]

["Congratulations, Niu," you say to the honest man, encouraging him to keep up the good work. He smiles sheepishly and scratches his head, just happy to be of help to you]

...

[Simulation Year 14, you are 29, Wu Yingxue is 23]

[You successfully enter the Third Realm of the Innate Stage, achieving the status of God-Seeing Warrior]

[The order of Great Qin seems to have completely collapsed]

[You lead the Survival Army to conquer two more prefectures, your sphere of influence becoming extremely large]

[For some unknown reason, that legendary Human Immortal who killed the Dingyuan King never appears before you, and even the Emperor of Great Qin never truly takes any meaningful measures]

[You have a strange sense of déjà vu, as if the Emperor of Great Qin is allowing you to conquer Great Qin, as if he doesn't care at all about your and the Survival Army's existence]