Linglong and Daliwan listened, completely bewildered. Yun Yao explained, "Linglong, Brother Daliwan, your mission is to protect Zhao Qian, letting him command others to complete the enemy-killing tasks. After all, there are only two of you; how can you possibly fight against an army of thousands? To hold back the enemy's vast forces, our side also needs a vast force. But if there are thousands upon thousands without anyone to command, everyone fights on their own, becoming scattered sand, and ultimately failure is inevitable. The commander is the decisive factor in any war; his safety directly concerns victory or defeat, so ensuring his safety is paramount."

Linglong replied, "I think I understand a little, but I'm still confused. What about you, Brother Daliwan?"

Daliwan chuckled, "I don't understand, but I don't think I need to. Following Brother Zhao Qian means I have food, drink, and money. He is my provider, the great benefactor to my family. All I know is that I am strong, and I must protect his safety."

Linglong said, "Then I don't need to understand either. No matter what, he is right. Besides, Sister Yun Yao is already biased toward him. It's better that we aren't allowed to kill enemies—it saves us from dirtying our hands. From now on, I will just follow Brother Daliwan behind him and make sure no bad guys hurt him, lest I get scolded by these sisters when he gets hurt coming back."

"Who dares scold my Fourth Sister?" Ma Xiaoda said as he walked in from the courtyard, with Bai Shi diligently holding an umbrella behind him. The umbrella’s corners were designed so rainwater streamed down the four edges. To fully shield Ma Xiaoda, Bai Shi had drenched himself completely; this attendant was truly loyal and dedicated.

Ever since Ma Xiaoda met Cheng Susu, the ranking of every previous 'Fairy Sister' had dropped by one level, so the former Third Sister was now the Fourth Sister.

"Hmph, what business is it of yours what we're saying?" Linglong gave Ma Xiaoda no quarter. Her childish temper was mischievous; it would be a strange thing if they could ever coexist peacefully.

Ma Xiaoda retorted, "Oh, you mistake my good intentions for ill treatment. Fine, fine, just let them scold you to death then."

Fearing the two would bicker endlessly, I interrupted them. "Ma Xiaoda, hiding outside and eavesdropping on our conversation is a very bad habit. If you ever overhear any of our secrets next time, I will surely kill you to silence you..."

"Insolent!..." Bai Shi suddenly interjected.

Ma Xiaoda quickly stopped him from continuing. "Yes, perhaps I was a bit bold, but since I’ve already heard it, just let me off this time. Besides, the reasoning you just mentioned gave me great inspiration; I should thank you properly."

I asked, "Why are you, at your young age, listening to us discuss warfare? I recall you prefer political discourse. Children shouldn't involve themselves much with killing and fighting; it's not good for your development."

Ma Xiaoda asked, "Don't you know my innate ambition?"

"Of course, I don't know. Do you think I am your teacher or your father?"

Bai Shi behind him trembled slightly with anger, but Ma Xiaoda wouldn't let him speak, so he had to endure it painfully. Ma Xiaoda announced, "Let me tell you, my ambition is that one day, the territory and citizens of the Ten Thousand Horse Kingdom will become the horse ranch and herdsmen of our Twin Cities Kingdom, and the foundries and citizens of the Jin Kingdom will become our refining plant and laborers. I will ride a magnificent steed, wielding a sharp blade and precious sword, sweeping away all enemies!"

I gave Ma Xiaoda a thumbs-up. "You have great ideals. I wish your dream success."

Ma Xiaoda hastily responded, "No, don't disbelieve me! I truly think this way; you must believe me."

Linglong said, "We never said we don't believe you. Go home and dream if you want to dream; don't interfere with what we're doing."

"You call it a pipe dream!" Ma Xiaoda was naturally displeased that his grand ambition was dismissed as a daydream.

Linglong retorted, "What else would it be if not a daydream? Tell me, can you even beat any one of us sitting here? Yet you want to ride a magnificent steed wielding a sharp blade and precious sword to sweep away all enemies. Do you have a horse? Do you have a sword? Can you even defeat the smallest, weakest horse bandit?"

Linglong's questions forced Ma Xiaoda to retreat repeatedly. However, as soon as she finished speaking, he straightened his back, took two steps forward, pushing Linglong back a few paces. He declared righteously, "I don't have a horse, but I can seize one from horse bandits. I don't have a precious sword, but I can find a way to forge one myself. Even if I can't defeat the smallest or weakest horse bandit now, what Zhao Qian said earlier is true: war is not a matter for one person; victory isn't decided by brute force alone. As long as I learn military strategy and how to command an army, defeating the horse bandits will be effortless. Zhao Qian’s victory over the horse bandits yesterday is a living testament to that!"

I knew these two would start fighting again if left alone. Seeing the unresolved look on Linglong's face, I quickly intervened, "Stop arguing, both of you."

Seeing that I was slightly angry, both immediately quieted down. I asked Ma Xiaoda, "Why did you come here in the rain? Surely not to argue with your Fourth Sister."

Ma Xiaoda smiled. "How could that be? I just enjoy exchanging a few sharp words with her. By the way, Zhao Qian, I have thought of a great method—a fantastic way to strengthen the army!"

Seeing that he was speaking with genuine conviction, I asked, "What great method?"

Ma Xiaoda said, "I've been considering this problem for the last couple of days. Isn't the combat capability of our Twin Cities Kingdom's troops always very low? You see, we already have two talented generals ready, and although we have a few treasured blades, it’s far from enough to equip an entire army. I've thought it over and verified it: we should transport that divine egg—that thing called the escape pod—to the Twin Cities, set up a huge furnace, and melt it down to forge thousands upon thousands of treasured blades. I secretly tested that piece of metal the other day; its hardness absolutely surpasses the precious sword you gave me. With this army, we can attack whomever we want..."

I interrupted Ma Xiaoda. "Stop, stop. You want to melt down the escape pod? Do you think this is the Great Leap Forward in steel production? Even if you burned all the charcoal in the entire Twin Cities Kingdom, the temperature might not reach the point needed for it to melt. That idea won't work!"

Linglong chimed in from the side, "Yes, Ma Xiaoda, even if you talk nonsense, there should be some limit. And two ready-made generals? Where are they? In Feiyu County, I think only our Master is worthy of being called a great general."

Ma Xiaoda pointed at himself. "Am I not one? You little girl, you look down on people too much. Let me tell you, I mastered the Classics and literature at eight, killed wild pheasants in the mountains at nine, and at ten, I dared to go to the latrine alone at night..."

"Stop the drumming." I interrupted Ma Xiaoda again. "You didn't even scratch the escape pod that day."

Ma Xiaoda grumbled, "I wish I could have! Not only was my original precious blade broken, but the one you gave me later was nearly damaged too. Yet that thing didn't show a single scratch—it truly is excellent metal. I must find a way to melt it down and forge a sword in the future."

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