Chapter 50: The Essence
Loli busied herself for quite a while before finally emerging again. Her face was adorned with a sweet smile, as if she had accomplished something deeply fulfilling.
Yet, Xi Wei lay there staring blankly at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling, utterly baffled by what his little maid had just been doing. Only two words echoed in his mind: “That’s it?”
Loli licked her lips and giggled behind her hand, assuming her master was simply tired. She then nestled snugly into his warm embrace, just as the elder maids had taught her, before hopping off the bed with her delicate, smooth feet and scampering away like a sprite to wash her face and rinse her mouth. Moments later, she tiptoed back onto the bed.
Feeling the soft, fragrant warmth of his little maid return to his arms, Xi Wei lay there with wide, dazed eyes, his mind a chaotic mess—as if ten thousand alpacas were stampeding through his brain.
“Master, I want a hug~”
Loli nestled against him, her blushing face breathtakingly beautiful. With a shy smile, she guided Xi Wei’s hand to her smooth, tender back, pressing herself against his broad chest like an affectionate puppy. Her soft, delicate feet playfully brushed against his calves as she looked up and asked,
“Master, hehe, weren’t you asleep just now?”
Xi Wei hesitated. He hadn’t planned to bring it up, but the question gnawed at him. Finally, he murmured, “Loli… what were you doing earlier?”
“I…”
Loli’s face flushed crimson, as if the words were too embarrassing to voice. She buried her head in Xi Wei’s chest, leaving only her twitching ears exposed. After a long pause, she mumbled shyly,
“Loli… was practicing… Master, didn’t you like it?”
“……”
Xi Wei fell silent for a moment before sighing helplessly under her anxious gaze. “I did like it… but the person who taught you the flute might have missed the essence.”
“Huh? Why…? Sister Lina demonstrated it so carefully for me…”
Loli lifted her head, her soft, adorable face filled with confusion. She tilted her head thoughtfully before tentatively asking,
“Master, I kissed your chest 298 times and rubbed your legs for so long… Did you not like it?”
“……”
Xi Wei closed his eyes in agony. “Never mind… I liked it. Let’s sleep. Tomorrow morning, I’ll guide you through the insights.”
Loli nestled her face against Xi Wei’s arm, breathing in his scent, her expression still puzzled.
*I must not have done it right!*
“Sister Lina said if I did this, Master would take the initiative to make a baby with me, but…”
Loli frowned slightly, resolving in her heart:
*Tomorrow, I’ll ask Sister Lina again… No, I’ll ask every elder sister—even Mrs. Chris!*
*I must master the secret technique of making a baby with Master!*
At that moment, flames of determination blazed in the little maid’s eyes.
—
By dawn, Xi Wei finally saw his little maid still snuggled in his arms. However, she was deep in meditation, hands clasped in prayer, channeling the *Breath of the Wilds*. He could sense the power emanating from her—stronger and more concentrated than before. With one or two more sessions, she would surely awaken.
Last night’s unexpected events had derailed his plans, so he’d have to wait until evening to try again with Loli.
With nothing pressing to do, he idly stroked the girl’s soft waist while browsing the *System Store*, pondering what useful items he could exchange for his 2,000 *Villain Points*.
“Ballistae, magic stones… Huh? When did a *Daily Essentials* section appear? Let’s check…”
“Soap, perfume—these are good. I can sell them in the Royal Capital for profit… Ice-silk lace lingerie? Oof… I’ll take a set. Only fifty points anyway…”
“Explosives? But so expensive… Siege equipment, 600 points?”
“Siege ladders?!”
Xi Wei’s eyes lit up as a bold idea flashed through his mind.
—
“Quickly! Move it!”
“Emergency assembly!”
In a small village near *Winter City*, a knight barked orders at a group of young militiamen.
“Fall in! Attention!”
“Report, Sir Knight! The Ironwood Town militia has assembled—103 men in total!”
In *Ironwood Town*, under *Winter City*’s jurisdiction, the militia gathered in the plaza. Their weapons were a motley assortment—wooden spears, butcher knives, and hunting bows slung over their backs. Their attire was even more varied: some wore thick winter coats reinforced with ironwood vine armor; others donned simple beast hides and leather helmets; a few had merely strapped sheets of metal to their roughspun clothes with rope.
Despite their ragged appearance, their formation was orderly. Unlike the hollow-eyed conscripts of other territories, these men stood tall, their eyes burning with fervor.
The moment they heard their lord was going to war, these farmers had dropped their tools and volunteered. In the past, such enthusiasm would have been unthinkable—knights would’ve had to drag them from their homes.
But now, everything had changed. Their lord had abolished the tithe. These lowly serfs, barely considered human, had never dreamed of such mercy.
Now, they were eager to fight for him.
In their simple minds, their lord’s war was to protect their land. But for these serfs, life had visibly improved. They weren’t just defending territory—they were defending their fields, their families, and the benevolent lord who had given them hope.
The knight surveyed the willing recruits with admiration, though his lack of education left him unable to articulate his feelings. He simply carried on with his duty.
“Maintain formation! No stragglers! Destination: *Winter City*! Double time!”
Led by the knight, the militia marched toward *Winter City*, their hearts heavy with both reverence for their lord and longing for home. Behind them, the elderly, women, and children watched their figures fade into the distance.
This scene repeated across countless villages near *Winter City*.
Thanks to Xi Wei’s order to form patrols, which had spread swiftly the day before, the militia assembled with unprecedented speed. By afternoon, every able-bodied man from the surrounding areas had gathered.
The local militia from *Winter City* itself stood out—better armed, clad in proper armor, or at the very least, sporting pots and pans strapped to their bodies as makeshift protection. They had brought everything they owned.
Standing on the review platform, Xi Wei felt the profound impact of his actions on these lowly townsfolk. Though he hadn’t paid them much attention, they had remembered every kindness.
The *Sword Shield Soldiers*, in particular, gazed at him with near-religious fervor. Xi Wei had no doubt that if he ordered them to charge into certain death, they would do so without hesitation.
This was a far cry from the “apathetic freemen” the *System* had described.
After inspecting the troops, Xi Wei visited *Little Fatty*’s home. His mother’s injuries had stabilized, though her lung condition remained untreatable. According to *Old Parker*, all they could do was manage it with medicine for now.
Next, Xi Wei visited the families of fallen soldiers whose compensation had been stolen, reissuing their dues before returning to *Winter Fort* under their tearful gazes.
Now, in the fort’s grand hall, a strategic meeting about *Budun Territory* and the border iron mines was about to begin.
