Before Li Guanyi entered the city, the citizens within heard the sounds of killing outside, which quickly quieted down. Having resigned themselves to death, Li Guanyi’s words made their emotions rise and fall dramatically. Many people, under such emotions, burst into tears, crying and screaming. Li Guanyi stood up, and the old man trembled and said: "General, is it true..." Li Guanyi replied: "The enemy general has been killed by me." "Additionally, there are captives and provisions that will be brought over. You, old sir, should help calm the citizens. Later, food will be provided to them." "With me here, this city will be safe." These last words fell softly but carried the weight of a mountain. Emotions surged in the old man Niu Shishi as he lifted his head, seeing the general’s armor marred with sword marks, the setting sun behind him like blood, cloaking him like a cape, he couldn’t help but say: "The General’s heavenly might!" The city gates opened, and the wounded along with captives from the Anxi Protectorate’s army entered the city. Different from the Xiyi city’s troops. They did not seize residents’ homes, nor did they occupy officials’ courtyards. They only rested along the main roads. Commands were strictly followed, not harming the citizens, creating a stark contrast with the Xiyi city’s troops. Upon entering, the first task was to immediately start cooking, setting up a military stove every fifty steps, using gathered dry food, grains, and meat from battlefield horses fallen in battle. All cooked into meat porridge. These warhorses had developed muscles which were tough to chew, often carrying a bit of off-flavor if not handled properly. Yet the city’s citizens could barely sustain themselves, constantly hungry, nearly a month without a hint of meat. Fan Qing was born into a poor family. He knew that it was best to avoid greasy foods now. After being hungry for so long, consuming fatty foods in large quantities can cloud the mind, leading to various diseases, possibly causing one to die suddenly. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel-fire.ɴet But they were too weak and needed nourishment. Thus, the warriors finely minced the horse meat into mince, separating horse oil for battlefield kerosene, preparing horsehide for tanning into leather armor, and processing horse tendons for bows and mechanisms. The ethos of the Qilin Army from the Heavenly Strategy Mansion. Due to the Lord’s influence. No spoils were allowed to be wasted. Fan Qing also mashed the hard dry rations and pot helmet biscuits from Western Regions and borders into pieces, boiled them together, sprinkling some salt to restore the citizens’ strength and spirit. The stew bubbled, emitting a rich aroma, so enticing. Fan Qing repeatedly stressed the regulations of the city at the moment. Then he arranged the citizens in lines to distribute the meat porridge. After that, the soldiers would eat. The citizens saw this disciplined and solemn army, that did not harm them but expelled external enemies, most notably, with their arrival, their lives visibly improved, filling them with joy and reverence, secretly calling them the Heavenly Army. The Shatuo Tribe fierce warrior surnamed Zhu Xie held a ceramic bowl, looking at the meat soup and dry food inside, no different from what the citizens and Anxi army had. Frowning, he drank a sip; in this era, food with salt, grains, and meat greatly boosted spirits and strength. Around him was actually noisy, unsettled. Perhaps realizing that Li Guanyi wouldn’t use their heads to mold any corpse pile, these Western Region captives somewhat relaxed, and as the fear faded, a burst of suppressed anger shot high. This remained army of over ten thousand Western Region Coalition captives was exceptionally fierce. Retaining combat prowess in such a big mix-up, elite soldiers, colonels, and fierce generals were all held, being those who fought through tens of thousands on the battlefield, absolute fierce soldiers. If these were to form an army, it would be a greater threat than those hundred thousand coalition troops. The latter, though numerous, lacked unity, delayed commands, overly sluggish, turning into a detriment; these remaining ones were unmatched, skilled in martial strength, led by a fierce general, truly a thorny problem. And these warriors hailed from various tribes, each naturally proud of their martial prowess, somewhat angry after capture, cursing Helian Jieshan and other coalition leaders in their languages. What foolish traitors! One incapable general burdens three armies! To let grandpa be dragged down by you, still feasting on horse meat, when have I, a man of the Western Desert, eaten my own ride... Oh, but this seems to be a horse from the Da Wan Tribe. The meat’s tough like biting leather, wasting effort. Though somewhat pity. Da Wan Tribe’s horses are fine. The fierce warrior surnamed Zhu Xie sneered as he ate the meat porridge, feeling a warm flow within, restoring some strength, when suddenly sensing the surrounding calm down instantly. He raised his head, subconsciously gripped the ceramic bowl, body stiffened, seeing the warrior clad in mountain pattern armor approaching again, Li Guanyi held a bowl, casually sitting on a stone, sword at the waist clanking against the stone, producing a chilling sound. In the captive area, quiet fell suddenly. Only the sound of eating meat porridge remained, even that softened. Fearful of making noise slurping soup, drawing that figure’s attention. Li Guanyi raised an eyebrow: "Speak, why have you stopped."